Admiral Lord Nelson, born September 29 1758 in the parsonage house, the third eldest of eight children to Rev.
Edmund Nelson and Catherine Suckling showed even at a young age the courage and honor he would exemplify in later life. To view the Nelson family tree, please click here. His great-grandmother was the elder sister to Sir Robert Horace Walpole with whom Horatio was name after.
Mrs. Nelson died in 1767, her brother Captain Maurice Suckling of the Navy visited the widower and promised to take under his wing one of the boys. It was Horatio who volunteered asking his father to plea his case. Nelson, due in large part to Uncle Suckling enrolled in the Royal Navy and learnt to sail by the age of twelve. His naval career began on January 1, 1771, when as a midshipman he reported to the warship Raissonable, (64 guns) commanded by his maternal uncle.
Unfortunately as his Uncle Maurice was unable to take him to sea himself as his command was a guard ship, at anchorage off Sheerness in the Thames estuary, he arranged for him to sail to the West Indies in a merchant ship with an old friend of his.
Upon his return to England he met up with his Uncle who was commander of the Triumph. He gave as a challenge to the young man the job of piloting vessels from Chatham to the Tower and acquired a confidence among rocks and the sand.
Nelson eagerly volunteered and was accepted as coxcomb on a scientific expedition on one of two ships, the Racehorse and the Carcass to the Artic. He showed well his temerity and courage in the icy ocean and frigid icecaps fighting a large polar bear and exploring large passages.
After this he was appointed to the frigate Seahorse and on a voyage to India, he contracted Malaria. He underwent a slow recovery as he was sent back to England. In this time Captain Suckling had been made comptroller of the Navy. Nelson was appointed acting lieutenant in the Worcester (64 gun) going to Gibraltar with convoy.
Shortly after his return in April 1777, he passed his examination for lieutenant. Captain Suckling sat at the head of the board and when the examination had ended, and in a manner highly honorable to Nelson rose to his feet and introduced Nelson as his nephew. They expressed their wonder that he had not imparted this information before. He replied that he did not wish the young cur to be favored. he knew his nephew would pass and he'd not been deceived. The next day Nelson was appointed second lieutenant to the Lowestoft frigate then fitting out for Jamaica.
American and French privateers under American colors were at that time harassing British trade in the West Indies. But even a frigate was not active enough for Nelson. About this time he lost his Uncle but the Captain of the Lowestoft, Captain Locker, who had perceived the excellent qualities of Nelson and formed a friendship with the young man spoke of him to Sir Peter Parker, commander in chief of their station. In consequence of this recommendation, Nelson was moved to the Bristol flagship. He soon became first lieutenant and on December 8, 1778 was appointed commander of the Badger brig.
By the time he was 20, in June 1779, he was made post captain; the frigate Hitchenbroke (28 guns) was his first command.
In 1781 he was involved in an action against the Spanish fortress of San Juan in Nicaragua. A success, the efforts involved still damaged Nelson's health to the extent that he returned to England for more than a year. He eventually returned to active duty and was assigned to the Albemarle, (which Nelson never really believed was a god ship, having been built by the the French and captured by the English...good more for running away rather than fighting he would say) in which he continued his efforts against the American rebels until the official end of the war in 1783.
In1784 Nelson was given command of the 28-gun Boreas, and assigned to enforce the Navigation Act in the vicinity of Antigua. This was during the denouement of the American Revolutionary War, and enforcement of the act was problematic -- now-foreign American vessels were no longer allowed to trade with British colonies in the Caribbean Sea, an unpopular rule with both the colonies and the Americans. After seizing four American vessels off Nevis, Nelson was sued by the captains of the ships for illegal seizure. As they were supported by the merchants of Nevis, Nelson was in peril of imprisonment and had to remain sequestered on Boreas for eight months. It took that long for the courts to deny the captains their pound of flesh, but in the interim Nelson met Fanny Nesbit, a widow native to Nevis.
Francis Nesbit, known as Fanny to her family and friends was regarded as the epitome of sophistication. She was living with her maternal uncle, John Herbert, the President of the Council of Nevis and her five year old son, Josiah, from her first marriage to Josiah Nesbit. That marriage ended in the death of her husband. Horatio and Fanny quickly fell in love and wanted to marry. But as Nelson was quite without the means Fanny's uncle was blessed with the answer was an indefinite no. John Herbert did not want to lose his hostess and informed Captain Nelson that in two years time he would be returning to England. At such time he was willing to settle on Fanny and Horatio the sum he would have settled on his own daughter had they not been estranged from if they would wait that long.
