The Battle of Trafalgar 1805 

On 21st October 2005, The Little Manor at Thelwall took part in lighting a Beacon in the grounds to commemorate the Victory of the Battle of Trafalgar one of over 200 which were lit across the UK.

This Battle took place 200 years ago off the Cape of Trafalgar on coast of Spain. It was a Battle between the Spanish and French Fleets against the Royal Navy.

The Spanish and French fleets sailed from the port of Cadiz while the Royal Naval fleet approached from the Straits of Gibraltar. The ships formed two columns lead by HMS Victory. The Royal Navy were out numbered by the Spanish and French fleets but due to pre planning the battle started at 12.00noon.

HMS Victory was damaged by the Neptune and Redoubtable. During this encounter, Nelson was struck in the shoulder by a cannon ball from the Redoubtable a French ship and it smashed into his spine. The battle continued as Nelson lay dying. By the afternoon the British ships gained the upper hand and Captain Hardy told Nelson that the battle was won. "Thank God I have done my duty" were Nelson's last words before he died at 4.30pm .

The victory of the battle was overshadowed by Nelson's death; he was declared a National Hero.

The HMS Victory was towed to Gibraltar her masts badly damaged. The casualties were high, the British lost 449 men and 1241 were wounded. The French and Spanish Fleets lost 4408 and 2545 were wounded.

The victory of this sea battle secured supremacy of the British Navy on the high seas for the next hundred years, ending the threat to the England of the invasion of France.