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An action during the Napoleonic War, 1803–1815. On 15 September 1805 Nelson re-hoisted his flag in the 'Victory', 100 guns, at Portsmouth and sailed to join Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood and re-assume command of the Mediterranean fleet off Cadiz on 28 September. On the same day, Vice-Admiral Villeneuve was ordered to sail from Cadiz for the Mediterranean with just his French ships. However, the Spanish were determined to accompany him. On the morning of 21 October the British found the Franco-Spanish Allied fleet, which reversed its course northwards towards Cadiz, forming into a disordered single column on the port tack. The British fleet was in two parallel lines, the left-hand or windward column being led by Nelson in the 'Victory', the right-hand by Collingwood in the 'Royal Sovereign', 100 guns.
This painting is a bird's-eye view and shows the Franco-Spanish line being broken in two places. The division in the distance was led by Collingwood, and that in the foreground by Nelson. In the right foreground are the Allied fleet's van ships. Almost in the centre the 'Victory' rakes Admiral Villeneuve's flagship 'Bucentaure', 80 guns, from astern as she breaks from right to left through the Franco-Spanish line at the head of Nelson's division. Astern of the 'Victory', Nelson's line streams out to the right. Beyond the 'Victory' are the rest of the Allied fleet, some in action with the 'Royal Sovereign', together with the leading ships of the British line.
Title
The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805: Beginning of the Action
Date
c.1808
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 71.2 x W 101.6 cm
Accession number
BHC0548
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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