A French or Franco-Spanish force that won elsewhere still had to contend with the squadron watching Brest before it could safely operate in the Channel. Even victory over Nelson at Trafalgar would have led to another battle against a larger Western Squadron, probably reinforced by survivors and ships from English ports. Ushant remained a natural meeting point because French fleets leaving Brest and British forces trying to contain them repeatedly converged there. The squadron's capability came from years of investment in the logistics, infrastructure, and routines demanded by Britain's strategic situation. Those systems could look like a technological advantage even when other navies could have adopted them in different circumstances.
Notable Point · 1:54:47-1:58:53
Why the Western Squadron remained a strategic barrier
The Western Squadron remained the obstacle any French fleet had to clear before turning naval success into a Channel threat.