The fleet arrived in Havana on 23 July, fever-wracked and in need of water and repairs, but the governor refused them entry to the port. The "general of the galleons" commanding the treasure fleet declined Nevell's offer of an escort, saying that he had no orders that would warrant him accepting such protection. Disappointed, and falling prey to illness himself, Nevell headed for Florida and then Virginia, where he died whilst anchored in the James River on 17 August 1697. He was buried in the Elizabeth City county church on the same day. He left a wife, Mary Nevell, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. The fever had claimed the lives of the admiral, six Royal Navy captains and 1300 sailors, in the Dutch part of the fleet all but one of the captains died. It fell to one of the surviving British captains, Thomas Dilkes to lead the fleet home.