[Illustration: DAVISON'S MEDAL FOR THE VICTORY OF THE NILE, 1798.]
Nelson, being desirous of engaging the French Admiral's flagship, came upon the "Bucentaure" at 12.30 p.m., when she fired upon the British flagship, but, unheedful of the shot from this and seven other ships, the "Victory" ploughed her way ahead in order to break the enemy's line. For three-quarters of an hour her guns refused to bark, though her men were falling fast from the shots which broke through her sides, and tore her sails to shreds; but at 1 o'clock the "Victory" closely engaged the "Bucentaure," and so well were the British shots placed that 20 of the enemy's guns were soon dismounted and, according to a French estimate, 400 seamen were killed. Leaving the "Bucentaure" the "Victory" engaged the "Redoubtable" at ten minutes past 1, and the rigging of the two ships fouling, they were locked in a deadly embrace. Then the crews of the two vessels fought with exceeding gallantry, for both were led by brave men, and the "Redoubtable's" captain cheered his men on to board the "Victory"; indeed, he lowered his main-yard on to the "Victory's" deck, and his men made a brave effort to capture her, but those daring Frenchmen who gained her decks paid for their effort with their lives; not, however, before they had placed 30 of the "Victory's" crew _hors de combat_.
=Death of Nelson.=--Meanwhile, one of the sharpshooters in the mizzen-top of the "Redoubtable" had given Viscount Nelson his death wound. At half-past one the fatal bullet passed through his shoulder and spine, but Britain's greatest admiral lived long enough to learn that the victory was his, and he died at 4.30 p.m. satisfied that he had done his duty. By 5.30 p.m. 18 of the enemy's ships had struck their colours, and the survivors of the fight were making the best of their way to Cadiz, but a gale coming on, the British fleet with its prizes stood out to sea, where some of the prizes foundered with their crews; others were driven ashore and wrecked, while four were retaken by the enemy, so that by the time the triumphant fleet sailed into Gibraltar Bay it only retained 4 prizes. The victory of Trafalgar had, however, made Britain indisputable mistress of the seas, destroyed the sea power of France and Spain, and, while it added to the laurels of British seamen, gave to Nelson a glorious death and secured for him a resting-place in Westminster Abbey.