This is a discussion on Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar within the Navy & Maritime forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; Hello all. Wondering if any of you guys can help me? Im currently preparing a brief on Nelson and the ...
Hello all. Wondering if any of you guys can help me? Im currently preparing a brief on Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar and I am trying to find out what influence it has had on modern naval strategy and tactics.
I know that you guys know your stuff and are probably a lot more knowledgable than me.
Any help would be amazing
Thanks
X Gill
Hello all. Wondering if any of you guys can help me? Im currently preparing a brief on Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar and I am trying to find out what influence it has had on modern naval strategy and tactics.
I know that you guys know your stuff and are probably a lot more knowledgable than me.
Any help would be amazing
Thanks
X Gill
Nelson, the man, has incredible influence over how things are done at sea (today) rather then any specific battle he was engaged in.
He is the yardstick for leadership, that is for certain and the principles that he defined you can find in every manner of emergency response regime the world over.
So, if I were you I would focus on "The Nelson touch" as being his legacy that all maritime comanders bar none try to achieve, to this day.
Hello all. Wondering if any of you guys can help me? Im currently preparing a brief on Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar and I am trying to find out what influence it has had on modern naval strategy and tactics.
I know that you guys know your stuff and are probably a lot more knowledgable than me.
Any help would be amazing
Thanks
X Gill
The following is an excellent addition to any naval library re Nelson and his influence. Its called "The Star Captains"
Editorial Reviews Book Description
Novelists from C. S. Forester to Patrick O'Brian have glorified Nelson's dashing frigate captains, but how much of their story is true? The author of this new volume on the nature of frigate command argues that the legend was very close to reality. Based on detailed studies of the appointments, training, and promotion of the Royal Navy's officer corps, he contends that frigate commanders were an elite group whose careers followed separate paths from their contemporaries. They exhibited specific and highly prized skills that were rewarded with fast-track promotions and resulted in the creation of one of the most successful military cadres in history. Often facing daunting odds, these frigate captains won the vast majority of their battles and a place in maritime lore. This book is a fascinating contribution to the broader understanding of the workings of Nelson's navy and will appeal to enthusiasts and historians alike.
About the Author
Tom Wareham is a curator at London's Museum of Docklands.
Product Details
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (October 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1557508712
ISBN-13: 978-1557508713
Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
In addition, I would also refer outside of Nelson and get an overview of what helped him get to his position of importance. So, I'd refer to
"1759, The Year that Britain became Master of the World"
Book Description
If not for the events of 1759, the entire history of the world would have been different. Called the "Year of Victories," 1759 was the fourth year of the Seven Years, or the French-and-Indian War and defeat of the French not only paved the way for the global hegemony of the English language but also made the emergence of the United States possible. Guiding us through England's conquests (and often extremely narrow victories) in India, North America, and the Caribbean, Frank McLynn (Wagons West) controversially suggests that the birth of the great British Empire was more a result of luck than of rigorous planning. Along with stirring depictions of the two greatest battles of 1759, Quebec and Quiberon, McLynn includes anecdotes of the intellectual and cultural leaders of the day—Swedenborg, Hume, Voltaire—and interweaves primary sources, ranging from material in the Vatican archives to oral histories of Native Americans, in a brilliant chronicle of a pivotal year in world history.
Hello again.
Thanks for your help, its really appreciated.
I just thought I would add an extra explanation here due to some abuse I have got on another websight (all taken in good humour though)
I have been told to do my own research and stop trying to be spoon fed. What I should have mentioned is that I am indeed researching it myself bu I thought that cross referencing my findings from the flat pages of a book against the views of others who are indeed passionate about Nelson would be a good idea.
Thanks again for the help so far
X Gill
I am trying to find out what influence it has had on modern naval strategy and tactics.
