[2] The Report is given in full in Laughton’s edition of “Nelson’s Letters and Despatches,” pp. 409-11. The editor discovered it in the Record Office, Admiral’s Despatches, Mediterranean, xxxi. 272. [3] See lines on page opposite. [4] A Chippendale arm-chair, which was given to Nelson by his great grandfather, was presented by the boy to Mrs Luckins, his nurse, when he left home to join the Navy. It appeared in an auction room so recently as 1908. [5] In other words, tow the vessels. [6] Ships of war sent to accompany merchantmen during hostilities so as to protect them from the enemy. [7] A private vessel commissioned to attack and capture the vessels of an enemy. [8] See _post_, Chapter xix. [9] Nelson’s successor and friend. [10] Sir Richard Bickerton (1727-92) sailed from England with a convoy on the 6th February 1782. He took part in an indecisive engagement with Suffrein, off Pondicherry, on the 20th June 1783. Not more than two-thirds of the British crews were effective owing to scurvy. [11] In his Autobiography Nelson gives the number as three. [12] More detailed particulars of this thrilling siege will be found in the author’s companion volume, “The Story of Napoleon,” pp. 60-64. [13] See _ante_, page 43. [14] Captain Benjamin Hallowell (1760-1834). He afterwards assumed the name of Carew, and became a Vice-Admiral in 1819. [15] “The Royal Navy,” by Wm. Laird Clowes, vol. iv., p. 153, vol. v., pp. 9-10. [16] “The Navy League Annual, 1910-11,” p. 226. [17] Parsons gives Nelson the title which he had not then won. See _post_, p. 85. [18] “Larboard” has now been superseded by “port,” _i.e._ the left. [19] See _post_ p. 224. [20] See _ante_, p. 90. [21] The Earl of St Vincent appointed him a Master and Commander. [22] Captain Richard Bowen, of H.M.S. _Terpsichore_, who was killed at Santa Cruz. [23] This is in marked contrast to the generous words he wrote to the Earl of St Vincent on the 24th July.--See _ante_, p. 90. [24] To bring the vessel round with her stern to the wind. [25] _i.e._ the Toulon fleet. [26] His “Authentic Narrative” of the battle was published in 1798, and is a plain, straightforward account of Nelson’s first great naval action without a superior in command. We shall have occasion to quote it freely in this chapter. Berry was Nelson’s captain. [27] See “Deeds that Won the Empire,” p. 100. [28] _Ibid._ p. 103. [29] See _Comment_, ii. 341-2, also Mahan’s “Sea Power,” i. 269. [30] Among those who perished were Commodore Casabianca and his young son, whose bravery is immortalised in the well-known poem by Mrs Hemans. [31] Battle of the Nile. [32] Miss Knight is referring to the Earl of St Vincent’s flagship, and not to a vessel named after him. [33] See _ante_, pp. 72-3. [34] He had held the position since 1765. [35] In 1804.