The sudden change was prompted by a letter Villeneuve had received on 18 October, informing him that Vice-Admiral François Rosily had arrived in Madrid with orders to take command of the Combined Fleet.
Schimbarea bruscă a fost provocată de o scrisoare pe care Villeneuve o primise la 18 octombrie, informându-l că viceamiralul François Rosily a sosit la Madrid cu ordine de a prelua comanda Flotei Combinate.