Why combining Europe's fleets against Britain was difficult

A coalition's combined fleet strength would matter only if its separate forces could leave port and concentrate successfully. Camperdown, Copenhagen and the Trafalgar campaign illustrate the difficulties facing that concentration. The French and Spanish combination described here required ships from Toulon and Cadiz to join the French Atlantic fleet at Brest, overcome the Western Squadron and secure the Channel for an invasion. British squadrons could watch the individual ports while further ships were prepared at Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth. This additional mobilisation created further obstacles even if an enemy force passed one blockade. Britain's position would remain uncomfortable but defensible. Merchant ships could also continue familiar trading routes despite the Continental System, although the recalled route's Copenhagen stop is uncertain.