At a recent talk to a Probus Club in Sydney, I mentioned the term the 'Nelson touch'. In this blog I’d like to ponder its meaning. The term is considered by most historians to refer to Nelson’s preferred battle plan which he outlined to Lord Sidmouth in 1805. The idea was for two columns of ships to splinter the enemy fleet into smaller groups, and then surround the numerically inferior enemy in a melee in which British gunnery would win the day. However this strategy, while perfected by Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, was not unique to him among naval commanders before or afterwards.
Image: Presenting at North Sydney Leagues Club.
The Nelson Touch in battle
Consequently other meanings of the 'Nelson Touch' are worth considering. One refers to his practice of assembling his commanders on the eve of battle, outlining his thoughts on the general strategy but underscoring that each should follow his own instincts in the heat of battle if the circumstances warranted it and was likely to destroy or capture more enemy ships.
Other Evocative Meanings
Still other meanings have been attributed to this popular term. In one letter to Emma Hamilton he wrote about the Nelson touch, “which we say is warranted never to fail” a sexual innuendo which may raise a chuckle over a reader’s port. Perhaps the most evocative of these meanings, however, arose from the notion that Nelson had a special affinity with his men; that he regarded them equally as important in winning a forthcoming battle and enlisted their commitment to him as their leader. There are some grounds to believe this is the most accepted version of the phrase. An 1845 portrait presents a Victorian mother and father on a visit to an art gallery with their two children admiring a portrait of Nelson. The painter picks up this notion of Nelson as the inspiration for all – no matter how young a person might be.
Nelson’s Questionable Interpersonal Skills with women
As a descendent of his wife Fanny Nelson, I question if his special “touch” extended to the women he had dealings with. If he excelled in naval tactics, Fanny excelled in her relationships within Society, was well liked and admired – and accomplished for him what he was unable to accomplish in the dining rooms of the great and the good of the day. Yet he treated her with fulsome contempt after he replaced her with his mistress Emma Hamilton.
Images: Emma Hamilton
And what of his mistress? At the end of the day he did not provide for her either, leaving her financial security to the obligations of a “grateful nation”, a check which could not be banked after his death.
In short, I conclude that Nelson exercised his leadership skills brilliantly as a battle approached when, above all else, it was necessary to rouse spirits, reassure weak hearts and put steel into those British tars who would be manning the guns or boarding the enemy. The fact that it worked means that in this sense the 'Nelson Touch', was warranted. In other circumstances the 'touch' deserted him and his interpersonal style might be better described as 'ham fisted'.
Nelson’s Legacy
Having said this, we may still agree that Nelson’s leadership in battle was indeed unique and the “Nelson Touch” was to become the exemplar for British naval commanders in sea battles for the next century.
Thank you to the Neutral Bay Probus club for being such an attentive and generous audience. About 100 people attended the presentation at North Sydney Leagues Club and I a pleasant surprise was the interest in my slide show of Nelson and Fanny memorabilia and images of the travel I had undertaken to research my books. A special a thank you to those who encouraged me by purchasing my books. If you would like to do so, links to online sellers are on my homepage www.fannynelsonfan.com
“I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the members for the excellent presentation that you made to Neutral Bay Probus Club. The age of Probus members is such that we really appreciate historical issues, especially when they are delivered by someone who is an historical author and expert. Throw in a direct ancestry and you have the perfect package. I had many members who approached me to say how much they really enjoyed your talk which really gave a behind-the-scenes tale to enhance the facts of the man and his achievements. Thanks again, and all the best.”
Barry Stone, Neutral Bay Probus club
To find out more about my novels and sign up to ‘stay in touch’, visit my author home page. Remember that my first novel in the trilogy, Nelson's Folly, is also available as an audiobook.
Comments