The ships engaged in the battle were the "Vanguard," "Bellerophon," "Orion," "Audacious," "Culloden," "Defiance," "Zealous," "Minotaur," "Goliath," "Alexander," "Majestic," "Leander," "Theseus," "Swiftsure," and the sloop "Mutine."
Davison's Medal for the Nile.—As a souvenir of this historic sea-fight Mr. Alexander Davison, Lord Nelson's prize agent, presented to every officer and seaman of Nelson's fleet a medal; gold to captains and lieutenants, silver to warrant officers, bronze gilt to petty officers, bronze to seamen and marines. The medal, which is 117∕20 in. in diameter, is illustrated facing page [288]. Upon the edge is impressed FROM ALEXANDER DAVISON ESQ., ST. JAMES SQUARE, A TRIBUTE OF REGARD. The medals were issued unnamed, but many had their names and the name of their ship also engraved above the sky-line on the reverse. The medals, modelled by C. H. Kuchler, were highly prized by all who received them, from Nelson—who wrote very gratefully to Davison—to the seamen, many of whom had the medals mounted in gold or silver frames and wore them suspended from a broad blue ribbon. This is the first instance of a medal given by a private individual being accepted and worn in the Service.
Copenhagen.—This battle, fought on April 2nd, 1801, will long be remembered for the gallant conduct of Nelson, who, when Admiral Sir Hyde Parker signalled "leave off action," placed his glass to his blind eye and saying, "I really do not see the signal!" ordered his own signal for close action to be kept flying. Had it not have been for this daring disregard of orders, Copenhagen would have been among the failures of our navy, instead of one of its most glorious victories, for it was one of the most stubborn fights on record. For five hours Britons and Danes fought with equal courage and determination. For five hours they fought with equal success, and it was only through the pertinacity of Nelson that the fortune of war fell to Britain. This battle has a double significance, for not only did Nelson prove his great capacity as a seaman, but also gave further evidence of his humane character; for when the stubborn spirit of the Danes was likely to lead to useless bloodshed he appealed "to the brothers of Englishmen—the Danes," to recognise the fact that they were beaten, and so prevent unnecessary carnage.
It was an action which he knew would be misunderstood and misrepresented, but he did not falter. Fortunately his message was received by the Crown Prince in the spirit in which it was sent, and the battle of Copenhagen, "the most terrible of all" his engagements, was added to the laurels of the immortal and gentle Nelson, although because Nelson requested the cessation of hostilities, the Danes regarded it as a drawn battle.
The following ships were engaged: "Elephant," (Vice-Admiral Nelson's flagship), "Defiance," "Edgar," "Monarch," "Bellona," "Ganges," "Russell," "Agamemnon," "Ardent," "Polyphemus," "Glatton," "Isis," "Amazon," "Alcméne," "Blanche," "Désirée," "Jamaica," sloops "Arrow," "Dart," "Cruiser," and "Harpy," bomb vessels "Discovery," "Explosion," "Hecla," "Sulphur," "Terror," "Volcano," and "Zebra," and the brigs "Otter" and "Zephyr."
Trafalgar.—Napoleon having placed the crown of Italy upon his head (May 6th, 1805), within a fortnight declared Genoa and the Ligurian Republic part of the French Empire. He then had hopes that Admiral De Villeneuve would successfully escort the "Army of England," then encamped at Boulogne, across the Channel. His plans were, however, frustrated by the engagement forced upon Villeneuve by Admiral Sir Robert Calder off Ferrol, while Napoleon, charging his Admiral with cowardice, caused him to leave the harbour of Cadiz on October 19th, 1805, and the epoch-making battle off Cape Trafalgar was the result. Owing to light winds, Villeneuve did not make the Atlantic until the next day, and then his combined fleet of 33 French and Spanish ships of the line, 5 French frigates, and 2 brigs, were sighted off Cape Trafalgar by Nelson's look-out ships. It was not until next day, however, that the fleets formed in battle array. At 6.30 a.m. the British ships cleared for action. The English fleet comprised 27 sail of the line, 4 frigates, a cutter and a schooner. Lord Nelson led the Weather or Northern Division in his flagship the "Victory," while Vice-Admiral Collingwood led the Lee or Southern Division. Just before noon the famous signal "England expects every man to do his duty" was run up, and the battle began. "Engage the enemy more closely" was the only other signal given by the British Admiral, and that was when the enemy's ship "Fougueux" had opened fire upon the "Royal Sovereign"; then followed a series of contests between the French and British ships, which reflect the greatest credit upon the seamen of both nations.
DAVISON'S MEDAL FOR THE VICTORY OF THE NILE, 1798.
Nelson, being desirous of engaging the French Admiral's flagship, came upon the "Bucentaure" at 12.30 p.m., when she fired upon the British flagship, but, unheedful of the shot from this and seven other ships, the "Victory" ploughed her way ahead in order to break the enemy's line. For three-quarters of an hour her guns refused to bark, though her men were falling fast from the shots which broke through her sides, and tore her sails to shreds; but at 1 o'clock the "Victory" closely engaged the "Bucentaure," and so well were the British shots placed that 20 of the enemy's guns were soon dismounted and, according to a French estimate, 400 seamen were killed. Leaving the "Bucentaure" the "Victory" engaged the "Redoubtable" at ten minutes past 1, and the rigging of the two ships fouling, they were locked in a deadly embrace. Then the crews of the two vessels fought with exceeding gallantry, for both were led by brave men, and the "Redoubtable's" captain cheered his men on to board the "Victory"; indeed, he lowered his main-yard on to the "Victory's" deck, and his men made a brave effort to capture her, but those daring Frenchmen who gained her decks paid for their effort with their lives; not, however, before they had placed 30 of the "Victory's" crew hors de combat.