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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. }y errata ed to int ine pelure, apon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 ' 4 • 6 t r u^h ROYAL NAVAL BIOGRAPHY; OR, ^tmoii^ of tfje. ^erbiccjof OF ALL THK FLAG-OFFICERS, SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS, RETIRED-CAPTAINS, POST-CAPTAINS, AND COMMANDERS, Whose Names appeared on the Admiralty List of Sea Officers at the commence- ment of the late year, or who have since been promoted ; Illustrated by a Series of HISTORICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES, Which will be found to contain an acrount of all the NAVAL ACTIONS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS, FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OP THE LATK REION, TO THE PRESENT PERIOD WITH COPIOUS ADDEND O'.--'^^''^ By JOHN MARSHALU^B^, LIEUTENANT IN THE ROVAL NAVT?I>'^ v <-■'. "Failures, however ft-equent, may hdmlt of extenuation and :ipoIogy. To have attcmpteti " miicli is always laudable, even when the enterprise is above the •tren^th that umlertake* it. " To deliberate whenever I doubted, to enquire whenever 1 was ignorant, would have protrartrd •■ t lie undertriking without end, and perhaps without improvement, J saw that one enquiry only " gave occasion to another, that book referred to book, that to search was not always to find, and " to find was not always to be informed) and that thus to pursue perfection, wai", like the Hrst " inhabitants of Arcadia, to chase the sun, which, when they had rriirhcl tlio hill wlirre lie " iremed to re«t, was still beheld at thr same diKtanre from thrm." .Inhn'nri, VOL. II. Uondoii : nUNTFI) lOU LONfiMAN, KURST, REES, ORME, IlRfAVV. \M) flKfEVi I'ATEWNOSTEU ROW. 1824. f Li .^ X A /9 / *'^ / J ^^ 7 ■ ^ - W. T'oplr I'rinter, (i7, nwnc. ly Latw. ■«'>- mmm" m 1l *^J K |V^ .A ■ • 1^ CONTENTS OF VOL. II.— PART I. SUPEliANNUATED llEAR-ADMIRALS. Darlow, Sir Robert - Bazely, John Brooking, Samuel Bullen, Joseph Carthcw, William Chambers, William - Cooke, John Dacres, Richard Dawson, John - Dobson, Man Evans, Henry - Fraser, Percy - Goldesbroiigh, Thomas fjlravea, David Graves, Richard Hunter, Lauchlan Page 44 27 38 34 9 4 17 29 22 33 41 47 7 2 2 :.I'»>, ,.'- ,1«--' ' Ingram, Nicholas Kendall, John Miller, Simon - Monkton, John Ogilvy, Sir William Peard, Sliuldham Pearse, Thomas Preston, D'Arcy Smith, Isaac Stow, David Tatbani, Sandford VVarre, Henry - Walkins, Frederick Willis, Richard Wilson, Alexander t .1 1 :■ 'ili I'. ; HJ. RETIRED CAPTAINS. Arden, Samuel Rowen, James - Boyle, Hon. Courtenay Browell, William Iktrlyon, William Creyke, Richard Cunningham, Charles Rdge, William - Fanshawc, Robert Fortescue, Hon. Matthew fieorgc, Sir Rupert Oibson, John Grcrillc, Williniu Fiiike 73 Grey, Hon. Sir George 94 Hamond, Sir Andrew Snapc 104 Hartwell, Sir Francis John 92 Ingleiield. John N. . 70 Lark an, Roltrrt 72 Mid\ ~ . 149 Dundas, Hon. George H. Xi. - 41*8 Evans, Andrew Fitzherbert - 125 J^eilding, Charles ... 482 Fitzgerald. Robert Lewis - -181 Forstcr, Samuel Peter - - 151 Fowke, George - - - 149 Garrett, Henry - - - 238 Granger, William - - - 230 Grant, Charles - - - 300 Hall, Robert • - - - 240 Halliday, Michael - - .228 Hamond, Graham F 150 Philpot, Robert . . .289 Raggett, Richard ... 213 Ricketts, Tristram Robert . 441 Rodd, John Tremayne - .152 Rotheram, Edward . . 298 Ryves, George Frederick - - 136 Saver, George (a) . . -350 Scbomberg, Alexrnder Wilmot > 325 Scott, George - . . .145 Seymour, Sir Michael . . 294 Shepard, James Keith . . 150 Sliirley, George James . . 135 Sbortland, Thomas George . 482 Skipsey, William ... 48» Stiles, John .... 228 Stuart, Henry .... 306 Thompson, Norbornc • . 294 Thomson, Lenox ... 432 Tinling, Charles ... 362 Tomlinson, Nicholas . . 430 Vansittart, Henry - . .329 Vesey, Francis ... 237 Waller, William - . - 327 Warren, Frederick - - • 414 White, John Chambers • > 230 White, George . - . - 233 Wolfe, George . - - .310 Wollaston, Charles ... 32.% ,'1; Mr ■■*1 ? . J ROYAL NAVAL BIOGRAPHY. SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. JOHN KENDALL, Esq. J/his officer accompanied the Hon. Captain Byron, in the Dolphin, of 20 guns, on a voyage of discovery round the world, which was completed in twenty-two months and six days *. He subsequently served under the same commander on the coast of North America, where he was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, Nov. 24, 1778 ; since which time, we believe, he has not been afloat. His superannuation as a Reur-Admiral, took place July 3, 1/95. Residence, — Scarborough. * On the 3d July, 1764, the Dolphin, of 20 guns, commanded by the Hon John Byron, and the Tamar sloop of war, Captuu Patrick Mouat, sailed from Plymouth, on a voyage of discovery; and on the 14th Jan. 1765, beuig in the lat. of 51' S., and long. 63«> 22' W., some small islands were discovered, in vie of which was found a most excellent harbour, where the ships anch ,ct' J. Captain Byron, in compliment to the first Lord of the Admiralty, gave it the name of Port Egmont. These islands were surveyed, and taken possession of for Great Britam, by the name of Falk- land's Islands. From hence the ships proceeded into the Pacific, and pur- sued their course to the N. W. On the 7th June, in lat. 14« 5' S.,long. 144° 58' W., a cluster of small islands was discovered, but every part of their coasts found to be inaccessible, being bounded by stupendous rocks, on which a most violent surf constantly broke. The first of these islands Captain Byron named after his sovereign ; the others were denominated Prince of Wales's Island, Duke of York's Island, and the Islands of Dan- ger. On the 2d July, in lat. 1« 18' S., long. 173° 46' W., another island was discovered, which the officers of the expedition, in compliment to their Commodore, named Byron's Island. From the latter they steered for Tinian, and from thence to Batavia, the Cape of Good Hope, and England. They anchored in the Downs, May 9, 1766. VOL. H. ■ i 2 «i;i»KI{ANN[TATEl) It F.AK- ADMfRAf J. DAVID GRAVES, Esq. This officer M'as made a Post-Captain, Sept. 9, 1779; commanded the London, a second-rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Graves, in the action off Cape Henry, Sept. 5, 178 J *', and was superannuated with his present rank, Feb. 21, 1799. RICHARD GRAVES, Esq. The family of Graves originally came into England from the province of Gascony, in France ; and appear to have been seated at a mansion house and estate called the Greves, or Graves, in the parish of Beighley, co. Derby, as early as the reign of Henry III. ; and from thence to have established themselves at Little Wressil, in Yorkshire, about the time of Edward IV. The subject of this memoir is the son of a clergyman, and the youngest of four brothers, all born in the county of Derry, who went to sea at a very early age, and after a consider- able length of services were advanced to the rank of Post- Captains in the navy. Samuel, the eldest, commanded the Sceptre, of 64 guns, and greatly distinguished himself in the two last actions between Sir Edward Hughes and M. de Suffrein, Sept. 3, 1782, and June 20, 1783 f. Notwithstand- ing his bravery on these occasions, he was afterwards placed on the retired list ; and although a memorial, with Sir Ed- ward Hughes' letter attached to it, was presented to his late M^esty, by the other three brothers, at Weymouth, he had not the good fortune to be restored to active service. John, the second brother, also served his king and country most faithfully and honorably, and likewise died a Superannuated Rear-Admiral. The next, Thomas, was more fortunate, being included in the g^eat promotion of Flag-Officers, which took place on the 1st Jan. 1801, in honor of the union be- tween Great Britain and Ireland j and afterwards created a Knight of the Bath, for his gallantry in the battle off Copen- hagen, on the 2d April, in that year ;{;. During the colonial war. Captain Richard Graves, being * See note at vol. 1, p. 133. f See vol. 1, note at p. 424, et seq. X See vol. 1, note •, at p. 3(J6, et teq. -I. * 1 'm ^M SUPBRANNtTATSD RBAR-ADMIRALS. 