 Section 1 of The Death of Lord Nelson This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Death of Lord Nelson by William Beattie Authentic narrative of The Death of Lord Nelson with the circumstances preceding, attending and subsequent to that event. The professional report of his lordship's wound and several interesting anecdotes by William BTMD, Surgeon to the Victory in the Battle of Trafalgar and now physician to the fleet under the command of the Earl of St Vincent KB to the public. The surgeon of the late illustrious Lord Nelson fills himself called upon from the responsible situation which he hailed on the eventful day of 21st October 1805 to lay before the British nation the following narrative. It contains an account of the most interesting incidents which occurred on board the victory, Lord Nelson's flagship from the time of her sailing from England in the month of September till the day of the battle inclusively. With the detail of the particulars of his lordship's death the mode adopted for preserving his revered remains during the subsequent long passage of the victory to England and the condition of the body when it was deposited in Greenwich Hospital. This short statement of facts is deemed a small but necessary tribute of respect to the memory of the departed hero as well as a professional document which the public had a right to expect from the man who had the melancholy honour of being his principal medical attendant on that occasion and is presumed to be not unappropriately concluded by observations on his state of his lordship's health for some time previous to his fall with his habits of life and other circumstances strongly proving that few men had a greater prospect of attaining longevity on which account his premature death is the more to be deplored by his country. It was originally intended that this narrative should be published in the Life of Lord Nelson undertaken by the Reverend J. S. Clarke and J. M. Arthur Esquire and it will still form a part of that work but from the length of time from which necessarily elapsed before so extensive and magnificent a publication can be completed the author has induced to print in a separate form. Narrative Lord Nelson sailed from St. Helens in the victory with the Eurylius frigate on the morning of the 15th of September 1805 to take the command of the British fleet cruising before Cadiz. On the 18th he appeared off Plymouth where he was joined by his majesty's ship Thundera and Ajax with which he proceeded for his destined station. On the 20th he communicated by private signal with the squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Sterling which passed within a few miles of the victory and the same day at noon spoke his majesty's ship Le Decade having onboard Rear Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton who was on his return to England for the recovery of his health. Some bad weather and adverse winds were experienced by the victory in crossing the Bay of Biscay and on the 27th Capes and Vincent were seen. Lord Nelson had dispatched Eurylius ahead on the preceding day to acquaint Admiral Collingwood with his approach and to direct that no salute should take place nor any public compliments be paid to his flag on his assuming the command as he wished the enemy to be kept ignorant of a reinforcement being received by the British fleet. In the evening of the 28th the victory joined the fleet now consisting of 27 ships of the line including the Victory, Ajax and Thunderer. The city of Cadiz was seen distant about 15 miles with combined fleets at anchor and Admiral Louis with five or six ships under his command close ensure watching the motions of the enemy. On the 29th prompt and decisive measures were adopted to prevent the enemy from receiving any supplies or provisions by sea which his lordship was informed they were very much distressed for. Cruisers were stationed off the Cape St. Vincent, St. Mary's and Trafalgar and the frigates Eurylius and Hydra were ordered to keep off the entrance of Cadiz. His lordship now retired with the fleet to the vicinity of Cape St. Mary's about 50 or 60 miles westward of Cadiz keeping up a constant communication with the frigates ensure by means of three or four ships of the line placed at convenient intervals for distinguishing the signals of each other. The distance from the enemy's port was preserved by his lordship to prevent them from being speedily acquainted with the force of the fleet under his command and that he might avoid the necessity of bearing up in bad weather and running with the fleet through the straits of Gibraltar when the westerly gales prevailed as the inconvenience of being forced into the Mediterranean had been felt by former commanders in chief and would now have afforded a favourable opportunity to the enemy of affecting their escape from Cadiz or at all events have rendered their obtaining supplies less difficult. On the 1st of October Admiral Louis joined the fleet with a part of his squadron the Canopus Spencer and Tigra from before Cadiz and departed the next day with those ships the Queen and the Zealous for Gibraltar to procure a supply of provisions, stores and water which they were much in want of. On the 4th he rejoined with their squadron having received intelligence from the Uriolas by telegraph that the French ships in Cadiz were embarking their troops and preparing to sail. Lord Nelson however conceived this to be merely intended as a stratagem to draw him nearer to Cadiz for the purpose of obtaining a knowledge of his force and therefore directed Admiral Louis to proceed in the execution of the orders before delivered to him. Between the 7th and 13th his lordship was reinforced by the Royal Sovereign the Belize, Defiance, Agamemnon and Africa from England and the Leviathan from Gibraltar the Agamemnon Sir Edward Berry joined on the 13th with intelligence that she had been chased on the coast of Portugal before by an enemy squadron consisting of 6th sail of the line. On the 13th in the evening Sir Robert Calder in his majesty ship The Prince of Wales was parted company with the fleet on his return to England. His departure Lord Nelson had some days before evinced an anxious wish to procrastinate and was heard that very day to declare his firm belief that the combined fleets would be at sea in the course of 10 days or a fortnight. On the 18th the Donegal, Captain Malcolm left the fleet for Gibraltar. On the 19th his majesty ships The Colossus, Mars, Defence and Agamemnon formed the cordon of communication with the frigates in shore. The fleet was lying too. About half past nine in the morning the Mars being one of the ships nearest to the fleet repeated the signal from the ships further in shore that the enemy were coming out of port. Lord Nelson immediately ordered the general signal to be made with two guns for a chase in the south east quarter. The wind was now very light and the breeze is partial mostly from the south south west. The fleet made all possible sail and about two o'clock the Colossus and Mars repeated signals from the ships in shore communicating the welcome intelligence of the enemy being at sea. This cheered the minds of all on board with the prospect of realising those hopes of meeting the enemy which had been so long and so sanguinly entertained. It was well known to his lordship that all the enemy ships had the iron hoops on their Mars painted black whereas the British ships with the exception of the Belize Polyphemus had theirs painted yellow and as he described that this would serve for a very good mark of distinction in the heat of battle he had made known his circumstances to the fleet and ordered the Belize and Polyphemus to paint their hoops yellow but the evening being far advanced when the signal was made to them for this purpose his lordship fearing that it might not be distinctly understood sent the entrepreneur cutter to them to communicate the order. During the night the fleet continued steering to the south east under all sail in expectation of seeing the enemy and at daybreak on the 20th found itself in the entrance of the straits of Gibraltar but nothing of the enemy to be discovered. The fleet now war and made sail to the north west and at seven in the morning the Phoebe was seen making signals for the enemy bearing north. At eight o'clock the victory hoved to and Admiral Collingwood with the captains of the Mars, Colossus and Defense came on board to receive instructions from his lordship. At eleven minutes past nine they returned to the 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 lookout 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 tomorrow 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 Urylus communicated intelligence by telegraph that the enemy appeared determined to go back 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 Urylus 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 his 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 of course wearing and making or shortening of sail and signals communicating such changes were repeated by the lookout ships from the Urylus 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 affect their retreat fiver 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 laboured tack with their heads to the northward carrying their top sails and fore sails and anxiously expecting the dawn of the 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 They consisted of 33 ships of the line four of which were three deckers and one of 70 guns The strength of the British fleet was 27 ships of the line seven of which were three deckers and three of 64 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 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 daylight 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 