Napoleonic Wars - Sea

Question 1

Cape St Vincent

Answer 1

• 02/1797.
• Admiral Jarvis, 15 SOL.
• Admiral Cordoba, 27 SOL.
• Exploited gaps in line without hesitation, confident in ability.
• Cordoba had advantage, but feared British sailors, didn’t want a fight.
• Jervis maneuvered into position in the early morning fog.
• Nelson darted towards 5 Spanish ships, initiatives, British in a bad, U-shaped positions.

Question 2

Nelson at Cape St Vincent

Answer 2

• First officer of his rank to board & capture a ship since 1513.
• Took initiatives, 4 British ships isolated, darted out attacking 5 ships, shocking enemy, ending threat of counter-attack.
• His actions shifted the tide of the battle.

Question 3

Nile

Answer 3

• 08/1798.
• Control of Nile cut British ties to India (grain).
• Nelson, 14 SOL.
• Brueys, 13 SOL.
• Bruey naive, didn’t think British would attack close to dusk, ships untied, guns and port holes closed, deck = mess, 30% troops on shore.
• Lanterns on ships to reduce friendly fire.
• Formed in most convenient manner.
• Attacked both flanks, French didn’t didn’t want to risk shooting troops on the shore.

Question 4

Nelson at Nile

Answer 4

• Went through plans of attack in small groups, only outlining key points.
• Had discussions, not direct orders.
• Signaled - prepare in the most convenient manner.
• Attacked French on both flanks, didn’t want to risk firing at their troops on land.

Question 5

Consequences of Nile

Answer 5

• Napoleon lost Mediterranean and army stranded, confidence shattered, no longer seen as invincible.
• 2nd Coalition.

Question 6

Mutinies

Answer 6

• Often for better pay/supplies, a new captain, or to leave.
• Never political, still pledged loyalty to the king.
• Rarely violent, simply immobilized ships. Still saluted higher ranking officials.
• Demands not met or flogging/shooting/hanging = violence.

Question 7

Spithead Mutiny

Answer 7

• 04/1797.
• Over conditions and since pay hadn’t risen in 150yrs.
• Wages increased by Parliament.

Question 8

Nore Mutiny

Answer 8

• 05/1797.
• More political, ringleaders demanded peace with France.
• Mutineers joined North Sea Fleet.
  British seemed defenseless for a few weeks.
• Government denied mutineers food & water.
• Ended mid-June, sailors wrestled control back from radicals.
• 29 mutineers executed.
• Navy discipline re-established with Battle of Camperdown, North Sea fleet crushed Dutch fleet.

Question 9

Trafalgar

Answer 9

• 10/1805.
• Franco-Spanish fleet = 33 SOL, Commander Villeneuve.
• British = 27 SOL, Nelson + Vice-Admiral Collingwood.
• Attacked in 2 columns, close quarter combat.
• 2 phase attack.
• Nelson remained on deck, visible until he was shot and taken below deck, Collingwood left in charge.

Question 10

Significance of Trafalgar

Answer 10

• Sealed British absolute dominance of the oceans.
• Napoleon changed focus on economic war with British European allies.

Question 11

Reasons for Trafalgar Success

Answer 11

• Experience + training of British sailors.
• Technological advancements.
• Commanders.

Question 12

British Sailors, Reason for Success at Sea

Answer 12

• Spirit + discipline. Trafalgar, Santa Ana & Sovereign surrounded by 5 Franco-Spanish ships, but fought until battered into submission.
• Better drilled, British crews shot once per 1-2 minutes compared to the Franco-Spanish one every 4-5 minutes.
• More experienced, constantly adapted to changing environment, testament to seamanship.
• French sailor after Trafalgar: British guns manned by devils as they toiled unceasingly with grim determination.

Question 13

Commanders, Reason for Success at Sea

Answer 13

• Nelson trusted commanders.
• Commanders allowed them to make their own decisions, knew their ship the best.
• Initiative.
• British captains led on deck boosting morale, French hid.
• Trafalgar, when Nelson was shot, British fleet continued to fight without him. French Observation Squadron held back when not given orders.

Question 14

Tactics, Reason for Success at Sea

Answer 14

• White flag = form in most convenient manner.
• Trafalgar, prioritized close quarter battles = double/triple shots. French could pick them off from a distance.

Question 15

Technological Advancements, Reason for Success at Sea

Answer 15

• Studding sails.
• 1805, French guns fired 700 yards, British = 900 yards.
• British guns used flintlock mechanism, Combined fleet used matches.
• Carronades.
• Coppering.

Question 16

Studding Sails

Answer 16

• Extra sails = greater speed + maneuverability.

Question 17

Carronades

Answer 17

• 1760s, used to defend merchant ships.
• Short, light gun with a large caliber and low recoil.
• Swivel mount.
• “Smashing” effect.
• French couldn’t match them for 20yrs.
• 1795, HMS Glatton armed entirely with carronades.

Question 18

Coppering

Answer 18

• 1780s.
• Copper sheets nailed on the hull to prevent sea worming and slow growth of marine wild life.
• Affected speed + handling of ship.

Question 19

Flintlock Firing Mechanisms

Answer 19

• Increased accuracy.
  -1805, French still using match lit cannons.

Question 20

Major General Blomefield

Answer 20

• Head of Royal Ordnance.
• Shot guns 30 times before installing on ships.
• Flintlock firing mechanisms.

Question 21

Nelson, Reason for Success at Sea

Answer 21

• Decisive, great charisma + courageous.
• Developed meaningful + trusting relationships in an informal setting.
• Mutual respect with his men. “Band of Brothers”.
• Incredible communication skill, allowed captains freedom, captain knew the most about their ships.
• Hated inactivity, kept crew busy (prevented complaining/mutinies).
• White flag = “form in most convenient manner”.

Question 22

Voluntary Impressment

Answer 22

• Received 2 months salary in advance.
• Expected to buy their own essentials.
• Protected from creditors if debt <£20.

Question 23

Press Gangs

Answer 23

• Government offered protection against being pressed, ignored in times of crisis.
• Hot press meant no one was exempt.
• Targeted experienced seamen.
• Seized men from ports.
• Vagrancy Act drafted homeless into service.
• No foreigners could be impressed.

Question 24

Reforms on Impressment

Answer 24

• Quota Act 1795 & 1796, quotas not met = fines. Combined quota raised 40k volunteers for the Navy
• Port Quota Act, 1795 recruited 20k volunteers - able seamen = 2.
• Navy Act allowed seamen to send money home.

Question 25

Feeding Sailors

Answer 25

• Each sailor avg 3000-4000 kcal and lemon to prevent scurvy.
• High protein diet.
• Soldiers well fed, hardly ill.
• British were well supplied and had consistent supply lines from Portugal, England and North Africa.

Question 26

Victualing Board

Answer 26

• Supplied Navy.
• 1801, planned transportation + delivery of 83k tonnes of bread/biscuit from West Indies.
• Contractors based in London hired to supply food for navy. Profited on % basis.
• Hired contracted merchants.

Question 27

Contracted Merchants

Answer 27

• Hired by Victualing Board.
• Contracted: Sir Charles Flower. Supplied specific commodities for a specific period of time with a 6 month terminating notice.