The Inshore Squadron, during the Napoleonic Wars, was a squadron of British ships stationed in the English Channel off the coast of France to provide a show of force to deter the French fleet from escaping to sea, to observe Naval activities ashore, to report such activities to the fleet commander and to the Admiralty, and to generally harass French shipping. In the event of an attack by French forces or an attempt to escape, the Offshore Squadron was a few miles offshore ready to assist as needed.
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