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 20 sail of the line He afterwards pleasantly observed that on the 21st of October was the happiest day in the year among his family He did not assign the reason of this His lordship had previously entertained a strong pre-sentiment that this would prove the auspicious day and had several times said to Captain Hardy and Dr 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 13 ships was led by Admiral Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign and the Weather line composed of 14 ships by the commander-in-chief of 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 committed to paper the following short but devout and fervent ejaculation which must be universally admired as truly characteristic of the Christian hero and the codicil to his will which follows it 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 tarnished and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet For myself individually I commit my life to him that made me and may his blessing alight for my endeavours for serving my country faithfully To him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend Amen, Amen, Amen October 21st 1805 Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton widow of the right honourable Sir William Hamilton have been of the very greatest service to my king and country to my knowledge without ever receiving any reward from either king or country First that she obtained the king of Spain's letter in 1796 to his brother the king of Naples and quating him of his intention to declare war against England from which letter the ministry sent out orders to the then Sir John Gervis to strike a stroke if opportunity offered against either of the arsenals of Spain or her fleets that neither of these was done is not the fault of Lady Hamilton the opportunity might have been offered Secondly the British fleet under my command could never have returned the second time to Egypt had not Lady Hamilton's influence with the Queen of Naples caused letters to be wrote to the governor of Syracuse that he was to encourage the fleets being supplied with everything should they put into any port in Sicily We put into Syracuse and received every supply went to Egypt and destroyed the French fleet Could I have rewarded the services I would not now call upon my country but as that has not been in my power I leave Emma, Lady Hamilton therefore a legacy to my king and country that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life I also leave to the beneficence of my country my adopted daughter, Horatia Nelson-Thompson and I desire she will use in future the name of Nelson only These are the only favours I ask of my king and country at this moment when I am going to fight their battle May God bless my king and country and all those I hold dear My relations it is needless to mention they will of course be amply provided for Witness Henry Blackwood, T. M. Hardy The prayer and codicil were both written with his lordship's own hand within three hours before the commencement of the engagement As the victory drew near to the enemy his lordship accompanied by Captain Hardy and the captains of the four frigates Uriolas, Nyad, Sirius and Phoebe who had been called on board by signal to receive instructions visited the different decks of the ship He addressed the crew at their several quarters punishing them against firing a single shot without being sure of their object and expressed himself to the officers highly satisfied with the arrangements made at their respective stations It was now plainly perceived by all on board the victory that from the very compact line which the enemy had formed they were determined to make one great effort to recover in some measure their long lost naval reputation They wore in succession about twenty minutes past seven o'clock and stood on the labored tack with the heads towards Cadiz They kept a good deal of sail set steering about two points from the wind with top sail shivering Their van was particularly closed having the Santissima Trinidada and the Bucantor, the ninth and ten ships The latter, the flagship of the Admiral Villanverve but as the admirals of the combined fleets declined showing their flags till the heat of the battle was over the former of these ships was only surprised by her having four decks and Lord Nelson ordered the victory to be steered for her bow End of Section 1 Recording by FNH visit www.bookranger.co.uk Section 2 of The Death of Lord Nelson This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Death of Lord Nelson by William Beattie Section 2 Several officers of the ship now communicated to each other their sentiments of anxiety for his lordship's personal safety to which every other consideration seemed to give way Indeed all were confident of gaining a glorious victory but the apprehensions for his lordship were great and general and the surgeon made known to Dr. Scott his fears that his lordship would be made the object of the enemy's marksman and his desire that he might be entreated by somebody to cover the stars on his coat with a handkerchief Dr. Scott and Mr. Scott the public secretary both observed however that such a request would have no effect as they knew his lordship's sentiments on the subject so well that they were sure he would be highly displeased with whoever should take the liberty of recommending any such change in his dress on this account and when the surgeon declared to Mr. Scott that he would avail himself of the opportunity of making his sick report for the day to submit his sentiments to the admiral Mr. Scott replied Take care, doctor, what you are about I would not be the man to mention such a matter to him The surgeon, notwithstanding persisted in his design and remained on deck to find a proper opportunity for addressing his lordship but this never occurred as his lordship continued occupied with the captains of the frigates to whom he was explaining his intentions respecting the services they were to perform during the battle till a short time before the enemy opened their fire on the royal sovereign when Lord Nelson ordered all persons not stationed on the quarter deck or poop to repair to their proper quarters and the surgeon much concerned at this disappointment retired from the deck with several other officers The boats on the quarter deck of the ship being found in the way of the guns were now lowered down and towed astern Captain Blackwood of the Uralis remained on board the victory till a few minutes before the enemy began to fire upon her He represented to his lordship that his flagship would be singled out and much pressed by the enemy and suggested the propriety therefore of permitting one or two of the ships of the line to go ahead of the victory and lead her into action which might be the means of drawing in some measure of the enemy's attention from her To this lord Nelson assented and at half past nine o'clock he ordered the Temeraire and the Leviathan by signal the former of which ships being close to the victory was hailed by his lordship to go ahead for that purpose but from the libraries that prevailed they were unable not withstanding their utmost efforts to attain their intended stations Captain Blackwood foresaw that this would be the case and as the victory still continued to carry all her sail he wished Captain Hardy to acquaint his lordship that unless her sail was in some degree shortened the two ships that mentioned could not succeed in getting ahead previously to the enemy's line being forced this however Captain Hardy declined doing as he conceived his lordship's ardour to get into battle would on no account suffer for such a measure About half an hour before the enemy opened their fire the memorable telegraphic signal was made that England expects every man will do his duty which was spread and received throughout the fleet with enthusiasm it is impossible adequately to describe by any language the lively emotions excited in the crew of the victory when this propitious communication was made known to them confidence and resolution were strongly portrayed in countenance of all and the sentiment generally expressed to each other was that they would prove to their country that day how well British seamen could do their duty when led to battle by their revered admiral the signal was afterwards made to prepare to anchor after the close of the day and Union Jacks were hoisted at the four top mast and top gallant stays of each ship to serve as a distinction from the enemy in conformity with the orders previously issued by the commander in chief by his lordship's directions also the different divisions of the fleet hoisted the St George's or white enzyme being the colours of the commander in chief to prevent confusions from occurring during the battle through a variety of national flags the Royal Sovereign now made the signal by telegraph that the enemy's commander in chief was in a frigate this mistake arose from one of their frigates making many signals Lord Nelson ordered his line to be steered about two points more to the northward than that of his second in command for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the enemy's van to the port of Cadiz which was the reason of the three leading ships of Admiral Collingwood's line being engaged with the enemy previously to those of the commander in chief's line the enemy began to fire on the Royal Sovereign at 30 minutes past 11 o'clock in 10 minutes after which she got under the stern of St Anna and commenced to fire on her Lieutenant Pascoe signal officer of the victory was heard to say while looking through his glass there is a top gallant yard gone his lordship eagerly asked whose top gallant yard is gone is it the Royal Sovereign's and on being answered by Lieutenant Pascoe in