It was agreed upon and during this time with much letters sent between the two, Nelson deepened his friendship with Prince William Henry, later to be the Duke of Clarence. It came to the deadline of the marriage date and Fanny's uncle didn't seem to be willing to carry out his side of the bargain. So it was the Prince who forced John Herbert's hand and attended the marriage of Captain Horatio Nelson to Francis Nesbit on March 11, 1787 the end of Nelson's tour of duty in the Caribbean.
In 1788 Nelson lacked a commission and he and his wife took up residence at no 5 Cavendish Square. But instead of enjoying London and its pleasures, the new suburb of Marylebone had far too many houses that poured smoke from chimneys into the frigid winter sky. This did not agree with her lungs and so the new family moved first to the fresh air of Bath then eventually to Burnham Thorpe to stay with Nelson's ailing father, Edmund Nelson.
Fanny's uncle had reconciled with his daughter and the agreed upon funds never arrived so the couple had to survive on his half pay for several years. But as the French Revolution began to export itself outside of France's borders, he was recalled to service. Given the 64-gun Agamemnon in 1793, he soon started a long series of battles and engagements that would seal his place in history. It was agreed though grudgingly by Fanny that her son Josiah would leave with her husband and serve as midshipman upon the Agamemnon.
Nelson was first assigned to the Mediterranean, based out of the Kingdom of Naples. In 1794 splinters from a musket shot that hit the wooden railing around him exploded causing him the sight of his right eye during a joint operation at Calvi, Corsica.
In 1796, the command-in-chief of the fleet in the Mediterranean passed to Sir John Jervis, who tapped Nelson to be his commodore -- the captain of Jervis' flagship, HMS Captain.
On February 14, 1797 he was largely responsible for the British victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. In the aftermath, Nelson was knighted a member of the Order of Bath, but did not receive the title Earl St. Vincent as did Sir John Jervis. In April of the same year he was promoted to Rear Admiral of the Blue, the sixth highest rank in the Royal Navy. Later in the year, during an unsuccessful expedition to capture a treasure ship at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, he was shot in the right elbow with a musketball. He lost the lower half of his arm, and was unfit for duty until mid-December.
The next year, Nelson was once again responsible for a great victory over the French. The Battle of the Nile, (also known as the Battle of Abukir Bay) took place on August 1, 1798, and as a result, Napoleon's ambition to take the war to the British in India came to an end. The forces Napoleon had brought to Egypt were stranded, and Napoleon himself had to be smuggled back to France. For this spectacular victory, Nelson was granted the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile.
Not content to rest on his laurels, he then rescued the Neapolitan royal family from a French invasion in
December. During this time, he fell in love with Emma Hamilton, the young wife of the elderly British ambassador to Naples. She became his mistress though her husband still lived as did Nelson's wife. When they returned to England, Emma pregnant with Nelson's child, Sir William Hamilton, Lady Hamilton, and Nelson lived together in a home while Nelson's wife, Fanny was shunned.
The Nelson family was torn between Fanny and Emma, eventually taking the company of Nelson's mistress over his wife. Fanny's son Josiah, away as captain of his own ship under Nelson's influence was no comfort to her. Alone, she struggled to live in a society where here abandonment was well known. Though Nelson would never return to her she never stopped loving him and wrote him letters requesting they reunite.
Lady Hamilton gave birth to twin girls, Horatia and Emma. Sending away one of the girls as she believed it would he harder to disguise the fact that there were two children born of her relationship with a man not her husband she never informed Nelson of the other child. In fact Horatia never acknowledged Lady Emma Hamilton as her mother though her father did admit in one of his last letters to her that he was her father, Emma never did. Upon Horatia's death at the age of 80 on March 6 1881, her family was quick to dispute the newspaper announcement that she was the daughter of Lady Hamilton.
In 1799, Nelson was promoted to Rear Admiral of the Red, the fifth highest rank in the Royal Navy. He was then assigned to the Foudroyant. In July, he aided with the reconquest of Naples, and was made Duke of Bronte by the Neapolitan king. His personal problems, and upper-level disappointment at his professional conduct caused him to be rotated back to England, but public knowledge of his affection for Lady Hamilton eventually induced the Admiralty to send him back to sea if only to get him away from her.
On January 1, 1801, he was promoted to the Vice Admiral of the Blue (the fourth highest rank). Within a few months he was involved in the Battle of Copenhagen on April 2, 1801, which nullified the fleet of the Danes, in order to break up the armed neutrality of Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. Nelson, the second in command of a strong squadron of ships under Sir Hyde Parker. During the heated battle, Hyde Parker, fearing that Nelson was in danger of being overpowered, signaled Nelson's ship to break off action. When the signal was brought to Nelson's attention, he put the telescope to his sightless eye and exclaimed to his flag captain, "You know I really do not see the signal." His action was approved in retrospect, and in May he became commander-in-chief in the Band was awarded the title of Viscount Nelson of the Nile by the British crown.
