# Nelson eye a blind eye. A reference to Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), admiral in the English navy, known as one of the greatest of naval strategists. In 1793 he was placed in command of the Agamemnon (a British navy ship) and sailed to join the Mediterranean fleet. This voyage began seven years of almost continual warfare at sea. Nelson was one of the British commanders who captured Corsica, though he was wounded there and lost the sight of his right eye.