COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE
Maritime Heritage
Part 2
Issue Date: 21st October 2005
The 21st October 1805 was a significant turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. Tragically, whilst England was victorious she was also to lose her greatest and most beloved Naval Commander. The Battle of Trafalgar was to prove to be Nelson's finest and last hour.
As Islanders in every sense of the word, it is important that our community should take the opportunity of SeaBritain 2005 to celebrate our maritime sector in its many dimensions; just about every pivotal moment in the Falklands' history has involved the sea - from discovery and settlement to the development of our economy, from travel and shipping to recreation and, of course, our wildlife and natural environment.
At the heart of SeaBritain 2005 is the Trafalgar Festival. While the Battle of Trafalgar itself is not especially pertinent to Falklands' history or heritage, the majority of Islanders are of British descent and we are very much a British Territory. As such it is important to remember and to commemorate this important naval victory. Indeed, Trafalgar Day was a school half-holiday up until the 1960's. Of course it was originally the conflict with Spain, relative to the Falkland Islands, that inspired Nelson to join the navy.
His victories and great courage were to catch the public imagination and he was indeed considered a hero, both in his own lifetime and in the Victorian period following his death. 200 years later both Nelson and his nemesis, Napoléon, remain characters that arouse great interest and admiration.
Nelson's lifetime was a period of war, change and revolution. With the agricultural and industrial revolution population growth led to enormous economic and social changes. The tremendous expansion of manufacture was to provide the impetus for British expansion into the world in a search for markets in which to trade its goods. The Royal Navy would thus assume the vital role of protecting British ships trading throughout the world. Indeed the Royal Navy continues to have a permanent role in defending the Falkland Islands with the "castle class" vessels and regular visits from the frigates and destroyers patrolling the South Atlantic. In addition to these, 'HMS Endurance' continues to support the fleet, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic in research and mapping.
This £2 Souvenir Sheet depicts "The Fall of Nelson, Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805" by Denis Dighton circa 1825 (courtesy of National Maritime Museum, London).
It is an impression of the mortal wounding of Nelson on the upper deck of 'HMS Victory', painted many years after the event. On the right, Nelson is portrayed at the moment he falls. Captain Hardy, with his back to the viewer, advances to assist Royal Marine Sergeant Secker, who is already at Nelson's side. In the centre foreground, Midshipman Pollard aims with a musket, to return the fire of the French marksman who shot Nelson. In the midst of the action, the artist has shown that very few of the crew are aware that Nelson has been hit.
The artist has mistakenly shown the high solid gunwales and round bow of 'HMS Victory', modifications made some years after Trafalgar. Their introduction was influenced by the heavy casualties suffered in the battle.
With the assistance of a magnifying glass every last detail of the original painting can be clearly seen on this souvenir sheet, due to the special superfine stochastic printing technique that was selected for the occasion.
Among the many inspired by Nelson's heroism and bravery was Patrick Brunty, father of the famous Bronte Sisters. As revealed in the National Maritime Museum's "Nelson and Napoleon" exhibition, the family name was subtly changed in honour of Nelson (who was given the title of Duke of Bronte by the King of Naples as a thank you for Nelson restoring him to his throne in 1799).
Patrick Bronte's son, Branwell, only brother to the famous Bronte sisters, wrote these words in 1841, as a tribute to Lord Nelson:
They see where fell the Thunder bolt of war,
On the storm swollen waves of Trafalgar,
They see the spot where fell a star of glory,
The Finis to one page of England's story,
They read a tale to wake their pain and pride,
In that brass plate engraved 'HERE NELSON DIED'.
So it seems, if it wasn't for Nelson, who lost his life on the deck of the Victory at the hands of a lucky French sharpshooter, Wuthering Heights most likely would have been written by Emily Brunty.
Technical details:-
Designer: Andrew Robinson
Printer: Joh Enschedé Security Print
Process: Enschedé Special Fine Stochastic Lithography
Perforation: 14 per 2cms
Stamp size: 30.54 x 38mm
Sheet Size: 75 x 110mm
Release date: 21st October 2005
Production Co-ordination: Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
Images reproduced courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.
Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited