The six British ships absent from Trafalgar

Nelson fought with twenty-seven ships, but six additional ships could have brought the British force level with the thirty-three allied ships. Thomas Louis had taken Queen, Canopus, Spencer, Zealous, and Tigre to Gibraltar for supplies before they were diverted to Mediterranean convoy duty. Calder also returned home with the 98-gun Prince of Wales. Their return would have added two second-rates and four third-rates, as well as more flag officers to command another column. A force of thirty-three might have attacked in three columns, although several different divisions of the ships are considered. The allied advantage lay especially in third-rates, while British second-rates supplied heavier ships that could offset part of that numerical advantage. These detachments show how supply and convoy duties affected the force available for a major battle.