The Battle of Trafalgar - Admiral Horatio Nelson (Part 4)

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  • Опубліковано 24 жов 2023
  • Today we finish (finally!) the mini-series on Admiral Nelson's life by looking at his most famous battle, Trafalgar, and the fates of those who fought in it.
    See the new artwork here:
    www.frickers.co.uk/art/marine...
    www.frickers.co.uk/art/marine...
    Sources:
    Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
    www.amazon.co.uk/Trafalgar-Sp...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Trafalgar-Bi...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Trafalgar-Gr...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Trafalgar-ba...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Ships-Trafal...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Trafalgar-Co...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Nelsons-Traf...
    www.amazon.co.uk/HMS-Pickle-S...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Battl...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Nelsons-Flee...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Enemy-Trafal...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Defiant-Dism...
    www.amazon.co.uk/Rule-Waves-B...
    Naval History books, use code 'DRACH' for 25% off - www.usni.org/press/books?f%5B...
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    'Legionnaire' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

КОМЕНТАРІ • 694

  • @Drachinifel
    @Drachinifel  7 місяців тому +45

    Pinned post for Q&A :)

    • @bkjeong4302
      @bkjeong4302 7 місяців тому +9

      Besides Yi and Nelson, what are some other examples you can think of where an admiral won an engagement posthumously? I’d nominate Scott and Callaghan at First Guadalcanal given that they did manage to stop the Japanese attack, even if the battle involved some major fuckups from Callaghan.

    • @ManiusCuriusDenatus
      @ManiusCuriusDenatus 7 місяців тому +5

      Just a comment. The music for this Rum Ration is just epic and perfect for a video on Nelson and Trafalgar.

    • @watchface6836
      @watchface6836 7 місяців тому +11

      Can we get a "cast list" for who read the quotes. Their voices were fantastic.

    • @BartJBols
      @BartJBols 7 місяців тому +1

      What is your favorite moment yourself?

    • @watchface6836
      @watchface6836 7 місяців тому

      @@BartJBols Nelson's final letter

  • @cartmann94
    @cartmann94 7 місяців тому +586

    And thus concludes the life and adventures of Horatio Nelson, the greatest Frigate in the Royal Navy’s history.

    • @kuwabatakesanjuro1453
      @kuwabatakesanjuro1453 7 місяців тому +66

      Glad to see that this running gag wasn't lost with the passage of time.

    • @kkupsky6321
      @kkupsky6321 7 місяців тому +40

      Lord Admiral Frigate. Remember your station sir… eh. Frigate.

    • @teenyweenyOwen
      @teenyweenyOwen 7 місяців тому +4

      @@kkupsky6321hi hhhhh

    • @alanfhall6450
      @alanfhall6450 7 місяців тому +17

      ... who was once a mere Boy ...

    • @nigellee9824
      @nigellee9824 6 місяців тому +4

      My uncle Horace Neilson was in the Royal Navy, and was regarded as the greatest frigging liability that had ever served in any of the forces..

  • @nicktrains2234
    @nicktrains2234 7 місяців тому +447

    I could not stop laughing hearing the exploits of Africa. Imagine turning up to the battle late, running down the line firing at every ship to reach your own side, then sending a boarding party to take the largest ship in the world, only to have to apologise and leave as they tell you they haven't finished fighting yet

    • @frederiknielsen6038
      @frederiknielsen6038 7 місяців тому +111

      Also, Africa was a 64, a ship size witch every major navy considered more or less unfit for the line of battle. Yet her captain decided trading broardsides with about a third of the franco-spanish fleet by herself was a perfectly reasonable thing to do.

    • @brucelownhole
      @brucelownhole 7 місяців тому +46

      Beg our pardons Sir, but is this a bad time?

    • @gwtpictgwtpict4214
      @gwtpictgwtpict4214 7 місяців тому +60

      To use modern terminology, HMS Africa was bad ass. Got a bit lost but, in the finest traditions of the Royal Navy, sailed in the direction of the sound of the guns while exchanging fire with the entirety of the van of the Franco Spanish fleet until she arrived where she was supposed to be, and then got stuck in. Legend.

    • @Zelcon02
      @Zelcon02 7 місяців тому +15

      This was also the highlight for me. Madlads 😂

    • @gurk_the_magnificent9008
      @gurk_the_magnificent9008 7 місяців тому +62

      The fact that men who are literally doing everything they can to kill each other can basically call a time-out while they do a quick review and sort out the rules, and then _go back to their original positions and start again_ , is absolutely mind-boggling.

