Nelson's Island ( ar, جزيرة_جريشة, , } or ) is an

island An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...

located in Abū Qīr Bay, off the coast of

Alexandria Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...

. It is a local site for picnics and recreation, and is the location of a group of

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

graves dating from the

Napoleonic Wars The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...

. It was named after

Horatio Nelson Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. His inspirational leadership, grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics brought abo ...

, the famous British admiral. In 2000,

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

archaeologist Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...

Dr Paolo Gallo discovered a series of graves on the island. Further digging and research (in collaboration with British historian Nick Slope) determined that the graves dated from the 1798

Battle of the Nile The Battle of the Nile (also known as the Battle of Aboukir Bay; french: Bataille d'Aboukir) was a major naval battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the Navy of the French Republic at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast off the ...

, and another land battle in 1801. The remains of British officers, sailors,

marines Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refle ...

, women, and children were uncovered. On 18 April 2005 the remains of thirty

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

sailors and officers recovered from the island were buried at

Chatby Shatby Beach Shatby ( ar, الشاطبي ') is a neighborhood in Alexandria, Egypt. Institutions Many important institutes are located in Shatby, such as: *Alexandria University *Bibliotheca Alexandrina *Collège Saint Marc *El Nasr Boys' School ...

Commonwealth War Cemetery in Alexandria. Only one body, that of Master and Commander James Russell, was positively identified. The interment was attended by Sir

Derek Plumbly Sir Derek Plumbly (born 15 May 1948) is a British diplomat who has served throughout the Arab world. From 2012 to 2015, he served as the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. Early life Plumbly was born in the New Forest in Hampshire. He attende ...

KCMG, the then British Ambassador to

; Alan Cobden, HM Consul-General to Alexandria at the time; General Abdel Salam El Mahgoub, the Governor of Alexandria; members of the crew of , and a descendant of Commander Russell.

Resources

* Smith, Tannalee. "30 Members of British Fleet Reburied". Associated Press, April 18, 2005.
"Women in Nelson's Navy" - BBC

"Reburial for Nelson's comrades" - BBC

Women Fought With Nelson's Heroes of the Nile, Archaeologists Discover
{{Islands of Egypt Islands of Egypt Mediterranean islands