AAR. The battle of Cape Ortagal.

[Bligh]

My own tribute to Trafalgar Day, was to set up a re-enactment, not of the battle itself, but of the aftermath fought on the 4th of November between a British Squadron under the command of Captain Sir Richard Strachan, and the ships under the command of Rear Admiral Dumanoir le Pelley who had escaped from the Battle of Trafalgar with most of the French part of the Van under his command during the battle...

The action started with the sighting of the French by the British Frigate Phoenix commanded by Captain Thomas Baker. Dumanoir gave chase, and Baker drew them onto the British Squadron. Strachan then began a pursuit of the French which stretched out over the next night.
On the morning of the third of November Strachan was joined by the extra frigate Santa Margarita, and the chase continued. It went on all that day and the next night with the British gradually adding extra ships to the squadron as they caught up. Two of the frigates, closed on the rear of the French squadron at about 5.45 on the morning of the 4th of November and the battle commenced.