Chapter 793: The Battle of Genoa, Part III
Sailing ships occasionally used curved formations for attacks.
However, since sailing ships turned slowly, once they formed a crescent, they would need time to realign into a battle line.
Thus, unless they had absolute superiority, sailing ships preferred traditional battle lines.
But steamships had no such concerns.
With a well-trained crew, they could change formation within minutes, allowing them to use the most effective attack strategies at all times.
This was why Captain Byrne felt that the French ships were firing so aggressively.
Under constant harassment from the French fleet, the HMS Stagecoach and the other British ships had endured seven to eight minutes of intense bombardment, yet failed to escape the enemy's fire.
Hotham Loses His Patience
Admiral Hotham could no longer remain idle.
Losing a few frigates and sloops was acceptable, but to have them pummeled under his nose was a humiliation!
Suppressing his rage, he turned to his signal officer:
—"Raise the flag. Move the battle line eastward and prepare to engage the enemy fleet!"
Just then, out on the open sea, the HMS White Coral was hit in its magazine, igniting a massive fireball.
Screaming sailors leapt overboard, forming rippling circles around the sinking vessel.
The HMS Stagecoach and HMS Quartz Sand were heavily damaged, listing to one side.
Other ships had also taken hits, losing maneuverability and drifting helplessly.
Only two oar-sail ships had managed to escape the carnage.
In just ten minutes, the British frigate squadron had lost more than half its strength.
This casualty rate was unheard of in the age of sail.
British Counterattack
Meanwhile, the British ships of the line unfurled full sails, charging at full speed toward the French fleet.
Admiral Hotham watched through the windows of HMS Theseus, calculating silently.
2,000 yards.1,500 yards.1,200 yards.
He was about to order the fleet to fire when suddenly, the French flagship raised a signal flag.
At once, the 30+ French warships accelerated, veering northeast, fleeing at incredible speed.
It was as if they were a pack of hyenas, joyfully escaping after stealing a lion's kill.
By the time the British battle line reached the remnants of the frigate squadron, the French fleet was already a mile away—leaving behind only a trail of white foam and the faint smell of coal smoke.
Two British frigates and one sloop were on the verge of sinking.
Three others were so damaged that they might not even make it back to port.
Admiral Hotham clenched his fists in fury and slammed them against the wooden helm.
—"Damn those French cowards!" he growled.
—"Come and fight like real men!"
The French Return
As if answering his challenge, the French fleet quickly turned back, approaching from the north.
Hotham smirked.
He ordered the battle line to shift northward, ensuring his broadside faced the enemy.
Thirty minutes later, the French steam fleet overtook his battle line, seizing the windward position on the western side.
Now, Hotham's expression changed.
Initially, his ships had been further west.
The French had even detoured north to avoid him—yet somehow, they reached the windward position first.
Left with no choice, he tightened the battle line, keeping their bows pointed northeast, ready to receive the attack.
In truth, he wasn't afraid of the French attacking head-on.
His third-rate ships of the line, with their thick hulls and 74 heavy cannons, could annihilate those small French ships even in a disadvantageous wind position.
The French Make Their Move
Suddenly, the French fleet surged forward, reaching 12 knots with the wind at their backs.
In a blink, they were 800 yards away.
Then—instead of forming a battle line—they veered sharply right, heading straight for the rear of the British formation.
They had no intention of engaging in a traditional gunfight.
For a moment, Hotham was stunned.
Then, he understood.
The French knew they couldn't match the British broadside for broadside.
Hotham quickly ordered his fleet to turn, keeping their broadside ready.
But the steam-powered French ships were too fast.
With full engine power, they constantly adjusted angles, executing a blatantly unfair maneuver.
Instead of engaging in line combat, they swept past the British rear at full speed.
The fourth-rate HMS Bullshark struggled to turn.
As the French ships passed just 400 yards away, she was still facing them stern-first.
The French fleet seized this golden opportunity—executing a "T-crossing maneuver", but on the stern rather than the bow.
One after another, seven or eight French ships unloaded their broadside cannons into HMS Bullshark's vulnerable stern.
After the devastating barrage, the stern of the ship was obliterated.
Even its rear mast was destroyed.
Yet the French made no attempt to stay and fight.
As soon as the HMS Bullshark finally turned to return fire, the French fleet turned sharply again, speeding away.
Hotham's Frustration
Admiral Hotham watched the French ships retreat, grinding his teeth in frustration.
He wanted to order a chase, but knew it was impossible.
The British ships simply couldn't match their speed.
A staff officer reported on HMS Bullshark's condition.
Luckily, the ship was still afloat, though its damaged stern sails would slow it down.
Hotham ordered it moved to the center of the formation for protection.
Then, he watched in disbelief as the French fleet turned around again—charging back, coal smoke billowing.
In that instant, a memory flashed through his mind.
Years ago, in Africa, he had seen a pack of hyenas harassing a lion.
Each hyena was far weaker than the lion.
But by using speed and coordination, they tormented the lion constantly, waiting for the right moment to snatch its prey.
Now, those French steamships were the hyenas.
And he—he was the lion.
The Harassment Continues
This time, he ordered three battleships to guard the rear.
But the French "hyenas" quickly circled the fleet, exploiting a small gap to launch another T-crossing attack—this time on HMS Caesar.
A single well-placed cannon shot wrecked the ship's foremast.
After inflicting more damage, the French fleet sped away once again.
The harassment continued until nightfall, when the French finally disappeared into the southeastern horizon.
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