| Battle of Trafalgar The morning of 21st October 1805 dawned clear, under a hazy sky, with a breeze from the west-north-west so light that the sea was scarcely ruffled. At ten to six on this beautiful autumn morning, Nelsons ships sighted the French and Spanish fleet against the dawn sky. The British ships, in line ahead, were sailing slowly north and rolling in a long Atlantic swell. There were 17,000 men in the British fleet and the vast majority were relieved, if apprehensive, that their long years of waiting were about to come to an end. With Nelson in command there was never the slightest doubt of victory, only of how extensive the victory might be. As soon as it was light enough for flags to be seen, Lord Nelson hoisted the first of his signals that morning: to prepare for battle, and then, in the words of the naval signal book, to bear up and sail large on the course set by the Admiral. The Victorys bow began to swing into the path of the rising sun and soon every ship in the English fleet was altering course towards the enemy. All sail was set, and as the morning advanced and the sun grew warmer, an air that was almost festive pervaded the fleet. From rime to time, the captains hailed each other with megaphones, and wished each other an enemy ship in tow before the night. Small boats were launched and rowed from ship to ship, for in this light wind the speed of the fleet was easily overtaken by a rowers pace. And down in the gloom of the gundecks men chalked defiant slogans on their guns. The French and Spanish did not sight the British fleet until six oclock, because the light was behind them. When they did, their feelings at the sight were different. The British felt they had caught their enemy, the French and the Spanish felt they had been caught. The British never doubted Nelson would lead them to victory, but a good many of the French and Spanish suspected their own admiral of cowardice, and only hoped at the best to save their own honour in defeat. They were willing to fight, but among those who were well informed, there was not much doubt of what the result would be if a battle began. The only doubt at dawn was whether the breeze would hold so that a battle would begin that day, and end before the night. At nine oclock the enemy fleet were five miles distant. Any sombre thoughts had been dispelled by the air of gaiety. The sun was well up and the sea sparkling.
Read more... |
