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In the whole period of the wars with France and her allies (1793-1815) there were only relatively few mighty fleet actions. Much of their time at sea sailors spent on blockade duty or if they were lucky, daring actions all over the world. However it is these battles that have caught our imagination and inspired our admiration for Britain's mastery of the seas. |
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BATTLE OF THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE
1st June 1794 The first major sea encounter of the wars; a struggle that lasted over three days and resulted in the smashing of the French Fleet but the escape of a vital grain convoy.
BATTLE OF CAPE ST VINCENT
14th February 1797 Fifteen ships of the British Fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeated 27 Spanish sail of the line under Vice Admiral Don Jose de Cordoba
BATTLE OF CAMPERDOWN
11th October 1797 Admiral Duncan dealt the Dutch fleet a crushing blow, taking nine ships-of-the-line, two frigates and the Dutch commander-in-chief, Admiral de Winter.
BATTLE OF THE NILE
1st August 1798 Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson defeated the French under Vice Admiral Brueys at Aboukir Bay. This was Nelson's first command of a full fleet action and his aggressive tactics produced a crushing and decisive victory
BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN
April 2nd 1801. The British under Nelson, commanded overall by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker defeated a Danish force anchored off Copenhagen, Denmark's chief port, in probably Nelson's bloodiest fight (in 1807 they went on to defeat the Danish again at Copenhagen, capturing the whole Danish fleet)
BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR
October 21st 1805. Nelson in Victory defeated the combined Franco-Spanish fleet of 33 sail of the line, ending for all time Napoleon's chances of world domination. British ships destroyed 16 of the enemy and captured four, but Nelson was killed.