16 Quotes & Sayings By Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, was a British admiral and naval hero who died at age 49 on 13 October 1805. He was born Horatio Nelson in the village of Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, England on 30 August 1758, the son of Charles Nelson and Elizabeth Foley. He entered the Royal Navy on his sixteenth birthday and served first on HMS Ganges and then HMS Victory. During the American War of Independence he took part in several notable battles and became famous as one of Britain's greatest naval heroes Read more

At the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797, he saved his flag by guiding his flagship through a Spanish fleet which had been surprised by a powerful French force. In 1798, Nelson captured the French ship-of-the-line Ça Ira as it was bombarding Genoa. Nelson went on to capture many more French ships before returning home to become First Lord of the Admiralty.

Angered by news that France had resumed hostilities against Britain, he sailed out to sea with a powerful fleet, intent upon intercepting his old foe. This action earned him a promotion to Admiral of the Blue and a second victory at Copenhagen in 1801. The following year, however, his fleet was annihilated by superior French forces at Trafalgar in one of history's most decisive battles.

In 1805 Nelson was mortally wounded during an engagement with French forces off Cape Trafalgar and died shortly afterwards during treatment aboard HMS Victory at Merton Abbey or Merton College Hall, Oxfordshire or Merton Priory, Surrey.

1
No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy. Horatio Nelson
2
Aft the more honour, forward the better man Horatio Nelson
3
Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon. Horatio Nelson
4
First gain the victory and then make the best use of it you can. Horatio Nelson
5
Something must be left to chance nothing is sure in a sea fight. Horatio Nelson
6
Something must be left to chance nothing is sure in a sea fight beyond all others. Horatio Nelson
7
But in case signals can neither be seen or perfectly understood no captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside the enemy. Horatio Nelson
8
Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be. Horatio Nelson
9
I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor. Horatio Nelson
10
My character and good name are in my own keeping. Life with disgrace is dreadful. A glorious death is to be envied. Horatio Nelson
11
My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory Horatio Nelson
12
If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting. Horatio Nelson
13
Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but know he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year. Horatio Nelson
14
Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty. Horatio Nelson
15
Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better. Horatio Nelson