described, and it can only be conceived by those who have experienced
similar sensations.
At length, in August 1781, Captain Nelson was appointed to the command
of the Albemarle of twenty-eight guns. In this ship, which had been a
French merchantman, captured two years before, and purchased for the
king's service, his delicate constitution underwent a new and severe
trial; being employed, the whole winter, convoying and cruizing in the
North Seas. The inconvenience, too, as well as the dangers, of this
service, were in no slight degree augmented, by the mast's having been
made much too long for the ship; a circumstance which had, at several
times, nearly occasioned it to be overset. These perils, too, were
wholly unattended with what may be denominated any success; as the
Dutch, the greater part of the time, had not a single trading vessel at
sea: and, though a privateer, said to be the noted pirate, Fall, stole
into the fleet which the Albemarle was convoying, it got clear off,
after an hour's chace, owing to the necessity of Captain Nelson's
returning to the unprotected ships.
On their arrival in England, the mast was taken out, and properly
shortened; and, such other improvements being made, as suggested
themselves to the captain, it was, at length, far from a bad old ship.
He always, however, humorously insisted, that the French had taught the
Albemarle to run away; as it was never a good sailer, except when going
directly before the wind.
In March 1782, he was ordered to Cork; to join the Daedalus, Captain
Thomas Pringle, and go with a convoy to Quebec, where they were expected
to winter. This was another severe blow at his tender frame, which had
been so buffeted all the late season. He had, indeed, great reason to
dread it's effects, and wished much to be off of this voyage; but,
though he did not doubt that, if he had a little time, he might get
another ship--especially, as his friend, Surgeon Adair, who also
attended Admiral Keppel, had declared that, if he were sent to a cold
climate, it would make him worse than ever--having received his orders
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