Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
"Captain
Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit,
returned; and, again taking the hand of his dying friend
and commander, congratulated him on having gained a complete victory.
How many of the enemy were taken he did not know,
as it was impossible to perceive them distinctly - but
fourteen or fifteen at least. "That's well," cried
Nelson; " but I bargained for twenty." And then, in
a stronger voice, he said, " Anchor, Hardy; anchor.'*
Hardy, upon this, hinted that Admiral Collingwood
would take upon himself the direction of affairs.
" Not while I live, Hardy ! " said the dying Nelson,
ineffectually endeavouring to raise himself from the
bed : " do you anchor." His previous order for pre-
paring to anchor had shown how clearly he foresaw
the necessity of this. Presently, calling Hardy back,
he said to him, in a low voice, " Don't throw me
overboard ' ' ; and he desired that he might be buried
by his parents, unless it should please the king to
order otherwise. Then, reverting to private feelings:
Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy; take
care of poor Lady Hamilton. - ”Kiss me. Hardy,"
said he. Hardy knelt down, and kissed his cheek:
and Nelson said, *' Now I am satisfied. Thank God,
I have done my duty.""
Extract from "The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson" (Open Library)
At the Historic Dockyard visit world famous historic ships
of the British Royal Navy . Go aboard Nelson's flagship HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.
Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose is also on view.
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