Captain Charles Hammond sat on the board of when Acting Lieutenant Hornblower stood for his examination for lieutenant and was affectionately known among some as 'Black Charlie Hammond'. The Board consisted of Captains Foster, Harvey, and Hammond. Hammond commanded HMS Calypso and some time previously served as First Lieutenant in HMS Pegasus. His poodle jumped out of the boat and drowned at Port of Spain. The midshipman then with Hammond decides therefore, not to stand for examination, since Hammond would not have forgotten the incident.