In the early summer of 1805 the threat of French invasion across the English Channel was dire. Napoleon had defeated most of the European armies and stationed more than 200,000 of his veterans at Boulogne in the Pas de Calais. The ships to transport them were stationed at Brest and Toulon with a complementary number of Spanish ships at Cadiz but these ports were blockaded by the Royal Navy.

       The only French commander to challenge the British was Admiral Villeneuve who broke the blockade of Toulon. He was pursued by Vice Admiral Nelson to the West Indies and eventually back to Cadiz, Spain, where he was blockaded again. On October 21, 1805, Villeneuve broke out of Cadiz with a combined fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships of the line. The British fleet of 27 ships of the line engaged the enemy off Cape Trafalgar attacking in two columns as shown on the map.

       Vice-Admiral Collingwood in Royal Sovereign led one division to the rear of the Franco-Spanish line and pounded the ships into submission. Soon after, Nelson's flagship Victory broke through the middle of the enemy line and destroyed the French flagship Bucentaure with a single broadside. Following Nelson, more British ships penetrated the gap that was opened and attacked the middle line enemy vessels. Cut off and without direction the Franco-Spanish ships engaged in a number of duels with the highly motivated British fleet.

       23 of Villeneuve's ships were destroyed or captured and most of the remainder were shattered wrecks. None of the British ships were lost. Napoleon's finest fleet had been wiped out and the naval power of France was effectively eliminated as was Napoleon's invasion plans.

       The Royal Navy was never again seriously challenged by a French fleet in a large-scale engagement.