Paul Thompson

“England expects that every man will do his duty.” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 On the 21st October 1805, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson led the Royal Navy to one of the greatest victories in British history at the Battle of Trafalgar. Off the coast of Spain, 27 British ships faced a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships. Nelson divided his fleet into two columns, breaking through the enemy lines and engaging them at close quarters. The fighting was ferocious, with cannon fire tearing through ships and crews. There was also brutal hand-to-hand combat, as British and enemy sailors fought at close quarters with cutlasses, boarding pikes and other weapons. Men fought and died on the decks of their ships, sometimes just feet from one another. Nelson was mortally wounded aboard HMS Victory, dying at the age of 47. By the end of the battle, 22 enemy ships had been captured or destroyed, while Britain had lost none. The victory secured British naval supremacy, crushed Napoleon's naval ambitions and helped protect Britain from the threat of invasion. Nelson gave his life, but his victory ensured his place among Britain's greatest heroes. 221 years ago today. Remember Trafalgar 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