Post Trafalgar, it would be a mistake to write off the French Marine Nationale. Napoleon bent his customary energy to laying down a new fleet of well designed, modern Third Rate 74s.
Similarly, after the French invasion, the Spanish Junta devoted limited resources to rejuvenating and refitting the Armada Real, principally based in the safe haven of Cadiz. So that just eight years after Trafalgar, the Spanish Navy still had 42 ships-of-the-line and 30 frigates.
The scenario is a 'British Bulldogs' one, in that a slightly weaker French fleet has to fight its way through the Allied blockading fleet and exit off the table to the open sea. If more than half the fleet get away, that would represent a French victory...
Their fleet includes a British First Rate, Temeraire, 98 guns, the heroine of Trafalgar, to demonstrate Allied unity.
The French sally forth, all Third Rates except Formidable, 84, attempting to maintain two columns...Whilst the ships are well found and the sailors highly trained in gunnery, they have had no opportunity to practice their seamanship.
The Allied Fleet moves to intercept. The wind is South Easterly, at right angles to both fleets, but the French are slightly up wind.
The French Admiral is on the horns of a dilemma: His Third Rates sailing close to First Rates will come off worse, but the quickest route of escape lies straight ahead due west!
The Spanish Admiral means to force the French to run the gauntlet between his two columns so maximising his advantage in weight of guns. He sends his nimble 74s Montanes and Bahama further out on the flank. They exchange shot with the lead French ship Formidable, 84, setting her ablaze.
Despite the short range, both fleets are choosing to aim high: The Allies to give themselves more time to bring their numbers to bear, the French to delay the pursuit!
The port French column has evaded the Allied trap, swinging clear of the larboard Spanish column, but the rest of the Frenchmen will have to bear punishment on both quarters!
In the close range gunnery duel, next in line Neptune's rudder is hit!
Acting to avoid collision, Neptune crashes between Rayo and Santa Anna
Too busy in avoiding collision to fire off bow and stern rakes!
But then allowing Rayo to get in a devastating stern rake, setting fire to and eventually sinking Neptune!
Thus far the Allied fleet has done well, but the remaining French ships are within sight of the open sea!
Gunnery is now general, and the French are giving as good as they get, setting several Spanish ships ablaze!
Firing high is paying off for the French, but at this range, should the Allies be crushing the smaller 74s by firing low?
The Spanish Admiral decides to let his orders stand...
His rearguard is well place to place themselves athwart the French escape route...
Just a more cables of running the gauntlet!
After all, half the Allied fleet are now out of the battle, desperately attempting to wear ship and get back into the fight...
But it is now really all up to the Allied rearguard to bar the way.
Close range crossfires from Santa Anna and the mighty Santissma Trinidad devastate the Indomptable. With her main mast going by the board, she strikes!
At this critical juncture, the weather takes a hand - the wind remains south easterly but is now gusting stong - all ships run faster.
The French take heart - the vanguard is almost free:
But Santissima is punishing the French rearguard with its terrible broadsides inflicting bow rakes:
Although the pride of the Armada Real is at the epicentre of French close range gunnery!
Rayo gets in a devastating stern rake on Fougeux...Whose mainmast also goes by the board. She strikes the Colours!
With now only four French ships in the running - enough to claim victory, Santa Anna pummels the Formidable:
Causing a rudder hit. Fortunately for the French chances for victory, her rudder jams dead astern - her run to the sea is unimpeded!
A succession of stern and bow rakes as the French ships pass Santissima are sufficient to dismast her too - the Spanish flagship strikes!
The way is now clear for the four remaining French men O' war to escape into the Atlantic dusk...
Four of Seven escapees, not to mention the loss of the Santissima, make this a minor French victory.
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