  • @loganhesse413
    @loganhesse413 7 місяців тому +153

    *Imagines Drach giggling while setting up the Battle of Trafalgar on HMS Victory*
    Must've been heard for miles

  • @maxkennedy8075
    @maxkennedy8075 7 місяців тому +236

    You cannot get cooler than retelling the battle of Trafalgar from within the cabin of HMS Victory
    Thats just stunning

  • @rpick7546
    @rpick7546 7 місяців тому +210

    Lt Smith "Sir, I have the honor of representing HMS Africa, and am willing to accept your surrender."
    Admiral de Cisneros "Sir, I apologize for the inconvenience to you and your boarding party, but we are still fighting, and have no intention of surrendering."
    Lt Smith "Ah, sir, I apologize for the confusion. We'll see ourselves off."

    • @dorn0531
      @dorn0531 7 місяців тому +49

      Admiral de Cisneros: “Thank you for your understanding. Have a pleasant journey” *returns to bloody carnage*

    • @CFITOMAHAWK
      @CFITOMAHAWK 6 місяців тому +5

      @@dorn0531 Nelson; My pleasure, you sir. Now move to your quarters so i can cannon it. Thanks..

    • @gavindavies793
      @gavindavies793 6 місяців тому +6

      The look on Lt Smith's face at the moment of realisation must have been fantastic. 😂

    • @PeterCoulter-rm4nx
      @PeterCoulter-rm4nx 6 місяців тому

      P

  • @mattwilliams3456
    @mattwilliams3456 7 місяців тому +256

    In the era when nobles had their own warships which were incorporated into the fleet I wish one had named their ship something mundane. I’d love to hear Drach listing off all the impressive names in a battle and then that.
    “The Incredible, the Conqueror, the Magnificent, Terror, Malevolent, the Grand Supreme Galactic Sovereign, and……Steve.”

    • @stevewhite3424
      @stevewhite3424 7 місяців тому +31

      As a Steve I wholeheartedly approve this comment! 😂

    • @nuggethead4260
      @nuggethead4260 7 місяців тому +32

      And of course Steve would be the one to stern rake two ships into oblivion and then engage in a boarding action with the enemy flagship and force a surrender.

    • @stevewhite3424
      @stevewhite3424 7 місяців тому +8

      @@nuggethead4260 Ahhh, the good old days... 😁

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 7 місяців тому +5

      @@stevewhite3424 Dittto.

    • @Chilled_Mackers
      @Chilled_Mackers 7 місяців тому +12

      Then that one slow one at the back shouting "Alan!, ALAN! - oh wait - thats Steve".

  • @tbretten
    @tbretten 7 місяців тому +163

    This is indeed a small HMS Victory aboard HMS Victory on the cabin of HMS Victory, reenacting HMS Victory's greatest victory...

    • @dorn0531
      @dorn0531 7 місяців тому +11

      Beautiful. Brought a tear to my eye

    • @LeCharles07
      @LeCharles07 7 місяців тому +19

      Itself, no small victory.

  • @Kevin_Kennelly
    @Kevin_Kennelly 7 місяців тому +163

    Whoa!!!
    Those are YOUR ships.
    Setup on THE ship?
    That is something to be proud of.
    Congrats.

    • @scottgiles7546
      @scottgiles7546 7 місяців тому +5

      Planning on funding your retirement through the sale of those ships?

    • @jeanmeslier9491
      @jeanmeslier9491 6 місяців тому +4

      Sir, you are to be commended for being able to spell 'whoa' correctly.😅😊

    • @hansvonmannschaft9062
      @hansvonmannschaft9062 6 місяців тому +1

      @@jeanmeslier9491Wait! You mean the "h" usually put at the end got fired at some point?😱😂

  • @davea6314
    @davea6314 7 місяців тому +69

    Blackadder's comedy line about Admiral Nelson: "... Everyone knows Lady Hamilton is a virgin, poke out my eye and cut off my arm if I'm wrong..."

  • @barleysixseventwo6665
    @barleysixseventwo6665 7 місяців тому +106

    “Hello, Sir! I’m here to accept your surrender!”
    “Sorry to disappoint you but I’m not done fighting yet!”
    “It is no issue at all, have a good day!”
    The early 19th Century was definitely something else.

    • @derrickstorm6976
      @derrickstorm6976 6 місяців тому +3

      More likely the French had a ton more men than the boarders, but defeating them would have let the Neptune board them in return, so both sides of the agreement benefitted from not fighting it out

  • @Wolfeson28
    @Wolfeson28 7 місяців тому +36

    We've waited almost as long as Nelson spent chasing Villeneuve across the Atlantic, but now we're here. The most fitting re-enactment possible of one of the most famous battles in naval history.
    Also, while this might have fit better on the previous Nelson video, I always love hearing about the conference aboard Victory where Nelson laid out his plans. A relatively simple tactical plan, but a clear and powerful message of effectively: "Gentlemen, I have every confidence that you captains, your ships, your officers, and your crews are demonstrably better then their enemy counterparts. If we can bring our full strength to bear against the enemy, we should have every confidence in our ultimate victory. Here's the basic way in which I intend to bring that battle about, but if chaos should reign, I trust each of you to fight your ships as you see fit, find an enemy, and defeat him."
    Now that's a leader showing trust and confidence in his subordinates, which they would justify. No wonder his captains adored him.

