although they separated Forming_relationships their ships in an effort to split their opponents , the spanish captains were unable to escape Escaping : `` thetis '' was captured Conquering after a short engagement Hostile_encounter with hms `` unk '' on the morning of 16 october , while `` santa brigida '' almost reached safety , only being caught on the morning of 17 october in the approaches Arriving to the safe harbour at muros .