After the Battle of the Nile, British policy in the Mediterranean has three main aims.
Firstly they wish to capture or destroy the two battleships; the Généreux and the Guillaume Tell; that escaped from Nelson at the end of the battle.
Secondly and thirdly, they wish to expel the French from Malta and Egypt.
Captain Cockburn is given command of a small flotilla that is instrumental in bringing about the ambush and capture of the Généreux. His flotilla is increased to five vessels and with the development and use of unconventional weapons and tactics, they play a leading role in achieving all three aims.