Horatio Nelson's Naval Engagements from Early Career to Trafalgar
Horatio Nelson, a prominent British naval commander during the Napoleonic Wars, participated in numerous significant battles throughout his career. His military engagements began at age 16 in the Indian Ocean during the first Anglo-Maratha War and included conflicts such as the Siege of Calvi in 1793, where he lost sight in one eye. Notable victories include the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, the Battle of the Nile in 1798, and the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. He also experienced defeats, including the failed assault on Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797, where he lost his right arm. Nelson's final and most celebrated victory occurred at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where he was fatally wounded, securing British naval dominance.
Key facts
- Horatio Nelson began his naval combat experience at age 16 in the Indian Ocean.
- He lost sight in one eye during the Siege of Calvi in 1793.
- Nelson achieved a major victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, stranding Napoleon in Egypt.
- He disregarded a retreat order at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, leading to British success.
- Nelson was killed during his triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Entities
Artists
- George Jones
- John Francis Rigaud
- William Henry & Bromley
- Daniel Orme
- Richard Westall
- Nicholas Pocock
- George Arnald
- Robert Dodd
- Louis-Philippe Crépin
- Benjamin West
- Lemuel Francis Abbott
Institutions
- Royal Museums Greenwich
- Walker Art Gallery
Locations
- Indian Ocean
- Nicaragua
- Corsica
- Cape St Vincent
- Canary Islands
- Nile
- Copenhagen
- Boulogne
- Trafalgar