Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1244: 1149: An Epoch-Making Naval Battle

Chapter 1244: Chapter 1149: An Epoch-Making Naval Battle

Pikeston had the feeling of throwing a punch fiercely but hitting only air.

The French actually did not occupy Egypt. Instead, after dealing with the Mamluks, they retreated…

In this case, what else could his fleet do by going to Egypt, congratulate the Ottoman Sultan?

Beside him, the avant-garde fleet’s commander Nelson suggested: “General, we can head to the Port of Alexandria, or even along the Levant coast, to reinforce the Empire Navy’s presence.”

After all, the British hadn’t entered the Mediterranean for a long time. Now, the trade between Europe and the Ottoman Empire had to rely entirely on the whims of the French, so this voyage could be a good chance to change the situation.

Nelson licked his lips, appearing quite excited: “If by chance we encounter the French fleet, the strategic situation in the Mediterranean Sea would change completely!”

Since being expelled from the Mediterranean last time, British shipyards have launched a large number of battleships at nearly twice the speed of their French counterparts.

Currently, the total tonnage of the British fleet exceeded that of the French-Spanish Combined Fleet by more than 20%.

Furthermore, there were now steam battleships in the mix.

The entire British Navy was eager to redeem itself—if only the French hadn’t acquired so many ports like Genoa, Tunisia, and Mitidja in the Mediterranean, they would’ve wanted to block the French fleet outside the Port of Toulon.

Brigadier Pikeston couldn’t help but hesitate; after all, his orders were to cut off the French Army’s retreat route to land in Egypt, but now the French had already withdrawn.

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard urgent drumbeats coming from the deck.

It was an enemy encounter alert.

Pikeston exchanged glances with several officers, then strode towards the upper command room.

His fleet had no less than 18 third-level or higher battleships, and 38 cruisers and escort ships, 80% of which were steam-powered.

To challenge such a massive fleet, it could only be the French-Spanish Combined Fleet.

Indeed, before Pikeston even reached the stairs, an officer came to report:

“Commander, a large number of French and Spanish warships have appeared to the northwest, 8 nautical miles away.

“Currently, identified are 10 battleships and at least 20 steam warships.”

In the Mediterranean, agile and high-speed steam warships were as crucial as battleships.

Pikeston’s expression slightly relaxed; the number of enemy ships wasn’t greatly threatening, but he still ordered:

“Have the escort ships expand their reconnaissance range.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Nearby, Major General Hossem said:

“It seems the French want to delay us from reaching the Port of Alexandria.”

Admiral Collinwood shook his head: “If they wanted to do that, they should wait on our east side. This looks more like an ambush.”

Pikeston snorted coldly. With the French-Spanish fleet’s numbers, launching an attack would be suicidal.

Perhaps they thought they still had a speed advantage? But the situation was entirely different now!

He entered the command room and gestured to several high-ranking officers over the sea chart:

“Position the battleships windward and confront using the battle line.

“The avant-garde fleet, turn to the north side, and if the enemy fleet dares to engage, immediately strike their center…”

With nearly double the number of battleships as the French-Spanish Combined Fleet, Pikeston could easily implement a flanking maneuver.

He continued to order:

“Have the fast fleet patrol the periphery, and if French steam warships use the ‘pecking’ tactic, immediately stop them.”

The “fast fleet” he mentioned was a squadron composed entirely of steam warships. Because steam warships employ a different tactic than sail-powered ships, they couldn’t be grouped together to maximize their power independently.

The so-called “pecking” tactic was previously used by the French in the Mediterranean. Using their speed and maneuverability advantage, they would quickly approach to attack and then retreat swiftly, much like how crows would harass large beasts, hence its name.

However, this time, the British fleet also had steam warships, so if the French advanced close to harass British battleships, escaping would be blocked by the equally swift British warships.

If the French steam warships showed any delay, British battleships’ heavy guns would have an opportunity to sink them.

Quickly, several British senior officers returned to their command ships, and the massive British Mediterranean Fleet gradually unfolded in Gabes Bay.

Forty minutes later, over 20 steam warships, flying the French iris emblem, appeared on the horizon.

The British fast fleet immediately spread out to the southwest, revealing the imposing battleships behind them.

Then these ships turned in unison, ready to intercept to the east at any moment.

As long as they could stop the vulnerable French steam warships, destroying them wouldn’t be difficult.

However, what none of the British expected was the French steam warships also turned west, charging straight towards the British steam warships.

The black smoke billowing from the steamships was as conspicuous as a lighthouse on the sea; even if the British fast fleet wanted to hide, they couldn’t.

Pikeston soon received the lookout’s report and couldn’t help but frown slightly.

It seemed the French realized his encirclement intent and didn’t attack the battle line, but why were they heading for the fast fleet?

Keep in mind, the fast fleet had 30 steam warships, while the approaching French fleet had only about 20 ships.

Did they all drink too much?

Pikeston immediately told the order officer beside him: “Order the fast fleet to engage them actively!”

Since the French made a critical error, he couldn’t miss the opportunity.

With the ‘Victory’ sending out a signal, the British fast fleet immediately formed a battle line and then pushed their boilers to the maximum, charging straight at the French steam warships.

When they were about 300 meters apart, French warships suddenly turned north and provocatively fired a broadside, covering the sea in white smoke.

The British fast fleet’s commander, Colonel James Russell, smirked and turned to the order officer: “Follow them, let them know our might.”

Thirty seconds later, 30 British steam warships left near 90-degree white trails on the sea, quickly catching up with the French fleet in a parallel formation.

Since the British fast fleet was initially windward, it was foreseeable that, by continuing the pursuit, within at most one hour, they would get within firing range——these steam warships still kept sails as auxiliary power, and although the Mediterranean wind was weak, it still provided some acceleration.

The French steam warships, realizing something was amiss, hurriedly turned east, seemingly relying on this evasive tactic.

Colonel Russell disdainfully pointed windward: “‘Comet,’ ‘Golden Headfish,’ ‘Gravel’… block windward, other ships prepare to fire!”