October 21 - The Battle of Trafalgar

This Day in History: 21 October 2020

 

21 October 1805

 

215 years ago, today, the Battle of Trafalgar occurred between Admiral Lord Nelson's British fleet and a combined French and Spanish fleet. The battle began after Nelson caught sight of a Franco-Spanish force and divided his ships while preparing to engage. In the five hours of fighting, the British devasted the enemy fleet, destroying 19 ships. No British ships were lost, however, but 1,500 British seamen were killed or wounded. At the battle's fiercest point, a French sniper shot and killed Nelson. His last words, after being informed that victory was imminent, were: "Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty."

 

At sea, Lord Nelson and the Royal Navy were consistently victorious over Napoleon Bonaparte, who led France to greatness on the European mainland. Nelson's last and greatest victory against the French was the Battle of Trafalgar. The British victory at the battle ensured that Napoleon would never invade Britain. Nelson was hailed as the saviour of his nation after the battle was won and was given a grand funeral in St. Paul's Cathedral. In the newly named Trafalgar Square, a column was built in his memory, and many streets were renamed in his honour.

 

Want to find out more about the Battle of Trafalgar? Click here for more information, or here for more about Admiral Lord Nelson.