Why was Nelson described by Sir Malcolm Pulteney, who knew all the great Commanders of Nelson's time, as “the man to love”? Why did tough seamen “blast their eyes out” and cry when he was. killed? A sailor scribbled on a piece of paper and sent it home saying; “Our dear Admiral Nelson is killed -God bless! -you chaps that fought like the devil sit down and cry like a wench”.

Collingwood said of Nelson, “My heart is rent with the most poignant

grief for the loss of a friend to whom I was bound by the strongest ties of affection by many years of intimacy and a perfect knowledge of his mind, which inspired ideas superior to the common race of men; a grief which even the glorious occasion in which he fell does not bring the consolation which perhaps it ought.”

To repeat, Nelson was loved by all ranks from captain to Ship's boy. Thomas hardy, Captain of the victory said; “His death I shall ever mourn.” Hardy lived for another thirty-four years. At his death they found around his neck a miniature of Nelson. He had worn it day and night ever since.

A description of the funeral service says: “The service in the cathedral was not concluded till late afternoon. Daylight faded and torches were brought. And then the music was hushed. There was a sound unusual in so vast a building, the sound of a multitude weeping.”

This shows the depth of the love felt for Nelson. Again I ask why? Where was the secret? Oliver Warner in ‘A Portrait of Lord Nelson’ says it is because he was a kind, loving man, but goes on to say that it was partly because of his imperfections. Certainly rebels and those with some faults are more attractive than a saint; they arouse more sympathy.

Nelson was certainly a rebel, as all the biographers show, and the sailors loved him for it.

When Nelson was 20 he was sent on The River San Juan expedition. It has been said that it was here that Nelson started his do-it- and-be-damned career, and it is a wonder he was not court-martialled. H.M.S. Hinchinbrook was to take troops to the mouth of the river San Juan, and wait for their return. Their job was to go 70 miles up the river, take St Juan Fort just North West of Panama (now the Panama Canal) and then go on to capture other Spanish possessions.

The British government didn't send enough men, and it was the worst season of the year. The climate was putrid, and also the river banks. They also had to contend with mosquitoes, snakes, vampire bats and even alligators and jaguars.

Nelson could see the difficulties and decided to leave Hinchinbrook and take the troops up the river himself. He used small boats which sometimes got stuck in the shallows, and so they had to be dragged through the putrid water. It was said that Nelson himself did this, and lost a shoe. He took them right up the river and stormed St Juan. But out of 200 men on Hinchinbrook, about 140 died, and the soldiers who reached St Juan would not have got there without Nelson. He had nearly died, acting against orders, and the government condemned him for it.

At the battle of St Vincent on St Valentine's Day 1797, his first glorious victory, he technically disobeyed orders. The British, under Sir John Jervis, were advancing in line, and the Spanish ships were in two groups and in disarray. Nelson could see that the Spanish ships were in danger of joining up and confronting Jervis before he could alter course and move in. So Nelson, in ‘H.M.S. Captain’, (the smallest two decker of 74 guns) having at that time lost the sight in one eye, left the line of battle and went along, and made straight for the Giant Santissima (140 guns) .By holding it back it would give Jervis and the rest of the British ships time to turn in the right direction. Jervis had watched Nelson's plan and sent Collingwood and Troubridge to support him. Two of the Spanish ships were close together. Nelson boarded the San Nicholas, and from there crossed over to another Spanish ship~ the San Josef. He conquered both ships. This act became known among seamen as Nelson's patent bridge for boarding first rates. After the battle, Nelson was promoted to Rear Admiral and knighted. It also earned an Earldom for Admiral Sir John Jervis.

At the battle of Copenhagen, Nelson was told that Admiral Sir Hyde Parker had signalled to leave off action. Nelson turned to Captain Foley who was at his side and said "Leave off action? I'm dammed if I do -you know I have the right to be blind some- times". The date was April lst.

Nelson was certainly a rebel, and he was also very kind. It came naturally to him although of course he had to be stern when it became necessary to keep discipline.

At the age of twenty-five Nelson was appointed to H.M.S. Boreas, and went to the West Indies to take part in Naval patrols. He wasn't very happy on this trip -his brother William insisted on going with him, and he also had to take on board a Lady Hughes, wife of the Commander in Chief for the Leeward islands, Sir Richard Hughes, and Rosy his daughter. In addition about 30 midshipmen had to be trained! Nelson described Lady Hughes, who was a chatterbox, as ‘an eternal clack’, and he said of Sir Richard Hughes that he was ‘tolerable, but I do not like him; he bows and scrapes too much for me’.

However, Lady Hughes liked Nelson and after the trip reported that Nelson never rebuked the timid. On seeing a young midshipman, afraid to climb the masthead, said: “Well, sir, I am going a race to the Masthead, and beg I may meet you there.” When they met at the top, he would instantly start talking in a cheerful manner, and say how much any person had to be pitied if they thought there was any danger or anything disagreeable in the attempt.

These acts of kindness, which Nelson carried out, were sometimes reported at the time, by those who witnessed them, and often mentioned by sailors in their letters home, or handed down from father to son. Nelson looked after the men without pandering to them, and attended to their rights.

Even as the Victory arrived at Cadiz on September 28th 1805, Nelson was performing his usual acts of spontaneous kindness. He called captain Codrington on board and gave him a letter from home. He also sent for Freemantle whose wife was expecting a baby. Nelson asked him if he would like a boy or a girl. He said ‘a girl’, to which Nelson replied that Betsy had had a girl and was well.

Nelson also had to tell Sir Robert Calder that he was called back to England to face court martial. Although he had criticised Nelson at the battle of Cape St Vincent, he now begged to return in his own flagship, the Prince of Wales. The navy expected him to return in a frigate. Although all the ships were needed for the battle ahead, Nelson allowed him to return in his own ship (he risked being court-martialled himself for this). Nelson of course got away with it!

Not long before the Battle of Trafalgar, another much recorded incident occurred. Nelson noticed that his signalman, Lieutenant John Pascoe, was looking annoyed, and insisted on knowing the reason. On being told that the bosun who had loaded Victory's mail had forgotten to include his own letter, Nelson said: “Call the ship back, it might be the last letter his family receives.” The bosun was William Willmet, who was severely wounded but he insisted on remaining at his post until the battle was over.

Nelson made everybody happy, but what of his faults? I prefer to turn a blind eye!