Captain Sir Baldwin Walker, Comptroller, had built the finest two-decker. The constructor of a new type of ship had generally been allowed to nominate the captain. To Sir Baldwin I was indebted for my appointment to the _St. Jean d’ Acre_, then fitting at Devonport. She was 3400 tons, mounting 101 guns on two decks: crew, with officers and men, 900. [Sidenote: Devonport, May 23.] _Acre_ was commissioned by Commander Peter Cracroft; most of the officers joined in the first week. As this will be the fourth ship my kind readers have helped me to fit out, they should be spared the intricacies of a dockyard. That everything passed pleasantly I have only to mention that my kind friend Commodore Michael Seymour was superintendent, with whose charming family I chiefly lived. Admiral Sir John Ommaney, K.C.B., a rough diamond, was Commander-in-Chief. Miss Ommaney, equally kind, managed the household. Took charge of _Bellona_ hulk. [Sidenote: May 30.] Marine artillerymen and seamen, gunners joined from _Impregnable_, marines from headquarters, making in all 200. [Sidenote: June 4.] My old friend, Colonel Yea, and officers of the Royal Fusiliers, who were at Malta when I was in the _Childers_, kindly made me an honorary member of their mess. [Sidenote: June 15.] Admiral came on board to muster and inspect ship’s company. Manned yards. Got steam up and successfully tried engines. Got the first of Rodgers’s iron-stocked bower anchors at the cat-head, 93 cwts.; neat and serviceable-looking. First experience of coaling. Received 509 tons. Took us five days. Turned over from hulk to ship. Bent sails. [Sidenote: July 30.] Slipped moorings, ran out under screw, two miles beyond the Eddystone. 3 P.M.--Returned to the Sound. [Sidenote: Sept. 15.] 3 P.M.--Sir James Graham and some Lords of the Admiralty came on board unofficially. Steamed out. Saluting flag of Commander-in-Chief, stood out beyond the Eddystone, and returned to the Sound. [Sidenote: Sept. 19.] Commodore Michael Seymour came on board and paid advance. [Sidenote: Sept. 20.] 8 A.M.--Weighed, made sail; raised and stowed screw. [Sidenote: Sept. 22.] 9 A.M.--Off entrance of Cork Harbour, observing court-martial flag. Stood off until afternoon. On running in and shortening sail, saluted flag of Rear-Admiral Sir William F. Carroll, K.C.B., and made signal, “Where to anchor?” Reply, “Where convenient.” There were nineteen ships, in two lines, composing the Channel Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Sir Armand Lowry Corry. It was slack water, and the ships, although moored, were in various positions. The _Gondola_, cutter yacht, Lord Lichfield, could scarcely get through. There was no room for us to haul to the wind. The screw was up. Nothing left but to sheet home top and topgallant sails, and run the gauntlet between the lines. As stated, they were across the tide. Several flying and standing jib-booms had narrow escapes. At the end of the lines we anchored.