Cape Trafalgar Celebration

Michael Clarke, Commander Royal Navy (Rtd), at Cape Trafalgar beneath the White Ensign, the "Splice The Man Brace" flag set and the Pusser's "Royal Navy Sailors' Fund" pennant at Cape Trafalgar.

Retired Royal Navy officers at Cape Trafalgar.

Team Trafalgar

Canos de Meca is a small but unspoiled community in southern Spain on the windswept but stunning Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic coast. Deep in the Parque Natural del Acantilado, Canos de Meca has beautiful beaches, backed by cliffs and pine trees. To the north, one of the most famous and yet unknown places in world history - Cape Trafalgar, the battleground for the Battle Of Trafalgar in 1805.

There were hundreds of celebrations held throughout the world to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this battle and the death of Lord Nelson but there few at the site of the battle - and Pusser's was there.

Michael Clark, Commander Royal Navy (Rtd), sent us this report:

"Some two dozen of us set up camp on the Cape, in perfect weather, under the White Ensign, Tot Fund Pennant and, of course, Splice the Main Brace flag hoist. Altogether there were probably a total of about 250 people of various nationalities milling around during the day; we had chosen a prime spot and our group attracted much attention and interest. I am happy to report that there were no diplomatic incidents - I had given my word to the British Naval Attach��, Madrid! The main commemorative activity was of course in C��diz, but there were a fair number of yachts offshore, including the Royal Cruising Club who staged a small re-enactment with some 30 vessels, later culminating in a sail past close inshore.

"At midday I spoke a short piece on the battle itself then we toasted the Courageous Men of Trafalgar, with a tot of Pusser's of course, followed by a picnic luncheon which, unsurprisingly, included a good deal of Mainbrace Splicing! The Pusser's went down exceptionally well, not only with the three of us who were familiar with it (albeit some time ago), but also with our ladies and guests. In the evening we held an excellent Trafalgar Dinner, with the appropriate trappings, in a nearby hotel - two Nelson Decanters purchased for the occasion served the Loyal and Immortal Memory Toasts. Altogether, we felt privileged to be there, 'at the place, on the day', so to speak. You were very well represented - Pusser's truly made the occasion."