In Sea affairs, nothing is impossible, and nothing is improbable.

Our Country will, I believe, sooner forgive an Officer for attacking his Enemy than for letting it alone.

Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but know he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year.

My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory; for if it be a sin to covet glory I am the most offending soul alive.

Desperate affairs require desperate measures.

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor.

Frigates are the eyes of a fleet.