TRAFALGAR CENTENARY.

Southland Times, Issue 19681, 7 October 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAFALGAR CENTENARY.

AN IMPERIAL SIGNAL.

When the victor of Trafalgar was

about to enter action he sent up the signal we are ail so fond of quoting: “ England expects that every man will do his duty.” But this signal having been conveyed to the ships of the two great divisions of the British fleet, was naturally hauled down—a national incentive, but not necessarily a command to take precedence of all others. Ajj a, matter of fact, the Victory displayed

another signal, and this was prac-drally nailed to Ihe mast, as it was l.vpt flying

to the end of the bat tip. It is this second signal that has tin- perpetuil pk-un-ing. as although it was inteadul us i

supn-ine coiiiiiuui-l In.' 1 ; beet en*<ag<-d it may fairly bo ,-ul.ipted as the motto of the race, tl.e keynote of British Imperial Unity. “ Closer Action " was •hat signal. and it is (-’Josei’ Action ’ w<? are all aiming for to-day. in ev;.-rytli:ng that pertains to the gl»ry ami independence of our people. The day has gone by for isolated action by small communities.” has said the present Prime Minister of Australia, and such we . lay l e sure is realised generally. I'ven as the Trafalgar fleet was made up of many ships so is the Empire it was charged to defend made up of many parcels, and the signal then that brought success is the signal now that we must nail to the mast in all the affairs of our na’ionai existence. The fiagshipis Great Britain ; the ” squadron " consists of the British possession, and tl.e Hags are high mid clear—” Closer Action,” uniform action. greater cohesion, truer sympathy of tliouglit. movement anti object, lb? li.'er war mean* ” (‘loser Action ;” Mr ( hamberlain, when he spoke of ” preferential trade” meant “Closer Action.'’the heads of the Empire to-day, admirals all, mean " Closer Action ” by their various Imperial utterances anil the Imperial complexion of their policies of statecraft. ” Closer Action ” is a watchword that was uttered one hundred years ago from the masthead of the Victory, anti “ Closer Action ” cuts the wind from

the mast-head of our unity nt ’.his moment. breaking down tho barriers that have been raised to part brethren and bringing them together in the bonds of mutual help, interest, and affection.

ST. PAUL'S MOST STATELY SEPULCHRE.

The architect ot St. Paul’s lins his grave in the Cathedral which made, his name famous, and llo.s bears the unique inscription in Latin —“ H you enquite after his monument, look around.” Nelson's brave* is in the same building, and although it bears u much simpler inscription, that of Wren might also find its place there, supplemented witli the words, “ The World.” If you enquire after the Admiral's monument where it is limited to marble and granite, pause between four columns with their lofty branching arches in Wren's masterpiece, and you may behold it lettered wit.i the name he bore in life ; but if you want to see his eternal monument, look, at the British Empire, with its lofty pillars supporting the dome’ of the skies themselves, 'and, sleeping in halt the harbours of value and sweeping over every sea the Navy that carries St. George's Cross and the Mercantile Marine which, as Kipling says, weaves the web of British commerce on Neptune’s illimitable loom. Nelson's tomb at St. Paul's is a shrine

of the Race, and especially of the Service of which he was the greatest captain, and it stands over the grave into which his coffin was lowered on 9th January, 1906 by the hands of his own sailors. Tears fell with the coffin, the heralds' staves also fell, and as ’he consecrated conductor of the ceremonies uttered the words “Dust to Dust,” a 1 great choir sang the -anthem, “ I know

