Collingwood breaks the line at Santa Ana

Nelson initially feinted toward the allied van before turning toward his intended point of attack. Collingwood adjusted the lee column so that the two British columns would converge on the centre after approaching separately. Royal Sovereign's recently cleaned hull helped her reach the line ahead of support, under fire from several allied ships. She broke through astern of Santa Ana and delivered a double-shotted rake. Each gun carried two balls, and guns fired successively as they came into position to send shot into the enemy's stern. Nelson praised Collingwood's attack while Collingwood wondered what Nelson would give to be making it himself.