  • @DaveP1991
    @DaveP1991 7 місяців тому +28

    Something very impressive about having one of the Queen Elizabeth carriers in the background of the drone shots of HMS Victory. 11/10.

  • @Big_E_Soul_Fragment
    @Big_E_Soul_Fragment 7 місяців тому +120

    Finally, after 3 years. Long have we waited. Thanks, drach

  • @hmsverdun
    @hmsverdun 7 місяців тому +36

    Raises a virtual glass of Port. To the Immortal Memory of Lord Nelson and those who fell with him on both sides.

  • @tsk9277
    @tsk9277 7 місяців тому +43

    As we all know, the royal barge carrying Nelson's body was also captained by Horatio Hornblower.

    • @Wolfeson28
      @Wolfeson28 2 місяці тому

      And just barely stayed afloat long enough to complete its task!

  • @Dogbertious
    @Dogbertious 7 місяців тому +95

    I do wonder *how* the boarding party from the Africa managed to get as far as they did; presumably in all the chaos no-one would've expected a boarding action via boat so no-one would've been looking for such an attempt (and thus, not shot them in their approach). Once they boarded, no-one would've been expecting Royal Navy personnel to have apparently teleported aboard, so clearly they were meant to be there and thus no-one would've challenged them. For their part, the boarding party wasn't there to fight, and would've taken the *lack* of challenge as confirmation that this was a ship no longer in the action.
    I wonder who would've been more embarrassed; the Spanish admiral (both for his ship having given the appearance of having struck, and for his crew to have *not* stopped the boarding party), or the crew of the Africa for not noticing the fact the ship was still engaged and the potential insult given by presuming that they had struck.

    • @conspiracyscholor7866
      @conspiracyscholor7866 7 місяців тому +24

      It goes to show: if you act like you're supposed to be there, nobody will pay you a lick of mind.

    • @Bengtssonsan
      @Bengtssonsan 7 місяців тому +10

      I fully agree with what you are saying, though I would like to add that there may have been a lot of smoke obscuring the small boat from view

    • @cowishere8222
      @cowishere8222 7 місяців тому +8

      Also the crew of a small boat might be enough to accept/enforce a surrender, but it definitively wouldn’t have been enough to overwhelm the crew through a boarding action. So it wasn’t a serious threat even if they had been trying to board.

    • @darthparallax5207
      @darthparallax5207 6 місяців тому +5

      Based on my understanding of the culture, the crew of the Africa comported themselves with perfect gentlemanly decorum, following protocol to the best of their knowledge.
      The Santissima must have realized the confusion was their fault and been extremely ashamed to accidentally lead GENTLEMAN to break PROTOCOL by failing in their APPEARANCE. An absolutely ghastly faux pas. Full apologies were delivered *promptly*.

    • @brunol-p_g8800
      @brunol-p_g8800 6 місяців тому +4

      @@darthparallax5207 lol, you’ve got to love how some people revision history.

  • @unemployed_history_major4795
    @unemployed_history_major4795 7 місяців тому +65

    This may be your best video ever, Drach. The visuals, the writing, the voice acting for the first hand accounts…it’s all perfect.

    • @paulpeterson4216
      @paulpeterson4216 7 місяців тому +5

      Hear hear!

    • @stevenfarrall3942
      @stevenfarrall3942 7 місяців тому +6

      Agreed. And it begs the question just why are we forced to pay for the BBC when documentaries of this standard are made by specialists of Drachs quality?

  • @1987palerider
    @1987palerider 7 місяців тому +41

    As Count Dooku would say: "I've been looking forward to this"

  • @allmachtsdaggl5109
    @allmachtsdaggl5109 7 місяців тому +12

    I missed drinking a rum on Nelson last Saturday. MEA CULPA. I might be German, but Nelson was a childhood hero of mine and still is a hero to me. I drink to him each october 2tst. Without him, we would all be speaking french (what horror!)

    • @brunol-p_g8800
      @brunol-p_g8800 6 місяців тому +1

      Not really. The invasion fleet’s aim was to impose peace on Great Britain, because until then, and after then, Great Britain had been breaking every single peace treaty, and funded every single coalition against France for the more than 20 years the wars against revolutionary and post-revolutionary France lasted between 1793 and 1815.
      Great Britain just couldn’t bear to have a country more powerful than itself, a country that spread modern ideas and civil rights for everybody, that went against the nobility and kings’ privileges over the people, a country that was for free commerce, free education and equal rights for everybody while Great Britain was for restraining commerce on the oceans for its own purposes and gains against every other nations. And what’s more, Great Britain was after France’s possessions overseas and the benefits it gained from them, mostly in India and the Caribbean.
      As for all speaking French, well French has been the international and diplomatic language until the half of the 20th century. And to this day, French is more widely spoken and of use than German.

