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Imagine being crammed into a ship, with dozens of other sailors that you have lived and worked with cheek by jowl for months, even years. The decks have been cleared, the cannons are prepared and the surgeon’s tools laid out below. There is a feeling of excitement and anticipation. Ships of the British navy surround you, with all eyes on the horizon.

There is barely a breeze to fill the sails, so you are slowly floating towards the enemy fleet at walking pace. This is the scene for the decisive battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the coast of Spain on 21 October 1805.

In order to thwart Napoleon’s plan to invade Britain, the Royal Navy had to blockade the continental ports where the Franco-Spanish navy was based. Nelson knew he had to take control of the Channel to protect Britain. Battle commenced in the afternoon, when the two sides were close enough to fire ‘broadside’ on one another. The British were outnumbered but better trained, firing two rounds to the enemy’s one. But this couldn’t save them from being hit. If you weren’t killed by a direct hit, the splinters flying as the canons ripped into the hull could tear you apart.

Below deck, streams of horrifically injured men were brought down to the surgeon. Even by today’s standards, a ship’s surgeon was often amazingly proficient. With no anaesthetic, except a slug of rum, men could die of shock on the operating table, so the surgeon had to move as quickly as possible. It was common for a limb to be removed in two minutes. But with no knowledge of how to stop infection, many patients died from gangrene and tetanus after their operations.

Nelson led by example. He knew he must inspire his men and put dread into the hearts of the enemy. So he wore his full insignia, ensuring that he would be recognised. This ultimately led to his death. During the battle, a French sniper picked Nelson out on the deck of the Victory and he fell, mortally wounded. Nelson covered his face while he was taken below because he didn’t want his men to know he’d been hit. The shot had cut through his spine and, after three hours of agony, and only after learning that his fleet were victorious, he died.

Nelson’s men were distraught. How could their immortal leader be dead? In all, the British suffered 1,700 casualties, less than a third of the Franco-Spanish fleet. Nelson’s body was preserved in a cask of brandy and later in a lead coffin filled with wine, until it was safely returned to Britain. A nation mourned its hero, who had died leading the navy to a glorious, but bloody victory.