`Lord of the Sea' knocked down by a `land bug'

`Lord of the Sea' knocked down by a `land bug'
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Mumbai, Feb 15: Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh of the Royal Navy may be the `Lord of Sea'; but on land, he is as vulnerable to `bugs and virus' as any other landlubber.

The Chief of Naval Staff and UK's first Sea Lord, Sir Essenhigh, fell seriously ill on his first day in Mumbai today, and could not keep any of his official appointments for the International Fleet Review (IFR). He repared to his room at Hotel Taj Mahal for the rest of the day.

``The first Sea Lord is indisposable,'' an apologetic, and rather embarassed, British deputy high commissioner, Howard Parkinson, told the media persons who were eagerly waiting to meet the world famous admiral today.

``It's a bit of fever and a bit of bug,'' informed Captain Keith Ridland of the Royal Navy, though not revealing what king of `bug'. He added that hopefully the first Sea Lord would be back on his feet soon for the IFR events.

Sir Essenhigh became the first Sea Lord in January this year. The prestigious appointment carries with it membership of the UK Defence Council. He was born in 1944, and joined the Royal Navy in 1963.

His presence means that the Royal Navy is being represented at the highest level for the IFR.