xcept the tottering foremast, I called the _Euryalus_ to
me, while the action continued, which ship, lying within hail,
made my signals, a service which Captain Blackwood performed with
very great attention. After the action I shifted my flag to her,
so that I might the more easily communicate my orders to, and
collect the ships, and towed the _Royal Sovereign_ out to
seaward. The whole fleet were now in a very perilous situation;
many dismasted; all shattered; in thirteen fathom water off the
shoals of Trafalgar; and when I made the signal to anchor, few of
the ships had an anchor to let go, their cables being shot. But
the same good Providence which aided us through such a day
preserved us in the night, by the wind shifting a few points, and
drifting the ships off the land, except four of the captured
dismasted ships, which are now at anchor off Trafalgar, and I
hope will ride safe until these gales are over.

Having thus detailed the proceedings of the fleet on this
occasion, I beg to congratulate their Lordships on a victory,
which I hope will add a ray to the glory of his Majesty's crown,
and be attended with public benefit to our country.

I am, etc., (_Signed_) C. COLLINGWOOD.

William Marsden, Esq.

GENERAL ORDER.

"EURYALUS", _October 22, 1805._

The ever-to-be-lamented death of Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of
Bronte, the Commander-in-Chief, who fell in the action of the
21st, in the arms of Victory, covered with glory, whose memory
will ever be dear to the British Navy and the British nation,
whose zeal for the honour of his King, and for the interest of
his country will be ever held up as a shining example for a
British seaman, leave to me a duty to return my thanks to the
Right Honourable Rear-Admiral, the captains, officers, seamen,
and detachments of Royal Marines, serving on his Majesty's
squadron now under my command, for their conduct on that day.
But where can I find language to express my sentiments of the
valour and skill which were displayed by the officers, the
seamen, and marines, in the battle with the enemy, where every
individual appeared a hero, on whom the glory of his country
depended! The attack was irresistible, and the issue of it adds
to the page of naval annals a brilliant instance of what Britons
can do, when their King and coun