My Life > The Nile and Naples, 1798-1800

The Nile and Naples, 1798-1800

Battle of The Nile, 1 August 1798
[By kind permission of Sim Comfort Associates]

On the 19th of December the Vanguard was commissioned as my flagship. On the 1st of April 1798,
I sailed with a convoy from Spithead. I joined Earl St Vincent off Cadiz on April 29th; being on the 30th ordered into the Mediterranean. I refer to my dispatch for my proceedings up to the close of the Battle of the Nile on 1 August 1798. For my exploits at that battle His Majesty was pleased to create me a Baron and I received many rich gifts from numerous personages.

The Battle of the Nile, 1/2 August 1798

Having been wounded earlier in the battle, I am brought on deck to witness the destruction of the mighty French flagship, L'Orient.

On the 22nd of September I arrived at Naples and was received as a Deliverer by the King, Queen and the whole Kingdom. On the 21st December his Sicilian Majesty and family embarked in the Vanguard and were carried to Palermo in Sicily.

In May 1799, I shifted my flag, being promoted to be Rear Admiral of the Red, to the Foudroyant.
In June and July I went to Naples and, as his Sicilian Majesty is pleased to say, I reconquered his Kingdom and placed him on his throne.

On the 13th of August 1799 his Sicilian Majesty presented me with a Sword most magnificently enriched with diamonds, the Title of the Duke of Bronte, and annexed to it the estate of Bronte supposed to be worth £3,000 per annum.

On the 13th of July 1800 I struck my flag and returned to England by land in the company of my good friends Sir William and Lady Hamilton. We were everywhere received with enthusiasm.