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==The Battle==

==The Battle==

On 19 October the British observed the Franco-Spanish fleet leaving Cadiz, under orders to try to break into the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The main body of Nelson's fleet lay at anchor 48 miles off the coast and he immediately ordered pursuit. At dawn on 21 October the British fleet was only 9 miles away from the enemy, and at 11.48 am Nelson's flagship HMS ''Victory'' hoisted the signal ''England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty'' followed soon after by ''Engage the enemy more closely''. Having insufficient vessels to form the originally intended three lines, two columns were formed, led by HMS ''Victory'' and Admiral Lord collingwood's 100-gun ship of the line HMS ''Royal Sovereign''. At this angle the British guns could not be brought to bear on the enemy, who opened fire with broadsides of their own uncontested. The wind had dropped and for the British fleet the approach was slower than planned, into a storm of cannon shot. Travelling at greater speed, Collingwood's ship breached the Franco-Spanish line well ahead of the rest of his column and the ''Royal Sovereign'' suffered heavily as she quickly drew the attentions of three French and three Spanish ships. As the columns cut through the enemy line they were able to "rake" their gunfire, firing into the bow and stern of enemy ships as they passed between them, this time the enemy guns unable to return fire.

On 19 October the British observed the Franco-Spanish fleet leaving Cadiz, under orders to try to break into the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The main body of Nelson's fleet lay at anchor 48 miles off the coast and he immediately ordered pursuit. At dawn on 21 October the British fleet was only 9 miles away from the enemy, and at 11.48 am Nelson's flagship HMS ''Victory'' hoisted the signal ''England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty'' followed soon after by ''Engage the enemy more closely''. Having insufficient vessels to form the originally intended three lines, two columns were formed, led by HMS ''Victory'' and Admiral [[Cuthbert Collingwood|Lord Collingwood's]] 100-gun ship of the line HMS ''Royal Sovereign''. At this angle the British guns could not be brought to bear on the enemy, who opened fire with broadsides of their own uncontested. The wind had dropped and for the British fleet the approach was slower than planned, into a storm of cannon shot. Travelling at greater speed, Collingwood's ship breached the Franco-Spanish line well ahead of the rest of his column and the ''Royal Sovereign'' suffered heavily as she quickly drew the attentions of three French and three Spanish ships. As the columns cut through the enemy line they were able to "rake" their gunfire, firing into the bow and stern of enemy ships as they passed between them, this time the enemy guns unable to return fire.

The fighting that followed was severe and mostly at close quarters, the "pell mell" which Nelson had hoped for. Many of the British ships were seriously damaged, including ''Victory'' which had engaged the French flagship ''Bucentaure'' and the ''Redoutable''. Nelson was relying on the superior gunnery and ship handling skills of the British, which eventually forced the surrender of Villeneuve 1.45pm, although some of the Spanish ships continued to mount fierce resistance until 4.30pm. Nelson himself was shot by a French musketeer around 1.15pm, and died from his wound at 4.30pm, having been informed that the battle was won.  

The fighting that followed was severe and mostly at close quarters, the "pell mell" which Nelson had hoped for. Many of the British ships were seriously damaged, including ''Victory'' which had engaged the French flagship ''Bucentaure'' and the ''Redoutable''. Nelson was relying on the superior gunnery and ship handling skills of the British, which eventually forced the surrender of Villeneuve 1.45pm, although some of the Spanish ships continued to mount fierce resistance until 4.30pm. Nelson himself was shot by a French musketeer around 1.15pm, and died from his wound at 4.30pm, having been informed that the battle was won.