Difference between revisions of ".NDc0Ng.MzM5NzQ"

Revision as of 22:45, 4 March 2019

But an inactive life on shore soon palled on the Prince and he got himself tra deletion a /deletion nsferred to the Waunderlinerwick/underline of fifty guns, commanded by the Hon. George Elphinstone. addition (1) /addition On the first trip underline l'Aigle /underline was captured; not only was she one of the finest frigates which had ever put to sea, according to Captin Elphinstone, but she had also been carryinf a distinguished party of French officers. The Commander-in- Chief of the French forces, Baron Vermeuil, and some other officer addition s /addition managed to escape with most of the treasure, but the Captain of the frigate, with other officers, deletion was /deletion addition were /addition captured. After this cruise the Prince transferred to the underline Barfleur /underline, the flagship of the West Indian station which had long been associated with the gruesome toast, "A bloody war and a sickly station;" Sir Samuel Hood was now the Commander, and it was on his first cruise under the Admiral that the Prince fist met Nelson

I had the watch on deck when Captain Nelson of the underline Albemarle /underline came alonside in his barge. He appeared to be the merest boy of a Captain. His dress was worthy of attention. He had on a full- laced uniform; his lank, unpowdered hair was tied in a stiff Hessian pig tail, of an extraordinary length, while the old-fashioned flaps of his waistcoat added to the quaintness of his figure. I had never seen anything like it before, nor could I imagine who it was, nor what he had come about. My doubts, however, were removed when Lord Hood introduced me to him. There was something irresistibly pleasing in his address and conversation, and an enthusiasm, when speaking on professional subjects, which showed that he was no common being.

Captain Nelson to Captain Lockyer. February 25th. 1783. Port Royal.

Prince William I am certain, will be an ornament to our service. He is a seaman which you could hardly suppose, with every other qualification which you may expect from him; but he will be a disciplinarian and a strong one. A vast deal of notice has been taken of him in Jamaica; he has been addressed by the Council and the Assembly. He has his levees at Spanish Town. They are all delighted with him; with the best temper and great good sense he cannot fail to be pleasing to every one.

note (1) Viscount unclear /note