The siege of Toulon took place during the War of the First Coalition. Following the insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793, a Federalist revolt against the French First Republic broke out in Toulon. The Federalists were soon supplanted by more numerous French Royalists, who requested the First Coalition sent forces to help them hold the city. An Anglo-Spanish fleet arrived on 28 August transporting 13,000 British, Spanish, Neapolitan and Sardinian troops. As Toulon was strategically vital, being a major naval port which was then host to a third of the French Navy's ships of the line, the French Republican government quickly moved to recapture the city.