In an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, Nelson spent most of the summer of 1798 cruising the eastern Mediterranean trying to locate Admiral Bruey's Toulon fleet. Eventually he arrived off Alexandria and, in the early afternoon of 1 August, the French fleet was sighted at anchor in Aboukir Bay, about 15 miles to the west. Bruey had chosen a strong position in a well-protected bay; additionally the French ships had larger and heavier guns even though the number of vessels was roughly equal on both sides. Conversely, Nelson had the advantage of surprise and when he realised that the enemy ships were not cleared for action on their landward sides, he gave orders to attack. It was already six o'clock in the evening and, with only two hours of daylight remaining, the enemy was as amazed as Nelson's own captains by his daring. Outgunned and unprepared for an action they believed would not come until the next morning, the French were decisively defeated and their fleet in the Mediterranean virtually annihilated. It was a glorious victory - one of the greatest in British naval history - and brought Nelson to the pinnacle of his career.