The Spanish fleet was split into two bodies, and Nelson judged that the prescribed maneuver would not prevent their escape. He used the order to take a suitable station as authority to wear HMS Captain across the British line and confront the smaller Spanish group; Collingwood and other captains followed, and Jervis supported the developing action. The episode links subordinate initiative to Jervis's relentless gunnery practice and command climate: failure invited disgrace, but bold action that produced victory earned powerful protection. Nelson's later use of one captured Spanish ship to board another illustrates how rapidly individual initiative turned into a close-range fleet success.
Notable Point · 1:01:49-1:09:37
Nelson's initiative and Jervis's command climate
Nelson breaks from the line to block the Spanish, while Jervis turns successful initiative into a fleet-wide victory built on hard training and aggressive support.