Louis-François-Jean Chabot was a competent administrator facing a stronger opposing command. His theoretical force was about 3,500 troops, two ships of the line, and a frigate. Most soldiers and guns were on Corfu, while roughly 500 troops and five artillery batteries held Vido. The Corfu troops were assessed as far from the French army's best, and Chabot compared poorly with Ushakov. The position itself offered considerable defensive strength, but the quality of the force made its prospects doubtful. Ushakov initially arrived with three ships of the line, three frigates and smaller vessels before further Ottoman and Russian ships joined him.
Chapter · 1:20:55-1:24:53
Chabot's nominal strength concealed a weak defence
Chabot divided his nominal force between Corfu and Vido while a well-led allied fleet gathered reinforcements outside the defences.