For anyone interested in the battle at Trafalgar, the following transcription of the original log from Euryalus and letter from Collingwood may be interesting, especially for anyone building Victory, Agamemon, Euryalus or other ships that took part.
Allan
Log of Euryalus during the Battle of Trafalgar
A lot has been written about the Battle of Trafalgar, but many feel that the most detailed on-site description comes from the Euryalus’ Master’s log, which was written on a combination of parchment and at times sheets of sailcloth. The actual log that covered the dates surrounding Trafalgar still exists and is held by Lloyd’s of London. It is in poor condition and nolonger available to the public. Fortunately, it had been
transcribed in the past and can be found in at least one volume. We have included the dates from just prior to Trafalgar to several days following the battle. The following are the written words of Frederick Ruckert, Euryalus.
The grammar and spelling as well as missing words are as found
in the original.
Saturday October 19th
A.M. At 3.30 tacked ship. Moderate
and clear. Out 2nd reefs, set foresail
and spanker. At 4, ditto weather.
Squadron in company. At 5.30 tacked.
Sebastian NE about 4 miles. At daylight
observed the enemy’s ships in
Cadiz with topgallant yards across,
and eight ships having their topsails
hoisted to the mastheads. At 7, saw the northernmost
ships under way. At 7.20 dispatched the Phoebe to
repeat signals, between us and the English fleet. At 8,
saw 19 of the enemy under way. All the rest, except
the Spanish Rear-Admiral and another line-of-battle
ship, with their topsails to the masthead. The Defence
in sight from the masthead west. Phoebe WNW, firing
three minute guns. At 8.10 came within hail the Naiad,
and ordered her to repeat as many signals as possible
between us and the Phoebe. Made a telegraph message
to the Weazle, intelligence to Gibraltar and
Tetuan. At 9 ordered the Pickle to proceed with all
possible dispatch off Cape Spartel, and inform all
ships that the enemy is out, and cruise there 3 days
and then return to this place. Out all reefs and got all
ready for making sail. At 10, light airs, inclinable to
calm. At noon, calm. Phoebe and Naiad between us
and the fleet. Weazle and Pickle SSE. Sirius in company.
St. Sebastian E 1/2 N, 7 or 8 miles. Latitude
observed 36° 28’ N. The enemy’s ships in Cadiz Bay in
a calm.
PM – Light breezes and clear. Made and shortened
sail and tacked as the case required. At 4 do weather.
9 of the enemy’s ships out. Naiad and Phoebe between
us and the fleet repeating signals. Another line of battle
ship WNW. At 6, Rota NE 1/2E. Sebastian E by N
1/2 N, about 7 miles. Cape Trafalgar SE by S 3/4 S. The
enemy’s ships ENE about 3 miles, 12 in number. Bore
up and stood towards the enemy to watch their
motions, and observed the whole 12 standing towards
the northward on the larboard tack. Sirius in company.
Neat to quarters. At 8, light winds; hauled our
wind on the larboard tack, the body of the enemy’s
ships NE by E, about 2 miles. St. Sebastian E 1/2 S
about 4 miles. At 8.10 hailed the Sirius, and ordered
her to watch the enemy’s motion to the southward of
us. Observed several rockets made by the ships to the
westward of us. At 9, wore ship. Sirius SSW. Naiad
west. Lighthouse W by S, 4 miles. Still in sight of the
enemy. At 9.45, hove to. At 11.45 saw the ships to the
westward of us burn a blue light. At 12, light winds,
St. Sebastian NE 1/2 E, 4 or 5 miles.
Sunday, October 20th
A.M. Saw another blue light to windward. At 1.30
sprang up a breeze from the SW. Tacked and made sail
to the NW. At 4 tacked in 30 fathoms; two ships in
sight to windward. Sirius in company. At daylight
observed nine of the enemies’ ships, under sail off
Cadiz Harbour, and 4 at anchor, Naiad in sight south,
Sirius in company. Fresh breezes and cloudy.
Observed the enemy’s ships in the harbour getting
under way. 22 of the English fleet in sight from the
mast head. At 7.30, a strange sail NW. The Sirius
made sail in chase. At 7.50, saw the Sirius boarding a
chase which proved to be an American ship.
At 8.20, perceived a line-of-battle ship with a brig in
tow steering with all sail direct for the enemy within a
very near distance. Made the private signal to her and
proved to [be] H.M.S. Agamemnon. Made the signal
to the Agamemnon for the enemy NE. Repeated it
with many guns before it was noticed. She then
hauled to the wind on the starboard tack, having a
heavy brig tow which she did not cast off. At 8.35, the
Sirius got her boat back from the American ship and
she made sail on the larboard tack. Saw the van ship
of the enemy endeavouring to get up with the Sirius,
and a line-of-battle ship firing at her, then bearing
from us NE by E, 2 or 3 miles. At 8.50, thirty four ships
of the enemy in sight. At 9, St. Sebastian E 1/2 S, about
4 leagues. At 9.10, pointed out by signal the bearings
of the Commander in-Chief to the Agamemnon, and
made telegraph signals to her that thirty-four of the
enemy were out, and to make all sail and repeat signals
between me and the Admiral, and that the
enemy’s ships were much scattered, and directed Sir
Edward Berry to fire every 10 minutes with the preceding
signal; but she still stood on SE with the brig in
tow until we lost sight of her. At 9.30, strong breezes.
In 2nd reef of the topsails. At 9.45 observed a number
of the enemy’s ships wearing and standing toward
Cadiz. At 10, strong breezes and thick weather with
rain. Lost sight of the enemy’s ships. At 11, up mainsail,
down jib. At noon the wind more moderate, but
very heavy rain and thick weather.
P.M. – Heavy rain and thick weather. At 12.30, the
weather clearing up a little, saw the enemy to leeward
under low sail on the larboard tack; being close wore
ship, reefed topsails and made all possible sail to look
out for the English fleet in the SSW. Still keeping sight
of the enemy. At 1, more moderate; out reefs, set topgallant
sails. Saw the Sirius to leeward of us and
recalled her. At 2, saw the English fleet in the SSW,
standing to the westward. At 2.10, made a telegraph
message to the Sirius, ‘I am going to the Admiral, but
will return before night.’ At 3, exchanged ship’s numbers
with the fleet. At 3.20, made the telegraph message,
‘The enemy seems determined to push to the
westward, with numeral pendant 30N by E,’ which the
Admiral answered. Saw an English line-of-battle ship
to leeward of the fleet with her main topmast down.
At 4, wore ship and stood to the northward. At 4.40,
the English fleet wore. Enemy’s fleet on the larboard
tack to the northward. Up mainsail, crossed the royal
yards. At 5.20, observed some of the enemy’s look out
ships reconnoitring us; tacked ship. At 5.40 answered
the Admiral’s signal, ‘I rely on your keeping sight of
the enemy.’ At 6, ditto weather. Victory and fleet to
the southward. Enemy’s fleet and Sirius N by E.
Made several lights and burnt false fires to show the
enemy’s position to Lord Nelson and the fleet. At 8.30,
wore ship. At 9.50, wore ship. Up mainsail and kept
upon the enemy’s weather beam, about 2 or 3 miles.
Made and shortened sail occasionally. Fired guns and
burned false fires as necessary. At 12, moderate
breezes. The body of the enemy’s fleet SE by S about
3 miles, and the light of the English fleet to the southward
and westward 5 or 6 miles.
Monday, October 21st
A.M. – At 12.30, set foresail. At 3, out one reef of the
topsails. Light breezes and hazy. At daylight, the
body of the enemy’s fleet ESE 5 or 6 miles. English
fleet WSW. At 8, observed the British fleet forming
their lines, the headmost ships from the enemy’s centre
8 or 9 miles. The enemy’s force consisting of thirtythree
sail of the line, five frigates, and two brigs. Light
winds and hazy with a great swell from the westward.
