On the 21st October 1805, 27 ships of the line of the Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson engaged the combined fleets of France and Spain. Nelson sent the signal, ‘England Expects every man to do his duty’ and over the next few hours, under terrible fighting conditions, the British fleet overcame their enemy and won a famous victory, but at a cost.

Joining to discuss the battle of Trafalgar is naval historian and hydrographer Michael Barritt, author of Nelson’s Pathfinders as we discuss the conditions, the seamanship and the hydrography, the  discipline of naval intelligence, the method to chart sea beds – it’s worth remembering the Royal Navy lost twice as many ships to shipwreck as to battle.

Episode Links

Nelson's Pathfinders: A Forgotten Story in the Triumph of British Sea Power

Breaking the Line - Map of the battle

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