the negative and that it was the enemy's he smiled and said Collingwood is doing well at 50 minutes past 11 the enemy opened their fire on the commander in chief they showed great coolness in the commencement of the battle as the victory approached their line their ships lying immediately ahead of her and across her bowels fired only one gun at a time to ascertain whether she was yet within their range this was frequently repeated by eight or nine of their ships to let length a shot pass through the victory's main top gallant sail the hole in which being discovered by the enemy they immediately opened their broadsides supporting an awful and tremendous fire in a very short time afterwards Mr. Scott public secretary to the commander in chief was killed by a cannon shot while in conversation with Captain Hardy Lord Nelson being then near them Captain Adair of the Marines with his assistance of a seaman endeavored to remove the body from his lordship's sight but he had already observed the fall of his secretary and now said with anxiety is that poor Scott that is gone and on being answered in the affirmative by Captain Adair he replied poor fellow Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy walked the quarter deck in conversation for some time after this while the enemy kept up an incessant raking fire a double headed shot struck one of the parties of Marines drawn up on the poop and killed eight of them when his lordship perceiving this ordered Captain Adair to disperse his men around the ship they might not suffer so much from being together in a few minutes afterwards a shot struck the four brace bits on the quarter deck and passed between Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy a splinter from the bits bruising Captain Hardy's foot and tearing the buckle from his shoe they both instantly stopped and were observed by the officers on deck to survey each other with inquiring looks each supposing the other to be wounded his lordship then smiled and said this is too warm work Hardy to last long and declared that through all the battles he had been in he had never witnessed more cool courage than was displayed by the victory's crew on this occasion the victory by this time having approached close to the enemy's van had suffered very severely without firing a single gun she had lost about twenty men killed and about thirty wounded her mizzen topmaster and all her studying sails and their booms on both sides were shot away the enemy's fire being chiefly directed at her rigging with a view to disabling her before she could close with them at four minutes past twelve o'clock she opened fire from both sides of her decks upon the enemy when Captain Hardy represented to his lordship that it appeared impractical to pass through the enemy's line without going on board some one of their ships Lord Nelson answered I cannot help it it does not signify which we should run on board of go on board whichever one you please take your choice at twenty minutes past twelve the tiller ropes being shot away Mr Atkinson the master was ordered below to get the helm put to port which was being done the victory was soon run on board the redoubtable of seventy four guns on coming alongside and nearly on board of her that ship fired her broadside into the victory and immediately let down her lower deck ports which as has been since learnt was done to prevent her from being boarded through them by the victory's crew she never fired a great gun after this single broadside a few minutes after this the temer air fell likewise on board of the same redoubtable on the opposite side to the victory having also an enemy's ships said to be la forgère on board of her on her other side so that the extraordinary and unprecedented circumstance occurred here of four ships of the line being on board of each other in the heat of battle forming as compact a tear as if they had been moored together their heads laying all the same way the temer air as was just before mentioned was between the redoubtable and la forgère the redoubtable commenced a heavy fire of musketry from the tops which was continued for a considerable time with destructive effect upon the victory's crew her great guns however being silent it was supposed at different times that she had surrendered and in consequence of this opinion the victory twice ceased firing upon her by orders transmitted from the quarter deck at this period scarcely a person in the victory escaped unhurt who was exposed to the enemy's musketry but there were frequent hazards and cheers heard from between the decks in token of the surrender of different of the enemy's ships an incessant fire was kept up from both sides of the victory her labored guns played into the Santissima Trinidadre and into the Bochenterre and the starboard guns of the middle and lower decks were depressed and fired with a diminished charge of powder and three shot each into the redoubtable this mode of firing was adopted by Lieutenant's Williams, King, Ewell and Brown to obviate the danger of the temer air's suffering which was shot passing through the redoubtable which must have been the case if the usual quantity of powder and the common elevation had been given to the guns a circumstance occurred in this situation which showed in a most striking manner the cool intrepid nature of the officers and men stationed on the lower deck of the victory when the guns on this deck were run out their muzzles came into contact with the redoubtable side and consequently at every discharge there was reason to fear that the enemy would take fire and both the victory and the temer air would be involved in her flames here then was seen the astonishing spectacle of the fireman of each gun standing ready with a bucket full of water which as soon as the gun was discharged he dashed into the enemy through the holes made in her side by the shot it was from this ship, the redoubtable that Lord Nelson received his mortal wound about 15 minutes past one o'clock which was in the heat of the engagement he was walking the middle of the quarter deck with Captain Hardy and in the act of turning near the hatchway with his face towards the stern of the victory when the fatal ball was fired from the enemy's mizzen top which from the situation of the two ships lying on board of each other was brought just a bathed and rather below the victory's main yard and of course not more than 15 yards distant from that part of the deck where his lordship stood the ball struck the epaulet on his left shoulder and penetrated his chest he fell with his face on the deck Captain Hardy who was on his right the side furthest from the enemy and advanced some steps before his lordship on the turning round saw the sergeant seeker of marines with two seamen raising him from the deck where he had fallen on the same spot on which a little before he breathed his last with whose blood his lordship's clothes were much soiled Captain Hardy expressed a hope that he was not severely wounded to which the gallant chief replied they have done for me at last Hardy I hope not answered Captain Hardy yes replied his lordship my backbone is shot through Captain Hardy ordered the seamen to carry the admiral to the cockpit and now two incidents occurred strikingly characteristic of this great man and strongly marking the energy and reflection which in his heroic mind rose superior even to the immediate consideration of his present awful condition while the men were carrying him down the ladder from the middle deck his lordship observed that the tiller ropes were not yet replaced and desired one of the midshipmen stationed there to go upon the quarter deck and remind Captain Hardy of that circumstance and request that new one should be immediately rove having delivered this order he took his handkerchief from his pocket and covered his face with it that he might be conveyed to the cockpit at this crisis unnoticed by the crew several wounded officers and about 40 men were likewise earned to the surgeon for assistance just at this time and some others had breathed their last during the conveyance below among the latter were Lieutenant Andrew Ram and Mr Whipple Captain's Clerk the surgeon had just examined these two officers and found that they were dead when his attention was arrested by several of the wounded calling to him Mr Beattie, Lord Nelson is here Mr Beattie, the Admiral is wounded the surgeon now on looking round saw the handkerchief fall from his lordship's face when the stars on his coat which also had been covered by it appeared Mr Burke the Persa and the surgeon ran immediately to the assistance of his lordship and took him from the arms of the seaman who had carried him below in conveying him to the midshipman's birth they stumbled but recovered themselves without falling Lord Nelson then inquired who was supporting him and when the surgeon informed him his lordship replied Mr Beattie, you can do nothing for me I have but a short time to live my back is shot through the surgeon said he hoped the wound was not so dangerous as his lordship imagined and that he might still survive long to enjoy his glorious victory the Reverend Dr Scott who had been absent in another part of the cockpit administering lemonade to the wounded now came instantly to his lordship and in the anguish of grief rung his hands and said Alas Beattie, how prophetic you were alluding to the apprehensions expressed by the surgeon for his lordship's safety previous to the battle his lordship was laid upon a bed stripped of these clothes and covered with a sheet while this was affecting he said to Dr Scott Doctor, I told you so Doctor, I am gone and after a short pause he added in a low voice I have to leave Lady Hamilton and my adopted daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country the surgeon