3 on his way to New York with despatches, in the Swift, a leaky brig, of 6 four-pounders and 35 men, with four feet water in her hold, and the pumps choked ; engaged an ene- my's vessel of 18 six-pounders and 120 men, which he beat off, although twice a-board of each other during the action. When beaten back in an attempt to carry the Swift by board- ing, the enemy left thirty of their pistols on the deck of the British vessel. The Swift was too much water-logged to pursue the fugitive, even had her force been such as to have warranted Captain Graves in so doing ; and the Blonde fri- gate, which fell in with her on the following day, was obliged to keep company until her arrival at the entrance of New York, where she sunk. In this action. Captain Graves re- ceived a severe wo\md. He was afterwards appointed to the Belisarius, mounting 20 nine-pounders ; and in that ship, after an hour's contest, compelled the Tartar, an American vessel of the same force, to surrender, and her consort, the Alexander of 22 guns, to seek safety in flight. About the same period he also captured the Venus, of 14 guns and 45 men. On the termination of the American war, the services of Captain Graves being no longer required, he, vtdth many other gallant officers, was obliged to retire from the active duties of a profession in which he had so highly distinguished him- self ; and since that period he does not appear to have been afloat. His post commission bears date Aug. 29, 1781 ; and he was superannuated, with the rank of a Rear'Admiral, June 18, 1804. Our officer married Louisa Carolyns, daughter and sole heiress of Sir John Colleton, Bart. His son, Samuel CoUeton Graves, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the West Norfolk regi- ment of local militia, and a member of the Society of the Middle Temple, was the author of several politick pamphlets, published under the signature of Ulysses. Of his daughters, the eldest married T, Radcliffe, Esq. ; the second is the lady of Baron Vandersmissen, a Lieutenant-Colonel of artillerie au cheval in the service of the King of the Netherlands ; a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and of the Order of VVil- helm. The third was united, in December 1819, to htr B 2 4 SUPERANNUATED RKAR-ADMIRALS. relative, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir James R. Colleton, Bart, Mrs. Graves died. Dee. 25, 1822. Residence. — Brussels. WILLIAM CHAMBERS, Esq. This officer is the fifth son of the late Thomas Chambers, Esq., of Studley, in Warwickshire ; at which place, and at Tanworth, in the same county, his family have resided, on their own estates, ever since the reign of Edward III. He entered the naval service in 17^8, as a Midshipman, on board the Shrewsbury of 74 guns, under the auspices of Captain, (afterwards Admiral) Sir Hugh Palliser, with whom he served at the reduction of Quebec in 1 759, and until the conclusion of the war in 1763 *. * The naval and military forces employed in tlie reduction of Quebec, under the orders of Vice-Admiral Saunders, and Major-General Wolfe, arrived oflfthe island of Orleans, in the river St. Lawrence, June 26, 1759, and on the following day the troops were landed. On the 28th, an attempt was made by the enemy to destroy the fleet, by sending down the river seven fire-rafts of an uncommon description ; but owing to the vigilance of the British commander, and the excellent disposition of his ships, the design proved abortive, although the channel was crowded with vessels, and the rapidity of the stream favored the attempt. On the 28th July, the French made a similar efifort, but of a more formidable nature. Nearly one hundred rafts of timber, charged with combustibles of every kind, and driven by the course of the stream, seemed to threaten inevitable destruc- tion to the British fleet ; but the good fortune of Vice-Admiral Saunders again prevailed, and the alarming preparations of the enemy were frus- trated. In all the subsequent events of the memorable siege of Quebec, Vice-Admiral Saunders, and those under his command, appear to have borne a distinguished share ; but it would be difficult now, if not invidious, to decide how far they contributed to the general success of the enter- prise. The blaze of glory which deservedly crowns the memory of Wolfe, obscures the fame of his brethren in arms. It cannot, however, ba doubted, but Vice-Admiral Saunders, by his able disposition of the ships, his zeal for the service, and his perfect knowledge of the art of war, materially contributed to the reduction of the place. On the 18th Sep- tember, he had the honor of signing, with Brigadier-General Townshend, who had succeeded to the command of the army, the articles of capitu- lation granted to the French garrison, by which this memorable expedition was termhiated with complete success, though with the loss of the im- mortal Wolfe, and many of his gallant associates. The town was taken possession of by a naval detachment, under Captain Palliser. :% *' *• ..•jkt*^!*. ■ .ji . ^^•f''* ♦r,j -.^N t^ Ji-*' i^>; 't SUPERANNUATED REAR-AOMittALS. 5 Durinj? the ensuing peace, we find Mr. Chambers serving in the Preston of 50 guns, commanded by Captain Alan Gardner, and bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Parry, com- mander-in-chief on the Jamaica station. He subsequently joined Commodore Gambier in the Salisbury ; and by that oflicer was made a Lieutenant into the Mermaid frigate, on the coast of North America, in 1771 » but some time after re-joined his patron, and returned with him to England. At the. commencement of the American war, Mr. Cham- bers was appointed second Lieutenant of the Active frigate, one of the squadron under Sir Peter Parker, destined to act against Charlestown, in South Carolina ; which ship had the honor of leading her consorts to the atta<;k made on Sulli- van's Island, June 28, 177^ *. The Active, on that occasicm, had her first Lieutenant (Pike) killed, and 8 men wounded. From the Active, our officer removed as first Lieutenant, into the Montreal frigate. Captain Douglas ; and in June 1778, he was nominated to the command of the flotilla on Lake Champlain, where he continued till the peace in 1783, when he was sent home with despatches from Sir Frederick Hal- dimand, the military commander-in-chief; through whose recommendations he was immediately promoted to the rank of Commander : and a statement of his meritorious conduct on many trying occasions being subsequently laid before the King, he was rewarded with a commission as Post-Captain, dated Aug. 15th in the same year. His superannuation as a Rear- Admiral took place Nov. 21, 1805. . Residence. — Rigby, Warwickshire. '* ■'' "^' f c.. J^ af the »f war, Sep- heiul, apitu- dition ISAAC SMITH, Esq. This officer entered the naval service about the year 176(>, and served for some time on board the Grenville, a brig com- manded by Cook, the celebrated circumnavigator, who was jit that period employed as marine surveyor of NcM'foundland ; and