The battle of Trafalgar, preceding by forty-two days the battle of Austerlitz, holds the same relation to British ascendancy on the ocean that Napoleon’s victory over the Emperors Alexander and Francis held to the French ascendancy on Continental Europe.  Henceforth Great Britain, according to her national hymn, “ruled the wave;” henceforth, until after Waterloo, France ruled the land.  Up to this date, namely, 1805, French ambition had reached as far as the dominion of the sea.  It appears that Napoleon himself had no genius for naval warfare, but his ambition included the ocean; coincidently with his accession to the Imperial throne a great fleet was prepared and placed under command of Admiral Villeneuve for the recovery of the Mediterranean.

This fleet was destined in the first place for a possible invasion of England, but fate and Providence had reserved for the armament another service.  At the same time the British fleet, to the number of twenty-seven ships of the line and four frigates, was brought to a high stage of proficiency and discipline, and placed under command of Lord Horatio Nelson.  His second in command was Admiral Collingwood, who succeeded him after his death.  The French fleet was increased to thirty-three ships of the line and five frigates, the addition being the Spanish contingent under Admirals Gravina and Alava.  The Spanish vessels joined Villeneuve from Cadiz about the middle of May.  The plan of the French commander was to rally a great squadron, cross the Atlantic to the West Indies, return as if bearing down on Europe, and raise the blockades at Ferrol, Rochefort and Brest.

As soon as it was known, however, that Nelson was abroad, his antagonist became wary and all of his movements were marked with caution.  Meanwhile Lord Nelson sought for the allied-fleet on the Mediterranean, but found it not.  He then passed through the Straits of Gibraltar and sailed for the coast of South America; but before reaching his destination he learned that the Spanish fleet had sailed for Europe again.  Nelson followed, but did not fall in with the enemy.  Villeneuve, gaining knowledge of the movements of the English admiral, and disregarding the instructions of Napoleon, withdrew from Ferrol to the south and put in at Cadiz.  It was here that Nelson, so to speak, brought the allied fleet to bay.

On the southern coast of Spain, between Cadiz and Gibraltar, the Cape of Trafalgar projects into the Atlantic.  In the autumn Nelson’s fleet beat southward into this part of the seas, and it was here that the battle was fought.  The rival commanders were eager for a meeting, and each foresaw that the contest was likely to be decisive.  Each admiral had behind him a long list of naval achievements, and each to his own nation was greatly endeared.

Nelson had, on the first of August, 1798, destroyed the French fleet in the bay of Aboukir.  In 1800 he had been raised to the peerage.  In 1801 he had bombarded Copenhagen; and for that doubtful achievement had been made a viscount.  One of his arms was gone, and he was covered with the scars of battle.  Villeneuve had also a well-earned reputation.  Could he but add to his previous services the defeat of Nelson, his fame would be established for all time.