That is fascinating backstory for Bush, that he shipped before the mast for a while, and trained as a topman, too. (Picture me as enrapt as Dawes and Fanshawe!) What inspired you to come up with it?
I had read of an incident in which the young midshipman Jeffrey Raigersfeld and a second mid were removed from the midshipman's mess by their captain (Cuthbert Collingwood) and sent to the lower deck for three months. It was done partly as punishment and partly for the experience, which Raigersfeld later described as one of the most valuable lessons he had ever learned: "during those three months I gained more knowledge of the seaman's character, than in all the ships I have since served in." Raigersfeld later reached the rank of admiral, so it seems that the experience served him well.
I though it might provide a sound explanation for Bush's innate ability to command men and earn their loyalty: it appeared to be second nature to him and not calculated, as Hornblower's actions often were.
Oh! Collingwood and Raigersfeld! The book I've been reading talks about both of them with fair regularity, but it left out that story -- possibly because the book is more about describing the usual way things were done than it is about the exception. (Dudley Pope's Life in Nelson's Navy -- I think I've mentioned it elsewhere.) I'm glad I asked -- I'll keep an eye out for that story as I continue to do background reading.
And I commend Collingwood -- and Bush's captain -- on that decision: there's so much that you can only know by living it! Three months is juuuust long enough that you would start to get it, I think -- although there's still a world of difference between being there temporarily and being there for a career, or at least until a ship paid off. But yes, it would make for a difference in how you behaved as an officer, and consequently in the respect you were afforded by your crew. I'll say again: I do like this as a bit of Bush backstory!
I found the Collingwood and Raigersfeld reference in Jack Tar: The Extraordinary Lives of Ordinary Seamen in Nelson's Navy, by Roy and Lesley Adkins. This work is exhaustively researched and footnoted, drawing heavily from primary sources, and is very well written. A pleasant read, and a useful resource!
Yesss, this is exactly the Bush before the mast story that I didn't know I needed! It makes so much sense, and I love that he tells his lieutenants the story as well. Can't wait to read more- this is genuinely gripping!
It's one possible explanation, in any case! Just as easily, he might have 'come in through the hawse-hole' from the lower deck.
Hornblower would have died before he revealed this story. Bush, on the other hand, shares it freely and finds no shame in it. I had hoped to suggest here that while both are very different men with vastly different leadership styles, they both can engender respect. I'm so glad to know that it makes sense to you!
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I though it might provide a sound explanation for Bush's innate ability to command men and earn their loyalty: it appeared to be second nature to him and not calculated, as Hornblower's actions often were.
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And I commend Collingwood -- and Bush's captain -- on that decision: there's so much that you can only know by living it! Three months is juuuust long enough that you would start to get it, I think -- although there's still a world of difference between being there temporarily and being there for a career, or at least until a ship paid off. But yes, it would make for a difference in how you behaved as an officer, and consequently in the respect you were afforded by your crew. I'll say again: I do like this as a bit of Bush backstory!
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Hornblower would have died before he revealed this story. Bush, on the other hand, shares it freely and finds no shame in it. I had hoped to suggest here that while both are very different men with vastly different leadership styles, they both can engender respect. I'm so glad to know that it makes sense to you!
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