Naval Battles - Depth Flashcards
When is the Glorious First of June?
June 1st 1794
What are the stats for the Glorious First of June?
British: Richard Howe, 25 SOTL
1200 British casualties
French: Villaret-Joyeuse, 26 SOTL
4000 French casualties
6 ships captured, 1 sunk
Key characteristics of the Glorious First of June
Early French Revolution, food from America imported due to famine. Britain attempt to intercept the ships so that the revolution cannot be sustained. Britain wants to quell the revolutions to reinstate the monarchy.
Food reaches Brest, the famine is averted. However, Britain considerably damage the ships, winning the battle but not their objective.
The outcome is thus pyrrhic, with wins and losses. It is sensationalist as the ‘Glorious First of June’ as propaganda as it was Britain’s first battle won against France in a while after humiliation at Flanders.
When do the French and Spanish ally and what does this lead to?
In 1796, the French and Spanish ally and the Spanish become an enemy.
Leads to battle of Cape St Vincent
When is the battle of Cape St Vincent?
14 February 1797
What are the stats for Cape St Vincent?
British: John Jervis, 15 SOTL
73 dead
230 wounded
French: Jose Ramos, 25 SOTL
4 ships captured
3000 prisoners
250 dead
500 wounded
Key characteristics of Cape St Vincent?
Britain blockade the Port of St. Vincent. Lord Jervis gives orders to stay in line, but Nelson disobeys this and convinces 2 other ships to follow in capturing the Santisma Trinidad on the HMS captain
Nelson rakes the Trinidad then leaves and retreats, co-ordinating a bridge of battleships and capturing the 2 ships around the Trinidad
Nelson is promoted for his unorthodox naval tactics - significant praise from Admiralty - momentum
Admiration of surrounding men for Nelson
Becomes pub tale - recruitment
When is the Battle of Tenerife?
22 July-5 June 1797
Battle of Tenerife stats?
British: Horatio Nelson
250 dead
128 wounded
300 captured
Spanish: 30 dead, 40 wounded
Key characteristics of the battle of Tenerife?
Nelson attacks Tenerife Island to increase British control in the Canary Islands and Mediterranean
He is confident and overzealous/egotistical
Amphibious assault (water to land battle)
Failure
Nelson wounded below the elbow and had his arm amputated. This was humbling for Nelson and the Spanish had to nurse the British wounded.
When is the battle of the Nile?
1-2 August, 1798
What are the stats for the Battle of the Nile?
British: Horatio Nelson, HMS Vanguard (2R)
218 deaths
680 wounded
France: Francois Bueys d’Agalliers
2000-8000 k/w/c
9 ships captured
2 ships destroyed
French: 2000-8000 killed/wounded or captured, 9 ships captured and two ships destroyed
At 10pm, l’orient (french flagship) explodes - lights the sky so the British continue the assault into the night/morning
Key characteristics of the Battle of the Nile?
French ships anchored in a line on the Nile. The French felt that time was on their side as it was approaching night.
Nelson attacks and breaks multiple war conventions - attacks at night while the crew weren’t all onboard (1/3 come onboard - skeleton crew during attack) and the ships were anchored and roped together. The British had been searching for the French for a while, questioning locals.
Napoleon stranded in Egypt. Future Admiral Villenueve witnesses the Nile and is later terrified of Nelson (jitters, trauma) - the future commander at Trafalgar. Stops Napoleon from threatening British interests in India
Continues momentum
Leads to Copenhagen as French search for more ships/fleets
When is the battle of Copenhagen?
2 April 1801
What are the stats for the battle of Copenhagen?
British: Hyde Parker + Horatio Nelson, 12 SOTL
Danish: Offert Fischer - Steen Bille, 9 SOTL
