Sir William Beatty (1773–1842) was an Irish surgeon who served in the Royal Navy. Born in Derry, Ireland, he joined as a junior surgeon in 1791 at the age of 18. He is best known as the Ship's Surgeon on the HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar, at which he witnessed the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson, and for authoring an account of that battle - The Death of Lord Nelson.
Battle of Trafalgar
The Victory had 815 crewmen during the day of the battle, 57 of whom would be killed and 109 wounded.[1] Beatty was personally called upon to undertake the amputation of 9 arms and 2 legs, actions which saved many lives. Only six of the wounded men subsequently died.[2] However, when Nelson was himself wounded, Beatty did not administer treatment, claiming that he believed that the admiral was beyond treatment.[3]
The admiral had expressed the wish to be buried in native soil, rather than simply being thrown in the sea like other mariners of the time. Beatty had to think up a way of preserving the admiral's body so that it wouldn't rot on the voyage back to Britain. Finally he decided to place Lord Nelson's corpse in a barrel of brandy to preserve it. Beatty relates how gases from the corpse caused the barrel lid to open on 28 October 1805, alarming the posted marine guard. On arrival at Gibraltar, the barrel had to be topped up with spirits of wine because it had filled the cavities in the body.[3] This incident may have led to the legend that British seamen had drunk the brandy surrounding the body.[4]
Later life
After Trafalgar, Beatty became Physician of the Channel Fleet, based at Plymouth, and eventually Physician to Greenwich Hospital, where he served until his retirement in 1838. Beatty was also a prominent figure in London's business and scientific community, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society, director of the Clerical and Medical Insurance Company and of the London and Greenwich Railway, using his wealth to create a large collection of books and manuscripts.[5]
Beatty was featured in 2005 documentary on Channel 4, Trafalgar Battle Surgeon which focused on his actions during that battle.[6]
Beatty's instrument case can be seen at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.[7]
United Kingdom