Home | Site Map | Site A to Z | Site log and News | Credits | email us
When Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood took over command of the British fleet following the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson, he began the urgent task of assembling the information necessary to complete his dispatch to the Admiralty in London.
A tremendous gale blew up after the battle, scattering the fleet and its prizes, making communication with the ships difficult. It was several days before the weather subsided enough for the various reports and casualty returns to be gathered enabling him to finish his lengthy and historical dispatch.
Six days later, his work complete, Collingwood had to choose a suitable messenger to carry to England not only the news of the glorious victory at Trafalgar, but also the dreadful news of the death of the Commander - in - Chief, Lord Nelson.
The man he chose for this task was a young lieutenant, by the name of Lapenotiere, Commander of the "Pickle" - a small but fast 8 - gun schooner. Collingwood, summoning the young lieutenant to his ship, acquainted him with the importance of his errand as he handed over the dispatches, and informed him that on reaching England he would be rewarded with his Commander's commission, together with £500. Lapenotiere, charged with pride and determination, immediately began his epic journey at noon on 27th October. The "Pickle" turned westward towards Cape St Vincent, and as the last of the fleet disappeared in the haze to leeward, Lapenotiere reflected on his responsibility and the long journey ahead.
Fighting a rough sea, with the wind still in the west he made all possible speed without endangering the ship. He pushed on, leaving Cape St Vincent on the starboard beam, standing well out for safety. They now faced a long slog of nearly one thousand miles up the coast of Portugal and across the Bay of Biscay.
Still in rough weather off the Lisbon coast, they spoke to a British frigate, the "Nautilus", which immediately turned round and ran back into Lisbon with the news. Struggling on, the "Pickle" battled against a headwind off Finisterre, as the weather became much worse, causing Lapenotiere to heave four of the eight guns overboard in order to keep the ship afloat.
It was now 1st November, and all hands had been manning the pumps for over 12 hours. A day later, when they were off the Isles of Scilly, the sea subsided to a dead calm without a breath of wind, and it became necessary to get out the "sweeps", long oars, to keep the "Pickle's" head on the right bearing.
Eventually, at 2 o'clock in the morning on the 4th November the Lizard lights were sighted, and by 7-30 am the "Manacles" were off the port beam. By 10 o'clock Pendennis castle was in sight. The "Pickle" shortened sail and hove to, a boat was immediately lowered and Lapenotiere was rowed ashore with his dispatches. The "Pickle" then sailed on towards Plymouth Sound.
Securing a post chaise, by noon Lapenotiere was on his way to London via the post road, which would take him through Truro and Tavistock, then across Dartmoor to Chagford and Exeter. By good fortune the roads were hard and dry, and he was soon bounding along the coach route through Honiton, Axminster, Sherborne and Salisbury. Next came the turnpike to Andover, Basingstoke and finally London.
He arrived outside the Admiralty at 1 o'clock in the morning on the 6th November, after a ride of 266 miles and 19 changes of horses. Thus the young lieutenant, tired and exhausted but still keyed up with the importance of his errand, delivered the Trafalgar dispatches and the terrible news of the death of Nelson. It was just 9 days since the "Pickle" had left Collingwood and the fleet.
As Lapenotiere gained entrance to the Admiralty, unbelievably a second coach arrived with the same news. The coach contained Captain Sykes of the "Nautilus"; the same frigate, which had spoke the "Pickle" off Lisbon. Having gone in with the news, Sykes was dispatched in haste to London by the Ambassador, and being a faster ship had made up the time, escaping the worst of the weather by a different route. He landed at Plymouth, and quickly obtained a fast coach arrived at the Admiralty seconds behind Lapenotiere. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Barham, tried to absorb the sombre news, arriving as it had in the middle of the night. Stunned, he listened to the dishevelled young lieutenant as, grim faced, he said impressively: "Sir, we have gained a great victory, but we have lost Lord Nelson".
Immediately, clerks were awakened to write the many letters that needed to be sent - to the King, the Prince of Wales, the Cabinet, and the Lord Mayor, who would alert those with shipping interests at Lloyds Coffee House. A special edition of the London Gazette Extraordinary was published, containing Collingwood's entire dispatch, and was on the streets before 9-00am.
So, the news of the victory at Trafalgar and the death of Nelson was brought to England. The people were overjoyed at the tremendous victory, but the sense of loss felt at the death of their hero, Lord Nelson, was universal, and this is why respect for him and his achievements, are so manifest to this day.
By Clifford Mansfield Archivist/Librarian With acknowledgements to Edward Fraser and Oliver Warner.
Footnote- When the London Gazette Extraordinary was published in 1805 it cost 9 ½ pence (4 ½ pence in today's money), very expensive for the time. In November 1999 a single copy sold at auction for £4000, plus commissions.
Home | Site Map | Site A to Z | Site log and News | Credits | email us