Trafalgar
Day
All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
HMS Victory, Portsmouth
On
October 21st 1805 the combined French and Spanish fleets were
defeated by the Royal Navy at Cape Trafalgar, off the coast of South West Spain, HMS Victory, the flagship of Horatio Nelson, led the attack. Victory is
the oldest commissioned warship in the world and is preserved at Portsmouth Historic
Dockyard, in Hampshire, UK.
Admiral Lord Nelson, born 29.09.1758, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, the 6th of 11 children. He suffered from seasickness throughout his naval career.
Painting by John Whichelo (1784-1865)
The
Battle of Trafalgar was Admiral Lord Nelson’s greatest victory and the setting
for his death. He was hit by a musket shot from a French marksman one hour into
the battle. He died in the knowledge that the fleet commanded by him had
achieved a remarkable victory over the numerically superior French and Spanish
fleets.
Every
year a service of remembrance is conducted on board HMS Victory to honour England’s
greatest naval leader and those on both sides of the conflict who died that day
or from their injuries in the days and weeks that followed. The day begins with the usual daily
ceremony of ‘Colours’ when the White Ensign and the Union Jack are hoisted.
The White Ensign is worn on Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. The Union Jack
On Trafalgar Day this is followed by Nelson's famous flag signal, 'England expects that every man will do his duty'. (His final signal was 'Engage the enemy more closely').
During the service a wreath
is laid on the brass plaque marking the spot where he fell as he paced the
quarterdeck while directing the battle.
On Trafalgar
Night commissioned Royal Navy officers commemorate the victory with a dinner in
the Officers’ Mess. A speech is made by the guest of honour, finishing with the
toast, ‘The immortal memory of Lord Nelson and those who fell with him’. The
Nelson Toast is made standing up and drunk in complete silence at Trafalgar
Night dinners across the world. Traditionally, naval toasts are made when
seated because William IV had banged his head while standing for a toast and thereafter
authorised all naval personnel to remain seated for the Loyal Toast.
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HMS Victory almost looks big enough to be a cruise liner.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very elegant ship.
DeleteVery clever, those flag signals. I love that last little anecdote - it made me smile. xx
ReplyDeleteRaising a flag signal must have taken quite some time. x x
DeleteIf yer gonna die...what better way, than saying....
ReplyDelete"Kiss me, Hardy". Another statement during his
last hours was, "Thank God I have done my duty."
Alternatively, he may have said both of these
statements; "Kiss me, Hardy" and Hardy kissed
him on the cheek...
Then Nelson said, "Now I am satisfied....
Wonder what my hero Napoleon's last words were,
best go and Google it....
His last words, uttered shortly before he expired
around 5.59pm local time were relayed back...
“La France, l'armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine …”
(France, the army, head of the army, Joséphine)...
He was 51.....! (Thankyou Google)....
🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾🍾 🍾
All brave men . . .
DeleteHere in Portsmouth it's a big day, I used to work in the naval base and it was celebrated every year.
ReplyDeleteI used to love 'Navy Days' but that was in Chatham, when the navy and marines were still there.
DeleteThey don't build them like that anymore, that's for sure! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful ship and very interesting to visit.
DeleteThat's funny about everyone having to sit down during the toast.
ReplyDeleteIt runs counter to everything we expect.
ReplyDeleteWe used to participate in Trafalgar dinner every year when I first lived in UK but haven't been to one for years.
ReplyDelete