kc
30-08-2007, 09:27
HMS Trafalgar (UK)
Commemorates the great victory on October 21st 1805 of the British fleet of 27 ships of the line under Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson over the combined French and Spanish fleets of 33 ships of the line, off Cape Trafalgar (Spain). The latter (18 French and 15 Spanish ships), under Vice-Admiral Villeneuve and Admiral Gravina, were disposed in a long irregular line, and were attacked about noon by the British, formed in two parallel lines, led by Nelson in the Victory and Collingwood, the second in command, in the Royal Sovereign. Soon after the enemy's line was broken the action became general and lasted until sunset, by which time 17 of the allied 33 ships were captured and 1 burned. Whilst the remainder were in full flight Nelson was mortally wounded by a musket ball early in the action, but lived long enough to hear the glorious result. A heavy gale springing up towards nightfall destroyed many of the prizes, whilst a few made good their escape. The loss in men on the British side amounted to 449 killed and 1241 wounded. This great battle has been rightly termed the tactical epilogue of the long campaign in which Nelson had so prominent a share. The strategic victory had been won two months earlier when Napoleon definitely abandoned his long-cherished plans of invading England, and marched the great army so long encamped on his northern coast for that purpose, into Germany, against other foes.
Commemorates the great victory on October 21st 1805 of the British fleet of 27 ships of the line under Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson over the combined French and Spanish fleets of 33 ships of the line, off Cape Trafalgar (Spain). The latter (18 French and 15 Spanish ships), under Vice-Admiral Villeneuve and Admiral Gravina, were disposed in a long irregular line, and were attacked about noon by the British, formed in two parallel lines, led by Nelson in the Victory and Collingwood, the second in command, in the Royal Sovereign. Soon after the enemy's line was broken the action became general and lasted until sunset, by which time 17 of the allied 33 ships were captured and 1 burned. Whilst the remainder were in full flight Nelson was mortally wounded by a musket ball early in the action, but lived long enough to hear the glorious result. A heavy gale springing up towards nightfall destroyed many of the prizes, whilst a few made good their escape. The loss in men on the British side amounted to 449 killed and 1241 wounded. This great battle has been rightly termed the tactical epilogue of the long campaign in which Nelson had so prominent a share. The strategic victory had been won two months earlier when Napoleon definitely abandoned his long-cherished plans of invading England, and marched the great army so long encamped on his northern coast for that purpose, into Germany, against other foes.