Battle of Trafalgar 1805.
2007-08-10 03:28:22 · 4 answers · asked by Gromm's Ghost 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
According to his surgeon, William Beatty, his last words were "Thank God I have done my duty", although other people who were with him at the end have stated that his last words were "Drink, drink, fan, fan, rub, rub" asking for his pain to be alleviated (which seems to me to be far more likely).
The "Kiss me Hardy" quote probably happened, but couldn't have been nelson's last words, as Hardy was not present when Nelson actually died.
**EDIT**
The word "kismet" did not enter the English vocabulary until after 1815 so, unless Nelson had been holidaying in Izmir, it is highly unlikely he would have used the word. At the time the word "kiss" could mean just physical contact (eg. shaking hands) rather than a snog, so its unlikely Nelson fancied Hardy.
2007-08-10 03:36:41 · answer #1 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's what has come down to us....the Victorian Age tried to censor it as "Kismet ( fate) Hardy" ( his Flag Captain) but those in the orlop of Victory ( half deafened by hours of the greatest cannonading ever seen or heard)have a different memory.....
and folks, don't go reading anything homo-erotic into this......Nelson was straight as can be; almost threw his career away with his scandalous affair with (Mrs) Emma Hamilton...
it was a more dramatic and emotional age; harden captains who could order men flogged half to death without batting an eyelash, men who boarded enemy ships and killed their crews with swords and pikes would break into tears when Nelson , quoting Shakespeare quoting Henry III called them his "noble company, this gallant few, this band of brothers, for he who sheds his blood with me this day is my brother, no matter the manner of his birth...."
2007-08-10 03:43:46 · answer #2 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doubtful, though makes for great reading in history books. He made a mention of drinking and rubbing to the surgeon, these were probably his last words.
2007-08-10 05:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by Bob Mc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was told at school(many years ago) that what
Nelson said was "kismet Hardy" meaning it is
my fate. But thoughs standing at a distance said it was "kiss me Hardy"
I think the kind of gentleman he was, it would have been, kismet.
2007-08-10 03:43:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