The Battle of the Nile was arguably one of the Royal Navy’s greatest victories.
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The Battle of the Nile – fought on the 1st August 1798 – saw the Royal Navy under Horatio Nelson achieve a stunning victory over the French.
Two fleets of almost identical size, including 26 mighty ships-of-the-line, over 2,000 cannon fought a night time, close range battle off the coast of Egypt.
The end result was the complete destruction of the French fleet for the loss of not a single Royal Navy warship.
The Battle of Trafalgar
https://youtu.be/0zJUdLaw_s8
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Sometimes called the Battle of Aboukir Bay after the actual location of the encounter (along the coast from Alexandria).
The Royal Navy fleet comprised 13 (74-gun) ships of the line:
HMS Vanguard
HMS Majestic
HMS Bellerophon
HMS Orion
HMS Minotaur
HMS Theseus
HMS Goliath
HMS Audacious
HMS Zealous
HMS Swiftsure
HMS Alexander
HMS Culloden
HMS Defence
He was also accompanied by the 50-gun HMS Leander and the 18-gun HMS Mutine. The latter had recently been captured from the French and was now commanded by Lt. Thomas Hardy (who would go on to captain HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar).
In total his fleet carried 1012 cannon.
They were opposed by a French fleet, commanded by Admiral Brueys, which also included 13 ships of the line, including his flagship, L’Orient.
His fleet carried 1196 cannon.
So the two fleets were remarkably equal in both size and strength.
The end result, however, was anything but equal.
The French lost 11 of their ships of the line (plus 2 frigates). Only 4 of their fleet got away.
Over 5,000 of their sailors were killed and a further 3,100 captured.
The Royal Navy, under Nelson, did not lose a single ship.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:53 Napoleon Bonaparte
2:07 Horatio Nelson
3:55 Misses Napoleon
5:52 Meets French Fleet
10:00 The Battle of the Nile
16:22 French Flagship Explodes
18:29 Nelson’s Victory
21:25 The History Chap
#battleofthenile #horationelson #nelson
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: “Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!”
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ‘Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ‘Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
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Nelson….what a leader…such heroics….
Absolutely Brilliant Video!!!!
Another first class episode. WELL DONE YOU!
BTW, the disposition of the French fleet, and the defensive measures taken, were excellent. Hard to think of a better way. The only problem was they faced Nelson and his outstanding team of captains.
Another very good and informative insight in to British military history.
I do agree that the Battle of Nile is a forgotten important engagement that shape the course of the war, Europe and the empire !
Great video indeed, another sucess for the channel, keep 'em coming, thanks for sharing.
The French still don't like water. Or soap.
Another wonderful pod cast thank you
Absolutely brilliant Chris – thanks so much, completely enthralling and excellently delivered !!!!
I was born in Merton Which he loved, and where he lived with Lady Hamilton, and there’s Awful lot of references in the area
In regards to young boys being aboard such ships, there were even boys as young as 8 years old among them. Those were usually the ones to carry the gunpowder from the magazine to the guns during battle.
Also a fact is that during the long months at sea, and with no women around, they were usually the ones that fell victim to the sexual hunger of some of the older sailors
Nelson did more to defeat Napoleon than anyone, Wellington included. Had Aboukir Bay and Trafalgar been British losses Napoleon would have invaded England. How he would have controlled the country is a good question, it may have turned out like Spain. The royal family would have retreated to Canada and continued the war from there. If England were neutralized the Napoleonic wars would have been very different. History is decided by the slimmest of margins and the audacity of a very few brave men.
Another legacy of the the battle was that Nelson's coffin was a made from the main mast of the L'Orient.
Another corking video Sir, thank. The timing is particulary good as i am reading a book called the War of wars, covering the conflict between Great Britain,( mainly) and France from 1792 to 1815 and im just getting to the chapter covering the naval campaigns, so really appreciate your work
Top marks as usual. It’s a shame that the bbc 2 cannot give you 30 mins. You would be much better that some of the crap they show?
Thank you 👍🏻🇬🇧
Brilliant
Hi there Chris, you may be interested to know that on Salisbury Plain just east of Stonehenge north of the A303 a series of plantations of trees were planted after the battle, to commemorate this Battle, and Nelson. Each plantation marked the position on the ground of a ship involved in the battle – Both British and French as was known at the time.
Now known as the Nile Clumps, sadly only 17 plantations still survive but are now protected and still act as a wonderful memorial to all involved.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_Clumps#:~:text=The%20Nile%20Clumps%20are%20a,the%20Battle%20of%20the%20Nile.
Fabulous thank you! Good old 74s. I read somewhere that the capital cost of a second rate 74 was around 10% of that of a 100+ gun first rate. To do with the rarity of tree limbs mostly. “Second rate” ruled the day (another naval expression) whilst the first rates were a bit of a d**k swing. Beautifully told account. Thanks again. I’m off to kiss the gunner’s daughter. Well it’s Friday night!
Again, another interesting bit of history.
Brilliant 👍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍🇬🇧
Nike was a stunning victory, great work & amazing episode 🎉
Another enthralling video Chris.
Thank you.
A most interesting video! As a fan of Horatio Hornblower since my teens and of Lucky Jack more recently, this aspect of history has always particularly fascinated me. Well done, Sir!
Painting. Your. Ship. In. The. Middle. Of. A. Battle.did. I. Get it. Right
Worked. It. Out
Good. Thing. You. Can. Pull. That. Red. Line. Back
Thank you Chris. My Scottish 4x great-granduncle, William Riddick (1763-1808) was on the Zealous. He received a silver medal for his participation in this battle. (William is mentioned in the 1994 book 'Nelson' Heroes'.) This video is the best I've seen on the Battle of the Nile. (William's 2x great-grandnephew was the Titanic's first officer, William McMaster Murdoch 1873-1912).
Naval video on HMS Kerala would be good😮
Not only was that a sorely needed gap in the record which needed dealing with, but it came with a bonus Spike Milligan reference!
Another excellent video.
I loved the trivia at the end as much as rehearing this amazing battle.
I will always remember that thank you
A number of years ago I was at my parents house, and found a bag of what I thought was only coins, but in there was a gold Nile medal, for a man called Mullin who was on a ship called Audacious , which I think was mentioned in this film, I know that one my great grand mothers was Irish, I think from Dublin, and I think my paternal grandmothers family was originally from ulster. The rest of the family are all Scot’s. I don’t know if Mullin was a relative or not (I hope I have spelt his name correctly, I don’t have the medal to hand to check but I still own it) the medal depicts Britannia and Nelson, and the French flag ship blowing up.
One does feel sorry for the French, some one told me that French officers wear a black tie in memory of this terrible day, anyone know if that is true?
Naval officers that is
The extra ensigns were set to ensure that rhose shot awat would bot be takwn as a sign of surrender. Typical Nelson
I think you meant to say 'raking' not 'racking'. Other than that a jolly good retelling of a famous victory.
Another top class vid, absolute legend Chris.
Have you ever read about the battle of Camperdown as it was just before the battle of the Nile but was instead commanded by my ancestor, Admiral Duncan.
I see no ships.
Well told Chris. I think Nelsons determination to seek and destroy the enemy became part of the Royal Navy, countless times after Nelson RN Ships attacked and often sank far larger enemy ships. The phrase in the best tradition of the Royal Navy was born.
My first name is Nelson.
Good choice mom!
History Chap video, whoot whoot!
The book was good
The hell with the 'Frenchies'…
Excellent video as always. I would love it if you would do a review of the Napoleon movie when it comes out in November
I thought that the french were made for people to kill? Is that wrong?