Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1246 - 1151: A Defeat Unseen in a Century

Chapter 1246: Chapter 1151: A Defeat Unseen in a Century

Immediately, the British Mediterranean Fleet, centered on 14 battleships, defended the rear with 4 battleships, and divided steam warships into two teams to cover the flanks, forming the most rigorous defensive formation heading northeast.

Ten minutes later, Pikex saw planks floating everywhere on the sea.

These were the wreckage of the earliest “Shield” that lost power.

An escort ship approached, launching small boats to save the crew overboard.

Because he didn’t know the location of the French steam warships, Pikex had to leave 3 battleships and 3 escort ships to prevent French people from attacking the rescuing ship, while the main force of the fleet continued forward.

The debris on the sea grew increasingly abundant, and officers continuously arrived at the command room to report to Pikex, “Commander, the rescued sailors said that the ’Golden Headfish’ and ’Gravel’ have been sunk.”

“Report, ’Gravel’ confirmed sunk…”

“Commander, ’Serpentinite’ has been sunk…”

Luckily, in this era, the damage of cannons to ships was limited. After sailing 6 nautical miles, Pikex finally encountered the first steam warship to escape intact, the “Double-handed Sword.”

The third-class ship “Thunder God” immediately stepped forward, preparing to tow it out of the battle zone, when suddenly black smoke rolled over the western sea surface as 3 French steam frigates rushed over at high speed.

The British rapid fleet quickly sent two ships forward to support the “Thunder God” – while these small French boats couldn’t destroy battleships, they could certainly cause significant damage, as repeatedly verified a few years ago.

The French steam warships dispersed immediately, provocatively speeding past the starboard of the “Thunder God,” firing some cannon shots haphazardly.

The other two headed straight for the “Double-handed Sword,” performing two rounds of volleys at a distance of 400 meters, and then turned sharply north when British steam warships arrived.

Two British escort ships passed through the sea’s debris, clearly entrapped in rage, also proceeding full left rudder.

Then, Pikex saw one of them abruptly decelerate through his telescope, with its chimney ceasing to emit smoke, drifting beside the “Double-handed Sword.”

He closed his eyes helplessly, signaling to the order officer nearby: “Have all the rapid fleet retreat.”

Initially, he thought army officers in the rapid fleet were merely shirking responsibility when they said steam warships mysteriously malfunctioned while sailing.

Now they truly were showcasing it in reality.

Following this trend, it’s uncertain whether the malfunctioning warships can be rescued, while the functioning ships might indeed be destroyed by French warships.

The British steam warships retreated behind the battle line, and a few third-class battleships moved forward to surround the malfunctioning ship, beginning to secure towing cables.

The entire British fleet then stalled for nearly 20 minutes…

It wasn’t until two o’clock in the afternoon that they finished searching the previous battle areas, rescuing 3 steam warships with broken shafts.

In the command room of “Victory,” a staff member bowed his head and spoke to Pikex: “Commander, there is still no sighting of ’Tornado.’ No sailor has witnessed its sinking either.”

Pikex clenched his fists tightly, eventually speaking in a deep voice: “Order an immediate return to Gibraltar.”

“Tornado” was the flagship of the rapid fleet. If it was sunk, it might have been alright, but now it seemed highly likely that it was captured by French people.

Fleet Commander Colonel Russell was most likely still onboard.

However, Bluais had no intention of letting the British people leave just like that.

The French-Spanish Combined Fleet constantly trailed behind them, steam warships continuously appeared on the side and rear of the British fleet, using powerful maneuverability to fire a few shots and then leave, circling back afterward.

Not daring to deploy steam warships for cover, the British Mediterranean Fleet relived Lord Hood’s nightmare from a few years back –

Huge battleships only dared to gather into a dense formation for defense, incessantly “peeled” by small French boats. In just two days, all were injured.

Finally, at noon on the third day, the cable tying the towing British cruise ship “Triangle Flag” accidentally knotted, forcing it to stop for adjustments.

French warships immediately surrounded it, sinking it in less than ten minutes.

The battleship towing “Triangle Flag” also lost its stern sail.

A week later, the British Mediterranean Fleet finally saw the Gibraltar Fortress standing atop the mountain, but Pikex felt no sense of relief and instead both hands trembled uncontrollably.

The latest damage report submitted by the staff showed that during this “return to the Mediterranean” operation, he lost 12 steam warships, 9 of which were cruisers – their larger hulls meant greater axle pressure during turns, thus more damage compared to escort ships.

Additionally, the third-class ships “Thunder God,” “Minotaur,” and “Orion” suffered heavy damage. All other warships were injured…

As for the number of enemy ships damaged – zero.

Pikex knew, such poor results would likely force him to retire prematurely. Meanwhile, the Empire’s plan to return to the Mediterranean would be delayed by several years…

A week later.

In the British Navy Department’s office, Admiral Jervis slammed the French newspaper delivered this morning heavily on the table, his face darker than the London sky at the moment.

The headline prominently displayed – the Toulon Fleet triumph ceremony will be held in three days, with British officer Colonel Russell returning with the fleet.

Below the main text, in bold font, were the names “Hunter” and “Tornado.” These were spoils of Toulon Fleet.

Further down printed, “The future Mediterranean will still see no appearance of the British fleet…”

Yes, Joseph foresaw that this time when the British learned of the French Army landing in Egypt, they would definitely send a fleet to interfere, just like dealing with Napoleon historically.

So he had the French-Spanish Combined Fleet ready to attack the British people, aiming at least to make them dare not enter the Mediterranean deeply, unexpectedly achieving such outstanding results.

Since the Battle of Telsoor Island more than a hundred years ago, the British Navy had never suffered such loss.

This battle further consolidated French dominance over the Mediterranean and made various Italian countries more dependent on France.

The nearby officer discreetly glanced at Jervis’s facial expression, braced himself, and continued the report: “General, also Duncan Lord and General Parker suggest terminating steam warship construction, with support from several generals…”

Jervis instantly frowned. Duncan and Parker were influential figures in the Navy Board, it seemed he must personally lobby.

He was clearly aware that without steam warships, there was no way to step into the Mediterranean, and even future naval battles would be dominated by steamships.