Napoleon was amassing forces to invade England, however, and Nelson was soon placed in charge of defending the English Channel to prevent this. However, on October 22, an armistice was signed between the British and the French, and Nelson -- in poor health again, retired to England where he stayed with his friends, Sir William and Lady Hamilton.
The Piece of Amiens was not to last long though, and Nelson soon returned to duty. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean, and assigned to the HMS Victory. He joined the blockade of Toulon, France, and would not again set foot on dry land for more than two years. After the French fleet slipped out of Toulon and headed for the West Indies, a stern chase failed to turn them up and Nelson's health forced him to retire to Merton in England.
Within two months his ease ended. On September 13, 1805 he was called upon to oppose the French and Spanish fleets, which had managed to join up and take refuge in the harbor of Cadiz, Spain.
On October 21, 1805, Nelson engaged in his final battle, the Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon Bonaparte had been massing forces once again for the invasion of the British Isles. On the 19th, the French and Spanish fleet left Cadiz, intent on clearing the Channel for this purpose. Nelson, with twenty-seven ships, engaged the thirty-three
opposing ships.
As the two fleets moved towards engagement, he then ran up a thirty-one flag signal to the rest of the fleet which spelled out the famous phrase "England expects that every man will do his duty".
After crippling the French flagship Beaucentaure, the Victory moved on to the Redoutable. The two ships entangled each other, at which point snipers in the rigging of the Redoutable were able to pour fire down onto the deck of the Victory. Nelson was one of those hit: a bullet entered his shoulder, pierced his lung, and came to rest at the base of his spine. Nelson retained consciousness for some time, but died soon after the battle was concluded with a British victory. The Victory was then towed to Gibraltar, with Nelson's body on board preserved in a barrel of brandy. Upon his body's arrival in London, Nelson was given a state funeral and entombment in St. Paul's Cathedral. According to urban legend, the rum used to preserve his body was illicitly half drunk by the time it reached London. This may be related to the nickname given to Naval rum rations later, "Nelson's Blood", a possibly deliberate echo of the Communal ritual.
Nelson was noted for his considerable ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch". Famous even while alive, after his death he was lionized like almost no other military figure in British history (his only peers are the Duke of Marlborough and Nelson's contemporary, the Duke of Wellington).
The monumental Nelson's Column and the surrounding Trafalgar Square, notable locations in London to this day, and Nelson was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Victory is in existence, and is in fact still kept on active commission in honor of Nelson. She can be found in Number 2 Dry Dock of the Portsmouth Naval Base, in Portsmouth England.
100 gun line of battle flagship.
HMS Victory was Lord Nelson's flagship when he died, having won a decisive victory at the battle of Trafalgar 21 October 1805. Victory was launched on the 7th May 1765 and is the only 18th century 'line of battle' ship still in existence. The Victory had two large rebuilds in 1800-1803 and 1814-1816 both which cost more than the original cost of building her.
Cockpit, HMS Victory Nelson's cot from HMS Victory
HMS Victory's Upper Deck HMS Victory's Lower Deck
The Admiral
An Admiral commanded a fleet or a sub division of it.
Nelson was a Vice-Admiral of the White. Even though this was only just over half way up the seniority table of flag officers, as the senior Admiral at Trafalgar, Nelson was in command of the British fleet of 27 "Line of Battle" ships.
Promotion was by seniority and did not guarantee a command. An Admiral without a command was referred to as a 'yellow admiral'.
Admiral Ranks
In the 17th century the fleet was made up of three divisions: Red, White, and Blue. Each made up three squadrons. When the fleet formed up to go into battle it was divided into these nine groups. By 1805 the navy had long since stopped fighting as a single fleet and although the system had become obsolete the titles remained.
In descending order:
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Red
Admiral of the White
Admiral of the Blue
Vice-Admiral of the Red
Vice-Admiral of the White
Rear-Admiral of the White
Apart from the Admiral of the Fleet there were around twenty people holding each rank.
Flags:
A plain flag of the color appertaining to the Admiral's squadron was flown at the masthead of the flagship, for mast for a Vice-Admiral, main mast for an Admiral and mizzen mast for a Rear-Admiral. At the stern an ensign of the same color would be hoisted.
Full Dress Uniform:
Lapels - Nine gold buttons with gold loops
Cuffs - With gold lace bands, 1 for Rear Admiral, 2 for Vice-Admiral, & 3 for Admiral.
