1798

Horatio Nelson

The Battle of the Nile sent shockwaves through Europe

and made Nelson a household name.

MM

"If I should die today you will find engraved on my

heart 'lack of frigates'."

MM

Nelson found the French fleet napping in Aboukir Bay. At dusk, with the advantage of wind, his fleet rushed on the opposition. Chaos ensued. The French flagship, L'Orient, exploded at the height of battle, pelting all around with body parts, timber and debris. The French were annihilated.  In the carnage, 11 ships and 2 frigates were taken and up to 5,225 Frenchmen died and 3,105 captured, including wounded.  British lost no ships and casualties totalled 895.

MM

Nelson had claimed his place in history!  

Image: RMG/Wikipedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)