The Battle of Trafalgar - A Blow by Blow Account.

At dawn the two fleets were in sight, the British fleet was approximately 10 to 12 miles upwind of the Allied line sailing due south of Cadiz after party, the action would take place about 20 miles southeast of the Cape Trafalgar, light winds from the WNW and westerly swell.

7:00
Nelson ordered his signalman official broadcast "Prepare for battle"

8:00
Villeneuve ordered all his ships to put forward the north, reversing the order of training, the fleet must be aligned and the wind on the port bulwark with this manoeuver, the admiral of the fleet, Villeneuve, left open the possibility turning back to Cadiz if the enemy fleet was far superior in number to the combination.

After the manoeuver, the rear went on to form the vanguard, and vice versa. But such a development, already difficult, with strong westerly swell, which presaged the subsequent temporary and variable wind, it was even harder with poory trained crews.
After the manoeuver, the new training was like a huge irregular curved line over five miles long, with some boats huddled together, others bent, with several clear, one very broad that virtually divided the fleet into two navies.

The first group, located further north, was composed of 14 vessels, from north to south: Neptune (80), Scipio (74), lntrépide (74), Ray (100), Formidable (80), this was the logo Dumanoir admiral, head of the vanguard, Duguay Trouin (74), Mont Blanc (74), San Francisco de Asis (82), St. Augustine (80), Héros (74), Holy Trinity (140), Bucentaure (80) logo Admiral Villeneuve, and Redoutable (74), the last three that were very close together, without saving the desired alignment, to leeward of them and out of the line had been the Neptune (80).

The second group of 19 ships had formed a half-mile behind the leeward Redoutable and Neptune, as the San Leandro (71), San Justo (83), and lndomptable (80) had swung to the southeast, bringing the fleet In tune was split in two. Of the ships that were in training in this group was the first Santa Ana (120), flagship of Lieutenant General Alava, who commanded the center, after he sailed the Fougueux (74), Monarch (80), Pluto (74), Algesiras (74), Bahama (78), Aigle (74), Swiftsure (74) and Argonaute (74) and leeward of the above were the Montanes (80) and Argonaut (92). Then navigated the Berwick (74), San Juan Nepomuceno (82), Achille (74), and San Ildefonso (80), which was sailing to leeward of the former, closing the line was the Prince of Asturias (118), logo Lieutenant General Gravina.

As agreed at the previous meeting, Nelson ordered his forces to form two divisions of parallel attack. The northernmost, consisting of 12 ships, was under his command, its mission was to cut the allied line above the center to prevent go to support the cutting edge of the rear, to break the line had placed its toughest three ships ahead, the three bridges Victory (100), Temeraire (98) and Neptune (98). A shot from a 32-pound cannon could penetrate two feet of oak about a mile away, but Nelson was confident that the swell would impede the success of the allied gunners until their ships were close enough, and had experienced the power of carrion in Aboukir and knew they could swing the battle in his favour if he could get close enough. On the other hand, thinking the ships were only capable of sailing at about 8 knots in good wind and it just was not the occasion, which the British fleet would be exposed to fire long.

The second division of 15 boats were on the south and downwind of the first under the command of it, Vice Admiral Collingwood. This division, more powerful than that of Nelson, should be attacking from north to south, ship to ship, to annihilate on the Allies, taking advantage of wind and momentary superiority that would give the initial action of Nelson's Column. This manoeuver was not seen by Villeneuve, determined to continue with the classical training in line until all treaties Trafalgar took for victory. Gravina requested to break the training, the sense being that they would be isolated from the vanguard, this was answered with the order to stay on the line. In turn, Churruca anticipated the outcome of the battle, when noting that the lead following his progress, he exclaimed to his second, "lost, lost!"

11:30
As mentioned earlier, the Victory, Nelson's flagship, with three decks and 100 guns, drove the first column, followed by two ships of three bridges, the Temeraire (98) and Neptune (98), were behind the Conqueror (74) and Leviathan (74), a little hook other three bridges, the Britannia, badge Admiral Northesk with 100 guns, at greater distances were anxious to follow the Agamemnon (64), Ajax (74), the Orion (74), Minotaur (74) and Spartiate (74) while Africa (64) came from the north. Nelson has decided not to use the gear of battle, the whole morning has been calling on the fleet for more sail without breaking the mast, thereby reducing waiting time will be exposed his ships to fire the combined squad.

