History society enjoys talk on Britain’s greatest naval hero
ON a warm spring evening Amblecote History Society’s final indoor meeting of this season was held on May 11 at the Ruskin Glass House Centre.
An audience of 44 were treated to an entertaining talk by Max Keen on the life and times of Lord Horatio Nelson, “Britain’s Greatest Naval Hero”.
Max, who delivered his talk while dressed in clothing of the period, told how this son of a Norfolk clergyman (one of 11 children) entered the Royal Navy in 1771 at the age of 12. His first ship was captained by Maurice Suckling, his maternal uncle, who taught him the basics of sailing and very soon promoted him to midshipman.
Nelson captained the first of many ships in 1779 at the age of 20. He was stationed in the West Indies for nine years, during which time he became friends with many slave owners. He supported the slave trade because abolition he believed would be detrimental to world trade. The Royal Navy however took on runaway slaves as crew and paid them as such, freeing them as free men when they got back to port.
Nelson continued his duties there, fighting in the War of American Independence against the French, who supported the Americans. It was during this time he met and married Frances Nisbet in 1787, who already had a son, and brought them back to Norfolk.
He was wounded many times during his battles, losing his right eye fighting the French in 1794 and his right arm fighting the Spanish at Santa Cruz in 1797.
During one of his periods of convalescence, he met and fell in love with Emma, Lady Hamilton. They had an affair resulting in the birth of a daughter, Horatia, born in 1801.
Nelson was given HMS Victory as his flagship in 1803 after more victories against the French in the Mediterranean.
Napoleon Bonaparte had made himself emperor and joined up with the Spanish to invade Britain. The British fleet met this combined fleet at Cape Trafalgar in 1805 and defeated them but Nelson was killed by a French bullet. We all showed our appreciation for an interesting talk. Our next meeting will be a cruise down the River Severn from Stourport on the River King, boarding at 7pm, returning at approximately 9-9.30. Contact Sandra Newall 01384 832465 or 07971257241 to book a seat.
For more about the society, visit the Amblecote History Group’s Facebook page.