The January 1805 deployment was a changing snapshot: Britain moved ships, admirals, and whole squadrons as circumstances required. Separate forces watched the Netherlands, Rochefort, Ferrol, Cadiz, and Toulon, while Cornwallis's Channel Fleet supported the northern blockades and watched Brest. These were the ships on station, not every vessel assigned to each command. Near Britain, roughly one additional ship for every two or three on station could be provisioning in port or travelling between port and the fleet. Maintaining a blockade therefore required more hulls than the visible force outside an enemy harbour.
Notable Point · 42:54-45:55
Britain's blockade network and ships on station
Distinguish the ships maintaining Britain's blockades from the additional vessels needed to keep those squadrons supplied and in service.