ast from Savona to Voltri, and it deprived the Austrians of their
direct communication with the English fleet. The AGAMEMNON, therefore,
could no longer be useful on this station, and Nelson sailed for Leghorn
to refit. When his ship went into dock, there was not a mast, yard,
sail, or any part of the rigging, but what stood in need of repair,
having been cut to pieces with shot. The hull was so damaged that it
had for some time been secured by cables, which were served or thrapped
round it.

CHAPTER IV

1796 - 1797

Sir J. Jervis takes the Command--Genoa joins the French--Bounaparte
begins his Career--Evacuation of Corsica--Nelson hoists his broad
Pennant in the MINERVE--Action with the SABINA--Battle off Cape St.
Vincent--Nelson commands the inner Squadron at the Blockade of Cadiz
Boat Action in the Bay of Cadiz--Expedition against Teneriffe--Nelson
loses an Arm--His Sufferings in England, and Recovery.

SIR JOHN JERVIS had now arrived to take the command of the Mediterranean
fleet. The AGAMEMNON having, as her captain said, been made as fit for
sea as a rotten ship could be, Nelson sailed from Leghorn, and joined
the admiral in Fiorenzo Bay. "I found him," said he, "anxious to know
many things which I was a good deal surprised to find had not been
communicated to him by others in the fleet; and it would appear that he
was so well satisfied with my opinion of what is likely to happen, and
the means of prevention to be taken, that he had no reserve with me
respecting his information and ideas of what is likely to be done." The
manner in which Nelson was received is said to have excited some envy.
One captain observed to him: "You did just as you pleased in Lord Hood's
time, the same in Admiral Hotham's, and now again with Sir John Jervis:
it makes no difference to you who is commander-in-chief." A higher
compliment could not have been paid to any commander-in-chief than to
say of him that he understood the merits of Nelson, and left him, as far
as possible, to act upon his own judgment.

Sir John Jervis offered him the ST. GEORGE, ninety, or the ZEALOUS,
seventy-four, and asked if he should have any objection to serve under
him with his flag. He replied, that if the AGAMEMNON were ordered home,
and his flag were not arrived, he should, on many accounts, wish to
return to England; still, if the war continued, he should be very proud
of hoisting his flag under Sir John's command, "We cannot spare you,"
said