Narrative of the Battle of St. Vincent

An eyewitness account of the significant naval Battle of St Vincent of 1797, together with anecdotes of Nelson.

This fascinating eyewitness account of one of the most significant naval engagements of the Napoleonic Wars was first published in 1797, and enlarged with anecdotes of the national hero Lord Nelson in 1840. This author became well acquainted with Nelson, and clearly admired him, without indulging in hagiography.Lieutenant-Colonel John Drinkwater (1762–1844), an army officer, was on board the Minerva, bearing Commodore Nelson's pennant, after the British evacuation from Corsica, when they found themselves in the middle of the Spanish fleet. Having been transferred to another ship, and Nelson to the Captain, Drinkwater thus became an eyewitness of the Battle of St Vincent, 14 February 1797. He made sketches of the positions of the fleet during the battle, that were subsequently praised for their accuracy by naval officers. His Narrative was originally published the same year, but reissued in 1840 with the addition of anecdotes of Nelson, to raise funds for a Nelson testimonial. The original aim of the work was to give due credit to the officers, particularly Nelson, to whom it was felt that Admiral Sir John Jervis had not given sufficient recognition for their part in his most significant victory.