 The Spanish had learnt of the British relief effort . From the blockading squadron a fleet comprising 11 ships of the line under Admiral Juan de Lángara was dispatched to intercept Rodney 's convoy , and the Atlantic fleet of Admiral Luis de Córdova at Cadiz was also alerted to try to catch him . Córdova learnt of the strength of Rodney 's fleet , and returned to Cadiz rather than giving chase . On 16 January the fleets of Lángara and Rodney spotted each other around 1 : 00 pm south of Cape St. Vincent , the southwestern point of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula . The weather was hazy , with heavy swells and occasional squalls . 
