Fortunately the log is not all that we have to rely upon for the story of the _Britannia’s_ doings at Trafalgar. Some of the officers wrote down their experiences and impressions, from which we get a remarkably interesting idea of how things fared on board during the battle. Says, to begin with, Lieutenant John Barclay in his journal:—
“½ past 12. Vice-Admiral Collingwood, in the _Royal Sovereign_, commenced the action, by an attack upon the whole of the enemy’s rear, in the most gallant manner, and without any immediate prospect of support, from being so far ahead of the lee division. Took in our studding sails. About ¼ before 1, Lord Nelson, after having sustained a most galling fire in running down, opened both sides of the _Victory_ on the headmost ships of their centre division. He was close followed up by the _Téméraire_, _Neptune_, _Conqueror_, _Leviathan_, and this ship, and pushed through their line about the 14th from the van. Several raking shot called forth exertions about 10 minutes after our noble chief. Here began the din of war. It became impossible to trace farther except at intervals, when the smoke cleared away _a little_. At ¼ past 1 the masts of the ship we were most particularly engaging (larboard side) fell by the board: supposed to be the _Bucentaure_, but without any flag observed flying. Continued edging on slowly, for there was very little wind, and our main topsail in particular was shot almost entirely from the yard. At 3, got to leeward of their line and hauled up a little on the larboard tack. Until ¼ past 4 kept up a heavy fire occasionally on both sides on every French or Spanish ensign flying near us, when we hauled to the wind on the larboard tack per signal. ½ past 5, all firing ceased except from the _Achille_, a very fine French ship—wrapt in flames. The cutters instantly repaired to her assistance, and saved the crew, soon after which she blew up with a tremendous explosion.”
Signal-Midshipman John Wells, in a letter home, written during the week following the battle, has this to say of what he went through and witnessed:
“I am very happy to say that the _Britannia_ was certainly a very fortunate Ship during the whole time, as we had not above 10 killed and 41 wounded although we were the fourth Ship in Action and the last out of it, and I doubt not that it will be found that she does honour to all who belong to her, as our fire was not directed to One particular Ship, but as soon as one had struck to us we immediately made to others and at one time had five ships blazing away upon us, but we soon tired them out. As I told you before, I was stationed at the Signals and Colours in the time of Action and being on the Quarter Deck I had an opportunity of seeing the whole of the Sport, which I must own rather daunted me before the first or second broadside; but after then I think I never should have been tired of drubing [_sic_] the Jokers, particulary [_sic_] when my ship mates began to fall arround [_sic_] me, which in the room of disheartening an Englishman only encourages him, as the sight of his Country Man’s blood makes his heart burn for revenge.