Epaulettes - gold epaulette with 1, 2, or 3 depending on rank.
A highly responsible and often lonely job, commanding a fleet or squadron. Bearing in mind the difficulty in communicating with the Admiralty, and admiral would have had to make decisions based on information that could be weeks out of date. War could have broken out, or a peace trey made, without his knowledge. So although he took the glory and one eighth of any prize money ha\e also took the blame when things went wrong.
The admiral lived in great luxury compared with the rest of the crew. An admiral was required to entertain visiting officers and dignitaries. The prize system, where the government awarded an admiral one-eight of the value of any ship captured by any of the ships under his command, usually enable an admiral on foreign service to live well and comeback home rich. Some managed to acquire the equivalent of several million pounds.
Commodore
This rank was neither permanent nor a necessary step for promotion between Captain and Rear-Admiral. A Commodore was a Captain holding a temporary command over a squadron, who had authority similar to that of a Rear-Admiral. Instead of a flag, a commodore flew a swallow-tailed broad pennant. After1805 there was two distinctive types of Commodores; (1) a senior Captain who was appointed Commander-in-chief of a station or a detached squadron and therefore outranked any flag officer who came within his jurisdiction, and (2) a senior Captain appointed by his Commander-in-chief to command a division under him. All commodores reverted to the rank of Captain upon hauling down their broad pennants and relinquishing their duties.
Captain
A captain commanded, and was responsible for a ship.
The commanding officer of a sixth rate ship and above, was known as a post-captain. The prefix 'post' distinguished him from those who held the courtesy title captain, such as commanders and lieutenant in command. Seniority was based on the date a captain 'made post' and his promotion to admiral depended upon those above him in the list being promoted, retiring or dying.
Full Dress Uniform:
Lapels - Blue with nine gold buttons and thin blue loops, line of gold lace around edges.
Cuffs: - Blue with pointed flap and three gilt buttons. Two lines of gold lace.
Epaulettes - A junior caption wore one plain gold epaulette on his right shoulder. After three years 'post' he wore epaulettes on both shoulders.
Duties:
The captain commanded the ship and was responsible for sailing, discipline, fighting the ship for and for the welfare of his crew and officers. Although he delegated command through his officers he, and he alone, was responsible for his ship and if it was captured or sunk faced a court martial.
A captain needed money to buy his uniform, weapons, furnishings for his quarters and to buy special foods and wine for entertaining. Some captains had family money, some were lucky with prize money, but some found themselves promoted into debt.
The benefits of comfortable quarters and privacy were set off against the heavy responsibility and loneliness of command.
Lieutenants took orders from the captain and having been trained in seamanship, navigation, and gunnery ensured the efficient functioning of the ship and its crew.
There were two steps to becoming a lieutenant. AT the age of 19 and after 6 years at sea, three or more of which served as midshipmen. A young gentlemen could sit the rigorous lieutenant oral exam. If he passed this he could continue as midshipman or mastermate until commissioned into a particular ship. This was not automatic, or guaranteed, and good connections or ability helped.
Once he held the admiralty commission, as lieutenant, he could command unrated ships such as brigs and could only disciplined by court martial. Promotion was by seniority and based on the date of his commission.
The first lieutenant was the captain's second in command and was responsible for the crew's efficiency and discipline. The other lieutenant kept watches and supported him in his role. If the captain was killed or wounded he took temporary command. On watch a lieutenant was responsible for the ship but would call the captain in certain circumstances such as sighting land or an enemy ship.
The first lieutenant was on the quarterdeck near the captain. The others each commanded a division of guns.
Full Dress Uniform
Lapels - White with nine gold buttons and thin blue loops.
Cuffs - White with three gold buttons.
The status of his commission was reflected in his lifestyle. Usually with a small cabin to himself where he could find a certain amount of privacy. He provided his own furniture and slept in a cot. He dined in the wardroom where the basic rations were supplemented by private stores. Servants and an increased share of any prize money, helped make his life more comfortable.
Midshipman
The "young gentlemen" usually entered the navy at around the age of 12 to train to become officers. All were volunteers and most were sons of gentlemen. Some entered as midshipmen, like Nelson, whilst others started as boys who were rated seamen, able seamen or volunteer first class until they became midshipmen.
To begin with they learnt the basic skills. Once they had "Learnt The Ropes" they progressed to navigation, seamanship, and mathematics, which included trigonometry and algebra. It was not unusual for midshipman to be in their 30's either because they had been promoted from the lower decks, or because they had failed to get promoted. Some were even in their 50's.
Full Dress Uniform:
Lapels - None, single breasted blue coat with stand up collar. Nine small buttons. Master's mates had a fold down collar.
