MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Battle of Trafalgar 200th commemoration

The Royal Navy announced plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Adam Ingram, and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, formally launched the commemorations, which are being planned in Portsmouth for the summer of 2005 and London in October 2005.

The Royal Navy intends to open the programme of events with a Fleet Review at Spithead in the Solent on Tuesday 28th June as a start to six days of events by the sea. The Royal Navy will give the Review an international flavour with a range of naval and merchant ships, and some of the world's finest tall ships. The intention is to develop the 600-year-old tradition of the Fleet Review into a modern symbol of international maritime friendship.

Following this, the Royal Navy plans to play host to an evening ?Son et Lumiere', themed on a Napoleonic sea battle, featuring a firework display. The following day attention will move ashore and in a more solemn mood, a Drumhead Ceremony is planned. This is a battlefield service in which drums in the shape of a pyramid form an altar and are draped in colours. This will draw together maritime veterans of many nations, to deepen the bonds of international friendship and to reflect on the sacrifice of fallen comrades.

Between 30th June and 3rd July an International Festival of the Sea will be held in Portsmouth Naval Base. Visitors will have the opportunity to go aboard many of the tall ships, warships, yachts and other vessels featured at the Fleet Review, talk to the crews and find out about life onboard. Dynamic displays will offer a sample of the Armed Forces' combination of land, air and sea capabilities.

In the autumn the Royal Navy intends to focus more specifically on Nelson, commemorating his qualities and historical contribution to our nation. Other events are likely to include a special dinner on board HMS Victory, a service in St Paul's Cathedral and an event in Trafalgar Square.

The Royal Navy is proud to be launching Trafalgar 200 and, working very closely alongside the Sea Britain 2005 initiative, the Royal Navy will be helping to raise awareness in young people about the sea and wider maritime community. (RN)