then examined the wound assuring his lordship that he would not put him to much pain in endeavouring to discover the course of the ball which he soon found had penetrated deep into the chest and had probably lodged in the spine this being explained to his lordship he replied he was confident his back was shot through the back was then examined externally but without any injury being perceived on which his lordship was requested by the surgeon to make him acquainted with all of his sensations he replied that he felt a gush of blood every minute within his breast that he had no feeling in the lower part of his body and that his breathing was difficult and attended with very severe pain about the part of his spine where he was confident that the ball had struck for said he I felt it break my back these symptoms but more particularly the gush of blood which his lordship complained of together with the state of the pulse indicated to the surgeon the hopeless situation of the case but till after the victory was ascertained and announced to his lordship the true nature of the wound was concealed by the surgeon from all on board except for only Captain Hardy Doctor Scott, Mr Burke and Mrs Smith and Westenberg the assistant surgeons his crew cheered whenever they observed the enemy's ship surrender on one of these occasions Lord Nelson anxiously inquired what was the cause of it when Lieutenant Pascoe who lay wounded at some distance from his lordship raised himself up and told him that another ship had struck which appeared to give him much satisfaction he now felt an ardent thirst and frequently called for drink and to be fanned with paper making use of these words fan, fan and drink, drink this he continued to repeat when he wished for a drink or for the refreshment of cool air till a very few minutes before he expired lemonade and wine and water were given to him occasionally he invinced great solicitude for the event of the battle and fears for the safety of his friend Captain Hardy Dr Scott and Mr Burke used every argument they could suggest to relieve his anxiety Mr Burke told him the enemy were decisively defeated and that he hoped his lordship would still live to be himself the bearer of joyful tidings to his country he replied it is nonsense Mr Burke to suppose I can live my sufferings are great but they will all be over soon Dr Scott entreated his lordship not to despair of living he said he trusted that divine providence would restore him once more to his dear country and friends ah doctor replied his lordship it is all over it is all over many messages were sent to Captain Hardy by the surgeon requesting his attendance on his lordship who became impatient to see him and often exclaimed well no one bring Hardy to me he is surely destroyed the captain's aide to camp Mr Berkeley now came below and stated that circumstances respecting the fleet required Captain Hardy's presence on deck but that he would avail himself of the first favourable moment to visit his lordship on hearing him deliver this message to the surgeon his lordship inquired who had brought it Mr Burke answered it is Mr Bulkley my lord it is his voice replied his lordship and then he said to the young gentlemen remember me to your father end of section 2 recording by FNH visit www.bookranger.co.uk section 3 of the death of Lord Nelson this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain if you have any information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by FNH the death of lord Nelson by William Beattie section 3 an hour and ten minutes however elapsed from the time of his lordships being wounded before captain Hardy's first subsequent interview with him the particulars of which are nearly as follow they shook hands affectionately and lord Nelson said well Hardy how goes the battle how goes the day with us very well my lord replied captain Hardy we have got twelve or fourteen of the enemies ships in our possession but five of their van have tacked and show an intention of bearing down upon the victory I have therefore called two or three of our fresh ships around us and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing I hope said his lordship none of our ships have struck Hardy no my lord replied captain Hardy there is no fear of that lord Nelson then said I am a dead man Hardy I am going fast it will all be over with me soon come nearer to me pray let my dear lady Hamilton have my hair and all other things belonging to me Mr Burke was about to withdraw from the government of this conversation but his lordship perceiving his intention desired he would remain captain Hardy observed that he hoped Mr Beatty could yet hold out some prospect of life oh no answered his lordship it is impossible my back is shot through Beatty will tell you so captain Hardy then returned on deck and at parting shook hands again and more requested the surgeon who had been previously absent a short time attending Mr Rivers to return to the wounded and give his assistance to such of them as he could be useful to for he said you can do nothing for me the surgeon assured him that the assistant surgeons were doing everything that could be affected for these unfortunate men but on his lordships several times repeating his injunctions to this purpose he was wounded by Dr Scott Mr Burke and two of his lordships domestics after the surgeon had been absent for a few minutes attending Lieutenant's peak and Reeves of the Marines who were also wounded he was called by Dr Scott to his lordship who said ah Mr Beatty I have sent for you to say what I forgot to tell you before that all power of motion and feeling below my breast are gone very well know I can live but a short time the emphatic manner in which he pronounced these last words left no doubt in the surgeon's mind that he adverted to the case of a man who had some months before received a mortal injury of the spine on board the victory and had laboured under similar privations of sense and muscular motion the case had made a great impression on Lord Nelson he was anxious to know the cause of such symptoms which was accordingly explained to him and he now appeared to apply the situation and fate of this man to himself the surgeon answered my lord you told me so before but he now examined the extremities to ascertain the fact when his lordship said ah Beatty I am too certain of it Scott and Burke have tried it already you know I am gone the surgeon replied my lord unhappily for our country nothing can be done for you and having made this declaration he was so much affected that he turned round and withdrew a few steps to conceal his emotions his lordship said I know it I feel something rising in my breast putting his hand on his left side which tells me I am gone drink was recommended liberally and Dr. Scott and Mr. Burke fanned him with paper he often exclaimed God be praised I have done my duty and upon the surgeons inquiring whether his pain was still great he declared it continued so very severe that he wished he was dead yet he said in a lower voice one would like to live a little longer too and after a pause of a few minutes he added in the same tone what would become of poor Lady Hamilton if she knew my situation the surgeon finding it impossible to render his lordship any further assistance left him to attend Lieutenant Bly Mrs. Smith and Westfield midshipman and some seamen recently wounded Captain Hardy now came to the cockpit to see his lordship a second time which was after an interval of about 50 minutes from the conclusion of his first visit before he quitted the deck he sent Lieutenant Hills to acquaint Admiral Collingwood with the lamentable circumstance of Lord Nelson's being wounded Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy shook hands again and while the captain retained his lordship's hand he congratulated him even in his arms of death on his brilliant victory which he said was complete though he did not know how many he had captured as it was impossible to perceive every ship distinctly he was certain however of 14 or 15 having been surrendered his lordship answered that is well but I bargained for 20 and then emphatically exclaimed anchor Hardy anchor to this the captain replied I suppose my lord Admiral Collingwood will now take it upon himself the direction of affairs not while I live I hope Hardy cried the dying chief and at that moment endeavoured to ineffectually to raise himself from the bed no he added do you anchor Hardy Captain Hardy then said shall we make the signal sir yes answered his lordship for if I live I'll anchor the enigmatic manner in which he uttered these last orders to Captain Hardy accompanied with his efforts to raise himself evinced his determination never to resign the command while he retained the exercise of his transcendent faculties and that he expected Captain Hardy still to carry into effect the suggestions of his exalted mind a sense of his duty overcoming the pains of death he then told Captain Hardy he felt that in a few minutes he should be no more adding in a low tone don't throw me overboard Hardy the captain answered oh no certainly not you know what to do and continued he take care of my dear lady Hamilton Hardy take care of poor lady Hamilton kiss me Hardy the captain now knelt down and kissed his cheek when his lordship said I'm satisfied thank God I have done my duty Captain Hardy stood for a minute or two in silent contemplation he then knelt down again and kissed his lordship's forehead his lordship said who is that the captain answered it is Hardy to which his lordship replied God bless you Hardy after this affecting scene Captain Hardy withdrew having spent about eight minutes in his last interview with his dying friend Lord Nelson now desired Mr. Chevalier his steward to turn him upon his right side which