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1 August 1805
Napoleon has brought together 2,343 ships and barges capable of carrying an invading army of 167,500 men across the Channel to England. He is so confident of success that he has had commemorative medals struck to celebrate the conquest of the English. But he needs calm weather and protection from the British fleet before he can transport his 'Army of England' across the Channel and accomplish his intended quick advance on London. Napoleon's scheme has already run into huge logistical problems and it has taken two years to bring his forces to any real state of readiness. His plan is for the French fleet, under Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve, to escape the British blockade at Toulon and then trick the British into believing that it is heading for the West Indies – luring the British fleet, under Admiral Horatio Nelson, after it. This much, at least, goes according to plan. The French fleet is then meant to head back to Europe, uniting with the Spanish fleet before heading off to support the invading French army off Boulogne. In fact, after a skirmish with British ships off Cape Finisterre on 22 July 1805, Villeneuve takes his fleet into Cadiz for a refit. The opportunity for a successful invasion of England is thus missed. Naval defeat at the battle of Trafalgar in October means that one will not arise again. 'Chance is the providence of adventurers.' Napoleon |
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