Calder and the combined fleet sighted each other at about 11:00 on 22 July but took more than six hours to engage. HMS Hero opened an action that became a dispersed melee rather than a cleanly controlled fleet battle. The 80-gun HMS Malta was surrounded by five Spanish ships, fought her way clear, and captured San Rafael and Firme despite the odds. Calder signalled an end around 20:30, but some ships continued firing for another hour or more. Orders to disengage propagated slowly through the confused battle.
Chapter · 39:46-42:11
Cape Finisterre and Malta's two prizes
At Cape Finisterre in July 1805, Calder's outnumbered fleet fought a confused action in which HMS Malta captured two Spanish ships.