I'd also add that IMV, the premise behind "the star captains" also lies behind some modern naval evolutions such as the ww2 destroyer escorts, cold war submarine drivers etc.... both platforms were lethal and seemed to have common personality types under strong focussed leaders. Invariably, the captains/commanders of these vessels were all strong willed and were provided with a high degree of autonomy. they were well trained, had initiative and more importantly, had the support of the Executive. ie, the Executive basically demonstrated that they had confidence in their decisions/autonomy.
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
Sea Toby, I disagree completely. That is one of the most ignorant things I have ever read on this forum.
gillc I would encourage you to read Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat by Captain Wayne Hughes, you'll find the answers you seek, not only in relation to Nelson but you'll gain an understanding of how history influences modern sea power.
Two other books worth reading (and which I'd forgotten about!) are:
The Rise and Fall of British Naval Mastery by Paul Kennedy and Command at Sea, Naval Command and Control since the Sixteenth Century by Michael Palmer
The latter has some substantial material on Nelson and which enables you to draw parallels to modern command. (esp the devolution of command and the development of an efficient competent officer corp)
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
gillc I would encourage you to read Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat by Captain Wayne Hughes, you'll find the answers you seek, not only in relation to Nelson but you'll gain an understanding of how history influences modern sea power.
The fight against the independence of the United States had a profound effect on the Royal Navy. The corruption, jobbery and slackness in the pursuance of objectives that had riddled the service during the fight against the Americans had, in the main, been eliminated soon after the war had ended. The immediate generation afterwards, of captains, brought to the fore men of outstanding ability. Amongst them was a certain Captain Nelson.
Nelson and his kind are known for their exceptional courage, unremitting vigilance, prowess in all things seamanlike and well-founded expertise in the field of navigation. These are traits that any person would do well to emulate in their own endeavours today.
If interested in perusing the life of just a few Captains of this era, you would do yourself a great favour by looking at the following officers as examples of what the RN had available to count on. They are:
Captain John Cochrane of the Pallas
Captain Charles Brisbane of the Arethusa
Captain Edward Pellew of the Nymphe
Captain John Stewart of the Seahorse
Captain Philip Broke of the Shannon
Captain Sidney Smith of the Diamond
The last name, I would suggest, was at least equal to Nelson and the personification of British naval genius.
Nelson’s greatest legacy, IMO, was in inspiring those around to relentlessly exploit advantages, wrestled from an equally determined foe, whenever and wherever they were discovered.
Captain John Cochrane of the Pallas
Captain Charles Brisbane of the Arethusa
Captain Edward Pellew of the Nymphe
Captain John Stewart of the Seahorse
Captain Philip Broke of the Shannon
Captain Sidney Smith of the Diamond
The last name, I would suggest, was at least equal to Nelson and the personification of British naval genius.
Nelson’s greatest legacy, IMO, was in inspiring those around to relentlessly exploit advantages, wrestled from an equally determined foe, whenever and wherever they were discovered.
Pete A, if memory serves, and as per my prev, these men were all "star captains"
as per prev: The following is an excellent addition to any naval library re Nelson and his influence. Its called "The Star Captains"
Book Description
Novelists from C. S. Forester to Patrick O'Brian have glorified Nelson's dashing frigate captains, but how much of their story is true? The author of this new volume on the nature of frigate command argues that the legend was very close to reality. Based on detailed studies of the appointments, training, and promotion of the Royal Navy's officer corps, he contends that frigate commanders were an elite group whose careers followed separate paths from their contemporaries. They exhibited specific and highly prized skills that were rewarded with fast-track promotions and resulted in the creation of one of the most successful military cadres in history. Often facing daunting odds, these frigate captains won the vast majority of their battles and a place in maritime lore. This book is a fascinating contribution to the broader understanding of the workings of Nelson's navy and will appeal to enthusiasts and historians alike.
About the Author
Tom Wareham is a curator at London's Museum of Docklands.
Product Details Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (October 2001) Language: English ISBN-10: 1557508712 ISBN-13: 978-1557508713 Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
