Duel Victory vs Redoutable Ships of the Line at Trafalgar 1805 Osprey Books

Late in the morning on 21 October 1805, warships from the British and combined French and Spanish fleets clashed off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast. After a six-month game of cat and mouse across the Atlantic, 27 British ships of the line engaged the Allied force of 33 ships of the line. Although essentially each side possessed the same weapon of war, the ships were distinguished by the number of guns on board as well as the size of the ship which meant that opponents were often unequally matched. At the heart of the battle was the duel between the giant HMS Victory, a first rate ship of the line with over 100 guns and a crew of 820, versus Le Redoubtable, which was only a third rate ship with 74 guns and a crew of 634. Yet despite this inequality the French ship fought tenaciously for several hours. Indeed, the ultimate difference between victory and defeat was determined not by size but by the superior British tactics, command and gunnery. This was a duel of skill, tenacity and bravery as captains and crews battled for mastery of the seas. This book is an opportunity to relive the action at Trafalgar read the accounts of sailors who were there, hear the sound of scraping cutlasses and bombarding cannons, understand how the guns were operated and learn about the training of crews. Study the design and development of these incredible ships which dominated naval warfare of the period and discover Nelsons revolutionary tactics which broke with tradition and helped to secure a victory which saved Britain from the threat of invasion and ensured British naval dominance for over a century.