THE 200th ANNIVERSARY of the Battle of Trafalgar and the important role Dundee played in the historic event in which Lord Nelson lost his life was commemorated in the city yesterday.

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford joined representatives from the Woodland Trust and Friends of Camperdown House to plant an oak tree that also marked the valuable part played by Dundee with special regard to Lord Nelson’s naval mentor Admiral Adam Duncan.

Admiral Duncan, who was born in Lundie, Angus, is famous for his victory over the Dutch at Camperdown in 1797.

Nelson kept a miniature of Duncan in his cabin while at sea.

The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 is one of the most famous naval victories in British history. A total of 58 members of the Trafalgar fleet crew came from Dundee.

Among the younger crew members from Dundee were 15-year-old Charles Stewart, a 3rd class on HMS Polyphemus; 18-year-old John Crammond, an ordinary seaman on HMS Orion; John Hartless, a landsman on HMS Phoebe, who was 19 years old; and Peter Creighton, an ordinary seaman on HMS Agamemnon, also 19.

Dundee firms also contributed to the battle with manufacturing company Baxter’s providing jute sails.

Mr Letford said, “Dundee has very close links with the battle, both through Dundonians who served with the fleet and the jute sails that were made in the city, so it is very fitting that we are marking the contribution the city made.”

John Picton, from the Friends of Camperdown House, added, “We hope that all those who are interested in the heritage of Dundee will see our new film on Camperdown House and join the friends to support us in our endeavours to turn this beautiful empty house into a Scottish maritime museum.”

Trees played a vital role in the Battle of Trafalgar with the fleet of 27 warships containing timber from around 50,000 oaks, representing roughly two million years of oak tree growth.

Nelson himself acknowledged the importance of trees to the success of the British Navy and, in 1803, wrote to parliament calling for more trees to be planted to safeguard ship building timber supplies.

Andrew Fairbairn, development manager for the Woodland Trust Scotland said, “Our aim is to highlight the important role timber played in British naval history.

“We want to get people thinking about just how pivotal timber was then, and remains today—not only to the navy but also in everyday life.”

The Woodland Trust Scotland is marking the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar through the creation of a new woodland at Clatto Park, Dundee, which is within the original Camperdown Estate.

The woodland recognises the influence and stature of Admiral Duncan, who was born in Dundee’s Seagate.

Help with planting the wood will come from 300 local school children on Sunday, November 6. Members of the public are also invited to take part.

The Friends of Camperdown House also dedicated a memorial bench next to the famous Camperdown Elm. Following that a new film about the development of Camperdown Estate, the building of Camperdown House and its occupants, was shown at a civic reception in the City Chambers.

The Trafalgar Woods Project is part of the Trees for All campaign.