The Battle of the Redutabla

The Redutabla was being towed by the HMS Temeraire, with only a small crew of British sailors on board. The captured French ship Algiseris was crewed by around fifty British sailors and officers. She too was badly damaged, and became separated from the rest of the fleet as the winds pushed it closer to dangerous shallow water along the Spanish coast. It was becoming clear that the small British crew was incapable of saving the ship, and that no help would arrive in time. However this was the early 19th century, the French officers had to think of honor, as well as necessity. They sent one of their number to politely inform the senior British officer that they no