English fleet all sail set. Standing toward the enemy,
then on the starboard tack. At 8.50, answered Lord
Nelson’s signal for the captain, who went immediately
on board the Victory. Took our station on the
Victory’s larboard quarter and repeated the Admiral’s
signals. At 10, observed the enemy wearing and coming
to the wind on the larboard tack. At 11.40 repeated
Lord Nelson’s telegraph message: ‘I intend to push
or go through the end of the enemy’s line to prevent
them from getting into Cadiz.’ Saw the land bearing E
by N, 5 or 6 leagues. At 11.56, repeated Lord Nelson’s
telegraph message: ‘England expects that every man
will do his duty.’ At noon, light winds and a great
swell from the westward. Observed the Royal
Sovereign, Admiral Collingwood, leading the lee line,
bearing down on the enemy’s rear line, being then
nearly within gunshot of them. Lord Nelson, leading
the weather line, bore down on the enemy’s centre.
Captain Blackwood returned from the Victory. Cape
Trafalgar SE by E, about 5 leagues.
P.M. – Light winds and hazy. British fleet bearing
down in two lines on the enemy’s which was forming
in one line from NNE to SSE, their strongest force from
the van to the centre. At 1.15, the British fleet bearing
down on the enemy, Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount
Nelson leading the weather line in the Victory, and
Vice Admiral Collingwood the lee line. At 12.15, the
enemy opened a heavy fire upon the Royal Sovereign.
At 12.16, the English Admirals hoisted their respective
flags and the fleet, the British fleet, the British ensign
(white). At 12.17, Admiral Collingwood returned the
enemy’s fire in a brave and steady manner. At 12.20,
we repeated Lord Nelson’s signal for the British fleet
to engage close, which was answered by the whole
fleet. At 12.21, the van and centre of the enemy’s line
opened a heavy fire upon the Victory and the ships she
was leading into action. At 12.20, Admiral
Collingwood and the headmost ships of his line broke
through the rear of the enemy’s, where the action commenced
in a most severe and determined, cool and
steady manner. At 12.24, Lord Nelson and the headmost
of the line he led into action, broke into the van
and centre of the enemy’s line and commenced the
action in that quarter in a stead and gallant manner.
Observed the Africa coming into the line, she being to
leeward, with all sails set on the starboard tack (free).
We kept Lord Nelson’s signal flying at the main royal
mast head, for the British fleet to engage close. At
12.26 observed one of the French ships totally dismasted
about the centre of the line, by some of the ships of
our lee line, and another of them with the fore yard
and mizen topmast shot away. At 1.15, observed the
Tonnant’s fore topmast shot away. At 1.25, observed
an English ship with her fore and mizen masts shot
away. At 1.32, her main yard shot away. The centre
and rear of the enemy’s line hard pressed in action. At
2, the Africa engaged very close a French 2 decked
ship, and in about 5 minutes’ time, shot away her main
and mizen masts. At 2.10, observed the Mars hard
pressed in action. The remainder of the British fleet,
which were come into action, kept up a well-directed
fire on the enemy. At 2.15, the Neptune, supported by
the Colossus, opened a heavy fire upon the Santisima
Trinidad and 2 other of the enemy’s line which were
next to her. At 2.20, the Trinidad’s main and mizen
masts shot away. At 2.30, the Africa shot away the
fore mast of the 2-decked ship she was engaged with,
and left her a complete wreck. She then bore up under
12
HER STORY
the Trinidad’s stern and raked here fore and aft.
Colossus and Neptune still engaged with her and the
other two ships, which appeared by their colours to be
French. At 2.34, the Trinidad’s fore mast shot away,
and at 2.26, one of the French ships’ main and mizen
masts. Observed 9 of the enemy’s van wear and stand
down towards the centre. Observed the Royal
Sovereign with her main and mizen masts gone. At
2.36 answered Lord Nelson’s signal to pass within
hail, made all possible sail and made the signal to the
Sirius, Phoebe, and Naiad to take ships in tow which
were disabled ENE, which she answered. Sounded in
50 fathoms. At 2.40 observed a French 2-decked ship
on fire and dismasted in the SSE quarter. Passed the
Spartiate and another 2-deck ship standing towards
the enemy’s van and opened a heavy fire, when the
action in that quarter commenced very severe. At 2.50,
passed by the Mars, who hailed us to take them in tow.
Captain Blackwood answered that he would do it with
pleasure, but that he was going to take the second in
command, the Royal Sovereign. The officer that hailed
us from the Mars, said that Captain Duff was no more.
At 3, came alongside the Royal Sovereign and took her
in tow. Captain Blackwood was hailed by Admiral
Collingwood and ordered to go on board the Santa
Ana, Spanish 3-deck ship, and bring him the Admiral,
which Captain Blackwood obeyed. At 3.30, the
enemy’s van approached as far as the centre and
opened a heavy fire on the Victory, Neptune, Spartiate,
Colossus, Mars, Africa, Agamemnon and Royal
Sovereign, which we had in tow, and was most nobly
returned. We had several of our main and topmast rigging
cut away, and backstays by the enemy’s shot, and
there being no time to haul down the studdingsails, as
the enemy’s van ships hauled up for us, we cut them
away and let them go overboard, at which time on of
the enemy’s nearest ships to us was totally dismasted.
At 4, light variable winds; not possible to manage the
Royal Sovereign, so as to bring her broadside to bear
on the enemy’s ships. At 4.10, we had the stream
cable, by which the Royal Sovereign was towed, shot
away and a cutter from the quarter. Wore ship, and
stood for the Victory. Observed the Phoebe and Sirius
and Naiad coming into the centre and taking some of
the disabled ships in tow. At this time the firing ceased
a little. At 4.20, observed a Spanish two-deck ship dismasted
and struck to one of our ships. Observed several
of the enemy’s ships still hard engaged. At 5, 11
___ of the enemy’s van and ___ of their rear bore up
and made all sail to the northward; were closely followed
by the English, which opened a heavy fire upon
them and dismasted a French two-deck ship and a
Spanish two-deck ship. At 5.20, the Achille French
two-deck ship, which was on fire, blew up with a great
explosion. At 5.25, made sail for the Royal Sovereign.
Observed the Victory’s mizen mast go overboard,
about which time the firing ceased, leaving the English
fleet conquerors, with11 ___ sail of the enemy’s ships
in our possession and one blown up,11 ___ of which
were first rates, and all dismasted. At 5.55 Admiral
Collingwood came on board and hoisted his flag (blue
at the fore.) At 6.15, sent a spare shroud hawser on
board the Royal Sovereign and took her in tow, and at
the same time sent all our boats with orders from
Admiral Collingwood to all the English ships we
could discover near us that they were to take the captured
ships in tow and follow the Admiral. At the time
saw Cape Trafalgar bearing SE by E about 8 miles.
Sent a boat on board the Spanish three-deck ship
which had struck, one main top gallant sail, standing
jib and main topgallant stay sail. At 7.36, took aback,
and the Royal Sovereign fell on board of our starboard
beam, and there being a great swell she damaged the
main channels, took away the lanyards of the main
and mizen rigging, jolly boat from the quarter and
davits, the most of the quarter-deck and waist hammock
cloths, boards, railing, with a number of hammocks
and bedding; took away the main and mizen
topgallant masts, lost the royals, and yard. Tore the
fore and main sails very much, and took away a great
part of the running rigging. At 7.40 got her clear, made
sail on the starboard tack with a light wind from the
Blank in original
WSW, and a great swell. Employed repairing the damages
sustained by the Sovereign falling on board of us.
At 9, sounded in 23 fathoms. Made the signal with a
gun, prepare to anchor. Fleet and prizes in company.
Light airs and a great swell from the westward. At
9.15, sound in 15 fathoms. At 9.2 in 14 fathoms. At
9.35, the water deepened. At 11 sounded in 36 fathoms.
At 11.20, the water shoaled to 26 fathoms. At 12,
in 22 fathoms.
Tuesday, October 22nd
A.M. – At 12.15, made the signal with three guns to
wear and wore ship. Came to the wind on the larboard
tack, head to the westward Sovereign in tow.
