Free Touch and Go by C. Northcote Parkinson Page B

France. The naval commander of the escort was not to seek an engagement but the First Consul realised that some sacrifices might have to be made.
    The Malta convoy sailed as planned on February 7th, its plans perfectly well known in the streets of Toulon. The vessels were all appallingly overcrowded and the morale of the soldiers was low. They knew that they were being sent to reinforce a garrison already on the point of starvation. Supplies were being shipped at the same time, as they knew, but their own arrival would double the ration strength and shorten the period over which the supplies would last. If the voyage were unduly prolonged, moreover, the greater part of the provisions would be consumed at sea. It was again a question of whether the convoy would reach Malta at all. The likelihood was that Perrée would encounter opposition before he even sighted the island, for the British naval superiority was known to be overwhelming. The Rear-Admiral had good reason to choose the shortest route but was unable, of course, to go any faster than his slowest ship, the heavily laden
Ville-de-Marseilles.
    Knowing roughly what he was to expect, Vice-Admiral Lord Keith was off Grand Harbour with his flagship, the three-decked
Queen Charlotte
mounting a hundred guns. That kept Decrès’s flagship the
Guillaume Tell
in check and placed the goalkeeper in position. Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, with his flag in the
Foudroyant
of eighty guns, cruised to windward of the port with
Audacious
and
Northumberland
under command. The
Alexander
cruised still further to windward and the
Lion
with the
Sirena,
Neapolitan frigate, and
Gannet,
sloop, watched the passage between Malta and Gozo. Of the remaining two sloops,
El Corso
was used as the connecting link between Nelson and the
Alexander,
the other, the
Merlin,
cruised to the north of Gozo. As the final touch the
Success,
frigate, was stationed off Sicily to give warning of the convoy’s approach. Although barely on speaking terms, Lord Keith and Lord Nelson were unlikely to make any tactical error. They waited patiently for their victim to fall into the trap.
    Rear-Admiral Perrée was off the coast of Sicily on February 13th. He was sighted by the
Success,
which raced back with information for Lord Keith. Captain Shuldam Beard reported one ship of the line, one frigate, two corvettes and a large transport. He did not sight the second division of the convoy, which was about five hours behind the first. As the
Success
crowded sail and finally vanished, Perrée must have known that his convoy was doomed. If he had ever had a chance of success it had depended upon approaching Grand Harbour in darkness. There was no point in that after his position was known to the enemy. Turning to his flag-captain he gave orders to shorten sail. He then made a signal to the
Vestale
to the effect that an enemy frigate had been seen, ordering her to repeat that message to the
Corbiere.
Morel, he reflected, would know what to do.
    â€œI have had to make a change of plan,” Perrée then explained to his staff. “We shall approach Malta at daybreak on the 18th. We can see then what force we have to encounter.”
    â€œIt may be no more than a frigate squadron,” said his flag-captain hopefully.
    â€œTo blockade Decrès? No, citizens. We have to face Lord Keith and that frigate has gone to tell him of our approach.”
    â€œIn that event, Citizen Rear-Admiral, you might be justified in turning back before it is too late.”
    â€œHow can I do that? I have been ordered to relieve Valletta. Were we to sail back to Toulon I should have to say ‘The task was impossible. There was an enemy squadron in the way.’ Then I should be asked ‘Of what strength?’ To this my reply would be ‘I have no idea because I didn’t actually see it. All I saw was a frigate.’ I know perfectly well that Lord Keith is outside Grand Harbour. Where else could he be? I know