ADMIRAL LORD NELSON (1758-1805)

[Index]  [Previous]

I'm sure few have failed to notice this summer the bicentenary celebrations of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.

Why is he still respected so much?  Let's have a look at some of the significant points in his life.

Until Nelson, sea battles were usually inconclusive encounters with a few damaged ships limping off for repairs to fight another day.  Nelson changed all that.  At the Battle of the Nile in August 1798 just two French ships out of seventeen escaped.  Similarly at the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801 just two enemy ships escaped and seventeen were sunk, burnt or taken.  So by 1805 Nelson was a national hero adored by all and mobbed wherever he went.

On 21st October 1805 this battle scarred leader of men, the son of a village vicar, led the British Navy into battle against the combined forces of the French and Spanish fleets. He knew the dangers; the words of the prayer he wrote before the battle can be found below.

The battle cost him his life, but he had become the saviour of the British people. Victory at Trafalgar gave him a place in history and honour throughout the land.

The God to whom Nelson prayed sent His Son Jesus Christ to do battle against sin and be our Saviour. Christ dealt with sin once and for all.

Nelson died IN his hour of triumph; Christ's death WAS His hour of triumph. 

Nelson is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral; Christ, the Saviour of the world, rose from the dead to give us new life.

The prayer of Lord Nelson

“May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country

and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and

glorious victory: and may no misconduct, in anyone

tarnish it and may humanity after victory be the

predominant feature of the British Fleet.

For myself individually, I commit my life to Him who

made me and may His blessing light upon my endeavours

for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself

and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend.

Amen   Amen   Amen”

[Index]  [Previous]