We next find Thomas serving as lieutenant on board the _Excellent_, commanded by Captain Collingwood, in the battle off Cape S. Vincent. It was intended that the Spanish fleet should join that of Brest, if this latter could get out, then if joined by the Dutch fleet, cover the transports that would convey an invading army to England. But, as Touchstone wisely said, there is "much virtue in _If_." Sir John Jervis fell in with the Spanish fleet of twenty-seven sail of the line, on February 14th, 1797, as it had just issued from Cadiz. The English had only fifteen men-of-war; but the greater part of the Spanish crew were about equally destitute of seamanship and spirit, and Nelson had said just before the breaking out of the war with Spain, that if her fleet were no better now than when it acted in alliance with us it would "soon be done for." By breaking the line, by battering and boarding, four Spanish ships of the line, including one of 112 guns, were taken; and all the rest were driven into Cadiz and there blockaded.
During the action the _Excellent_, on which Richard Thomas was lieutenant, was acknowledged by Nelson to have taken a very distinguished share, and to have rendered him the most effectual support in the hottest part of the battle, as will be seen by the following note which he addressed to her commander, and an extract from his own account of the transactions in which he himself was personally engaged.
His note ran: "Dear Collingwood,--A friend in need is a friend indeed."
Nelson's account of the assistance he received from the _Excellent_ runs thus:--
"At this time (about 2.15 p.m.) the _Salvador del Mundo_ and _San Esidero_ dropped astern, and were fired into, in a masterly style, by the _Excellent_, Captain Collingwood, who compelled the _San Esidero_ to hoist English colours; and I thought the large ship, the _Salvador del Mundo_, had also struck, but Captain Collingwood, disdaining the parade of taking possession of a vanquished enemy, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate, who was to appearance in a critical state, the _Blenheim_ being ahead, the _Culloden_ crippled and astern. The _Excellent_ ranged up within two feet of the _San Nicholas_, giving a most tremendous fire. The _San Nicholas_ luffing up, the _San Josef_ fell on board her; and the _Excellent_ passing on for the _Santa Trinidada_, the Captain resumed her station abreast of these, and close alongside."