Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet 1793–1805

A fresh, all-encompassing study of the most active British fleet of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars: the Mediterranean Fleet, in which Horatio Nelson made his legendary name.

When war broke out with Revolutionary France in 1893, the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet was launched into a long and complex war. Operating at arm's length from London, the fleet assumed traditional responsibilities for trade protection, blockade, and high-seas warfare, but also diplomatic and counter-revolutionary activities across the region. It was the theatre that produced some of the most iconic moments of British naval history, and made a legend out of Horatio Nelson.

However, the reality of the Mediterranean war has long been overshadowed by its famous battles and huge personalities. In this book, naval scholar Casey Baker draws upon his years of archive research to present a comprehensive portrait of the Mediterranean Fleet's war – its strategic roles, its organisation and decision-making, fighting capabilities and shortcomings, diplomatic and political responsibilities, logistics and manning, and the combat that it saw from the Levant to Cape Trafalgar.

With superb original artwork, new maps and 3D diagrams of little-studied actions from amphibious operations to the maritime trade war, he assesses how Royal Navy's most active fleet of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars fought and operated in this most crucial theatre.

About the Author

Casey Baker has a doctorate in Military History from the University of North Texas, and has held teaching positions at the United States Military Academy and the Command and General Staff College. He is a regular contributor to the Society for Military History and the Consortium on the Revolutionary Era. His first book, Britain's War for the Mediterranean, is published by US Naval Institute Press. A career army officer, he lives in Texas with his wife and three boys.

Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching historical documentaries with his father and developed a fascination for historical and fantasy art. Following art studies in both Paris and Belgium he worked as a concept artist in the videogame industry and in recent years has also undertaken historical commissions while working as a freelancer for historical magazines. He lives and works near London.

Table of Contents

• THE FLEET'S PURPOSE
• The realities of war against France and Spain
• Great Britain in the early modern Mediterranean
• To defend against or attack the French Republic?
• An Anglo–French War
• FLEET FIGHTING POWER
• Ships of the line
• Frigates
• Smaller craft
• TECHNICAL FACTORS
• Accidents
• Sailors and marines
• HOW THE FLEET OPERATED
• Command and control
• Administration, bases and logistics
• COMBAT
• The campaign at sea
• ANALYSIS
• FURTHER READING
• INDEX