1797 : Nelson's Year of Destiny - Cape St.

Nelson first came to public fame at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent 1797, when the Royal Navy won a great victory over the Spanish. Five months later in the attack on Santa Cruz on 22-25 July he suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of the Spanish and lost an arm. These two events played a key role in shaping Nelson's character and style as a leader. Taken together they mark a significant turning point in his life. Colin White draws together recent research and new discoveries into a comprehensive and enthralling narrative account that places the two battles in their strategic and political contexts. He has uncovered previously overlooked contemporary accounts of both battles and has concluded that the traditional British accounts of both battles need careful reassessment.

Colin White is Deputy Director and Head of Museum Services at the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.

List of Illustrations

v

Acknowledgements

vii

Introduction

ix

A Note About the Layout

xi

PROLOGUE The Theatre, Porto Ferraio, Elba, 25 December 1976

1

(148)

PART ONE Nelson in the Mediterranean, September 1976--January 1797

`Our Gallant Commodore' Nelson in 1796

5

(10)

`A measure which I cannot approve' The British evacuate the Mediterranean

15

(14)

Sources for Part One

26

(3)

PART TWO The Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797

`In war, much is left to Providence' The build up to the battle

29

(12)

`Sir John's well-arranged designs' The opening stages of the battle

41

(14)

`Nelson's Patent Bridge for Boarding First Rates' The Climax of the battle

55

(18)

`The most glorious Valentine's Day' Celebrating the battle

73

(16)

Sources for Part Two

86

(3)

PART THREE The attack on Santa Cruz de Tenerife, July 1797

`Parading under the walls of Cadiz' The British blockade

89

(14)

`A sudden and vigorous assault' The first attack

103

(14)

`A forlorn hope' The night attack

117

(16)

`A left-handed admiral' Nelson recovers in England

133

(16)

Sources for Part Three

147

(2)

EPILOGUE St Paul's Cathedral, London, 19 December 1797

149

(3)

Appendices 1. Captain Ralph Miller's Account of the Battle of Cape St Vincent

152

(5)

2. Nelson's letter to General Gutierrez

157

(1)

Bibliography

158

(3)

Index

161

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

1797 : Nelson's Year of Destiny - Cape St. Vincent and Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials