his caricature was published in the wake of Nelson’s victory at the Battle of the Nile (1798). Anti-war politicians Charles Fox and Richard Brinsley Sheridan are shown in the guise of crocodiles, a recurring theme emphasizing Nelson’s exotic victory. Muzzled and in chains, they are led by the pro-war Nelson to George III and cry crocodile tears which fall on deaf ears.
Horatio Nelson by Lemuel "Francis" Abbott
But was Nelson ever in Menorca? Is it any truth to the legend of his stay in the Golde Farm with Lady Hamilton?
Nelson did visit Minorca in 1799 for the purpose of convincing Minorca's military governor, General James Erskine, to give
him troops for the siege of Malta. Nelson’s diary indicates that he
arrived in Mahon on October 12 of that year. It’s also clear that Lord
and Lady Hamilton stayed behind in Naples. There’s correspondence
between Nelson and Ambassador Hamilton where Hamilton reports on his
wife’s health and passes on her greetings to Nelson. Nelson’s diary
confirms that, except for a visit to General Erskine and the Naval Yard,
he did not leave his flagship. As one historian concludes, the
documentary evidence shows the story about Nelson and Lady Hamilton
enjoying a romantic sojourn in Minorca to be “a fairy tale.” Still,
it’s a good story.
The photo above is of “Golden Farm” or San Antonio, a beautiful building high on the
northern slope of Port Mahon Harbor. Some reports say that Nelson stayed
here while visiting Minorca in HMS Foudroyant. Menorca
tourist guides and and the occasional publication will also refer to it
as Nelson and Lady Hamilton’s “love nest.” The fog of legend once again
clouds the immortal memory.
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