The Death of Lord Nelson eBook

William Beatty
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 58 pages of information about The Death of Lord Nelson.

The Death of Lord Nelson eBook

William Beatty
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 58 pages of information about The Death of Lord Nelson.

Wednesday, Oct. 16th.  Moderate breezes westerly.  All the forenoon employed forming the Fleet into the order of sailing.  At noon fresh breezes W.S.W. and squally.  In the evening fresh gales.  The Enemy as before, by signal from Weazle.

Thursday, Oct. 17th.  Moderate breezes north-westerly.  Sent the Donegal to Gibraltar, to get a ground-tier of casks.  Received accounts by the Diligent storeship, that Sir RICHARD STRACHAN was supposed in sight of the French Rochefort squadron; which I hope is true.

Friday, Oct. 18th.  Fine weather:  wind easterly.  The Combined Fleets cannot have finer weather to put to sea.

Saturday, Oct. 19th.  Fine weather:  wind easterly.  At half past nine the Mars, being one of the look-out ships, made the signal that the Enemy were coming out of port.  Made the signal for a general chace S.E.  Wind at south; Cadiz bearing E.S.E. by compass, distance sixteen 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, Belleisle, Leviathan, Bellerophon, and Polyphemus, to go ahead during the night, and to carry a light, standing for the Straits’ mouth.

Sunday, Oct. 20th.  Fresh breezes S.S.W., and rainy.  Communicated with Phoebe, Defence, and Colossus, who saw near forty sail of ships of 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 nine sail outside 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 N.E. 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 BRONTE to prevent them.  At five telegraphed Captain BLACKWOOD, that I relied upon his keeping sight of the Enemy.  At five o’clock Naiad made the signal for thirty-one sail of the Enemy N.N.E.  The frigates and look-out 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 S.W.; and at four wore and stood to the N.E.

Monday, Oct. 21st.  At day-light saw Enemy’s Combined Fleets 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.

* * * * *

Then follow the Prayer and Codicil already inserted in pages 14 and 15 of the Narrative, which conclude HIS LORSHIP’S manuscript.

FOOTNOTES: 

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Death of Lord Nelson from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.