During the night of the 19th of December, on his passage to Porto Ferrajio, Commodore Nelson fell in with two Spanish frigates of considerable force.  The largest ship, which carried a poop light, was immediately attacked by the commodore; who, at the same time, directed La Blanche to bear down and engage the other.  At forty minutes past ten, La Minerve brought it’s opponent to close action; and the fire continued, without intermission, till half past one in the morning, when the Spaniard struck.  It proved to be La Sabina Spanish frigate of forty guns; twenty-eight of them, on the main deck, being eighteen pounders; with two hundred and eighty-six men, commanded by Captain Don Jacobo Stuart.  The captured ship lost it’s mizen mast during the action; and the main and fore masts were so damaged, that they both gave way on the very first attempt to carry a press of sail.  In this terrible conflict, one hundred and sixty-four Spaniards, more than half the crew, were killed and wounded; while La Minerve, though it’s masts were shot through, and it’s rigging much cut, had only seven men killed, and thirty-four wounded.

In Commodore Nelson’s first letter to Sir John Jervis, relative to this action, dated December 20, 1796, he assumes not the smallest merit, but modestly gives the entire praise to his officers and crew.

“You are, Sir,” says he, “so thoroughly acquainted with the merits of Captain Cockburne, that it is needless for me to express them:  but the discipline of La Minerve does the highest credit to her captain and lieutenants, and I wish fully to express the sense which I have of their judgment and gallantry.  Lieutenant Culverhouse, the first lieutenant, is an old officer of very distinguished merit; Lieutenants Hardy, Gage, and Noble, deserve every praise which gallantry and zeal justly entitle them to, as does every other officer and man in the ship.

“You will observe, Sir, I am sure, with regret, among the wounded, Lieutenant James Noble; who quitted the Captain to serve with me, and whose merits and repeated wounds, received in fighting the enemies of our country, entitle him to every reward a grateful nation can bestow.”

In the handsomest manner, he thus liberally concludes with praising his vanquished antagonist—­“La Minerve’s opponent being commanded by a gallant officer, was well defended; which has caused her list of killed and wounded to be great, and her masts, sails, and rigging, to be much damaged.”

Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with a proper number of men, being put in charge of La Sabina, which was taken in tow, at four in the morning, a Spanish frigate, known by it’s signals, was seen coming up; and, at half past four, engaged with La Minerve.  Commodore Nelson now cast off the prize, and directed Lieutenant Culverhouse to stand to the southward.  After a trial of strength for more than half an hour, the Spaniard wore, and hauled off; or it would, the commodore was confident, have shared the same fate as it’s companion.