Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté KBwas a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He was noted for his inspirational leadership, superb grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics, all of which resulted in a number of decisive naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was wounded several times in combat, losing one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the sight in one eye in Corsica. He was shot and...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth29 September 1758
Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better.
To do nothing was disgraceful; therefore I made use of my understanding.
Frigates are the eyes of a fleet.
There can be no place for self entirely
First gain the victory and then make the best use of it you can.
I cannot, if I am in the field of glory, be kept out of sight: wherever there is anything to be done, there Providence is sure to direct my steps.
The business of the English commander-in-chief being first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy.
When I came to explain to them the 'Nelson Touch', it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all approved - 'It was new - it was singular - it was simple!'.
Had we taken ten sails, and let the eleventh to escape, being able to get at her, I could never have called it well done.
If I had been censured every time I have run my ship, or fleets under my command, into great danger, I should have long ago been out of the Service and never in the House of Peers.
You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King, and you must treat every Frenchman as if he were the Devil himself.
Laurels grow in the Bay of Biscay, I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean.
Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last... my backbone is shot through.