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He was first assigned to the Mediterranean, based out of the [Kingdom of Naples]?. in 1794 he was shot in the face during a joint operation at Calvi?, Corsica, which cost him the sight in his right eye -- his left eye suffered from the additional burden, and Nelson was slowly going blind up until his death; he would often wear a patch over his good eye to protect it. |
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He was first assigned to the Mediterranean, based out of the [Kingdom of Naples]?. In 1794 he was shot in the face during a joint operation at Calvi?, Corsica, which cost him the sight in his right eye -- his left eye suffered from the additional burden, and Nelson was slowly going blind up until his death; he would often wear a patch over his good eye to protect it. |
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The next year, Nelson was once again responsible for a great victory over the French. The Battle of the Nile (also known as the Battle of the Nile) took place on August 1, 1798, and as a result, Napoleon's ambition to take the war to the British in India came to an end. The forces Napoleon had brought to Egypt were stranded, and Napoleon himself had to be smuggled back to France. For his efforts, Nelson was granted the title of Baron. Not content to rest on his laurels, he then rescued the Neapolitan royal family from a French invasion in December. During this time, he fell in love with Lady Hamilton -- the young wife of the elderly British ambassador to Naples. She became his mistress, and eventually they had a daughter, Horatia. Some have suggested that a head wound he received at Aboukir Bay was partially responsible for that conduct, and for the somewhat desultory way in which he conducted the Neopolitan campaign. |
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The next year, Nelson was once again responsible for a great victory over the French. The Battle of the Nile (also known as the Battle of Aboukir Bay) took place on August 1, 1798, and as a result, Napoleon's ambition to take the war to the British in India came to an end. The forces Napoleon had brought to Egypt were stranded, and Napoleon himself had to be smuggled back to France. For his efforts, Nelson was granted the title of Baron. Not content to rest on his laurels, he then rescued the Neapolitan royal family from a French invasion in December. During this time, he fell in love with Lady Hamilton -- the young wife of the elderly British ambassador to Naples. She became his mistress, and eventually they had a daughter, Horatia. Some have suggested that a head wound he received at Aboukir Bay was partially responsible for that conduct, and for the somewhat desultory way in which he conducted the Neopolitan campaign. |
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On January 1, 1801, he was promoted to [Vice Admiral of the Blue]? (the fourth highest rank). Within a few months he was involved in the [Battle of Copenhagen]? (April 2, 1801), which nullified the fleet of the Danes, newly allies of the French. The action was considered somewhat underhanded by some, and in fact Nelson had been ordered to cease the battle by his commander [Sir Hyde Parker]?. In a famous incident, however, he claimed he could not see the signal flags conveying the order, pointedly raising his telescope to his blind eye. His action was approved in restrospect, and in May he became commander-in-chief in the Baltic Sea, and was awarded the title of Viscount by the British crown. |
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On January 1, 1801, he was promoted to [Vice Admiral of the Blue]? (the fourth highest rank). Within a few months he was involved in the [Battle of Copenhagen]? (April 2, 1801), which nullified the fleet of the Danes, in order to break up the armed neutrality of Denmark, Sweden and Russia. The action was considered somewhat underhanded by some, and in fact Nelson had been ordered to cease the battle by his commander [Sir Hyde Parker]?. In a famous incident, however, he claimed he could not see the signal flags conveying the order, pointedly raising his telescope to his blind eye. His action was approved in restrospect, and in May he became commander-in-chief in the Baltic Sea, and was awarded the title of Viscount by the British crown. |
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Nelson was noted for his considerable ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch". Famous even while alive, after his death he was lionized like almost no other military figure in British history (his only peers are the Duke of Marlborough and Nelson's contemporary, the Duke of Wellington). The monumental [Nelson's Column]? and the surrounding [Trafalgar Square]? are notable locations in London to this day, and Nelson was buried in [Westminster Abbey]?. The Victory is still afloat, and is in fact still kept on active commission in honour of Nelson -- it is the flagship of the Second Sea Lord; she can be found in Number 2 Dry Dock of the Portsmouth Naval Base, in Portsmouth, England. |
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Nelson was noted for his considerable ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch". Famous even while alive, after his death he was lionized like almost no other military figure in British history (his only peers are the Duke of Marlborough and Nelson's contemporary, the Duke of Wellington). The monumental [Nelson's Column]? and the surrounding [Trafalgar Square]? are notable locations in London to this day, and Nelson was buried in [Westminster Abbey]?. The Victory is in existence, and is in fact still kept on active commission in honour of Nelson -- it is the flagship of the Second Sea Lord; she can be found in Number 2 Dry Dock of the Portsmouth Naval Base, in Portsmouth, England. |
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