5 hours that changed the course of History....
Today is Trafalgar Day - a defining moment in British History.
21st October 1805 saw Admiral Viscount Lord Nelson, aboard his flagship HMS Victory; lead the Royal Navy in battle against the combined might of the French and Spanish fleets.
Nelson was outmanned and outgunned...
His fleet comprised 27 ships-of-the-line versus 33 Spanish and French ships-of-the-line.
The enemy totaled nearly 30,000 men and 2,568 guns to Nelson's 17,000 men and 2,148 guns.
As the two fleets drew closer, anxiety began to build among officers and sailors.
Nelson told his friend Blackwood, the captain of the Euryalus, who came onboard HMS Victory, "God bless you, Blackwood. I shall never see you again."
According to one British sailor "During this momentous preparation, the human mind had ample time for meditation, for it was evident that the fate of England rested on this battle"
"Wounds in Eighteenth Century naval fighting were often terrible. Cannon balls ripped off limbs or, striking wooden decks and bulwarks, drove splinter fragments across the ship causing great injury. Falling masts and rigging inflicted crush injuries. Sailors stationed aloft fell into the sea from collapsing masts and rigging and were drowned."
- BritishBattles.com
The Battle of Trafalgar lasted approximately 5 hours.
The Franco-Spanish fleet lost twenty-two ships, without a single British vessel being lost.
However Lord Nelson paid the ultimate price...
He was mortally wounded during the Battle and died later that day onboard his beloved HMS Victory.
His bravery in death went down in history.
"Thank God I have done my duty," he whispered.
Victory at The Battle of Trafalgar ensured that Britain's dominance at sea remained unchallenged for the rest of the 10 years of war against France and continued worldwide for a further 120 years.
Three remarkable pieces of history...
To mark this historic anniversary we are immensely proud to be able to offer you three remarkable pieces of history relating to HMS Victory and Admiral Viscount Lord Nelson.
Please click here for full details
All the best, until next week
Adrian Roose
Director - Paul Fraser Collectibles
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