being affected his lordship said I wish I had not left the deck for I shall soon be gone he afterwards became very low his breathing was oppressed and his voice faint he said to Dr. Scott Doctor I have not been a great sinner and after a short pause remember I leave Lady Hamilton and my daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country and he added never forget Horatia his thirst was now increased and he called for drink drink fan fan and rub rub addressing himself in the last case to Dr. Scott who had been rubbing his lordship's breast and from which he found some relief these words he spoke in a very rapid manner which rendered his articulation difficult but he every now and then with evident increase of pain made a greater effort with his vocal powers and pronounced distinctly these last words thank God I have done my duty and this great sentiment he continued to repeat as long as he was able to give it utterance his lordship became speechless in about 15 minutes after Captain Hardy left him Dr. Scott and Mr. Burke who had all along sustained the bed under his shoulders which raised him in a nearly semi-recumbent posture the only one which was supportable to him forbode to disturb him by speaking to him and when he had remained speechless for about 5 minutes his lordship's steward went to the surgeon who had been a short time occupied with the wounded in another part of the cockpit and stated his apprehensions that his lordship was dying the surgeon immediately repaired to him and found him on the verge of dissolution he knelt down by his side and took up his hand which was cold and the pulse gone from the wrist the surgeon's feeling his forehead which was likewise cold his lordship opened his eyes looked up and shut them again the surgeon left him and returned to the wounded but was not absent 5 minutes before the steward announced to him that he believed his lordship had expired the surgeon returned and found that the report was but too well founded his lordship had breathed his last at 30 minutes past 4 o'clock at which period Dr. Scott was in the act of rubbing his lordship's breast and Mr. Burke supporting the bed under his shoulders died this matchless hero after performing in a short but brilliant and well filled life a series of naval exploits unexampled in any age of the world none of the sons of fame ever possessed even greater zeal to promote the honour and interest of the king and country none ever served them with more devotedness and glory all with a more successful and important results his character will forever cast a luster over the annals of this nation to whose enemies his very name was a terror in the battle of Capes and Vincent though then in a subordinate station of a captain his unprecedented personal prowess will long be recorded with admiration among his profession the shores of Abuka and Copenhagen subsequently witnessed those stupendous achievements which struck the whole civilised world with astonishment still these were only preludes to the battle of Trafalgar in which he shone with a majesty of dignity as far surpassing even his own former renown as that renown had already exceeded everything else to be found in the pages of naval history the transcendently brightest star in a galaxy of heroes his splendid example will operate as an everlasting impulse to the enterprising genius of the British Navy from the time of his lordships being wounded till his death a period of about 2 hours and 45 minutes elapsed but a knowledge of his decisive victory which he had gained he acquired of Captain Hardy within the first hour and a quarter of this period a partial cannonade however was still maintained in consequence of the enemy's running ships passing the British at different points and the last distant guns which were fired at their vanships that were making off were heard a minute or two before his lordship expired a steady and continued fire was kept up by the victorious starboard guns on the Redoubtable for about 15 minutes after Lord Nelson was wounded in which short period Captain Adair and about 18 seamen and marines were killed and Lieutenant Bly, Mr Palmer midshipman and 20 seamen and marines wounded by the enemy's musketry alone the Redoubtable had been on fire twice in her four chains and on her four castle she had likewise succeeded in throwing a few hand grenades into the victory which had set fire to some ropes and canvas on the booms the cry of fire was now circulated throughout the ship and even reached the cockpit without producing the degree of sensation which might be expected on such an awful occasion the crew soon extinguished the fire on the booms and then immediately turned their attention to that on board the enemy which they likewise put out by throwing buckets of water from the gangway into the enemy's chains and four castle thus furnishing another admirable instance of deliberate intrebity at 30 minutes past one o'clock the Redoubtable's musketry having ceased and her colours being struck the victory men endeavoured to get on board her but this was found impracticable for though the two ships were in contact and the two ships were in contact with the enemy though the two ships were in contact yet the top sides or upper works of both fell in so much on their upper decks that there was a great space perhaps 14 feet or more between their gangways and the enemy's ports being down she could not be boarded from the victory's lower or middle deck several seamen volunteered their services to Lieutenant Quilliam to jump overboard swim under the Redoubtable's bowels and endeavour to get up there but Captain Hardy refused to permit this the prize however and the victory fell off from each other and their separation was believed to be the effect of the concussion produced by the victory's fire assisted by the helm of the latter being put to starboard Mrs. Ogilvy and Collingwood midshipmen of the victory were sent in a small boat to take charge of the prize which they affected after this the ships of the enemy's van that had shown a disposition to attack the victory passed to Windward and fired their broadsides not only into her and the Temeraire but also into the French and Spanish captured ships indiscriminately and they were seen to back or shiver their top sails for the purpose of doing this with more precision the two midshipmen of the victory had just boarded the Redoubtable and got their men out of the boat when a shot from the enemy's van ships that were making off cut the boat adrift about ten men after taking possession of her a midshipman came to her from the Temeraire and had hardly ascended the poop when a shot from one of those ships took off his leg the French officers seeing the firing continued on the prize by their own countrymen entreated the English midshipmen to quit the deck and accompany them below the unfortunate midshipmen of the Temeraire was carried to the French surgeon who was ordered to give his immediate attendance to him in preference to his own wounded his leg was amputated but he died the same night the Redoubtable suffered so much from shot received between wind and water that she sunk while in tow of the swift shore on the following evening when the gale came on and out of a crew originally consisting of more than 800 men only about 130 were saved but she had lost above 300 in the battle it is by no means certain though highly probable that Lord Nelson was particularly aimed at by the enemy there were only two Frenchmen left alive in the Misen Top of the Redoubtable at the time of his lordships being wounded and by the hands of one of these he fell these men continued firing at Captain's Hardy and Adair Lieutenant Rotley of the Marines and some of the midshipmen on the victory's poop for some time afterwards at length one of them was killed by a musket-ball and on the others then attempting to make his escape from the top down the rigging Mr Pollard, midshipman fired his musket at him and shot him in the back when he fell dead from the shrouds on the Redoubtable's poop the writer of this will not attempt to depict a heart-rending sorrow a melancholy gloom which pervaded the breast and the countenance of every individual on board the victory when his lordship's death became generally known the anguish felt by all for such a loss rendered doubly heavy to them is more easy to be conceived than described by his lamented fool they were at once deprived of their adored commander and their friend and patron the battle was fought in soundings about sixteen miles to the westward of Cape Trafalgar and if fortunately there had been more wind in the beginning of the action it is very probable that Lord Nelson would still have been saved to his country and that every ship of the line composing the combined fleets would have been either captured or destroyed for had the victory been going fast through the water she must have dismastered the Redoubtable and would of course have passed on to attack another ship consequently his lordship would not so long have been exposed to the enemy's musketry from the same circumstances there being little wind several of the enemy ships made off before the rear and bad sailing ships of the British line could come up to secure them the victory had no musketry in her tops as his lordship had a stronger version to small arms being placed there from the danger of their setting fire to the sails which was exemplified by the destruction of the friendship the Achille in this battle it is a species of warfare by which individuals may suffer and now and then a commander be picked off but it never can decide the fate of a general engagement and a circumstance in winny respect similar to that of the victories running on board of the Redoubtable may not occur again in the course of centuries the loss