Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord NelsonBeatty, William
History
Authentic Narrative of the Death of Lord Nelson
Beatty, William
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805 -- Death and burial
The Victory's crew cheered whenever they observed an Enemy's ship
surrender. On one of these occasions, Lord NELSON anxiously inquired
what was the cause of it; when Lieutenant PASCO, who lay wounded at some
distance from His LORDSHIP, raised himself up, and told him that another
ship had struck, which appeared to give him much satisfaction. He now
felt an ardent thirst; and frequently called for drink, and to be fanned
with paper, making use of these words: "Fan, fan," and "Drink, drink."
This he continued to repeat, when he wished for drink or the refreshment
of cool air, till a very few minutes before he expired. Lemonade, and
wine and water, were given to him occasionally. He evinced great
solicitude for the event of the battle, and fears for the safety of his
friend Captain HARDY. Doctor SCOTT and Mr. BURKE used every argument
they could suggest, to relieve his anxiety. Mr. BURKE told him "the
Enemy were decisively defeated, and that he hoped His LORDSHIP would
still live to be himself the bearer of the joyful tidings to his
country." He replied, "It is nonsense, Mr. BURKE, to suppose I can live:
my sufferings are great, but they will all be soon over." Doctor SCOTT
entreated His LORDSHIP "not to despair of living," and said "he trusted
that Divine Providence would restore him once more to his dear Country
and friends."--"Ah, Doctor!" replied His LORDSHIP, "it is all over; it
is all over."
Many messages were sent to Captain HARDY by the Surgeon, requesting his
attendance on His LORDSHIP; who became impatient to see him, and often
exclaimed: "Will no one bring HARDY to me? He must be killed: he is
surely destroyed," The Captain's Aide-de-camp, Mr. BULKLEY, now came
below, and stated that "circumstances respecting the Fleet required
Captain HARDY'S presence on deck, but that he would avail himself of
the first favourable moment to visit His LORDSHIP." On hearing him
deliver this message to the Surgeon, His LORDSHIP inquired who had
brought it. Mr. BURKE answered, "It is Mr. BULKLEY, my Lord."--"It is
his voice," replied His LORDSHIP: he then said to the young gentleman,
"Remember me to your father."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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