whom he afterwards accompanied in the Endeavour, on a * See Vol. I, p. 96, where the following correction and additions should be made: line 2, for 1777, read 1775; line 9, after May, insert 1776 J line 24, after Experiment, insert Active. ii It 6 SUPERANNQATED REAR- ADMIRALS. Toyage to the South Sea, for the purpose of observing the transit of Venua over the sun's disk *. jT ^ ' ' His commission as Post- Captain bears date Dec. 1, 17875 and he subsequently commanded the Perseverance of 36 guns, in which ship he served for several years on the East India station, to which he had proceeded with Commodore Com- waUis in 1789. At the promotion of Flag-Officers in 1807, Captain Smith, who was at that time severely afflicted with the hepatitis, * The voyages of Captain Cook must be so familiar to the generality of our readers, that a very slight account of the one alluded to above may suffice ; and indeed it would be inconsistent with the nature of this work* to enter into a detail whi':h must exceed all moderate limits. It having been calculated by astronomers tltat a transit of Venua over the sun's disk would happen in 1769, and that the best place for observing it would be in some part of the South Sea, the Royal Society judging this a matter of great consequence in astronomy, addressed a memorial to the King on the subject, entreating that a vessel might be ordered at the ex- pence of Government, for the conveyance of suitable persons to observe the transit. To this memorial a favourable answer was returned, and the Endeavour, a bark of 370 tons, was purchased into the service for the voyage. This vessel, commanded by Lieutenant James Cook, and having onboard Mr. Green of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, Mr. Banks (the late President of the Royal Society), and Dr. Solandcr, a Swediah gentleman, who had made much proficiency in every branch of natural history under the instructions of the celebrated Linnseus, sailed from Plymouth Souod on the 26th Aug. 17<)8, and arrived in Matavia Bay, Otaheite, April 13, 1769. On the 3d of June, the expected transit was observed with great advantage. A particular account of this great astro- nomical event may be seen in the sixty^first volume of the Philosophical Transactions. Lieutenant Cook remained at Otaheite until the 13th July, and then went in search of several islands which he discovered. He afterwards pro. ceeded to the inhospitable coasts of New Zealand, and on the 10th Oct. 1770, arrived at Batavia, with a vessel almost worn out, and a crew much fatigued and very sickly, 'ihe repairs of the ship obliged him to continue at this unhealthy place until the 27th Dec, in which time he lost many of his seamen, and more on the passage to the Cape of Good Hope, which place he reached en the 15th March, I771> From the Cape our navigator • sailed to St. Helena, where he arrived on the 1st May, and staid till the 4th to refresh. On the 1 2th June he anchored in the Downs, after an ab- sence of nearly three years, in which time he had experienced every dan- der incident to a voyage of such length, displaying on all occasions a mind that was equal to every perilous enterprise, and to the boldest and most successful efforts of navigation and discovery. m "*, i StJPERANNUA't ED RBAR-ADMfRAI.S. / obtained the superannuation of a Rear -Admiral. He resides, if we mistake not, with the widow of his ianieiited friend Captain Cook, at Merton Abbey, Surrey. Onf- • ■ '' DAVID STOW, Esq. This officer was made a Commander at Jamaica, after the defeat of M. de Grasse by Sir George B. Rodney, April 12, 1782. His post commission bears date Dec. 1, 1787 j J^nd he was superannuated with the rank of Rear-Admiral Oct. 9, 1807. Residence. — Berwick. THOMAS GOLDESBROUGH, Esq. Post commission dated Dec. 1, 1787. Superannuated Oct. 10, 1807. Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. LAUCHLAN HUNTER, Esq. This officer was a Lieutenant in Rodney's action, April 12, 1782 'f commanded the Antelope of 14 guns on the Jamsuca station, in 1783 j and obtained the rank of Post-Captain, Sept. 21, 1790. During the revolutionary war we find him employed in the impress service, at North Yarmouth. He was placed on the list of Superannuated Rear Admirals, May 12, 1808. Residence — Yarmouth, Norfolk. NICHOLAS INGRAM, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant by Admiral Byron in 1778, and appointed to the Hoyal Oak, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker, who promoted him to the rank of Commander in 1780; from which period he commanded the Star brig until the peace of 1783. His next appointment was in Oct. 1 790, to the Shark sloop of war ; and on the 3d of the following month he became a Post-Captain. l''rt)n\ 1797 till the peace of Amiens; and from the renewal of the war in 1803 till the date of his superannuation as a Rear- Admiral (May 21, 1808), he commanded the Weymouth dis- trict of Sea Fencibles. Ho married, in 181 1, Elizabeth Ann, daughter of the late Booth, lilsq. of Bristol. /?e*i6 tons !«•■ than her opponent. 12 SUPERANNUATED UEAR- ADMIRALS. Islands and Jamaica stations, and cruised with very consider- able success against the enemy. On the 10th Dec. 1796, in company with the Mermaid frigate, he captured the General Leveau, French corvette of 16 guns, near St. Domingo. In the spring of 1799, our officer commissioned the Ne- reide of 36 guns ; and on the 2d March, in the following year, captured la Vengeance privateer, of 16 guns and 174 men, in the Bay of Biscay ; the next day he re-captured an Ame- rican ship, with a cargo of coffee, sugar, and tobacco, valued at 30,000/. The Nereide was afterwards ordered to the West Indies. On the 11th Sept. 1800, Captain Watkins being on a cruise off Cura§oa, had the good fortune to acquire information that 1500 French troops from Guadaloupe had made good their landing a short time before, and were at that very moment in actual contest with the Dutch inhabitants, who claimed the protection of his Britannic Majesty. With the most prompt decision, he pushed for the harbour, landed his men and some cannon, occupied the forts, and thereby induced the French to evacuate the island on the 22d. In the mean time, the Governor entered into a capitulation, by which Cura^oa and its dependencies, together with the vessels in the harbour, in all forty-four sail, and such property as was on board of them on the 10th, wee surrendered to the Nereide. Captain Wa'.kins returned to England, in Feb. 1801 j and from that period we lose sight of him until the beginning of 1808, when he was appointed to the Majestic of 74 guns; from the command of which ship he was afterwards dismissed by the sentence of a court-martial, for a breach of naval discipline towards the late Admiral Wells. He was super- annuated, with the rank of Rear- Admiral, June 11, 1814. In 1809, our officer published a work entitled, " The Young Naval Hero ; or Hints to Parents and Guardians, on educating and preparing Young Gentlemen for his Majes- ty's Navy," 8vo. • ,' ;' - > < » • ' Agents. — Messrs. Maude. i ^ •:; ■'■' - * t : fvj'iii,.