The Immortal Memory
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Today is the anniversary of Horatio Nelson’s great victory – and mortal wounding – at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
At the time a sailor in Royal Sovereign wrote to his father back in England, ‘Our dear Admiral Nelson is killed. All the men in our ship… have done nothing but blast their eyes… chaps that fought like the devil sit down and cry like a wench.’
Admiral Collingwood confided in his official despatch, ‘My heart is rent with the most poignant grief.’
And Scott, Nelson’s confidential secretary, who had comforted Nelson as he died, said: ‘When I think, setting aside his heroism, what an affectionate, fascinating little fellow he was…I become stupid with grief for what I have lost.’
Nelson’s Mortal Wounding
One of the four bronze panels on the pedestal of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square
So many aspects of Nelson’s all-too-short career should be celebrated. Here are just six that have special resonance to me.
- In an age when there was an enormous divide between the fo’c’sle and the quarterdeck he openly championed the courage and skill of Jack Tar. Speaking of the officers aft on the quarterdeck and the seamen on the fo’c’sle he said: ‘Aft the more honour – forward the better man!’ It is the dedication I have in my first book
- Nelson believed in leading from the front and often performed acts of extreme bravery. In 1797, for example, when he saw a Spanish gunboat flotilla off Cadiz, the British fleet meanwhile at anchor, he called away his own admiral’s barge and with Captain Fremantle and eleven seamen was soon pulling vigorously toward the Spaniards. Inspired by the sudden intervention of their leader the British seamen raised the cry of: ‘Let’s follow the Admiral, lads!’ and made after him. A fierce, close‑in, cutlass‑clashing boat action was soon to follow. Nelson didn’t have to prove anything by getting involved like this, but there he was, right out in front.
- Nelson appreciated the importance of detailed planning but he also knew how to delegate. By inducing in his captains his own concepts of command and freely imparting his ideas and intentions to them, Nelson unlocked their initiative and reduced dependence on chancy signals. He deliberately used the concept of a band of brothers to create a tightly knit command structure, all of whom knew what he wanted without being told.
- Nelson was a man for whom courage, honour and duty shaped his life. His courage in battle is legendary. But there was also great personal courage in dealing with the many injuries and illnesses he suffered throughout his life. What person today could perform at such a high professional level with only one arm, a sightless eye, the after‑effects of malaria and other diseases, and often continual pain? And what, but an incredible belief in duty would have taken him from Emma’s arms before Trafalgar just as he’d achieved the peace he craved?
- Nelson had real humanity. The wife of Admiral Hughes described once seeing Nelson with his officers and midshipmen:
‘Among the number of thirty there must have been timid spirits as well as bold: the timid he never rebuked but always wished to show them he desired nothing that he would not instantly do himself and I have known him say, “Well, sir, I am going to race to the mast‑head and beg I may meet you there.” No denial could be given to such a request and the poor little fellow instantly began to climb the shrouds. Captain Nelson never took the least notice in what manner it was done: but when they met at the top, spoke in the most cheerful of terms to the midshipman and observed how any person was to be pitied, who could fancy there was any danger, or even disagreeable in the attempt. After this excellent example, I have seen the same youth, who before was so timid, lead another in the like manner and repeat his commander’s words.’ - Nelson had a genuine concern for the well-being all those under his command. When you read the General Order books of Nelson’s captains what stands out and what are the majority entries is not the minutiae of running the ships, or instructions for battle, but regard for the welfare and contentment of the ship’s company. There are so many, but this one seems to exemplify the rest: ‘The ship’s company are never to be interrupted at their meals, but on the most pressing occasions.’
For me, the greatest Briton
Nelson’s true love
Let us raise our glasses:
‘To The Immortal Memory.’
Copyright notices
Nelson portrait: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons; Emma Hamilton portrait: George Romney [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Nelson’s column: By Eluveitie (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
Every effort is made to honour copyright but if we have inadvertently published an image with missing or incorrect attribution, on being informed of this, we undertake to delete the image or add a correct credit notice
Julian Stockwin 
Sticks,
I am borrowing your words to use in an address to the Naval Officers Association at their annual Trafalgar Day Lunch to be held in the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Cub here in Perth Western Australia on Monday 22nd October next. I might even relate some of the detail that I have on your time as a MOBI in the RAN, let alone what I have learnt of your RNR service.
Cheers M8
Bob Mummery
I’m honored, Bob!
Thought it polite to let you know that my wife has “borrowed” the information in this blog for her schools week of Trafalgar Day assemblies!! This is very much inland Oldbury in the West Midlands. Thanks for a series of wonderful entertaining and informative blogs to go with the currently peerless Kydd books. Brent.
I’m delighted that this is being shared with the younger generation, Brent. If your wife is planning any further Nelson-related schools projects I would be happy to send her a few bits and pieces for a display.
There’s an interesting history of Nelson’s medical problems in a book called “The Common Touch” (A Doctor’s Diverting Look at Fourteen Famous Patients) by DR J.H. Leavesley.
On http://www.gutenberg.org, there is “An Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson” by the ship’s physician attached to HMS Victory at the time of Nelson’s death. Very interesting reading.
I celebrate Trafalgar day each year by putting up a White Ensign in my home and drinking a tot of ‘Nelsons Blood’. God Bless Mariners Everywhere.
The toast is “The Immortal Memory”.
My reply “Silence” and a wish that another great leader will come to Our Great Nation.
I second David Cornes comment and I to say splice the mainbrace.
My two greatest heroes, both from the 19th century: Isambard Kingdom Brunel – and of course Horatio Nelson. I suspect that we will not see their like again!
To the Immortal Memory
My wife and I together with another couple attended a splendid Trafalgar Night Dinner at the Explosion Armaments Museum, Priddys Hard, Gosport last Friday evening, Guest Speaker Captain John Roberts MBE whose table we had the pleasure to be on.
The evening started with Champagne on arrival and us being piped aboard by a large group of museum volunteers dressed in period Jack Tar and Royal Marine costumes. Then a firing of an original cannon of the period. Then piped to the area where the dinner was to be served and a Tot issued to all those present. Dinner was a magnificent 3 course affair followed by the entrance of “Ships of the Line” duly lit with sparklerswhich were then served with coffe and port. A really magnificent evening enjoyed by all.
Splice the main brace I say each and every 21st October.