Once the Franco-Spanish ships also extinguished their lights, they lost the visual references that distinguished friend from foe. A fire aboard Real Carlos drew San Hermenegildo close; the ships exchanged broadsides, became entangled, and spread flames from one hull to the other. Both 112-gun ships exploded when the fires reached their magazines, illustrating how darkness, poor identification, and a lone maneuvering opponent could turn overwhelming numerical strength into catastrophe. Only a few hundred men survived the destruction, many of them recovered by boats or taken aboard the captured San Antoine and Superb.
Chapter · 55:45-1:00:19
Two Spanish first rates destroyed each other
Confusion around Superb's unlit attack caused Real Carlos and San Hermenegildo to exchange fire, collide, burn, and explode.