Painted by Henry Howard
© Copyright
Trustees of the National Maritime Museum
| Captain Cuthbert Collingwood
Painted by Henry Howard
© Copyright |
| Excellent, February 15 1797
My Dear Good Friend, First let me congratulate you on the success of yesterday, - on the brilliancy it attached to the British Navy, and the humility it must cause to its enemies, - and then let me congratulate my dear commodore on the distinguished part which he ever takes when the honour and interests of his country are at stake. It added very much to the satisfaction which I felt in thumping the Spaniards, that I released you a little. The highest rewards are due to you and Culloden: you formed the plan of attack, - we were only accessories to the Don's ruin; for, had they got on the other tack, they would have been sooner joined, and the business would have been less complete. We have come off pretty well considering: eleven killed, and twelve wounded. You say the 4-decker going off this morning to Cadiz, - she should have come to Lagos to make the thing better, but we could not brace our yards up to get nearer. O beg my compliments to Captain Martin: I think he was at Jamaica when we were. |
| Cuthbert Collingwood, Capt |
Cuthbert Collingwood (1750 - 1810) was a long time friend of Nelson, dating from their time as Lieutenants in the West Indies. Collingwood commanded Excellent at St. Vincent and distinguished himself in action. He was promoted Rear Admiral in 1799, taking over the Channel Fleet. In Royal Sovereign he was second in command at Trafalgar and, on the death of Nelson, assumed command of the Mediterranean fleet. Collingwood died before he returned to England.
Collingwood was created Baron Collingwood, Vice Admiral of the Red.
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