The Maid of Sker · Chapter
XLV: Introduces a Real Hero explained
Davy recounts his service under Captain Horatio Nelson on the Alcestis, describing Nelson's character, leadership, and the crew's initial jealousy.
What happens
Davy recounts his service under Captain Horatio Nelson on the Alcestis, describing Nelson's character, leadership, and the crew's initial jealousy. He also details his return to England after seven years, his recruitment of Master Rodney Bluett, and the ship's experimental duties.
Themes in this chapter
Maritime Life and Adventure
Davy's detailed account of life at sea, including shipboard duties, naval hierarchy, and the challenges of long deployments.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy reflects on the accuracy of his memories and the difficulty of proving the Admiralty's role in their extended absence.
Class Mobility and Ambition
Davy's rise from a common seaman to a position of responsibility, and his observations on Nelson's leadership and ambition.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Narrates his experiences serving under Captain Nelson and his return to England after seven years.
- Captain Drake Bampfylde
Captain of the Alcestis, compared unfavorably to Nelson by Davy, but later respected.
- Captain Rodney Bluett
Recruited by Davy as a fine recruit; appointed 3rd lieutenant to the Boadicea.
- Colonel Lougher
Sees off his nephew Rodney Bluett at the gate, expressing trust in the boy's honor.
- Miss Isabel Carey
Mentioned as the beautiful lady Captain Drake Bampfylde longed to see during his seven-year absence.
- Dyo
Nickname given to Davy by Nelson; Davy recalls Nelson calling him 'old Dyo' and sitting on his lap.
Key passages
“Captain Nelson could never put up with the presumptuous manners of this race, and he felt bitterly how feeble had been our behaviour to them.”
Nelson could not tolerate the arrogance of the Americans and was frustrated by Britain's weak response to them.
Davy describes Nelson's attitude toward American traders.
“I had him on my lap, I won't say fifty times, but at least fifteen: for he never had sea-legs at all when a heavy sea was running: and I never thought it any honour, but cherished some hopes of a shilling, or so.”
Davy held Nelson on his lap during rough seas at least fifteen times, not considering it an honor but hoping for a small reward.
Davy's candid recollection of Nelson's poor sea legs.
“We were ordered here, and ordered there, and then sometimes receiving three contradictions of everything. Until we should scarcely have been surprised at receiving signal, 'H.M.S. Alcestis to the moon; to wait for orders.'”
The ship received so many conflicting orders that Davy jokes they would not have been surprised to be ordered to the moon.
Davy's humorous frustration with the Admiralty's contradictory commands.