sustained by the victory amounted to 55 killed and 102 wounded and it is highly honourable to the discipline and established regulations of the ship that not one casualty from accident occurred on board during the engagement on the day after the battle as soon as circumstances permitted the surgeon to devote a portion of his attention to the care of Lord Nelson's honoured remains measures were adopted to preserve them as effectually as the means on board the victory allowed on the surgeons examining the nature of the wound and the course of the ball a quantity of blood was evacuated from the left side of the breast none had escaped before the ball was traced by a probe to the spine but its lodgement could not at that time be discovered there was no lead on board to make a coffin a cast called a Liga the largest size on ship board was therefore chosen for the reception of the body which after the hair had been cut off was stripped of the clothes except the thin shirt and he was put into it and the casque was then filled with brandy End of Section 3 Recording by FNH Visit www.bookranger.co.uk Section 4 of Lord Nelson This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Death of Lord Nelson by William Beattie Section 4 In the evening after this melancholy task was accomplished the gale came on with violence from the south west and continued that night and the succeeding day without any abatement During this boisterous weather Lord Nelson's body remained under the charge of a sentinel on the middle deck The casque was placed on its end having a closed aperture at its top and another below The object of which was that as a frequent renewal of the spirit was thought necessary the old could thus be drawn off below and a fresh quantity was introduced above without moving the casque or occasioning the least agitation of the body On the 24th there was a disengagement of air from the body to such a degree that the sentinel became alarmed on seeing the head of the casque raised He therefore applied to the officers who were under the necessity of having the casque spilled to give the air a discharge After this no considerable collection of air took place The spirit was drawn off once and the casque filled again before the arrival of the victory at Gibraltar on the 28th of October where the spirit of wine was procured and the casque showing a deficit produced by the bodies absorbing a considerable quantity of the brandy was then filled up with it On the 29th the victory's seamen and marines dangerously wounded in the action were sent on shore to the naval hospital at Gibraltar The interval between this day and the 2nd of November was employed in repairing the damage sustained by the ship erecting jury masks, fitting her rigging and completing her in every respect for the voyage to England On the 2nd of November preparations were made on board to receive the wounded from the hospital who had unanimously and treated Captain Hardy not to leave them behind but their embarkation could not be affected this day and the victory was to quit the anchorage in Gibraltar Bay to make room for the disableships and prizes daily arriving she sailed in the evening for Tutawan Bay for the purpose of taking on board a supply of fresh water and awaiting there for a favourable wind to pass the straits During the night however and before the victory gained the coast of the Barbary the wind which had blown for several days from the west shifted to the eastward and the waves sprung up she therefore changed her course and stood back again for Gibraltar where she arrived early in the morning she then lay too in the bay without anchoring and the boats were immediately sent on shore for the wounded who were all brought off by noon except 5 of the worst cases who could not be removed In the afternoon the victory and the Belize sailed from Gibraltar Bay during the night of the 4th the next day at noon they joined the squadron under the command of Admiral Collingwood then cruising off Cadiz from which they parted company the same evening and pursued their course together for England When the victory had preceded some weeks on her voyage adverse winds and tempestuous weather having prolonged the passage much beyond the period that is generally expected it was thought proper to draw off the spirit from the cast containing Lord Nelson's body and renew it and this was done twice On these occasions Brandy was used in the proportion of two-thirds to one spirit of wine At length the victory arrived at Spithead after a tedious passage of nearly five weeks from Gibraltar and as no instructions respecting his lordship's remains were received at Portsmouth while the ship remained there and orders being transmitted to Captain Hardy for her to proceed to the North The surgeon represented to him the necessity of examining the state of the body Common report giving reason to believe that it was intended to lie in state at Greenwich Hospital and to be literally exposed to the public On the 11th of December therefore, the day on which the victory sailed from Spithead for the North Lord Nelson's body was taken from the cask in which it had been kept since the day after his death On inspecting it externally it exhibited a state of perfect preservation without being in the smallest degree offensive There were, however, some appearances that induced the surgeon to examine the condition of the bowels which were found to be much decayed and likely in a short time to communicate the process of putrification to the rest of the body The parts already injured were therefore removed It was at this time that the fatal ball was discovered It had passed through the spine and lodged in the muscles of the back towards the right side and a little below the shoulder blade A very considerable portion of the gold lace, pad and lining of the epaulet with a piece of the coat was found attached to the ball The lace of the epaulet was as firmly so as if it had been inserted into the metal while in a state of fusion The following is the professional report on his lordship's wound and death made by the surgeon on this occasion His majesty's ship Victory at sea 11 December 1805 About the middle of the action with the combined fleets on the 21st of October last the late illustrious commander-in-chief Lord Nelson was mortally wounded in the left breast by a musket ball supposed to be fired from the mizzen top of the redoubtable French ship of the line which the victory fell on board of early in the battle His lordship was in the act of turning on the quarter-deck and his face towards the enemy when he received his wound He instantly fell and was carried to the cockpit where he lived for about two hours On being brought below he complained of acute pain about the sixth or seventh dorsal vertebrae and of privation of sense and motion of the body and inferior extremities His respiration was short and difficult pulse weak small and irregular He frequently declared his back was shot through that he felt every instant a gush of blood within his breast and that he had sensations which indicated to him the approach of death In the course of an hour his pulse became indistinct and was gradually lost in the arm his extremities and forehead became soon afterwards cold He retained his wanted energy of mind and exercise of his faculties till the last moment of his existence and when the victory as signal as decisive was announced to him he expressed his pious acknowledgements and heartfelt satisfaction at the glorious event in the most emphatic language He then delivered his last orders and with his usual precision and in a few minutes afterwards expired without a struggle course and sight of the ball as ascertained since death the ball struck the full part of his lordship's epaulet and entered the left shoulder immediately before the processus acronom scapulae which it slightly fractured It then descended obliquely into the thorax fracturing the second and third ribs and after penetrating the left lobe of the lungs and dividing in its passage a large branch of the pulmonary artery it entered the left side of the spine between the sixth and seventh dorsal vertebrae fractured the left transverse process of the sixth dorsal vertebrae wounded the mendula spinalis and fracturing the right transverse process of the seventh vertebrae made its way from the right side of the spine directing its course through the muscles of the back and lodged therein about two inches below the inferior angle of the right scapulae On removing the ball a portion of the gold lace and pad of the epaulet together with a small piece of his lordship's coat was found firmly attached to it Signed W. B. T. The remains were wrapped in cotton vestments and rolled from head to foot with bandages of the same material in the ancient mode of embalming The body was then put into a leaden coffin filled with brandy holding in solution camphor and myrrh This coffin was enclosed in a wooden one and placed in the after part of his lordship's cabin where it remained till the 21st of December when an order was received from the amorty for the removal of the body The coffin that had been made from the main mass of the French commander ship Lyorient was presented to his lordship by his friend Captain Hollowell after the battle of the Nile being then received on board the leaden coffin was opened and the body taken out when it was found still in most excellent condition and completely plastic The features were somewhat tumid from absorption of the spirit but on using friction with a napkin they resumed in a great degree their natural character All the officers of the ship and several of his lordship's friends as well as some of Captain Hardys who had come on board the victory that day from the shore were present at the time of the bodies being removed