Why was Napoleon defeated by Nelson?

Answer 1

Nelson sought a conclusive battle against the larger combined French and Spanish Fleets with the full knowledge that his officers and crews were far more skilled, had high morale and were at full strength. The French Navy was short on qualified commanders, under strength and poorly trained. Nelson was taking a serious gamble, but was planning to attack the Franco-Spanish Fleet in two columns straight at the enemy under maximum sail. To avoid friendly fire incidents the British fleet was freshly painted in a yellow and black pattern. The plan was to isolate the rear third of the fleet and destroy it before the Spanish ships in line could come about.

Nelson's orders to his commanders that "No Captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside of the Enemy". He was essentially telling them that this battle would be won by superior gunnery at close range.

The French Fleet had the advantage is guns and ships.

The Royal Soverign was the first British Ship to enter the Franco-Spanish line and was faced with the combined fire of four ships of the line. The second English vessel was the Belleisle which lost her sails and rigging before she even reached the line. Nelson lost 457 of his men and 1,208 were wounded. The French lost one ship destroyed and 10 captured. France had 2.218 killed, 1,155 men wounded and 4.000 men captured. Spain had 11 ships captured, 1,025 men killed and 4,000 men captured. Nelson died but he had won a great victory and Napoleon's hope for an invasion of England had vanished forever.