Horatio Nelson



Horatio Nelson


Nelson was born in Norfolk in 1758, the son of Reverend Edmund Nelson and Catherine Nelson (nee Suckling). The sixth of eleven children, Nelson was educated at Paston Grammar School and Norwich School before joining the navy at the age of 12.

His first role in the navy was as an Ordinary Seaman/Coxswain on the ship Raisonnable where he quickly rose to the role of Midshipman which allowed him to start training as an officer. His uncle (Maurice Suckling) was originally his Captain on the Raisonnable but, after he became the Navy’s Comptroller in 1775 he was able to give his nephew some help in rising through the ranks. So, Nelson was a Post-Captain by the age of 20.

In 1784 Nelson was in charge of the Boreas which served in the West Indies. During his time with this frigate he met his wife Frances Nisbet and married in the Caribbean in 1787. Following a period without a ship Nelson returned to service in charge of the gun ship Agamemnon. Britain was now at war and at this stage Nelson lost his eye when he was hit by debris from a cannon shot.

During the next few years Nelson's reputation as an effective commander was born and he was knighted following his actions of the Battle of Cape St Vincent. Now a Rear Admiral he lost most of his right arm during the battle to take over Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This did not later prevent Nelson from successfully winning the Battle of the Nile against the France which led to him being given the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile.

In 1797 Nelson was sent to Naples to help rescue the royal family from the French - it is here that he fell in love with Emma Hamilton, the great love of his life. When he returned to Britain in 1800 he was to live with Emma Hamilton and they had a daughter (Horatia). It is thought that this flaunting of convention led the Navy to send Nelson back to sea where he took part in the Battle of Copenhagen - his success here led to him being created Commander In Chief of the Baltic Sea and he was made Viscount Nelson in 1801.

Following the activities of Napoleon Nelson was ordered to defend the English Channel against invasion. During an armistice period he returned back to land where he became involved in politics before returning to sea as Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean. At this time he was given command of HMS Victory and was promoted to Vice Admiral.

1805 saw the Battle of Trafalgar against Napoleon - Nelson’s last battle. During the battle the Victory was hit by French sniper shot at close quarters and Nelson was shot. He died a few hours later shortly after the British won the battle. His body was returned to England in a barrel of rum (to preserve it) where Nelson was given a state funeral. Nelson’s last words are a source of much discussion to this day - did he say ‘Kiss me Hardy’ to Victory’s Captain? It is generally thought that he did utter this phrase but that they were not his last words.