Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 9 (February 25, 1927)

Lord Nelson

Lord Nelson.

Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest naval hero, was born at Burnham Thorpe Rectory, Norfolk, in 1758. At the early age of twelve he entered the navy as a midshipman and served in an Arctic expedition. For several years he was engaged in the West Indies, but in 1780, on account of ill health, he was compelled to return home.

When Lord Hood attempted to capture Corsica in 1794 Nelson successfully commanded the landing parties of seamen and marines at Bastia and Calvi. It was in the struggle at Calvi that he lost the sight of his right eye. Two years later he was promoted to commodore and was engaged in preventing the coastal trade of France. At the battle of Cape St. Vincent where the combined fleets of Spain and France were defeated, Nelson performed meritorious service, in recognition of which he was made a Knight Bachelor and appointed rear-admiral. While attempting the capture of a treasure ship at Santa Cruz in 1797 Nelson had the misfortune to lose his right arm.

In 1798 he was deputed to attempt the annihilation or capture of the French fleet which had put to sea. He eventually discovered it at anchor in Aboukir Bay, where the famous Battle of the Nile, was fought. page 59 So overwhelming was the defeat of the French that only two of their frigates escaped, and the army of Napoleon was imprisoned amid the sands of Egypt. As the result of this victory Nelson was raised to the peerage as Baron Nelson of the Nile, was granted a pension and was the recipient of rewards from numerous courts of Europe.

When Naples fell to the French in 1799, Nelson restored the city to the Neapolitans and again established civil power. He was then created Duke of Bronte in Sicily.

Early in 1801 he was promoted to viceadmiral and sent in command of an attack on Copenhagen, where the Danish fleet was destroyed. On his return home he was created Viscount Nelson.

His final triumph was defeat of the French fleet at the memorable battle of Trafalgar, on 21st October, 1805, in which the hero himself was mortally wounded. It was prior to this battle that he hoisted the famous signal, “This day England expects every man to do his duty.” With princely honours, and amid the tears of a mourning nation, the famous hero was laid to rest in St. Paul's Cathedral.

Lord Nelson.

Lord Nelson.

Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa.

Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa.

Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa was born on 5th December, 1859, and entered the service of the British Navy when thirteen years of age. He served in the Egyptian War of 1882 after which he passed with honours his examination for a lieutenancy. In 1910–1911 he became Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, and in 1911–1912 was Commander of the Second Home Fleet. During the following two years he occupied the position of second Sea Lord at the Admiralty. On the outbreak of the Great War he was placed in command of the Grand Fleet—perhaps the most responsible position in the world at that time. As Commander of the Grand Fleet during the Battle of Jutland he inflicted such punishment on the German Fleet that the latter never again ventured out to battle on the high seas. Replying to congratulations on the results of the battle he said: “I expected a great deal from the fleet, and it did all that I expected. But for our bad luck in getting misty weather I believe we should have finished the business.”

Viscount Jellicoe subsequently became Governor-General of New Zealand. He discharged the functions of that high office with a democratic understanding which won for him a warm place in the hearts of the people of the Dominion.

page 60
The Duke of Wellington.

The Duke of Wellington.

The Hon. Arthur Wellesley first Duke of Wellington was born in Dublin on 29th April, 1769, and was educated at Eton and at the Angers Military College in France. Before he was eighteen he received his first commission in the 73rd Regiment and rose rapidly to the rank of colonel. In 1808 he was made lieutenant-general and given command of the troops to be sent to the Spanish Peninsula where in the following year he began his long struggle against the armies of Napoleon. In the engagements of this campaign Wellesley won many notable battles and brought the war to a successful termination in 1814. For these services he was created Duke of Wellington. In consequence of Napoleon's escape from Elba, he assumed command of the allied forces, went over to Flanders, and on the 18th June, 1815, brought Napoleon to battle on the field of Waterloo. Although outnumbered in men and guns Wellington succeeded, after one of the most titanic struggles recorded in military history, in bringing that famous battle to a victorious conclusion. He was one of the most brilliant military leaders of which history has any record yet he was a lover of peace. His greatest gift to humanity apart from his military victories, “was the example he set of single-minded devotion to duty with no other object in view but the benefit of mankind and the good government of his country.” The great Duke died in 1852 and was buried with elaborate ceremonial in St. Paul's Cathedral.