The Royal Sovereign magnificent three bridges Colligwood 100 guns of the second column headed, like Nelson Collingwood has been asking for more speed since the dawn has broken, but expressly ordered that no ship below him, behind him were the Belleisle (74), Mars (74), Tonnant (80), Bellerophon (64), Colossus (74), Achilles (74) and Polyphemus (64) behind and south were Revenge (74) Swiftsure (74), Defiance (74), Thunderer (74), and Defence (74), and totally off the hook between the two columns, the three bridges, Dreadnought (98) and Prince (98).

11:45
The Victory telegraph signals transmitted the order to attack, "England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty" ,this caused a stir in the English fleet, and agreed that it was " England Trusts That Every Man Will Do His Duty ", however, the signalman convinced Nelson that was shorter than lift.

11:50
The San Agustin (80) opened fire on the Victory (100) with little success because of the distance, as Nelson notes as Colligwood in the Royal Sovereign (100) starts to receive the first volleys of Fogeaux (74), commenting to Hardy "See That noble fellow Collingwood how his historical ship carries into action ", minutes after the Santa Ana (120), Monarch (80) and Pluto (74) in addition to punishment, Nelson calls once more sail, fearing that he will be exposed to friendly fire.

12:15
Victory within half a mile from the line begins to suffer the fire of over 200 pieces, however, many shots are lost to the sea conditions and due to the lack of skill of the gunners. Nelson is determined to attack more and more emblematic of the ships of the combined fleet, the Holy Trinity (140), its intention is to cut the aft of this to happen and then sweep the side alongside him, but the vessel commanded by Uriarte reduces sail, making the Bucentaure ( 80) take over, shutting down any possibility of breaking the line there. Villeneuve ordered at the forefront of Dumonuir control who comes in support of the rest of the line, without it the English have an advantage by aligning 27 ships against 23 allies.

12:30
A mile farther south, in his column the Royal Sovereign (100) and Belleisle (74). The first is the flagship of Collingwood, a superb three bridges that are just out of buoyancy and therefore was one of the fastest English ships. After enduring a terrible fire, the ship of Collingwood is the first to cut the allied line between Fougeux (74) and Santa Ana (120), flagship of Lieutenant General Alava. As they passed astern of the Spanish, the Royal Sovereign shot the 50 guns of their port battery. Here, double and triple charged projectiles butchered the crew, she then turns to port to the Spanish ship Abarloa . Both engaging at short distance with terrible fury over half an hour, resulting in the two almost being destroyed.

12:40
After the harsh punishment suffered in his approach to Holy Trinity (140) and Bucentaure (80), Nelson decided that the best thing is to seek a minor piece and able to continue in combat and ordered to maneuver on the Redoutable (74), which sought to support Villeneuve's ship. On their way through the stern of Bucentaure (80), as happened in the Santa Ana (120), the 50-gun battery port of Victory (100) opened fire causing extensive damage.
In the second column, Belleisle (74) after returning to sweep the Santa Ana (120) to pass through his stern Fogueaux mediates (74) the Royal Sovereign (100), maintaining a tough duel with French striker .

13:05
The Victory (100) with 50 casualties and no foresail, reach the Redoutable (74) to crush with their superior artillery. The French Captain Lucas realizes that nothing has to face the fire of English and chooses to go on Nelson's ship to address and resolve in a melee the unequal struggle.

To the south the Belleisle (74) has forced the Fogueaux (74) to bring down power after it turns around to pounce on the rear, while the five English ships following the Mars (74), the Tonnant (80), Bellerophon (74), Colossus (74) and Achilles (74), cross the allied line drawing to bombard the Santa Ana (112) in its path. Minutes later, the Mars (74) attacks the Pluto (74) and Tonnant (80) at Algesiras (74), flagship of Admiral Magon. The Revenge (74), the Defiance (74), the Thunderer (74), the Swiftsure (74) and Defence (74), have shifted to starboard to wrap up the rear, looking to take between two fires to allied ships and render them one to one taking advantage of their superiority and the advantage the wind gave them.