    • @ecooper4604
      @ecooper4604 5 місяців тому +1

      There were Germans at the Battle of Trafalgar.....about 100 or more.

  • @vermas4654
    @vermas4654 7 місяців тому +6

    "Sorry for boarding, we thought you had surrendered"
    "No problemo, its alright, Be on your way, Adios"
    "My deepest apologies, goodbye"

  • @ManiusCuriusDenatus
    @ManiusCuriusDenatus 7 місяців тому +22

    7am. Check. Making the kids lunches. Check. Video on Nelson and one of my sons asking me who Horatio is...check. Excellent start to the day.

  • @jonathanmormerod
    @jonathanmormerod 7 місяців тому +20

    Loved the comment about the bagpipers. Not sure whether that's a compliment to the lethality of bagpipes or an indictment of their players' prowess with a musket!

    • @mahbriggs
      @mahbriggs 7 місяців тому +4

      Bagpipes were considered a weapon of war!

  • @MichaelHeal99
    @MichaelHeal99 7 місяців тому +12

    I first became interested in Nelson from hearing a mention of him in the movie Master and Commander. I found a biography on Nelson and became one of my first historical heros.

  • @notshapedforsportivetricks2912
    @notshapedforsportivetricks2912 7 місяців тому +14

    This is one of the most informative documentaries on Trafalgar I've ever seen. Simple in concept and brilliant in execution.
    You've excelled yourself. I commend you and everyone involved in this video. 💯

  • @ryanfrederick3376
    @ryanfrederick3376 7 місяців тому +26

    The First Rule of History is to die well, and Lord Nelson probably wins the all-time epic exit from the scene: conceive audacious, unorthodox plan to break the enemy's line. Send awesome signals to your lads on the way in. Break the line yourself, in the lead ship with a badass name like "Victory," for crying out loud, shattering the enemy flagship and generally creating crazy amounts of mayhem. In the moment of epoch-marking victory that will propel your island to world domination for the next century-plus, get cut down by a musket ball through the spine. Carried below, dying, you ask how many of the enemy have surrendered, and then tell everyone you'd really hoped for a few more, because of course you did. Finally, exit scene with a raspy "God and my country," before being buried in a coffin you had made out of *checks notes* your enemy's own ship from your *second* most epic victory ever, because you have several such victories.
    You cannot be a mere mortal and die better than that. It's not possible. Everybody else is playing for second place.

    • @jacktattis
      @jacktattis 2 місяці тому +1

      That is why Nelsons Column towers above all else.

  • @jakublulek3261
    @jakublulek3261 6 місяців тому +4

    I love the detail of ship bands playing 'Rule, Britannia' and 'God Save the King' the whole time ships were closing in. That is just so British thing to do, it reminded me of the story of Bill Millin "Mad Piper". That is the proper, civilized way to fight!

  • @sse_weston4138
    @sse_weston4138 7 місяців тому +21

    The lengths of which you went to, and the work put in by so many people and parties, is truly impressive. Thank you Drachs, it is truly felt and appreciated!

  • @TheCaptainbeefylog
    @TheCaptainbeefylog 7 місяців тому +72

    Bloody fine work, young Drach. The combination of models, voice actors and imagery was excellent. Educational, informative, entertaining and clean. Some of the usual asides may not have been entirely "professional", but they were nonetheless welcome. Old Attenborough himself would enjoy it, I believe. A certain fellow named Snow might learn a thing or two.

    • @stanislavkostarnov2157
      @stanislavkostarnov2157 7 місяців тому +3

      makes me wonder, did the Black Watch ever have their own navy?

    • @TheCaptainbeefylog
      @TheCaptainbeefylog 7 місяців тому +3

      @@stanislavkostarnov2157 maybe not, but they'd have a red-hot crack at it.

    • @spikespa5208
      @spikespa5208 7 місяців тому +1

      Sorry, but I didn't catch which painting was the specially commissioned one. Anyone? 25:08 ?

    • @Wolfeson28
      @Wolfeson28 2 місяці тому

      @@stanislavkostarnov2157 The Night's Watch? Yes, they did. Jon sends several of them on a mission at one point during ADWD.

  • @lloydknighten5071
    @lloydknighten5071 7 місяців тому +10

    This final installment in the Lord Horatio Nelson Saga was well worth the wait. Drach, you are a great teacher, teacher, and storyteller. 😊

  • @XZoomie
    @XZoomie 7 місяців тому +8

    Some sea stories grow in the telling. Drach, yours about Trafalgar & Nelson simply cannot be improved upon. Marvelous, moving, and highly entertaining. An hour-ish well worth getting lost in.

  • @SagaciousHamster
    @SagaciousHamster 7 місяців тому +8

    Any time I see the portraits on the death of Nelson, I'm reminded of standing at that spot on the Victory and being aware that the overhead was considerably smaller. So much so that several who were in attendance were actually stooped over to avoid hitting their heads.