Fleet and prizes in company. Moderate breezes and
cloudy. Made and shortened sail as necessary. At 4, do
weather. At daylight, 4 sail in sight in the SW and 40
sail from east to NE. At 8, cast off the Sovereign and
the Neptune took her in tow. Received from the
Pickle, schooner, 18 French prisoners, which was part
of the men she saved out of the Achille, French ship,
which was blown up in the action. Strong gales and
rain. Fleet and prizes much scattered. Made the general
signal for the fleet to close. A 9, wore ship and
hove to. At 11.20, filled and made sail on the starboard
tack. At noon, strong gales and cloudy, with
heavy rain. Most of the fleet and prizes company.
Cape Trafalgar bearing SE about 4 leagues.
P.M. – Strong breezes and hazy; rain. Joined company
H.M.S. Melpomene. At 2, wore, in mizen topsail
and down jib. Cape Trafalgar SE by S, 7 or 8 miles. Set
storm staysail. Down top gallant yards and struck the
masts. At 4, strong gales and rain. At 8, ditto gales
with heavy squalls and rain. At 9.30, set foresail. At
11.30, took aback, stood on the starboard tack. Burnt
blue lights every hour. At 12, do, weather. Sounded in
40 fathoms.
Wednesday, October 23rd
A.M. – Do. weather with heavy squalls. The fore
topmast staysail split and blown away by a heavy
squall from the westward. At 2, sound in 45 fathoms.
At 4, sounded in 65 fathoms. A5.30, out 3rd reef of the
topsails and swayed them up. Weather more moderate.
Up top gallant masts. At 7 Cape Trafalgar east,
about 13 or 14 miles. At 8, heavy rain and squally.
Several of the fleet and prizes in sight. At 11, sounded
in 59 fathoms. At 12, forty-seven sail in sight. Wind
variable and cloudy. Cape Trafalgar SE, 5 or 6 leagues.
P.M. – Variable and cloudy. Bore up and tacked
occasionally to collect the prizes. At 3, observed 10 of
the enemy’s ships in the ENE. Made the signal to prepare
for battle, and formed a line of 10 sail between the
prizes and the enemy. At 4, strong breezes and cloudy.
Stood to the ENE. At 5.30 lost sight of the enemy and
hauled on the larboard tack in 3rd reef of topsail.
Strong breezes and rain, and a heavy swell from the
westward. Fleet and prizes in company. At 6, ditto
weather. At 8, strong gales with rain and a heavy
squall. Some of the fleet in sight. At 9, furled mainsail,
in fore and mizen topsails. From 10 to 11.45, heavy
gales and rain. At 12, little more moderate.
Thursday, October 24th
A.M. – Ditto, gales and rain. Struck topgallant
masts. At 3.30, wore ship and made the signal with
guns for the fleet to wear. At 4, ditto gales and squally.
At daylight, 45 sail of the fleet and prizes in sight, but
much scattered. Anumber of the dismasted prizes not
in tow. At 7, more moderate, with a great swell from
the westward. Up topgallant masts and yards. Bore
up, filled and made sail occasionally. At 8 Sebastian
light house SE by E, about 5 leagues. Fleet and prizes
much scattered. At 9, observed 5 of the enemy’s ships
close in shore off Cadiz Harbour. A 11, reefed topsails.
At noon, strong breezes and cloudy. Received from
the Neptune the French Commander-in-Chief,
Admiral Villeneuve. Sebastian SE by E 1/2E, 5 or 6
leagues.
P.M. – Fresh breezes and cloudy. At 3, filled. At
3.40 tacked. At noon, moderate and appeared for fine
weather. Bore up for the ships. Employed destroying
the prizes between Cadiz and St. Lucia [San Lucar]. At
5.30, shortened sail and hove to. Sent Lieut. Williams,
the carpenter and his crew, with 30 men on board the
Santisima Trinidad, Spanish 4-decker, to destroy her.
Sounded in 20 fathoms. At 9.15, boats returned.
Hoisted them up and made sail on the starboard tack.
At 9.30, saw one of the prizes blow up with a great
explosion. Wore shop and hauled on the larboard
tack. Out reefs. At 10.30, in topgallant sails, down jib.
Strong breezes and squally, with rain. At 12, do.
weather.
Friday October 25th
A.M. – At 1, in 3rd reef of topsails. At 1.30, took
aback. Wore ship. At 3.30 wore shop and close-reefed
topsails. At 4, strong breezes, with squalls, and heavy
rain form the southward and westward. Down topgallant
yards and struck the masts. At 8, ditto gales, 17
sail in sight. At 8.20, set mizen topsail and storm staysail.
At 9.45, in fore topsail. Heavy gales, and thick
weather with rain. At 10, in mizen topsail. At noon,
strong gales with a heavy swell. Cape St. Marras, N,
70° W, 35 miles.
P.M. – Heavy gales and thick rain, and a heavy
swell from the southward. At 12.15, the spritsail yard
carried away by a heavy sea with all the rigging
belonging to it, and also the head rails and boards.
Found the spanker boom sprung close outside the
Taffrail. Got it in. Carpenters employed fishing it. At
2, reefed foresail and furled the main sail. At 4, ditto
gales and rain. At 5, wore ship on the starboard tack
under storm staysails, close reefed main topsail and
staysail. At 8, more moderate with a heavy swell. At
9, set fore and mizen topsails. At 12, fresh gales and a
great swell.
Saturday, October 26th*
A.M. – Ditto gales. Sounded occasionally, but no
bottom. At 7.50, seven sail of the fleet in sight. The
Pickle, schooner, in company. At 8, heavy rain with
squalls. At noon fresh gales and squally. Fourteen sail
in sight. Dispatched the Pickle, schooner, for England.
P.M. – Strong gales and squally. At 4.45 hove to. 4
dismasted and 5 complete ships at anchor. 30 sail in all
in sight.
Sunday , October 27th
A.M. – At 4, squally with rain. At 6.30, bore up and
made toward the ships at anchor. Thirty sail in all in
sight. Fresh gales and squally with heavy rain. At 8,
made the telegraph message to the Prince, ‘Take
Tonnant under orders and repair to Gibraltar or Tetuan
as fast as possible. Collect all disabled ships that you
meet and take them with you.’ And made the signal to
her that the Victory bore west. At 10, made to the
Britannia telegraph message, ‘Admiral desires you
keep to windward, and not come down without signal.’
Fresh gales and squally with rain. At noon, 30
sail in sight. Made the signal by telegraph to the
Minotaur, ‘I don’t think there are any ships in Cadiz
from my observation.’
P.M. – Fresh breezes and squally. At 1, observed the
Donegal and Thunderer weigh and stood to the NE.
*From this date, only extracts of the log are included
Monday, October 28th
A.M. – At 5.30, wore ship and bore down towards
the ships at anchor. Squally weather with showers of
rain. Twenty-one sail in sight. At 9.30, shortened sail
and hove to near the ships at anchor.
P.M. – Fresh breezes and squally with rain.
Received from the Entreprenante, 15 men belonging to
the Téméraire, 12 Bellerophons, and 6 Phoebe.
Thursday, October 29th
A.M. – Squally with rain. At daylight bore up for
the Téméraire. Out reefs, set topgallant sails, and
crossed royal yards. Set the sails and all staysails. At 8,
moderate and cloudy. A frigate with a hulk in company,
NE by N. At noon, light breezes and clear. Point
Regal ESE, 8 or 9 miles. Lying to be the Téméraire.
P.M. – Moderate and hazy. At 4, San Lucar, SE by E
1/2 E, 8 or 9 miles. 30 sail in sight. At 7.40, observed a
ship on fire, which blew [up] in the SSE quarter.
Friday, October 30th
A.M. – Ditto weather with lightning in the south
quarter. Joined the Sirius with a French frigate and
brig, being cartels from Cadiz. At 8, fresh gales and
hazy. Defence with her prize in company at anchor off
Cadiz SE by E, about 4 leagues.
P.M. – Moderate and hazy. At 5, joined company
Admiral Louis and squadron; hove to by the ship at
anchor. Admiral Louis and the captains of the
squadron came on board, and at 7.30 they went to their
respective ships.