13:10
With the Victory and Redoutable touching the Penoles, the French infantry from the tops and rigging made rifle fire on the three bridges English. Nelson has no choice but to order evacuation decks to avoid musket fire ( sentncing himself to stay on deck). His hope was the lower gun batteries of the Redoutable open fire.

13:25
Nelson is wounded by a bullet fired by a sniper from the French ship, the bullet penetrated the left shoulder and was lodged in the spine.

13:35
The Temeraire (98), again after passing the stern of Bucentaure (80), find the other side of Redoutable (74) to support the Victory (100), which has repelled an attempt to approach the French. The fire of the two British three-decker triple the ship of Captain Lucas continues to struggle. In turn, the Temeraire (98) receives inaccurate fire from Neptunes starboard side.

13:45
The Neptune (98), superb English three bridges cross the line sweeping its way to the stern of Villeneuve's flagship and closes on its starboard side, shortly after the Bucentaure (80) also supports the newly arrived fire Conqueror (74 ) on the other side and on the quarter that of the Victory at a distance.

14:00
The Bucentaure (80) now supports the fire of three English ships, as was the case in the battle of Aboukir, where Admiral Brueys from his flagship, L'Orient (120), desperately sought the support of Villeneuve's ships until it jumped into the air. Villeneuve is now in their plight, which reminds Aboukir, after making signals throughout the battle at the forefront of Dumanoir and seek to support the rear and center.
While Dumanoir continued sailing towards the north away from the action, some Spanish and French ships decided to turn and go at their own risk to the aid of the center. The San Francisco de Asis (82), St. Augustine (80) and Ray (100), three bridges, advancing from leeward, followed by the French Héros (74) and boldly (74), governing rights in the Holy Trinity (140) that is fighting hard against the Leviathan (74) to port, Africa (64) to have entered from the north and has cut off the bow, and unable to respond to the distant fire of the Conqueror (74)

14:20
The Bucentaure (80), flagship of the combined fleet, gives more than 200 casualties. Villeneuve tries to pass another boat to continue the fight but is caught on board.

In the south Belleisle (74), surrounded by Aigle (74) and Swiftsure (74) allies, is critical and about to be paid but for the timely arrival of Revenge (74), the Defiance ( 74) and the Swiftsure (74) English, which restored British supremacy.
Covers Santa Ana (120) are a pool of blood after nearly two hours of close combat, where carronades the Royal Sovereign (100) have imposed their might, yet continues to respond to the fire of English. Worse is the Algesiras (74), which has already ceased firing her cannon but still does not give up.

14:30
Bucentaure after the surrender of the British concentrated their efforts against the Holy Trinity (140), reinforcing the Leviathan (74) and Africa (64) with three bridges Neptune (98) and the Conqueror (74), surrounded by a circle fire, the ship of General Cisneros and satin will not give a pontoon was adrift with over 600 dead and wounded. The five ships of the allied art that have been around are coming in stages due to the faint breeze to meet British reinforced by the six boats behind Nelson's column, which have not yet intervened in the action, the Britannia (100 ) three bridges, Ajax (74), Orion (74), the Agamemnon (64), the Minotaur (74) and Spartiate (74).

It yields the Santa Ana (120) with 400 casualties on board, including the brave Lieutenant General Alava. The Royal Sovereign was so damaged that Collingwood decides to leave and boards a frigate to continue the fight from another vessel.

The Algesiras (74) completely destroyed and 450 low yields to Tonnant (80) died after the fiery rear-admiral Magon in action. The rear is pounding hard with the rest of the English column that has befallen her.

15:00
The proximity of the ships has turned the English, unable to approach the Holy Trinity, to focus on the new looming danger. So, until almost the end of the battle no one will take the Spanish ship at anchor.

