A unique manuscript plan of the Battle of the Nile

[Napoleonica]. [Battle of the Nile].

€ 18,000.00

Rare hand-drawn plan of the Battle of the Nile of 1 August 1789, one of the most pivotal naval confrontations of the Napoleonic Wars, brilliantly orchestrated by British Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson against the French fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay. The plan was prepared by an aspiring British cartographer on Whatman paper, the leading paper manufacturer in the country, and the inventor of wove paper.

This plan details the height of action at Aboukir with the French fleet surrounded by British ships during their crossfire attack, indicating the flagships Vanguard (British) and Orient (French), the British ship Culloden grounded on a shoal on Aboukir Island, and shows the brig Mutine in a refloating attempt, along with batteries, the Nile mouth and the Egyptian coastline. Includes an inset view of the Fort of Aboukir standing tall over the naval battle.

Advancing towards the French fleet, the British fleet had split into two divisions: one cut across the head of the line and passed between the anchored French and the shore, while the other engaged the seaward side of the French fleet. Trapped in crossfire, the leading French warships were battered into surrender over a fierce three-hour-long battle. It formed the climax of the Mediterranean campaign of 1798, which had started three months earlier after a large French fleet sailed from Toulon to Alexandria carrying an expeditionary force under Napoleon.