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Nelson's First Official* Command
Badger (Ex-Pitt) is believed to have been a prize captured during the War of American Independence (1775 - 1783). She is
shown on Navy Lists from 1776, and remained in service until sold in 1783.
Brigs were generally used for convoy duties, carrying dispatches, inshore reconnaissance and upholding trade agreements and
Badger was no exception. Brigs differed from standard ship rigged men-of-war in so much as they were square-rigged on two
masts and the bowsprit only. Although relatively swift and manoeuvrable brigs were very cramped and uncomfortable as they
tended to be considerably wet in heavy seas.
In 1778, while serving on board the 50-Gun Ship Bristol, Nelson was promoted by Admiral Parker to the position of
Commander and, on 8th December 1778, he was appointed to Badger. Nelson actually entered into Badger on 31st December
1778, superseding Captain Everitt.
Nelson's first log entry, dated 1st January 1779, reads:
'Moderate and Clear Weather, received my commission and superseded Captain Michael John Everitt in Command of Badger,
went on board an read Ditto to the Ships Company, People employed occasionally'.
Nelsons time on Badger was generally uneventful, carrying out blockade and escort duties. However, two incidents noted
within the ship's log and worthy of mention are:
1.
The capture of an 80 ton vessel: On Thursday 29 April 1778 Badger,
'... made Sail and gave Chace, at 4 fired a four pounder shotted and brought to the Chace...'
The prize proved to be the 80 ton vessel La Prudente carrying nine Frenchmen and was described as,
'... a sloop from Cape François bound to the Mississippi...'
2.
The rescue of the men from on board HMS Glasgow: On Wednesday 2 June 1779, while anchored at Montego
Bay,
'... at 6PM saw the Alarm of Fire onboard the Glasgow: sent our Boats and two boats belonging to
Merchantmen: with Buckets and Men to their assistance 1/2 past 7 PM was got through the Quarter deck, and up
the Main rigging: The Boats employed receiving the Men from The Glasgow: Captain and Officers of Do.
Onboard the Badger'.
At 12 o'clock there was an explosion onboard HMS Glasgow and she immediately sunk but, as a result of
Nelsons swift action, the entire crew of HMS Glasgow were rescued, although several would die later from their
burns.
On 11 June 1779, Nelson was promoted to post-captain and on Sunday 20 June, he transferred out of Badger to the 28-Gun
Frigate Hinchinbroke.
The model depicts Badger after re-fitting for Royal Naval service during Nelson's time in charge, December 8 1778 - June 19
1779.
* Although Nelson had captained both an unnamed sloop in November 1777 and the Schooner Little Lucy until early 1778,
these were not official commands.
As custom dictates, Nelson was referred to as Captain while in charge of these ships but he was not in 'command'. This is due
to the fact that Nelson, although he had passed his Lieutenant's exam in April 1777, was still a non-commissioned officer
(second-lieutenant) and was deemed only to have control or charge of the ship but not command per se.
According to the most technical definition of the word, the only persons able to exercise command in a military are
commissioned officers. This is because commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such,
hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of their specific office or position.
While in control of both the unnamed sloop and the Schooner Little Lucy, command remained with Captain William Locker of
the 32-Gun Frigate Lowestoffe - the ship which Nelson was tending.
Nelson was promoted to the commissioned officer status of Lieutenant on 31st December 1778, when he was commissioned to
Badger and Badger was therefore his first official command.
HM Brig Badger
©
2006 JoTiKa Ltd.
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