Nelson's Column is the heart of Trafalgar Square London. A dedication to Admiral Nelson was one of Britain's best-loved heroes, who fought valiantly for his country and won four notable naval battles, at the personal cost of losing an arm and one eye. Nelson's last and most famous battle was fought off the Spanish cape of Trafalgar, when he defeated Napoleon and the French and Spanish fleets; during which he lost his life, dying aboard H.M.S Victory.
Born in 1758, Nelson was made commander in chief of the fleet in May 1803. Sailing on the flagship Victory, he went in search of the French. He found the French fleet at Toulon, but it slipped away from him. Nelson chased the French to the West Indies and back. It was more than two years before Nelson was able to bring the French fleet to battle off Cape Trafalgar on the coast of Spain, on Oct. 21, 1805. Nelson hoisted his famous signal, "England expects that every man will do his duty." With only 27 vessels, Nelson attacked the combined French and Spanish fleets. One of the great naval battles of all time followed. Napoleon's fleet, which had 33 warships, was destroyed.
Nelson was wounded at the height of the battle. He was carried below with a sharpshooter's bullet in his spine.…