Thursday, October 31st
A.M. – Out barge. At 10, Admiral Collingwood
struck his flag on board the Euryalus, and hoisted it on
board H.M.S. Queen.
The following additional information from October 21st on Trafalgar is from the personal journal of Lieutenant W. W. Pike of the Euryalus .
At 12:15 Royal Sovereign hawl’d more to the Wind,
to form a line with the Enemy, at 12:15 the Enemy
opened fire on her, at 12:16 English Admirals hoisted
their respective Flags, and the Fleet their Colours at
12:20 repeated the Sign to Engage closer. At 12:21 the
Victory broke the Line thro’ the Centre at 12:30 the
Action became severe in the Centre and Rear……. As
soon as the light wind permitted the remaining British
ships came up and engaged, and by 1:30 the battle was
at its height. The Euryalus led a line of small vessels
to windward of Lord Nelson’s weather line. At 1:25
pm Lord Nelson was mortally wounded while the on
Victory’s deck with his flag-captain and by 3 pm the firing
had diminished. At 4:40 pm having learned of the
completeness of the victory, the British Commander-in-Chief quietly and without a struggle ceased to breathe.
After the Battle
After the death of Nelson, Euryalus took Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood’s ship HMS Royal Sovereign in tow as it was badly damaged and Collingwood went
on board Euryalus. She later sailed on to England with Pierre de Villeneuve as prisoner. The following report of the battle and the death of Lord Nelson was written
by Admiral Collingwood while on board the Euryalus.
Letters from Collingwood to the Admiralty
THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRA-ORDINARY.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 1805.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Nov. 6.
Dispatches, of which the following are Copies, were received at the Admiralty this day, at one o’clock,
A.M., from Vice-Admiral Collingwood, Commanderin-Chief of his Majesty’s ships and vessels off Cadiz:-Euryalus, off Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 22, 1805.
SIR, The ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral, Lord Viscount NELSON, who in the late conflict with the enemy fell in the hour of victory, leaves
to me the duty of informing my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that on the 19th instant it was communicated
to the Commander-in-Chief, from the ships watching the motions of the enemy in Cadiz, that the combined fleet had put to sea; as they sailed with light
winds Westerly, his Lordship concluded their destination was the Mediterranean, and immediately made all sail for the Straights entrance with the British
Squadron, consisting of twenty-seven ships, three of them sixty-fours, where his Lordship was informed by Captain Blackwood (whose vigilance in watching and
giving notice of the enemy’s movements has been highly meritorious) that they had not yet-passed the Straights.
On Monday the 21st instant at daylight, when Cape Trafalgar bore E. by S. about seven leagues, the enemy was discovered six or seven miles Eastward, the wind
about West, and very light. The Commander-in-Chief immediately made the signal for the fleet to bear up in two columns as they are formed in order of sailing: a
mode of attack his Lordship had previously directed to avoid the inconveniences and delay in forming a line of battle in the usual manner. The enemy’s line consisted
of thirty three ships (of which eighteen were French and fifteen Spanish), commanded in chief by Admiral Villeneuve: the Spaniards under the direction of
Gravina, were with their heads Northward, and formed their line of battle with great closeness and correctness; but as the mode of attack was unusual, so the
structure of their line was new; it formed a crescent, convexing the lee-ward, so that in leading down to the centre I had both their van and rear abaft the beam;
before the fire opened, every alternate ship was about a cable’s length, to windward of her second ahead and astern, forming a kind of double line, and appeared
when on their beam to leave a very little interval between them; and this without crowding their ships.
Admiral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure in the centre, and the Prince of Asturias bore Gravina’s flag in the rear; but the French and Spanish ships were mixed
without any apparent regard to order of national squadron.
As the mode of our attack had been previously determined on and communicated to the Flag Officers and Captains, few signals were necessary, and none
were made except to direct close order as the lines bore down.
The Commander-in-Chief, in the Victory, led the weather column, and the Royal Sovereign, which bore my flag, the lee. The action began at twelve o’clock by the leading
ships of the column breaking through the enemy’s line, the Commander-in-Chief about the tenth ship from the van, the Second in Command about the
twelfth from the rear, leaving the van of the enemy unoccupied: the succeeding ships breaking through in all parts, astern of their leaders, and engaging the
enemy at the muzzles of their guns. The conflict was severe: the enemy’s ships were fought with a gallantry highly honourable to their Officers; but the attack on
them was irresistible, and it pleased the Almighty Disposer of all events to grant his Majesty’s arms a complete and glorious victory. About three P.M., many
of the enemy’s ships having struck their colours, their line gave way; Admiral Gravina, with ten ships joining their frigates to leeward, stood towards Cadiz. The
five headmost ships in their van tacked, and standing to the Southward, or windward of the-British line, were engaged and the stern most of them taken; the
others went off, leaving to his Majesty’s squadron nineteen ships of the line (of which three are first-rates, the Santissima, Trinidad, and the Santa Anna,) with
three Flag Officers, viz., Admiral Villeneuve, the Commander-in-Chief; Don Ignatis Maria D’Aliva, Vice Admiral; and the Spanish Rear Admiral, Don Bathagar
Hidalgo Cisueros.
After such a victory it may appear unnecessary to enter into econiums on the particular parts taken by the several Commanders; the conclusion says more on
the subject than I have language to express; the spirit which animated all was the same; when all exert themselves zealously in their country’s service, all deserve
that their high merits should stand recorded; and never was high merit more conspicuous than in the battle I have described.
The Achille (a French 74), after having surrendered, by some mismanagement of the Frenchman, took fire and blew up; two hundred of her men were saved by
the Tenders.
A circumstance occurred during the action which so strongly marks the invincible spirit of British seamen, when engaging the enemies of their country, that
I cannot resist the pleasure I have in making it known to their Lordships. The Temeraire was boarded by accident or design by a French ship on one side and a
Spaniard on the other; the contest was vigorous, but in the end the Combined Ensigns were torn from the poop and the British hoisted in their places. Such a battle
could not be fought without sustaining a great loss of men. I have not only to lament in common with the British Navy and the British Nation in the fall of the
Commander-in-Chief, the loss of a hero whose name will be immortal and his memory ever dear to his country; but my heart is rent with the most poignant
grief for the death of a friend to whom by many years intimacy and a perfect knowledge of the virtues of his mind, which inspired ideas superior to the common
race of men, I was bound by the strongest ties of affection: a grief to which the glorious occasion in which he fell does not bring the consolation which perhaps it
ought. His Lordship received a musket ball in his left breast about the middle of the action, and sent an Officer to me immediately with his last farewell, and
soon after expired.
I have also to lament the loss of those excellent Officers Captains Duff, of the Mars, and Cooke, of the Bellerophon: I have yet heard of none others. I fear the
numbers that have fallen will be found very great when the returns come to me; but it having blown a gale of wind ever since the action, I have not yet had it
in my power to collect any reports from the ships.
The Royal Sovereign having lost her masts, except the tottering foremast, I called the Euryalus to me while the action continued, which ship lying within
hail, made my signals - a service Captain Blackwood performed with great attention; after the action I shifted my flag to her, that I might more easily communicate
any orders to, and collect the ships, and towed the Royal Sovereign out to seaward. The whole fleet were now in a very perilous position, many dismasted, all
shattered, in thirteen fathom water, off the shoals of Trafalgar; and when I made the signal to prepare to anchor few of the ships had an anchor to let go, their
cables being shot; but the same good Providence which aided us through the day preserved us through the night by the wind shifting a few points and drifting
the ships off the land, except four of the captured, dismasted ships, which are now at anchor off Trafalgar, and I hope will ride safe until those gales are ever.
Having thus, detailed the proceedings of the fleet on this occasion, I beg to congratulate their Lordships on a victory which I hope will add a ray to the glory of
his Majesty’s crown, and be attended with public benefit to our country.
I am, &c., (Signed,)
C. COLLINGWOOD.
To: William Marsden, Esq.
