Battle of the Nile facts for kids

A painting showing the wreck of a French ship, L'Orient, during the battle.

The Battle of the Nile was an important naval battle (fought by ships) between the British and the French. It happened in 1 to 3 August, 1798. The British Royal Navy, led by Horatio Nelson, defeated the French who were led by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is called the Battle of the Nile because it was fought in an estuary of the River Nile, off the coast of Egypt. Britain took control of the eastern Mediterranean. Napoleon had won the earlier Battle of the Pyramids, but now his army was cut off from France. They eventually surrendered at the Capitulation of Alexandria.

Images for kids

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  Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, Lemuel Francis Abbott, 1800, National Maritime Museum. Visible on his cocked hat is the aigrette presented by the Ottoman Sultan as a reward for the victory at the Nile

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  François-Paul Brueys d'Aigalliers artist unknown, Palace of Versailles

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  Battle of the Nile, Augt 1st 1798, Thomas Whitcombe, 1816, National Maritime Museum. The British fleet bears down on the French line.

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  The Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798, Nicholas Pocock, 1808, National Maritime Museum

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  Map of ship positions and movements during the Battle of Aboukir Bay, 1–2 August 1798. British ships are in red; French ships are in blue. Intermediate ship positions are shown in pale red/blue. The map has been simplified, and differs from the text in several minor particulars.

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  Battle of the Nile – Rif'at

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  Tonnant under fire from HMS Majestic at the Battle of the Nile.

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  The Battle of the Nile, Thomas Luny, 1830, National Maritime Museum

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  Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798, Daniel Orme, 1805, National Maritime Museum. Nelson returns on deck after his wound is dressed.

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  A 1799 depiction of the Battle of the Nile by Thomas Whitcombe. Orient is on fire, and visible under her stern, and drifting clear of the burning ship, is the dismasted Bellerophon.

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  The Battle of the Nile: Destruction of 'L'Orient', 1 August 1798, Mather Brown, 1825, National Maritime Museum

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  Battle of the Nile, Thomas Luny, 1834

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  Battle of the Nile, Augt 1st 1798, Thomas Whitcombe, 1816, National Maritime Museum – the climax of the battle, as Orient explodes

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  A True Position of the French fleet as they were moored near the Mouth of the Nile and the manner in which Lord Nelson formed his attack on them, Robert Dodd, 1800, National Maritime Museum

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  Battle of the Nile Medal in Gold. Normally worn from a wide blue ribbon. Grades: 4, awarded by rank. Gold: awarded to Nelson and his captains. Silver: awarded to lieutenants and warrant officers. Copper-Gilt: awarded to petty officers. Bronzed copper: awarded to ratings, marines, etc.

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  The Gallant Nellson bringing home two Uncommon fierce French Crocadiles from the Nile as a Present to the King, James Gillray, 1798, National Maritime Museum. The crocodiles represent Fox and Sheridan.

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  'Victors of the Nile', a celebratory engraving published five years after the Battle of the Nile, depicting Nelson and his 14 captains.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla del Nilo para niños