Horatio Nelson was born on September 29, 1758, at Burnham Thorpe in Norfolk, where his father, the Reverend Edmund Nelson, was rector. His mother died when he was 9. He was known as Horace by his eleven brothers and sisters. He grew up within sound of the sea, and is said to have learnt to sail on the local tidal creeks before he joined the Royal Navy in 1771, at the age of 13. His uncle, Captain Maurice Suckling, said: 'What has poor Horatio done, who is so weak, that he above all the rest should be sent to rough it out at sea? ... Let him come, and the first time we go into action a cannon ball may knock off his head, and provide for him at once.' 'Bath February 15th., 1781 to William Locker Esq., Grays Inn. It is really so long since I wrote you, that I
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