“I am sorry to inform you that I am wounded in the left shoulder, and that William Hillman was killed at the same time: the shot that killed him and three others wounded me and five more. Another of my messmates, Thomas Crosby, was also killed; they both went to their guns like men, and died close to me. Crosby was shot in three places. Pray inform their poor friends of their death, and remind them that they died at the same time as Nelson, and in the moment of glorious victory. Remember me to all my relations and friends; tell them I am wounded at last, but that I do not much mind it, for I had my satisfaction of my enemies, as I never fired my gun in pain I was sure to hit them; I killed and wounded them in plenty. Should have written you sooner, but the pain in my shoulder would not let me.”
During the week following Trafalgar the Britannia received 381 French prisoners on board: 48 from L’Aigle, a captured seventy-four; 140 from the recaptured Berwick, a former British seventy-four; the rest from the captured Intrépide, another seventy-four. The names of all the prisoners are carefully entered in the Britannia’s books, and among them appears the name of a Turk, mentioned also by Lieutenant Halloran as being received on board—Abdalla Fadalla, a prisoner from the Intrépide.
According to the ship’s books these were the officers, in addition to Lord Northesk, serving on board the Britannia at Trafalgar:—
Captain—Charles Bullen.
Lieutenants—Arthur Atchison; Francis Roskruge (killed); John Houlton Marshall; Charles Anthony; Richard Lasham; William Blight; John Barclay; James Lindsay.
Marine Officers.—Captain—Alexander Watson. Lieutenants—William Jackson; L. B. J. Halloran; John Cooke.
Master—Stephen Trounce (wounded).
Surgeon—Allen Cornfoot.
Purser—James Hiatt.