 The chase lasted for about two hours , and the battle finally began around 4 : 00 pm . The Santo Domingo , trailing in the Spanish fleet , received broadsides from HMS Edgar , HMS Marlborough , and HMS Ajax before blowing up around 4 : 40 , with the loss of all but one of her crew . Marlborough and Ajax then passed Princessa to engage other Spanish ships . Princessa was eventually engaged in an hour @-@ long battle with HMS Bedford before striking her colours at about 5 : 30 . By 6 : 00 pm it was getting dark , and there was a discussion aboard HMS Sandwich , Rodney 's flagship , about whether to continue the pursuit . Although Captain Young is credited in some accounts with pushing Rodney to do so , Dr. Gilbert Blane , the fleet physician , reported it as a decision of the council . 