  • @mbryson2899
    @mbryson2899 7 місяців тому +4

    Beautifully done, Uncle Drach.
    Over 45ish years ago we gamed out Trafalgar in "Wooden Ships and Iron Men." It took us a holiday weekend and the following weekend to boot.
    It was a grind, even without the smell of blood, sand, and powder.

  • @GCCRACER
    @GCCRACER 7 місяців тому +8

    This video makes a new crown jewel of the channel. I thought you couldn't get much better than the Armada presentation, but in every aspect this is even higher quality. Well deserved to have Victory herself taking part in your efforts.

  • @ronhudson3730
    @ronhudson3730 7 місяців тому +19

    Fantastic video! My wife and I visited the museum several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was somewhat surprised when on the deck of Victory, at its rather small size. I guess for the time it represent just about the maximum size that was possible using primarily wooden construction. Given its historical importance to the nation, it would hope that it will reside out of the weather in future to ensure its ongoing preservation, like the Mary Rose next door. The effect of gravity on the hull was very apparent when walking under the vessel. I’m sure that a suitable method of support can be devised. Given its historic importance to the U.K. and the wider world, no money should be held back in its restoration and preservation, in my opinion.

    • @dorn0531
      @dorn0531 7 місяців тому +8

      100% agree. HMS Victory is a historical treasure & should be preserved regardless of cost. Along with Mikasa, Huascar & USS Texas, Victory is an invaluable piece of history

    • @jeremypnet
      @jeremypnet 6 місяців тому +3

      They have done some impressive engineering work on the supports to stop the hull from sagging.

    • @darthparallax5207
      @darthparallax5207 6 місяців тому +1

      My belief is contrary: the materials should be used to make whatever the modern needs wood for.
      But it should be done with, at the least, great ceremony, and the honor of being granted wood from the original Victory should be reserved to pay special respects to persons, groups, organizations deserving such an honor by both particular achievement and sterling reputation overall.
      The basic concept behind the preservation of Titanic -- scanned images -- has much more to work with for Victory, it's much less damaged.
      But I should still like to see practical use made of useful materials.
      The only rational obstacle I can conceive is ensuring that enough respect and auspice is still involved in any affair of passing down timbers to make, perhaps, coffins for distinguished veterans of the Royal Navy today, or some similar usage of the wood.
      No sacrilege is intended at all by my suggestion of practical use, nor desecration of history, no even destruction of monument or heritage.
      In fact the opposite is my desire: I would like to see the memory of ships like these and famous buildings to be preserved more perfectly by becoming part of grand tales continuing service through many uses.
      What technology can do most magnificently to ease the pain of changing times is to help keep a perfect record in pictures and writing of where persons and material go on and become new persons and materials and pass down traditions through new generations.
      If it is politically unviable and the people would be too heartbroken to allow a disassembly even under such terms, well, we will have fossilized the wood, but if the people value it more as a museum object their grief should then I think be respected.
      A vote is fair to ask for, and let the people it served decide its fate.
      I think it would, however, be nice to imagine pieces of monuments being brought into living use around the world......if it can be done with respect.
      Absolutely with respect, or not at all.

    • @darthparallax5207
      @darthparallax5207 6 місяців тому +1

      *the modern navy. It should be obvious the practical purpose that would be appropriate is something naval in nature.

    • @dorn0531
      @dorn0531 6 місяців тому +1

      @@darthparallax5207 Fair enough

  • @ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg
    @ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg 6 місяців тому +4

    This makes clear how well the French and Spanish fought, and how brilliant Nelson's attack plan was so that he achieved a decisive victory despite this.

  • @brunol-p_g8800
    @brunol-p_g8800 6 місяців тому +2

    The video itself is an art of work, but as a passionate part-time model maker, I must say the small models are a beauty!
    And that’s coming from a half Spanish-half Swiss who’s very proud of his Spanish heritage and his personal family heritage which comprises more than 4 centuries of Spanish naval officers.

  • @tommyschlather4831
    @tommyschlather4831 7 місяців тому +8

    I'm 2:48 in and already blown away by the effort put into this video. You are a treasure Drach.

  • @jameshain1248
    @jameshain1248 7 місяців тому +8

    Drach, what a tour de force this episode has been. Full of awesome detail, magnificent models, paintings and atmosphere. Thank you

  • @hangonsnoop
    @hangonsnoop 6 місяців тому +4

    I can only imagine how much work it took to paint and rig all of these models! Thank you for all of your hard work and diligence.

  • @roadrunner6224
    @roadrunner6224 7 місяців тому +8

    Yesterday I rewatched Part 2 and thought, when will I finally get to see final part.
    Well I guess it is my lucky day today.

  • @cheddar2648
    @cheddar2648 6 місяців тому +1

    What troubles this modern soul is the sophistication of the recounting of these deeds and events by the common men of the time. By God, where are such men now? The absolute nonchalance of the retelling of "we almost got blown to hell, both ships, except for the happy accident of the door" really stands out.

