Alternate 1801 Algeciras Campaign

On 6 July 1801, the British Navy Squadron attacking the French fleet at Algeciras was becalmed by light winds, but shells began to dismast the French navy flagship Formidable, despite extreme damage and grounding to Hannibal and Pompee. After hours of fighting, both ships were dismasted and forced to surrender, but damage to the Formidable, which suffered worse. The French achieved their objectives of saving their flagship and holding the grounded British ships, which were captured in the afternoon, but Indomitable wasn't so lucky, being also grounded and captured off Isla Verda. [The p.o.d. of Formidable being dismasted resulted in Pompee and Hannibal being targeted by Spanish batteries, diversion of French sailors from them and the planned amphibious landing on Isla Verda being done and succeeding. Weather may be a factor in play, though.]

A week after the battle, the crewmembers of Hannibal were exchanged with those on the San Antoine [as in reality] and those of the Pompee with Indomitable when the campaign off Algeciras ended. [Consequences as in reality, the 2nd battle would have Desaix replace Formidable and suffering more damage and the French-Spanish fleet's rearguard destroyed.] [This battle may be part of a broader timeline to be planned later.]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Algeciras]
[http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval_History/Vol_III/, pages 111-122 and to 131 for the second battle if written.]
 
After the campaign
In the aftermath of the Algeciras Campaign, the British had 2 ships of the line captured and one crippled; plus others suffering various degrees of damage. However, the French had 2 captured and 2 Spanish 1st rates burnt themselves out in the second battle of the campaign. However, the Portuguese invasion and Egyptian relief plans were terminated as a result of losses. The next year, the Treaty of Amiens was signed, but peace was temporary as Britain resumed war on 18 May 1803.
In the aftermath, both Hannibal and Pompee were jury rigged and escorted to Brest, Hannibal being transferred to Spain in exchange for the ship Pelayo. Pompee returned to French service for the next few years. The Spanish losses and overall defeat would contribute to the temporary peace mentioned above, especially with the French resupply plans for Egypt declared unfeasible.
[This campaign is part of a scenario I would post more about later.]
 
9 years in the future [Grand Port]
Note the butterfly effects, though.

After the seizure of Ile Bonaparte and Ile Bourbon, the Royal Navy turned its attention to blockade Grand Port by landing on Isle de France. During the island's capture, the French Navy ships at Mauritius were alerted when the corvette Victor was temporarily recaptured, but 6 frigates [including a 1809 reinforcement from France and a captured Portuguese ship] saved Victor and this attack removed any chance of surprise for the British frigates involved in the operation.
 
Copenhagen 1801 [as possible p.o.d.]

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...ese-fleet-instead-of-the-danish.388347/page-2

https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/danish-victory-at-copenhagen.397789/#post-13776547

At 13 30 on 2 April 1801, Admiral Horatio Nelson had just seen the signal to retreat from the fighting when a shell hit him and caused severe injury through a telescope observed by Danish sailors. As he was taken down HMS Elephant for treatment [minimal butterflies would have him injured or replaced by someone equally competent such as Collingwood], Admiral Parker suggested a retreat that was to be obeyed at 14 00 that day. The Royal Navy retreated and in the process, managed to save HMS Bellona and Russell, with Agamennon just managing to survive the few pursuing Danish vessels.

Denmark-Norway lost 2 barges sunk and 2 ships lost to explosion [one being the flagship and an artillery barge sent to rescue the flagship]. In the aftermath, Admiral Parker was court martialled, but he was relieved of charges. His timidity just as the battle was fought to a near victory which would be obtained within an hour of 14 00 that day would result in controversy, but perception was completely different from reality to him.

As a result, an attempt was made to destroy the Danish Mediterranean Squadron in June 1801, which struck to the British and was sailed to Gibraltar after losing its frigates. The ship that was captured [Sejeren] would be renamed HMS Nassau [instead of Holsteen] and commissioned in 1805. [see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMS_Holsteen for its hypothetical career]. The remaining Danish ships in the Copenhagen defence line were reclassified as blocking ships and were sunk in December 1807 in a very costly battle for Britain and Denmark at Copenhagen.
 
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