21 October 1805: British Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar during the War of the Third Coalition during the Napoleonic Wars. In a particularly fierce battle, 27 British ships of the line fought 33 French and Spanish ships of the line. The lead ships of the British columns were heavily battered, with Nelson's flagship HMS Victory nearly disabled, but the greater experience and training of the Royal Navy overcame greater numbers. The Franco-Spanish fleet lost 22 ships while the British lost none. Nelson himself was shot by a French musketeer, and died shortly before the battle ended.