HISiORIC NOTES,

that my Redeemer ’liveth,” the mourners bowed their heads, and a privileged hand cast into the pit a standard of the Victory, which had previously been deprived, of many pieces to keep as mementoes. ‘ t was a great service in every way, the burial of Nelson, and not since has any public burial so stirred the hearts of so many assembled together to pay honours

ue the illustrious dead. It was a case of a great man passing in the zenith of his greatness, ere time had dulled the rdge of public appreciation and custom staled the significance of his life and actions. HOW ENGLAND DID ITS DUTY. Tho British nation cannot be accused of meanness to its great heroes. Like every other people, it has little sympathy with lack of success—it can’t afford to havehut it offers good pay for good results, and is proud to remember with gratitude those who have ' made the Flag. Lord Nelson’s life to Trafalgar was one unbroken series of successes and, rewards, and if ever there was a mutual confidence, nation and individual, it existed in regard to the people generally and himself. He ran up the signal we are all so familiar with— M England expects that every man will do his duty ’’—but ere coming on the quarterdeck for the last time, emphasised his opinion that England would alwjiys do hers in return in the expressions he used in connection with his will. Folowing his usual custom before going into battle, he took down his Bible and wrote a prayer in it for success, and then made his will, bequeathing not what he had but what in his opinion the nation would be sure to give hipi at his particular request. Thus he bequeathed Lady Hamilton and his daughter Horatio to his nation as “ a sacred charge/’ and left Ips wife and

brother out of consideration, with the mere remark, ■“ My patipn will certainly see that they are provided for.” Faith wil Nelson was a passion, and when he cried, " This day a I’eerage or Westminster,” he knew that England would do her duty no matter how it went—a greater coronet for himself if preserved and the Abeey for his ashes if it was destined that he should fall at his post. As a mister of fact, the nation awarded hi s nearest ujaje relative the coronet he had considered should follow his victory if he survived, and adopting the usual course, granted the new peer a house and a sufficient sum of money on which to maintain bls rank and position. All that it could do for the hero himself was to bury him as became the glory of his name and achievements, and this occurred on 9th January 1806, on wfiich day Nelson's funeral suspended the traffic of London, siined the nation to tho profoundest depths of rniotion, and inspired such cul -gios of pulpit and press as are not liku’.y to be repeated. The cortege extended for five miles, till it was lost in confusion, and among the chief mourners following the relatives were nearly all the Princes of England, half the nobility, scores of the Commons, and special representatives

from all the Universities of the Isles, the other learned bodies, the Bar, the Press and otifrr associations. The hearse was as shown in the sketch, and the London Times described it as fol Hows " It was modella/i gt the ends in iml-

lation of the hull of the Victory. Its head, towards the horses, was ornamented with a figure of Fame ; the stern carved and oainted in the 'naval style, with the word ‘ Victory ’ in yellow raised letters on the lanthorn over the poop ; the coffin placed on the quarterdeck with its head towards the stern, with the English Jack pendant over the poop lowered half-mast. There was an awning over the whole, consisting of an elegant canopy supported by four pillars, in the form of palm trees ; and partly covered with black velvet. The corners and sides were decorated with black ostrich feathers, and .festooned with black velvet, richly fringed, immediately over which, in the front, was inscribed in gold the word ‘Nile,’ a t one and ; on one side the following motto : ‘ Hoste devicto, re■quiovit/ behind was the word ’ Trafalgar ‘and on the other side the motto : ‘ Palmam qui meruit ferat, ’ as in the bngraving. The carriage was drawn by six led horses, in elegant furniture.” A HERO WE SHOULD NOT FORGET We are all hero-worshippers ; so much so that in our fallible minds we seldom have room for more than one hero at a time in any single affair. Thus Nelson and Trafalgar have been ” hyphened ’’ to the exclusion of every other consideration, but truth demands chat a great word should be said in. regard to Collingwood, who so ably led his half of the attacking fleet on 21st October, 1805. On the anniversary itself it may not, be possible to remember him so fully, as the greater figure will necessarily dwarf all other interests, and so time is taken by the forelock to present this splendid character in his true colours, as the right-hand man of the Admiral-in-Chief and a co-operator in his movements of almost unique sympathy. The British fleet attacked in two divisions —Nelson’s of 18 ships and Collingwood’s o: 15— and the Victory and the Royal Sovereign Uidir respective flagships. pracHcally

