Battle of Trafalgar
Lord Viscount Horatio Nelson
Nelson’s
Coat of Arms
Colin
Schunker
Admiral Villeneuve
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Call to Arms!
ENGLAND
EXPECTS
THAT
EVERY
MAN
WILL
DO
HIS
D
U
T
Y
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Other Signals
TELEGRAPH FLAG
(Hoisted with the earlier signal)
ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY
Note: This signal was not hoisted
until after Nelsons Signal was
taken down.
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Nelsons Legacy
Britannia Rules the Waves!
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Nelsons Legacy
Memorials to Lord Nelson
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Nelsons True Legacy!
More Memorials to Lord Nelson
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Historical Overview
Nearly 200 years after it was fought, the
battle of Trafalgar is still regarded as one of
history’s most decisive naval battles.
In the early summer of 1805 Napoleon
Bonaparte decided to invade England.
The British knew that the only way to stop Napoleon’s plan was by
defeating the French in a naval battle.
The French had teamed up with the Spanish fleet to increase their chances
of defeating the British.
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Historical Overview
Admiral Nelson, on board HMS Victory was in command of
the British fleet.
His French counterpart Vice Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve,
commanded the Franco-Spanish fleet.
The British had blockaded the French and Spanish ports
effectively immobilizing the French and Spanish fleets
Napoleon knew that to invade England meant controlling the
seas and gave orders for the fleets in Brest, Toulon and Ferrol to
break out
After an aborted attempt Villeneuve managed to evade Nelson
and sailed for the West Indies
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The British Blockade
French
British
Bolougne
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Brest
Rochefort
Ferrol
Toulon
Cadiz
British Blockading Fleet
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The Chase
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Villeneuve escapes
Villeneuve Departs
Toulon 30th March
EUROPE
NORTH
Cadiz 9th April for
Toulon
AMERICA
Ferrol
the West Indies
Azores
Cadiz
Trafalgar
Nelson Departs
Nelson sets off
Bermuda
Cadiz on 10th May in
Canary
in pursuit pursuit of Villeneuve
Islands
mistakenly
Villeneuve Arrives Martinique
Nelson Arrives Martinique
towards Egypt.
16th May - Departs 10th June
4th June - Departs 13th June
AFRICA
Cape
Martinique
Verde
SOUTH
AMERICA
Villeneuve
Nelson
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The Final Blockade
Cape St.
Vincent
Nelson arrived off Cadiz to join
Collingwood
Communication
chain of Ships
Nelson’s frigates watched while he
cruised off shore in an attempt to draw
the Combined Fleet
The Frigates
Main body of
Nelson’s Fleet
In response to a threat from
landward Napoleon ordered Villeneuve
to sail into the Mediterranean to
support operations
Combined
French &
Spanish Fleets
Cadiz
Cape
Trafalgar
Straits of
Gibraltar
The impending battle was looming
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Battle Plan and Tactics
Opposing fleets usually sailed into battle in line ahead in two
parallel lines.
Each ship would then take on one of the opposing ships.
Broadsides would be fired between the combatants.
The battle was won or lost dependent on the skill of the
gunners or when they struck their colors or the opposing fleet
just sailed away from the battle.
These tactics seldom resulted in a decisive victory for either
side although casualties were high.
Nelson broke from tradition and broke his fleet into three
groups.
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Nelson’s Touch
Nelson expected to be outnumbered 46
ships to 40
Nelson summonsed his captains and
outlined his plan; they were pleased with
the innovative plan
The plan was to divide the British fleet
into three separate lines
Two major lines of 16 ships each
An advanced squadron of eight
The two 16 ship units were to divide the
enemy line in half, thus concentrating 32
British versus 23 enemy ships.
The other 8 British ships were to engage in a separate battle with the other half of the
enemy line
One of the two 16 ship units attacked sections of the enemy line the other would attack the
enemy at right angles, break through the lines and cut off retreat
Dangerous tactics…but they paid off
These tactics were to change the course of naval warfare as it was known then
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Breaking The Line
Above: British ship crosses battle line of Franco-Spanish fleet.
Spic’s
Limey Bastards
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Tactics
Nelson’s Raking
Tactics
Traditional
Broadside Tactics
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A Typical Ship of the Line
Above:: Example of a triple deck – Ship of the Line.
