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
Thomas Foxton, Second Master.
| Mr. Martin Wills, Midshipman.
Swiftsure | Mr. William Smith, Midshipman.
------------------+--------------------------------------
Horatio Nelson.
It appears, from these lists, that sixteen officers, one hundred and
fifty-six seamen, and forty-six marines, making in all two hundred and
eighteen persons, lost their lives; and that thirty-seven officers,
five hundred and sixty-two seamen, and seventy-eight marines, amounting
to six hundred and seventy-seven persons, were wounded: forming a total,
in killed and wounded, on board the British fleet, if the admiral be
included, who has, as usual, omitted himself, of eight hundred and
ninety-six. Such was the dreadful price paid by the conquerors for this
glorious victory; to the vanquished, the loss was incalculable. On a
moderate estimate, for the exact number has not been ascertained, there
could scarcely be less than three thousand French killed and wounded in
this most memorable conflict. Certain it is, that the Bay of Aboukir,
for many days after the battle, was so covered with the floating bodies
of the slain, as to exhibit a most horrid and painful spectacle; and,
though all possible endeavours were exerted to keep sinking them
whenever they appeared, the shot used for this intention so frequently
slipped off, that many of the bodies perpetually rose again to the
surface. Indeed, from the excessive heat of the weather, the survivors,
besides the offensive disgusts naturally excited, felt very alarming
apprehensions of some pestilential visitation; which, however, they
happily escaped. The numerous prisoners, including all the wounded, were
immediately restored, on condition of not serving against England till
exchanged.
In the mean time, from parts of the floating wreck of L'Orient, the
officers of the fleet vied with each other in causing numerous articles
to be manufactured, as commemorations of this glorious victory, which
they most affectionately presented to their respected commander. Captain
Hallowell, in particular, with singular zeal and attachment, procured a
coffin to be made, by his carpenter, on board the Swiftsure, entirely
from the wreck of L'Orient, iron as well as wood, in the most elegant
manner that the workman could effect with such limited materials, and so
little skill in that particular branch of business; which was delivered
to Admiral Nelson with the following letter.
Swiftsure,
August 1798.
"SIR,
"I Have taken the liberty of presenting you a coffin made from the
mainmast of L'Orient; that, when you have finished your military
career in this world, you may be buried in one of your trophies:
but, that that period may be far distant, is the earnest wish of
your sincere friend,
"Benjamin Hallowell."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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