Book Index

Nelson’s Flagship at Trafalgar

There is no more illustrious name in British naval history than HMS Victory. Upon her deck did the legendary hero Admiral Horatio Nelson die, in his supreme moment of glory and sacrifice, during the titanic Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. This fascinating book, the latest in the Warships of the Royal Navy series (the last being ‘H.M.S. LONDON’, 2003) has been published to commemorate not only the death of Nelson but also the part played by Victory in the epoch-making clash between the British and Franco-Spanish fleets at Trafalgar. The Victory’s role on that day of blood and thunder was central, and we get the perspective of those who served in her. The full horror and majesty of naval warfare, during the climactic battle in the age of sail is revealed.

In this stirring, epic tale we learn about how Victory was host to exploits of legendary admirals other than Nelson and Hawkins, including Monson, Keppel, Kempenfelt and Howe. The voices of ordinary matelots who did the fighting and dying are heard too. Indeed, all manner of maritime life is here, from piracy in the Azores to gentlemanly encounters between fleets and naval annihilation at a pistol’s shot’s range. Along the way we meet priests and pornographers, martinets and God-fearing humanitarians. The reader goes into battle not only against the Spanish at the Battle of the Armada in 1588 and Cape St. Vincent in 1797, but also the Dutch at various clashes in the 1600s and against the French at Ushant in 1781 and, of course, at Trafalgar.