The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
In January 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson having presented to the city of
Norwich the sword of the Spanish admiral, delivered to him on the
memorable 14th of February 1797, an ingenious device, executed by Mr.
Windham of that city, was erected in the council-chamber of the
town-hall, to commemorate this event, and the consequent gift, which has
been thus described--To the ring of an anchor, is suspended a yard and
sail, supposed to be torn in action: on which is inscribed--"The Sword
of the Spanish Admiral, Don Xavier Winthuysen, who died of the wounds he
received in an engagement with the British fleet, under the command of
Admiral Earl St. Vincent, 13th of February 1797, which ended in the most
brilliant victory ever obtained by this country over the enemy at sea;
wherein the heroic valour, and cool determined courage, of Rear-Admiral
Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B. had ample scope for their display. He, being a
native of Norfolk, has honoured the city, by presenting this sword,
surrendered to him in that action." From the flukes of the anchor, the
sword is suspended. Underneath, is the coat of arms of Sir Horatio
Nelson, which was given to him by the king. The crest is the stern of a
man of war; the supporters, are a sailor bearing a British lion,
trampling on the Spanish colours. The motto is--"Faith and works."
Sir Horatio appears to have spent his preceding Christmas, and
commencement of the present year, with his venerable father, and the
esteemed husband of his amiable younger sister, Mrs. Matcham, at Bath;
where, also, he might be desirous to recruit his health and vigour for
his approaching voyage. Certain it is, that he quitted Bond Street in
December, and was at Bath the beginning of February.
It was not till the 1st of April 1798, that the convoy which he had in
charge for Lisbon was completely ready; and, though he sailed with it,
on that day, from Spithead, the wind, at the back of the Isle of Wight,
coming to the westward, he was constrained to return to St. Helen's.
After waiting till the 9th, he proceeded to Lisbon with the convoy; and,
on the 29th of April, joined the Earl of St. Vincent, off Cadiz.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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