Linois called on the Spanish forces in Cadiz for reinforcements and on 9 July a relief squadron was sent consisting of six ships of the line and two frigates under . Arriving on 9 July, this force anchored in Algeciras until Linois was ready to sail on 12 July, the large combined squadron departing westwards with the wind during the evening. Saumarez followed, sending HMS "Superb" to attack the Spanish rearguard. During the opening stages of the second battle "Superb" set the 112-gun Spanish ship "Real Carlos" on fire and captured the French "Saint Antoine". "Real Carlos" later drifted into the "San Hermenegildo", spreading the fire to her compatriot. Both ships exploded at 00:15 on 13 July with enormous loss of life.