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Trafalgar

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Bonaparte's plans to invade England were thwarted after the battle of Trafalgar in October 1805.

Although outnumbered the British Royal Navy defeated a combined force of Spanish and French ships.

At the battles end Nelson was fatally shot by a French sniper but knew of the victory before his death.

His flagship H.M.S. Victory is now a museum in Portsmouth and a few years ago I stood on its deck.

Whilst in Gibraltar this year our guide pointed out to sea where the battle took place, just off Cape Trafalgar on Spain's south coast

Nelson paced the deck of the Victory In waters off the coast of Gibraltar Signalled to his fleet to do their duty Before the battle known as Trafalgar. ~ Off the Spanish coast man o' wars engaged In battle paid for in lives at great cost Loud booms of cannon as the fighting raged At the battles end three thousand lives lost. ~ England outnumbered had the lesser fleet Twenty seven ships against thirty three Admiral Villeneuve suffererd defeat Against a brave and determined navy. ~ A French sniper shot Nelson fatally On his death bed was told of victory. ~ 3rd April 2019 Poetry Marathon Final Placement Sponsor Mark Toney. Revised 16th March 2019.

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/21/2019 3:54:00 PM

Congrats on your marathon win, Tom and looks like I never congratulated you the first time for this one, GREAT win with third place in the stage of the marathon in which you entered this one!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/22/2019 3:32:00 AM

Thank you very much Andrea, I must say I surprised myself with this one, I stood on Nelsons victory now a museum a few years back and also saw where that historic battle took place. Hope you are enjoying Easter. Tom.

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/20/2019 11:26:00 PM

Congrats on your win, Tom. Well done.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/21/2019 1:47:00 AM

Thank you Line, it was a nice surprise to be on Marks list. Tom.

Mark Toney

Date: 4/20/2019 4:54:00 PM

Tom, after 122 days, 27 contests, and 945 submitted poems, my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest has finally come to its end. Congratulations on placing 20th overall in the marathon! There is no provision to denote this in the Standard Contest other than Honorable Mention. Your participation in my contests is much appreciated. ~Mark

Tom Cunningham
Date: 4/20/2019 6:03:00 PM

Thank you very much Mark, I'm very grateful for my placement, to be honest I was not expecting it. And big thanks to you for all the hard work you put into it. Hope you and yours have a happy Easter. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 3/21/2019 8:40:00 PM

Great win Tom! Really great poem.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/21/2019 10:00:00 PM

Thank you again Timothy, much appreciated. Tom.

P.S. Awtry

Date: 3/21/2019 7:41:00 PM

What a wonderful historical write. Congratulations. :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/21/2019 9:57:00 PM

Thank you very much P.S. Glad you liked it. Tom.

Mark Toney

Date: 3/21/2019 6:58:00 PM

Tom, an excellent historical piece! Congratulations on your win on Mile 25 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest. Only 2 contests to go before the final! ~Mark

Tom Cunningham
Date: 3/21/2019 9:56:00 PM

Thank you very much Mark, thanks for my placement and for also hosting the contest. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 7/27/2018 7:45:00 AM

Great poem. I appreciate the history lesson before the poem. I have a few military pieces. Check them out if you can thanks: "Blue and the Gray" "Ghost ship" "Our Heroes"

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/27/2018 9:18:00 AM

Thanks Timothy, I certainly will. Tom

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/2/2018 12:15:00 PM

I sure do enjoy your historical writes, Tom. They constitute great refresher courses for me, as the last time I learned about this was probably, oh, let's just say a few umpteen years ago...Thanks for posting this!! Best wishes, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/2/2018 12:21:00 PM

Thanks very much Gershon, I do have to research a little as its been quite a while since I too was in the classroom lol. Greetings from.Turkey. Tom

Maria Williams

Date: 7/2/2018 2:16:00 AM

A little bit of history Tom in this wonderful Sonnet of yours. Love poems like this, an excellent write....Maria hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/11/2018 5:52:00 PM

Thank you

Maria Williams
Date: 7/2/2018 3:33:00 AM

And what an awesome Sonnet as well....Maria hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/2/2018 2:29:00 AM

Thank you Maria, the Victory is now a museum in Portsmouth historic dock and to actually stand on its deck was awesome, never realising that I'd one day write a sonnet about it. Tom

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/1/2018 7:28:00 AM

I read this and I wonder, was Tom a history teacher or is this his passion? Well written.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/1/2018 7:47:00 AM

Thanks Caren, never a teacher but do have a great love for historical events, haven't been on much, still on holiday, greetings from Turkey, sending sunshine your way. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 6/28/2018 7:51:00 AM

Battles like this shape history for centuries to come! Glorious Sonnet my friend, Tom!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/28/2018 8:46:00 AM

Thank you very much Demetrios, how right you are, if he had lost Spanish or French would be my mother tongue. Tom

Viv Wigley

Date: 6/27/2018 1:17:00 AM

One of our finest hours, well recorded here, Tom, a fine piece. regards, Viv

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/27/2018 9:52:00 AM

Thank you Viv, good job there wasn't cuts to military spending then like there is today . Tom

Cheryl Hoffman

Date: 6/26/2018 10:23:00 PM

An interesting piece of British History Tom; thanks for sharing this!~Che :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/26/2018 11:47:00 PM

Thank you Cheryl, happy you enjoyed it. Tom

Lyric Man

Date: 6/26/2018 9:26:00 PM

Tom, great sonnet my friend. I learn some things reading this!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/26/2018 11:46:00 PM

Thanks Dave, I like doing historical verse. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/26/2018 6:29:00 PM

GREAT ending, to know that HE knew he had had the victory. That is awesome!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/26/2018 8:13:00 PM

Thank you Andrea, also Napoleon kept a bust of Nelson he admired him that much. Tom

Nette Onclaud

Date: 6/26/2018 3:03:00 PM

your passion for meaningful events makes this work a most pleasant read, tom...greaat notes!..huggs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/26/2018 8:05:00 PM

Thank you Nette, happy that you enjoyed it. Tom.

Alexis Y.

Date: 6/26/2018 9:56:00 AM

Hi Tom, After viewing this well written Sonett I felt like was in a classroom. And you were the instructor and you gave a good history lesson on the subject matter. Excellent job:-) Alexis

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/26/2018 11:10:00 AM

Thank you very.much Alexis, happy you enjoyed it. Tom