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A Typical Ship of the Line
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A Typical Ship of the Line
HMS VICTORY
HMS VICTORY
Type: 'First rate' ship-of-the-line. The
British naval term "first rate" applied
to a ship with at least 100 guns.
Crew: 820
REDOUTABLE
LE REDOUTABLE
Type: 'Third rate', with 74 guns.
Smaller than the Victory, her name
translates as "formidable, tremendous
- with an element of fear".
Crew: 634
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Canon Used at Trafalgar
A typical 32 pounder fired a shot just under 6” in diameter and with a full charge of 10
lb 11oz could make an extreme range of 2000 yds
A carronade on the other hand was short barreled with limited range.
Being lighter it was mounted on a higher deck
Victory’s 2x68 pounder carronades were mounted on the fo’c’sle and unleashed a storm
of grapeshot into the French flagship
Ammunition consisted of roundshot canister grapeshot, bar shot and chain shot, each
for a particular purpose
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Firepower
• Using 32,24,18,12 pound canons and 68 pound ‘smashers’ capable of firing
both shot and grape shot which inflicted serious injuries and considerable
damage to ships and men on both sides
• An 18 pound shot at 30 yards would penetrate 4xoak planks 32.5” thick
showering splinters up to 30 yards
• A 32 pounder fired with grape shot from 300 yards could penetrate 4” of oak
• Muskets with a range of 200yds were used by both opposing forces mainly
by the Marines which inflicted heavy casualties from sharp shooters
strategically positioned in the rigging
• Cutlass, tomahawks pikes, and pistols (range 30 yds) were the main weapon
used by boarding parties
• Prepare to repel boarders meant fierce and heavy hand-to-hand fighting
which often resulted in horrendous wounds more often than not resulting in a
slow agonizing death
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The Commanders
Above: Lord Nelson
Above: Admiral Pierre Villeneuve
The Battle of Trafalgar
Above: Admiral Collingwood
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Prelude to Battle
• The Spanish fleet was demoralized at being blockaded for such a long period –
inactivity had taken its toll
• The Combined fleet sailed with 1700 sick men on board
• The Spanish ships were manned mostly by soldiers and beggars pressed ganged
from the slums of Cadiz
• Spanish gunners had never fired from a rolling ship
• Spanish Captains resented being under the command of a French Admiral
• Villeneuve did not have the confidence of Napoleon and was to be replaced by
Rosily
• The British Jack Tars were seasoned campaigners
• They were aggressive fighting men by instinct
• Ruled by strict discipline from autocratic Captains they were magnificent sailors
and excellent gunners
• Out numbered and out gunned they were spoiling for a fight. This signal gave
them the resolve
• “The French and Spanish are out at last, they outnumber us in ships and guns
and men: we are on the eve of the greatest sea fight in history."
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The Opposing Fleets
1200hrs – 21st October, 1805
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
C. Trafalgar
French & Spanish Line
Collingwood's Column
Nelson's Column
The Two Columns
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The Opposing Fleets
1200hrs – 21st October, 1805
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The Commencement of Battle
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The Battle
There was an impending sense of doom as Nelson believed he would not survive
the battle
He wrote his Will in anticipation of his death
As the Combined Fleet sailed slowly in light winds and although Villeneuve
guessed what form Nelsons attack would take he failed to specify any defensive
tactics to his captains
The Combined Fleet had the Neptuno in the rear and the San Juan de
Nepomuceno in the van
Villeneuve on the Bucentaure was signaled by the Hermione that the British
fleet was in sight and instead of continuing to Gibraltar decided to return to Cadiz
The Combined Fleet had to reform the line of battle in the opposite direction
The first shot was fired at noon by the Fougueux at the Royal Sovereign who
then returned fire 15 minutes later raking the Santa Anna from stem to stern
inflicting heavy casualties
Nelson in freshly laundered uniform with ribbons and medals then ordered the