- •; JOHN MONKTON, Esq. This officer entered the naval service in 1765, and served upwards uf eleven years as a Midshipman and Master's- .'M / SUPKRANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 13 and of Ived Mate, on board the Chatham of 50 guns, and Lark, Aurora, Carysfort, Maidstone, and Boreas frigates. The two former ships were employed principally at the Leeward Islands. His removal from the Aurora, to make room for an Admiralty Midshipman, proved a fortunate circumstance for Mr.Monkton, as that vessel was soon after lost, on her passage to India, and all on board perished. In the Carysfort he saw much hard ser- vice, and had several narrow escapes : the first wa»-in 177 1> when, beingon herreturn from Pensacola, and the Havannah, to Jamaica, the ship, owing to the perverseness and ignorance of tlie pilot, ran ashore in the night, upon the Martyr reefs, in the Gulph of Florida; where her situation was such as pro- mised little chance of being able to save the ship, and at first, not much hope of preserving the lives of the crew. However, after nine days incessant labour, she was at length got out from amongst those dangerous rocks, through a very difficult and intricate channel, and carried to Charlestown in South Carolina, under jury masts, with the loss of her guns, and most of the provisions and stores. In the ensuing year the Carysfort was ordered to England, and on her passage thither from Jamaica, was obliged to throw all her guns overboard in a heavy gale of wind. After refitting, she was again sent to the West Indies, where she encountered a violent hurricane, during which she lost her first Lieutenant, five seamen, and all her masts, besides being once more obliged to part with her guns. ' The Carysfort was paid off at Chatham, in Sept. 1773, and Mr. Monkton soon after joined the Maidstone, in which frigate he continued about three years, and was present at the capture of more than two hundred sail of vessels, princi- pally oji the Jamaica station ; from whence he returned to EnglUnd, in the Boreas, about the autumn of 1777* On tlie 19th Nov. following, Mr. Monkton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to the lliree Sis- ters, an armed ship, hired from the merchants, and em- ployed in giving protection to the trade on the coast of Scot- land, and about the Orkney and Shetland Islands. After being thus employed for a period of two years, he was appointed second Lieutenant of the Vestal frigate, then fitting at Deptford ; and subsequently sent to the Newfound- land station, where she captured and destroyed many of the 14 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. ;i'< I i Mi- #. *ll^ i 1 enemy's vessels^ and among others the Mercury, an Ameri- can packet, from Philadelphia ; on board of which was Mr. Henry Laurens, formerly President of the Congress, bound on an embassy to France, Spain, and Holland. The de- spatches found in the possession of this Envoy, determined the British ministry to issue an immediate declaration of war against the latter power, and to commit their bearer as a state prisoner to the Tower. In 1781, the Vestal, then commanded by the Hon. G. C. Berkeley, accompanied Vice-Admiral Darby to the relief of Gibraltar*, where she particularly distinguished herself against the enemy's gun-boats, two of which she destroyed under the guns of the fortress of Ceuta. Some time after the performance of this service. Captain Berkeley, accompanied by the whole of his officers and crew, removed into the Recovery of 32 guns, which ship formed part of the squadron under Vice-Admiral Barrington, at the capture of a French convoy, from Brest bound to the East Indies, in April 1782. She was also with Lord Howe, at the relief of Gibraltar, towards the close of the same year f. The Recovery being paid off at the peace in 1783, Mr. Monkton remained on half pay till March 1784, when he was appmnted first Lieutenant of the Ardent 64, stationed as a guard-i^ip at Portsmouth, where she remained for a period of four years; during which no incident occurred worthy of particular notice. During the Spanish armament, we find Lieutenant Monk- ton serving on board the Windsor Castle, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sawyer. His next appoint- ment was to be first lieutenant of the Niger frigate, com- manded by his friend the Hon. Captain Berkeley, who had for a considerable time filled the office of Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, and recently been honored with a com- mision of the highest importance, as President of a board of engineer officers, for the purpose of enquiring into the abuses and frauds committed against government in the West Indies ; a service he performed with honor to himself, and to the entire aatisfaction of his Majesty's ministers. On the 10th March, i7^t Mr. Monkton commissioned the * S«« vol. 1, p. 4, and note X, at p. 33. t ii^ee vol. I, p. 17- -I f^ SDPKRANNUATED RKAR-ADMIR ALS. 15 Marlborough of 74 guns, then fitting at Chatham for Cap- tain Berkeley, and afterwards attached to the grand fleet under Earl Howe. This was our officer's last appointment as a Lieutenant ; for in consequence of that nobleman's re- presentation of his gallant conduct in the glorious action of June 1, 1794 *, he was immediately afterwards pro- moted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to act as captain of the Marlborough, during the absence of Captain Berkeley, whose place he had so ably filled during the latter part of that memorable conflict f. Owing to the change which about this time took place in the administration of naval aflairs, a promise which Captain Monkton had obtained from Lord Chatham, of advancement to post rank, was not realized, although he retained the com- mand of the Marlborough for nearly twelve months; but for- tunately for him he was afterwards appointed pro tempore, to the Colossus, another 74 ; in which ship he distinguished himself off I'Orient, June 23, 1795; and by his exertions greatly contributed to the capture of three French line-of- battle ships ; an account of which will be found in our first Vol. p. 246, et seq. The Colossus on that occasion had 35 men killed and wounded, which appears to have been nearly one-fourth of the total loss sustained by the British squadron. Captain Monkton's post commission bears date June 29, 1795 ; from which period, with the exception of about two months in the Formidable of 90 guns, he was not again em- ployed until the latter end of 1 797 ; when he obtained the command of la Lutine frigate, fitting at Woolwich for the * See vol. I, p. 663 • *. t The Marlborough had got into action ; and whilst engaged with the Impdtueux of 7d guns, and Mucius 74, the former of which ships she had completely dismasted, the Montagne of 120 guns came under her stern and poured in a raking broadside, vvhich killed and wounded many of her men, and caused much other mischief. It was at this moment that Cap- tain Berkeley received a severe wound, which obliged him to resign the command of the ship to Lieutenant Monkton, who continued to fight her with the utmost skill and bravery. The Marlborough on this occasion had all her lower masts shot away, and no less than 137 men killed and wounded. Lieutenant Mouktcm was mminallf/ promoted into the Calypso sloop of war, which vessel was lost on her return from Jamaica, and all ea board perished. I: I i I I IG SUPRKANNUATKl) UKAU-ADMIRALS. North Sea station, where he served under the orders of Lord Duncan, and made many captures. His next and last appointment was at the close of 1799> to the Mars of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Berkeley ; and he continued to serve as Flag-Captain to that officer until Jan. 1801 ; when a misunderstanding having arisen between the Rear- Admiral and Earl St. Vincent, com- mander-in-chief of the Channel Fleet, the former resigned his command, and Captain Monkton was in consequence superseded. His superannuation took place June 18, 1814. Rear- Admiral Monkton remained a batchelor until he was more than forty years of age, when