The Nelson Touch
Encyclopedia
While on shore leave in England
, during the summer of 1805; Nelson
told his friend, Lord Sidmouth
, about his ideas for his next sea battle. This collection of ideas he dubbed The Nelson Touch.
Traditionally a sea battle would be fought with the two opposing fleets drawing themselves up to form two lines of battle
. This tactic did not favour what was perceived to be the faster, more accurate gunnery of the Royal Navy
and would often bring about indecisive results, usually with the enemy escaping. Nelson's idea was to quickly bring about a melee in which, due to superior gunnery, the British
would have a distinct advantage.
Nelson planned to divide his fleet into three sections. The largest part would engage closely with one section of the enemy's fleet crushing it with greater numbers. The other ships, sailing in two columns, would cut the enemy line and prevent them from coming to the aid of their comrades.The enemy fleet could then be destroyed piecemeal.
There is a tendency amongst some historians to attribute these tactics to Nelson alone. There was nothing new in his ideas however: Breaking the enemy line had previously been achieved by, amongst others, Admiral George Rodney
at the Battle of the Saintes
(1782); Admiral Adam Duncan had divided his fleet at Camperdown
(1797). Concentration on one part of the enemy fleet was a very old tactic and had already been used by Nelson at the Nile
in 1798.
Nelson was innovative in one respect at least: rather than direct the battle as it was occurring, through the use of signals; he would gather his captains together prior to action and tell them his plan but would allow them great leeway in how they carried out their individual orders. In any event, conveying signals in this type of battle would have been difficult. The ease with which signals could be passed from one ship to the next was one advantage of fighting in a line of battle.
Nelson also had his fleet cruise in the same order that they would go into battle. Nelson was at Hyeres when Admiral Hotham
allowed the French Fleet to escape while he wasted time getting his ships in order.
Nelson used the expression 'the Nelson touch' on more than one occasion and its origin has been the subject of debate amongst historians. A favourite suggestion is that it derives from a line in Nelson's favourite play, Henry V
(Shakespeare
): 'A little touch of Harry in the night' describing how the king would calm his soldiers on the eve of battle.
Nelson also wrote in a private letter to Lady Hamilton about 'the Nelson touch, which we say is warranted never to fail'. Seen in this context it is easy to see why some have seen it as a private sexual joke between the two lovers (a little touch of Nelson in the night).
Nelson's talent for leadership and the way he fostered admiration and trust in his fellow officers; was later also to become known as the 'Nelson Touch'; although Nelson never referred to it as such himself. He often spoke however, of his captains as his 'band of brothers' and 'we happy few' both references from Henry V. In the play Shakespeare portrays the King as someone who was loved by, and an inspiration to his men and it seems that Nelson aspired to be like him. Emma Hamilton even called Nelson, 'Henry', a number of times in her letters to him.
Creating trust amongst his officers was crucial to Nelson. It allowed him to rely on simple strategies rather than complicated battle plans, certain in the knowledge that his subordinates would support one another in achieving the overall objective and be confident enough to use their own initiative when required.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, during the summer of 1805; Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
told his friend, Lord Sidmouth
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC was a British statesman, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804....
, about his ideas for his next sea battle. This collection of ideas he dubbed The Nelson Touch.
Traditionally a sea battle would be fought with the two opposing fleets drawing themselves up to form two lines of battle
Line of battle
In naval warfare, the line of battle is a tactic in which the ships of the fleet form a line end to end. A primitive form had been used by the Portuguese under Vasco Da Gama in 1502 near Malabar against a Muslim fleet.,Maarten Tromp used it in the Action of 18 September 1639 while its first use in...
. This tactic did not favour what was perceived to be the faster, more accurate gunnery of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and would often bring about indecisive results, usually with the enemy escaping. Nelson's idea was to quickly bring about a melee in which, due to superior gunnery, the British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
would have a distinct advantage.
Nelson planned to divide his fleet into three sections. The largest part would engage closely with one section of the enemy's fleet crushing it with greater numbers. The other ships, sailing in two columns, would cut the enemy line and prevent them from coming to the aid of their comrades.The enemy fleet could then be destroyed piecemeal.
There is a tendency amongst some historians to attribute these tactics to Nelson alone. There was nothing new in his ideas however: Breaking the enemy line had previously been achieved by, amongst others, Admiral George Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782...
at the Battle of the Saintes
Battle of the Saintes
The Battle of the Saintes took place over 4 days, 9 April 1782 – 12 April 1782, during the American War of Independence, and was a victory of a British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney over a French fleet under the Comte de Grasse forcing the French and Spanish to abandon a planned...
(1782); Admiral Adam Duncan had divided his fleet at Camperdown
Battle of Camperdown
The Battle of Camperdown was a major naval action fought on 11 October 1797 between a Royal Navy fleet under Admiral Adam Duncan and a Dutch Navy fleet under Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter...
(1797). Concentration on one part of the enemy fleet was a very old tactic and had already been used by Nelson at the Nile
Battle of the Nile
The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798...
in 1798.
Nelson was innovative in one respect at least: rather than direct the battle as it was occurring, through the use of signals; he would gather his captains together prior to action and tell them his plan but would allow them great leeway in how they carried out their individual orders. In any event, conveying signals in this type of battle would have been difficult. The ease with which signals could be passed from one ship to the next was one advantage of fighting in a line of battle.
Nelson also had his fleet cruise in the same order that they would go into battle. Nelson was at Hyeres when Admiral Hotham
William Hotham, 1st Baron Hotham
Admiral William Hotham, 1st Baron Hotham was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was the son of Sir Beaumont Hotham , a lineal descendant of Sir John Hotham....
allowed the French Fleet to escape while he wasted time getting his ships in order.
Nelson used the expression 'the Nelson touch' on more than one occasion and its origin has been the subject of debate amongst historians. A favourite suggestion is that it derives from a line in Nelson's favourite play, Henry V
Henry V (play)
Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in approximately 1599. Its full titles are The Cronicle History of Henry the Fifth and The Life of Henry the Fifth...
(Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
): 'A little touch of Harry in the night' describing how the king would calm his soldiers on the eve of battle.
Nelson also wrote in a private letter to Lady Hamilton about 'the Nelson touch, which we say is warranted never to fail'. Seen in this context it is easy to see why some have seen it as a private sexual joke between the two lovers (a little touch of Nelson in the night).
Nelson's talent for leadership and the way he fostered admiration and trust in his fellow officers; was later also to become known as the 'Nelson Touch'; although Nelson never referred to it as such himself. He often spoke however, of his captains as his 'band of brothers' and 'we happy few' both references from Henry V. In the play Shakespeare portrays the King as someone who was loved by, and an inspiration to his men and it seems that Nelson aspired to be like him. Emma Hamilton even called Nelson, 'Henry', a number of times in her letters to him.
Creating trust amongst his officers was crucial to Nelson. It allowed him to rely on simple strategies rather than complicated battle plans, certain in the knowledge that his subordinates would support one another in achieving the overall objective and be confident enough to use their own initiative when required.