Darlan at Trafalgar

Monday October 21, 1805, 6 am The Bay of Biscay

Midshipmen Antoine Darlan and Francois Perry walked up to the quarterdeck of French ship of the line Redoutable warily. They had been summoned by Capitaine Lucas and First Officer Dupotet. Darlan had served in the navy for almost 18 months. He was just 17 years old but had seen the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Darlan waited quietly as Lucas and Dupotet were engaged in animated conversation.

Out to the east the sun was just rising. They were a bit too far out to sea to make out the coastline of Spain. A gentle wind was blowing from the northwest and long regular swells were coming from the west, making the ship roll. Turning to the north Darlan could see a long line of French and Spanish ships. For two long months they had been cooped up in the harbour at Cadiz. Now finally they were at sea. From snatches of the conversation that he could hear, Darlan understood that his Capitaine and First Officer were eager to engage the British. The fleet commander, Admiral Pierre Villeneuve had been reluctant to put to sea, for fear of the British, but the rumour was that Napoleon was angry about missed opportunities to cross the English Channel and now wanted to replace his fleet commander. Villeneuve desperately needed a victory to retain his position.

The fleet had put to sea the previous day. The departure from Cadiz had been rather slow and disorderly because the wind, which had blown steadily for six weeks had dropped to a light breeze. The fleet was headed south towards the straits of Gibraltar. The capitaine was explaining to Depotet that orders had been received to transport troops from Cartagena to Naples, and to engage British ships in the Mediterranean.

Darlan saw that the two officers had taken out their telescopes and were examining something off to the northwest. Darlan squinted his eyes and could just make out some grey shapes on the horizon. Could it be the British fleet? Darlan was keen for action. Surely the British could not match the combined might of the French and Spanish fleets. Together they had 33 ships including the huge Spanish Saint Trinidad – the largest warship ever built with 130 heavyweight guns. His own ship Redoutable had 74 guns, but she was very solidly built and very seaworthy. Darlan thought that if they could just defeat the British fleet, the way would be open to invade England and put a stop to her support of Napoleon’s European enemies. Without British money, the European allies would fall apart and at last the continent could be at peace. Darlan dreamed of what his family would say about his part in a great French victory.

Darlan saw that the two senior officers had now turned their telescopes to the front. Leading the fleet was Villeneuve’s flagship Bucentaure, which was a newer ship than Redoutable and carried 80 heavier guns. Bucentaure was signalling to the fleet and Capitaine Lucas called for his flagmen to relay the signal. As the flags ran up the mast Darlan saw that Villeneuve had called for the fleet to turn to the northeast. Were they going to engage the British, or run ignominiously back to Cadiz?

For 10 minutes, the two senior officers were giving orders to steer the ship and to adjust the rigging. Then they called for the two midshipmen. Depotet said “Now Darlan and Perry, you are our smartest and most agile midshipmen, and we have an important job for you. In less than two hours, the British fleet will be upon us. I need not tell you that this will be an important battle on which the whole future of France may depend. You Darlan are to take six of our best gunmen and station yourself in the top of the foremast. You, Perry will do the same in the mainmast. We anticipate that the British will attempt to manoeuvre a line alongside us heading southwest. They will attempt to keep a distance from us so that they can destroy us with their broadsides. As you know they boast they can outgun us with their speed of reloading. We shall attempt to close with them and board their ships. We have more ships, more men, more marines, and better marksmen so we have the advantage if we use it right. You will instruct your men to aim carefully and take out the helmsman and the officers. When we are attempting to board, you must stay in position and try to shoot anyone who tries interfering with our grapples or boarding equipment. You are our secret weapon, and a lot depends on you. Under no circumstances are you to leave your posts until I tell you that the battle is over. Go and see Lieutenant Marbou, who is waiting in the magazine with your weapons and ammunition and the best shots that he can find. He will also appoint two men to each of you to keep you supplied with ammunition. Vive l’Empereur and vive la France and good shooting. Any questions?”. The two midshipmen shook their heads and saluted.

They headed off down to the magazine taking a last look around as they left. Capitaine Lucas had deftly turned the Redoutable around and was heading on her new course. She lagged just behind Bucentaure, Neptune and the Spanish ship San Leandro. However, looking around, Darlan could see that not all the ships had been so well managed. Some were stuck with their bows facing into the faint breeze. Others were heading off into different directions. It would be some time before Villeneuve’s fleet would be organised into a disciplined line to face the British.

At the magazine Lieutenant Marbou was all business. He had arranged for the 12 marksmen and the four ammunition boys and was busy equipping them. He gave Darlan and Perry telescopes and further instructions. Choose your targets carefully he said and make every bullet count. You must select the targets and leave the men to shoot them. Go to the galley and get some food . Be awake, we could be in for a very long day. “Good hunting!”.

After eating, Darlan led his small crew to the foot of the foremast. He could see that Marbou had given him all experienced sailors – no marines. The sailors would be able to keep better balance in the rigging – but could they shoot straight? They were all older than him, and all taller. Darlan was only f feet 4 inches – the same height as the emperor he liked to joke.

Darlan was a little scared of heights, but he knew couldn’t display any weakness in front of the men. He scrambled up the ratlines to the main top – a platform about 20 metres above the deck. Up here the side-to-side roll of the ship was really noticeable. He positioned four of his men on the main top and sent the other two 15 meters higher to the cross tees. The men could lay flat on the main top platform.

