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Horatio Nelson Biography

Horatio Nelson Image

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount, noted admiral, born at Burnham Thorpe, England, Sept. 29, 1758; died Oct. 21, 1805. He was the son of Edmund Nelson, entered the royal navy at the age of twelve years as midshipman, and in 1773 accompanied the Arctic exploring expedition under Commodore Phipps. His industry and aptitude caused him to be promoted lieutenant in 1777, two years later he became post captain, and shortly after secured command of a frigate in the Leeward Islands. In 1793 he became commander of the Agamemnon, a vessel with sixty-four guns, and at once sailed for Corsica, where he aided in the sieges of Bastia and Calvi. On Feb. 11, 1797, he displayed marked efficiency at the battle of Cape St. Vincent, which was followed by a promotion to the rank of rearadmiral, and the following year he obtained a famous victory over the French in the battle of the Nile. This success caused him to be granted the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile and an annual pension of $10,000. Shortly after he succeeded in expelling the French from Naples, and was awarded an estate valued at $15,000 a year by the king of Naples, and received the dukedom of Bronte. His next success was achieved in 1801, when he struggled with much bravery against the Danish fleet at Copenhagen, and by his masterful ability succeeded in shattering the naval forces of Denmark, which had long threatened the rise of English naval power.

When war broke out anew against France and Spain, Nelson was given command of the naval forces in the Mediterranean, where he successfully blockaded Toulon for several years. On March 30, 1805, the French fleet effected its escape from the blockade, and was soon after joined by the Spanish squadron that had been located at Cadiz. The two now sailed across the Atlantic to the West Indies, where Nelson pursued them, and to evade battle they hastened back to Europe, taking a position at the Spanish batteries at Cadiz. The Spanish fleet was commanded by Gravina and the French by Villeneuve. On October 19 they ventured from their position at Cadiz, and on the morning of October 21 a decisive battle took place off Cape Trafalgar, in which the English fleet won a decisive victory. However, Nelson was wounded by a musket-ball and died amid the most celebrated victory of his life. Nelson is described as a sailor of great foresight, intuitive decision, and promptness in carrying forward his designs. The remains were taken to England and buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, where a beautiful monument has been erected to his memory