  • @Pyeknu
    @Pyeknu 7 місяців тому +3

    Beautiful that you left it end with the Last Post. Fitting indeed...😥

  • @W1gglePuppy
    @W1gglePuppy 7 місяців тому +7

    Thats got to be one of the best job moments for you! Reenactment of trafalgar in the room it was originally planned!
    Loved the series, cheers!

  • @crd260
    @crd260 6 місяців тому +3

    Alex, your long time listeners know your personal connection with HMS Victory and by extension Admiral Nelson. As a long time listener let me just say that you've done a fantastic job on this series, and this video in particular is among some of the very best videos you've produced to date. Well done, sir.

    • @hahan00b
      @hahan00b 3 місяці тому +1

      If you don't mind, what is the connection?

  • @mpersad
    @mpersad 7 місяців тому +22

    What a superb video, truly excellent with great narration and voice acting! A fitting final episode of a terrific series, thank you Drach!

  • @KPen3750
    @KPen3750 7 місяців тому +33

    If there was ever a man who would embody the title “God of Naval Combat and Seamanship”, it would have to be Lord Horatio Nelson

    • @robertsneddon731
      @robertsneddon731 7 місяців тому +5

      "A willing foe, and searoom."

    • @andrewgause6971
      @andrewgause6971 7 місяців тому +6

      Admiral Yi might contest that claim. I'd frankly give them both joint ownership of the title.

    • @bradmiller7486
      @bradmiller7486 7 місяців тому +2

      Combat, yes. Seamanship -- not so much.

    • @bkjeong4302
      @bkjeong4302 6 місяців тому +2

      @@andrewgause6971
      Yi might also be called “God of Naval Logistics”, given that his crowning achievement weren’t any of his victories but the fact he set up his own wartime economy to operate without government support and produce war materials.
      To the point he actually produced surplus equipment and resupplied ground forces once in a while.

  • @notshapedforsportivetricks2912
    @notshapedforsportivetricks2912 7 місяців тому +3

    I was a bit surprised to hear the phrase "at about the same time he saw Nelson's Column enerting action". With the sight of an architectural folly wading in to battle like it was the Crimson Permanent Assurance building, I'm surprised that the entire franco-spanish fleet didn't surrender on the spot.

  • @OnboardG1
    @OnboardG1 7 місяців тому +4

    Well, I've just figured out for the first time in my more than three decades of life that "Nelson's Column" is actually a fairly clever pun.

  • @chrisf4659
    @chrisf4659 7 місяців тому +8

    Another master class in research, dissemination and translation into a cohesive narrative. Well done, as usual!

  • @geoffreyburton2654
    @geoffreyburton2654 7 місяців тому +2

    One of the best telling's of Trafalgar and enjoyable. Thank you.

  • @deaks25
    @deaks25 7 місяців тому +2

    7:46 You got something wrong here Drach; Nelson's actual trump-card was the massive brass balls he possessed that meant he probably looked at the larger fleet and thought "If they had a few more ships, it might actually be a fair fight..."

  • @Ebolson1019
    @Ebolson1019 7 місяців тому +3

    I’m not sure why but now I’m excited for the eventual 5min guide on HMS Pickle

    • @Moonhermit-
      @Moonhermit- 6 місяців тому +1

      I do like the irony of the news of Nelson's victory being announced by HMS Pickle while he himself was now inside a barrel, being pickled.

  • @Has39.bfpo43
    @Has39.bfpo43 6 місяців тому +1

    Absolutely wonderful presentation across all four episodes. This deserves to be shown on mainstream TV for an even wider audience, go to the top of the class!

  • @VanF350
    @VanF350 6 місяців тому +1

    Love the anecdote about Lt John Smith of HMS Africa upon boarding Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad. "I'm frightfully sorry for disturbing you Admiral. I see you're far to busy fighting with the Neptune to have chat right now. Right, I'll just be on my way then."

  • @Kevin_Kennelly
    @Kevin_Kennelly 7 місяців тому +6

    20:29 "Although, in the case of any bagpipers aboard, the switch in lethality was a little bit questionable."

  • @koroba01
    @koroba01 6 місяців тому +2

    Visiting Portsmouth and the HMS Victory is in my bucket list, along with the USS Constitution in Boston. I have had the good fortune to have visited twice the IJN Mikasa in Yokosuka, Japan (the only remaining pre-dreadnaught battleship) and one trip to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Your video series is excellent.

  • @nickwoods5150
    @nickwoods5150 7 місяців тому +2

    Those models are incredible Drach!! I can imagine the comments from Mrs Drach over the last few months “do you really need to do all this for a video?” Response, “yes, my subscribers would expect nothing less!” Love it, your commitment to the cause and attention to detail goes far above and beyond!!!

    • @artawhirler
      @artawhirler 6 місяців тому

      What happened to all the model ships? Are they now on permanent display in Victory's cabin?

