The Nelson Touch 1798-1805

The Battle of the Nile

May 1798, Napoleon left Toulon with 13 battleships and 280 transports carrying 50,000 men. Destination Egypt. 1 August found the French fleet at River Nile. Nearing nightfall, Nelson gave battle. British gunnery devastated the French. 2/13 French ships escaped. Austria, Russia, Naples and Turkey joined Britain in new coalition.

The Mediterranean

1798-1801. French and Spanish ships continued to be a threat. Nelson sometimes refused to take orders.

The Atlantic

1798-1801. The Earl of st Vincent the new head of the Channel Fleet, blockaded Brest as closely as possible.

The Baltic Threat

British blockade of the French and Spanish ports deprived Baltic nations of markets. 1800 Tsar Paul of Russia put pressure on Denmark, Sweden and Prussia to join a league of Armed Neutrality. 2nd April began the attack. Denmark loss, 2 ships sunken, 1 exploded and 12 taken. Nelson’s reputation rose and sent a letter of truce to the Prince of Denmark.

The Chase

April 1805 Villeneuve’s fleet left Toulon, joining with a Spanish fleet heading to the Caribbean. Nelson gave chase with 11 ships. Reached Barbados 4th June. 18th August Nelson returned to Britain, 23 August Napoleon left Boulogne, threat lifted.

The Battle of Trafalgar

Nelson given command of the fleet Cadiz. 19 October 1805 Villeneuve sailed to Italy with 33 battleships. Nelson 27 battleships. Early on 21 October, Villeneuve ordered his ships into a makeshift line, Nelson formed 2 divisions one led by himself the Victory the other by Collingwood called the Royal Sovereign. Nelson died through a shot to his shoulder. British victory.