On my return to the Victory to report myself, Lieutenant Hamilton was all politeness. I was asked down to the wardroom, and Lieutenant Vincent, who had been a midshipman with me in the Salisbury, but who had hardly spoken to me before, forgot his pomposity and was as friendly as in times of old; but I disdained their kindness as well as the dinner they asked me to, and went on shore without taking leave of the men who suffered, by base neglect, an absent messmate to be plundered by rascally dockyard men. I was so short a time on board the Victory that I remember but few, and a great number were on leave who I never saw. Some of those in the mess I knew little of, and only remember the names of four.
With the Victory ends my servitude of mate and midshipman, but I never can forget the many happy days I passed in that capacity. It was some time before I knew what ship I was appointed to; but on the receipt of a letter from Mr. Harrison, Lord Spencer’s private secretary, I was informed that it was to the Hind, 28, at Sheerness, and that I was to come to London to be sworn in without loss of time.
Lord Hood, Admiral of the blue.
Dead [1816]. An admiral of the white and Governor of Greenwich Hospital; a most able tactician.—[D.N.B.]
John Knight, Esq., Captain.
Dead [1831]. An admiral of the red and K.C.B.; a very able officer; see his charts.—[Marshall, i. 154.]
Edward Hamilton, 1st Lieutenant.
A vice-admiral; a baronet and K.C.B. He recaptured the Hermione. [Died, an admiral, 1851.—D.N.B.]
Martin Hinton, 2nd Lieutenant.
Dead. A commander; a good sailor.