Trafalgar: James Grant, HMS Norseman, 1799-1806

The yards came round, spilling the wind from the sails, and Norse man slowed to a standstill just out of range of the enemy’s guns wallowing a little in the swell. More and more of the ships in Lord Nelson’s column were coming up in turn to add the weight of their gunfire to the fray. Beyond, I could see the ships of Admiral Collingwood’s column similarly engaged. It was a tremendous spectacle that almost made me forget the task I had been given. I looked towards the front of the enemy line and, sure enough, five of their ships were turning slowly and heading back towards the fighting…