Billy Budd (opera) the conflict between good and evil, he is tormented by guilt over the case of Billy Budd on board his ship, HMS "Indomitable", some years earlier. The crew of the Indomitable works on deck. For slipping and bumping into an officer, the Novice is sentenced to be flogged. At the same time a cutter approaches, returning from a merchant ship where it has pressed three sailors into the Royal Navy. One of these sailors, Billy Budd, seems overjoyed with his situation – entirely different from the other two who are not so happy. Claggart, the Master-at-Arms, calls him "a find
HMS Eagle (1745) was under the command of George Rodney between 1747 and 1748 during the War of the Austrian Succession. "Eagle" is also notable as being the ship in which James Cook began his career in the Royal Navy, serving from 1755 to 1757 as able seaman, master's mate and finally boatswain under Captain Joseph Hamar for his first year aboard, and Captain Hugh Palliser thereafter. "Eagle" was sold out of Navy service in 1767. HMS Eagle (1745) HMS "Eagle" was a 58-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. "Eagle" was built by shipwright John Barnard at Harwich