with jervis at gibraltar, the only remaining british force still in the mediterranean was a small squadron under nelson sent to retrieve the garrison on elba. on 19 december nelson, in the frigate hms "minerve" was attacked by the spanish frigate "santa sabina". the spanish ship was defeated at the action of 19 december 1796, but nelson was forced to abandon the prize as spanish reinforcements arrived. nelson reached portoferraio shortly afterwards and took the remaining british troops and supplies on the island on board, sailing back to gibraltar in convoy on 29 january 1797. the last operation of the campaign was by "minerve" and hms "romulus", which reconnoitered toulon, barcelona and cartagena on passage back to gibraltar, arriving on 10 february as the last british forces in the mediterranean.