Celebrating Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Two hundred and nineteen years ago today, in 1805, the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets in the Atlantic off Cape Trafalgar.  The decisive victory ended French plans to use the combined … Continue reading

Updated Repost on Trafalgar Day Plus One : Conrad on Nelson — What if the Wind Had Shifted?

I am currently traveling, so I managed to miss Trafalgar Day. Here is an updated repost in honor of Nelson’s great victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets a day ago on October 21, in 1805. There is a … Continue reading

HMS Victory & the Ship of Theseus, Thoughts on Varied Lives of A Ship

We recently posted about an announcement that an additional £35m is being committed for continued repairs to the HMS Victory, specifically to replace rotting planking and frames and to complete the rerigging of the ship. As it has been 256 … Continue reading

Celebrating Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Two hundred and fifteen years ago today, in 1805, the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets in the Atlantic off Cape Trafalgar.  The decisive victory ended French plans to use the combined … Continue reading

“On Board a Man o’ War” – Nelson’s Victory & Death at the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805

On Trafalgar Day, the anniversary of Admiral Horatio Nelson‘s victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar, a ballad describing the battle, “On board a Man o’ War,” sung by Ian Page. Feel free to grab a mug of porter, … Continue reading

HMS Implacable, Survivor of Trafalgar & WWII – Scuttled in 1949

Here is a video of the scuttling of HMS Implacable in 1949.  She was originally the French Navy’s Téméraire-class ship of the line Duguay-Trouin, launched in 1800.  The Duguay-Trouin fought in and survived the Battle of Trafalgar, only to be captured by the British in … Continue reading

J. Steven Dews’ ‘Battle of Trafalgar’ Expected to Fetch over £100,000 at Bonhams Auction

The old saying goes that success is the best revenge.  John Stevens Dews failed his ‘A’ level art. (For the non-British, including myself, the ‘A’ level is a public examination in a subject taken for the General Certificate of Education (GCE), usually … Continue reading

Happy Trafalgar Day and the Anniversary of the Launching of “Old Ironsides”

Thanks to Maritime Great Britain for reminding us that today is indeed Trafalgar Day, commemorating Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish fleets and his tragic death at the Battle of Trafalgar on this day in 1805. They also reminded us that on this day in … Continue reading

Horatio Nelson ‘was French football captain’, say children

Horatio Nelson ‘was French football captain’, say children Research carried out to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar shows many schoolchildren believe that Horatio Nelson was captain of the French national football team in the 1990s. Almost one-in-four … Continue reading

Eyewitness to Trafalgar 205 Years Ago Today

A letter which only recently resurfaced gives an ordinary seaman’s view of the famous battle which was fought 205 years ago today. ‘They won’t send their fleets out again in a hurry’: Remarkable letter from hero who survived the Battle … Continue reading