“THE ENEMY HAVE THEIR TOPSAILS HOISTED”

Date: 19th October 1805..........................................................Location: Bay Of Cadiz

At dawn on the 19th October there was a light north-easterly breeze blowing. For days the frigates of the inshore squadron had been closely watching the French and Spanish fleet cooped up in Cadiz.

Suddenly the signal flags flew up on the frigate Sirius “ To Euryalus – The enemy have their topsails hoisted”

In this painting Sirius, close in to Cadiz, is signalling to Euryalus, the frigate in the foreground of the picture. The sloop Weazle is on the left and schooner Pickle to the right of the painting, both were part of the inshore squadron. This message was followed at seven a.m. by the signal code 370 – Enemy ships are coming out of port. This signal was passed on from ship to ship out to sea until it reached Nelson nearly fifty miles away.