THE arrival in Britain of the news of Horatio Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar — and his death — was re-enacted yesterday in front of the Princess Royal and thousands of people.

The original dispatch was brought ashore in 1805 by Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere, who landed in Falmouth, Cornwall, from the schooner he commanded, HMS Pickle. About 20 of his relatives, some from Australia and America, were present yesterday to see his historic landfall re-created in spectacular fashion.

Lapenotiere was sent by Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, who wrote the original dispatch, from Cape Trafalgar, off the southwest coast of Spain, bearing the bittersweet news. After arriving in Britain on November 4, the officer made a record 37-hour dash to London, taking a 271-mile route, to deliver Collingwood’s dispatch to the Admiralty.

The Princess Royal, the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, and thousands of spectators watched as the historic event was relived in Falmouth as part of the Trafalgar 200th anniversary celebrations.

The dignitaries were aboard HMS Pembroke off Falmouth to welcome the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s sail training vessel Lord Nelson, which represented HMS Pickle.

The Lord Nelson had returned from Spain after delivering a copy of the new Trafalgar dispatch to civic and naval representatives in Cadiz. Alex Price, the actor who carried the dispatch yesterday, donned period costume to play the part of Lieutenant Lapenotiere. Water cannon welcomed the Lord Nelson as she entered Falmouth harbour surrounded by small craft.

The modern-day Lapenotiere was rowed ashore in a replica HMS Victory cutter with the oarsmen — including one woman — wearing period costume and straw hats with the Victory headband. On shore Lapenotiere saluted the Princess with a deep bow.

The Princess inspected a naval guard of honour from HMS Seahawk then watched as Lapenotiere climbed into a yellow carriage pulled by two horses for a short ride through the town.

She walked through Falmouth’s packed streets behind the chaise to the town square, where she was presented with a copy of the original Trafalgar dispatch and the new version, by Sub-Lieutenant Mark James, of Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Huge crowds watched as Lapenotiere read the new Trafalgar dispatch. “We celebrate the memory of a great British hero,” the dispatch said, as well as “all the heroes of Trafalgar”.

The event inaugurated the Falmouth-London route taken by Lapenotiere as Trafalgar Way — a name officially recognised by the Department for Transport. The Ordnance Survey has produced a commemorative map of the route. It shows Lapenotiere’s journey and includes a description of the battle.

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