Three of the ships that first gave the lead back, the Ray (100), San Francisco de Asis (82) and Héros (74) barrier surrounding the enemy ships and head toward the rear, which still resists Gravina .

Dumanoir has given orders to turn to what's left edge, but it is too late to support the central waste ally.
To the south, Berwick (74) has initiated combat with Achilles (74), while being on the quarter's three bridges fire Dreadnought (98), which eventually swept the stern passing.

15:30
St. Augustine (80), can not move to support the Holy Trinity (140) as claimed and engaged in heavy combat with the Minotaur (74) who has just joined the action, then you must also cope with Spartiate (74) and the Leviathan (74).
Dumanoir the Formidable (80) in the lead, followed by Montblanc (74), the Scipio (74), the Duguay Trouin (74), passes through the windward side of the Victory, finding allies swept to the center and the English ships prepared to receive him, therefore, considered useless act luffing away to the west. Neptune (80) who has left the column Dumanoir to turn, launches in support of St. Augustine (80) that is about to be surrounded by two more vessels.

1600
The Fougeux (74) attacked by the three bridges Temeraire (98), from the first column, is forced to surrender. The Spartiate (74) leaves the San Agustin (80) and is prepared to deal with Neptune (80) which is fast approaching from the north.

Further south, El Argonauta (92), commanding Couple surrenders to Belleisle (74), having shelled the battered Tonnant (80). Berwick (74) is rendered by the artillery of Achilles (74) and Defence (74). The Aigle (74) is rendered by the Revenge (74). The Swiftsure (74) French is left out of combat by the combined firepower of the Colossus (74) and Bellerophon (64). The Achille (74) after crossing canyons inferiority to the Dreadnought (98), engages in battle with Polyphemus (64). The San Juan Nepomuceno (82) of Churruca targets in support of paid and Berwick..Meanwhile, the Prince of Asturias (118) pounding the Thunderer (74) that keeps a distance, without getting too close to leeward of it.

16:30

Nelson died.

The Monarch (80) commanded by Argumosa has turned around to go in support of Bahama (78) that the brigadier in command Alcalá Galiano end up paying the Colossus (74). The situation of the Achille (74) is complicated by the arrival of the Swiftsure (74) which takes over the Polyphemus (64). The San Juan Nepomuceno (82), led by Churruca, is attacked by Achilles (74), Defiance (74), and Tonnant (80), their heroic resistance makes several English ships come to beat him, including the Dreadnought ( 98), three bridges. Continuous bleeding Churruca directing the fire, and ordered that the flag is lowered while alive. Completely dismasted, satin as a pontoon and surrounded by enemies, continues to respond to fire knowing that he has no other escape. With more than 400 dead and wounded aboard the San Juan Nepomuceno Churruca surrenders. The Principe de Asturias (118) is beaten with Polyphemus (64) to port, the Defiance (74) to starboard, and the Thunderer (74) has been approached by the starboard quarter to see other British ships .

16:45
St. Augustine (80), led by Cagigal, is sinking. After incredible strength and after repelling two approaches, the crew left grappling with the boarders on the poop, the situation is such that the British accepted that the flag is lowered, which lies in the band, subject to evacuate the ship before it sinks. The Monarch (80) to control Argumosa yields to Bellerophon (64)

17:00
Neptune (80) is surrounded by the Minutaur yields (74) and Spartiate (74), having endured the fire of Agamemnon (64). At the back stands up to the last group of vessels around the Prince of Asturias Gravina logo. Yielded the San Juan Nepomucemo (82), the status of this is complicated because not only has to beat the Defiance (74), the Polyphemus (64), and Thunderer (74), the arrival of the damaged Swiftsure (74), and the proximity of Defence (74) and the three bridges Prince (98) and Dreadnought (98), makes him fight five enemies at once. From the north come to his defense on Pluto (74) and Neptune (80) French.
The Aigle (74) after fighting at a disadvantage with Polyphemus (64) and Swiftsure (74) has become a pontoon and over 400 low yields to three bridges weighing English Prince (98), which comes late, but cool in battle, this will be the barrages that burn the ship to stop exploiting Gallo. Gravina was wounded and seeing that the battle was lost, decides to leave for Cadiz towing the frigate Themis and her dismasted ship escorted by Montanes (80), San Justo (83) and San Leandro (71), Spanish , and the French Indomptable (80), Neptune (80), Pluto (74), Argonaute (74) and Héros (74), retreats to the north, without the British, with many ships heavily damaged, attempt to prevent it, or try to chase him.

