Nelson and the Royal Navy

Question 1

Name the Royal Navy’s key roles

Answer 1

-Protect Britain from invasion
-Economic blockade of enemy seaborne trade
-Capture enemy colonies and command colonial waters
-Trade

Question 2

Why was a class hierarchy maintained in the Royal Navy

Answer 2

Officers were mainly middle class or lower-aristocracy, recruited through patronage. The rest were often poverty stricken and homeless or imprisoned. It was crucial to keep order through hierarchy.

Question 3

When was the Glorious First of June

Answer 3

1st June 1794

Question 4

Who were the Admirals at the Glorious First of June

Answer 4

Lord Howe (25 ships)
Villaret Joyeuse (26 ships)

Question 5

What was the reason for the Glorious First of June

Answer 5

Britain wanted to intercept ships coming from America with aid for the French revolution, fearing that a successful revolution would inspire one in Britain

Question 6

What was the outcome of the Glorious First of June and why was it so significant

Answer 6

Food gets to France. 1 French ship sunk, 6 SOL captured.
First British victory at sea in ages

Question 7

When was Cape St. Vincent

Answer 7

Valentine’s Day, 1797

Question 8

Who were the Admirals and what were their numbers

Answer 8

John Jervis: 15 SOL and 5 frigates
Ramos: 25 SOL and 7 frigates

Question 9

What was the reason for Cape St Vincent

Answer 9

The Second Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1796- Spain and France became allies to oppose Britain.

Question 10

What was the outcome of Cape St. Vincent

Answer 10

Nelson and his tactic of Bridge of Battleships wins the battle with 300 casualties. Meanwhile, Spain lost 4 SOL, 800 casualties and 3000 prisoners captured.

Question 11

What was Nelson’s contribution to Cape St Vincent

Answer 11

Bridge of Battleships tactic
Captured 2 ships
Made the Santisima Trinidad retreat (ship of the line with 140 guns (the most))

Question 12

When was Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where was it and who was involved

Answer 12

22-5 July 1797 (5 months after Cape St Vincent), a port city in Tenerife. Spain vs Britain

Question 13

Who were the Admirals and how many did they have

Answer 13

Nelson - 4000 regular soldiers, 3 SOL
Guiterrez - 1700

Question 14

What was the plan for Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Answer 14

To attack the port of Tenerife and hinder the Spanish’s trade. If they lose their source of income, Spain would theoretically drop out of the war.

Question 15

What was the outcome of the battle

Answer 15

The Spanish anticipated their attack. Nelson loses his arm. Britain loses, 250 dead, 128 wounded and 300 captured. Truce and surrender.

Question 16

When was the Battle of the Nile and who was involved

Answer 16

August 1798. France vs Britain

Question 17

Who were the admirals and how many did they have

Answer 17

Nelson: 14 SOL, 1 sloop (small ship with 18 guns)
D’Aigalliers: 13 SOL and 4 Frigates. 4000 troops

Question 18

What was the plan of the battle of the Nile

Answer 18

Napoleon planned to attack India through Egypt to hurt Britain’s trade

Question 19

What happened at the Battle of the Nile

Answer 19

Britain attacked by nightfall, anchoring the French in. They didn’t have time to set sail, so were sandwiched in.
Their ships were undermanned.
8.55pm: L’Orient caught fire, causing confusion which led to friendly fire. Remaining French ships cut their cables to avoid the fire

Question 20

How did the weather affect the Battle of the Nile

Answer 20

the wind direction prevented the rest of the ships from helping: all they could do was wait their turn

Question 20

What was so significant about L’Orient

Answer 20

The crew of 1000 were cut to 70
The treasure ship carrying the loot that would have funded Napoleon across British India

Question 21

What was the outcome of the Battle of the Nile

Answer 21

Britain declared an outright victory on the morning of the third day. Prior to this, the victories had been indecisive. All but 2 French ships were captured or destroyed (9 taken, two burned and sunk)
Napoleon later said he would have taken every ship had he not been wounded
Left Napoleon stranded in Egypt

Question 22

When was the Battle of Copenhagen

Answer 22

April 1801