The Spanish navy was practically annihilated.

It is difficult to understand the importance attached by some writers to Byng's action at this time in attacking without regard to the line-of-battle.

He had before him a disorderly force, much inferior both in numbers and discipline.

His merit seems rather to lie in the readiness to assume a responsibility from which a more scrupulous man might have shrunk; but in this and throughout the campaign he rendered good service to England, whose sea power was again strengthened by the destruction not of an actual but a possible rival, and his services were rewarded by a peerage.

In connection with this day's work was written a despatch which has great favor with English historians.