he married Miss Char- lotte Slade, of Burstock, co. Dorset, first cousin to the pre- sent Lieutenant- General Slade. By this lady, who died May 6, 1806, he had four children, three of whom are now living. His second wife was Charlotte, widow of his old messmate, Mr. Mackie, Piu-ser of the ill-fated Ardent*, and only daughter of George Hutton, Esq., a gentleman of con- siderable property, who had formerly kept an academy at Deptford. He married, lastly, Dec. 14, 1818, Elizabeth Patience, daughter of Thomas P. Phillips, of Tiverton, co. Devon, Esq., and sister of Thomas J. Phillips, of Landau House, near Launceston, Cornwall, Esq. Residence, — Havre de Grace. ? * In the course of the foregoing memoir, we have alluded to the fate of the Aurora and Calypso. Of the other vessels in which Rear-Admiral MoaktoD served, it is remarkable, that no less than six were afterwards lost : viz. the Lark, in America, during the colonial war ; the Three Sis- ters, iu the North Sea; the Ardent, burnt at sea ; the Marlborough, wrecked on the coast of France ; the Colossus, on the Scilly Isles ; and la Lutine, on the Dutch coast. Whilst in the latter, he discovered and corrected an error in the compasses, which he explained to his successor, the unfor- tunate Captain Skynner ; but that officer paid no attention to his advice, and actually undid what Captain Monkton had completed, saying that compasses were of no use in the North Sea. However, the contrary proved to be the case. La Lutine sailed from Yarmouth Roads at uiud A. M. ou the 9th Oct. 17^9, with a fair wind for the Texel, having a consi- derable sum of money on board ; and in the course of the ensuing night, struck on the outer bank of the Vlie passage, where all hands perished, with the exception of two men taken up alive, one of whom died soon after. SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 17 fLord •1799, dmiral to that having t, com- esigned iquence 1814. he was 8 Char- he pre- lio died ire now his old t*, and I of con- demy at Elizabeth 'ton, CO. Landau the fate of ir-Admiral afterwards Three Sis- 1, wrecked a Lutine, rrected aii the unfor- lis advice, laying that e contrary lads at uinii ing a consi- uing night, s perished, soon after. JOHN COOKE, Esq. This ofl&cer was born at Kirby, near Norwich, in 1750, and first embarked in the royal navy as a Midshipman, on board the Raisonabie of 64 guns, commanded by Captain Maurice Suckling, the worthy uncle, and first professional patron of our lamented hero, the renowned Nelson, who, with several other Norfolk youths, joined that ship about the same period. The Raisonabie was one of the ships commissioned in 1770, on the apprehension of a rupture with Spain, on ac- count of the very extraordinary conduct of that power rela- tive to the Falkland Islands *. On the termination of the dispute, she was paid off, and Captain Suckling was, in May, 1771 > appointed to the command in the river Med way ; but Mr. Cooke not relishing so idle and uninteresting a life as that of a Midshipman in a guard-ship, applied for and ob- tained permission to join the Crescent frigate, then fitting for the Leeward Islands station. In that ship he served, mostly as Master's-Mate, until Aug. 1774, when she was put out of commission at Woolwich. We next find him in the Conquestador, 64, guard-ship, at * The author of the History of England, in a seriea of letters from a noblemau to his son, generally, though erroneously attributed to Lord Lyttleton, gives the following concise account of the transaction : — " In the course of the summer, the Spaniards sent out some ships, and seized upon Falkland's Islands, where the English had lately made a settlement, and erected a fort ; and this violation of peace had nearly involved us in a war with that nation. A negociation, however, took place, and the Spaniards restored the islands. It was privately stipulated that they should be afterwards evacuated by Great Britfun ; and since that time no settlement has been made upon them. The pens of the political writers were employed to magnify or diminish the consequence of these islands, according as they were engaged for or against the ministry. Junius, a popular and elegant writer, whose real name has never yet been disco- vered, was at this time a formidable opponent to administration ; and Dr. Samuel Johnson, whose moral and critical writings are above all pnuse, ranged himself on their side. On the whole, if the affront to the nation be overlooked, it does not appear that the possession of these islands was worth contending for." The late Admiral Macbride, who visited them about the year 1766, says : " We found a mass of islands and broken lands, of which the soil was nothing but a bog, with no better prospect than that of barren mountains, beaten by storms almost perpetual." VOL. II. c 18 Rtrt'KRANNUATKIJ RKAR-ADMIRALS. \ i;! I'i • ' i Chatham, where he remained but a short time. In April, 1776, Cr.ptain Siickling, then Cortiptrftllef of the Navy, pre- sented him with a warrant appointing hira Master of the Hornet sloop, fitting at Woolwieh for the Jamaica station, of which vessel the late gallant Lord Collingwood was then Lieutenant. Air. Cooke conthiued in the Hornet until Feb. 1, 177^> when he joined the Glasgow, a 20-gun ship, commanded by the late Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart., with whom he afterwards removed successively into the Sibyl frigate, and Jupiter of 50 guns, of which latter vessel he was appointed a Lieutenant immediately after the action between Commo- dore Johnstone and M. de Suifrein, in Porto Praya Bay, April 16, 1781 *. In May 1782, the Jupiter was ordered to convey Admiral Pigot to his command in the West Indies t and soon after her arrival there, was sent on a cruise off the Havannah, where she captured several of the enemy's vessels. Hostili- ties ceasing soon after, she returned to England, and was put out of commission July 28, 1783. During the Dutch and Spanish armamen\s, in 1787 and 1790i Lieutenant Cooke served under the flrg of Sir John Jervis, afterwards Earl of St. Vincent, in the Hannibal, 74, and Prince, a second-rate. At the commencement of the French war in 1793, he was appointed first Lieutenant of the Weazle sloop of war ; and in November following, to the Woolwich troop-ship, attached to the armament under Sir John Jervis, then about to sail for the West Indies, where he was removed into the Undaunted frigate ; and on the 5th May, 1794, promoted to the rank of Commander, in the In- spector of 16 guns. Whilst in this latter vessel. Captain Cooke was employed co-operating with the army in the re-occupation of Gauda- loupe, &c. } affording protection to the trade of the Virgin Islands ; and in various other services, requiring considerable * The attack made on Commodore Johnstone's squadron, by M. de Suffrein, we have already described in our memoir of Admiral Sir Henry Darl)y (vol. 1, note at p. 268, et seq.) : the Jupiter was on that occasion opposed to a French 74, which she obliged to cut and sheer off: indeed, tlirou^hout the whole of the affair she was very materially distinguished for the power and force of her fire. utiUW* SUPRRANNUATED RBAR-ADMIRALS. 