Cruise of Bruix
Encyclopedia
Bruix' expedition of 1799, often called Croisière de Bruix in French sources, was a French naval operation of the French Revolutionary Wars
, carried out in May 1799 by admiral Étienne Eustache Bruix
. It aimed at sending the naval squadron of Brest
to the Mediterranean, gathering Spanish ships on the way, and rescuing Malta
and Corfu
, and supporting the French armies in Italy. The actual objectives of the expedition remain unclear.
in August 1798, what remained of the French squadron of the Mediterranean, based in Toulon, was in disarray, and a French army was stranded in Egypt.
The squadron of Brest was in a passable state, but is was realised that the lack of experience of the crews and the state of the ships would not allow a victory over the British without anything but overwhelming numerical superiority. With the British squadrons dispersed after the Battle of the Nile, it was decided the send the Brest squadron to the Mediterranean.
the previous year.
Bruix slipped out Brest with 25 ships of the line under cover of fog and sailed south. Not knowing which way he had gone, the British blockading fleet, which had been ordered to prioritise the defence of Ireland against any French attempt to stoke renewed unrest there, headed north-westwards to oppose a move in that direction. As a result, Bruix gained a valuable headstart and got as far as Cadiz
before meeting any British ships. There he found Lord Keith
with 15 ships of the line, blockading a Spanish fleet of 28 ships of the line inside the port. Despite the opportunity to overwhelm Keith's heavily outnumbered fleet Bruix opted to avoid action and continue into the Mediterranean. He was reinforced by a Spanish squadron but the Spanish ships were in such a state of disrepair that soon after the combined fleet departed into the Mediterranean, they had to return to harbour.
At the time of Bruix's arrival British and allied forces in the western Mediterranean were dispersed, with small British squadrons off Malta, Minorca
and Naples
, a Russian fleet at Corfu and small Portugese
and Sicilian
squadrons also in the area. Again Bruix was in a position to inflict devastating damage by destroying these scattered groups piecemeal but again nothing came of this. Following damage caused by a collision he made a detour to Toulon
for repairs. There he received new orders to escort supply shipments to the French army in Italy under Andre Massena
, which had retreated to Genoa
and was under siege. Bruix sailed into the Gulf of Genoa
but was driven back by adverse winds.
Meanwhile Keith had followed the French fleet into the Mediterranean and gathered the British squadrons together at Minorca in preparation for battle. Preferring once again to avoid a confrontation, Bruix decided to return to Brest. He eluded the British forces searching for him and returned to Cadiz, where Spanish ships were gathered and purchased, expanding the fleet to a total of 43 sail. From there, the fleet sailed to Brest. In its increased strength Bruix's force significantly outnumbered the British fleet in the Channel, but rather than take advantage of this he chose to put into Brest and remain there. A week later the arrival of Keith, who had pursued him back from the Mediterranean, negated this advantage of numbers.
, but the fleet lacked the material for the former aim, and the coordination with Paris for the later.
Mahan
speaks of the operation in his book, The Influence of Sea Power upon History
, as "affording interesting studies".
French ships of the line
Frigates and corvettes
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
, carried out in May 1799 by admiral Étienne Eustache Bruix
Étienne Eustache Bruix
Étienne Eustache Bruix was a French sailor.-Life:From a distinguished family originating from Béarn, he embarked as a volunteer on a slaving vessel commanded by captain Jean-François Landolphe...
. It aimed at sending the naval squadron of Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
to the Mediterranean, gathering Spanish ships on the way, and rescuing Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
, and supporting the French armies in Italy. The actual objectives of the expedition remain unclear.
Background
After the crushing defeat of the Battle of the NileBattle of the Nile
The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798...
in August 1798, what remained of the French squadron of the Mediterranean, based in Toulon, was in disarray, and a French army was stranded in Egypt.
The squadron of Brest was in a passable state, but is was realised that the lack of experience of the crews and the state of the ships would not allow a victory over the British without anything but overwhelming numerical superiority. With the British squadrons dispersed after the Battle of the Nile, it was decided the send the Brest squadron to the Mediterranean.
Expedition
Preparation of the expedition was shrouded in secrecy and deception. Rumours that a new expedition to Ireland was being planned were started, and a ship was sent to Ireland, carrying letters confirming these, with orders to let herself be captured. The country was still unsettled following the United Irishmen's RebellionIrish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
the previous year.
