Nelson's previously proposed attack on Santa Cruz, in April 1797, had to be aborted when 3,500 troops were redeployed but when Jervis heard that a Spanish treasure fleet was anchored there in July, the potential rewards of a success were too great to ignore.
Nelson's previously proposed attack on Santa Cruz had to be aborted when 3,500 troops were redeployed but when Jervis heard that a Spanish treasure fleet was anchored there in July, the potential rewards of a success were too great to ignore. This was in April 1797.