page_title: Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
section_title: Genoa and the fight of the Ça Ira
hierarchical_section_title: Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson / Command / Genoa and the fight of the Ça Ira
caption_attribution_description: English: Fight of Ça Ira against HMS Bedford and HMS Captain, 14 March 1795 The website from which, this image was uploaded, claims it to be The capture of Ca-Ira by the Royal Navy at the Battle of Cape Noli in 1795 That website appears to have uploaded the image from modellistinavali.forumattivo.com where it is captioned: HMS Agamennon, on the left, opens fire on Ça Ira, in the center, and Censeur, on the right. It's implied that the second vessel (british unidentified) on the left is the Kingdom of Sicily's Tancredi (1789). Quote: The Agamennon, I do not know why nicknamed "Eggs and Bacon", which was a vessel with only two bridges and with lower guns by number and caliber to the Ira Ira, but together with the Tancredi it kept the French frigate under fire for over two hours centering it several times aft. Then the republican fleet, embarrassed by the maneuvers of Censeur who meanwhile took the Ça Ira semi-destroyed in tow, folded and immediately the allies began to pursue it. It's unknown where the image comes from, it may be, Le Haute-Dordogne et ses gabariers, Imprimerie de Crauffon, by Eusebé Bombal. Pub 1903. see this website Français&#160;: Combat du Ça-Ira contre les HMS Bedford et Captain à la bataille du Cap Noli en 1795. Gravure du début du 19e siècle
context_page_description: Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB, also known simply as Admiral Nelson, was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was wounded in combat, losing sight in one eye in Corsica at the age of 35, and most of one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife when he was 40. He was fatally shot during his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
  Nelson was born into a moderately prosperous Norfolk family and joined the navy through the influence of his uncle, Maurice Suckling, a high-ranking naval officer. Nelson rose rapidly through the ranks and served with leading naval commanders of the period before obtaining his own command at the age of 20 in 1778. He developed a reputation for personal valour and firm grasp of tactics, but suffered periods of illness and unemployment after the end of the American War of Independence.
context_section_description: After the occupation of Corsica, Hood ordered Nelson to open diplomatic relations with the city-state of Genoa, a strategically important potential ally. Soon afterwards, Hood returned to England and was succeeded by Admiral William Hotham as commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean. Nelson put into Leghorn, and while Agamemnon underwent repairs, met with other naval officers at the port and entertained a brief affair with a local woman, Adelaide Correglia. Hotham arrived with the rest of the fleet in December; Nelson and Agamemnon sailed on a number of cruises with them in late 1794 and early 1795.
  On 8 March, news reached Hotham that the French fleet was at sea and heading for Corsica. He immediately set out to intercept them, and Nelson eagerly anticipated his first fleet action. The French were reluctant to engage and the two fleets shadowed each other throughout 12 March. The following day two of the French ships collided, allowing Nelson to engage the much larger 84-gun Ça Ira for two and a half hours until the arrival of two French ships forced Nelson to veer away, having inflicted heavy casualties and considerable damage. The fleets continued to shadow each other before making contact again, on 14 March, in the Battle of Genoa. Nelson joined the other British ships in attacking the battered Ça Ira, now under tow from Censeur. Heavily damaged, the two French ships were forced to surrender and Nelson took possession of Censeur. Defeated at sea, the French abandoned their plan to invade Corsica and returned to port.
caption: The fight of the Ça Ira
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