Colossus

Wood Location
near Leominster, HEREFORDSHIRE

Ship Information
Ship Commander - Capt James Nichol Morris
guns - 74
Constructed at - Deptford
Killed in the battle - 40
Injured in the battle - 160

Wood Information
Size - 15 acres
Owner - Lower Hope Estate
To be planted - December 2005

Colossus Wood will be planted on a site in the Herefordshire Hills offered by Clive Richards, who is a Life Vice President of The Nelson Society. The site adjoins an existing area of ancient woodland and is located on a hillside.

Colossus Wood will be planted with a mixture of native broadleaved species.

Events in Colossus Wood
Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather and ground conditions (i.e. flooding and then heavy snow), we were unable to run the schools planting event. However, the local schools will be encouraged to visit the site later in the year to explore the new planting area.

More information

James Nichol Morris
Son of Captain John Morris RN who fell in command of the Bristol in the unsuccessful attack on the Sullivan's Island, Charlestown, during the War of American Independence in 1776. He was born in 1763, and entered the service in 1775. He was severely wounded in the thigh, but the bleeding being stopped by a tourniquet, he remained on deck till the close of the action, when he fainted from the loss of blood and was carried below, and landed some days later at Gibraltar. He received the thanks of Parliament, the gold medal, and a sword of honour from Lloyd's Patriotic Fund. Died in Marlow on 15th April 1830.

HMS Colossus
HMS Colossus was larger then the average British two decker, and was reclassified from 74 to 76 guns due to her heavy armament in which 24 pounders replaced 18 pounder guns. She was an almost new ship launched at Deptford dockyard in 1803 and commissioned in 1804 by Captain Morris, under whom she sailed to join the British blockade off the port of Brest.

In 1805 before Trafalgar Colossus was one of the inshore squadron watching the combined French and Spanish fleets at Cadiz, and acting as part of the link between frigates outside the port and Nelson’s fleet further out to sea. At the battle she formed part of Collingwood’s column, lying close to the Tonnant and Mars, which she followed into action. Her first encounter was with the French Swiftsure (74 guns), aiming to cross her stern and deliver a killing blow, but Swiftsure anticipated this manoeuvre and turned, so that they met broadside to broadside as they opened fire. Passing on, Colossus engaged the Spanish Argonauto (74 guns), and was then also fired at on her opposite side by the Spanish Bahamas (74 guns) and the Swiftsure again. After 10 minutes action the Colossus succeeded in silencing the Argonauto, although the Swiftsure had now returned so that she had three opponents. As the Argonauto moved away the Bahamas sailed in front of the Swiftsure, masking her fire and allowing Colossus to concentrate on the Bahamas, which was completely dismasted and surrendered. Fire was then returned to the Swiftsure bringing down her mizen mast, and her misery was complete when another British ship, the Orion, also engaged her and sent her main mast overboard.

Colossus suffered higher casualties than other British ships at Trafalgar, 40 dead and 160 wounded, but her heavy guns wrought even greater damage on her opponents. The Bahamas suffered over 400 casualties and the Swiftsure 250, both these ships being taken as prizes. Colossus was towed into Gibraltar by HMS Agamemnon and returned to England for repair on the 19th November. Later she rejoined the fleet blockading the French coast and took part in the actions off the Basque Roads.

Many thanks to Alan Aberg at the Society for Nautical Research for providing us with information on the ships and their commanders.