What would happen if Admiral Nelson and HMS Nelson were exchanged between Trafalgar and the final battle with Bismarck?
Short answerThe modern battleship would dominate immediately, but fuel and spare parts would limit its continued use.
NotesThe proposed exchange sends HMS Nelson to Trafalgar and Admiral Nelson into the era of Bismarck. The premise first receives a correction: Rodney, alongside King George V, took part in Bismarck's final battle. In 1805, the modern battleship is expected to overwhelm sailing warships and attack ports with its guns. Onboard fabrication facilities would help with some work, but spare parts and fuel would limit continued operation. The counterfactual therefore separates immediate combat power from the ability to sustain it.