(Signed,) C. COLLINGWOOD.
Allan
Log of Euryalus during the Battle of Trafalgar
A lot has been written about the Battle of Trafalgar, but many feel that the most detailed on-site description comes from the Euryalus’ Master’s log, which was written on a combination of parchment and at times sheets of sailcloth. The actual log that covered the dates surrounding Trafalgar still exists and is held by Lloyd’s of London. It is in poor condition and nolonger available to the public. Fortunately, it had been
transcribed in the past and can be found in at least one volume. We have included the dates from just prior to Trafalgar to several days following the battle. The following are the written words of Frederick Ruckert, Euryalus.
The grammar and spelling as well as missing words are as found
in the original.
Saturday October 19th
A.M. At 3.30 tacked ship. Moderate
and clear. Out 2nd reefs, set foresail
and spanker. At 4, ditto weather.
Squadron in company. At 5.30 tacked.
Sebastian NE about 4 miles. At daylight
observed the enemy’s ships in
Cadiz with topgallant yards across,
and eight ships having their topsails
hoisted to the mastheads. At 7, saw the northernmost
ships under way. At 7.20 dispatched the Phoebe to
repeat signals, between us and the English fleet. At 8,
saw 19 of the enemy under way. All the rest, except
the Spanish Rear-Admiral and another line-of-battle
ship, with their topsails to the masthead. The Defence
in sight from the masthead west. Phoebe WNW, firing
three minute guns. At 8.10 came within hail the Naiad,
and ordered her to repeat as many signals as possible
between us and the Phoebe. Made a telegraph message
to the Weazle, intelligence to Gibraltar and
Tetuan. At 9 ordered the Pickle to proceed with all
possible dispatch off Cape Spartel, and inform all
ships that the enemy is out, and cruise there 3 days
and then return to this place. Out all reefs and got all
ready for making sail. At 10, light airs, inclinable to
calm. At noon, calm. Phoebe and Naiad between us
and the fleet. Weazle and Pickle SSE. Sirius in company.
St. Sebastian E 1/2 N, 7 or 8 miles. Latitude
observed 36° 28’ N. The enemy’s ships in Cadiz Bay in
a calm.
PM – Light breezes and clear. Made and shortened
sail and tacked as the case required. At 4 do weather.
9 of the enemy’s ships out. Naiad and Phoebe between
us and the fleet repeating signals. Another line of battle
ship WNW. At 6, Rota NE 1/2E. Sebastian E by N
1/2 N, about 7 miles. Cape Trafalgar SE by S 3/4 S. The
enemy’s ships ENE about 3 miles, 12 in number. Bore
up and stood towards the enemy to watch their
motions, and observed the whole 12 standing towards
the northward on the larboard tack. Sirius in company.
Neat to quarters. At 8, light winds; hauled our
wind on the larboard tack, the body of the enemy’s
ships NE by E, about 2 miles. St. Sebastian E 1/2 S
about 4 miles. At 8.10 hailed the Sirius, and ordered
her to watch the enemy’s motion to the southward of
us. Observed several rockets made by the ships to the
westward of us. At 9, wore ship. Sirius SSW. Naiad
west. Lighthouse W by S, 4 miles. Still in sight of the
enemy. At 9.45, hove to. At 11.45 saw the ships to the
westward of us burn a blue light. At 12, light winds,
St. Sebastian NE 1/2 E, 4 or 5 miles.
Sunday, October 20th
A.M. Saw another blue light to windward. At 1.30
sprang up a breeze from the SW. Tacked and made sail
to the NW. At 4 tacked in 30 fathoms; two ships in
sight to windward. Sirius in company. At daylight
observed nine of the enemies’ ships, under sail off
Cadiz Harbour, and 4 at anchor, Naiad in sight south,
Sirius in company. Fresh breezes and cloudy.
Observed the enemy’s ships in the harbour getting
under way. 22 of the English fleet in sight from the
mast head. At 7.30, a strange sail NW. The Sirius
made sail in chase. At 7.50, saw the Sirius boarding a
chase which proved to be an American ship.
At 8.20, perceived a line-of-battle ship with a brig in
tow steering with all sail direct for the enemy within a
very near distance. Made the private signal to her and
proved to [be] H.M.S. Agamemnon. Made the signal
to the Agamemnon for the enemy NE. Repeated it
with many guns before it was noticed. She then
hauled to the wind on the starboard tack, having a
heavy brig tow which she did not cast off. At 8.35, the
Sirius got her boat back from the American ship and
she made sail on the larboard tack. Saw the van ship
of the enemy endeavouring to get up with the Sirius,
and a line-of-battle ship firing at her, then bearing
from us NE by E, 2 or 3 miles. At 8.50, thirty four ships
of the enemy in sight. At 9, St. Sebastian E 1/2 S, about
4 leagues. At 9.10, pointed out by signal the bearings
of the Commander in-Chief to the Agamemnon, and
made telegraph signals to her that thirty-four of the
enemy were out, and to make all sail and repeat signals
between me and the Admiral, and that the
enemy’s ships were much scattered, and directed Sir
Edward Berry to fire every 10 minutes with the preceding
signal; but she still stood on SE with the brig in
tow until we lost sight of her. At 9.30, strong breezes.
In 2nd reef of the topsails. At 9.45 observed a number
of the enemy’s ships wearing and standing toward
Cadiz. At 10, strong breezes and thick weather with
rain. Lost sight of the enemy’s ships. At 11, up mainsail,
down jib. At noon the wind more moderate, but
very heavy rain and thick weather.
P.M. – Heavy rain and thick weather. At 12.30, the
weather clearing up a little, saw the enemy to leeward
under low sail on the larboard tack; being close wore
ship, reefed topsails and made all possible sail to look
out for the English fleet in the SSW. Still keeping sight
of the enemy. At 1, more moderate; out reefs, set topgallant
sails. Saw the Sirius to leeward of us and
recalled her. At 2, saw the English fleet in the SSW,
standing to the westward. At 2.10, made a telegraph
message to the Sirius, ‘I am going to the Admiral, but
will return before night.’ At 3, exchanged ship’s numbers
with the fleet. At 3.20, made the telegraph message,
‘The enemy seems determined to push to the
westward, with numeral pendant 30N by E,’ which the
Admiral answered. Saw an English line-of-battle ship
to leeward of the fleet with her main topmast down.
At 4, wore ship and stood to the northward. At 4.40,
the English fleet wore. Enemy’s fleet on the larboard
tack to the northward. Up mainsail, crossed the royal
yards. At 5.20, observed some of the enemy’s look out
ships reconnoitring us; tacked ship. At 5.40 answered
the Admiral’s signal, ‘I rely on your keeping sight of
the enemy.’ At 6, ditto weather. Victory and fleet to
the southward. Enemy’s fleet and Sirius N by E.
Made several lights and burnt false fires to show the
enemy’s position to Lord Nelson and the fleet. At 8.30,
wore ship. At 9.50, wore ship. Up mainsail and kept
upon the enemy’s weather beam, about 2 or 3 miles.
Made and shortened sail occasionally. Fired guns and
burned false fires as necessary. At 12, moderate
breezes. The body of the enemy’s fleet SE by S about
3 miles, and the light of the English fleet to the southward
and westward 5 or 6 miles.
Monday, October 21st
A.M. – At 12.30, set foresail. At 3, out one reef of the
topsails. Light breezes and hazy. At daylight, the
body of the enemy’s fleet ESE 5 or 6 miles. English
fleet WSW. At 8, observed the British fleet forming
their lines, the headmost ships from the enemy’s centre
8 or 9 miles. The enemy’s force consisting of thirtythree
sail of the line, five frigates, and two brigs. Light
winds and hazy with a great swell from the westward.
