Garysk

If there was ever a permanent statue on the 'Fourth Plinth' at Trafalgar Square there is a good argument it should be Lord Collingwood (some may argue he should be on the column, rather than, or alongside Nelson) - Collingwood's ship was the first into battle at Trafalgar - He won the battle, having taken charge when Nelson died (Nelson was shot after roughly a quarter of the battle had taken place) - Collingwood made sure not a single British ship was lost at or following the battle (22 French and Spanish ships were captured or lost) - He was so successful, he was forced to remain in charge of the Mediterranean fleet for five more years to maintain stability, until he died - Britain's naval supremacy lasted for a century after Collingwood never returned to England alive, despite both beginning and winning the Battle of Trafalgar, and despite several requests to return due to ill health (he had cancer) - he was deemed irreplaceable at sea