What experiences did Horatio Nelson have during his early voyages at sea?

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Horatio Nelson Lord Nelson, detail of an oil painting by J.F. Rigaud; in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Eng.

Horatio Nelson’s early naval career was characterized by a blend of routine duties and significant challenges that helped shape his future ambition. His initial experiences included:

Early Training and Exploration: He gained routine experience in the Thames estuary and undertook a merchant voyage to the West Indies. In 1773, he participated in a dangerous, though ultimately unsuccessful, scientific expedition to the Arctic.1
Combat and Illness: Nelson experienced his first taste of action in the Indian Ocean. Following a bout of fever, likely malaria, he returned home to recover. Later, during the American Revolution, he served in the West Indies and commanded a frigate in operations against Spanish settlements in Nicaragua. The 1780 attack on San Juan was militarily successful but resulted in heavy casualties due to yellow fever, which Nelson narrowly survived.1
Command Challenges: In 1784, he was assigned to enforce the Navigation Act in the West Indies, a task that earned him significant opposition from merchants and local authorities.1