Invasion

'An Accurate Representation of the Floating Machine Invented by the French for Invading England and acting on the principals of both Wind and Water Mills etc', by Dighton Freville, circa 1805. Repro ID: PAH7433 ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LondonBritons had feared French invasion since the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1793.

Prints of the nightmarish craft supposedly being prepared for the invasion were widely circulated from the late 1790s onwards. There had been several attempts to land French troops on British soil, including an expeditionary force that actually managed to disembark at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in 1797.

The renewal of war in 1803 and the massing of troops on the French coast raised fears that Napoleon was now really ready to invade Britain.

Loyalist patriotism and unity in the struggle against Napoleon helped to mask the internal political divisions which the war had intensiﬁed. Propaganda encouraged loyalty to the Crown, drew attention away from those calling for political reform and urged people to join one of the mobilised land forces – the army, militia or volunteers.

Defending Britain >>

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Invasion
Britons had feared French invasion since the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. The renewal of war in 1803 and the massing of troops on the French coast raised fears that Napoleon was now really ready to invade Britain.

Defending Britain
Britain's land defence force amounted to some 500,000 armed men. There were also numerous maritime volunteer organizations and the government ordered the construction of ﬁxed defences, such as 'martello towers'.

The Royal Navy
The defensive strategy of the British government depended heavily on the strength of the Royal Navy. The Navy, Britain's most effcient ﬁghting force, formed the ﬁrst line of defence.

Preparations
Napoleon's ambitious invasion scheme was ﬁrst devised in July 1803. It involved the French Army and Navy and the construction of a special invasion ﬂotilla to transport men, horses, ammunition and artillery.

The chase
The plan to invade Britain involved luring the British fleet away from the Channel. To do this, part of the French fleet set sail for the West Indies, with Nelson and the Mediterranean Fleet in hot pursuit.

Calder's action
Nelson got word back to the Admiralty about the returning French fleet which allowed the British to reposition their ships. Outnumbered, Sir Robert Calder engaged the returning fleet off Cape Finisterre.

'Paradise Merton'
Nelson returned to Britain on 18 August 1805. He travelled to Merton with Emma Hamilton, where they were joined by their daughter, Horatia. This was the ﬁrst and last time that all three lived together in the same house.

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Invasion

Invasion

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