VN1 His Britannic Majesty’s Ship Surprise. ‘MAKE
THIS ONE COUNT LADS’
The situation was indeed critical.
Spain had joined France, Austria only of the continental
powers remained true to Britain who stood almost alone against Europe. Nor was
that all, her American colonies were on the verge of revolution ;
dissatisfaction was prevalent; Ireland was restive. Napoleon and France the
all-conquering was doing everything in her power to defeat our little island.
The Royal Navy, Britain’s major line of defence were successfully blockading
Dutch and French ports.
The handling and fighting of a Nelsonic vessel, her preservation from the
dangers of the sea and the violence of the enemy, required the skill and courage
of the prime seamen who race aloft, who fire the guns, who man the boats, as
well as the expert knowledge of such specialists as the gunner, the boson, the
carpenter and the quartermaster.
The officers were, generally speaking, ambitious professionals in a
highly competitive profession. The Royal Navy in Nelson’s day offered a career
open to talents to an extent that in Britain at any rate, no other profession
did. Few of the officers who rose to the top were aristocrats or the sons of the
rich. Fortunes were made, peerages bestowed, estates and honours were the reward
of success. The money to be earned came not from an officer’s salary but from
the prizes taken and the enemy warships captured. Prize money was the great
incentive, in which everyone from admiral to common seaman had a share, though
of course a far from equal one. The officer’s and above all the captain came
off best. But the degree of mutual dependence was an important feature of the
system. A captain needed efficient officers, alert and active seaman, a taut
ship, if he were to catch his prey. The ship’s company wanted a daring and
lucky commander if there was to be anything to show for their efforts. This is
not to deny that Nelson and his band of brothers in historical fact, were not
actuated by patriotism and personal courage. Obviously they were. Beyond that,
both officers and men felt a passionate pride in the service.
Come, cheer up, my lads, ’tis to glory we steer.
To add something more to this wonderful year.
Heart of oak are our ships. Heart of oak are our men.
We’ve beat them before and we’ll beat them again.
This was not mere tub-thumping but an axiom
that had been put to the proof. Any understanding of the Royal Navy in its
classic age must begin from an acceptance of these two powerful drives, personal
ambition and team spirit.
VN1 :- ‘ Make this one count lads ’ was mainly inspired by the novels of
Patrick O’Brian and his Jack Aubrey and Maturin saga and latterly, of course
by the movie ‘Master & Commander. The section of the gun deck on ‘SURPRISE’
has been carefully researched and we trust will be a lasting tribute to officers
and seamen of the Nelson era.
Painted and shaded in matte colours to our usual museum standard.
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