English fleet all sail set. Standing toward the enemy,
then on the starboard tack. At 8.50, answered Lord
Nelson’s signal for the captain, who went immediately
on board the Victory. Took our station on the
Victory’s larboard quarter and repeated the Admiral’s
signals. At 10, observed the enemy wearing and coming
to the wind on the larboard tack. At 11.40 repeated
Lord Nelson’s telegraph message: ‘I intend to push
or go through the end of the enemy’s line to prevent
them from getting into Cadiz.’ Saw the land bearing E
by N, 5 or 6 leagues. At 11.56, repeated Lord Nelson’s
telegraph message: ‘England expects that every man
will do his duty.’ At noon, light winds and a great
swell from the westward. Observed the Royal
Sovereign, Admiral Collingwood, leading the lee line,
bearing down on the enemy’s rear line, being then
nearly within gunshot of them. Lord Nelson, leading
the weather line, bore down on the enemy’s centre.
Captain Blackwood returned from the Victory. Cape
Trafalgar SE by E, about 5 leagues.
P.M. – Light winds and hazy. British fleet bearing
down in two lines on the enemy’s which was forming
in one line from NNE to SSE, their strongest force from
the van to the centre. At 1.15, the British fleet bearing
down on the enemy, Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount
Nelson leading the weather line in the Victory, and
Vice Admiral Collingwood the lee line. At 12.15, the
enemy opened a heavy fire upon the Royal Sovereign.
At 12.16, the English Admirals hoisted their respective
flags and the fleet, the British fleet, the British ensign
(white). At 12.17, Admiral Collingwood returned the
enemy’s fire in a brave and steady manner. At 12.20,
we repeated Lord Nelson’s signal for the British fleet
to engage close, which was answered by the whole
fleet. At 12.21, the van and centre of the enemy’s line
opened a heavy fire upon the Victory and the ships she
was leading into action. At 12.20, Admiral
Collingwood and the headmost ships of his line broke
through the rear of the enemy’s, where the action commenced
in a most severe and determined, cool and
steady manner. At 12.24, Lord Nelson and the headmost
of the line he led into action, broke into the van
and centre of the enemy’s line and commenced the
action in that quarter in a stead and gallant manner.
Observed the Africa coming into the line, she being to
leeward, with all sails set on the starboard tack (free).
We kept Lord Nelson’s signal flying at the main royal
mast head, for the British fleet to engage close. At
12.26 observed one of the French ships totally dismasted
about the centre of the line, by some of the ships of
our lee line, and another of them with the fore yard
and mizen topmast shot away. At 1.15, observed the
Tonnant’s fore topmast shot away. At 1.25, observed
an English ship with her fore and mizen masts shot
away. At 1.32, her main yard shot away. The centre
and rear of the enemy’s line hard pressed in action. At
2, the Africa engaged very close a French 2 decked
ship, and in about 5 minutes’ time, shot away her main
and mizen masts. At 2.10, observed the Mars hard
pressed in action. The remainder of the British fleet,
which were come into action, kept up a well-directed
fire on the enemy. At 2.15, the Neptune, supported by
the Colossus, opened a heavy fire upon the Santisima
Trinidad and 2 other of the enemy’s line which were
next to her. At 2.20, the Trinidad’s main and mizen
masts shot away. At 2.30, the Africa shot away the
fore mast of the 2-decked ship she was engaged with,
and left her a complete wreck. She then bore up under
12
HER STORY
the Trinidad’s stern and raked here fore and aft.
Colossus and Neptune still engaged with her and the
other two ships, which appeared by their colours to be
French. At 2.34, the Trinidad’s fore mast shot away,
and at 2.26, one of the French ships’ main and mizen
masts. Observed 9 of the enemy’s van wear and stand
down towards the centre. Observed the Royal
Sovereign with her main and mizen masts gone. At
2.36 answered Lord Nelson’s signal to pass within
hail, made all possible sail and made the signal to the
Sirius, Phoebe, and Naiad to take ships in tow which
were disabled ENE, which she answered. Sounded in
50 fathoms. At 2.40 observed a French 2-decked ship
on fire and dismasted in the SSE quarter. Passed the
Spartiate and another 2-deck ship standing towards
the enemy’s van and opened a heavy fire, when the
action in that quarter commenced very severe. At 2.50,
passed by the Mars, who hailed us to take them in tow.
Captain Blackwood answered that he would do it with
pleasure, but that he was going to take the second in
command, the Royal Sovereign. The officer that hailed
us from the Mars, said that Captain Duff was no more.
At 3, came alongside the Royal Sovereign and took her
in tow. Captain Blackwood was hailed by Admiral
Collingwood and ordered to go on board the Santa
Ana, Spanish 3-deck ship, and bring him the Admiral,
which Captain Blackwood obeyed. At 3.30, the
enemy’s van approached as far as the centre and
opened a heavy fire on the Victory, Neptune, Spartiate,
Colossus, Mars, Africa, Agamemnon and Royal
Sovereign, which we had in tow, and was most nobly
returned. We had several of our main and topmast rigging
cut away, and backstays by the enemy’s shot, and
there being no time to haul down the studdingsails, as
the enemy’s van ships hauled up for us, we cut them
away and let them go overboard, at which time on of
the enemy’s nearest ships to us was totally dismasted.
At 4, light variable winds; not possible to manage the
Royal Sovereign, so as to bring her broadside to bear
on the enemy’s ships. At 4.10, we had the stream
cable, by which the Royal Sovereign was towed, shot
away and a cutter from the quarter. Wore ship, and
stood for the Victory. Observed the Phoebe and Sirius
and Naiad coming into the centre and taking some of
the disabled ships in tow. At this time the firing ceased
a little. At 4.20, observed a Spanish two-deck ship dismasted
and struck to one of our ships. Observed several
of the enemy’s ships still hard engaged. At 5, 11
___ of the enemy’s van and ___ of their rear bore up
and made all sail to the northward; were closely followed
by the English, which opened a heavy fire upon
them and dismasted a French two-deck ship and a
Spanish two-deck ship. At 5.20, the Achille French
two-deck ship, which was on fire, blew up with a great
explosion. At 5.25, made sail for the Royal Sovereign.
Observed the Victory’s mizen mast go overboard,
about which time the firing ceased, leaving the English
fleet conquerors, with11 ___ sail of the enemy’s ships
in our possession and one blown up,11 ___ of which
were first rates, and all dismasted. At 5.55 Admiral
Collingwood came on board and hoisted his flag (blue
at the fore.) At 6.15, sent a spare shroud hawser on
board the Royal Sovereign and took her in tow, and at
the same time sent all our boats with orders from
Admiral Collingwood to all the English ships we
could discover near us that they were to take the captured
ships in tow and follow the Admiral. At the time
saw Cape Trafalgar bearing SE by E about 8 miles.
Sent a boat on board the Spanish three-deck ship
which had struck, one main top gallant sail, standing
jib and main topgallant stay sail. At 7.36, took aback,
and the Royal Sovereign fell on board of our starboard
beam, and there being a great swell she damaged the
main channels, took away the lanyards of the main
and mizen rigging, jolly boat from the quarter and
davits, the most of the quarter-deck and waist hammock
cloths, boards, railing, with a number of hammocks
and bedding; took away the main and mizen
topgallant masts, lost the royals, and yard. Tore the
fore and main sails very much, and took away a great
part of the running rigging. At 7.40 got her clear, made
sail on the starboard tack with a light wind from the
Blank in original
WSW, and a great swell. Employed repairing the damages
sustained by the Sovereign falling on board of us.
At 9, sounded in 23 fathoms. Made the signal with a
gun, prepare to anchor. Fleet and prizes in company.
Light airs and a great swell from the westward. At
9.15, sound in 15 fathoms. At 9.2 in 14 fathoms. At
9.35, the water deepened. At 11 sounded in 36 fathoms.
At 11.20, the water shoaled to 26 fathoms. At 12,
in 22 fathoms.
Tuesday, October 22nd
A.M. – At 12.15, made the signal with three guns to
wear and wore ship. Came to the wind on the larboard
tack, head to the westward Sovereign in tow.
