Early in 1803 it became abundantly clear that Napoleon was preparing for a new war, and in May, war was declared on him by the British Government. It is of interest to note that Napoleon, in dismissing the British Ambassador, said to him that he “intended to invade England,” adding that he considered it might be “a very risky undertaking.” At the time war was declared Napoleon was not quite ready, and never regained the ground thus lost. Little or nothing happened to show that a great naval struggle was in progress. The French ships lay secure in harbour; the British tossed outside in ceaseless blockade work. But these months of seeming inaction settled the fate of France. The French crews, never very efficient, grew less and less so in harbour, while every day outside hardened the British and added to their efficiency. Seeing that the British _personnel_, which was but 50,000 at the early part of the year, was suddenly expanded to 100,000 in June, the advantages of this shaking down of raw crews were obvious enough. When eventually battle was joined, the difference between the English and the French _personnel_ was such that for every round got off by the latter, any British ship could fire _three_! Victory was won long before a single battle shot had been fired. Trafalgar was made a certainty by the great blockades. When war broke out the general disposition of the hostile squadrons was as follows:--(the figures in brackets representing frigates and small craft)-- BRITISH. FRENCH. Outside. Inside. Toulon 14 (32) 10 (6) Ferrol 7 (4) 5 (2) Rochefort 5 (2) 4 (7) Brest 20 (11) 18 (7) Texel to Dunkirk 9 (21) 5 (11) The invasion flotilla was distributed about Boulogne to the tune of 1,450 of the flotilla, 120 brigs and a few frigates. In the Texel district were 645 more of the flotilla. Reserve squadrons were stationed in home waters ample to deal with the small craft defending flotillas. So passed away the year 1803. Both sides reinforced their squadrons as rapidly as new ships could be produced. Beyond this nothing happened. [Illustration: POSITIONS OF THE SHIPS OF THE LINE AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR.] The year 1804 opened with the same lack of result. Napoleon made himself Emperor in May, and to some extent weakened his squadrons by the removal from them of officers suspected of Republican views. In July, however, things were nearing completion, and Latouche Treville was put in supreme command of the whole expedition against England. He received explicit orders to evade Nelson (who watched Toulon) and to rendezvous at Brest for invasion purposes. He died, however, in August[57] and the plans fell through.