What was the battle of trafalgar like

It lacked the numerical superiority of the combined French and Spanish fleet, and had been subject to a number of cost cuts by the Earl of St Vincent, the First Lord of the Admiralty. From there he set about moulding his captains into a single fighting unit. The ships were to divide into two columns, with Nelson in command of one, and his good friend and comrade Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood in command of the other.

Both were to sail directly at the enemy, with Nelson leading the northerly column towards the enemy flagship, and Collingwood attacking the rear of the enemy line.

Their approach depended on a calculated risk that British naval gunnery was vastly superior to that of the enemy, and ensured that a close-range, decisive battle would be fought.

Discover what happened during the battle and in the aftermath. Entry to the National Maritime Museum is free, open daily from 10am. Find out more. He realised he would die quickly, and was taken below deck so as not to demotivate the men.

This was because the British had to maintain a blockade of Cadiz and other ports. Admiral Collingwood was continuously on board his ship for nearly five years as he commanded a fleet involved in the blockade. Tell the children that Bounce is very well and very fat, yet he seems not to be content, and sighs so piteously these long evenings, that I am obliged to sing him to sleep, and have sent them the song:.

Bounce fell overboard and drowned in August , and Collingwood became seriously ill around this time. He wrote to the Admiralty for permission to return home, which was finally granted, but as he was on his way to England, he died at sea in March TV A new online only channel for history lovers.

Sign Me Up. French and Spanish losses were heavier: were dead, wounded and some 20, taken prisoner. The triumph was further eclipsed by a fierce storm that raged after the battle, forcing the British to abandon most of their captured enemy ships.

News of Trafalgar reached London a fortnight later in the early hours of 6 November Public rejoicing for the victory was muted by widespread sorrow for the death of Nelson. As a reward for Trafalgar, Collingwood was made a baron, all the captains received the official Naval Gold Medal and a special grant of money was made by the government to all those who had taken part.

This was to compensate them for the prize money they lost when their captured vessels sank in the storm. Read more about the death of Nelson. By there were over , men serving on ships, more than ever before. However, the victory at Trafalgar had little overall impact on the course of the war. Six weeks afterwards, Napoleon went on to confirm his ascendancy over Europe with a decisive victory over Austria and Russia at Austerlitz. What happened during the Battle of Trafalgar?

Sailors from Victory's crew tore the flag into pieces and took fragments like this as mementos AAA