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In 1793 France declared war on Great Britain and the war continued, with a short break in 1802-3, until the Second Treaty of Paris in 1815. On 21 October 1805 the British Fleet, under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain at the Battle of Trafalgar off the Spanish Coast.
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At 11.35 am, as the ships sailed towards each other, Nelson sent his famous flag signal to his fleet from his flagship Victory: ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY, which was acknowledged with great acclaim and enthusiasm by all his ships.
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The British fired their first guns at noon. Sadly, only twenty minutes into the battle, a French musketeer shot Nelson. He was carried below decks to the surgeon and at 4.30pm he died of his wounds.
Horatio Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, in 1758. He entered the navy at the age of 12 and quickly gained promotion. On 11 July 1798 he commanded the British fleet that defeated the French at the Battle of the Nile. In 1801 his daring led to the defeat of the Danes, allies of the French, at the Battle of Copenhagen.
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Nelson was unusual in that he joined the navy coming from East Anglia. Most naval officers came from the southern counties of England. One such family were the Hoods of Butleigh in Somerset. Vice Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, Bt (1762-1814) was a fellow officer and friend of Nelson. Although he did not fight at Trafalgar he did command Zealous at the Battle of the Nile, and also took part at the Battle of Copenhagen. His exploits were commemorated by the Hood Monument at Butleigh.
LINKS
www.hmsvictory.ngfl.gov.uk
www.hms-victory.com/
www.royalnavalmuseum.org
www.nelson-museum.co.uk
www.answers.com/Horatio_Nelson
www.nelson-society.org.uk
www.nmm.ac.uk
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