Book 157

Admiral Lord Nelson's decisive victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain on 21 October 1805 remains one of the greatest naval triumphs in history. Off Cape Trafalgar, 27 British ships met a larger Franco-Spanish force. The 'Nelson Touch' prevented the front third of the Franco-Spanish fleet from engaging and brought on a battle with the remainder. The five-hour battle resulted in a glorious victory for Nelson but at the cost of his own life. This book examines the tactics used by both sides in this history of the battle that secured British Naval dominance for the next century.