East India service offered a risky route upward

East India service offered a young man the possibility of working toward mate, master, and captain, although disease and loss at sea made it dangerous. Nathaniel Dance's career illustrates both that opportunity and the importance of family connections. His father left the family to live with an actress and became an actor and playwright, creating a social difficulty that his grandfather's support helped him overcome. Dance went to sea in 1759 under the patronage of company official Nathaniel Smith. By 1780 he had made eight voyages to India as well as voyages to the Mediterranean and West Indies. On his ninth India voyage he was first officer of Royal George, whose capture left him on parole in Spain for six months. He took command of Lord Camden in 1787 and made four more India voyages before moving to Earl Camden in 1802. That final command led to Pulo Aura. Connections opened the way, while decades of sea service built the experience needed to lead the convoy.