On the 7th of February 1798, the Spanish fleet were seen coming out of Cadiz, and, in hopes of decoying them into the open sea, the English fleet retired to Cape St. Vincent; but it was soon found that on the 14th the enemy had returned into port, being unwilling again to try the fortune of war with such an opponent. The advanced squadron was at that time commanded by Sir William Parker, who remained there.
Sir James Saumarez continued with the fleet until the 28th April, when he was sent to refit at Gibraltar.
On the 8th May 1798, the Orion sailed from Gibraltar in company with the Vanguard, Rear-admiral Sir Horatio Nelson,—the Alexander, Captain Ball,—Emerald and Terpsichore frigates, and Bonne Citoyenne sloop,—with orders from Earl St. Vincent to watch the enemy's fleet at Toulon. When they were fairly through the Straits of Gibraltar, the following order was given:
Most secret rendezvous.
In the direct track between Cape Saint Sebastian's and Toulon, in lat. 42° 20' N. from twenty to thirty leagues from the Cape; and, not hearing where I may be, in ten days return to Gibraltar.
Given on board His Majesty's ship Vanguard,
at sea, 14th May 1798.
Horatio Nelson.
To Sir J. Saumarez, Captain of H.M.S. Orion.
By command of the Rear-admiral, J. Campbell.
On the 17th, off Cape Sicie, the Orion being sent in chase, captured the Pierre, French corvette, which sailed the evening before from Toulon, and obtained the following information from the prisoners, which was immediately sent to the Rear-admiral: viz. "That the enemy's fleet, consisting of twelve sail of the line, besides six Venetian ships, were in readiness to sail, with a great number of transports, having on board both cavalry and infantry, on a secret expedition. The French general Buonaparte arrived at Toulon ten days ago to command the expedition, and was to embark in the Sans-culotte, (afterwards L'Orient,) which ship was said to have three thousand men on board, including her complement; almost all the line-of-battle ships had troops on board. Three frigates,—La Juno, La Diane, and La Justice,—were seen by the corvette this morning, and sailed from Toulon five days ago."
On the 19th a strong gale blew from the N.W. which being fair for the enemy, they sailed from Toulon, and, calling off Genoa, stood across to Cape Corse. This powerful expedition was found to consist of thirteen sail of the line, six frigates, and transports amounting to nearly four hundred sail, having on board, including the crews, forty-eight thousand men. It appears that, although not many leagues distant from Nelson's squadron, the fleet did not experience a gale which blew with uncommon violence on the 21st, and in which, after losing her three top-masts, the Vanguard lost her fore-mast and sprung her bowsprit; while the Orion and Alexander lost each a main-top-sail, and it was with difficulty they reached the Bay of St. Pietro in Sardinia on the following day. Here the squadron had a narrow escape; for, besides crossing the track of the enemy on the night of the 20th, they, by being at anchor in this bay, were not discovered by a detachment which the enemy sent in quest of them, and to which, in their disabled state, they must have been an easy capture. By the assistance of the Orion and Alexander the damages of the Vanguard were repaired in four days!