The Neptune, 80 guns, was built in 1803 at Toulon, and was commissioned just in time to join the abortive attempt to break the British blockade of the port in 1804. Early in 1805 she sailed under Captain Esprit-Tranquille Maistral as part of the fleet under Admiral Villeneuve that finally broke out and cruised to the West Indies with Nelson in pursuit. Achieving little there, the fleet returned, engaging with Calder's fleet at the Battle of Cape Finisterre, where Neptune was relatively unscathed, taking casualties of just three dead and nine wounded. The French admiral shadowed the retreating British fleet for two days, but made no attempt to join battle, and instead sailed to La Coruna to await further instructions. Ordered by Napoleon to sail to Brest and Boulogne to accompany the invading armée d'Angleterre, Villeneuve instead sailed for Cadiz, where the combined fleets were blockaded by Nelson. Refusing all attempts to order him out, Villeneuve was finally prompted to leave Cadiz by news of his supersession--Napoleon described him as "not possessing the strength of character to command a frigate; he lacks determination and has no moral courage."
Subject Terms:
Aids to navigation -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Naval tactics -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Signals and signaling -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Trafalgar, Battle of, 1805. | France Marine -- Communication systems. | France Marine -- Flags. | France Marine -- Handbooks, manuals, etc. | France Marine -- ships | Neptune (Ship : 1803–1808) | Warships -- France.