IN THE MASTERTON LIBRARY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8513, 19 August 1907, Page 5

IN THE MASTERTON LIBRARY.

No. IV—THE LIFE OF NELSON—A. T. Mahan. PART D. On January 30th, 1793, Nelsonbeing then 34 years of age, was appointed to the command of the Agamemnon—(64). On February Ist, 1793, the Republic of France declared war against Great Britain and Holland and on that day England's yet unknown champion, who for five weary years had been rusting in his father'sparsonage in Norfolk—went forth to the performance of that mighty life work, which has blazoned his name for all time upon the scroll of heroes of the world. The French people, with the wild passions of the Revolution still flaming had been brought under control; their avowed aim, having reformed themselves, was to attack all political institutions that differed from their own. This aim was maintained by their successive forms of Government, including the. culminating despotism of Napoieon. Upon Nelson devolved the task of keeping the French within bounds. In the words of Mahan —"To beat back that spirit of aggression was the mission of Nelson. Therein is found the true significance of his career, which mounts higher and higher in strenuous effort and gigantic achievement as the blast of the Revolution swells fiercer and stronger under the mighty impulse of the great Corsican. At each of the momentous crises, so far removed in time and place, at the Nile, at Copenhagen, at Trafalgar, as the unfolding drama of the age reveals to the onlooker the schemes of the Arch-planer about to touch success, over against Napoleon rises ever Nelson and as the latter in the hour of victory drops upon the stage where he has played so chief a part, his task is seen to be accomplished, his triumph secured. In the very act of dying he has dealt the foe a blow from which recovery is impossible. Moscow and Waterloo are the inevitable consequences of Trafalgar.'' Except for the "Victory," no ship is so intimately associated in the public mind with Nelson as the "Agamemnon," and in reality Nelson was more identified with the "Agamemnon" than the "Victory." In the "Victory" he was the Admiral in charge of a fleet of ships with his post captain under him. In the "Agamemnon," however, he was simply the captain, and except for short periods he had no control of other ships. He clung to the "Agamemnon" for three years, refusing larger ships, until she was so battered that she could hardly float —identified with her alone and with her crew alone, "quickening them with his own ardour, moulding them into his own image, until vessel and crew, as one living organism, reflected in act t" e htrjic and unyielding energy that inspired his feeble frame." The "Agamemnon" formed part of the Mediterranean Fictt under Admiral Lord Hood. The operations in the Mediterranean were mainly directed towards the blockading of ports, the seizure of naval stations, such as Corsica, and the interception of supplies that were being passed westward along the northern coKst for the use of the French armies. Lord Hood had

formed a very high opinion of Neland employed him en confidential diplomatic missions, end i also gave him upon occasions detailed commands of portions of the fleet. In 1794, during the siege of Calvi, he lost the sight of his right eye. It is significant of his ardour that he did not absent himself from duty on account of his injury. In 1796, owing to the successes of France upon the Continent, and to Spain having allied herself with France, the Mediterranean was temporarily abandoned by the British Fleet. During the three years in the Mediterranean Nelson's reputation had become greatly enhanced. Not a chance had he let slip in the performance of the arduous duties of blockade 'and interception. His diplomatic missions had been conducted with tact and acumen, and he had shown exceptional ability, zeal and courage during the land operations, such as the sieges of Bastia and Capri. He had also made a further definite step up in promotion, having hoisted his broad pennant as commodore some months earlier. His connection with the "Agamemnon" had ended in June, of 1796 when she was so battered that she was sent back to England, and Nelson shifted his broad pennant to the Captain (74). Admiral Sir John Jervis had meantime been appointed to the command of the Mediterranean Fleet, and it was under his command that the Mediterranean was evacuated. On February 14th, 1797, the Spanish Fleet of 27 ships was met and fought off Gape St. Vincent by the British Fleet of 15 ships. The result of this action was a complete victory for the British, the Spanish flagship L'Orient being blown up, and four ships being captured. This glorious result against such odds was in a great measure achieved by a brilliant movement executed by Nelson entirely on his own responsibility. This movement can be shortly explained. The wind was blowing from the west, and the main body of Spanish ships was sailing with it towards the east, but five of their ships were some distance in front, and were trjing to beat up against the wind to join their main fleet. The British Fleet came sailing' down from the north in single line, and passed between I two bocies of the enemy. As the ' leading British ship came close to the main body of the enemy, on its starboard or right side, it turned round to the right and sailing now towards the north made for the main Spanish fleet, and the other British ships followed the movement in turn. When the main body of the Spaniards saw this, they also turned to the north, hoping to pass behind the British Fleet to join their comrades. Nelson's ship was third from the tail of the British line, and when he saw what the enemy were up to he, instead of following his leader, turned his ship left about* and headed the Dons off. The two ships behind him followed suit and between them they fought the Spain-

ards, and effectually headed them until the main body of the British Fleet got into action. Nelson displayed superb gallantry in this action. His ship, the Captain, was quite disabled for movement, but she managed to get alungside the San Nicolas, which he boarded and captured in person. On the other side of the San Nicolas, and touching her was the San Josef. No sooner had Nelson captured the San Nicolas than he led his men over her decks on to the San Josef, and captured the latter ship also. This method of boarding one ship over the decks of another was not inaptly described as "Nelson's patent bridge." As a result of this action Nelson was made a Rear-Admiral, and received the knighthood of the Bath. From then on he was recognised by the nation as the greatest sailor of his time.