  • @bustabloodvessel5327
    @bustabloodvessel5327 6 місяців тому +8

    After the English, the largest nationality represented in Nelson's fleet was Irish. More than 4,000 Irishmen - almost a quarter of the sailors - were on the British side, over 3,600 from what is now the Republic and just over 400 from the counties now in Northern Ireland. He couldn't have done it without us. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

  • @ichduoderer1498
    @ichduoderer1498 7 місяців тому +11

    I'm so mad you passed up the opportunity to say: there is indeed a small HMS Victory on board HMS Victory reenacting HMS Victory's greatest Victory at 1:44

  • @mikef.1000
    @mikef.1000 6 місяців тому +1

    I just can't get my head around the immense and horrendous suffering, pain, and stench of death.

  • @Cantab-ml6pw
    @Cantab-ml6pw 7 місяців тому +1

    Oh come on... surely somebody else... "HMS Africa... had sailed towards the sound of the guns... and come into the view of the leading Franco-Spanish ship... at about the same time he saw Nelson's Column". Upon which its Captain, Digby, thought "Well, might as well pop into Gordon's Wine Bar while we're here!"
    Joking aside, taking on Trafalgar must be one of the most daunting things any naval historian can do. Bloody well done, Drachinifel.

  • @WalterReimer
    @WalterReimer 7 місяців тому +2

    'The Last Post.' Fitting. Great job, Drach.

    • @jacktattis
      @jacktattis 2 місяці тому

      Yes and too many people confuse it with Taps

  • @soropintoresco9030
    @soropintoresco9030 6 місяців тому +3

    You should talk about Federico Gravina, the Spanish admiral of this battle (his official rank was Captain General of the Navy, equivalent to Admiral of the entire fleet) , and who was also a national hero due to his expertise and skill in naval warfare, he was also respected by Nelson and considered a rival at his level by Nelson himself.

    • @Drachinifel
      @Drachinifel  6 місяців тому +3

      I need to find a book or two about him, I'm guessing they'd be in Spanish.

  • @derrickmabbott9095
    @derrickmabbott9095 7 місяців тому +1

    I love the way you made the personal recollections sound so modern. It made it so much more immediate

  • @m.streicher8286
    @m.streicher8286 7 місяців тому +4

    Seeing this video in my feed was like seeing a mythical creature
    In fairness, it was worth the wait

  • @nopenope8418
    @nopenope8418 7 місяців тому +1

    Just to say, I absolutely LOVE the new intro music and don't even skip anymore

  • @copiousfool
    @copiousfool 7 місяців тому +5

    Excellent, fish finger sandwiches and spanking new Drach video.

  • @johnoblein4592
    @johnoblein4592 7 місяців тому +1

    Immediately on seeing Part Four released, I set about finding the first three and spent the last day watching all four in close succession. As a boyhood reader of Hornblower and in lockdown, reading Master and Commander in its entirety, followed by revisiting all of Hornblower and now these, I think I am sated. Well Done Drach', it is very impressive.

  • @Ragnarswe
    @Ragnarswe 6 місяців тому

    I hope I live long enough to see a high quality movie about this battle, it has allways fascinated me.
    Lord Nelson life is a grand story in itself!

  • @RadioactiveSherbet
    @RadioactiveSherbet 6 місяців тому +2

    Lieutenant Smith: "I'm here to accept your surrender."
    Admiral Baltozar (because I'm not even going to try to spell the rest of his name): "I wasn't aware I had surrendered."
    Smith: "Oh, sorry, good chap! I must've missed that. Good day to you, sir!"

  • @sdswood3457
    @sdswood3457 6 місяців тому +1

    Another brilliant tactic in Nelson's gamble, besides the flagships shielding the rest of the columns from fire in the approach, the men on the other ships SEE their flagships taking that fire FOR them, and I imagine the desire for revenge, the zeal, the fire in the belly was something fierce.

  • @stephenleggett4243
    @stephenleggett4243 7 місяців тому +27

    Not many of the great heroes you can stand on the spot where they fell.

    • @scottgiles7546
      @scottgiles7546 7 місяців тому +1

      Go to Gettysburg.

    • @stephenleggett4243
      @stephenleggett4243 7 місяців тому +7

      @scottgiles7546 To be fair and to correct my initial statement, any battlefield is a place where countless heroes have fallen, it's a bit too easy to focus on the big names at times.

    • @muttman325
      @muttman325 7 місяців тому +2

      I tripped over that bloody plaque as well

    • @gwtpictgwtpict4214
      @gwtpictgwtpict4214 7 місяців тому +2

      @@muttman325 Probably the most highly polished bit of brass you will ever see.

  • @CanuckWolfman
    @CanuckWolfman 7 місяців тому +2

    "There is a small HMS Victory onboard HMS Victory, reenacting HMS Victory's greatest moments." I just need to hear Drach say "Yo, dawg" once

  • @hydaxe311
    @hydaxe311 7 місяців тому +1

    Great job. The joy in your voice explaining the models was a bit infectious. Thanks.