17:30
To the north, far from the allied withdrawal, the Undaunted (74), with over 300 casualties and smooth as a table, closes his slides to surrender. The exploding of Aigle marked the end of the battle.


The Days After The Battle

The protagonist of the days after the powerful storm that will last until October 27, the battle had resulted in an Allied defeat of the 33 ships that made up the combined fleet, only 15 had been removed without lowering the flag, the other 18 had surrendered to the British. While Dumanoir, who had retired on the west by the Formidable in the lead, followed by Montblanc, Duguay Trouin Scipio and tries to return to France, Gravina Cadiz enters with the Prince of Asturias in tow, followed by the Spanish ships Ray, San Leandro, San Francisco de Asis, San Justo and mountains and the French Argonaute, Pluto, Heros, Indomptable and Neptune.

Before dying Nelson has made order for the fleet anchored until the storm passes, but Collingwood with Victory, Royal Sovereign, Temeraire, Mars, Colossus, Tonnant, Bellerephon, Belleisle, Achilles, Revenge Defiance and badly damaged and allied prisoners to decide rightly to run the storm at sea.

Once they arrive at Cadiz the 11 remaining ships of the fleet combined endowments redeployed quickly and organize a flotilla of boats in a better state to go after the British and their prey. During the night of 21 Aigle crew down to the English and get Torregorda where she came to anchor in the hope that the weather improves.

On 22 October the Swiftsure Redoutable English under tow starts sinking about 1700 hours, although it is lowered boats to rescue the provision of French ship, the sea and strong wind made it impossible to transport the wounded .The Redoutable sinking at 1900 hours with some of her courageous crew. The Holy Trinity drawn by the three bridges Prince and Neptune sink despite British efforts to save her, the souls will be more than 80 injured.

That same day, and Bucentaure Algesiras crews have retaken control of the boat and try to return to Cadiz, from these two, just get the Algesiras, while Bucentaure will miss at landfall. The bad weather has scattered the British fleet and crews are not sufficient to govern and control the ships captured. The English themselves burned and abandoned Fougueux, Berwick, and Argonauta.

Oct. 23 although the storm was raging, the fleet that had left from Cadiz composed of the frigates, the Spanish ships, Lightning, San Franciasco de Asis, San Justo and mountains and the French Pluton, Heros and Neptune, sighted the Santa Ana and Neptune are being towed to Gibraltar by the British.The presence of the fleet makes the English release their prey, the Santa Ana is taken in tow by the frigate Themis and get into Cadiz while Neptune is lost off the coast of Puerto de Santa Maria, unfortunately the same fate shared by the flotilla Lightning and St.Francis of Assisi when trying to arrive at Cadiz .

The Indomptable which had been anchored in the bay because it was too damaged by going against the lower end of Diamond driven by the strong rise, being able to save only 250 of the crew.

Of the 18 ships by the British surrendered, and bearing in mind that the Achilles not get to be captured and that exploded before the English only get to save and take to Gibraltar four, the San Juan Nepomuceno, Swiftsure, Bahama and San Ildefonso.

The Admiral Rosily arrived at Cadiz on 25 October to relieve Villeneuve. He found the remains of what was a great squad, only 5 ships capable of fighting.

The Spanish casualties were 35 officers and 1022 officers and sailors and soldiers killed, and 31 chiefs and officers and 2405 sailors and wounded soldiers. The French women was higher, so that the Allies lost more than 7000 men. British casualties were 449 killed, including their best admiral and 1241 wounded, a total of 1690 casualties.

On November 4, rounded off the tragedy, when four ships under the command of Dumanoir who had retired to France, having paid for the Portuguese coast were surprised and surrendered near the Cape Ortegal by the squadron of Admiral Strachan.