TRAFALGAR DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19627, 23 October 1933, Page 9

TRAFALGAR DAY

HISTORIC EVENT RECALLED

OBSERVANCE IN TIMARU Saturday was the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, when the English fleet, under Lord Nelson, gained a great naval victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets under Villeneuve. It was a great yet sad day for Britain, for while the victory shattered the power of France and Spain at a time when Napoleon had made himself master of Europe, and protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, the Empire lost her greatest admiral. The battle is remembered because of Nelson's last and perhaps greatest utterance: "England expects every man this day will do his duty.” Perhaps the most remarkable phase of the battle itself was the desperate struggle between Nelson's ship Victory and the Temperaire, on the one side, and the Redoubtable and the Fouquex on the othefi, the four ships forming as compact a tier as if they had been moored together. It was a shot from the cross-trees of the Redoubtable which killed Nelson. The result of the victory saved England from all chance of invasion, and paved the way for the ultimate success of the Anglo-Russian treaty to resist the encroachment of France, and to secure the independence of Europe. History of the Campaign. On the renewal of the war with France and Spain in 1803 Nelson was sent out to the Mediterranean, where, with his flag on the Victory, he cruised for more than eighteen months before Toulon, drawing back occasionally to Madalena for water and provisions. During one of these absences, in March, 1805, the French fleet put to sea under the command of Vice-Ad-miral Villeneuve and got clear away to Gibraltar, to Cadiz, and to Martinique, where they expected to be joined by the fleet from Brest. However, Nelson, though delayed for six weeks by his ignorance of where Villeneuve had gone, was only twenty days behind him; and Villeneuve, deceived as to the British numbers, and unwilling to risk an engagement which might frustrate his ulterior object, hastily returned to Europe. Nelson again followed, again outsailed his enemy, and arrived off Cadiz some days before the French approached the shores of Europe. Then, conceiving that Villeneuve's aim might be to overpower the fleet of Brest, he went north and reinforced it with most of his ships, returning himself to England, It was but for a few weeks. Within a fortnight it was known that Villeneuve had gone to Cadiz, and Nelson was ordered to resume the command. He did so on. September 25, and for the next month kept a close watch on the port, while his fleet was being gradually increased ! n numbers. He was especially desirous of having sufficient force. Villeneuve was meantime urged by positive and rpeeated orders to put .to sea, and on October 20, having learned that some of the British ships had gone to Gibraltar, he reluctantly came out. Of French and Spanish ships combined there were with him thirtythree; with Nelson there were twentyseven. Fleets at Battle. At daybreak on October 21 the two fleets were in the presence of each other off Cape Trafalgar, and Nelson, who several days before had given out and explained his 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 Collingwood 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 their rear, he bore up and threw himself on their centre.

As the Victory passed astern of Villeneuve’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. While standing speaking to Captain Hardy, Nelson 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 in the decisive victory of the English. The enemy's fleet was annihilated. The hero of Aboukir Bay and Trafalgar died the morning after the battle. His body was brought home, and after lying in state at Greenwich was interred with great pomp in the crypt of St. Paul's. In the cathedral a' e a gorgeous monument has been erected his memory, and numerous others throughout England bear wit-

ness to the deep feeling which his splendid services awakened. Observance In Timaru. It was fitting that the flagship of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy should be in Timaru on the anniversary of the historic event, and opportunity was taken to conduct a parade of officers and men of the ship. At the request of the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) flags were flown on many business premises, and the flag was hoisted on the new town clock tower for the first time. Five companies comprising approximately 180 officers and men left the Dunedin at 10 a.m. and proceeded via George Street, Stafford Street South, North Street, Latter Street, King George's Place, George Street, Stafford Street to Sefton Street, Hewiing Street to the Bay, whre the Mayor who was associated with Lieutenant-Comman-der C. D. Arbuthnot, took the salute from the band rotunda, as the companies, headed by the band, marched past in column of route. Large crowds were apparent in all streets through which the men proceeded, while the Bay and its precincts was thronged by interested spectators. Th company commander was Lieu-tenant-Commander S. H. Carlill, the platoons being officered by the following: No. 1, Lieutenant K. McN. Waiter; No. 2, Lieutenant B. Walford; No. 3, Mr E. J. Watts: No. 4, Mr J. H. Longman; Royal Marines, Captain L. Priestly. The Band, which led the parade, was In charge of Drum-Major Lund.