Byng's prepared force faced Spanish ships that had not received comparable maintenance. The Spanish flagship Real San Felipe carried 74 guns, yet the smaller 60-gun HMS Superb led its capture with help from HMS Kent. The flagship later blew up after being towed to Mahón, and nine Spanish ships of the line were captured. Several Spanish hulls were comparatively new, so the prizes also increased British fleet strength. Camocke advised remaining in a defensible bay backed by the army, while Gaztañeta chose to flee. Once the Spanish sailed, cleaner British hulls, more sail, and superior numbers made escape difficult. The chase broke into local fights in which Byng could repeatedly concentrate more ships and firepower than the Spanish could match.
Notable Point · 16:08-21:28
Why the Spanish fleet could not escape Byng
Spain had capable individual ships, but poor readiness and the decision to leave a defensible bay allowed the faster British force to break the fleet into groups and overwhelm them in turn.