[andy97]

Originally Posted by bauble

This manoeuvre meant that the ships in the van (front) of the British columns would suffer the combined fire power of the entire French/Spanish fleet as they approached, and unable to bring their own guns to bear. Nelson lead the column that headed for the centre of the French line, leading by example.

Not only was this tactic unconventional, but in order to ensure that every Captain was free to act as he thought fit, and not worry about 'rules' he issued the following edict;

"No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy."

The combined French/Spanish fleet lost 22 ships, while Nelson suffer none.


He also once held his telescope to his blind eye, and announced; "I see no signals."

Very good from our RAF correspondent!