Rear Admiral Henry Harvey brought Invincible and the 98-gun Prince of Wales with smaller warships and transports to Trinidad. As the British anchored within range and prepared for battle, the Spanish judged their position hopeless. Three Spanish ships of the line and a 36-gun frigate burned, while the 74 San Damaso was captured intact. No conventional fleet action followed because the British force made resistance appear futile. Heavy warships could thus support an invasion by compelling an outmatched force to abandon its ships.
Notable Point · 1:47:17-1:50:45
Invincible in the invasion of Trinidad
Invincible helps demonstrate how a 74 could support an invasion and compel an outmatched fleet to destroy itself rather than fight.