Thursday 7th December 2017: 7.30pm:  The Newcastle Upon Tyne Trinity House

Society member  David Byrne tackles the thorny question of Nelson’s dying order to anchor the fleet as the Battle of Trafalgar came to a close versus Collingwood’s decision to clear the coastline and make for Gibraltar instead.  David will examine the logic behind Collingwood’s decision and his right to act as he did, but equally reflect on the consequences of that decision.  It’s a regular case study for experts, with no clear collective opinion having been arrived upon over the years, but this well-researched talk (David’s been at it all year…) will give our Society a chance to consider, and perhaps debate it for ourselves under the guidance of a professional naval architect.