After the Battle of the Nile, Nelson released the French sailors he had captured to avoid feeding them. The decision transferred a difficult personnel problem back to Napoleon's isolated expedition. French authorities used some survivors to pilot xebecs and galleys on the Nile and assigned others to work with the remaining frigates when possible. Prisoner policy, food supply, and improvised riverine manpower became closely connected after the fleet's destruction.
Notable Point · 30:20-31:29
Released French sailors become an improvised support pool
Nelson avoided the cost of feeding captured French sailors by releasing them, leaving Napoleon to employ the survivors on Nile craft, galleys, and the expedition's remaining frigates.