In Honor of Nelson

202 years ago on this day, Oct 21st, one of the greatest naval battles in history took place off the southeast coast of Spain near Cape Trafalgar. 33 British ships under the command of Lord Horatio Nelson meet 41 ships of the combined fleet of Spain and France under the command of Admiral Villeneuve. By the late afternoon the combined fleet of Spain and France was destroyed - 21 ships were captured, 1 destroyed. 7000 were captured, 3243 were dead and 2538 wounded. While many of the English fleet was severely damaged, especially the HMS Victory, no ships were lost. The British suffered 1246 wounded and 449 dead. The greatest lost to the fleet was Horatio Nelson. While on deck of the Victory directing the battle, at approximately 1:20 pm, Nelson was struck by a musket ball from a sharpshooter on the Redoutable. By 4:30 pm with the British victorious, Nelson died with these last words, “Thank God, I have done my duty”.