19 I April, y, pre- of the ition, of as then i, 177H, tided by honi he ato, and >p()uitcd Llommo- ya Bay, Admu'al ►on after ivannah, Hostili- was put 787 and iir John bal, 74, of the enant of to the der Sir vhere he the 5th the In- mployed Gauda- s Virgin siderable by M. de Sir Henry it occasion indeed, tinguished activity. The follomng address conveya a sufficient idea of the manner in which he acted on those occasions : " Tortola Council Chumber, May 13, 1796- << Sir. — It liavinj^ been pulilioly unnouiiced that you are speadily to be re- moved from your prejient station in order to join the Admiral, the JVlem- bi'i •( of his Majesty's Board of Council for the Virgin Islands, who enter- tain with uic every just sense of your merits as a liritish officer, and of the honorahle manner in which you have discharged the duties which you were sent hithor to perform, have unanimously determined that you shall not depart from this colony without bearing with you a testimony of their gratitude. They have, therefore, conferred on me the grateful task of communicating to you by letter, their acknowledgments for the steady zeal you have displayed on all occasions [and more especially in times when alarms and threatened dangers have worn the most serious aspect,] in readily co-operating vvlth the President in the adoption of all such mea- sures as were deemed expedient for our safety and protection ; and small as is the force of the ship under your command, we have yet the satis- faction to say, that in consequence of your gallantry and good conduct, and of your officers and crew following your example, our enemies have been deterred from executing their threats of atlAcking this colony, and that you have thereby become the efficient means of our defence. Wish- ing you health, prosperity, and the enjoyment of every felicity, I have the lienor and satisfaction to subscribe myself, with every consideration and respect. Sir, " Your most faithful, and most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) " Geo. Leonard, President. " To Cnptain Cooke, //. M. S. Inspector;" This address was presented to Captain Cooke on the occa- sion of his receiving a commission from the late Sir Benjamui Caldwell, commander-in-chief pro tempore at the Leeward Islands, promoting him to the command of the Quebec frigate, vacant by the demise of Captain Josias Rogers *. An unfor- tunate mistake, however, on the part of the late Sir Charles Thompson, who had received orders to send Captain Cooke to St. Christopher's, where the Quebec was to assemble the homeward bound trade, prevented him from joining his ship ; and his subsequent appointment to the Alarm frigate, by Rear- Admiral Thompson, appears to have been rendered nugatory * This was Captaia Cooke's second appoinCment to a death vacancy ; the first was to the Thisbe, the commander of which £hip, we believe, had been appointed to the Blanche, as successor to the gallant Faulkner, whose glorious exit we have just recorded in our memoir of Rear-Admiral Wat- kins, see p. 10 ; but in consequence of his being absent on distant ser- vice. Captain Cooke had no opportunity of joining her. tBSBBU II --,n ili t i i1 20 SCPERANNAUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. by the arrival of a new commander-in-chief, the late Sir John Laforey, by whom he was ordered to follow the Quebec to England, where he arrived in the Montagu 74, on the 5th Oct. 1795. Soon after his arrival, Captain Cooke was gratified by the receipt of an address from the Council and Assembly of Tor- tola, &c. to the following effect : " Tortola, August 15, 1795. " Sir. — We, the Council and Assembly of his Majesty's Virjfin Islands, taking into consideration your unremitted exertions when upon this sta- tion, for the safety and protection of this colony, beg leave to return you our wannest thanks. During the time H. M. S. Inspector, at that time under your command, was stationed here, we were exposed to the most imminent danger from the hostile disposition of our enemies assembled at St. Thomas's, who were so daring as publicly to proclaim their intention of makhig a descent upon these islands. In this critical posture of our affairs, we had no other hopes of safety but in the exertions of the militia of the country, aided by efforts such as were in your power to make in our behalf; and we reflect. Sir, with gratitude, that we were not disap- pointed in our expectations of your zeal for his Majesty's service, and for the preservation of this colony. By your active co-operation with us, in such measures as were deemed most essential for our defence — we saw with satisfaction that our enemies were obliged to abandon their intended enterpnse. We should sooner have expressed our sentiments of your conduct, had not your unexpected removal from H. M. S. the Alarm, and your sudden departure for England, deprived us of the opportunity of doing so. We hope the services you have rendered this coloiiy will re- commend you to the notice of our most gracious Sovereign, and that he will not suffer your merits to pass unrewarded ; and we sincerely flatter ourselves, whilst we regret your departure from amongst us, that wher- ever his Majesty's service may require your presence, you may enjoy every degree of happiness which life can afford. " We remain most respectfully, Sir, " Your obeuicnt, humble Servants, (Signed) " W. Tuhn bull, President. " To Captain Cooke, lute Commander of " //. Af. ships. Inspector and Alarm." Captain Cooke, on his arrival in England, lost no time in paying his respects to the Board of Admiralty ; and was greatly chagrined to find that their Lordships would not con- firm his post commission from the original date, that of the brave Faulknor's death, on the score that Rear- Admiral Caldwell wad not hotia Jide Commander-in-Chief. By this decision, he lost upwards of eight months rank, during which •i 4 m mPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 21 time in ,nd was i ot con- of the 1 idniirul 1 By this 1 r which ,1 period no less than forty- three officers, who would otherwise have heen his juniors, took precedence of him. He how- ever claimed and obtained the command of the Quebec^ wliich ship he joined on her return from a cruise, Jan. 1, 1796*. After capturing a French national cutter, Captain Cooke was again ordered to the West Indies ; where by his conduct in a rencontre with two frigates of far superior force, he ob- tained the commendations of his Commodore, the late Sir John T. Duckworth. Whilst on the Jamaica station he appears, by the following letter, to have destroyed a formidable privateer ; the particulars of which transaction we have not been able to ascertain : " Cormorant, Mole St. Nicholas, Uith Aug. 179G. " Sir, — I am favored with your account of the destruction of the pri- vateer Regulus, on which I congratulate you, as she has been of great an- noyance to the trade ; but I could have wished that among the 16 Sans Culottes who fell by your well-directed fire, that Pierre danger, her commander, who is an infamous scoundrel, had been of the party. &c. he. &c. (Signed) " J. T. Duckworth. " Captam Cooke, H. M. S. Quebec" During Captain Cooke's continuance on the Jamaica sta- tion, he captured I'Africaine, a French corvette of 18 guns ; and destroyed a vast number of .irmed vessels and piratical boats, off the island of St. Domingo ; — and so highly were those services appreciated by the inhabitants of St. Marc's, that they presented the following address to the Commander- in-Chief, interceding for his continuance there :— " The inhabitants of the town of St. Marc's, anxious to testify to Cap- tain Cooke, commander of his Majesty's frigate Quebec, the great rpgrei they feci at his quitting the station, — de^iiring at the same time to express their gratitude to the Commodore, Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's naval forces, seize with eagerness this opportunity to assure the (commo- dore, the cruises which Captain Cooke has made since he has been in our vicinity, have always been attended with the most happy success. The number of row-boats and other vessels which he has destroyed, witness his great activity in cruising, and evince the services which he has rendered our town. Anxious in the very fullest manner to express their juat «cnti- luents to Captain Cooke, the inhabitants of this town supplicate the Com- • Captain Cooke's post commissitm was dated Sept. S, \7^^t ; hii ap- ipointment to the Thisbe, Jan. 6, 1 7!