The Nelson Column, Montreal

In memory of the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Bronte, whose naval career ended at the Battle of Trafalgar after he signaled, “England expects every man will do his duty,” a monumental pillar was erected by subscription of the inhabitants of Montreal in 1808. On August 1 and 2, 1798, Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, K.B., with a British fleet of 12 sail of the line and a ship of 60 guns, defeated in Aboukir Bay a French fleet of 18 sail of the line and 4 frigates under Admiral Bruyres, taking and destroying the whole except two sail of the line and 2 frigates without the loss of a British ship. On April 2, 1801, a British fleet of 10 sail of the line and 8 ships of 60 guns under the immediate command of the Right Honorable Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Bronte, attacked the Danish line moored for the defense of Copenhagen, consisting of 6 sail of the line and 8 large ship batteries, besides bomb and gun vessels supported by the ground and land batteries, and after a severe contest of 4 hours the whole line of defense was sunk, taken, or destroyed without the loss of a British ship. On October 21, 1806, the British fleet of 27 sail of the line commanded by the Right Honorable Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Bronte, attacked off Trafalgar the combined fleet of France and Spain of 33 sail of the line commanded by the Admirals Villeneuve and Oravina, defeating them with the loss of 19 sail of the line captured and destroyed; in this action his country lamented the loss of its greatest naval hero but not a single ship.

Quebec · Canada