When everyone was settled, he took out his telescope and looked to the northwest. He was surprised at how close the British fleet had come. He could see that the British had formed two lines. They seemed to be heading straight for the middle of the French line. There was no sign of them heading for the front of the line and turning as Depotet had suggested. The British tactics seemed a little strange to Darlan and contrary to everything he had learnt in class. The British would soon be in range of the French guns. He could hear the gunports being opened down below and the guns run out. The British themselves would not be able to fire back, except perhaps with few forward mounted guns – their powerful broadsides would be useless.

Darlan looked again. One of the British lines was heading straight towards them. It was a big three decker – probably a hundred guns. At its main mast flew a pennant – probably the flagship. As he watched he heard a broadside fired from San Leandro. He watched the fall of the shot. They were close to maximum range – but the shots were well aimed but all fell short. Then the ship shuddered as Redoutable fired her guns. These shots were also well aimed but all passed over the British ship. He could see the splashes on the far side. Evidently the rolling seas were making it hard for the gunners to get the elevation right. Now five or six of the French ships were firing. Some were still not in the line, and some were scattered off to the east and prevented from firing by the danger of hitting their own side.

From his vantage point Darlan could see that some of the shots were hitting their target, but they didn’t seem to be doing any damage. As well as the problems caused by the swell the British was head on to them and presented a very narrow target. The British ship kept getting closer and closer. Darlan told his men to get ready. She would soon be in musket range.

The wind continued light. Darlan noticed that San Leandro and Neptune were falling behind. Capitaine Lucas had put on more sail and was catching up to protect Bucentaure’s stern. Trying to estimate the relative speeds, Darlan saw that the British ship would probably just make the gap between Redoutable and Bucentaure. He positioned his men facing forward and carefully examined the British quarterdeck for targets. He assigned the helmsman to one of his men and a different officer to each of the others. Then he climbed up to the cross trees to assign two more targets. The roll of the ship was even more marked on this higher perch. It would make accurate shooting difficult. He cautioned the men to wait until the ships had closed – it was just possible they could take them by surprise.

Then the British bowsprit was almost in the gap. Darlan gave the signal to fire. Darlan’s men were good, they fired, reloaded, fired again. Down below, Depopet had deployed the marines in bow of the ship. They were firing furiously and throwing grenades. Dead and wounded lay all over the British deck. But the British could now fire their guns. They went off not as a single broadside but one by one as the British ship passed through the gap and fired on both sides.

Capitaine Lucas had turned the Redoutable to port and came alongside the British ship. Redoutable fired her broadside at point blank range. The marines were ready to board. Depopet had organised ropes and spars to effect a bridge between the ships. Darlan in an excited state could see that the British ship would soon be French. Then came a resounding crash. The marines fell over the like bowling pins. All along Redoutable’s deck were wounded and bleeding men. Darlan looked to the stern and saw that another British ship had passed behind Redoutable and raked her with grapeshot. He could see that the second British ship was even now preparing her next broadside. On the quarterdeck he could see that Lucas and Depopet had been wounded but were still alive and giving orders. Then Redoutable shuddered as the second British ship fired again, - this time with solid balls. Darlan watched as Redoutable’s main mast slowly toppled. Darlan hoped that Perry would survive the fall.

Looking to the front beyond the British ship, Darlan could see that their flagship Bucentaure was in a very bad way. The British ship had raked her with grapeshot. He wondered if Villaneuve was still alive.

Looking down at his own deck he saw that Capitaine Lucas and Depotot were still alive and giving orders but wounded. Behind Redoutable a third British ship was coming into view. Darlan saw that she too would soon fire a broadside into Redoutable’s unprotected stern The position appeared hopeless. Now a seaman was climbing up towards him, carrying a white flag. “The Capitaine says we must surrender he said. The ship is sinking. Most of the men are dead”. Darlan ordered his men down to the deck and slowly made his way there.

What he found was horrifying. The dead and wounded were everywhere. Capitaine Lucas was wounded with a bullet in his leg, but still standing. He ordered Darlan to take his men and lay the dead on the foredeck and bring the wounded to the quarterdeck. A boat had arrived from one of the British ships and an officer was coming up the deck to accept the surrender.

The next 12 hours were a jumble of events for Darlan. Of the 643 crew only 90 were still fit for duty. More than 300 were dead, and many of the rest had serious injuries. Darlan and his men did the best they could to make the wounded comfortable. The rudder had been shot away and the whole stern of the ship had been shot away. To Darlan, it seemed like a dream as they struggled through the afternoon and night. The ship had been holed in many places below the waterline and some of the able-bodied men were hard pressed to run the pumps to keep the vessel afloat. The British came on board and collected all their weapons. They left a small party to guard the ship. At about midnight the Redoutable was taken in tow by a British ship.

Darlan did what he could to clean and dress Capitaine Lucas’ wounded leg. The British officer in charge was talking to Lucas. His spoke with a strange accent, but Darlan could understand his French. Lucas was complimenting the officer on a great victory. The officer said that the British had many casualties too and that their admiral, Lord Nelson was dead – shot by snipers in the foremast of Redoutable. He said that Nelson was a great hero in England and very much respected by all the sailors. His death was a hard blow to take. He asked Darlan where he had been during the battle and how he had managed to survive. Darlan swallowed hard, thought quickly and said that he had been on the lower gun deck and had been exceptionally lucky to have been shielded by a gun when the British had raked their ship with grapeshot.