struck together, the effect being to throw the enemy into three confused groups. In one of Marryatt’s books the bo’sun is made to say to an admiring middy : “By heaven, Collingwood was Nelson's right-hand, and well Nelson knew it.” A noble character, too, was this great “ second-in-command,” as witness his splendid eulogy of his dead chief’s work, the careful suppression of bis own, nnd his general humility Qn succeeding to control and when the battlci was over. The clergy have manifested a desire to make the clay after the Trafalgar Centenary a time for special reference loth to the battle and Its effect on the human family under Divine Providence, but the first senmon “ preached ” on Trafalgar came from the pen of Collingwood the day. following the victory. This was in the form of a general order to (he fleet which the records give as follows : —

“I Almighty God, whose arm is strength, having of His great mercy been ule a sed td' crown the exertions of his Majesty’s fleet with success in giving t'-em a complete vfetory over their enemies on the 21st of this month ; and that all praise and thanksgiving may be offered up to the Throne of .Grace for the gycat benefits to our country and mankind, I have thought proper that a day should be appointed of general humiliation before God, tnd thanksgiving fqr this His merciful goodness, imploring forgiveness pf our sins, a continuation of His divine mercy, and His constant aid co us in )lie defence of our country’s liberties and laws, without which the utmost efforts of man are nought ; ar.d direct, therefore, that to-morrow be appointed for this holy purpose.

“ Given on board the Euryalus, off Cape Trafalgar, 22nd Oct., 1805. “ (Signed) C. COLLINGWOOD.’'

The Euryalus became Lord Collingwood’s flagship after his aliandoqjnent, of the Royal Sovereign, which ho fought for a while in a partially dismast cd condition. With only one mast left, ha signalled the Euryalus to draw up, and shifted his flag just as the last stick of his first Command tottered.

THE ELIZABETHAN TRAFALGAR.

Though there is little that will compare in regard to tactics and details between the Armada and Trafalgar/ tho latter still revives interest in the former as being the first of the great series of British decisive battles on the sea, battles vq’iich sealed fates of national magnitude and wh ch diverted with more or loss discernibleness the current of human history. The Armada, like 'Trafalgar, has been written about and sung about, hut very seldom are the public given the plain facts as they appeared at the time and from these allowed to picture the happening for themselves. As the opportunity provides, it may be said at once that the only authoritative report of the battle of the Armada appears in

“ The English Mercuric,” a small paper of four pages, issued from Whitehall on 23rdi July, 1588. by instructions of the Government of Elizabeth and impressed with the following guarantee —” Imprinted by Christopher Barker, her Highness’ printer,- 1588.” That paper is given below in derail, subject to the suppression of a few offensive expressions as unnecessary to the record

THE ENGLISH MERCURIE. (.Published by Authority.) For the Prevention of False Reports. Whitehall, 23rd, July, .1588. Early this morning arrived a Messenger at Sir Francis Walsingham’s office, witli letters of tho 22nd, from the Lord High Admiral on board the Ark. Royal, containing the following material advices :—