>5. I ih (' i » I : ^ SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. modore that he will be pleased to continue him on the station. They mil not cease to pray for the continuation of success to his Majesty's arms." Signed by Januarius Duquesne, various other officers of the garrison, and all the principal in- habitants of the town of St. Marc's. " To J. T. Duckworth, Esq., Commodore, ^c. ^c. Sfc" Our limits do not admit of the introduction of other docu- ments, relative to the zeal invariably displayed by Captain Cooke in the furtherance of the public service. Such being the case, we must conclude this memoir by observing, that the subject thereof returned to England in Oct. 1797> since which period he has not been employed afloat. On the renewal of the war, in 1803, Captain Cooke was appointed to the command of the Sea Fencibles between CaJ- shot Castle and St. Alban's Head. In May, 1804, he as- sumed the command of all the lighters, launches, &c. armed, in and about the Medway, for the purpose of encountering the formidable flotilla, of which even those who called them- selves Britons, at that time stood so much in dread. His last public service was that of superintending the equipment of the gun-boats destined to accompany the Walcheren ex- pedition *. The Sea Fencibles being disbanded early in 1810, our oflicer at that period, like many others, both then and now, wishing for active service, came on half-pay. Captain Cooke, in consequence of the regulation, proscrib- ing officers who had not commanded ships of the line since the peace of Amiens from becoming Flag-Officers, was su- perannuated with the rank of Rear- Admiral, June 20, 1814. Mrs. Cooke died at Portchester, Feb. 26, 1822, aged 69 years. Residetice. — Tiverton, Devon. JOHN DAWSON, Esq. This officer was made a Post-Captain, April 3, 1796 j and^ towards the conclusion of the revolutionary war, com- manded the Diadem, troop-ship, from which he removed into the Asia of 64 guns, on the Baltic station. He was super- annuated June 28, 1814. It is said of a gentleman of the same name, who commanded the Phaeton frigate, in 1787) • Sec vol. 1, p. 290. SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 9B His and was afterwards dismissed his Majesty's service, that when presiding at a court-martial, lie desired the prisoner, who had been sentenced to be hanged, " to prepare himself for death, without delay, — and to thank God it was no ivorse with him." This may probably account for the well-known expression among sailors, — " death, or worse punishment .'^ Reddence. — Carrickfergus, Ireland. SHULDEIAM PEARD, Esq. This officer, a son of the late Captain George Peard, R. N., was born at Penryn, co. Cornwall, in 1761 ; entered the na- val service in 1773 > was at Newfoundland when the war commenced between Great Britain and her American colo- nies ; and in 1779 had the misfortune to be taken prisoner in a Spanish vessel, of which he had charge, captured by the Thetis frigate. Being carried into Cadiz, he was from thence transferred with his crew to Cordova, where he re- mained until exchanged. In the following year he was pro- moted to the rank of Lieutenant. His post-commission bears date Nov. 30, 1795 j about which time we find him commanding the Britannia, a first-rate, bearing the flag of the late Lord Hotham, on the Mediterranean station. From that ship he removed into the St. George, of 98 guns. Early in July, 1797, a most daring mutiny broke out on board the St. George, which was happily (pielled by the spirit and activity of her Commander and his first Lieutenant, aided by a detachment of the 25th regiment, then serving as marines, under the command of Captain (now Major-Ge- neral) Samuel Venables Hinde. The meritorious conduct of Captain Peard on this occasion sets a noble example to the officers of the British navy. ITie circumstance was as follows : — Three men, who had been sentenced to sufivr death for mutinous behaviour in another ahip, were sent on board the St. George to be executed. The crew, on the arrival of the prisoners, drew up a remonstrance in their favor, and begged of Captain Peard to intercede in their behalf with the Commander-in-Chief. The Captain replied that their prayer should be laid before the Earl of St. Vincent ; and In pursuance of his promise, he lost no time in sub- mitting the remonstrance to his Lordship. The Admiral's 24 SUPJSRANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. . 1 i!i 1 answer was, that he considered the sentence of the mutineers as founded upon solid justice and imperious necessity ; and consequently he could not think of retracting the sanction which he had given to the judgment of the court-martial, by whom they had been convicted. Upon this determina- tion being made known to the crew of the St George, the strongest symptoms of disaffection were manifested by them. Their conduct was not unobserved by Captain Peard, who took the precaution to watch their proceedings with the utmost strictness: one of the seamen, who was well ac- quainted with their designs, informed him that they had entered into a resolution of seizing the ship, deposing the officers, and liberating the condemned culprits. The even- ing previous to the day appointed for carrying into effect the sentence of the court-martial, was the time fixed upon to put their plan into force. Captain Peard seeing the crew assemble on the main-deck, immediately approached, and addressed them to the foLowing Cit'ect : — " 1 am perfectly aware of your intentions, and shall oppose them at the risk of my life. You have determined to resist the authority of your officers ; I am resolved to do my duty, and to en- force strict obedience to my orders. I am sensible that the greater part of you are the victims of delusion : I know the ringleaders, and do not hesitate to declare my intentions of bringing them to justice. I command you to disperse, and to return to your duty." Finding this address did not produce the desired effect. Captain Peard, accompanied by Lieutenant Hatley, rushed in among the crowd, resolutely seized two of the people, whom he knew to be the promoters of the conspiracy, dragged them out by main force, and put them in irons, without experiencing any opposition from the remainder of the crew. The resolution and determined courage dis- played by Captain Peard on this occasion, had such an effect upon them, that order was immediately restored, and they returned peaceably to their duty. The next morning the three mutineers were hanged at the yard-arm; and a few days after, the two ring-leaders of the St. George were tried by a court-martial, condenineii to suffer death, and executed accordingly. ,* Ai SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIKALS. 