Blockade of Naples and battle of Copenhagen. In the summer of 1799, Nelsons squadron supported Ferdinands successful attempt to recapture Naples, but word of his dalliance with Emma had reached the Admiralty, and his superiors began to lose patience. Bonaparte had escaped from Egypt to France, and the French still held Malta when Lord Keith, who had replaced ST. Vincent as commander in chief, decided that the enemys next objective would be Minorca.
Nelson was ordered to that island with all available ships but refused on the grounds that he expected the threat to be toward Naples. Events justified him, but to disobey orders so blatantly was unforgivable. The Admiralty, also angered by his acceptance of the dukedom of Bronte in Sicily from King Ferdinand, sent him an icy return home. In 1800 he returned, but across the continent in company with the Hamilton.
When the curious little party in England, it was at once clear that he was the nations hero, and his progress to London was triumphal. Emma was pregnant by Nelson when he was appointed second in commanded to the elderly admiral Sir Hyde Parker, who was to command an expedition to the Baltic, Shortly before sailing, Nelson heard that Emma had borne him a daughter named Horatia.
Parkers fleet sailed the first objective, Copenhagen, early in 1801. At first Nelsons advice was not sought then, as Danish resistance became increasingly likely, he could record, Now we are sure of Fighting, I am sent for. By the stratagem of talking the fleets ships of shallower draught through a difficult channel, Nelson bypassed the shore batteries covering the citys northern approaches. The next morning, April 2, he led his squadron into action. There was to be no room for tactical brilliance only superior gunnery would tell. The Danes resisted bravely, and Parker, fearing that Nelson was suffering unacceptable losses, hoisted the signal to disengage.
Nelson disregarded it, and, an hour later, victory was his the Danish ships lay shattered and silent, their losses amounting to some 6,000 dead and wounded, six times than those of the British. Before this success could be followed by similar attacks on the other potential enemies, Tsar Paul of Russia died and the threat faded. Parker was succeeded by Nelson, who at last became a commander in chief.
The Admiralty, well aware of his popular appeal now made maximum use of it by giving him a home command. At once he planned an ambitious attack on the naval base of Boulogne in order to foil a possible French invasion. He did not take part himself, and the operation was a glory failure. A second attempt was abandoned because of peace negotiations with France, and in March 1802 the Treaty of Amiens was signed.
At last there was time to enjoy the fruits of his victories. Emma had, on Nelsons instructions, bought an elegant country house, Merton Place, near London, and transformed it into an expensive mirror for their vanities. At last her husband rebelled, but it was too late for change, and he appeared reconciled to his lot when, early in 1803, he died with his wife and her lover at his side.