On the 20th of this instant, Copt. Fleming, who had been ordered to cruise in the Chops of the Channel for discovery, brought advice into Plymouth, that- ho had descried the Spanish Armada near' the Lizard, making for . the entrance of the Channel, with a favourable gale. Though this intelligence was not received till near 4 in the afternoon, and the wind at that time blew hard into the Sound, yet. by the indefatigable care and diligence of the Lord High Admiral, the Ark Royal, with five of ‘the largest frigates, anchored out of the harbour that very evening. The next morning the greatest part of her Majesty’s fleet got out to them. They made in all SO sail, divided into four squadrons, commanded by his Lordship in person, Sir Francis Drake, Vice-Ad-miral, and the Rear-Admirals Hankins .and Frobisher. But about 1 in the afternoon, they came in sight of the Spanish Armaria two leagues to the westward of the Eddystone, sailing in the form of a half-moon, the points whereof were were seven leagues asunder. By the best computation which could be made on the sudden (Which the prisoners have since confirmed) they cannot be fewer than 150 ships of all sorts ; and several of them, called galleons and galleasses, are of a size never seen before in our seas, and appear on the surface of ihe water like floating castles. But the sailors were so far from being daunted 1-y the number and strength of the enemy, that as soon as they were discerned from the topmast head, acclamations jt joy resounded through the whole ileet. The Lord High Admiral, -observing bis general alacrity, after a Council-of-War ba' 1 boon held, directed the signal of battle to be hung out. We attacked ihe enemy’s rear with the advantage of • the wind The Earl of Cumberland, in the Defiance, gave the first fire ; my Lord Howard himself was next engaged for about three hours with Don Alphonse de. Doyva. in the St. Jaques, which would certainly have struck, if he had not been seasonably rescued by the l Ango de Moncada. In the meantime, Sir Francis Drake and the two Rear-Admirals Hawkins and Frobisher, vigorously broadsided the on-my’s stem-most ships, commanded by Vice-Admiral Recalde, winch were forced to retreat. much shattered, to the main body of their fleet, where the Duke de Medina himself commanded. After sunset we had the pleasure of seeing this invincible Armada fill all thensails to get away from us. The I.ord Admiral slackened his. in order to expect the arrival of 20 fresh frigates, with which he intends to pursue the en/’inv; whom we hope, by. the Grace of God to prevent, -from landing one man on English ground. Tn the night the . t. Francis galleon, of which Don Pedro de Valdez was captain, fell in with Vice Admiral Drake, who took her after a stout resistance. She was disa.ile rom keeping up with the rest of the fleet by an accident'which happened to hu, o springing her foremast. She .armed. 50 guns and 500 men, both so d.ers andmariners. The captors found on -boar 5000 gold ducats. which they shared amongst, them after bringing her into ’ Xh*preparations have been long made, by her Majesty’s wikdom and

per instructions how to behave, in case’ a descent cannot be prevented, till a greiater force may be drawn together, and several of the principal of her Majesty’s Council and the nobility have raised troops of horse at their own charge, well trained and officered, which are ready to take the field at an hour’s wnr-njng. The Queen was pleased to review them last week in the Park, and expressed the highest satisfaction at their gallant appearance ; insomuch, that by God’s blessing there is no doubt but this unjust and daring enterprise of the King of Spam will turn out to his everlasting shame- and dishonour, as all ranks of people, without respect of religion, seem resolute to defend the sacred person of their sovereign and the laws and liberties of this ’ country against all foreign invaders. Ostend, 27th July, N.S. J Nothing is now talked about in these parts but the intended invasion of England. His Highness the Prince of Parma has completed his preparations, of which the following account may be depended upon as exact and authentityue. Thd army designed for the expedition is selected out of all the Spanish troops in the Netherlands, and consists of 30,000 foot and 1800 horse. At Nieuport are quartered 30 companies of Italians, 10 of Walloons, and eight of Burgundians, commanded by Camp-master General Camillo de Monte. At Dixmuyde lie ready 80 companies of Flemings, 60 of Spaniards, GO of Germans and above 700 hundred fugitive English, and headed’* by the two arch-traitors, the Ear/ of Westmoreland and Sir William Stanley. Besides these, 4000 men out of the old Spanish Brigade arc lodged in the suburbs of Corrick, and 900 Reifters at Watene, together with the Marquis de Guaft, General of the Cavalry. Volunteers of the first quality are arrived from different . countries, to share in the honour of this j enterprise, as the Duke of Pastrana, the Marquis of Brisgawj (son to the Archduke Ferdinand), Don Juan de Medicis, Don Amadeus Bastar'd of Savoy, besides many others of less note, whom we have not room to enumerate. For ■he transportation of these forces, vessels of all sorts are prepared at Dunkirk, Antwerp, and Nieuport/ fitted up with all manner of conveniences ; the flat-bottomed boat 4 for the cavalry have bridges fixed to them, for the more easy shipping or disembarkation of horses. The transports for the foot contain each two ovens to » <ke bread, in case they should be kept longer at sea than they hope to be. Twenty thousand casks .are provided at Graveling, with nails and cordage, which can soon be thrown into the- form of a bridge ; and a great pile of fascines is erected near Nieuport, designed for the filling up of ditches. Covering workmen at a siege and other arts of that nature. The little hoyes and barges loaded, with arms, powder and provisions a?o to be convqyed through canals cut from Bruges and Ghent, to Antwerp, Sluys aodiNicunort, and so into the British ChannelThe scheme is said to be thus settled : that as soon as their great Armada arrives in sight of the Flemish ports the Prince of Parma is to get out with his transports and join thent. After which, ihey are in a body to force their way up the river of Thames, against all imnodiments, and land as near London as they can. But whilst harbours are so closely watched by the united, squadron of her Majesty and the States, -ommanded by Lord Henry Seymour, it : s the gc-naral opinion that his Highness will find it impossible to put to sea, nd we hope that Lord Admiral Howard will prevent the Spanish Navy from being in a condition to raise the blockade.

