MORTAL COMBAT

Date: 21st October 1805........................................................Location: Off Cape Trafalgar

Just before noon Collingwood’s Royal Sovereign was a thousand yards from the French and Spanish line when Fougueux fired the first broadside of the battle. Immediately afterwards the other French and Spanish ships opened fire. The battle had begun.

After what must have seemed like an age, Royal Sovereign broke through the line between Santa Ana and Fougueux. After firing her broadsides at both ships she engaged Santa Ana.

Three minutes later Belleisle followed her, firing her broadsides in turn. Ahead, Captain Hargood saw the Indomptable and ordered his sailing master to steer for her but out of the smoke came Fougueux and rammed Belleisle amidships. Already severely damaged, the two ships were reduced to total confusion. Belleisle lost all three masts and Fougueux her main and mizzen. Sails and rigging covered many gun ports so until some of the wreckage was cleared neither ship was able to fight effectively.

On Belleisle an ensign was hoisted on a pike and attached to the stump of the mainmast and the battle continued, both ships isolated by the smoke of battle.