21 October 1805, under command of Admiral Horatio Nelson,
27 ships of the Royal Navy clashed with the combined Franco-Spanish
force of 33 fighting ships off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish
coast. It was the most famous battle in naval history. As the
French and Spanish ships turned back towards Cadiz in a five
mile long irregular line, Nelson mounted a daring attack. Commanding
from his flagship Victory, he divided his fleet into two divisions,
each in a single column on a course at right angles to his adversary,
and drove directly into the centre of the long opposing line,
cutting it in two. In a five hour battle 18 of the Franco-Spanish
ships were taken; the remaining fled, only 11 reaching Cadiz.
Signed by the artist. Matted to include a small fragment of H.M.S.
Victory. |