London, 23rd July. The Lord Mayor, Aidermen, Common Council and Lieutenancy’ of this great city waited upon her Majesty at Westminster this afternoon, with assurances of their hearty and unanimous resolution to stand by and support her Majesty qt this critical juncture with thpir lives and fortunes, when her invaluable life, all the privileges of freeborn Englishmen, are threatened by an open attack from our bloodthirsty adversaries, the’ Spaniards. The Queen received them very graciously, and assured them she did not doubt their zealqus endeavours to serve their country on the present very important occasion ; that for her part she relied on God’s Providence and the goodness of her cause, and was resolved to run all risks with her faith-fuf subjects. —lmprinted at London by’ Christ. Barker, her Highness’ Printer, 1588 The accepted appearance that the Armada presented of! the English const is given in the sketch, and the heading of 'he Mercuric is in slightly reduced facsimile. Under this heading in the original appears the legend—” Published by authority : frit; the prevention of false reports.*’ The .details of the total destruction of the Armada came in piecemeal, and can only be treated in a general way for lack of the same exactitude shown in the quoted paper. Of course " The Merrurie ” s printed in old-

style. English, and this has been modernised for the convenience of the reader.

THE BIRTHPLACE OF BRITISH i COLONISATION. The King’s presentation of a Bible and lectern to Burton Church. Williamsburg, United States, to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the establishment of Anglo-Saxon civilisation and the English Church in Virginia revives interest in what may be termed the genesis of British colonisation. A touch like this, and we see befose us Sir Walter Raleigh, courtier and adventurer, and note the laying of the foundations, more or less crudely and more or J?ss strong, of the system which, despite its checks, has resulted in the British .Empire. Virginia, as we know, was named after the Virgin Queen Elizabeth, and a map of its “ thereabouts ” shows how earnestly the central figures of subset-pent history were pepetuated for posterity. States and towns take their names from public ” idols ” of the time, the Charles’s having frequent mention and the Stuarts of various degree figuring on a'l’ sides. Raleigh himself is remembered in the capital city of the State of North Carolina, south of Virginia, proper, though of course this doesn’t peer as a

centre with Richmond, tlie Virginian capital on the James river. Sir Walter Raleigh counts as one of the groat Em-pire-builders of England largely as the result of the picturesqueness of his life and the bitter persecutions lie suffered at the hands of his foes at home. No pioneer of civilisation was ever subjected to a more l uncivilised reward —contumely and misrepresentation, imprisonment, re-trial for the same “ offence,” despite the dictum of Magna Charta, and death on the scaffold. But the introduction of such Anglo-Saxon civilisation into Virginia as was assured under Elizabeth and during the first few years of the reign of James 1. is surely altogether dwarfed by the introduction into America of tho Puritans a little later—the voyage and the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth with her band of immigrants, the real pioneers of Anglo-Saxon civilisation of the best kind in the New World. To quote from Nuttal—" This brought the life-spark of the largest Anglo-Saxon nation on earth.