 A supply convoy was organized , and in late December 1779 a large fleet sailed from England under the command of Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney . Although Rodney 's ultimate orders were to command the West Indies fleet , he had secret instructions to first resupply Gibraltar and Minorca . On 4 January 1780 the fleet divided , with ships headed for the West Indies sailing westward . This left Rodney in command of 19 ships of the line , which were to accompany the supply ships to Gibraltar . 
