Order of battle in the Croisière de Bruix explained

The Croisière de Bruix (or Bruix' expedition of 1799) was a naval campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars. Planned and commanded by French Vice-Admiral Étienne Eustache Bruix, the operation was an attempt to restore French control of the Mediterranean Sea, lost at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798. Taking command of the French Atlantic Fleet based at Brest, Bruix mustered one of the largest and best trained French fleets to take to sea during the war. Brest was under close blockade by the British Channel Fleet, but Bruix arranged for misleading intelligence regarding an impending invasion of Ireland to fall into British hands, which drew the blockade fleet under Lord Bridport away to the north.[1] On 25 April 1799 the French fleet of 25 ships of the line sailed into the Atlantic unopposed, sighted the following day by the frigate HMS Nymphe. Reports reached Bridport soon afterwards, but he remained on station off Ireland, anticipating a French attack.[2]

With his route clear, Bruix sailed southwest. On 30 April the fleet passed the Spanish naval base of Ferrol, anticipating a union with the Spanish squadron stationed there, but the Spanish had already sailed and the two forces missed one another.[3] The first British opposition to Bruix advance came on 4 May, when he found the British Mediterranean fleet under Vice-Admiral Lord Keith arrayed between his force and the principal Spanish fleet base of Cádiz. This prevented the Spanish and French fleets from joining together, Bruix instead taking advantage of the prevailing winds to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar unopposed.[4] Keith set off in pursuit, gathering his forces off Port Mahon on Menorca while the French fleet made for Toulon and the main Spanish fleet, which had followed the French and British through the Straits, reached Cartagena.[5] As Bruix resupplied and convoyed reinforcements to the embattled French armies in Northern Italy, Keith remained on station off Cartagena. His operation was hindered by a confused command structure: Keith was only acting commander of the Mediterranean Fleet while Earl St Vincent remained on shore at Gibraltar and Port Mahon, with only such brief sojourns with the fleet as his failing health permitted.[6] Keith and St. Vincent issued contradictory orders throughout the campaign, Keith intent on pursuing the French while St. Vincent was preoccupied with the threat from the Spanish.[7] This problem was compounded by the behaviour of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, commander in the Eastern Mediterranean and subordinate to Keith and St. Vincent. Nelson, embroiled in the complex politics of the Kingdom of Naples and increasingly under the influence of his lover Emma, Lady Hamilton, repeatedly refused direct orders to participate in the campaign.[8]

In early June Keith's fleet investigated Toulon but found the French absent, although a French frigate squadron was intercepted and captured off the port. Turning west, Keith sailed to Genoa but again found that the French had departed ahead of the British, Bruix successfully uniting with the Spanish off Cartagena on 22 June and sailing on 24 June with a fleet of more than 40 ships of the line; at the time the largest naval force in the world.[9] Turning southwest, the combined fleet sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar on 7 July intending to return to Brest. Keith remained off Menorca for sometime, resupplying his ships and repeatedly ordering Nelson to take over protection of the island base, orders which Nelson completely disregarded.[10] Keith's fleet was joined during this period by reinforcements sent from the Channel Fleet under Sir Charles Cotton and Cuthbert Collingwood, but it did not follow the allies through the Straits until 29 July, 22 days behind Bruix.[11] For the next two weeks, Keith chased the Bruix northwards towards the French coast, the British fleet gaining on the French day by day, arriving off Brest on 14 August to discover that Bruix and the combined fleet had arrived safely in the harbour only the day before.[12]

Although Bruix did manage to affect the union of the main French and Spanish battle fleets, the campaign was inconclusive. The strategic situation in European waters remained unchanged; by mid-August 1799 the Royal Navy still controlled the Mediterranean unopposed, free to plan and implement the seizure of French territories in the region without impediment.[13] In Northern European waters the huge allied fleet at Brest presented a considerable threat but remained under blockade by the Channel Fleet. With the exception of a series of fruitless expeditions in 1801 there were no further major French or Spanish operations at sea before the Peace of Amiens brought the war to a temporary close in 1801.[14]

