Nile, Battle of the, August 1, 1798, a naval battle between British and French fleets during the French Revolutionary Wars. Admiral Horatio Nelson, with 14 vessels, found the French fleet at anchor in Abukir Bay, near the western branch of the Nile delta. Although the French were in a potentially strong defensive position, Nelson attacked, and destroyed or captured all but four of the enemy's 17 vessels. Nelson's victory cut off Napoleon Bonaparte's army in Egypt from supplies or reinforcements; as a result, the army was ultimately forced to capitulate (in 1801).