At Cartagena, Spanish officers refused Villeneuve's demand that they follow him because he lacked their government's orders, one officer outranked him, and his reputation after the Nile inspired little confidence. Villeneuve moved on before Nelson could locate him. John Orde withdrew toward the Channel Fleet, leaving frigates to report the French passage through the Strait. Villeneuve collected the French 74-gun Aigle at Cádiz and crossed the Atlantic, followed by Federico Gravina with six Spanish ships and a frigate.
Chapter · 17:30-21:20
Cartagena, Cádiz, and the West Indies breakout
Villeneuve failed to collect ships at Cartagena, passed the British Strait squadron, and crossed the Atlantic after joining Gravina's Spanish force at Cádiz.