Read in English · with German
Read The story of Nelson in English, with German beside it
by Edmund Francis Sellar · 1872–1918
"The story of Nelson" by Edmund Francis Sellar is a children's historical biography written in the early 20th century. It presents the life and character of Admiral Horatio Nelson, tracing his rise from sickly Norfolk boy to Britain’s iconic naval leader, with emphasis on courage, duty, and seamanship. Aimed at young readers, it highlights his major campaigns and battles while celebrating the ideals of honour and leadership at sea. The opening of this book follows Nelson from his boyhood at Burnham Thorpe—fearless, honour-bound, and eager for the sea—through hardening early service as a merchant seaman, Arctic adventurer, East Indies midshipman, and rising Royal Navy officer. It sketches formative episodes (the polar bear chase, cool pilotage in Boston Bay, rescuing a man overboard while under Spanish pursuit) and then moves briskly through wartime exploits: Corsica (losing the sight of one eye), the daring initiative at St. Vincent with his famous boarding of two Spanish ships, the failed attack at Santa Cruz that cost him an arm, and the resounding victory at the Nile. It covers his rescue of the Neapolitan royal family, his stern handling of rebellion at Naples, and his tact and audacity at Copenhagen, where he “turned a blind eye” to an order to cease action. It then shifts to Britain’s coastal defense against Napoleon’s threatened invasion and Nelson’s brief peacetime at Merton before war resumes. The section closes with him in chief command in the Mediterranean, maintaining a relentless watch off Toulon, protecting British interests amid delicate diplomacy, and rebutting a French admiral’s boast—setting the stage for the campaigns to come.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 100 min
- Words
- 21,951
- Chapters
- 23
- Paragraphs
- 611
- Price
- Free
- Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography
- Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography
- Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
He took an interest in greyhounds and coursing.
Er zeigte Interesse an Windhunden und der Hasenjagd.
"Shoot I cannot, so I have not taken out a licence," he writes to a friend.
„Schießen kann ich nicht, daher habe ich keine Lizenz beantragt“, schreibt er an einen Freund.
His habit of carrying his gun at full cock and letting it off without even bringing it to his shoulder was scarcely likely to kill much game, though he proudly relates that he once shot a partridge.
Seine Gewohnheit, sein Gewehr mit gespanntem Hahn zu tragen und es abzufeuern, ohne es sogar an die Schulter zu legen, war kaum dazu geeignet, viel Wild zu töten, obwohl er stolz berichtete, dass er einmal ein Rebhuhn geschossen habe.
The events of the French Revolution were, however, soon to provide him with more exciting work than shooting and bird-nesting.
Die Ereignisse der Französischen Revolution sollten ihm jedoch bald aufregendere Arbeit bieten als das Schießen und Vogelnestern.
In 1793 all Europe was horrified by the news that the French had beheaded their king and queen, and had promised "assistance to all peoples and countries wishing to be free."
Im Jahr 1793 war ganz Europa entsetzt über die Nachricht, dass die Franzosen ihren König und ihre Königin geköpft hatten und „Unterstützung für alle Völker und Länder versprochen hatten, die frei sein wollten.“
This was a direct challenge to all forms of law and order, and was a threat at the loyal people of Britain, who were wisely and kindly governed and had no wish for any change.
Dies war eine direkte Herausforderung an alle Formen von Gesetz und Ordnung und eine Bedrohung für die loyalen Bürger Britanniens, die weise und gütig regiert wurden und keinen Wunsch nach irgendeiner Veränderung hegten.
The country had need of her seamen, and on the 30th January Nelson got what he had always wished for--the command of a battleship, the Agamemnon, of 64 guns.
Das Land brauchte seine Seeleute, und am 30. Januar erhielt Nelson, was er sich stets gewünscht hatte – das Kommando über ein Linienschiff, die Agamemnon mit 64 Geschützen.
About the author
Edmund Francis Sellar1872–1918
Edmund Francis Sellar was an English writer born in 1872.
The Edmund Francis Sellar page, and where to start →Read it in another language
Questions about The story of Nelson
Can I read The story of Nelson in English with German side by side online?
Yes, free. Paralelo shows the English original with a German machine translation beside it, aligned phrase by phrase: hover or tap a phrase and its counterpart lights up in the other column. Anyone can read a passage; a free account opens the whole book.
What level do I need to read The story of Nelson here?
There is no set level. The story of Nelson runs to 21,951 words in 23 chapters, and the translation sits beside it, aligned phrase by phrase, so you can start below the level the original would need on its own and lean on the translation only where you stumble.
Is The story of Nelson really free to read?
Yes. The text is in the public domain, and the translation and alignment are ours to give. A free account opens the whole book; the paid tier is for unlimited explanations.
Can I read The story of Nelson in another language?
Yes. It is also published in Spanish, and switching keeps your place, because both columns share one paragraph numbering.
How long does The story of Nelson take to read?
About 2 hours at a normal pace, longer if you stop to look at the alignment, which is rather the point.
Book details
- Original language
- English
- Translation
- German, machine translation
- Source text
- Project Gutenberg #78115
- Licence
- Public domain worldwide
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