
Leo Webster
Senior Specialist
Sold for £7,500 inc. premium
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Captain (later Admiral Sir) Henry Blackwood (1770-1832) was a highly distinguished officer who entered the Royal Navy as a Volunteer in 1781 and saw action across the world. A long-time friend of Nelson, it was he who brought the news to Merton [in September 1805] that the combined Franco-Spanish fleet had been discovered in Cadiz, thereby forcing Nelson to abandon Emma and return to sea immediately to counter the threat. Once back with the fleet, Nelson ordered Blackwood to stand off Cadiz in order to watch for enemy activity and signal at once if they attempted to leave harbour. It was thus Blackwood who signalled to Nelson, on 19th October [1805], that the enemy fleet was putting to sea and regularly reported developments over the following day and night. During the ensuing battle, Blackwood positioned his frigate Euryalus near to Victory with the result that it was he who informed Collingwood that Nelson had died and that overall command of the fleet had been transferred.