Oh, yes!

Posted by Caroline on April 16, 1998 at 18:43:54:

In response to Did the English fear Napolean?, written by Kemi on April 16, 1998 at 18:11:47

] Did they worry that England itself would be invaded? Was his exile to Alba well received, that is, was anyone calling for his execution?
Yes, there was a general fear amongst the populace that Napoleon would invade Britain, despite the fact that Napoleon himself declared it an impossible task. There were constant rumours of French armies floating over on rafts, and even a rumour of submarines, and a tunnel under the channel. (Incidentally, a submarine was designed and built, mainly to attack shipping from below the waterline.It did work, stayed under for about three hours at a time, but did not prove manoeverable enough and never made it into active service. )

There is a tradition, that a french army did land on the Gower coast, got drunk, and then were terrified by the sight of fisherwomen in their scarlet cloaks, whom they mistook for regular troops, and to whom they surrendered,
but there isn't a great deal of evidence to suggest that this actually happened.

The escape of the Monster of Elba wa also a subject of gossip at the time.

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REPLIES:

• Chunnel Ken 07:39:39 4/17/98 (8)
  • Channel Tunnel Irony Phil H 20:34:33 4/17/98 (0)
  • Do not forget..... Caroline 11:28:32 4/17/98 (6)
    • Martello Ken 08:03:03 4/20/98 (5)
      • Martello towers Sarah P 09:24:25 4/20/98 (4)
        • Martello Towers Captain Everett 23:51:38 4/21/98 (2)
          • Thank you! Caroline 07:09:07 4/22/98 (1)
            • Picture Credit and "Joyce's" Tower Captain Everett 18:11:06 4/22/98 (0)
        • and James Joyce Linden 21:12:17 4/21/98 (0)

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