Inspiration
Jun. 15th, 2012 10:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anteros_lmcThis reflection on Edward Pellew is taken from a paper that was read to cadets on board HMS Exmouth (flagship of Admiral Sir A. K. Wilson, Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet) by Fleet-Surgeon W.E. Home, on January 15th 1907.
Inspirational :)
I hope that in the future when you think of Exmouth, you will think of a man of powerful physique, of exuberant vitality, of overflowing animal health and spirits, and with marvellously quick, sound judgement. His first word, they said, was always his last. He said of himself "I have never had a second thought worth twopence." Also think of his personal success. He came into the service a friendless boy; he left it Vice-Admiral of England and Viscount Exmouth. How did he do it? He said himself: "I have always gone where I was sent and done what I was ordered, and anyone who does as I did will get on as I have done." But all of us have not in equal measure his skill, aptitude, courage or determination. Even for us who are ordinary there is a lesson.
HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE JOBS THAT TURNED UP.
Had he not worked hard at building the Inflexible on Lake Champlain he would not have known enough to fight the Controller about the masting of the Indefatigable, she would not have been the good sailor she proved, nor would she have got him all that credit. The moral of that is the old verse from Ecclesiastes: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Work as hard at anything you've got to do that comes across your path. That is the way to improve. To do anything carelessly or slovenly degrades you.
The admiral that I consider most to resemble Lord Exmouth, was Lord Dundonald. Both were dashing gallant fellow, both were extremely successful with the odds often against them, both were immensely careful of loosing their men unnecessarily, and both suffered from the completeness of Nelson's victory at Trafalgar, which, destroying all enemies, never gave them the chance to show their full powers in fleet actions. My parting hope is that you will each study for the remainder of your time in Exmouth with a little more industry and zeal, to make the ship more worthy of the great seaman whose name she bears.
Inspirational :)
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Date: 2012-06-15 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 06:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-15 09:55 pm (UTC)Dave
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Date: 2012-06-15 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 06:18 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2012-06-17 04:44 pm (UTC)Dave
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Date: 2012-06-17 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 07:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 06:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 09:37 am (UTC)To do anything carelessly or slovenly degrades you.
I am going to get stickers made up with this and instead of my daily rants at people am just going to stick this to their jumper!
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Date: 2012-06-16 07:13 pm (UTC)Hehe! A very good point!
To do anything carelessly or slovenly degrades you.
I think you should make this your new motto! XD
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Date: 2012-07-13 11:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-07-22 11:31 am (UTC)Yes, that's very true indeed. Pellew on the other hand seems to have been really rather content in later life and spent a long retirement surrounded by family, friends and grandchildren. I can't help feeling sad about Cochrane's bitter final years, but I guess that was part of his character.
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Date: 2012-07-22 01:48 pm (UTC)Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww