The Battle of Trafalgar took place on October 21st 1805, and was a victory for the British fleet under Horatio Nelson over the French and Spanish fleets under Villeneuve. The battle took place off Cape Trafalgar in south-west Spain. The British fleet consisted of 27 sail-of-the-line ships and the enemy fleet 33.
The enemy was sighted in the early morning, steering due north in a confused line ahead formation, and Horatio Nelson in accordance with arrangements previously made with his officers, divided his force into two columns which he proposed to drive at different points through the enemy's line. This manoeuvre was foreseen by Villeneuve, but conducted successfully none-the-less. Collingwood, leading the lee (or starboard) line of 15 ships in the Royal Sovereign, broke through ahead of the 15th ship from the enemy's rear, while Horatio Nelson, leading the weather-line in the Victory, made a second breech immediately astern of the Bucentaure, the Franco-Spanish flagship, after feinting as if to engage the Van.
The victory had made the signal to prepare for battle at 0622 but it was noon before the first shot was fired. The Bucentaure opened on the Victory at a range of 2 km, but no answer was returned until the latter was passing under and within ten meters of the French ship's stern, when every gun on the broadside double or treble shotted was discharged as it came to bear. In this single broadside 400 of the enemy were killed or wounded. By 1330 the action was at its height, scattered groups of ships being freely engaged down the whole length of the line and it was during this period that Horatio Nelson was shot and mortally wounded from a musket fired from atop of the Redoutable, though he lived long enough to know the day was won. By 1500 the issue was decided and the French and Spanish ships that were in a condition to do so were endeavouring to escape. Two hours later the fighting ceased altogether.
Fifteen of the enemy ships were taken or destroyed, and of the 18 that escaped two were wrecked on the 24th and four captured on November the 3rd by Strachan. No British ship was lost, but 449 British personnel were killed and 1242 wounded. The battle's victory destroyed the French and Spanish fleets and secured Britain from invasion. Research Battle of Trafalgar
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Research Battle of Trafalgar