The frigate `` Africaine '' had been sent Sending from Rochefort early in 1801 with more than 400 soldiers for the Egyptian garrison , and by February had reached Arriving the Mediterranean Sea , Commodore Saulnier seeking Hold to pass Motion_directional along the North African coast to avoid Preventing_or_letting patrolling Patrolling Royal Navy warships .

In support Supporting of this plan , the French squadron based at Rochefort put Motion to sea in July 1805 , initially with the intention that they would join Participation the Atlantic Fleet from Brest .

When this fleet failed to put Motion to sea , the Rochefort squadron , under Contre-Admiral Zacharie Allemand , went on an extended Expansion raiding cruise Attack across the Atlantic , both to intercept Attack British trade left Departing lightly defended Defending by the concentration of British forces Causation in European waters and with the intention of eventually combining Creating with the French Mediterranean Fleet then blockaded Besieging in Spanish harbours .

Allemand returned Arriving to Rochefort on 23 December , having not lost Earnings_and_losses a single ship during the expedition Attack .