from the leaden coffin and witnessed its undercaged state after a lapse of two months since death which excited the surprise of all who beheld it This was the last time the mortal part of the lamented hero was seen by human eyes As the body, after being dressed in a shirt, stockings uniformed small clothes and waistcoat neckcloth and nightcap was then placed in a shell made from leorant mast and covered with the shrouding This was enclosed in the leaden coffin which was soldered up immediately and put into another wooden shell in which manner it was sent out of the victory into Commissioner Grey's yacht which was hauled alongside for that purpose In this vessel the revered remains were conveyed to the Greenwich Hospital attended by the Reverend Dr. Scott and Mrs. Tyson and Whitby Lord Nelson had often talked with Captain Hardy on the subject of his being killed in battle which appeared indeed to be a favourite topic of conversation with him He was always prepared to lay down his life in the service of his country and whenever it should please Providence to remove him from this world it was the most ambitious wish of his soul to die in the fight and in the very hour of a great and signal victory In this he was gratified his end was glorious and he died as he lived one of the greatest among men The following prayer found in his Lordship's memorandum book was written with his own hand on the night of his leaving Merton at one of the places where he changed horses supposed to be Guilford and later joined the victory at Portsmouth is highly illustrative of the sentiments of combined piety and patriotic heroism with which he was inspired Friday night 13th September Friday night at half past ten drove from dear, dear Merton where I left all which I could hold dear in the world to go serve my king and country May the great God whom I adore enable me to fulfill the expectations of my country and if it is his good pleasure that I should return my thanks will never cease being offered up to the throne of his mercy But if it is his good providence to cut short my days upon earth I bow with a greatish submission relying that he will protect those so dear to me that I may leave behind his will be done Amen Amen His lordship had on several occasions told Captain Hardy that if he should fall in battle in a foreign climate he wished his body to be conveyed to England and that if his country should think proper to inter him at the public expense he wished to be buried in St Paul's as well as that his monument should be erected there He explained his reasons for preferring St Paul's to Westminster Abbey which was rather curious He said that he remembered hearing it stated as an old tradition when he was a boy that Westminster Abbey was built on a spot where once existed a deep morass and he thought it likely that the lapse of time would reduce the ground on which it now stands to its primitive state of a swamp without leaving a trace of the abbey He added that his actual observations confirmed the probability of this event He also repeated to Captain Hardy several times during the last two years of his life Should I be killed Hardy and my country not bury me you know what to do with me meaning that his body was in that case to be laid by the side of his fathers in his native village of Burham Thorpe in Norfolk and this as has been mentioned he averted to in his last moments An opinion has been very generally entertained that Lord Nelson's state of health and supposed infirmities arising from his former wounds and hard services precluded the probability of his long surviving the battle of Trafalgar had he fortunately escaped the enemy's shot but the writer of this can assert that his lordship's health was uniformly good with the exception of some slight attacks of indisposition arising from accidental causes and which never continued of two or three days nor confined him in any degree with respect to either exercise or regime and during the last 12 months of his life he complained only three times in this way it is true that his lordship about the meridian of life had been subjected to frequent fits of gout which disease however as well as his constitutional tendency to it he totally overcame by abstaining for the space of nearly 10 years from animal food and wine and all other fermented drink confining his diet to vegetables and commonly milk and water and it is also a fact that early in life when he first went to sea he left off the use of salt which he then believed to be the sole cause of scurvy and never took it afterwards with his food his lordship used a great deal of exercise generally walking on deck was in the day he always rose early for the most part shortly after daybreak he breakfasted in summer about six and at seven in winter and if not occupied in reading or writing dispatches or examining into the details of the fleet he walked on the quarter deck with a greater part of the forenoon going down to his cabin occasionally to commit to paper such incidents or reflections might be the hereafter useful to the service of his country he dined generally about half past two o'clock at his table there were seldom less than eight or nine persons consisting of the different officers of the ship and when the weather and the service permitted he very often had several of the admirals and captains of the fleet to dine with him who were mostly invited by signal the rotation of seniority was commonly observed by his lordship in these invitations at dinner he was alike affable and attentive to everyone he ate very sparingly himself the liver and the wing of a fowl and a small plate of macaroni in general composing his meal during which he occasionally took a glass of champagne he never exceeded four glasses of wine after dinner and seldom drank three and even these were diluted with either Bristol or common water few men subject to the vicissitudes of a naval life equalled his lordship in an habitual systematic mode of living he possessed such a wonderful activity of mind as even prevented him from taking ordinary repose seldom enjoying two hours of uninterrupted sleep and on several occasions he did not quit the deck during the whole night at these times he had no pains to protect himself from the effects of the wet or the night air wearing only a thin great coat and he has frequently after having his clothes wet through with rain refused to have them changed saying that the leather waistcoat which he wore over his flannel one would secure him from complaint he sailed and wore boots and was consequently very liable to have wet feet when this occurred he had often been known to go down to his cabin throw off his shoes and walk on the carpet in his stockings for the purpose of drying the feet of them he chose rather to adopt this uncomfortable expedient than to give his servants the trouble of assisting him to help put on fresh stockings which from having only one hand he could not himself conveniently affect from these circumstances it may be inferred that though lord Nelson's constitution was not that of the kind which is generally denominated strong yet it was not very susceptible of complaint from the common occasional causes of disease necessarily attending a naval life the only bodily pain which his lordship felt in consequence of his many wounds was a slight rheumatic affection of the stump of his amputated arm on any sudden variation in the state of the weather experienced by those who have had the misfortune to lose a limb after the middle age his lordship usually predicted an alteration in the weather with as much certainty from the feeling of transient pains in this stump as he could by his marine barometer from the indications of which later he kept a diary of the atmospheric changes which was written with his own hand his lordship had lost his right eye by a contusion which he received at the siege of Calvi in the island of Corsica the vision of the other was likewise considerably impaired he always therefore wore a green shade over his forehead to defend this eye from the effects of strong light but as he was in the habit of looking much through a glass while on deck there is little doubt that had he lived a few years longer and continued at sea he would have lost the sight in this eye totally had on the occasion of his opening his lordship's body an opportunity of acquiring an accurate knowledge of the sound and healthy state of the thoratic and abdominal viscara none of which appeared to have been the seat of inflammation or disease there were no morbid indications to be seen other than those unavoidably attending the human body six weeks after death even under circumstances more favourable for his preservation the heart was small and dense in its substance its valves, pericardium and the large vessels were sound and firm in their structure the lungs were sound and free from abhesions the liver was very small in its colour natural firm in its texture and every way free from the smallest appearance of disorganisation the stomach as well as the spleen and other abdominal contents was alike free from the traces of disease indeed all the vital parts were so perfectly healthy in their appearance and so small that they resembled more those of a youth than a man who had attained his 47th year which state of the body associated with habits of his favourable life and health gives every reason to believe that his lordship might have lived to a great age the immediate cause of his lordship's death was a wound of the left pulmonary artery which poured out its blood into the cavity of the chest the quantity of blood thus effused did not appear to be very great but as the hemorrhage was from a vessel so near the heart and the blood was consequently lost in a very short time it produced the death sooner than would