San Josef

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 12th of June 2026 20:20

Lisbon, 24 April 1797: The death of Don Francisco Wynthuysen, who commanded the San Josef in the late action, is much lamented; he was by birth a Biscayan, but of Dutch extraction; he was a brave and able seaman, and had lost an arm in the last war; he had then thee good fortune to be attended by an English surgeon: as soon as he was acquainted that his ship was taken, being fully sensible of the miserable incapacity of the Spanish surgeons, he requested to be attended by an English one, which was readily complied with, and who was sent for with all expedition; on his arrival, he gave it as his opinion that the patient was not then in a proper state to undergo so dreadful operation as taking off both of his legs, which was necessary: he ordered him some cooling medicines, and to be kept quiet; no sooner had the surgeon quitted the vessel, than the Spanish surgeons, in spite of poor Wynthuysen’s intreaties, insisted on the necessity of immediate amputation, and he died in the course of it, complaining bitterly of their ignorance and obstinacy, and requesting that he might be buried by the English, with the honours of war; this was punctually complied with, and the tears of his conquerors paid a heart-felt tribute to his gallant memory. [Hampshire Chronicle, 6 May 1797]

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 12th of June 2026 02:55

Admiral Nelson has presented to the corporation of Norwich the sword of the Spanish Rear-Admiral commanding the San Joseph, which struck to his Majesty’s ship Captain. [Hampshire Chronicle, 8 April 1797]

Posted by Jon Miller on Thursday 11th of June 2026 20:45

The San Joseph [San Josef] Spanish man of war is one of the most wonderful ships that ever was constructed; her breadth of beam exceeding that of the Victory’s three feet; nevertheless, she worked under her jury-masts as quick and as handy as a frigate. In point of sailing she was considered as the crack ship in the Spanish Navy. All the prizes made on this memorable day, are remarkably fine ships, and have lately undergone thorough repairs. Upon the whole, so valuable and extraordinary a capture is not to be met with in our naval annals. [Hampshire Chronicle, 1 April 1797]