Lions on the waves

A colourful account of a series of dramatic naval clashes between the British and French fleets during the first period of the French Revolution. A time of initial chaos, groundbreaking changes in naval organisation, and a series of both small and large encounters, chivalrous duels on the waves, and many other events that gave the commanding admirals literal nightmares, culminated in a multi-day naval battle in the spring of 1794. The stakes were high – a convoy of 116 ships, laden with supplies, sailing from the United States to a France gripped by revolutionary fervour and, crucially, a shortage of almost everything. However, the British also had a keen interest in this rich prize sailing right under their noses…