Allied fleets

French Atlantic Fleet
- valign="top"width=20%; align= center Ship width=10%; align= center Rate width=5%; align= center Guns width=30%; align= center Commander width=35%; align= center Notes
align= left Océanalign= center First ratealign= center 120align= left Vice-amiral Étienne Eustache Bruix
Captain Alain-Adélaïde-Marie de Bruillac		align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Invinciblealign= center First ratealign= center 110align= left Commodore Louis Lhéritieralign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Terriblealign= center First ratealign= center 110align= left Commodore Yves Haouenalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Républicainalign= center First ratealign= center 110align= left Captain Charles Berrengeralign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Indomptablealign= center Third ratealign= center 80align= left Captain Chambonalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Formidablealign= center Third ratealign= center 80align= left Commodore Pierre-Julien Thréouartalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Jemmapesalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Julien Cosmaoalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Mont Blancalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Esprit-Tranquille Maistralalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Tyrannicidealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Zacharie Allemandalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Batavealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain François Henri Eugène Daugieralign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Constitutionalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Julien Le Rayalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Duquesnealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Pierre-Maurice-Julien Quérangalalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Fougueuxalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Pierre-Marie Bescontalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Zéléalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Dufoyalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Redoutablealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Pierre-Augustin Moncousualign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Wattigniesalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Antoine Louis de Gourdonalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Tourvillealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Jean-Baptiste Henryalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Cisalpinalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Mathieu-Charles Bergevinalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Jean Bartalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain François-Jacques Meynnealign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Gauloisalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Gabriel Siméonalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Conventionalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Charles-Hélène Le Bozecalign= left Delayed leaving Brest, joined the fleet on 26 April. Remained during campaign until 13 August.
align= left Révolutionalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Pierre-Nicolas Rollandalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Jean-Jacques Rousseaualign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Julien-Gabriel Bigot de la Robillardièrealign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Dix-Aoûtalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Jacques Bergeretalign= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Censeuralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Antoine-Jean-Baptiste Fayealign= left With the fleet 25 April. Detached to Cadiz on 4 May in sinking condition. Exchanged on 12 July for Spanish ship San Sebastian but never sailed again.
align= left Alliancealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Antoine-Jean-Baptiste Fayealign= left Former Spanish ship San Sebastian exchanged for unseaworthy Censeur at Cadiz on 12 June.
align= left Romainealign= center Fifth ratealign= center 44align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Créolealign= center Fifth ratealign= center 40align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Bravourealign= center Fifth ratealign= center 40align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Cocardealign= center Fifth ratealign= center 36align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Fraternitéalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 36align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Fidèlealign= center Fifth ratealign= center 32align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August. Armed en flute
