In July 1801 the "Superb" was stationed off Cadiz and took part in the second Battle of Algeciras Bay. During the French and Spanish retreat Admiral Sir James Saumarez hailed the "Superb" and ordered Keats to catch the allied fleet's rear and engage. The "Superb" was a relatively new ship and had not been long on blockade duty. As a consequence she was the fastest sailing ship-of-the-line in the fleet. As night fell on 12 July, Keats sailed the "Superb" alongside the 112-gun "Real Carlos" on her starboard side. Another Spanish ship, the 112-gun "San Hermenegildo", was sailing abreast, on the port side, of the "Real Carlos". Keats fired into the "Real Carlos" and some shot passed her and struck the "San Hermenegildo". The "Real Carlos" caught fire and Keats disengaged her to continue up the line. In the darkness the two Spanish ships confused one another for British ships and began a furious duel. With the "Real Carlos" aflame the captain of the "Hermenegildo" determined to take advantage and crossed the "Real Carlos"’ stern in order to deal a fatal broadside that would run the length of the ship through the unprotected stern. A sudden gust of wind brought the two ships together and entangled their rigging. The "Hermenegildo" also caught fire and the two enormous three-deck ships exploded. The "Superb" continued on relatively unscathed and engaged the French 74-gun "Saint Antoine" under Commodore Julien le Roy. The "Saint Antoine" struck after a brief exchange of broadsides.