So completely, indeed, had Captain Nelson worn out his old and favourite ship, by a series of hard service, that when it went into dock for refitment, there was not a mast, yard, sail, or any part of the rigging, which remained fit for service, the whole having been cut to pieces with shot.  The hull, also, was so greatly damaged, that it had for some time been secured and kept together merely by having cables properly served or thrapped round.

On the 11th of August, he obtained the permanent rank of commodore, having a captain appointed to command under him in his new ship.

In the mean time, he had been also incessantly employed, and still continued actively engaged till October, in the various arduous services of blockading Leghorn; taking possession of Porto Ferrajio, with the island of Caprea; and, lastly, in the evacuation of Bastia.

Having convoyed, in safety, all the British troops from Corsica to Porto Ferrajio, he joined Sir John Jervis in St. Fiorenzo Bay, and proceeded with him to Gibraltar.

On his way to Gibraltar, November 5, 1796, in writing to his friend Captain Locker, he remarks that he has seen the first and the last of the kingdom of Corsica, It’s situation, he says, was certainly most disirable for us; but the generality of the inhabitants were so greedy of wealth, and so jealous of each other, that it would require the patience of Job, and the riches of Croesus, to satisfy them.  He adds, that they say, of themselves, they are only to be governed by the ruling power’s shooting all it’s enemies, and bribing all it’s friends.

In this letter, too, he observes, to his old friend, with evident exultation, that as soon as the fleet is united, which was then expecting to be joined by Admiral Mann, he had no doubt that they should look out for the combined fleet; who, he supposed, were about thirty-four sail of the line, badly manned, and worse ordered:  “while our’s,” exclaims the gallant commodore, “is such a fleet as I never before saw at sea!  There is nothing, hardly, beyond our reach.  I need not give you the character of Sir John Jervis, you know him well; therefore, I shall only say, that he is worthy of such a fleet, for he knows how to use it in the most beneficial manner for our country.”

After landing at Minorca, the 11th of November, where he observes that they were on shore “upon velvet,” the fleet proceeded to it’s destination, and soon safely arrived.

The commodore, however, remained but a short time at Gibraltar with the fleet; being ordered, by the commander in chief, to remove his broad pendant on board La Minerve frigate of thirty-two guns, commanded by Captain George Cockburne; and, accompanied by La Blanche of the same force, Captain Preston commander, immediately to proceed to Porto Ferrajio, for the purpose of bringing away the troops, and naval and military stores, which still remained there, and which were much wanted at Gibraltar, in consequence of the change of circumstances occasioned by the recent commencement of the war with Spain.