align= left Berceaualign= center Corvettealign= center 20align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Tactiquealign= center Corvettealign= center 20align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Bichealign= center Avisoalign= center 8align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
align= left Découvertealign= center Avisoalign= center 8align= left align= left With the fleet 25 April – 13 August
During the campaign several contre-amirals accompanied the fleet but did not have designated flagships, moving as required. They were, Jacques Bedout, Jean-François Courand, Alain-Joseph Dordelin and Charles Linois. Two ships of the line were damaged in a collision around 12 June and remained at Toulon for repairs, rejoining the fleet on 9 July, but they are not named in the sources.
Sources: James, pp. 254–268; Quintin
Spanish Fleet
- valign="top"width=20%; align= center Ship width=10%; align= center Rate width=5%; align= center Guns width=30%; align= center Commander width=35%; align= center Notes
align= left Conceptionalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Teniente-General José de Mazzaredo
Brigadier Antonio de Escaño
Capitán 		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Mexicanoalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Jefe de escuadra Domingo de Nava
Capitán José Gardoqui		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May, four men killed. Detached at Cadiz on 21 July.
align= left Santa Anaalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Teniente-General Domingo Grandallana
Brigadier Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Detached at Cadiz on 21 July after badly damaged in grounding.
align= left Conde de Reglaalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Jefe de escuadra
Brigadier José de Escaño		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Principe de Asturiasalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Teniente-General Federico Gravina
Brigadier Juan Vicente Yañez		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Reina Luisaalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left align= left Joined Spanish fleet at Cartagena after 17 May under command of Domingo de Nava. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Neptunoalign= center Third ratealign= center 80align= left Jefe de escuadra
Capitán Bernardo Muñoz		align= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Bahamaalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán José Aramburualign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Conquistadoralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Cosme Churrucaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Orientealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Brigadier Nicolás Estradaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Detached at Cartagena and crew transferred to Guerrero.
align= left Guerreroalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left align= left With the Spanish fleet after 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Infante don Pelayoalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Cayetano Valdésalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left San Francisco de Asisalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Brigadier José de Goicoecheaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left San Francisco de Pauloalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Agustín Figueroaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left San Joaquinalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Marcelo Espínolaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left San Pabloalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Brigadier Luis Vallabrigaalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left San Telmoalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Juan José Martínezalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Soberanoalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Capitán Rafael Villavicencioalign= left With the Spanish fleet 14 May. Badly damaged in storm on 17 May. Reached Brest with combined fleet 13 August.
align= left Atochaalign= center Frigatealign= center 40align= left Capitán Ignacio Olaetaalign= left
align= left Perlaalign= center Frigatealign= center 34align= left Capitán Francisco Moyunaalign= left
align= left Carmenalign= center Frigatealign= center 34align= left Capitán Manuel Bustillosalign= left
align= left Santa Matildealign= center Frigatealign= center 40align= left Capitán José Gonzálezalign= left Detached at Cartagena, 17 May.
align= left Vigilantealign= center Brigalign= center 12align= left Teniente José de Córdobaalign= left
align= left Descubridoralign= center Brigalign= center 12align= left Teniente Juan Coronadoalign= left
align= left Vivoalign= center Brigalign= center 12align= left Teniente Juan Deslobesalign= left
Sources: James, pp. 254–268; Férnandez Duro, pp. 188–190

