Battle of Trafalgar

Trafalgar, Battle of, decisive naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars, fought on Oct. 21, 1805. The British fleet of 27 warships under Admiral Horatio Nelson met a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships off Cape Trafalgar (southwestern Spain). By attacking in an unorthodox formation, Nelson surprised the enemy, sinking or capturing 20 vessels without loss, but was himself killed.

See also: Napoleonic Wars; Nelson, Horatio.