Tugging the Tiger's Tail by Ivan Berryman [Print]

Tugging the Tiger's Tail

It is the Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805 and the British 2nd rater Temeraire with 98 guns, having followed HMS Victory through the Franco-Spanish line, finds herself alongside the Spanish flagship, La Santisima Trinidad. This giant was by some measure the largest warship in the World, boasting four full gun decks and 130 guns. Undaunted, Captain Eliab Harvey took on the Santisima Trinidad, delivering a number of blows into the enemy’s massive red and black hull. However, Temeraire was largely out of control by this time, having taken much punishment as she had approached the enemy fleet. Her main topgallant mast had been shot away, as well as the mizzen topgallant. Her fore yard had crashed down onto her deck and her fore topsail had caught fire and been extinguished. Taking fire from both sides, the Temeraire lumbered on, eventually colliding with Le Redoutable, which was engaged with Victory. Between them, the two British three-deckers poured fire into the French ship until it struck its colours.