The French Revolution of 1789 had begun on the high ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, but had descended into the Reign of Terror and the guillotine. Eventually, the more moderate Directory took over the affairs of the country, and set its sights on dominance and dominion.
In its war with Great Britain, France had seen momentum swing its way. By 1795 it recaptured islands it had lost to the English in the Caribbean, and it had secured three of its borders in mainland Europe. Spain then decided to sign on as an ally of France. With this development, the Royal Navy’s presence in the Mediterranean was threatened, and it was forced to withdraw from those waters for the first time in ages. This withdrawal forced Britain’s one remaining ally, Austria, to give up hope and sue for peace with France. Now Great Britain stood alone.
According to Herman, “The Directory sensed final victory. One more blow directed at Britain might do it. But how to bring its invincible army to bear against an enemy protected by the English Channel – and the fleet at Spithead? This was the problem that would perplex and baffle France’s best military minds, including Bonaparte, for more than a decade. It equally baffled Hitler and his generals in 1940. Philip II and Louis XIV had each failed to find the solution, even when they enjoyed naval superiority. There was England with its puny army, its exposed beaches, its capital vulnerable to attack: the last barrier to complete French domination of Europe. Yet it would not give way.” So the French struck upon an idea to attack the Irish coast, hoping to take advantage of rebel sentiment there and gather an army of Irishmen to assist them in their conquest of England.
Out of the port of Brest a French squadron of seventeen ships of the line loaded with 15,000 soldiers was dispatched for the attack. The British had been maintaining a blockade of the harbor, keeping watch on the French fleet and trying to keep it bottled up in port. The weather, though, had grown harsh, and the ships of the Royal Navy had been blown far off station and out into the Atlantic. Except for one.
The Indefatigable was only a frigate, not a full size line of battle ship, and was of the class of faster, lighter ships meant for speed and reconnaissance. Through the foulest weather he could ever remember, Captain Edward Pellew had heroically managed to remain on his station. He alone was there to spot the large fleet making its way out to sea.
Realizing that there was not enough time to sail out in the Atlantic and alert the British squadron, Pellew seized the initiative. In the darkness of the night and in a torrential downpour, Pellew immediately sailed his tiny frigate directly into the middle of the French fleet. As the enormous French battle ships labored to maneuver their way around the rocks and shoals at the mouth of the harbor, Pellew and the Indefatigable deftly sailed amongst them, firing off guns and flares, attempting to imitate the French signals and cause confusion. Pellew and his tiny ship were everywhere. The result was chaos. One of the large battleships, the Seduisant, ran onto the rocks. Several others were scattered out into the Atlantic, including the one carrying the French admiral and general.
Pellew had acted courageously and decisively and had demonstrated ingenuity all at the same time. Pellew’s efforts had caused just enough of a delay. The French fleet took time to reassemble, and once it did the weather had turned into an ice storm. The winds were contrary to a landing on the shores of Ireland, and the invasion had to be called off. The initiative of one leader and his crew had made the difference.
Captain Pellew didn't deliberate in the face of a challenge. He didn't need to get orders before acting. He saw what needed to be done, exhibited great courage and ingenuity, and took responsibility to get results. One leader's initiative made an enormous difference.