  • @JenniferIngraham
    @JenniferIngraham 7 місяців тому +2

    Fantastic. Thank you for all the work you have put in to this mini series. It was worth the wait.

  • @MARGATEorcMAULER
    @MARGATEorcMAULER 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for the great effort and incredible dedication you've put into this and all your videos.After 2 years of enjoying them I doubt I could ever live without them ❤

  • @zadumanzx
    @zadumanzx 7 місяців тому +3

    I wish you had use those beautiful battle maps you used in parts one and two, minis are nice to look but difficult to follow what its actually happening, finding myself looking for another video of the battle to better follow what is going on, but your narration quite on spot , thxs for your efforts Drach keep up the good work

  • @m.r.donovan8743
    @m.r.donovan8743 7 місяців тому +1

    This episode was well worth the wait. I can't imagine a better manner in which to describe the events, or to present them with more reverence. Thanks Drach!

  • @frankbodenschatz173
    @frankbodenschatz173 7 місяців тому +2

    Well done, Drach! To me, it is the best explanation of any battle in the age of sail ever. Including the other voices really added to your otherwise witty banter. Thanks!

  • @michaeltelson9798
    @michaeltelson9798 6 місяців тому +1

    On the early 1980’s I was involved in a massive reproduction of this battle using Avalon Hill’s board game “Wooden Ships and Iron Men” at GenCon/Avalon Hill Con in Baltimore, MD. It was basically a miniature’s game with cardboard counters.

  • @michaelamos4651
    @michaelamos4651 7 місяців тому

    What an absolutely epic documentary. Thankyou for all the hard work and research that must have gone into it. Well done. To the immortal hero

  • @tonysleight7574
    @tonysleight7574 Місяць тому

    What an excellent series. Thank you for putting this together. It has been a riveting series, I have enjoyed this and learnt a lot too, I know a bit about aircraft, but not ships or naval history.

  • @cowishere8222
    @cowishere8222 7 місяців тому +1

    This was everything I had hoped it would be. Thanks for the (long awaited) finale!

  • @thomascharlton7325
    @thomascharlton7325 6 місяців тому

    One of my favourite episodes. Thank you

  • @Kanikalion
    @Kanikalion 6 місяців тому

    Very cool that you've had access and success enough to do all these things. Been watching for quite a few years now and your success is awesome. Well done, Drach.

  • @matthiashildebrandt6962
    @matthiashildebrandt6962 7 місяців тому +1

    Hey Drach,
    That was epic.
    Thank you for the effort, knowledge and entertainment.
    Loved it!

  • @wbwarren57
    @wbwarren57 6 місяців тому

    Great video series. A great accomplishments! Thank you very much.

  • @gregcollins7602
    @gregcollins7602 7 місяців тому

    Fantastic podcast Drach! Well worth the wait. Great job.

  • @MemorialRifleRange
    @MemorialRifleRange 7 місяців тому

    What a fantastic effort! Thank-you Drach!

  • @marcussmith2868
    @marcussmith2868 6 місяців тому

    Drach you are the best! Thank you for your diligence !

  • @lyleandrews7913
    @lyleandrews7913 7 місяців тому +1

    Your preparations for this left me agog. Brilliant!

  • @eddiemachala5883
    @eddiemachala5883 4 місяці тому

    the mini hms victory on the hms victory reliving its history is awesome!! the effort is unmatched in naval youtube, thankyou!

  • @marksages1691
    @marksages1691 6 місяців тому +1

    Captain Digby of HMS Africa was the cheekiest fellow in the fleet. Catches sight of Santissima Trinidad and pounces on it like apck of seagulls in Finding Nemo, all the while shouting "MINE, MINE MINE"

  • @piney4562
    @piney4562 7 місяців тому

    Absolutely heroic effort from all involved!

  • @lordtherapeutics
    @lordtherapeutics 6 місяців тому

    Gripping and moving. Thank you

  • @stevenfarrall3942
    @stevenfarrall3942 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for making this documentary. Very well done you. And I really appreciate your salute to the casualties at the end. So often we treat naval warfare as the loss of ship, when really it is the loss of the men.

  • @Baron-Ortega
    @Baron-Ortega 7 місяців тому

    Absolutely brilliant thanks Drach!

  • @CaptainColdyron222
    @CaptainColdyron222 7 місяців тому

    Impeccable timing, Drach! I just watched the first three parts last night. Nelson was such an interesting person.

  • @gangerolf5089
    @gangerolf5089 6 місяців тому

    Been so busy following current events I havnt even checked your chanel in months.. if not even over a year.. And now I find out u made ALL THIS SUPERINTERESTING content during all this time. Itll take me weeks to catch up.. TYVM Sir Drach for doin what u doin mate. And remember.. Coffe never tea