The Life Of Horatio Nelson

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• published: 22 Mar 2013
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For more information and images about this video please visit http://talesofcuriosity.com/v/Nelson/. Beneath is abridged text from our site: Horatio Nelson was born September 28, 1758, in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk England - the sixth of eleven children. His father was Reverend Edmund Nelson. His mother Catherine Nelson died when he was 9 years old. She was the grandniece of Sir Robert Walpole, the first British Prime Minister. Catherine Nelson's brother was Captain Maurice Suckling. January 1, 1771 aged 13 Horatio Nelson joined his uncle's ship HMS Raisonnable. The frail boy was seasick, a life-long condition. When Suckling was transferred to HMS Triumph, Nelson moved to serve aboard the West Indiamen. He returned to his Uncle's ship & his first command, a longboat used to ferry supplies. Eventually Nelson was promoted to lieutenant & attached to HMS Lowestoffe, patrolling the West Indies, during the American War of Independence. He was given command of "Little Lucy" a captured American tender. 1784, he was given command of a frigate, HMS Boreas. On Nevis Island, Nelson met Frances Nisbet, a young widow from a plantation family. They married March 11, 1787. With hostilities ended the couple returned to England & they settled in his birthplace, Burnham Thorpe. In 1792, Nelson was recalled to service. Tensions between France & Britain were leading to war. January 1793, he was given command of HMS Agamemnon, a 64-gun ship, patrolling the Mediterranean. In Naples he met Britain's ambassador Sir William Hamilton & his beautiful & witty wife, Lady Emma Hamilton. July 12, 1794, Nelson was on Corsica. A shot hit a sandbag, the debris strucking his right eye. The eye was badly damaged & he eventually lost sight in it. In 1797, Nelson was involved in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. As he stepped ashore, a musket ball shattered his right arm. He was rowed back to the ship refusing help boarding saying: "Let me alone! I have got my legs left & one arm." Nelson instructed the ship's surgeon to prepare his instruments ready for amputation, saying: "the sooner it was off the better" After more action Nelson was a public hero, but not so popular with his superior officers, as he was known for insubordination. In 1799, Nelson returned to Naples. Reunited with Emma Hamilton they began a lifelong affair. In 1800, Sir William Hamilton was recalled to Britain. Nelson also returned, receiving a heroes welcome. Their relationship however was becoming common knowledge. Eventually his wife Fanny Nelson, issued an ultimatum, to choose between her or Emma Hamilton. Nelson replied: "I love you sincerely but I cannot forget my obligations to Lady Hamilton or speak of her otherwise than with affection & admiration" January 29 1801, Nelson & Emma Hamilton's illegitimate daughter Horatia was born. Two years later Emma's husband died & she was christened, with Emma & Horatio as godparents. They adopted her claiming she was an orphan. October 12 1805 HMS Victory, was in the Cape of Trafalgar, off the south-west coast of Spain. Nelson's fleet of 27 ships faced 33 French & Spanish ships. Before battle Nelson sent a flag signal: "England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty" Nelson was on the deck of HMS Victory wearing his military honours & was easily spotted by a sniper. The bullet hit his left shoulder, piercing a lung & striking his spine. Nelson told Hardy, HMS Victory's captain: "Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last ... my backbone is shot through" Nelson was taken below decks. The dying Nelson asked those there to "Take care of poor Lady Hamilton" & thanked God that "I have done my duty". His last words were "God & my country". To preserve it Nelson's body was placed in a cask of brandy, tied to HMS Victory's mast. It was then moved to a lead-lined coffin filled with wine. After repairs, HMS Victory brought the body home. January 9, 1806, Nelson's state funeral took place. The coffin was escorted by 32 admirals, over a 100 captains, & 10,000 troops. Nelson's body was laid to rest in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral in a sarcophagus made for Thomas Cardinal Wolsey. His dying wishes for Emma Hamilton & Horatia were not honoured. Financial difficulties lead to them spending a year in a debtors prison. To escape creditors Emma fled to France. January 15 1815, Emma Hamilton, Nelson's great love died in poverty. May 13, 1831, Nelson's wife died aged 70. It is said she was still devoted to his memory. 1840, work began on Nelson's column in London's Trafalgar Square. The statue faces the Admiralty & Portsmouth where HMS Victory is docked. March 6, 1881, Nelson's beloved daughter Horatia died aged 80. She had married Reverend Philip Ward & produced ten children. HMS Victory is preserved in Portsmouth, a plaque marks where he fell. Thus ends our tale of the life & times of Horatio Nelson.