British admiralty ordered fitting out troop transports according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haarlemse Courant dated 21 June 1803

An item dated 14 June reported that the British Admiralty send orders to the Nore to prepare a large number of ships destined for the Elbe to embark there 30,000 Hanoverian soldiers on behalf of the defence of England. According to rumours the transports did depart but too late and at their arrival they found no troops which were already under French control.  In the meantime seemed the French not willing to cross the river Elbe or to disturb the shipping which was very favourable for the neutral merchant shipping.