Cuffs - White with three buttons.
Epaulettes - None
They lived in the midshipman's berth on the orlop. Time was spent studying towards passing the exam for lieutenant. As they were not commissioned they could be promoted or demoted by the captain. Punishment was by spells at the masthead, being seized up to the shrouds, or being tied over the barrel of a gun and caned - marrying the gunner's daughter. A common form of pleasure was playing high up in the rigging - skylarking.
Midshipman duties were to assist the officer of the watch, taking charge of the log line and the ships boats. If insufficient officers were available then midshipmen might take their place.
Action Stations
Took charge of small groups of guns or fighting units. They also acted as aides to senior officers on the quarterdeck. A good midshipman might take command of a prize crew, if the prize was small or no lieutenant could be spared.
Seamen
Seamen belonged to their ship and not the navy. On arrival on board they were given a rate which determined their rate of pay and duties. Their daily routine would depend upon their skills. Each man had predefined stations and specific task to carry out in any particular situation. A seaman might have had over 30 different roles about the ship.
Ordinary seamen would be able to handle sails and rigging, tie knots and carry out basic maintenance of the ship. The could perform their allocated duties competently when the ship was under sail, maneuvering and fighting. .
Able seamen would in addition be able to take the helm, measure the depth of water using a lead line understanding the function of the guns and other more skilled duties.
Idlers were a small group of men who, because they worked throughout the day, were excused night watches. They had to go on deck if all hands was called at night.
Landsmen or waisters had no sea going experience and were given menial tasks. Officers supported them being given proper training so that they could in time be rated ordinary seamen.
For the skilled seamen, the day was governed by a series of 'watches'. For this the crew were divided into two watches, larboard and starboard. Each would take their turn carrying out the duties of the 'watch on deck', setting and trimming the sails, steering and navigating the ship, and keeping lookout from high up on the crosstrees of the masts for other ships and hazards. Quiet periods were spent on maintenance and cleaning.
There was no standard uniform issued to seamen in the late eighteenth century. Men were frequently pressed into service and found themselves aboard ship with only the clothes they wore, and those were often ill suited for sea life. In such cased they were required to purchase a suitable outfit from the 'slops room' or 'slops chest' that was administered by the purser. The price of these garments could be deducted from the man's future wages. If a man died aboard ship, his clothing was auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the family of the deceased.
In situations where no suitable garments were available, men were issued light canvas or dungaree material along with needle and thread, and were ordered to fashion a wardrobe of shirts, coats, trousers, hats and other such items. alternately, they might barter for the services of someone with sewing skills to help make their clothing.
Many chores both aloft and alow could be carried out with bare feet. As a new man became accustomed to shipboard life, he would soon begin to dress the part.
Royal Marines
The Royal Marines were effectively sea-going infantry. They were volunteers who were trained and highly
disciplined. Formed in 1755 the marines were awarded their royal prefix on April 29, 1802 for their loyalty during the naval mutinies of 1797.
They provided a professional fighting unit on board and were especially suited for amphibious operations and disciplined defense at close quarters. They protected the ships officers and vital stores for the crew and undertook all guard duties on the ship. The royal marines assisted the seamen with heavy duties such as hauling on ropes and turning the capstan to weigh anchor.
Commissioned Officers -
Ranking among the ship's commissioned officers they commanded the company of royal marines on board.
Captain -
As Captain of the marines he was equal in rank to a naval lieutenant and in the share of prize money to be gained.
Action Station -
On the poop deck, quarterdeck, and forecastle.
The captain of the marines had a cabin next to the wardroom while his lieutenant might have had canvas cabins just forward of the wardroom on the middle gun deck. They would all have relaxed and had their meals together in the wardroom. They usually provided themselves with food at their own expense, although they were entitled to the same food as the seamen.
Individual flair, rather than uniformity, often characterized military officers' mode of dress at the end of the eighteenth century. If a man had considerable wealth or a distinguished record of accomplishments, his tailoring might reflect his sense of self. Luxurious fabrics, elegantly cut, would set him apart. Fancy shoes, sashes, belts, buckles and ribbons would be combined for great effect. The hat would generally have a shape and style that indicated the owner's rank and status, but it too might be decorated to individual taste. Jewels, brocade work, feathers and ribbons were frequently used. 'Bullion' was decorative material that often featured precious metallic threads of platinum or gold woven to glittering effect.
Marine Officer Gorget
This gorget is engraved with the Royal Crest and fouled anchor. It is worn as a badge or a pendant around a Royal Marine officer's neck. The base metal is copper but would have originally been gilded. The gorget is a vestigial reminder of the crucial flap of metal in a suit of armor that protected the throat at the point where the helmet and faceplate met the breastplate and body.