famous message
ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY
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The Battle
1200hrs – 21st October, 1805
Neptuno
Africa
Scipion
Intrepide
Formidable
Duguay - Trouin
Mont-Blanc
Rayo
Frigates
San Francisco de Asis
San Augustin
Heros
Santissima Trinidad
Weather Column
Admiral Nelson
Bucentaure
Redoubtable
San Justo
Santa Anna
Fouguex
Pluton
Neptune
San Leandro
Indompable
Monarca
Algersiras
Bahama
Lee Column Admiral
Collingwood
Aigle
Swiftsure
Argonaughte
Montanes
San Ildefonso Argonaugta
Achille
Principe de Asturias
San Juan Nepomuceno
Berwick
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Frog’s
Spic’s
Limey Bastards
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Close Quarter Engagement
1300 hrs – 21st October, 1805
San Francisco de Asis
Santissma Trinidad
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Victory
Redoutable
Bucentaure
Temeraraire
Fougueux
C. Trafalgar
Royal Sovereign
Principe de
Asturias
Pluton
Frog’s
Spic’s
Limey Bastards
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Battle of Trafalgar
1245hrs – 21st October, 1805
Close Action Around
1300hrs
Bucentaure
Neptune (FR)
Neptune (BR)
Victory
Redoubtable
Temeraire
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Battle of Trafalgar
1300hrs – 21st October, 1805
Santissma
Trinidad
Close Action Around
1330hrs
Bucentaure
Neptune (BR)
Frog’s
Victory
Spic’s
Limey Bastards
Neptune (FR)
Redoubtable
Temeraire
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The Final Blow
The battle see sawed all day with individual
skirmishes taking place
The dying wind and with masts shot away
engagement was determined by who drifted by
Much bravery was noted on that day
The Intrepide was singled out by the British
captains for her bravery in the face of
overwhelming odds
Finally the British ships gained the upper hand with the Combined fleet either striking
their colors or sailing away
Meanwhile the surgeons were doing their best for Nelson
Captain Hardy reported to Nelson that the battle was won
Those immortal words were spoken by Nelson “Thank God I have done my duty”
He succumbed to his wounds and died at 1630
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Fatalities and Casualties
The speed at which the Royal Navy gun crews loaded and fired was much higher
than the Combined fleet a factor in higher casualty figures for the enemy
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Fatalities and Casualties
The British lost 449 men killed with 1249 wounded some of whom
subsequently died; this translated to just over 25% or 3 wounded for every
one killed
The Combined Fleet lost 4408 men killed and 2545 wounded or 55%;for
every four wounded 5 were killed
For those days it was a very high kill rate
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The Fleets
British
British Ships (Guns)
Victory (100)
Téméraire (98)
Neptune (98)
Conqueror (74)
Leviathan (74)
Britannia (100)
Ajax (74)
Orion (74)
Agamemnon (64)
Minotaur (74)
Spartiate (74)
Africa (64)
Royal Sovereign (100)
Belleisle (74)
Tonnant (80)
Mars (74)
Bellerophon (74)
Colossus (74)
Achilles (74)
Revenge (74)
Defiance (74)
Swiftsure (74)
Thunderer (74)
Defense (74)
Dreadnought (98)
Polythemus (64)
Prince (98)
French
French Ships (Guns)
Scipion (74)
Formidable (80)
Duguay-Trouin (74)
Mont-Blanc (74)
Intrépide (74)
Indomptable (80)
Fougueux (74)
Pluton (74)
Héros (74)
Bucentaure (80)
Neptune (80)
Redoubtable (74)
Aigle (74)
Algésiras (74)
Swift-sure (74)
Argonaute (74)
Achille (74)
Berwick (74)
The Battle of Trafalgar
Spanish
Spanish Ships (Guns)
Neptuno (80)
Rayo (100)
San Francisco de Asis (74)
San Augustin (74)
Santissima Trinidad (136)
San Leandro (64)
San Justo (74)
Santa Ana (120)
Monarca (74)
Bahama (74)
Montanés (74)
Argonauta (80)
San Ildefonso (74)
Principe de Asturias (118)
San Juan Nepomuceno (74)
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The Victor of Trafalgar
Nelson lost his life in Trafalgar
but he won a tremendous
victory for England.
It is one of history’s turning
points which led to British
domination of the seas for
arguably over 150 years.
The HMS Victory remains a
commissioned RN vessel to this
day.
Trafalgar Day is celebrated each
year with great pomp and
ceremony
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Battle of Trafalgar
Thankyou for your attention
I will attempt to answer any Questions??
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