The Lieutenant

The Lieutenant

Naval Lieutenant The Lieutenants assisted the First Lieutenant in his duties. Their uniforms are the same.

John Pasco (Lieutenant Royal Navy)

Pasco, John. Rank: Lieutenant, ship’s book number S021, age 31, dangerously wounded at Trafalgar. Joined VICTORY 12th April 1803 on gaining his commission. After Trafalgar he received a Government grant of £161-0-0 and prize money of £65-11-0 and was then put ashore on half pay on 23rd December 1805.

Pasco was very severely wounded by grape shot in the right side and arm at Trafalgar, but he recovered to rise in 1847 to Rear Admiral of the Blue. He died aged 79 in 1853

Prior to that, in 1846, he became the Captain of HMS VICTORY and started the custom of celebrating Trafalgar Day and holding a special dinner on board. Trafalgar Night Dinners are still held onboad HMS Victory and all over the world annually.

Pasco died aged 79 in 1853

John Pasco and Nelson's famous signal

It was Nelson’s practice to make the Lieutenant first on his list for promotion do the duty of Signal Lieutenant.

At the Battle of Trafalgar it was Pasco who took charge of the hoisting of one of the best known signals in British History.

“His Lordship came to me on the poop deck and at about a quarter to noon said: ‘I wish to say to the Fleet – ENGLAND CONFIDES THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY’; and he added: ‘You must be quick, for I have one more to make, which is for Close Action’.

I replied: ‘If your Lordship will permit me to substitute EXPECTS for CONFIDES the signal will soon be completed, because the word EXPECTS is in the vocabulary, and CONFIDES must be spelt.’

His Lordship replied, in haste, and with seeming satisfaction: ‘That will do, Pasco, make it immediately!’

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