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The original Nelson's Arm Band was formed in 18O2 by members of the crew of Victory at the behest of Lady Emma Hamilton, who sought to cheer up her beloved Horatio following the news that no insurance companies were prepared to offer him a premium on:
1) the loss of one or more limbs
2) blinding
3) loss of hearing due to industrial noise levels
4) terminal mal-de-mer
5) terminal death
6) social diseases contracted ashore
7) anything else that might and probably would happen to him
The Band consisted of seven members of the Starboard watch, with two Midshipmen on vocals. They would play for dancing, and were noted for a very slick cabaret routine which included selections from the popular ballad opera of the day, Hip-Hip Horatio. It is said that their rendition of songs from the Pirates of Penzance was particularly amazing, the more so since it was to be a further eighty years before the operetta was written.
The members of the revived, modern Nelson's Arm Band have devoted a lot of time in research and rehearsal to recreate as faithfully as possible the sound of the old band. This included getting in touch with every surviving original member, scouring back issues of Melody Maker and Folk Roots for articles and interviews, and listening to hours of music primitively recorded on magnetic anchor cable.
So - get down and hornpipe!
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