Fleet and prizes in company. Moderate breezes and
cloudy. Made and shortened sail as necessary. At 4, do
weather. At daylight, 4 sail in sight in the SW and 40
sail from east to NE. At 8, cast off the Sovereign and
the Neptune took her in tow. Received from the
Pickle, schooner, 18 French prisoners, which was part
of the men she saved out of the Achille, French ship,
which was blown up in the action. Strong gales and
rain. Fleet and prizes much scattered. Made the general
signal for the fleet to close. A 9, wore ship and
hove to. At 11.20, filled and made sail on the starboard
tack. At noon, strong gales and cloudy, with
heavy rain. Most of the fleet and prizes company.
Cape Trafalgar bearing SE about 4 leagues.
P.M. – Strong breezes and hazy; rain. Joined company
H.M.S. Melpomene. At 2, wore, in mizen topsail
and down jib. Cape Trafalgar SE by S, 7 or 8 miles. Set
storm staysail. Down top gallant yards and struck the
masts. At 4, strong gales and rain. At 8, ditto gales
with heavy squalls and rain. At 9.30, set foresail. At
11.30, took aback, stood on the starboard tack. Burnt
blue lights every hour. At 12, do, weather. Sounded in
40 fathoms.
Wednesday, October 23rd
A.M. – Do. weather with heavy squalls. The fore
topmast staysail split and blown away by a heavy
squall from the westward. At 2, sound in 45 fathoms.
At 4, sounded in 65 fathoms. A5.30, out 3rd reef of the
topsails and swayed them up. Weather more moderate.
Up top gallant masts. At 7 Cape Trafalgar east,
about 13 or 14 miles. At 8, heavy rain and squally.
Several of the fleet and prizes in sight. At 11, sounded
in 59 fathoms. At 12, forty-seven sail in sight. Wind
variable and cloudy. Cape Trafalgar SE, 5 or 6 leagues.
P.M. – Variable and cloudy. Bore up and tacked
occasionally to collect the prizes. At 3, observed 10 of
the enemy’s ships in the ENE. Made the signal to prepare
for battle, and formed a line of 10 sail between the
prizes and the enemy. At 4, strong breezes and cloudy.
Stood to the ENE. At 5.30 lost sight of the enemy and
hauled on the larboard tack in 3rd reef of topsail.
Strong breezes and rain, and a heavy swell from the
westward. Fleet and prizes in company. At 6, ditto
weather. At 8, strong gales with rain and a heavy
squall. Some of the fleet in sight. At 9, furled mainsail,
in fore and mizen topsails. From 10 to 11.45, heavy
gales and rain. At 12, little more moderate.
Thursday, October 24th
A.M. – Ditto, gales and rain. Struck topgallant
masts. At 3.30, wore ship and made the signal with
guns for the fleet to wear. At 4, ditto gales and squally.
At daylight, 45 sail of the fleet and prizes in sight, but
much scattered. Anumber of the dismasted prizes not
in tow. At 7, more moderate, with a great swell from
the westward. Up topgallant masts and yards. Bore
up, filled and made sail occasionally. At 8 Sebastian
light house SE by E, about 5 leagues. Fleet and prizes
much scattered. At 9, observed 5 of the enemy’s ships
close in shore off Cadiz Harbour. A 11, reefed topsails.
At noon, strong breezes and cloudy. Received from
the Neptune the French Commander-in-Chief,
Admiral Villeneuve. Sebastian SE by E 1/2E, 5 or 6
leagues.
P.M. – Fresh breezes and cloudy. At 3, filled. At
3.40 tacked. At noon, moderate and appeared for fine
weather. Bore up for the ships. Employed destroying
the prizes between Cadiz and St. Lucia [San Lucar]. At
5.30, shortened sail and hove to. Sent Lieut. Williams,
the carpenter and his crew, with 30 men on board the
Santisima Trinidad, Spanish 4-decker, to destroy her.
Sounded in 20 fathoms. At 9.15, boats returned.
Hoisted them up and made sail on the starboard tack.
At 9.30, saw one of the prizes blow up with a great
explosion. Wore shop and hauled on the larboard
tack. Out reefs. At 10.30, in topgallant sails, down jib.
Strong breezes and squally, with rain. At 12, do.
weather.
Friday October 25th
A.M. – At 1, in 3rd reef of topsails. At 1.30, took
aback. Wore ship. At 3.30 wore shop and close-reefed
topsails. At 4, strong breezes, with squalls, and heavy
rain form the southward and westward. Down topgallant
yards and struck the masts. At 8, ditto gales, 17
sail in sight. At 8.20, set mizen topsail and storm staysail.
At 9.45, in fore topsail. Heavy gales, and thick
weather with rain. At 10, in mizen topsail. At noon,
strong gales with a heavy swell. Cape St. Marras, N,
70° W, 35 miles.
P.M. – Heavy gales and thick rain, and a heavy
swell from the southward. At 12.15, the spritsail yard
carried away by a heavy sea with all the rigging
belonging to it, and also the head rails and boards.
Found the spanker boom sprung close outside the
Taffrail. Got it in. Carpenters employed fishing it. At
2, reefed foresail and furled the main sail. At 4, ditto
gales and rain. At 5, wore ship on the starboard tack
under storm staysails, close reefed main topsail and
staysail. At 8, more moderate with a heavy swell. At
9, set fore and mizen topsails. At 12, fresh gales and a
great swell.
Saturday, October 26th*
A.M. – Ditto gales. Sounded occasionally, but no
bottom. At 7.50, seven sail of the fleet in sight. The
Pickle, schooner, in company. At 8, heavy rain with
squalls. At noon fresh gales and squally. Fourteen sail
in sight. Dispatched the Pickle, schooner, for England.
P.M. – Strong gales and squally. At 4.45 hove to. 4
dismasted and 5 complete ships at anchor. 30 sail in all
in sight.
Sunday , October 27th
A.M. – At 4, squally with rain. At 6.30, bore up and
made toward the ships at anchor. Thirty sail in all in
sight. Fresh gales and squally with heavy rain. At 8,
made the telegraph message to the Prince, ‘Take
Tonnant under orders and repair to Gibraltar or Tetuan
as fast as possible. Collect all disabled ships that you
meet and take them with you.’ And made the signal to
her that the Victory bore west. At 10, made to the
Britannia telegraph message, ‘Admiral desires you
keep to windward, and not come down without signal.’
Fresh gales and squally with rain. At noon, 30
sail in sight. Made the signal by telegraph to the
Minotaur, ‘I don’t think there are any ships in Cadiz
from my observation.’
P.M. – Fresh breezes and squally. At 1, observed the
Donegal and Thunderer weigh and stood to the NE.
*From this date, only extracts of the log are included
Monday, October 28th
A.M. – At 5.30, wore ship and bore down towards
the ships at anchor. Squally weather with showers of
rain. Twenty-one sail in sight. At 9.30, shortened sail
and hove to near the ships at anchor.
P.M. – Fresh breezes and squally with rain.
Received from the Entreprenante, 15 men belonging to
the Téméraire, 12 Bellerophons, and 6 Phoebe.
Thursday, October 29th
A.M. – Squally with rain. At daylight bore up for
the Téméraire. Out reefs, set topgallant sails, and
crossed royal yards. Set the sails and all staysails. At 8,
moderate and cloudy. A frigate with a hulk in company,
NE by N. At noon, light breezes and clear. Point
Regal ESE, 8 or 9 miles. Lying to be the Téméraire.
P.M. – Moderate and hazy. At 4, San Lucar, SE by E
1/2 E, 8 or 9 miles. 30 sail in sight. At 7.40, observed a
ship on fire, which blew [up] in the SSE quarter.
Friday, October 30th
A.M. – Ditto weather with lightning in the south
quarter. Joined the Sirius with a French frigate and
brig, being cartels from Cadiz. At 8, fresh gales and
hazy. Defence with her prize in company at anchor off
Cadiz SE by E, about 4 leagues.
P.M. – Moderate and hazy. At 5, joined company
Admiral Louis and squadron; hove to by the ship at
anchor. Admiral Louis and the captains of the
squadron came on board, and at 7.30 they went to their
respective ships.