Bruix slipped out Brest with 25 ships of the line under cover of fog and sailed south. Not knowing which way he had gone, the British blockading fleet, which had been ordered to prioritise the defence of Ireland against any French attempt to stoke renewed unrest there, headed north-westwards to oppose a move in that direction. As a result, Bruix gained a valuable headstart and got as far as Cadiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
before meeting any British ships. There he found Lord Keith
George Keith Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith
George Keith Elphinstone, 1st Viscount Keith was a British admiral active throughout the Napoleonic Wars.-Career:Fifth son of the 10th Lord Elphinstone, he was born in Elphinstone Tower, near Stirling, Scotland...
with 15 ships of the line, blockading a Spanish fleet of 28 ships of the line inside the port. Despite the opportunity to overwhelm Keith's heavily outnumbered fleet Bruix opted to avoid action and continue into the Mediterranean. He was reinforced by a Spanish squadron but the Spanish ships were in such a state of disrepair that soon after the combined fleet departed into the Mediterranean, they had to return to harbour.
At the time of Bruix's arrival British and allied forces in the western Mediterranean were dispersed, with small British squadrons off Malta, Minorca
Minorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
and Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, a Russian fleet at Corfu and small Portugese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and Sicilian
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, commonly known as the Two Sicilies even before formally coming into being, was the largest and wealthiest of the Italian states before Italian unification...
squadrons also in the area. Again Bruix was in a position to inflict devastating damage by destroying these scattered groups piecemeal but again nothing came of this. Following damage caused by a collision he made a detour to Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
for repairs. There he received new orders to escort supply shipments to the French army in Italy under Andre Massena
André Masséna
André Masséna 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
, which had retreated to Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
and was under siege. Bruix sailed into the Gulf of Genoa
Gulf of Genoa
The Gulf of Genoa is the northernmost part of the Ligurian Sea. The width of the gulf is about 125 km, from the city of Imperia in the west to La Spezia in the east. The largest city on the its coast is Genoa, which has an important port....
but was driven back by adverse winds.
Meanwhile Keith had followed the French fleet into the Mediterranean and gathered the British squadrons together at Minorca in preparation for battle. Preferring once again to avoid a confrontation, Bruix decided to return to Brest. He eluded the British forces searching for him and returned to Cadiz, where Spanish ships were gathered and purchased, expanding the fleet to a total of 43 sail. From there, the fleet sailed to Brest. In its increased strength Bruix's force significantly outnumbered the British fleet in the Channel, but rather than take advantage of this he chose to put into Brest and remain there. A week later the arrival of Keith, who had pursued him back from the Mediterranean, negated this advantage of numbers.
Aftermath
The objective of the sortie remain unclear to the day. There has been speculations about an attempt to support or evacuate the Army of EgyptFrench Revolutionary Wars: Campaigns of 1798
1798 was a relatively quiet period in the French Revolutionary Wars. The major continental powers in the First coalition had made peace with France, leaving France dominant in Europe with only a slow naval war with Great Britain to worry about...
, but the fleet lacked the material for the former aim, and the coordination with Paris for the later.
Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan was a United States Navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian, who has been called "the most important American strategist of the nineteenth century." His concept of "sea power" was based on the idea that countries with greater naval power will have greater worldwide...
speaks of the operation in his book, The Influence of Sea Power upon History
The Influence of Sea Power upon History
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History: 1660-1783 is a history of naval warfare written in 1890 by Alfred Thayer Mahan. It details the role of sea power throughout history and discusses the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most...
, as "affording interesting studies".
Order of battle
27 ships of the line and several frigates. A number of Spanish ships were purchased and brought into French Navy service.French ships of the line
- TerribleFrench ship Terrible (1779)The Terrible was a 110-gun ship of the line of the French Navy, lead ship of her class.She took part in the Bataille du 13 prairial an 2, where she was dismasted by HMS Royal Sovereign...
(110) - JupiterFrench ship Jupiter (1789)The Jupiter was a Téméraire class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.Between 1791 and 1793, she was based in Saint-Domingue. In March 1794, she was renamed Montagnard...
(74) - TourvilleFrench ship Tourville (1788)The Tourville was a Téméraire class 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.In August 1793, she was damaged by a tempest, which also killed her captain, and had to return to Brest...
(74) - SceptreFrench ship Sceptre (1780)The Sceptre was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.In 1781 and 1782, she took part in the Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War, under Admiral de Grasse. She fought at the Battle of the Chesapeake and at the Battle of the Saintes...
(74) - TyrannicideFrench ship Tyrannicide (1793)Tyrannicide was a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy.In 1794, under Alain Joseph Dordelin, she took part in the Glorious First of June...
(74)
Frigates and corvettes
- BerceauFrench corvette Berceau (1794)The Berceau was a 22-gun corvette of the French Navy.In 1799, she took part in the Cruise of Bruix. On 11 May, Admiral Bruix set his flag on Berceau to direct a battle against the British off Cadiz; after the Spanish broke contact, Bruix cancelled the attack.On 13 July 1800, Berceau measured...
(20)