Science of Conflict

Trafalgar

Admiral Nelson, pictured on the right, commanded the British fleet against the French and Spanish at Trafalgar.

Battle at sea was a horrific experience for all concerned. Damp, cold and cramped surroundings made the sailor's life miserable at the best of times. The fact that sailing ships at the time were made of wood no open fire for heating was allowed on board and sailors would work and sleep for days in damp clothing. Needless to say the respiratory diseases and pneumonia were rife. The 800 crew of the victory slept and ate in cramped conditions on the gun decks.
During battle, a sailor's life was hell with survival a simple luck of the draw. A sailor could expect to be maimed by flying splinters of wood, as cannon balls smashed through the hull and cannon recoiled violently. At times the ropes, holding the cannon, would fail with devastating consequences as the cannon hurtled throough the gun deck sweeping all before it. The damp conditions often meant that ropes became weak and failed when coping with the tremendous forces of recoil.
First aide was usually administered on a first come first serve basis and did not take into account the severity of a sailor's wound. Often a wound on a limb meant amputation while a wound on the torso meant being put to one side to die.

Sea battles were fought at murderously close range. Little science was needed for a gunner to hit his target at such short range. Many shots simply could not miss.

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Most often ships would fight broadside to broadside. By mutual decree the opposing ships would come into position side by side and pummel each other with cannon fire at point blank range until a victor emerged. Accuracy was not important it was the rate of fire that was critical in this type of warfare.
Trafalgar continued