Despite her initial antipathy towards Revolutionary France in the early 1790's, Spain soon allied herself to the French in the hope of territorial gains at Britain's expense. The war went badly for Spain however and, on 14 the February 1797, most of the fleet was destroyed by Admiral Sir John Jervis at the battle of Cape St. Vincent. Thereafter, British warships kept regular patrols off the Spanish coast and, in April 1798, His Majesty's frigates Lively and Seahorse were cruising off Cadiz where they had been ordered to intercept any vessels attempting to enter or leave the harbour. The night of 12 April was particularly dark and whilst the two frigates were sailing close inshore at about two o'clock in the morning, H.M.S. Lively ran aground. From first light on the 13th, Seahorse made repeated attempts to tow her free but Lively remained stuck fast, her situation worsening when she heeled right over at low water. During the ensuing night, the Spaniards sent out a boat to reconnoitre the stranded frigate and daylight on the 14th revealed several Spanish gunboats gathering commander Captain James Norris reluctantly gave orders to abandon her since she was by now unable to defend herself. The crew disembarked with exemplary discipline and were ferried over to Seahorse which was standing by. In accordance with tradition, the last man to leave was Norris himself but before doing so he set Lively ablaze rather than see her fall into enemy hands.