had telegraphed that the Enemy appeared determined to go to the Westward, the Victory telegraphed that Lord Nelson relied upon Captain Blackwood's keeping sight of the Enemy during the night; and the Naiad shortly afterwards made the signal of thirtyone Sail of the Enemy, bearing N.N.E. At 8h. 40m., P.M., the British Fleet wore and stood to the S.W."

Dr. Beatty in his Narrative says, "At 8 o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the Victory hove to, and Admiral Collingwood, with the Captains of the Mars, Colossus, and Defence, came on board to receive instructions from his Lordship: at eleven minutes 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 S.W., 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 by signal, that he depended on Euryalus for keeping sight of the Enemy during the night.'

the

Log of H.M. Ship Phoebe, Sunday 20th October, 1805.-" P.M. Squally with heavy rain.-12.30 bore up. At 1 hauled our wind on the starboard tacktaken aback in a hard squall, braced round-observed a Line-of-battle Ship with his maintopmast carried away-tacked occasionally-repeated signals. At 4 set the courses and topgallantsails-made several signals to the Fleet-saw the Enemy's Fleet, consisting of 34 Sail, bearing N. b. E. At 6 the Enemy's Fleet N. b. E., the British Fleet S.W. b. S.-mustered at quarters-6.30 the Ship made several signals to the Fleet -burnt blue lights and rockets occasionally. At 8 Cadiz Lighthouse E. b. N. about 5 leagues-wore Ship as occasion-burnt blue lights and rockets occasionally, which was answered by our Fleet. 12.20 spoke His Majesty's Ship Mars-Enemy's Fleet in sight. Monday 21st.A.M. at 2 hove-to.-2.30 filled. At 4 light airs and variable."

Log of H. M. Ship Naiad, Sunday 20th October, 1805.-" P.M. Fresh breezes with rain-in 3rd reef topsails. At 4 moderate and cloudy-Enemy's Fleet on the lee bow, our Fleet on the weather quarter-Cadiz N.E. E. 4 or 5 leagues. At 6 both Fleets in sight-at 6.30 saw 14 of the Enemy's Fleet to the Northward -repeated several blue lights and sky-rockets from the Phoebe and Sirius. At 8 At 12 ditto weather, ditto weather, 14 of the Enemy's Fleet in sight astern. Enemy's Fleet to leeward, ours ahead. Monday 21st.-A.M. At 1.30 spoke H.M. Ship Colossus-saw several lights to leeward, which we supposed the Enemy's Fleet, bearing S.S.E. At 4 light airs and cloudy."

Log of H. M. Schooner Pickle, Sunday 20th October, 1805.-" P.M. Strong breezes and squally-tacked and wore occasionally. At 2 answered a signal to reconnoitre in the N.W. At 3 discovered the Enemy's Fleet, consisting of thirty-three Sail of the Line, five Frigates, and two Brigs, bearing N. b. E. and standing to the S.W. Out reefs and made sail towards them. At 5 tacked from the Enemy-repeated several signals from the Sirius to the Fleet-tacked occasionally, keeping sight of the Enemy."

8 James's Naval History, vol. iv., p. 31.

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 showing 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'." During the night of the 20th the British Fleet stood to the S.W. under their topsails and foresails, anxiously expecting daylight.

MEMORANDUM.

[Original in the possession of Captain Hope, R.N.]

Victory, off Cadiz, 20th October, 1805.

Captain Blackwood to keep with two Frigates in sight of the Enemy in the night. Two other Frigates to be placed between him and the Defence, Captain Hope. Colossus will take her station between Defence and Mars. Mars to communicate with the Victory.

SIGNALS BY NIGHT.

If the Enemy are standing to the Southward, or towards the Straits, burn two blue lights together, every hour, in order to make the greater blaze. If the Enemy are standing to the Westward three guns, quick, every hour.

NELSON AND BRONTE.*

PRIVATE DIARY.

[Autograph in the possession of J. Wild, Esq. ]

Sunday, October 20, 1805.

Fresh breezes SSW. and rainy. Communicated with Phoebe, Defence, and Colossus, who saw near forty Sail of Ships of

1 Dr. Beatty's Narrative, pp. 8-11.

2 This Paper was thus indorsed by Captain Hope: "This was signed by Lord Nelson the day before he fell, the last time I saw him. GEORGE HOPE."

War outside of Cadiz yesterday evening; but the wind being Southerly, they could not get to the Mouth of the Straits. We were between Trafalgar and Cape Spartel. The Frigates made the signal that they saw 9 Sail outside the Harbour; gave the Frigates instructions for their guidance, and placed Defence, Colossus, and Mars, between me and the Frigates. At noon fresh gales and heavy rain, Cadiz N.E. 9 leagues. In the afternoon Captain Blackwood telegraphed that the Enemy seemed determined to go to the Westward; and that they shall not do if in the power of Nelson and Bronte to prevent them. At 5 telegraphed Captain B., that I relied upon his keeping sight of the Enemy. At 6 o'clock Naiad made the signal for 31 Sail of the Enemy N.N.E. The Frigates and look-out Ships kept sight of the Enemy most admirably all night, and told me by signals which tack they were upon. At 8 we wore, and stood to the S.W., and at four A.M. wore, stood to the N.E.

