What is a “First” lieutenant ?
The Admiralty held (and still holds) the Captain entirely responsible for the conduct and safety of his ship. To help him in this task, a heavy responsibility, he is assisted by the most senior of his subordinate officers who, in Nelson’s day, was the most experienced lieutenant assigned to his ship. The First Lieutenant was the “deputy” captain and would take command in the captain’s absence or, in battle, if the captain was killed or wounded.