The Royal Marines' main weapon was a sea version of the 'Brown Bess' musket with a shortened barrel and a plain design to reduce rusting. It had poor accuracy over 100 yards and was supplied in 'bright sea service' for parade use and 'black sea service' to prevent it glinting when stealth was required.
The non commissioned marine officer who was comprised of sergeants and corporals, were in charge of the guard and drilling the men. In action they controlled their men's fire. They messed with the privates, but on their own table.
Master
The most senior warrant officer. He had a cabin on the quarterdeck near the wheel and messed in the wardroom. He was assisted by six master's mates, nine quartermasters and four quartermaster's mates. The navigation and pilotage of the ship and keeping the ship's log book. He was responsible for the sails, rigging and anchors. An important duty was supervising the way in which stores were stowed in the hold as this affected the ship's trim and therefore the way it sailed. The issue of beer and spirits was also under his control. His action station was the quarterdeck.
Gunner
Warranted by the Board of Ordnance, gunners had to pass a rudimentary math exam. He was assisted in his duties by gunner's mates, quarter gunners and two yeoman of the powder room. For small arms he was helped by the armourer and his team. He was in charge of the gunroom, on the lower gun deck, where he supervised the ship's boys. here he messed and had a canvas-walled cabin.
The gunner ensured that the guns were ready for action at any time. Responsible for the magazines, gunpowder, guns, shot and side arms and associated equipment. He had to check the powder was safe and dry and that there was a ready supply of cartridges. He submitted his account to the captain every month. His actions station was in the magazine and on the gun decks sorting out any problems.
Boatswain
The boatswain, or bosun, needed at least one years experience as a petty officer. He was helped by four boatswain's mates. He had a cabin on the orlop next to his store room and messed in the gunroom.
He was responsible for the sails, rigging and boats. He administered the stores related to his work and provided monthly accounts for inspection by the captain. He and his mates supervised all activity on deck using a boatswain's call, a whistle which produced high-pitched piping sounds, to signal the actions that were required. If the response was slack, a starter made up of a rope's end, or rattan cane, was applied to the offending seaman. Punishment floggings with with the cat on nine tails were carried out by the boatswain's mates. His action station was the forecastle, to attend to the rigging and sails.
Purser
Relatively poorly paid, pursers had to recoup their investment, which was not without financial risk, and often made them unpopular. To prevent malpractice a monthly check was made on his accounts by the captain. His duty was to take delivery of food and provisions form the victualling yard and buy these items when in foreign ports. Supplying for food, clothing and bedding . His action station was the cockpit.
Chaplain
Chaplains were not considered essential and were paid a seaman's wage plus a per capita supplement. Generally they messed in the wardroom and had a cabin the gunroom. His duty was to provide pastrol care.
Carpenter
Standing officer who had served an apprenticeship with a shipwright and been a carpenter's mate for at least six months. Helped by two carpenter's mates and the carpenter's crew. He had a cabin on the orlop next to his store room and messed in the gunroom. He was responsible for maintaining and repairing the hull, masts and yards. He also had to submit his accounts to the captain each month. His action station was in the wing passage and hold ready to plug shot holes beneath the water line.
Quartermaster
Quartermasters tended to be experienced seaman due to the nature of their responsibilities. Their duty was to steer the ship and keep the time by means of watch glasses.
Surgeon
Surgeons were only required to pass an oral exam and, until June 1805, poorly paid, resulting in a shortage of good surgeons in the Navy. He was aided by two surgeon's mates as well as loblolly boys. His duty was to maintain the health of the crew and performing operations. His action station was in the emergency operation are in the after cockpit. Surgeon's mates messed in the gunroom and assisted the surgeon.
The Seaman's Day
8 bells denoted the beginning and end of each watch. Bells were at half hourly intervals. The ships day started at midday. This was when the ship's speed and the sun's altitude would be ascertained. The master, Master's mates and midshipmen would use their sextants and quadrants to estimate the sun's highest point in the sky, noon was reported when the sun reached its meridian. The clock would then be put forward or back as necessary, and the ship's day would start.
Morning Watch
4am - 8am / 8 - 8 bells
Men who had jobs that required a great deal of concentration for example the helmsman and lookouts, were changed at regular intervals of maybe 30 minutes. This did not mean that they could go off watch, they just did another task that required less concentration.
5:00am
2 bells - Morning Watch
The cook and his mates, got up to light the gallery range and prepare for the days cooking.
5:30am
3 bells - Morning Watch
The off watch crew were woken by the boatswains' mates who blew on their calls and yelled 'all hands ahoy'. They would then wash and scrub the upper decks with 'holystone', blocks of sandstone which required them to get down on heir knees and scour the deck with sand and these bible sized blocks. Brass and copper fitments were polished with brick dust.
