 In contrast to their British counterparts , the French Navy was in a state of confusion . Although the quality of the fleet 's ships was high , the fleet hierarchy was riven by the same crises that had torn through France since the Revolution five years earlier . Consequently , the high standard of ships and ordnance was not matched by that of the available crews , which were largely untrained and inexperienced . With the Terror resulting in the death or dismissal of many senior French sailors and officers , political appointees and conscripts – many of whom had never been to sea at all , let alone in a fighting vessel – filled the Atlantic fleet . 
 In contrast to their British counterparts , the French Navy was in a state of confusion . Although the quality of the fleet <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>ships was high , the fleet hierarchy was riven by the same crises <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> torn through France since the Revolution five years earlier . Consequently , the high standard of ships and ordnance was not matched by that of the available crews , which <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> largely untrained and inexperienced . With the Terror resulting in the death or dismissal of many senior French sailors and officers , political appointees and conscripts – many of whom had <a href='negative_concord' title='5'><mark>never</mark></a> <a href='negative_concord' title='6'><mark>been</mark></a> to <a href='negative_concord' title='7'><mark>sea</mark></a> at all , let alone in a fighting vessel – filled the Atlantic fleet . 
In contrast to their British counterparts , the French Navy was in a state of confusion . Although the quality of da fleet  ships was high , the fleet hierarchy was riven by the same crises done torn thru France since the Revolution five years earlier . Consequently , tdahigh standard of ships and ordnance was not matched by dat of thdavailable crews , which was largely untrained and inexperienced . With the Terror resulting in the death or dismissal of many senior French sailors and officers , political appointees and conscripts – many of whom had never ain't to no sea at alll , let alone in a fightin vessel – filled thedalantic fleet .