Trafalgar: "Kiss me, Hardy"

1805 Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Trafalgar – The British fleet led by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson defeated a combined French and Spanish (under Admiral Villeneuve) off the coast of Spain.

Nelson lost his life on the deck of his flagship Victory, mortally wounded by a sniper from the French ship Redoutable. A bullet entered his shoulder, pierced his lung, and came to rest at the base of his spine. Famous even while alive, after his death Nelson was lionized like almost no other military figure in British history ...

Famous last words?
There is no definitive account of Nelson’s last words, although many books say that he said “Kiss me, Hardy”, or else “Kismet [fate] Hardy”. Both versions are speculative and there’s no primary record of anyone present at his death reporting either of them.

However, the artist, Arthur Devis spent three weeks aboard the Victory, making sketches and talking to men present at Nelson's death in order to create an authentic image of the actual scene on the afternoon of October 21, 1805.

According to Devis’s informants, Nelson said: “Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy, take care of poor Lady Hamilton.” He paused then said – very faintly – “Kiss me, Hardy.”

Hardy knelt and kissed his admiral on the cheek. Nelson then whispered, “Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty.” Hardy rose, paused silently, then knelt again and kissed Nelson’s forehead.

Tagged: trafalgar, english+history, british+history, french+history, naval, history