Battle of the Nile

Naval engagement in Aboukir Bay, Egypt, on August 1 and 2, 1798. Lord Horatio Nelson led British forces to a decisive victory, essentially ending Napoleon Bonaparte's ambitions to threaten Britain's position in India by conquering Egypt.

Lieutenant William Laurence was serving aboard the HMS Goliath during the battle.

Jane Roland was also present, presumably captaining Excidium; she wore a medal from the battle thereafter.

The British had thirteen ships of the line, plus eight British dragons and four loaned by the Turks. The French had 17 ships and 14 dragons, and thus numerical superiority, but Nelson's superior tactics won the day. Only two French ships and two frigates were able to escape, the rest were burned or captured. The battle gave birth to the legend of Horatio Nelson and showed British supremacy at sea.