7:00am
6 bells - Morning Watch
'Up all hammocks ahoy'. The entire ships company took down their hammocks and lashed them up ready for stowing in the hammock netting son the upper decks. The officers and idlers were called.
8am
8 bells - Forenoon Watch
The crew were piped to breakfast.
8:30am
1 bell - Forenoon watch
The mess cook would collect the daily ration of drink for his mess. The midday ration should have been consumed as soon as issued, but the men would use it to buy or pay off favors carried out. After breakfast, those on watch returned to their duties on deck. Those not on watch underwent gunnery or small arms training.
12noon / Midday
8 bells - Afternoon watch
The men were piped to dinner which was eaten in their messes. It was the only hot meal of the day. Only the minimum of men remained on watch. The ate at 1:30pm.
1:30 pm
3 bells - Afternoon watch
The watch on deck would return to their duties. The remainder not on watch would carry out training; gun drill, cutlass drill and so on. I the men were not required for these exercised they could mend their clothes or get some sleep between the guns. Those who hadn't eaten wet to dinner.
2:00pm
4 bells - Afternoon watch
The officers went to dinner.
First Dog Watch
4 - 6pm / 8 - 8 bells
Second or Last Dog Watch
6 - 8pm / 8 - 8 bells
The two dog watches changed the watch pattern to avoid one watch getting the same periods on watch every day. As the watch was only 2 hours it started on 8 bells before it ended on 8 bells.
4:30 pm
1 bell - First dog watch
After supper the Royal Marine drummer would 'beat to quarters'. Each man had to go to the position he had been given when going into battle, this ensured that every man knew his position. The officers took this opportunity to inspect the men and their gear to ensure that all was in order. The timing of 'beating to quarters' varied with the hours of daylight.
6:00pm
8 bells
Second or last dog watch
Hands from the first dog watch, not having eaten went to supper. Officers had their supper.
8:00pm
8 bells First Watch
'pipe down' The entire crew would fetch their hammocks and hang them ready for use. This had to be carried out in 15 minutes. It is difficult to imagine the activity of over 700 hammocks being moved and placed in their correct position in such a short time.
First Watch
8pm - midnight / 8 - 8 bells
For the watch on the deck at night, duties varied according to the weather and sea conditions. If sailing was plain, or it was relatively calm, one half of the watch would be stood down and sent below to shelter on the upper gun deck and wait further orders.
8:30pm
1 bell - First Watch
'Lights Out' At about this time off duty crew went to sleep and the watch went to their stations. Lookouts were posted on the forecastle, poop deck and on either side of the ship. They were relieved every hour. The master at arms and his corporals would patrol the ship, ensuring that all lanthorns and fires were out and that no men were intoxicated.
Middle Watch
Midnight - 4am / 8 - 8 bells
If a task required many people it was quite common to call 'all hands' for assistance from those off watch below. In heavy weather, or when wind shifts meant constant sail trimming, all hands would be turned out on deck. Working aloft in bad weather could be treacherous.
Classes Of Ships
First Rate (largest)
Number of guns: 100-112 (on three gun decks)
Weight: 250 tons
Crew: 850-875 Sailors
Command: Captain with 3 or more years seniority (also known as post captain) May have an admiral on board.
Second Rate
Number of guns: 90-98 (on three gun decks)
Weight: 2200 tons
Crew: 750 Sailors
Command: Post Captain
Third Rate
Number of guns: 64-84 (on two gun decks)
Weight: 1750 tons
Crew: 650 Sailors
Command: Captain
158 were commissioned between 1794 and 1814.
