Royal Marines Battle Log - HMS Victory Cape Trafalgar 1805

During the Napoleonic Wars (1793–1815), including at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), Royal Marines served aboard nearly every Royal Navy warship.

Royal Marine Trafalgar 1805

Their duties in battle were distinct from those of sailors and reflected their dual naval and military role.

Here is a breakdown of what Royal Marines duties were during a Naval engagement such as The Battle of Trafalgar:

1. Maintaining Order and Discipline

Royal Marines acted as a disciplined military force aboard ship. They enforced the captain’s authority, guarded prisoners, and sometimes manned the quarterdeck to ensure order among sailors. In battle, they protected officers from the enemy.

2. Fighting as Marksmen and Infantry

During naval battles:

• They were stationed in the fighting tops (high platforms on masts) as sharpshooters, armed with muskets to fire down on enemy decks and pick off officers and helmsmen.

• On the main deck, they acted as small-arms troops, firing volleys through gunports at close range.

• In boarding actions, they led or resisted attacks, fighting hand-to-hand with bayonets and cutlasses.

At Trafalgar, for example, Royal Marines played a major role in clearing enemy decks when British ships grappled and boarded French or Spanish vessels. They were involved in the taking of upto 18 enemy vessels and over 20,000 POW's.

3. Supporting the Ship’s Guns

Although the main gun crews were sailors, Marines sometimes assisted by moving powder or manning guns if casualties were heavy. They also defended gun crews from enemy musketry and boarding attempts.

4. Defending Against Boarding

If the enemy attempted to board, Marines became the ship’s defensive infantry. They formed up on the quarterdeck or forecastle to repel attackers with musket fire and close combat.

5. Landing Parties and Shore Operations

Outside of sea battles, Royal Marines were frequently landed for raids, reconnaissance, or occupation of enemy ports. Their discipline and training prepared them for amphibious actions.

Example at Trafalgar:

On HMS Victory, 123 Royal Marines served under Captain Charles Adair (killed in action).

They fought from the upper decks and tops, killing several French officers aboard Redoutable before Nelson was fatally wounded. After boarding began, Marines helped secure the enemy ship.

Here is a fictionalised representative example of what a Royal Marines detachment’s orders and action log might have looked like during the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805).

HMS Victory, Royal Marines Action Log

Captain Charles Adair (Royal Marines Museum Collection)

Ship: HMS Victory

Date: 21 October 1805

Detachment: 123 Royal Marines

Commanding Officer: Captain Charles Adair, RMLI

Orders of the Day

“The Royal Marines will take post as follows:

Twenty men in each fore and main top to act as marksmen.

Forty men on the quarterdeck and poop to repel boarders and protect officers.

The remainder to be distributed along the main deck to support the gun crews and maintain order.

Upon closing with the enemy, prepare to fire volleys of musketry and advance when boarding is signaled.”

Crew of the French ship Redoutable boarding Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars: picture by E.S. Hodgson

Record of Action's

12:00 Noon – Enemy line sighted to windward. Marines at quarters. Ammunition boxes issued: 30 rounds per man.

12:15 – Engaged enemy. Marines in the tops commenced fire on French and Spanish decks, targeting officers, helmsmen and gunners.

12:20 - A double headed shot, fired from Santissima Trinidada, eight marines killed, as many wounded, as they stood on the poop. Lord Nelson at once ordered Captain Adair to abandon the usual close formation and distribute the men around the ship under cover of the hammock nettings.

1:00 – Heavy musket fire exchanged with Redoutable. Captain Adair reports good effect from marksmen.

1:15 – Lord Nelson wounded on the quarterdeck. Marines continued fire to cover his Lorships movement, assisted by Serjant below deck.

1:30 - Redoutable close alongside Starboard, attempts to board; Marines form ranks on the upper deck, deliver volleys at 20 yards. Captain Adair killed by a musket ball whilst encouraging his men from the gangway.

1:45 – Enemy boarders repelled. Marines advance to secure captured ship under covering fire.

2:30 – Ceasefire ordered. Detachment assists in moving wounded and securing prisoners.

Casualties: 20 killed, 11 wounded.

Ammunition expended: Approx. 2,000 rounds.

Remarks: Conduct of detachment “steady and spirited under very heavy fire.”

View from HMS Victory’s Mizzen Starboard Shrouds at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars: picture by Joseph Mallord William Turner

After-Action Note (mock up)

“The marines behaved with the greatest coolness and precision, their fire doing notable execution from the tops and decks. Discipline was preserved throughout, and the Royal Marines of Victory have sustained their ancient character.”

This kind of structured record — part formal orders, part logbook summary — was typical for Royal Marines detachments. The official war diary or muster roll would later record names, ranks, and casualties for each ship’s Marine complement.

The total Royal Marine casualties during the battle were 4 officers and 117 men killed or died of wounds and 14 officers and 226 men wounded.

Related Royal Marines 'Dits' here;

1. Royal Marines at The Battle of Trafalgar - Death of Nelson - 21st October 1805 

2. Captain of Marines Charles William Adair - Killed at the Battle of Trafalgar - 21st October 1805