Battle of Trafalgar and the Collingwood connection
Many researchers of the 'Collingwood line' have failed to make a connection to the famous admiral. Because he had only two daughters there are no male heirs and 'his line' and the Baronetcy ceased on his death in 1810. So, we look elsewhere to find the closest 'lines' that link up the 'Collingwoods'
Gordon Collingwood (who is a distant cousin of mine traces his ancestry back through James William Collingwood, b. 1815 son of John the ropemaker) says in his "Collingwood-Guide To One Name Studies" (Google) that most lineages of the Collingwoods' have but possibly only two origins.
Conceivably, therefore we all share a common source so somewhere in the mix our ancestors do stem off from each branch no matter how far we go back...even before the Calinwodes a thousand years ago.
Francis Edward Collingwood joined the Victory at Spithead only weeks before Trafalgar. I often wonder if his assignment was noted by the famous Admiral...of course it must have been? Why did he join Nelson's ship and not Collingwood's ship of the line 'The Royal Sovereign? Hailing from Pembrokeshire, Francis' own father and grandfather had connections in the Woolwich and Deptford docks and i believe he was connected to the admiral in some way. Maybe he was a nephew or a 'relative' had connections to influence the admiral to assign this brilliant young midshipman? After all, Francis Edward shone at Trafalgar appeasing Nelson's death by a French sniper. He rose through the ranks and became a commander himself. Francis remains an enigma but I suspect Lord Collingwood had some influences over his gradual promotions...he liked him !
After commanding a small frigate, HMS Pelican, in which he was shipwrecked by a hurricane in 1781, Collingwood was promoted to 64 gun ship of the line HMS Sampson, and in 1783 he was appointed to HMS Mediator and posted to the West Indies, where he remained until the end of 1786, again, together with Nelson and this time his brother, Captain WILFRED COLLINGWOOD preventing American ships from trading with the West Indies.
LETTERS FROM NELSON TO HIS DEAR FRIEND LORD COLLINGWOOD on the death of his brother Captain Wilfred Collingwood at St. Vincent - 1787
https://goo.gl/7s4IHxIn 1786 Collingwood returned to England, where, with the exception of a voyage to the West Indies, he remained until 1793. In that year, he was appointed captain of HMS Prince, the flagship of Rear Admiral George Bowyer in the Channel Fleet. On 16 June 1791, Collingwood married Sarah Blackett, daughter of the Newcastle merchant and politician John Erasmus Blackett and granddaughter of Robert Roddam (1711–1744) of Hethpoole and Caldburne (not to be confused with his former commander, later Admiral, Robert Roddam).
"The history books tend to give all the glory to Nelson. In fact, they were equal partners." Historian Andrew Griffin.
The Battle of Trafalgar has become inextricably linked with the name of Lord Nelson, but Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood's involvement was huge.
The battle remains one of the most famous and crucial in British naval history, and celebrated its 210th anniversary this year-2015.
On October 21, 1805 the combined forces of France and Spain were annihilated by the English fleet following a bloody battle.
There were many heroes that day, not least Nelson, who was mortally injured in the fighting.
As Nelson lay dying, Collingwood took control amongst the thunderous battle that raged all around him.
In routing the French and Spanish enemy forces from his ship, the Royal Sovereign, Collingwood defeated the foreign forces.
Had the Royal Navy lost the battle, Napoleon with his 115,000 troops based at Boulogne, would have swept across the channel and invaded England.
With Collingwood's help the British Navy did not lose a single ship at Trafalgar, and the country was saved from invasion.
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