Fourth Rate
Number of guns: 50-54 (on two decks)
Weight: 1100 tons
Crew: 420 Sailors
Command: Captain
Fifth Rate (frigate)
Number of guns: 32-44 (on one or two gun decks)
Crew: 300 Sailors
Command: Captain
Sixth Rate (frigate)
Number of guns: 20-30
Crew: 200 Sailors
Command: Captain
Unrated ships included:
Armed Storeships
Armed Transport - Prison Ships, Bomb Schooners
Surveying Ships
Hospital Ships
British Ships of the Line
First Rate Ships-Of-The-Line (5 in total)
All are 100-gun ships unless otherwise noted
Britannia 1762 renamed Princess Royal 1810
St. George 1812
Queen Charlotte 1790 blown up by accident 1800
Royal George 1788
Royal Sovereign 1786
Victory 1764 rebuilt 1801
First Rate Ships-Of-The-Line built between 1793 and 1815 (7 in total)
Ville de Paris 1795 110-guns
Hibernia 1804 110-guns
Caledonia 1808 120-guns
Queen Charlotte 1810 104-guns
Second Rate Ships-Of-The-Line (17 in total)
All are 98-gun ships unless otherwise noted
Atlas 1782 harbor service 1814
Barfleur 1768
Blenhaim 1761 90-guns reduced to 74 in 1800 wrecked 1807
Bayne 1790 burned by accident 1795
Duke 1777 harbor service1799
Formidable 1773 scrapped 1813
Glory 1788 prison ship 1809
Impregnable 1786 90-guns wrecked 1799
London 1766 scrapped 1811
Namur 1756 90-guns reduce to 74-guns in 1805 harbor service 1807
Prince George 1772
Princess Royal 1773 scrapped 1807
Prince 1788 rebuilt 1796
Queen 1769 reduced to 74 guns in 1811
St. George 1785 wrecked 1811
Union 1756 hospital ship 1799
Windsor Castle 1790 reduced to 74-guns in 1814
Second Rate Ships-Of-The-Line built between 1793 & 1815 (8 in total)
Princess of Wales 1794
Neptune 1797
Temeraire 1798 prison ship 1813
Dreadnought 1801
Ocean 1805
Impregnable 1810 training ship 1810
Boyne 1810
Union 1811
Third Rate Ships-Of-The-Line
80-84 guns (3 in total)
All are 80-gun ships unless otherwise noted
Cambridge 1755 harbor service 1793 scrapped 1808
Gibraltar 1749 ex Spanish hulked 1813
Royal William 1719 84-guns scrapped 1813
80-gun Ships-Of-The-Line built between 1793 and 1815
Caesar 1793 depot ship 1814
Foudrayant 1798
Third Rate Ships-Of-The-Line of 74-guns (64 in total)
Albion 1763 floating battery 1794 wrecked 1797
Alcid 1779
Alexander 1778 hulked 1798
Arrogant 1761 sheer hulk 1801 scrapped 1810
Audacious 1785 scrapped 1815
Bedford 1775 prison ship 1801
Bellerophon 1786 prison ship 1815
Bellona 1760 scrapped 1814
Berwick 1775 captured 1795 recaptured and wrecked 1805
Bombay Castle 1782 wrecked 1796
Brunswick 1790 harbor service 1812
Canada 1765 prison ship 1810
Captain 1787 harbor service 1809 burnt and scrapped 1813
Carnatic 1783 renamed Captain 1815
Colossus 1787 wrecked 1798
Conqueror 1773 scrapped 1794
Courageux 1753 ex French wrecked 1796
Culloden 1783 scrapped 1813
Cumberland 1774 scrapped 1804
Defence 1763 wrecked 1811
Defiance 1783 prison ship 1813
Edgar 1779 prison ship 1813
Egmont 1768 scrapped 1799
Elephant 1786
Elizabeth 1769 scrapped 1797
Excellent 1787
Fame 1759 prison ship 1799
Fortitude 1780 prison ship 1795
Ganges 1782 prison ship 1811
Goliath 1781 reduced to 58 guns 1812 scraped 1815
Hannibal 1786 captured 1801
Hector 1774 prison ship 1808
Illustrious 1789 wrecked 1795
Invincible 1765 wrecked 1801
Irresistible 1782 scrapped 1806
Leviathan 1790
Magnificent 1767 wrecked 1800
Majestic 1767 wrecked 1800
Minotaur 1793 wrecked 1810
Monarch 1765 scrapped 1813
Montague 1779
Orion 1787 scrapped 1814
Powerful 1783 scraped 1812
Ramillies 1785
Resolution 1770 scraped 1813
Robust 1764 harbor service 1812
Royal Oak 1769 prison ship 1796
Russel 1764 sold 1811
Saturn 1786 reduced to 58 guns 1813
Suffolk 1765 scrapped 1803
Sultan 1775 prison ship 197
Swiftsure 1787 captured 1801 recaptured 1805 and renamed Irresistible
Terrible 1785
Theseus 1786 scrapped 1814
Thunderer 1783
Tremendous 1784
Triumph 1757 harbor service 1813
Valiant 1757 harbor service 1799
Vanguard 1787 prison ship 1812
Venerable 1784 wrecked 1804
Vengeance 1774 prison ship 1808
Victorious 1785 scrapped 1803
Warrior 1781
Zealous 1785
74-gun Ships-Of-The-Line built between 1793 and 1815 (81 in total)
Aboukir 1807
Albion 1802
Achilles 1798
Ajax 1798 burnt by accident 1807
Ajax 1809
America 1810
Anson &