First Shots, Trafalgar

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"Victory" leading Nelson's column at Trafalgar. The title says it all however, what was actually happening is normally misinterpreted. Nelson did not sail straight at the French line, the truth is more complex, more interesting and cleverer.

Gordon Frickers researched this very extensively including visiting several sources in London, Cadiz and Paris, Liverpool, Plymouth, Madrid and Brest. Click on the small image on the left to see Detail from First Shots, Trafalgar.

HMS Victory coming under fire

Her log clearly shows and the Admiralty Committee of 1913 report agrees, at this moment she was steering for the front third of the Combined Fleet. Shortly after this moment she cut away her steering (studding) sails and made a 90 degree turn to starboard to sail down the line of the combined fleet, returning their fire, before making a second 90 degree turn to port and breaking the Combined Fleet line in accordance with the "Nelson Touch" plan.

This manouver paralised the front third of the combined fleet into remaining on station expecting immient attack. By the time they were able in the very light wind to respond to their flagships signals to double back and give support it was to late, Nelson's ships had overwhelmed many of the unsupported ships astern of them and the battle was decided.

More by luck than judgement Victory took out the opposing flagship, delivering a devastaing raking at such close distance that the French ensign brushed Victory, but then as Napolean said, "don't give me a good general give me a lucky one" - Nelson was both.

Unluckily next astern of the flag was Redoutable, Captain Lucas, Victory could not have picked a tougher opponant. The Redoutable men almost cleared the upper deck of Victory, even briefly boarded her and it was a shot from her mizzen top that ended the career of Horatio Nelson, see the study for "The Death Of Nelson, a French marksman's view".

Gordon Frickers has worked on the Nelson story since 1995, produced much original research, his work appears in 2 of the books by Peter Goodwin Keeper and Curator of HMS VIctory and Frickers has given 10 illustrated talks on the subject of Nelson, a role model.

By Gordon Frickers 30"x48" (762x1219mm), oil on board, Price of the original on application

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