Admiral Nelson (1758-1805) is the figure who laid the foundation for Britain's naval supremacy and solidified its longstanding dominance at sea. As one of Britain's foremost heroes, Nelson was honored by Sultan Selim III with the Ottoman Crescent, the first decoration in Ottoman history, for his valor in the Battle of the Nile. Proudly wearing this decoration, Nelson signed the ceasefire agreement following the victorious Battle of Copenhagen, styling himself as a Knight of the Ottoman Crescent. This distinction was also depicted on his coffin, evident in numerous portraits.
The series of victories at sea by this British admiral came to an end when Napoleon's unstoppable army could not be defeated on land, necessitating Britain to halt him at sea. This period, later dubbed the "Battle of the Whale and the Lion," concluded with Nelson triumphing over Napoleon, symbolizing the lion's victory over the whale. Nelson's fleet not only facilitated the projection of British power across the globe but also shielded Britain from adversaries ranging from Napoleon to Bismarck, Kaiser Wilhelm, and ultimately Hitler.
Nelson's unique ability to ignite his soldiers' fighting spirit earned him a distinct place in history. Despite suffering from seasickness throughout his career, he emerged as one of the most successful commanders, even after losing an arm and an eye in battle.
Born on September 29, 1758, as the eleventh child of a Norfolk family, Nelson joined the Royal Navy at the tender age of twelve. Initially serving as an ordinary seaman under the command of his uncle, who captained his first assigned ship, Nelson rose to the rank of lieutenant. He participated in the American War of Independence, fighting against the rebels. At the age of twenty, he was appointed as the captain of a frigate and took part in an unsuccessful attack on a Spanish fortress in Nicaragua, encountering defeat for the first time. Despite suffering from severe malaria, he continued to fight for the American cause.
In an attempt to dislodge the French from the Turkish islands in South America, Nelson, with a crew of a hundred men, made an unsuccessful endeavor. He later assumed bureaucratic duties in the Caribbean, and for a few years, he was kept on standby without active command. It was Napoleon, another commander, who would change Nelson's troubled and tranquil life.
As Napoleon embarked on his ambitious foreign policy in France, aiming for world conquest, Nelson was called back into action. In 1793, he became the commander of the 64-gun ship-of-the-line Agamemnon. Initially assigned to the Mediterranean, Nelson established a base in Naples and, in 1794, lost half of his right eyebrow and his right eye during an operation in Corsica. By the end of the year 1797, he had enjoyed a year filled with victories, showcasing his prowess in dynamic and courageous maneuvers. Despite orders to stand in a straight line, he boldly advanced his ship to prevent the Spanish from escaping, boarding the enemy ship's deck alongside his men in a face-to-face battle to seize the vessel. British soldiers had never before witnessed an admiral engage in sword combat, and this unconventional approach elevated him to legendary status.
Following this victory, Admiral Nelson was awarded the Knight of the Bath and was subsequently promoted. Later that year, during an unsuccessful operation at Santa Cruz, Nelson was shot in the right arm by a musket ball. With the bone shattered, his arm was amputated to prevent gangrene. It is rumored that Nelson quipped, "I am Lord Nelson, and this is my fin," in reference to his missing limb.
Napoleon, aiming to cut off the path to India, a colony of the British, and eyeing Egyptian territory of the Ottomans, became the chief rival. Sultan Selim III ruled the Ottoman Empire at the time. When Napoleon launched his famous Egyptian campaign, both Britain and the Ottomans grew concerned. At that time, the Ottomans did not have the means to confront Napoleon at sea. This task fell to Nelson. Searching for Napoleon's fleet from the Rock of Gibraltar to the open ocean, Nelson finally cornered the French fleet in the Bay of Aboukir, known as the Battle of the Nile. Admiral Nelson decimated the French, marking this victory as a commendable feat in naval history. Ultimately, although Napoleon was halted before the fortress of Acre by the Ottomans, he was forced to abandon his Egyptian campaign. At sea, Nelson and on land, the Ottomans, denied passage to Napoleon. Following this triumph, Admiral Nelson was elevated to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Red.
In 1801, Admiral Nelson faced the Danish navy in the Battle of Copenhagen. During this conflict, known as the Battle of Ambitiousness, he achieved success. Meanwhile, as Napoleon, Britain's persistent thorn, gathered troops to invade England, an Armistice of Amiens was signed between the two countries. Given Nelson's deteriorating health, he was retired.
When the peace of Amiens proved short-lived, Nelson was called back to duty. He assumed command of the British fleet in the Mediterranean. During his two-year tenure, Nelson rarely set foot on land. The French Fleet continually eluded Nelson, who was persistent in his pursuit. Meanwhile, the Spanish allied with the French, and Britain sought to strike a blow against both. The combined French and Spanish fleet set out to conquer Britain, but they encountered Nelson's fleet off Cape Trafalgar, marking the end of the pursuit. The opportunity Nelson had long awaited had arrived. Facing 33 enemy ships, Nelson commanded 27 vessels.
Despite intense artillery fire during the battle, Admiral Nelson managed to split the enemy fleet in two, effectively surrounding their ships. In the heat of battle, with ships in extremely close quarters, sharpshooters from the French vessel fired upon Nelson's ship, the Victory, as it entered their firing range. The legendary admiral was heavily wounded. Although he lost consciousness for about four hours, he intermittently inquired about the progress of the battle from his officers. Ultimately, Nelson succumbed to his injuries, never having the chance to celebrate the greatest triumph of his career. With the victory at Trafalgar, Britain defeated the combined French and Spanish fleet, and as a result, France abandoned its dream of invading England by sea. To illustrate the intensity of the battle waged between these nations' navies, it suffices to say that the sails of the Victory were struck by French artillery a staggering 120 times. Admiral Nelson, through the victory at Trafalgar, established Britain as the unrivaled master of the world's oceans, creating an empire where the sun never set until it passed to America after World War II.
While it is often claimed that he covered his blinded eye with a pirate-like band, there is no documented evidence to confirm this. Nelson was known for allowing initiative to his commanders and held their opinions in high regard. While he was hailed as a skilled tactician, some argue he wasn't as adept at strategy. He is primarily recognized as a commander who fought with his heart. In a 2002 BBC poll, he was voted the third most influential Briton in history.
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