Napoleon's invasion plan and the West Indies feint

Napoleon's claim that six hours of Channel control would suffice to invade Britain depended on moving 200,000 troops in sailing vessels despite wind, tides, and distance. His fleets were to escape from Brest and Toulon, collect Spanish ships, and rendezvous at Martinique while drawing British pursuers across the Atlantic. They would then lose those pursuers, return to Europe, land a force in Ireland, and overpower what remained of the Channel Fleet. Diamond Rock already provided a British foothold near Martinique, and Britain did not send its entire Channel force after Villeneuve. Even if a larger allied fleet returned, Cornwallis could remain a fleet in being, gather reinforcements, and await Nelson's return. The invasion timetable therefore depended on British commanders repeatedly failing to use the forces still available to them.