have been affected by a larger quantity of blood lost from an artery in a more remote part of his body the injury done to his spine must of itself have proved mortal but his lordship might perhaps have survived this alone for two or three days though his existence protracted even for that short period would have been miserable to himself and highly distressing to the feelings of all around him W. B. T. End of Section 4 Recording by FNH visit www.bookranger.co.uk Section 5 of The Death of Lord Nelson This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by FNH The Death of Lord Nelson Section 5 Appendix Instructions Issued by Lord Nelson to the admirals and captains of his fleet several days previous to the battle Victory Ofcadiz 10th October 1805 General Memorandum sent to the commanders of ships thinking it almost impossible to bring a fleet of 40 sail of the line into a line of battle in variable winds, thick weather and other circumstances which must occur with such a loss of time that the opportunity would be lost of bringing the enemy to battle in such a manner as to make the business decisive I have therefore made up my mind to keep the fleet in the position of sailing with the exception of the first and second in command that the order of the sailing is to be the order of battle Placing the fleet in two lines of 16 ships each is the second squadron of eight of the fastest sailing two deck ships which will always make if wanted a line of 24 sail on whichever line the commander in chief may direct The second in command will after my intentions are made known to him have the entire direction of his line to make the attack upon the enemy and to follow up the blow until they are captured or destroyed If the enemy's fleet should be seen to windward in line of battle and that the two lines in advanced squadron could fetch them they will probably be so extended that their van could not sucker their rear I would therefore probably make the second in command signal to lead through about their twelfth ship from the rear or wherever he could fetch if not able to get so far advanced My line would lead through about their centre and the advanced squadron to cut three or four ships ahead of their centre so as to ensure getting at their commander in chief on whom every effort must be made to capture The whole impression of the British fleet must be to overpower from two or three ships ahead of their commander in chief supposed to be in the centre to the rear of their fleet I will suppose 20 sail of the enemy's line to be untouched it must be some time before they could perform a manoeuvre to bring their force compact to attack any part of the British fleet engaged or to sucker their own ships which indeed would be impossible without mixing with the ships engaged The enemy's fleet is supposed to consist of 46 sail of the line British 40 If either less only proportion number of the enemy's ships are to be cut off British to be one fourth superior to the enemy cut off Something must be left to chance Nothing is sure in a sea fight Beyond all others Shot will carry away mass and yards of friends as well as foes But I look with confidence to a victory before the van of the enemy can sucker their rear and then that the British fleet would most of them be ready to receive their 20 sail of the line or to pursue them should they endeavour to make off If the van of the enemy tack the captured ships must run to leeward of the British fleet If the enemy were the British must place themselves between the enemy and captured and disabled British ships And should the enemy close I have no fear for the result The second in command will in all possible things direct the movements of his line by keeping them so compact as to the nature of the circumstances will admit Captains are to look for their particular line as their rallying point But in case signals cannot be seen or clearly understood No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of an enemy The divisions of the British fleet will be brought nearly to within gunshot of the enemy's centre The signal will be made for the lee line to bear up together to set all their sail even the studding sails in order to get as quickly as possible to the enemy's line and to cut through beginning from the 12th ship from the enemy's rear Some ships may not get through their exact place but they will always be at hand to assist their friends If any are thrown in the rear of the enemy they will effectively complete the business of 12 sail of the line Should the enemy wear together or bear up and sail large still the 12 ships composing in the first position of the enemy's rear are to be the object of the attack of the lee line unless otherwise directed by the commander in chief which is scarcely to be expected as the entire management of the lee line after the intentions of the commander in chief are signified is intended to be left to the admiral commanding that line The remainder of the enemy's fleet 34 sail are to be left to the management of the commander in chief who will endeavour to take care that the movements of the second in commander are as little interrupted as possible Nelson and Bront by command of the vice admiral J.N.O. Scott Memorandum Book The following interesting extracts are faithfully copied from his lordship's memorandum book written entirely with his own hand Saturday September 14th 1805 At six o'clock arrived at Portsmouth and having arranged all my business embarked at the bathing machines with Mr. Rose and Mr. Canning who dined with me At two got on board the victory at St. Helens Wednesday, September 25th 1805 Light airs southerly saw the rock of Lisbon south-southeast ten leagues At sunset the captain of the Constance came on board and sent my letters for England to Lisbon and wrote to Captain Sutton and the consul The enemy's fleet had not left Cadiz on the 18th of this month therefore I hope yet they will await my arrival Saturday, September 28th 1805 Fresh breezes north-northwest At daylight bore up and made sail At nine saw the Etna cruising At noon saw 18 sail nearly calm In the evening joined the fleet under Vice Admiral Collingwood saw the enemy's fleet in Cadiz amounting to 35 or 36 sail of the line Sunday, September 29th fine weather Gave out the necessary orders for the fleet sent Eurelius to watch the enemy with the Hydra off Cadiz Wednesday, October 9th Fresh breezes easterly received an account from Blackwood that the French ships had all bent their top-gallant sails sent the Pickle to him with orders to keep a good look out sent Admiral Collingwood the Nelson Truth At night wind westerly Monday, October 14th fine weather westerly wind sent Amphion to Gibraltar and Algiers enemy at the harbour's mouth placed Defense and Agamemnon from seven to ten leagues west of Cadiz and Mars and Colossus five leagues east of the fleet whose station is from 15 to 20 west of Cadiz and by this chain I hope to have a constant communication with the frigates off Cadiz Wednesday, October 16th moderate breezes westerly all the forenoon employed forming the fleet into the order of sailing at noon fresh breezes west-southwest and squally in the evening fresh gales the enemy as before by signal from Weasel Thursday, October 17th moderate breezes north westerly sent the Donegal to Gibraltar with orders to watch the enemy with orders to watch the enemy with orders to keep a good look out westerly sent the Donegal to Gibraltar to get a round tier of casks received accounts by the Diligent Storeship that Sir Richard Strachan was supposed to be incited the French Rochefort Squadron which I hope is true Friday, October 18th fine weather wind westerly the combined fleets cannot have finer weather to put to sea Saturday, October 19th fine weather wind westerly at half past nine the Mars being one of the lookout ships made the signal that the enemy were coming out of port made the signal for the general chase south-east wind at the south cadiz bearing east south-east by compass distance 16 leagues at three the Colossus made the signal that the enemy's fleet was at sea in the evening made the signal to observe my motions during the night for the Britannia, Prince and Dreadnought to take stations as most convenient and for Mars, Orion Belize, Leviathan Belafron and Polyphemus to go ahead during the night and to carry a light standing for the straits mouth Sunday, October 20th fresh breezes south south west and rainy communicated with the Phoebe defence and Colossus they saw nearly 40 sail of ships of war outside of cadiz yesterday evening but the wind being southerly they could not get out of the mouth of the strait we were between Trafalgar and Cape's Bartle the frigates made the signal that they saw nine sail outside of the harbour sent the frigates instructions for their guidance and placed the defence Colossus and Mars between me and the frigates at noon fresh gales and heavy rain cadiz northeast nine 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 Bront to prevent them at five telegraphed Captain Blackwood that I relied upon his keeping sight of the enemy at five o'clock Nyad made the signal for 31 sail of the enemy north north east the frigates and lookout ship kept sight of the enemy most admirably all night and told me by signal which tack they were upon at eight we wore and stood to the south west and at four wore and stood to the north east Monday October 21 at daylight saw enemies combine fleets from east to east south east bore away made the signal for the order of sailing and to prepare for battle the enemy with their heads to the southward at seven the enemy wearing in succession then follow the prayer and codicil already inserted into this narrative which conclude his lordship's manuscript end of section five recording by FNH visit www.bookranger.co.uk