Royal Navy

Mediterranean Fleet
- valign="top"width=20%; align= center Ship width=10%; align= center Rate width=5%; align= center Guns width=30%; align= center Commander width=35%; align= center Notes
align= left HMS Ville de Parisalign= center First ratealign= center 112align= left Captain Walter Bathurstalign= left Flagship of Admiral Earl St Vincent between 10 May and 2 June when he retired sick. Detached from fleet to Port Mahon 2 – 15 June.
align= left HMS Queen Charlottealign= center First ratealign= center 100align= left Vice-Admiral Lord Keith
Captain John Irwin		align= left Joined fleet on 30 May as flagship of Rear-Admiral Whitshed. Became Keith's flagship on 13 June.
align= left HMS Barfleuralign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Rear-Admiral James Hawkins-Whitshed
Captain George Barker		align= left Flagship of Lord Keith at start of campaign. Made Whitshed's flagship on 13 June.
align= left HMS Prince Georgealign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker
Captain William Bowen		align= left
align= left HMS Londonalign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain John Child Purvisalign= left
align= left HMS Princess Royalalign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain John Dixonalign= left
align= left HMS Namuralign= center Second ratealign= center 90align= left Captain William Lukealign= left
align= left HMS Foudroyantalign= center Third ratealign= center 80align= left Captain William Brownalign= left Detached on 30 May to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Gibraltaralign= center Third ratealign= center 80align= left Captain William Kellyalign= left
align= left HMS Montagualign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain John Knightalign= left Engaged inshore off Toulon on 3 June.
align= left HMS Northumberlandalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain George Martinalign= left Detached on 30 May to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Marlboroughalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Thomas Sothebyalign= left
align= left HMS Warrioralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Charles Tyleralign= left
align= left HMS Hectoralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain John Elphinstonealign= left
align= left HMS Defencealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Lord Henry Pauletalign= left
align= left HMS Majesticalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Robert Cuthbertalign= left Detached on 30 May to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Edgaralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Rear-Admiral Thomas Frederick
Captain John McDougall		align= left On detached service at Tétouan. Joined fleet at Gibraltar on 10 May. Badly damaged in storm of 17 May, repaired at Port Mahon and rejoined fleet 22 May.
align= left HMS Leviathanalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth
Captain Henry Digby		align= left Flagship of Menorca squadron. Joined fleet on 20 May. Detached on 30 May to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Centauralign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain John Markhamalign= left Menorca squadron, joined fleet on 20 May. Engaged inshore off Toulon on 3 June. Captured Perrée's squadron on 19 June near Toulon.
align= left HMS Bellerophonalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Henry D'Esterre Darbyalign= left Menorca squadron, joined fleet on 20 May. Detached on 8 June to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Powerfulalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain William O'Bryen Druryalign= left Menorca squadron, joined fleet on 20 May. Detached on 8 June to reinforce squadron at Palermo.
align= left HMS Captainalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Sir Richard Strachanalign= left Joined fleet on 30 May with Rear-Admiral Whitshed's squadron. Captured Perrée's squadron on 19 June near Toulon.
align= left HMS Defiancealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Thomas Revell Shiversalign= left Joined fleet on 30 May with Rear-Admiral Whitshed's squadron.
align= left HMS Bellonaalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Sir Thomas Thompsonalign= left Joined fleet on 30 May with Rear-Admiral Whitshed's squadron. Captured Perrée's squadron on 19 June near Toulon.
align= left HMS Repulsealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain James Almsalign= left Joined fleet on 30 May with Rear-Admiral Whitshed's squadron.
align= left HMS Successalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 32align= left Captain Shuldham Peardalign= left Joined off Cadiz on 3 May.
align= left HMS Emeraldalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 36align= left Captain Thomas Walleralign= left Joined in the Mediterranean. Captured Perrée's squadron on 19 June near Toulon.
align= left HMS Santa Teresaalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 36align= left Captain George Barkeralign= left Joined in the Mediterranean. Captured Perrée's squadron on 19 June near Toulon.
align= left HMS Ethalionalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 38align= left Captain George Countessalign= left Joined in the Mediterranean.
align= left HMS Stagalign= center Fifth ratealign= center 32align= left Captain Joseph Sydney Yorkealign= left Joined on 8 August.
Sources: James, pp. 254–268
Cotton and Collingwood's reinforcement
- valign="top"width=20%; align= center Ship width=10%; align= center Rate width=5%; align= center Guns width=30%; align= center Commander width=35%; align= center Notes
align= left HMS Princealign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Cotton
Captain Samuel Sutton		align= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Formidablealign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain Edward Thornbroughalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS St Georgealign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain Sampson Edwardsalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Neptunealign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain James Vashonalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Gloryalign= center Second ratealign= center 98align= left Captain Thomas Wellsalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Triumphalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Rear-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood
Captain Thomas Larcom		align= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Dragonalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain George Campbellalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Impetueuxalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Sir Edward Pellewalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Terriblealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Jonathon Faulknoralign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Superbalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain John Suttonalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Pompeealign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Charles Stirlingalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
align= left HMS Canadaalign= center Third ratealign= center 74align= left Captain Michael de Courcyalign= left Detached from Channel Fleet. Joined Keith's fleet off Menorca on 7 July.
Sources: James, pp. 254–268

References

Notes and References

  1. Clowes, p. 381
  2. James, p. 256
  3. James, p. 268
  4. Mostert, p. 346
  5. James, p. 261
  6. Clowes, p. 384
  7. James, p. 266
  8. Mostert, p. 356
  9. James, p. 265
  10. Adkins, p. 61
  11. James, p. 267
  12. Woodman, p. 120
  13. Rodger, p. 463
  14. Gardiner, p. 99

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