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
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.
Whoever gains the palm by merit, let him hold it.
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.
Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but know he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year.
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.
Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty.
Thank God I have done my duty. Drink, drink. Fan, fan. Rub, rub. Kiss me, Hardy.
If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting.
In honour I gained them, and in honour I will die with them.