Celebrating Trafalgar Day in Northumbria 

The Northumbria Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service has celebrated an important day in naval history and paid tribute to a famous local seafarer.

On 21 October 1805, Admiral Lord Nelson, onboard HMS Victory led the British fleet into battle off Cape Trafalgar against the French and Spanish navies to confirm the Royal Navy’s supremacy of the seas.
Taking over from Nelson after his death was Admiral Lord Collingwood who had many connections with the north-east including a home in Morpeth, Northumberland.

To celebrate the day, the unit took its rigid inflatable boat, The Northumberland Freemason to Newbiggin by the Sea – the nearest harbour to Morpeth, where they upheld the naval tradition of drinking a toast to Nelson with a small glass of port.

Head of Unit, Paul Casson said: “The MVS is here to help keep the maritime traditions of the British Isles alive whether that’s through training in practical skills such as navigation and seamanship or simply remembering and honouring important dates in the nautical calendar.”