Chapter 44: The Battle of Alexandria Continued

"Splash! Splash!" At this moment, the distance was still considerable, and only a few of the British cannonballs struck the French ships. Most missed their targets, causing water to splash up in columns.

"Return fire, return fire!" shouted Brueys from aboard the flagship "Orient." Unfortunately, the French navy's gunnery was no match for the British, and only a few cannonballs hit the British warships, causing minimal damage.

"Your Excellency, engaging the French at this distance may not be advantageous. However, if we could close the distance, our firepower could be better utilized," a staff officer advised Nelson.

"Agreed, but be cautious not to be caught in the French fire!" Nelson nodded in agreement.

At Nelson's command, the British warships dispersed, their 32-pound cannons firing continuously, implementing a crossing shot strategy. They then moved to form a line of battle and began firing in unison, aiming to unleash more cannonballs on the French fleet in the shortest time possible, and then sink them.

The French ships bravely returned fire, but their 24-pound cannons were outmatched by the British firepower. Additionally, their gunnery was less precise. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the French fleet gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

"Boom!" A loud explosion erupted from the flagship "Orient" of the French fleet, enveloping the vessel in gun smoke. A 32-pound cannonball fired from the British warship "Victory" struck the French ship "Orient." The wooden planks of the "Orient" could not withstand the heavy cannonball, which blasted a large hole in the ship. Although this damage was not critical for the battleship, the thick smoke billowing from the ship still thrilled the British. They circled the "Orient" like sharks smelling blood, continuously attacking it.

At this critical moment, General Nelson issued orders to the captains of the main warships, demanding that they exert their full strength in the upcoming confrontation, especially targeting the French flagship. The "Victory" and the "Coventry," both newly built and powerful, were to fully utilize their advantages to achieve a quick victory. This would allow the British navy to more easily secure victory in this battle. Meanwhile, the other warships were to close in from the left and right, forming an encirclement to trap and annihilate the French ships within the harbor.

The vice-commander of the British Mediterranean fleet, Sidney, also issued commands to the captains of the main warships. Particularly, the two cruisers at the end of the battle line were tasked by Sidney to form a blockade quickly after the battle began, aiming to sink the outermost French warships as quickly as possible. If successful, the British navy would secure a decisive advantage.

…

Aboard the flagship "Orient," General Brueys's face had turned ominously dark, as if it could drip water. His hands were tightly clenched, the knuckles whitening. It was clear he was desperately suppressing the rage boiling inside him. Otherwise, his fury would surely have burst forth.

"Damn it! How could this be? Have the British become so powerful? I had thought that although the French Navy might not defeat the British, the difference would not be so vast. Yet today, we have been completely dominated by them," Brueys repeatedly questioned himself.

"General Brueys, there's more bad news. The British ships have formed an encirclement around us in Alexandria Harbor," his aide-de-camp reported, bringing more troubling news.

"This cannot continue; absolutely not. We must break the British encirclement. Otherwise, we'll all be trapped here," Brueys said anxiously, slamming his hand on the rail.

Under Brueys's urgent directives, the French ships were continuously altering their formation, attempting to break the British encirclement and escape.

…

"General, look, the French are changing formation. They seem to be trying to break out," the aide-de-camp on the "Victory" reported to Nelson just as he noticed the French maneuvering, rushing to Nelson's side.

"Send orders to the 'Coventry,' command them to intercept the French flagship. The French commander must be on that ship. Sinking it will throw the French into disarray," Nelson responded calmly to the French's sudden change in formation, issuing his orders to the "Coventry."

Inside the command tower of the "Coventry," Commodore Smith also felt a surge of urgency, especially after receiving the flag signals from Admiral Nelson.

"Order all cannons to aim carefully! A direct hit or sinking of the French 'Orient' would be a great achievement, and it would secure our victory in this naval battle," Commodore Smith commanded.