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The Medusa Channel is named after the Medusa, a third rate frigate which served as Nelson's flagship in August 1801. Nelson had been given command of naval forces between Beachy Head and Orfordness, fearing a French invasion. The Medusa was moored off Harwich on the 10th of August, prevented from sailing by easterly winds. Nelson was keen to set sail but none of the pilots would agree to take charge. Consequently Nelson forced a local maritime surveyor into piloting the vessel. The daring voyage out to the Swin led to the naming of the area.