Midshipman Henry Robert Tolcher joined the crew of HMS Minerve in June 1794, at the same time that Captain George Cockburn and his first mate first lieutenant Thomas Hardy . Young Henry rose quickly in rank and favour to become 1st mate under Hardy when he took command as captain, and they both eventually joined the HMS Victory under Admiral Horiatio Nelson. During this time Henry crossed paths with his cousin Robin Fox-Davis who had joined the navy before Henry, and was now captain of the HMS Dreadnought, that was part of Nelson's fleet. They both took part in many naval engagements under Nelson, and this is the story of their exploits.