The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle on October 21, 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, in which the British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated the Franco Spanish fleet. The French were commanded by Pierre-Charles Villeneuve and their defeat ended Napoleon's plans to invade Britain.
The battle was fought off Cape Trafalgar in south-west Spain, near the west entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar. The name Trafalgar comes from the Arabic for cape of the west or cape of the cave.
Six weeks before the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson spent an exorbitant £308 (about $550) on port as he was planning a monumental party to mark his forthcoming victory.
Nelson ordered his ships to be painted yellow and black to distinguish them from the enemy.
Before the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson was discussing their chances with Thomas Masterman Hardy, his captain. "I shall not be satisfied with anything less than the capture of 20 ships" said Nelson. He then sent his last signal:" England expects every man will do his duty".
As Admiral Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory neared the enemy at Trafalgar, the men were jumping over one anothers’ heads to amuse themselves until they were ready to fire.
At the battle, 27 British ships led by Admiral Nelson defeated 33 French and Spanish ships.
Britain's victory was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from the prevailing naval tactical practice of the day for opposing fleets to engage each other in single parallel lines. This was in order to facilitate signalling and disengagement, and to maximize fields of fire and target areas. Nelson instead arranged his ships into two columns to sail perpendicularly into the enemy fleet's line.
Napoleon's combined French and Spanish fleets were in the midst of defeat off Cape Trafalgar when a musket ball hit Lord Nelson's left shoulder and fatally wounded him. The dying admiral whispered to Captain Hardy, "I know I'm dying. I could have wished to survive to breathe my last upon British ground, but the will of God be done." A few moments later he had passed away.
The French and Spaniards lost 22 ships in the battle; all the British ships survived.
Pierre-Charles Villeneuve was captured along with his ship. He attended Nelson's funeral shortly after.
Britain's victory allowed them to become the world's largest sea power for 100 years.
London's Trafalgar Square was named in honor of Nelson's victory.
Source Daily Express
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| The Battle of Trafalgar by Clarkson Stanfield |
The battle was fought off Cape Trafalgar in south-west Spain, near the west entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar. The name Trafalgar comes from the Arabic for cape of the west or cape of the cave.
Six weeks before the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson spent an exorbitant £308 (about $550) on port as he was planning a monumental party to mark his forthcoming victory.
Nelson ordered his ships to be painted yellow and black to distinguish them from the enemy.
Before the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson was discussing their chances with Thomas Masterman Hardy, his captain. "I shall not be satisfied with anything less than the capture of 20 ships" said Nelson. He then sent his last signal:" England expects every man will do his duty".
As Admiral Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory neared the enemy at Trafalgar, the men were jumping over one anothers’ heads to amuse themselves until they were ready to fire.
At the battle, 27 British ships led by Admiral Nelson defeated 33 French and Spanish ships.
Britain's victory was achieved in part through Nelson's departure from the prevailing naval tactical practice of the day for opposing fleets to engage each other in single parallel lines. This was in order to facilitate signalling and disengagement, and to maximize fields of fire and target areas. Nelson instead arranged his ships into two columns to sail perpendicularly into the enemy fleet's line.
Napoleon's combined French and Spanish fleets were in the midst of defeat off Cape Trafalgar when a musket ball hit Lord Nelson's left shoulder and fatally wounded him. The dying admiral whispered to Captain Hardy, "I know I'm dying. I could have wished to survive to breathe my last upon British ground, but the will of God be done." A few moments later he had passed away.
The French and Spaniards lost 22 ships in the battle; all the British ships survived.
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| The Battle of Trafalgar J. M. W. Turner |
Pierre-Charles Villeneuve was captured along with his ship. He attended Nelson's funeral shortly after.
Britain's victory allowed them to become the world's largest sea power for 100 years.
London's Trafalgar Square was named in honor of Nelson's victory.
Source Daily Express
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