William Hennah Captain William Hennah , RN , CB ( January 1768 - 23 December 1832 ) was British naval officer , whose largely undistinguished career was suddenly highlighted by his assumption of command of HMS " Mars " at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 upon the death of that ship ' s captain , George Duff , who was decapitated by a cannonball . Early career . Hennah was born in January 1768 and baptised on the 7th , the son of Richard Hennah , the vicar of St Austell in Cornwall . He joined the navy as a teenager , following his Cornish hero , the circumnavigator Samuel Wallis into service . Hennah became a lieutenant in the general promotion at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary War in 1793 , but afterwards had little opportunity for distinction until 1800 , when he participated in a boat raid on the Morbihan river in which the French corvette " Réloaise " was burnt . He reportedly acquitted himself " with great judgement and gallantry " , under the command of Lieutenant John Pilfold , another lieutenant who was to command a ship at Trafalgar . Trafalgar . Following the Peace of Amiens , Hennah was posted to HMS " Mars " as first lieutenant under George Duff , and was with the ship during the lead up to the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 , when " Mars " was the first ship to spot the advancing enemy . He was stationed on the quarterdeck during the battle , and following the early death of Captain Duff , Hennah took command of the ship , directing her fire into the " Fougueux " , despite serious damage to his ship . " Mars " was so battered by the engagement that she was almost unmanoeuvrable , but continued to fire on any enemy ship which approached , including the French " Algésiras " and the Spanish " Monarca " . Following the action and emergency repairs , the " Mars " returned to Gibraltar with some difficulty , before Hennah was ordered home that winter . Later life . Back in London , Hennah received the Thanks of Parliament and a Sword from the Patriotic Fund , and was promoted to Captain on 1 January 1806 . He also received the very unusual honour of a Letter of Commendation from the ship ' s company , indicative of the esteem with which he was held even by the common sailors who served under him , who were rarely given over to such overt displays of affection . Hennah did not serve at sea again , settling with his family at Tregony in Cornwall where he lived as a country gentleman and involved himself in local affairs . He was invested as a Companion of the Bath in 1815 , and died peacefully at home in 1832 and was buried nearby at St Cuby Parish Church . His obituary in The Times of 31 December 1832 read : " " On the 22inst at Tregony , Cornwall , Captain William Hennah CB one of the old school of British sailors , having entered the navy under Wallis , the circumnavigator and finished his active career in the wake of Collingwood at Trafalgar . " " Letter to Mrs George Duff . Letter dated HMS Mars , off Cadiz 27 October 1805 from First Lieutenant William Hennah to Mrs George Duff Madam , I believe that a more unpleasant task , than what is now imposed upon me , can scarcely fall to the lot of a person , whose feelings are not more immediately connected by the nearer ties of kindred , but from a sense of duty , ( as first Lieutenant of the Mars , ) as being myself the husband of a beloved partner , and the father of children ; out of the pure respect and esteem to the memory of our late gallant Captain , I should consider myself guilty of a base neglect , should you only be informed of the melancholy circumstances attending the late glorious , though unfortunate victory to many , by a public gazette . The consequences of such an event , while it may occasion the rejoicings of the nation , will in every instance be attended with the deepest regrets of a few . Alas ! Madam , how unfortunate shall I think myself , should this be the first intimation you may have of the irreparable loss you have met with ! what apology can I make for entering on a subject so tender and so fraught with sorrow , but to recommend an humble reliance on this great truth , that the ways of Providence , although sometimes inscrutable , are always for the best . By this , Madam , you are in all probability acquainted with the purport of my letter . Amongst the number of heroes who fell on that ever - memorable 21st inst . in defence of their King and Country ; after gloriously discharging his duty to both ; our meritorious and much respected Commander , Captain George Duff , is honourably classed ; his fate was instantaneous ; and he resigned his soul into the hands of the Almighty without a moment ' s pain . Poor Norwich is very well . Capatain Blackwood has taken him on board the Euryalas , with the other young gentlemen that came with him , and their schoolmaster . The whole of the Captain ' s papers and effects are sealed up , and will be kept in a place of security until proper persons are appointed to examine them . Meanwhile , Madam , I beg leave to assure you of my readiness to give you any information , or render you any service in my power .