The Battle of Trafalgar

This was the make-or-break moment for the combined fleet. If they failed here, there would not be many viable paths to Victory left open. A swell is a series of waves brought on by a nearby storm. At this turning point, when the fate of the combined fleet depended on the accuracy of its gunners, the French and Spanish ships suddenly began bobbing up and down. Shortly before twelve, the French ship Fugu, fired a broadside at the approaching HMS Royal Sovereign. The battle had begun.