In 1805 much of continental Europe was under the control of Napoleon Bonaparte, ruler of France. He wanted to conquer the British, who were resisting him. Bonaparte planned to invade Britain that summer but first he had to destroy the Royal Navy.
The Prelude to the Battle of Trafalgar
The British fleet had already inflicted defeat on the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 and the French Admiral Villeneuve was reluctant for another engagement. Admiral Nelson, on the other hand, was keen for a confrontation.
In August 1805 Nelson was enjoying a rare spell of time ashore, in England. But he had only been home a couple of weeks when news reached him of a combined Spanish and French fleet in Cadiz, Spain.
This was his opportunity for a decisive engagement and on 15 September 1805 he sailed from Portsmouth aboard his flagship, HMS Victory. The next day Villeneuve was ordered to move his fleet from Cadiz to Italy.
Villeneuve hesitated to obey the orders given him by Bonaparte. Then, in mid-October, he received word that he was to be replaced as the French commander. He decided to sail before his replacement arrived and left Cadiz on 20 October.
The Battle of Trafalgar
Soon after setting sail the French spotted some English ships. The following morning, 21 October, Nelson's fleet was visible and a battle was inevitable.
Admiral Nelson's fleet had 27 vessels, against the combined French and Spanish force of 33. He also had significantly less fire-power and almost half the number of men. However, he possessed the resolution to fight.
At 8am Villeneuve ordered his fleet to return to Cadiz. Winds were light and his fleet had difficulty turning around. Nelson adopted unorthodox tactics and arranged his fleet into to columns, which sailed directly at the strung out line of struggling French and Spanish ships. He raised the now famous command "England expects that every man will do his duty".
For an hour the British ships were being fired on before they were in range to return the shots. Finally the British vessels were able to engage, and there began a melee of cannon and masts. At one point HMS Victory is was in danger of being boarded and at that moment a musket shot from above hit Admiral Nelson and he knew he was mortally wounded.
Slowly the surviving French and Spanish ships slunk away from the battle, leaving 22 of their number in British hands. Nelson, assured of success in the battle, died below decks on HMS Victory.
The French never again took on the Royal Navy in a major engagement. The British celebrated their victory, but at the same time were saddened by the death of their hero, Admiral Nelson.
Nelson's Column was erected in London's Trafalgar Square, in memory of him. He, and the battle he won, are remembered to this day.
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