of the Masters of the
fleet, a Mr. Brierley, undertook to lead the column, and the signal to
weigh in succession was made. The leading ship got off handsomely, but
difficulties soon arose. Nelson's old "Agamemnon" was so anchored that
she could not weather the Middle Ground; she consequently did not get
into action at all. Two other ships, the "Bellona" and "Russell,"
seventy-fours, grounded on the east side of the Middle Ground, where
they remained fast. Although they could use their guns, and did use
them against those southern ships which Nelson particularly wanted
crushed, the disadvantages of distance, of position, and of general
helplessness, detracted exceedingly from their usefulness. The valid
British force was thus reduced by one-fourth,--to nine vessels.

Nelson's ship, the "Elephant," was following the "Bellona" and
"Russell," and he saw them ground. "His agitation during these moments
was extreme," says an eye-witness. "I shall never forget the
impression it made on me. It was not, however, the agitation of
indecision, but of ardent, animated patriotism panting for glory,
which had appeared within his reach, and was vanishing from his
grasp." He doubtless well knew the thinly veiled reproaches of
rashness, cast by timid counsels upon the daring, which even under
these disadvantages was to cover with confusion their prophecies of
disaster; but, as on many another day, and in that more famous
incident, a few hours later, in this same battle, his tenacious
purpose harbored no side-thought of retreat. "Before you receive
this," he had written to Lady Hamilton, "all will be over with
Denmark,--either your Nelson will be safe, and Sir Hyde Parker a
victor, or he, your own Nelson, will be laid low." The signal to
advance was kept flying, but new dispositions had to be made to meet
the new and adverse conditions.[32] The remaining ships were made to
close to the rear, as they anchored. The "Elephant" had been
originally assigned as antagonist to the biggest Danish ship, the
"Sjaelland," seventy-four; but, the "Bellona" having grounded, she now
dropped into the latter's berth immediately ahead of the "Glatton;"
and Nelson hailed the "Ganges," as she was passing, to place herself
as close as possible ahead of the "Elephant." This movement was
imitated by the "Monarch," which thus got the "Elephant's" position
abreast the "Sjaelland." Here, according to Danish accounts, the
contest stood for some time, until the "Def