Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet 1793–1805

Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet 1793–1805, authored by Lt Col Casey Baker, offers a fresh, all-encompassing study of the most active British fleet during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars: the Mediterranean Fleet, where Horatio Nelson cemented his legendary status.

When war erupted with Revolutionary France in 1793, the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet was engaged in a protracted and complex conflict. Operating remotely from London, the fleet took on traditional responsibilities such as trade protection, blockade, and high-seas warfare, while also engaging in diplomatic and counter-revolutionary efforts throughout the region. This theatre of war was the backdrop for some of the most iconic events in British naval history, transforming Horatio Nelson into a legendary figure.

Despite the focus on its famous battles and prominent personalities, the true nature of the Mediterranean war has often been overshadowed. In this book, naval scholar Casey Baker utilises years of archival research to provide a detailed portrait of the Mediterranean Fleet’s wartime efforts. The work explores the fleet's strategic roles, organisational and decision-making processes, combat strengths and weaknesses, diplomatic and political obligations, logistical challenges and manning, and the diverse combat engagements from the Levant to Cape Trafalgar.

Featuring superb original artwork, newly created maps, and 3D diagrams of lesser-known actions, including amphibious operations and maritime trade warfare, Baker assesses how the Royal Navy’s most active fleet during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars conducted operations in this critical theatre.