Moorsom’s account of the British order of battle is considered amongst the most accurate record of Trafalgar, when he and his ship covered themselves in glory. Interestingly, it is also one of the few accounts of the battle that is openly critical of Nelson’s tactics. He wrote, ‘I am not certain that our mode of attack was the best.’

He was born at Whitby, Yorkshire, on 8 June 1760 and entered the Navy at the age of seventeen. As a midshipman he served in the Channel, at Gibraltar, and saw action off Cape Spartel. He also participated in the capture of part of a West Indies bound convoy in 1782. Promotion to lieutenant came two years later and he was a captain by 1790. Passing through the command of four ships, he took over the newly-built Revenge, in time to see service at the blockade of Cadiz under Collingwood and then at the Battle of Trafalgar.

During the initial approach to battle on 21 October 1805, Moorsom’s ship lay eighth in line in Collingwood’s column, with the objective to attack Vice Admiral Gravina’s flagship, the Principe de Asturias. However, the Revenge’s turn of speed brought her ahead of two others, thereby being able to open fire first at the San Ildefonso. Shortly afterwards, Moorsom turned his attention to the French Achille, and within a quarter of an hour had downed tow of her masts. The Revenge then took on the Agile, close enough to foul her jib boom and administer two broadsides before eventually setting about ‘my friend the Spanish Admiral’, as Moorsom afterwards wrote. She was the first to engage the Principe de Asturias, and the powerful three-decker, together with the support of three other enemy ships, was able to inflict severe punishment on Moorsom’s ship, wounding him in the process. However, relief came in the form of the Dreadnought and Thunderer, and not before time as the Revenge was badly holed below the waterline.

Returning home to recover from his wounds, Moorsom featured prominently at Nelson’s funeral, carrying the Great Banner during the ceremonies. His own heroic role was also formally recognised by the government, in addition to being presented with the naval gold medal and a sword of honour from the Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund.

He was appointed Rear Admiral in 1810, Vice Admiral in 1814 and served as a Lord of the Admiralty during 1809/10. He was a Member of Parliament and was made a Knight Commander of the Bath in 1815. Other appointments included being made a Colonel of Marines and Master General of the Ordnance. He died as an Admiral of the Blue on 14 April 1835 at Cosgrove Priory, Northamptonshire.

JRG