ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1926, Page 12

ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE

WHAT WE OWE TO NELSON

HIS NBVBE FADING FAME.

Had it not beea for the victory won at the Battle of Trafalgar one hundred and twenty-one years ago to-day, New Zealand might well have passed into foreign hands and never have become one of the jewels of the British Empire. For Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar established once and for all Britain's naval supremacy and rendered possible the vast expansion of the greatest Empire that the world has known. As long as the British Empire endures the memory of Nelson and of his famous victory at Trafalgar will be kept green. The local celebration of Trafalgar Day may not amount to much—a few flags and suitable references in the schools and colleges, but thoughts turn instinctively to the heart of the British Empire—to London, where, in Trafalgar square, Nelson's lofty monument rears its head proudly to the sky and from the summit of which Nelson himself looks down over the city for the continuance of whose greatness and wealth he was largely responsible. Around that monument this anniversary, as on all previous anniversaries, will be deposited wreaths from all parts of the globe, New"1 Zealand included, and again will be brought to mind the immortal epic of Trafalgar, and homage will be paid to the memory of the victorious admiral. NELSON'S ORE AT CAREER. Every British-born schoolboy, and schoolgirl, too, knows and is rightly thrilled by the story of Horatio Nelson—how he went to sea at the age of twelve and roue to he the greatest of England's many great admirals. Well known, too, is the story of how he lost an "eye through an injury by a, splinter of gravel and how that blind eye was utilised for his telescope when he had no wish to see a signal which wou!4 have robbed him of one of his numerous victories, and how he lost his right arm. The history book, too, re■cords that when Napoleon threatened to become the Dictator of Europe, it was Britain's sea power and Nelson's leadership ■which- prevented him achieving his object. To invade England a fleet was necessary, but how could that -fleet operate when Britain -held command of tb3 sea? Time after time Nelson inflicted crushing blows upon the enemy, seeking them out first in this harbour and then in that, until his name became a terror to Britain's foes. Finally, in 1805, the French and Spanish fleets under Villeneuve, having previously effected a junction, were watched off Cadiz in Spain by the ever-vigi-lant English fleet under Nelson. Urged by positive and repeated orders to put to sea, Villeneuve did so on 20th October, although reluctantly—and Nelson's opportunity, for which he had waited so long, had come. Of the combined French and Spanish ships there were thirty-three; with Nelson there were twenty-seven. HOW TRAFALGAR WAS WON. At daybreak on 21st October the two fleets met off Cape Trafalgar, and Nelson, who several days before had given out and explained the plan of attack, at once made the signal to bear up towards the enemy. The wind was very light and it was noon before the lee division of the fleet under Colling wood, in the Royal Sovereign, broke through the rear of the FrancoSpanish line. Nelson, with the other division, had "reserved to himself the duty of overawing the van, till, convinced that they had no immediate intention of turning to support thrair rear, he bore up and threw himself on their centre. As the Victory passed astern of yilleneuve's flagship she fell foul of the Redoubtable, of seventy-four guns, and her quarter-deck became exposed to the musketry fire from the Redoubtable's tops. Nelson, while standing speaking to Captain Hardy, fell mortally wounded by a shot on the left shoulder which, striking obliquely downwards, passed through the spine. He was carried below and died some three hours later just as' the battle ended. He lived long enough to know that his.famous signal, "England expects every man to do his duty,'' had been faithfully carried out, and that the enemy's fleet had been decisively defeated and all but annihilated. Nelson'f body was brought to England and, after lying in state at Greenwich, was interred with much pomp in the crypt «f St. Paul's Cathedral. There a gorgeous monument was erected to his memory, but the most striking of all the many memorials is the column in Trafalgar square. THE VICTORY. The Victory, Nelson 'p flagship, that sole and revered - remnant of "the wooden walls of Old England" of Nelson's day, has found a last and permanent resting place in dry dock in Portsmouth Harbour. There, an inspiration to the present generation and to generations yet to come, she lies and sees the passing to and fro of Britain's present naval might, of submarine and battleship, and of all the host of craft that lie between these two extremes, which, although unknown in the days of - Trafalgar, help to preserve the fruits of victory won by Nelson and his gallant crew.