In Naples, Sir William Hamilton used his influence to have Syracuse opened to Nelson’s ships so that he could take on fresh water. By July 25, he was ready to resume his search. Meanwhile, gun exercises were carried out every day, and the captains assembled in Nelson’s cabin aboard his flagship, Vanguard, to hear him expound his plans. At last, in the Gulf of Koron on July 28, some Greek fisherman provided the admiral with useful information: A great fleet had been seen heading southeast from Crete.

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So it was that Nelson set course back to Alexandria, and just after midday on August 1, the British fleet reached the port again. And again, it was empty.

The disconsolate Nelson ordered dinner to be served, although it was only lunch time. It was a meal almost tearful in its sadness, and slowly the fleet idled along farther to the east. Then, as the tablecloth was being cleared, Saumarez recalled, ‘The officer of the watch came running in saying ‘Sir, a signal is just now made that the enemy is in Aboukir Bay and moored in a line of battle.’ ‘ Cheers broke out. The hunt was over. ‘If we succeed,’ remarked one of Nelson’s captains, ‘what will the world say?’ Nelson replied: ‘There is no if in the case. That we shall succeed is certain; who will live to tell the story is a very different question.’

The French admiral, Franois Paul Brueys d’Aigailliers, had anchored his fleet in a line across the bay. To the west was Bequier Island, surrounded by an extensive shoal. Brueys tucked his van up against the island and the shoal, believing it to be quite safe. In the center of his line he had the gigantic L’Orient, much bigger than any British ship, bristling with 120 guns.

It is often said that Nelson ordered the British fleet to sail between the French ships and the shore, and that this tactic gave him the advantage because the French were not expecting an attack from that side and had not even bothered to clear their gunports. That explanation is misleading, however, and does not take into account the principle that guided Nelson at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent the year before. A close examination of the first 20 minutes of the Battle of Aboukir will make this clear.

Nelson apparently realized that if there was room for each French ship to swing on its anchor with the tide, there must be room for a British ship to pass or to anchor in its turn. Captain Thomas Foley in Goliath sailed right around the leading French ship, Guerrier, and he was followed by Zealous, Orion, Theseus and Audacious. As each ship sailed past Guerrier, Conquerant and Spartiate, a thundering broadside was delivered. Within 20 minutes, or by 6 p.m., the leading three French ships had been silenced. The head of the French line had been blown away, and a gap had been opened through which the British could sail at will.

On the seaward side of the French line, Nelson’s Vanguard led a furious bombardment of the center. Enormous courage was shown by both sides. It is recorded that Captain Dupetit Thouars of Tonant had both arms and a leg shot off, after which he ordered his men to place him in a tub on his quarterdeck, where he died after every gun on his ship had been silenced.

A musket ball struck Nelson on the forehead, tearing a flap of skin, which fell over his one good eye, rendering him temporarily blind. He thought he was dying and was carried below, where he refused the attentions of the surgeon until the other wounded cared for. ‘I will take my turn with my brave fellows,’ he said — the sort of remark that was calculated to endear him to his ‘brave fellows.’

By 8 p.m., the first five ships in the French line had surrendered, and victory was certain. But one more great drama remained to be played out before the battle ended.

The British ship Bellerophon had had her mast torn off by fire from Orient’s heavy guns and was drifting out of the fight. A Canadian named Benjamin Hallowell was in charge of Swiftsure, and he brought his ship between Bellerophon and her adversary, anchoring just yards from Orient. Swiftsure released a fierce broadside and was joined by Alexander. Orient was soon in difficulty, and at 9 p.m. Hallowell saw flames coming from the French flagship. Her poorly disciplined crew had left buckets of oil and paint around the ship, and these had caught fire. Every British ship whose guns could reach her hammered Orient mercilessly, and soon it became obvious she would blow up as soon as the flames reached her powder magazine. Someone told Nelson of the anticipated explosion, and he insisted on being led up on deck to watch.

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