The Death of Lord Nelson | Page 3

past nine they returned to their
respective ships, and the Fleet made sail again to the northward.
In the afternoon the wind increased, and blew fresh from the south-west;
which excited much apprehension on board the Victory, lest the Enemy
might be forced to return to port. The look-out ships, however, made
several signals for seeing them, and to report their force and bearings.
His LORDSHIP was at this time on the poop; and turning round, and
observing a group of Midshipmen assembled together, he said to them
with a smile, "This day or to-morrow will be a fortunate one for you,
young men," alluding to their being promoted in the event of a victory.
A little before sunset the Euryalus communicated intelligence by
telegraph, that "the Enemy appeared determined to go to the
westward." His LORDSHIP upon this ordered it to be signified to
Captain BLACKWOOD (of that ship) by signal, that "he depended on
the Euryalus for keeping sight of the Enemy during the night." The
night signals were so clearly and distinctly arranged by His

LORDSHIP, and so well understood by the respective Captains, that
the Enemy's motions continued to be made known to him with the
greatest facility throughout the night: a certain number of guns, with
false fires and blue lights announced their altering their course, wearing,
and making or shortening sail; and signals communicating such
changes were repeated by the look-out ships, from the Euryalus to the
Victory.
The Enemy wore twice during the night: which evolution was
considered by His LORDSHIP as shewing an intention, on their part, of
keeping the port of Cadiz open; and made him apprehend that on seeing
the British Fleet, they would effect their retreat thither before he could
bring them to a general action. He was therefore very careful not to
approach their Fleet near enough to be seen by them before morning.
The British Fleet wore about two o'clock in the morning; and stood on
the larboard tack with their heads to the northward, carrying their
topsails and foresails, and anxiously expecting the dawn of day. When
that period arrived, the Combined Fleets were distinctly seen from the
Victory's deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead on the starboard
tack, standing to the south, and about twelve miles to leeward. They
consisted of thirty-three ships of the line; four of which were
three-deckers, and one of seventy guns: the strength of the British Fleet
was twenty-seven ships of the line; seven of which were three-deckers,
and three of sixty-four guns. Lord NELSON had, on the 10th, issued
written Instructions to the Admirals and Captains of the Fleet
individually, pointing out his intended mode of attack in the event of
meeting the Enemy;[3] and now, previously to appearing himself on
deck, he directed Captain HARDY to make the necessary signals for
the order and disposition of the Fleet accordingly.
HIS LORDSHIP came upon deck soon after day-light: he was dressed
as usual in his Admiral's frock-coat, bearing on the left breast four stars
of different orders which he always wore with his common apparel.[4]
He displayed excellent spirits, and expressed his pleasure at the
prospect of giving a fatal blow to the naval power of France and Spain;
and spoke with confidence of obtaining a signal victory
notwithstanding the inferiority of the British Fleet, declaring to Captain
HARDY that "he would not be contented with capturing less than
twenty sail of the line." He afterwards pleasantly observed that "the

21st of October was the happiest day in the year among his family," but
did not assign the reason of this.[5] His LORDSHIP had previously
entertained a strong presentiment that this would prove the auspicious
day; and had several times said to Captain HARDY and Doctor
SCOTT (Chaplain of the ship, and Foreign Secretary to the
Commander in Chief, whose intimate friendship he enjoyed), "The 21st
of October will be our day."
The wind was now from the west; but the breezes were very light, with
a long heavy swell running. The signal being made for bearing down
upon the Enemy in two lines, the British Fleet set all possible sail. The
lee line, consisting of thirteen ships, was led by Admiral
COLLINGWOOD in the Royal Sovereign; and the weather line,
composed of fourteen ships, by the Commander in Chief in the Victory.
HIS LORDSHIP had ascended the poop, to have a better view of both
lines of the British Fleet; and while there, gave particular directions for
taking down from his cabin the different fixtures, and for being very
careful in removing the portrait of Lady HAMILTON: "Take care of
my Guardian Angel," said he, addressing himself to the persons to be
employed in this business. Immediately after this he quitted the poop,
and retired to his