‘I will bring the French fleet to action the moment I can lay hand upon them.’
One of history’s most decisive naval encounters took place 225 years ago this summer, on 1 August 1798, against the backdrop of the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1801). The Battle of Aboukir Bay – known to many as the Battle of the Nile – was the engagement that made Nelson’s name, and is forever remembered for the unexpected night attack launched by the great British admiral on his enemy.
Nelson attacked the French fleet at dusk, while it was harboured on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, wiping out 11 of 13 ships of the line. French casualties and prisoners numbered some 6,200, against around 900 on the British side. It was a comprehensive victory to burnish the growing Nelson legend, and one that would cancel out Napoleon’s land successes during his Egyptian campaign.
