The Battle of the Nile

An English point of view

The Battle of the Nile was the turning point in the war against Revolutionary France. It was the first time that the apparently invincible French had received a serious check and her enemies breathed a sigh of relief.

It was also one of the most decisive naval victories ever won in the age of sail. Of the French fleet of 13 battleships only two escaped: all the rest were either captured or destroyed. ‘Victory‘, wrote Nelson, ‘is not a name strong enough for such a scene.‘ When dawn broke on 2 August, he could see that he and his men had inflicted a stunning defeat on their unfortunate opponents.

But perhaps the most important result of the battle was that it showed the world what a truly professional force the Royal Navy had become. The importance of Nelson’s leadership should not be underestimated but, as he was the first to point out, the battle had been won by the extraordinary teamwork of his well-trained and highly-motivated force – what he called "A Band of Brothers" (quoting from his favourite Shakespeare play, King Henry the Fifth.)

Finally, the battle was an important turning point in Nelson’s own career. He had won fame already, most notably for his daring exploits at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in February 1797. But the Nile made him an international hero and many rewards were lavished on him. For the next seven years, until his untimely death at the age of 47 at the Battle of Trafalgar, he was to be the main symbol of England’s continued and implacable resistance to France – feted by kings and princes, and celebrated in popular art and souvenirs.

The Nile, therefore, is a key battle, both in Nelson’s own story, and in the epic story of the Royal Navy. For this reason, it is extremely exciting to hear of the remarkable results of Franck Goddio’s ambitious archaeological expedition. The artifacts that he and his team have discovered are not only relics of a great historical event: they are also important pieces of evidence that give us fascinating clues about the battle itself and the campaign of which it was part. The discovery of an officer’s sword embedded in the sand was eloquent witness of the force of the explosion which tore the mighty L’Orient apart. The personal relics of officers and men give a poignant glimpse of daily life at sea. The printing press and treasure-trove of gold coins remind us of Napoleon’s ambitious plans for his conquest of the east.

At a time when French and English sailors are serving side by side in the Adriatic it may seem insensitive to be remembering old conflicts between our two great nations. But I believe that by honouring the remarkable courage and devotion to duty that was displayed by both sides in this ferocious battle we can draw inspiration for the challenges which we face today. And thanks to the discoveries of Franck Goddio and his team, we can now understand the battle even better than before.