The French squadron approaching Algeciras was meant to enlarge a combined fleet at Cadiz rather than fight alone in the bay. Linois was to take possession of ships there and embark 1,500 soldiers. The force could then support an attack toward Lisbon or Egypt, giving him broad discretion over its ultimate objective. His unopposed departure from Toulon and passage along the Mediterranean coast brought that plan close to assembly before Cochrane's warning changed his route. The bay battle therefore grew from an expedition with strategic and amphibious purposes rather than a chance squadron encounter.
Notable Point · 1:54:42-1:56:26
Linois's squadron was the advance guard of a larger expedition
Linois was ordered to join French and Spanish ships at Cadiz, embark 1,500 troops, and prepare operations against Lisbon or Egypt.