Nelson received only a few bruises.
The Spaniards had still eighteen or nineteen ships which had suffered little or no injury: that part of the fleet which had been separated from the main body in the morning was now coming up, and Sir John Jervis made signal to bring to.

His ships could not have formed without abandoning those which they had captured, and running to leeward: the CAPTAIN was lying a perfect wreck on board her two prizes; and many of the other vessels were so shattered in their masts and rigging as to be wholly unmanageable.

The Spanish admiral meantime, according to his official account, being altogether undecided in his own opinion respecting the state of the fleet, inquired of his captains whether it was proper to renew the action; nine of them answered explicitly that it was not; others replied that it was expedient to delay the business.
The PELAYO and the PRINCE CONQUISTADOR were the only ships that were for fighting.
As soon as the action was discontinued, Nelson went on board the admiral's ship.

Sir John Jervis received him on the quarter-deck, took him in his arms, and said he could not sufficiently thank him.

For this victory the commander-in-chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St.
Vincent.