Trafalgar

[Bothwell]

It's getting closer so I have to post again.
This friday it is 200 years since IMO the greatest Englishman that ever lived routed the combined Franco-Spanish fleet in the battle of Trafalgar. I am at present looking for any french in my vicinity so I can be near them on the day and remind them of this defeat and see how many of those maddening Gallic shrugs I can elicit

A great quote from Nelson :

Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better.

Probably Britains favourite hero. A slight man. Plain and vey vain. Every body loved him and he treated his crew well.

ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY

[Bez]

I am a regular visitor to the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth as it only takes me 45 minutes to get to. I have taken all my grandchildren there over the years (grandchildren are a wonderful excuse for going to interesting places) . HMS Victory is a delight to the kids and educational of course. There are so many other things to do and the Naval museums have been modernised with inter-active things for the kids to do....the Trafalgar Experience is awesome....

[lady cop]

....

Detail from HMS VICTORY
In The Storm After The Battle Of Trafalgar

A full salute with great respect for a great hero.

Cheers for Lord Nelson.

[chonsigirl]

Both, tells us about those smirks when you see them.....

Great naval victory, still studied at the Naval Academy here.........

[lady cop]

last Trafalgar day was very special for me since Bothwell was here, we went to a very authentic British pub to celebrate.....i shall be wearing my union jack hat friday in honor of all the Britons here!

Originally Posted by lady cop

last Trafalgar day was very special for me since Bothwell was here, we went to a very authentic British pub to celebrate.....i shall be wearing my union jack hat friday in honor of all the Britons here!

Good for you LC. I shall be flying the White Ensign tomorow. (only time you can, the privilage belongs to the Royal Navy alone)

The White Ensign

In 1627 the English Fleet (as it was then) was divided into three squadrons, the Red, Blue and White, in that order or seniority, and each had an English ensign in the appropriate colour with St George's Cross in the top corner. By 1653 the order of seniority had been changed to Red, White and Blue and in 1702 a large red cross was placed on the White Ensign to differentiate it from the French ensign, which at the time was plain white. In 1707, following the political union of England and Scotland, the three ensigns came to bear the Union Flag in the top corner as they do this day. In 1801 the additional red diagonal of St Patrick's Cross was added to the Union Flag and the three ensigns then took their modern form.

Nelson was the Vice Admiral of the White Squadron, so Trafalgar was fought under the White Ensign in 1805 rather than the Red or Blue one. In 1864 the squadron system was abandoned and the entire Royal Navy adopted the White Ensign, meanwhile the Merchant Navy was allocated the Red Ensign, and the Blue Ensign was reserved for non-military government ships. During the years since then a large number of special ensigns have been created for many organisations (including yacht clubs and government departments) whose badges have been placed onto a blue or red ensign to create a new and distinctive flag.

The White Ensign remains the premier British maritime flag and is worn by all Her Majesty's ships. Several other nations have developed their own versions of the White Ensign including Australia, India, Jamaica and Nigeria.

[JAB]

I must admit I didn't know much about the battle of Trafalgar and how pivotal it was in the defeat of Napolean. Until this week that is, when US News & World Report magazine had Lord Nelson on the cover with a wonderful story about the battle and his life. I enjoyed the read and walked away with a greater respect for him than what I had known before.