On the 21st of October 2005 it will be the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar. You may have seen the spectacular display in Portsmouth in June. There have been events throughout the summer and they will continue this month.
Horatio Nelson was born in Norfolk on the 29th September 1758. He was one of many children. His father was a rector, his mother died when he was ten. Nelson's determination was evident at an early age. His naval interest came from his uncle who was in the navy and at the age of only twelve he joined his uncle.

Trafalgar was his final and greatest battle, Nelson was aware he may not survive, as he had a coffin made before he left. Perhaps he was superstitious he left Merton where he lived on the 13th of September, a Friday. Cape Trafalgar was in the coast of Spain and once it had been discovered that the French weren't going to attack across the English Channel. Nelson knew he wouldn't have to defend England but he would now have to destroy the French fleet while he was still able to do so. Nelson had all the right qualities for his life in the navy. He was a leader, a tactical genius and had a personality to go with it all. This all gave him respect from his men. When he put his plans, which he described as the "Nelson touch" to the captains of his fleet it was "like an electric shock" he would later write. Two major lines would go through, separating his opponents, the Spanish and the French line into two sections. So one section could be dealt with by one lot of the fleet of ships and the other section would be left to the rest. Nelson cleverly manoeuvred his ship the victory to go past his opposite number Villeneuve who was in command of the enemy fleet, he fired at it fiercely and by doing so he managed to put it out of action at the beginning of battle. The enemy then had no leader and without leadership confusion a rose. This enabled Nelson and his fleet to take full control.
Before battle had commenced Nelson had signalled "England expects that every man will so his duty". His men cheered when the signal went up. To settle their nerves in the long minutes of waiting to attack he would go down and talk to the sailors who were ready with their cannons to fire. He knew that this was when their spirits would need lifting most.
As Nelson and Captain Hardy, walked on deck a splinter hit the buckle on Hardy's shoe. Nelson wore his fully decorated uniform with honour he was fearless but all this made him a sitting target, anyone could easily pick him out in his elaborate uniform. Nelson and Captain Hardy continued walking and about an hour later Nelson suddenly felt to his knees, he had been shot, Nelson knew this was the end. He had been hit in the shoulder and it went through his chest. As he was taken to the cockpit, Nelson covered his face with his handkerchief. He didn't want his men to see him and be alarmed by his condition. He was in terrible pain and was coughing up blood. He endured this agonizing pain for a few more hours, surviving long enough to know that they had won. His last words were "Thank God, I have done my duty." His most famous words though are probably "Kiss me Hardy." He said this to Captain Hardy as he lay dying. His body was preserved in liquor for the journey home; he had made it clear he did not want to be buried at sea. Although it is highly unlikely they would have ever done that. He was buried in St Paul's as he had wished. The whole of Britain mourned one of their countries greatest ever leaders, Admiral Lord Nelson.


Note: The Fighting Temeraire that Turner painted was behind the victory going into battle. Turner also did a painting called The Battle of Trafalgar.
© Children's Web Magazine 2005