Battle of Trafalgar (1 Viewer)

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Bill

I remember during one of our previous discussions on the Napoleonic Wars when I recommended to you a Bonaparte book (much to Matt's chagrin ) telling you that although I did not collect the figures of this conflict I had a great interest in this particular era. I'll add to that-that I have an almost obscene penchant for the naval battles during that turbulent period in England's history. Consequently, I am fully aware that I might be in danger of boring you if I attempt to answer your questions-however, to that end pre-apologies.

Warships of the Nelson era were rated according to the number of cannon they carried. A first rate ship carried up to a 100 guns, 32 pounder guns on the lowest deck, 18 pounders on the next, 12 pounders on the weather deck. The ships carronades were not originally counted in the rating of a ship, therefore a 38 gun frigate in fact could be carrying up to 48 powerful guns. The most important rates of ship were first; second and third raters-ships that were able to sail in line of battle. The fifth & sixth rate ships were also very important these were the frigates-The eyes of the fleet.

At the battle of Trafalgar there were 27 British ships of the line and 6 frigates under the command of Captain Blackwood

Ships of this era were weakest at the bow and at the stern. If an attacking ship could manoeuvre to cross the enemy in front or behind then they could fire directly down the length of the ship as the guns came to bear-described as "raking the enemy" which always had a devastating effect. In order to rake the enemy it was necessary to sail through the enemy's line. This tactic exposed the lead ship of a column to the broadsides of the enemy, this position was usually taken by a 1st rate or 3 decker. The Victory (Nelson) and Royal Sovereign (Collingwood) performed this role at Trafalgar as head of the Weather column and the Lee column respectively. This was a very unorthodox tactic and only the boldest and most confident commanders utilised it. Usual tactics at this time especially the French and Spanish fleet was in line ahead (line of battle) thus both fleets running parallel to each others broadsides.

Worth bearing in mind the different tactics used by the opposing fleets. The French tactic was to fire on the upward roll of the ship to take out the masts and rigging with the aim of destroying the manoeuverability of the enemy ship. The British used the opposite by firing on the down roll into the enemy hull creating a storm of splinters that inevitably wiped out the enemy gun crews. So the tendency was for the French guns to be pointing high and the British low as the ships heeled in the wind.

Collingwood's ship Royal Sovereign had just come out of refit and had a brand new copper plated hull consequently she was the fastest first rate vessel in Nelson's fleet. As the lead ship in the Lee column she engaged first -almost completely taking out with her first broadside the Spanish Admiral Alvava's flagship Santa Ana but also taking severe damage herself. Following the death of Nelson- Hardy informed Collingwood who immediately assumed the role of commander in chief transferring his flag to HMS Euryalus and continued the battle even ignoring Nelson's final orders for anchoring the fleet to shelter from an expected storm.

You are correct Bill there was indeed a number of British heroes at Trafalgar and you mention two in particular the captains of Minotaur & Spartiate respectively commanded by Captain Charles Mansfield and Captain Sir Francis Lafurey. Their action in getting between the French vessels was a bit of a fluke on two counts-one- Minotaur was dragging her keel (smothered in weed) therefore reducing her speed and was late joining the melee. Whilst two-Spartiate had been a French man-of-war captured at the Battle of the Nile and two of the French vessels believed she was still French and about to engage the Minotaur. Both of these flukes enabled both British vessels to break up the French line and force the surrender of the lead ship Neptuno.

A bit of a diatribe there Bill but I hope it has gone some way in clarifying your questions

Bob

Bob,

You are indeed a learned scholar and I always look forward to your history lessons on this forum be it your American Civil War journals or the current Battle of Trafalgar. To this extent I will gladly treat you to a pint at the next London show in December where we can continue with our discussions on how to educate the masses to have a greater understanding of our great nation's proud history.

Jeff