Trafalgar Remembrance

[anteros_lmc]

Everyone knows the role of Lieutenant John Pasco in formulating the famous "England expects...." signal but I recently discovered that it seems likely that the midshipman who was actually responsible for running up the signal flags may have been one James Robertson from my home town of Stornoway. Here's his entry in Trafalgar Ancestors and, true to form, the Victory muster spells Stornoway wrong :}

I picked up this little snippet a couple of months ago from the BBC Radio 4 popular history programe Making History which includes an article on the role of Scots in manning "Nelson's navy". It's an interesting article but I was slightly irritated that the presenter seems to think that the discovery of Scottish officers and men in the British navy is an extraordinary revelation. (In Scottish journalistic parlance this is referred to as "putting a kilt on a story" ;) To be fair, the historian interviewed, Eric Graham, does point out that almost 30% of the navy at this time was made up of Scots and that this is nothing to be surprised about. Graham should also be commended for reminding us that we should not forget the hundreds of nameless women who served aboard the ships of the fleet at Trafalgar. Amen to that.

While we are on the subject of Trafalgar I was really very moved by latin_cat's post earlier today, quietly reminding us not to forget "those sailors British, French and Spanish who fought gallantly and died bravely, and for those who were scared out of their wits, but fought and died all the same." When I get home tonight I'll raise a glass to all those who were prone to panic but who fought and died bravely regardless.

And here is Victory flying the famous signal earlier today...



ETA Also on the other side of the pond...not forgetting that USS Constitution was also launched today in 1797 at Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Yes. Here is to the frightened. And here is to those who fought in confusion, only caring for the men they knew.

And to James Robertson. Thinking that he looked out at the sea right where you had your own feet. Shivery...

And to the USS Constitution. And maybe can I add, Commodore Hull? He is a close ancestor of mine.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes. Here is to the frightened.
Yes. latin_cat's post actually made me all teary at my desk this afternoon.

And here is to those who fought in confusion, only caring for the men they knew.
I am sure when it came down to it many of the gun crews fought for the men standing right by their side.

James Robertson. Thinking that he looked out at the sea right where you had your own feet. Shivery...
Aye, that really made me stop and think.

maybe can I add, Commodore Hull? He is a close ancestor of mine.
Really???! Wow! I had no idea we were in such august company! How is he related to you?

MIL is here this weekend, she has brought daughter back after half-term holiday. Daughter has just asked who the pretty swan belongs to. I told her your name and she said "Thats a nice name!" She also wants to know if you have pink hair :}

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Thinking of those who are prone to panic. I think many 'brave' people are like Horatio with the bomb. They do the right thing in a sort of mental haze, and then they shake afterward. I wonder how many of the men that day threw up once things got quiet.

As far as Issac Hull... Hull is my maiden name. My dad was a Hull. So I am also in family with William Hull. He surrendered Fort Detroit during 1812. (He hid under his desk, as the British approached, and drank laudanum. He never resisted at all. So maybe he and the Issac balance out somehow.

Tell your daughter I think her name is pretty too. I do not have pink hair. It used to be blond, now is more brown. My daughter has pink hair on some days. (When you are 13 temp dye is a big deal!)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Sneaking online while I should be making conversation with MIL.....

Yes you're right, I think Horatio's bravery is probably very real and very typical and Archie's too. He panics on the bridge but he stays there and doesn't think twice when he has to put his life on the line. You can't help wondering about the aftermath though...

I am fascinated and in awe of your Hull family history. I must learn more about Isaac and William! My knowledge of American history is woeful I'm afraid but you're certainly encouraging me to learn more :)

I will tell my daughter you like her name and I will also tell her that your daughter sometimes has pink hair. She will be stunned!

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Pink hair good ! and colour of Anteros' toots hair is just magical I have to witness:)

Fascinaitng what August company we are in indeed

And for all those who were - and are still = caught up in conflict where bravery takes many forms- yes worth a moment and more of our thoughts any day.

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Yes so many. There is such grinding tiredness in being brave as you can day after day. So much of that, between then and now.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

There is such grinding tiredness in being brave as you can day after day.
That bone weariness comes across so strongly in some of the pow accounts doesn't it?

So much of that, between then and now.
Aye, and sadly no end in sight.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Fascinaitng what August company we are in indeed
Aren't we just?! I am rather awestruck!

And for all those who were - and are still = caught up in conflict where bravery takes many forms- yes worth a moment and more of our thoughts any day.
Yes, and I am eternally grateful to our boys for reminding me of that.

Btw I spent a few moments at Henry Cadogan's memorial in Glasgow Cathedral on Thursday, thought my thoughts were with George too.

[vespican.livejournal.com]

Yesterday was indeed the anniversary of two notable occurances in Naval History. It is fitting that we take time to remember both, and those who triumphed and those who did not... those who survived and those who perished, regardless of what side they fought for.

There was then and I believe it exists even today, a unique brotherhood of the sea. Once a ship was destroyed or sunk, the survivors were no longer the enemy, but fellow seamen in a bad way. Of course, that is/was sometimes tempered by operational necessity. I'm thinking of a PBS special I saw a few days ago about HOOD and BISMARCK (narrated by Robert Lindsey) in which British warships left German survivors from Bismarck in the water because of rumors of U-boats in the area.
Dave

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes I think you are right, there is still a fellowship among seamen, sailors, fishermen and all those who risk their lives at sea. Long may it continue.

[kittycallum.livejournal.com]

Late commenting here but thank you for posting this! Interesting to hear about Midshipman Robertson! I shall think of him too when raising my most-belated-glass in remembrance. I missed the actual day ...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome indeed. I must try and find out more about Midshipman Robertson to confirm whether it really was him who ran up the famous signal. I had never come across his name before but I freely admit I am not expert on the battle of Trafalgar at all!

[rum-inspector.livejournal.com]

that's also my sister's birthday... that's why I should both remember, and also why I forgot this day every single year :) but anyhow, did celebrate :D

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

but anyhow, did celebrate :D
Excellent! I hope you saluted your sister with a full broadside?!