Oliver Cromwell was a soldier, who famously neglected the navy, but here is an account of him with a newly built ship, by John Evelyn, February 1655:
“I went to see the greate ship newly built by the Usurper Oliver, carrying 96 brasse guns, and 1000 tons burthen. In the prow was Oliver on horseback, trampling 6 Nations under foote, a Scott, Irishman, Dutchman, Frenchman, Spaniard, and English, as was easily made out by their several habits. [ie clothes] A Fame held a laurel over his insulting head; the word, ‘God with us.’ “
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In the prow? Does he mean actually IN the prow, as in riding his horse on the ship? Or was Cromwell on his horse doing the normal duty of the mermaid lady at the front of ships?
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No, he was on his horse on the ship. Animals were used in warfare so were often taken by sea.
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