 "Badger" was Nelson's first experience of command of one of the Royal Navy's commissioned warships, and he duly took command in January 1779.Nelson spent half of 1779 cruising the Caribbean, ranging off the Spanish colonies in Central America in search of prizes.Nelson did not have much success, but on 11 June 1779 Parker promoted Nelson to post captain and gave him the command of the 28-gun frigate .