Trafalgar - not a word in the French papers....

[landaftaf]

Re: British attitudes to the French

interesting statement ..... please could you tell me where these figures came from ......

is there any mention as to whether these scotts were press ganged or volanteers, as I believe less than 50 % were pressed men ...... conditions ashore being so bad in some areas that at least life in the navy gave them 3 squares a day.

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Cornishman]

Re: British attitudes to the French

Disque Bleu ou Caporal?

 

[TheBoatman]

Re: British attitudes to the French

I would gladly agree but unfortunately I need the hours on my ticket!!!

I do try to "do Belgium" when I can but sometimes end up in a French port /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[john_morris_uk]

Re: British attitudes to the French

Although the press was notorious and obviously not welcomed by those who were pressed men, many sailors were volunteers. The lure of prize money and the reputation of some ships and captains was very strong for some. Nelson himself had a reputation as one who chased after prize money...

 

[reginaldon]

Re: British attitudes to the French

I imagine that you are right concerning most of the ratings, but apparently Nelson inspired his men to such a degree that he galvanised them into a fine fighting force. He treated them well, showed he cared, that and his history of fighting success meant they would give of their best - no I wasn't there - contempory accounts. My limited service only went as far back as Jan '49, but I did sling my mick(hammock) aboard a wooden wall - HMS Defiance, a torpedo training school was made up of three hulks tied together in the Hamoaze near Saltash- Vulcan, Andromeda and another.

 

[Sgeir]

Re: British attitudes to the French

Those attending included Rear Admiral Nick Harris, the Flag Officer, Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.

He said there were "many connections" between Scotland and Trafalgar.

"Around 30% of the fleet's crew hailed from Scotland and Scottish industry provided timber products, sails, ropes, iron cannons and iron balls," he said.

- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4343866.stm

You will find many Scottish and Irish sailors at Trafalgar here. Errmmm, as well as sailors from England, Wales and Cornwall of course.

 

[landaftaf]

Re: British attitudes to the French

tnx - looks like it will keep me busy on a wild day like today /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Graham_Wright]

Re: British attitudes to the French

[ QUOTE ]
Shame about the sanitation! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
and the beef and the cheese and the wine