Dr Sam Willis

Upon Napoleon’s death, the Lords of the Admiralty ordered that the original dispatches from seven major fleet battles between 1794 and 1815 should be gathered together and presented to the nation. These letters, written by Britain’s admirals, captains, surgeons and boatswains, and sent back home in the midst of conflict, were bound in an immense volume. And there
they lay, all but untouched until a fateful day in 2010…

While working in the British Library Sam rediscovered this fascinating volume. The vivid commentary they provide has enabled Sam to reassess the key engagements in extraordinary detail. This talk tells the story of these naval triumphs, and allows us to hear once more the officers’ voices as they describe the battles that made Britain great.