The Sailors Whom Nelson Led

Of the many famous, courageous leaders of the Napoleonic Wars, and on sea beyond that era, few stand as high in estimation as Horatio Nelson, lauded by his countrymen, respected by his enemies, and despite his lack of understanding of warfare on the waves by the Emperor Napoleon himself. His tale of glory was short but blazingly bright, terminating at Trafalgar in 1805, having made his name at the battle of the Nile and Copenhagen earlier in the wars. However, the wars with France thereafter did not terminate until 1815, with a brief respite in 1814; how then, without Nelson, was the supremacy of the Royal Navy maintained? Edward Fraser provides a good deal of the answer in his book, which seeks to sketch a picture of the captains, officers, and sailors who executed Nelson's orders with gusto, determination and, in many cases, with some of their own flair.


The "Band of Brothers" that Nelson led and inspired are described in detail - their actions and deeds, which may have been outshone by those of their leader - but they were great fighting men in their own right, Codrington, Suamarez, Troubridge et al. Fraser is adept at using the sources of all ranks and includes the ordinary seaman's view as well as more junior officers, to complete the view of the sailors who fought and won the war on the seas.


Highly recommended.


Illustrations – 16 – all included


Maps – 4 – all included