Thursday, October 31st
A.M. – Out barge. At 10, Admiral Collingwood
struck his flag on board the Euryalus, and hoisted it on
board H.M.S. Queen.
The following additional information from October 21st on Trafalgar is from the personal journal of Lieutenant W. W. Pike of the Euryalus .
At 12:15 Royal Sovereign hawl’d more to the Wind,
to form a line with the Enemy, at 12:15 the Enemy
opened fire on her, at 12:16 English Admirals hoisted
their respective Flags, and the Fleet their Colours at
12:20 repeated the Sign to Engage closer. At 12:21 the
Victory broke the Line thro’ the Centre at 12:30 the
Action became severe in the Centre and Rear……. As
soon as the light wind permitted the remaining British
ships came up and engaged, and by 1:30 the battle was
at its height. The Euryalus led a line of small vessels
to windward of Lord Nelson’s weather line. At 1:25
pm Lord Nelson was mortally wounded while the on
Victory’s deck with his flag-captain and by 3 pm the firing
had diminished. At 4:40 pm having learned of the
completeness of the victory, the British Commander-in-Chief quietly and without a struggle ceased to breathe.
After the Battle
After the death of Nelson, Euryalus took Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood’s ship HMS Royal Sovereign in tow as it was badly damaged and Collingwood went
on board Euryalus. She later sailed on to England with Pierre de Villeneuve as prisoner. The following report of the battle and the death of Lord Nelson was written
by Admiral Collingwood while on board the Euryalus.
Letters from Collingwood to the Admiralty
THE LONDON GAZETTE EXTRA-ORDINARY.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 1805.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Nov. 6.
Dispatches, of which the following are Copies, were received at the Admiralty this day, at one o’clock,
A.M., from Vice-Admiral Collingwood, Commanderin-Chief of his Majesty’s ships and vessels off Cadiz:-Euryalus, off Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 22, 1805.
SIR, The ever-to-be-lamented death of Vice-Admiral, Lord Viscount NELSON, who in the late conflict with the enemy fell in the hour of victory, leaves
to me the duty of informing my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that on the 19th instant it was communicated
to the Commander-in-Chief, from the ships watching the motions of the enemy in Cadiz, that the combined fleet had put to sea; as they sailed with light
winds Westerly, his Lordship concluded their destination was the Mediterranean, and immediately made all sail for the Straights entrance with the British
Squadron, consisting of twenty-seven ships, three of them sixty-fours, where his Lordship was informed by Captain Blackwood (whose vigilance in watching and
giving notice of the enemy’s movements has been highly meritorious) that they had not yet-passed the Straights.
On Monday the 21st instant at daylight, when Cape Trafalgar bore E. by S. about seven leagues, the enemy was discovered six or seven miles Eastward, the wind
about West, and very light. The Commander-in-Chief immediately made the signal for the fleet to bear up in two columns as they are formed in order of sailing: a
mode of attack his Lordship had previously directed to avoid the inconveniences and delay in forming a line of battle in the usual manner. The enemy’s line consisted
of thirty three ships (of which eighteen were French and fifteen Spanish), commanded in chief by Admiral Villeneuve: the Spaniards under the direction of
Gravina, were with their heads Northward, and formed their line of battle with great closeness and correctness; but as the mode of attack was unusual, so the
structure of their line was new; it formed a crescent, convexing the lee-ward, so that in leading down to the centre I had both their van and rear abaft the beam;
before the fire opened, every alternate ship was about a cable’s length, to windward of her second ahead and astern, forming a kind of double line, and appeared
when on their beam to leave a very little interval between them; and this without crowding their ships.
Admiral Villeneuve was in the Bucentaure in the centre, and the Prince of Asturias bore Gravina’s flag in the rear; but the French and Spanish ships were mixed
without any apparent regard to order of national squadron.
As the mode of our attack had been previously determined on and communicated to the Flag Officers and Captains, few signals were necessary, and none
were made except to direct close order as the lines bore down.
The Commander-in-Chief, in the Victory, led the weather column, and the Royal Sovereign, which bore my flag, the lee. The action began at twelve o’clock by the leading
ships of the column breaking through the enemy’s line, the Commander-in-Chief about the tenth ship from the van, the Second in Command about the
twelfth from the rear, leaving the van of the enemy unoccupied: the succeeding ships breaking through in all parts, astern of their leaders, and engaging the
enemy at the muzzles of their guns. The conflict was severe: the enemy’s ships were fought with a gallantry highly honourable to their Officers; but the attack on
them was irresistible, and it pleased the Almighty Disposer of all events to grant his Majesty’s arms a complete and glorious victory. About three P.M., many
of the enemy’s ships having struck their colours, their line gave way; Admiral Gravina, with ten ships joining their frigates to leeward, stood towards Cadiz. The
five headmost ships in their van tacked, and standing to the Southward, or windward of the-British line, were engaged and the stern most of them taken; the
others went off, leaving to his Majesty’s squadron nineteen ships of the line (of which three are first-rates, the Santissima, Trinidad, and the Santa Anna,) with
three Flag Officers, viz., Admiral Villeneuve, the Commander-in-Chief; Don Ignatis Maria D’Aliva, Vice Admiral; and the Spanish Rear Admiral, Don Bathagar
Hidalgo Cisueros.
After such a victory it may appear unnecessary to enter into econiums on the particular parts taken by the several Commanders; the conclusion says more on
the subject than I have language to express; the spirit which animated all was the same; when all exert themselves zealously in their country’s service, all deserve
that their high merits should stand recorded; and never was high merit more conspicuous than in the battle I have described.
The Achille (a French 74), after having surrendered, by some mismanagement of the Frenchman, took fire and blew up; two hundred of her men were saved by
the Tenders.
A circumstance occurred during the action which so strongly marks the invincible spirit of British seamen, when engaging the enemies of their country, that
I cannot resist the pleasure I have in making it known to their Lordships. The Temeraire was boarded by accident or design by a French ship on one side and a
Spaniard on the other; the contest was vigorous, but in the end the Combined Ensigns were torn from the poop and the British hoisted in their places. Such a battle
could not be fought without sustaining a great loss of men. I have not only to lament in common with the British Navy and the British Nation in the fall of the
Commander-in-Chief, the loss of a hero whose name will be immortal and his memory ever dear to his country; but my heart is rent with the most poignant
grief for the death of a friend to whom by many years intimacy and a perfect knowledge of the virtues of his mind, which inspired ideas superior to the common
race of men, I was bound by the strongest ties of affection: a grief to which the glorious occasion in which he fell does not bring the consolation which perhaps it
ought. His Lordship received a musket ball in his left breast about the middle of the action, and sent an Officer to me immediately with his last farewell, and
soon after expired.
I have also to lament the loss of those excellent Officers Captains Duff, of the Mars, and Cooke, of the Bellerophon: I have yet heard of none others. I fear the
numbers that have fallen will be found very great when the returns come to me; but it having blown a gale of wind ever since the action, I have not yet had it
in my power to collect any reports from the ships.
The Royal Sovereign having lost her masts, except the tottering foremast, I called the Euryalus to me while the action continued, which ship lying within
hail, made my signals - a service Captain Blackwood performed with great attention; after the action I shifted my flag to her, that I might more easily communicate
any orders to, and collect the ships, and towed the Royal Sovereign out to seaward. The whole fleet were now in a very perilous position, many dismasted, all
shattered, in thirteen fathom water, off the shoals of Trafalgar; and when I made the signal to prepare to anchor few of the ships had an anchor to let go, their
cables being shot; but the same good Providence which aided us through the day preserved us through the night by the wind shifting a few points and drifting
the ships off the land, except four of the captured, dismasted ships, which are now at anchor off Trafalgar, and I hope will ride safe until those gales are ever.
Having thus, detailed the proceedings of the fleet on this occasion, I beg to congratulate their Lordships on a victory which I hope will add a ray to the glory of
his Majesty’s crown, and be attended with public benefit to our country.
I am, &c., (Signed,)
C. COLLINGWOOD.
To: William Marsden, Esq.
(Signed,) C. COLLINGWOOD.