At

At 4 A.M., on MONDAY THE 21ST OF OCTOBER, the British Fleet wore, and steered under easy sail N. by E., having the wind from the W.N.W. The day having dawned, Cape Trafalgar bearing E. by S., distant about twenty-one miles, the Enemy were observed also bearing E. by S., between ten or twelve miles, formed in a close Line of Battle on the starboard tack standing to the Southward. 6.40 the Victory made the signals to "Form the Order of Sailing in two columns;" and to "Prepare for Battle;" and at 6.50 to "bear up." The Victory then bore up to the Eastward, shook the reefs out of her topsails, set steering-sails, and royals, and cleared for quarters. "Soon after daylight," says Dr. Beatty, "Lord Nelson came upon deck 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 apparel3. He did not wear his sword in the Battle of Trafalgar; it had been taken from the place where it hung up in his cabin, and was laid ready on his table; but it is supposed he forgot to call for it. This was the only Action in which he ever appeared without a sword. 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

* The continuation of the Diary is from a Fac simile Copy in the possession of Philip Toker, Esq., and Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 441.

3 It is extraordinary that notwithstanding this clear and distinct statement, such ridiculous assertions should have been made by Clarke and M'Arthur, Southey, and other of Nelson's biographers, about Lord Nelson's having purposely put on his "fighting coat," and all his decorations, &c.

on this subject will be found in a subsequent page.

Some remarks

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. 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." Captain Blackwood, of the Euryalus, and the Captains of the other Frigates, were called by signal on board the Victory about eight o'clock in the morning. "At six o'clock on the morning of the 21st," says Captain Blackwood, "my signal was made to repair on board the Victory". In a few minutes I went on board, and had the satisfaction to find the Admiral in good, but very calm spirits. After receiving my congratulations at the approach of the moment he so often and so long had wished for, he replied, ‘I mean to-day to bleed the Captains of the Frigates, as I shall keep you on board until the very last minute.' His mind seemed entirely directed to the strength and formation of the Enemy's Line, as well as to the effects which his novel mode of attack was likely to produce. He seemed very much to regret, and with reason, that

4 On the 21st of October, 1757, Lord Nelson's maternal uncle, Captain Suckling, in the Dreadnought, in company with two other Line-of-Battle Ships, attacked and beat off a French Squadron of four Sail of the Line, and three Frigates, off Cape François. See the Memoir of Captain Suckling, in the "Naval Chronicle," vol. xiv. p. 265.

5 Dr. Beatty's Narrative, pp. 12, 13.

6 The Euryalus' Log shows that Clarke and M'Arthur mistook the time when Captain Blackwood went on board the Victory; and it appears that none of the Captains of the other Frigates went to the Admiral before eight o'clock. Monday, 21st October.-"At daylight the body of the Enemy's Fleet, E.S.E. 5 or 6 milesEnglish Fleet, W.S.W. A.M. at 8 observed the British Fleet forming their lines, the headmost Ships from the Enemy's centre 8 or 9 miles-the Enemy's force consisting of thirty-three Sail of the Line, five frigates, and two Brigs. Light winds and hazy, with a great swell from the Westward-English Fleet, all sail set, standing towards the Enemy, then on the starboard tack. At 8.5 answered Lord Nelson's signal for the Captain, who went immediately on board the Victory-took our station on the Victory's larboard quarter, and repeated the Admiral's signals." Euryalus' Log. Before Captain Blackwood left his Ship for the Victory, he wrote to his wife the following note:

86 Monday Morning.

"The last 24 hours has been hard and anxious work for me; but we have kept sight of them, and are this moment bearing up to come to Action. Lord Nelson 27 Sail of the Line. French 33 or 4. I wish the six Sail we have at Gibraltar were here. My signal just made on board Victory; I hope, to order me to a vacant Line-of-Battle Ship. Adieu my dearest wife, your Henry will not disgrace his name; and if he dies, his last breath will be devoted to the dearest of dear wives. Take care of my boy; make him a better man than his father. Most affectionately and very [?] your husband, H. BLACKWOOD."Autograph in the possession of the Honourable Lady Blackwood.

the Enemy tacked to the Northward, and formed their Line on the larboard, instead of the starboard tack, which latter line of bearing would have kept the Straits' Mouth open; instead of which, by forming to the Northward, they brought the shoals of Trafalgar and St. Pedro under our lee; and also, with the existing wind, kept open the Port of Cadiz, which was of infinite consequence to them. This movement was in a great degree the cause of Lord Nelson's making the signal to Prepare to Anchor', the necessity of which was impressed on his mind to the last moment of his life; and so much did he think of the possibility of the Enemy's escape into Cadiz, that he desired me to employ the Frigates, as much as I could, to complete the destruction of the Enemy, whether at anchor or not; and not to think of saving Ships or men, for annihilation to both was his first object, and capture but a secondary one"."

Dr. Beatty says, "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 cabin for a few minutes, where he wrote the following Prayer, and Codicil to his Will;"

PRIVATE DIARY.

[Autograph, or fac simile Copy, in the possession of Philip Toker, Esq.]

Monday, October 21st, 1805.

At daylight saw the Enemy's Combined Fleet from East to E.S.E.; bore away; made the signal for Order of Sailing, and to Prepare for Battle; the Enemy with their heads to the Southward: at seven the Enemy wearing in succession. May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious Victory; and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after Victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet. For myself, individually, I commit my

7 Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii., p. 443. See also Captain Blackwood's letter after the Battle, in a subsequent page.

This portrait is now in the possession of Mrs. Smith, of Twickenham. • Beatty's Narrative, pp. 13, 14.