25 itineers ;y ; and janction martial, ermina- rge, the y them, rd, who dth the yell ac- ley had sing the le even- to effect :ed upon ;he crew ed, and perfectly the risk lUthority I to en- lat the '. know entions lisperse, effect, rushed people, spiracy, irons, nainder ge dis' uch an ed, and omhig ; and a e were and The following memorandum was given out by Earl St. Vincent, the night before the execution of the latter offend- ers : — " General Order. — Every ship in the fleet is to send two boats, with an officer in each, and two marines or soldiers properly armed in each boat, on board his Majesty's ship the St. George, at half past seven to-morrow morning, to attend a punishment. Tiie sentence is to be carried into execution by the crew of the St. George alone ; and no part of the boats' crews of other ships, as is usual on similar occasions, are to assist in this painful service ; in order to mark the high sense the Commander-in-Chief entertains of the loyalty, fidelity, and subordination of the rest of the fleet, which he will not fail to make known to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and request their liordships to lay it before the King. This memorandum is to be read to the ships' companies." The St. George was afterwards attached to the Channel fleet; and Captain Peard continued to command her until the month of February, 1799> when he was appointed to the Success frigate, and again ordered to the Mediterranean. On his passage thither, he fell in with a fleet of French ships, consisting of upwards of thirty sail, nineteen of which he judged to be of the line. The Success was at one time within four miles of two of their line-of-battle ships, which chased her from noon until 4'' 30' P. M., at which time they discontinued the pursuit. On the 9th June following, Captaui Peard discovered a Spanish polacre, which sought refuge in the harbour of la Seva, a small port about two leagues from Cape Creux. As there did not appear any batteries to protect her, and the weather l)eing favorable, he was induced to send his boats in to bring her out, under the directions of Lieutenants Facey and Stupart. They left the ship at four in the afternoon, and at eight were seen coming out with the polacre, which had made a gallant resistance. She proved to be the Bella Aurora, from Genoa bound to Barcelona, laden with silk, cotton, rice, &c., mounting 10 carriage guns, 9 and 6-pound- ers, with 1 13 men. She was surrounded by a high boarding netting, and supported at the same time by a small battery, and a heavy fire of musketry from the shore j in spite of which our brave countrymen, forty-two only in number, most resolutely boarded and carried her, but not without novae loss, tliree of them being killed. Lieutenant (now Cap- ii: 'i \' 26 SUPBRANNUATBD REAR«ADMIRALS. tain) Stupart, and 9 others^ badly wounded. It 18 fiaicr that a marine, who had his right arm broke by a grape shut, was asked by Lieutenant Facey, " If his arm was not disabled ?" to which he nobly replied, " Yes, it was ; but thank God, though he could not pull a trigger with his right, he could wield a cutlass with his left hand;" and in this situation was very active in assisting to board and capture the enemy. The Success was subsequently employed in the blockade of Malta ; and on the 10th Feb. 1800, [when the squadron under the orders of Lord Nelson intercepted ie Genereux of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Perree, Com- mander-in-Chief of the French naval force in the Mediter- ranean, Captain Peard displayed great judgment and gal- lantry in laying his frigate across the enemy's hawse, in which position he raked him with several broadsides. The Success on this occasion had 1 man killed and 9 wounded. Le Genereux was from Toulon, and had on board a number of troops bound for the relief of Malta. A large armed transport, with stores, provisions, &c., was taken at the name time. On the 9th Feb. 1801, whilst lying in Gibraltar Bay, Cap- tain Peard saw seven ships of the line and two frigates pass to the eastward under a press of sail ; and having no doubt but they were French, and their destination Egypt, he immediately determined to put to sea, endeavour to pass them, call off Minorca, and then proceed to Lord Keith with the intelligence. The next morning he came up with them off Cape de Gatte, and passed them in the night. The two following days they were in sight, but very distant,-*^ the wind variable and light. During the night of the 12th, the wind blew fresh from the South, and as Captain Peard carried every sail the ship would bear, he imagined his dis- tance would have been greatly increased by the morning; but bad the mortification to find the enemy at day-light close upon his larboard quarter. They immediately gave chase ; and as our 'y-mc^i- saw it was scarcely possible to escftpe* he determined to run them back to the westward, M it would materially retard, or might bring them in sight of any British ships that should be in pursuit of them. At i8 6ai(r' ipe shut, was not vas ; but with his 1(1;" and oard and blockade squadron renereux ;e, Com- Mediter- and gal- iwse, in 3S. The i^ounded. number i armed 1 at the ly, Cap- tes pa88 o doubt ypt, he to pass d Keith up with t. The stant,-^ le 12th, n Peard his dis- orning ; ay-light y gave lible to stward, n sight m. At SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRAUS. 27 noon the wind fell, which, with a head sea, gave the enemy every advantage. At three o'clock they were within musket- shot, and two ships of the line, one on the beam, the other on the quarter, began to fire ; when being convinced that nothing more could be done. Captain Peard reluctantly or- dered the colours to be hauled down. The French squadron was commanded by Rear-Admiral Gantheaume, and had sailed from Brest on the 23d of the preceding month. Six days after the capture of the Success, they anchored at Toulon, from whence Captain Peard, with his officers, were sent in a cartel to Port Mahon, where they arrived on the 26th February. Soon after his return to England, the subject of this me- moir was appointed to the Audacious of 74 guns j and on the 16th June, in the same year, he sailed with the squadron under Sir James Saumarez, sent to blockade Cadiz. In the action with the French squadron off Algesiras, on the 6th of the following month *, the Audacious had 8 men killed and 32 wounded. She returned to Spithead in Oc^. toberj and from that time until the spring of 1802, formed part of the Channel fleet. At the latter period she was or- dered to the West Indies, where she continued until the en- suing autumn. On the renewal of hostilities against France, in 1803, Cap- tain Peard was appointed to the command of the Sea Fenci- bles from the Ram Head to the Dodmaii. He was super- annuated, with the rank of Rear-Admiral, July 5, 1814. Residence. — Exeter. JOHN BAZELY, Esq. This officer is the son of the late Admiral Jolui Bazely, who commanded the Alfred of 7 A guns, in the battle of June 1, 1794, in the glories of which memorable day the subject of this sketch also participated, he being at that time third Lieutenant of the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of the late Lord Bridport, under whom he likewise served as Captain of the Prince of Wales, a 98-gun ship, carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Harvey, in the action off L'Orient, June * See Vol. I, p. 187. ■; I .;• I. %\ I if li! I ll is SUPERANNUATED REAK-AOMIRALS, 23, 1795* ; soon after which event he was appointed to th(3 Hind of 28 guns, stationed in the Channel. Towards the latter end of 1797 he joined the Overyssel of 64 guns, as Flag-Captain to Admiral Peyton ; and in that ship he assisted at the capture of theDutch fleet in the Texel, in the month of August 1799 f. Captain Bazely continued in the Overyssel until the peace of Amiens. He subsequently commanded the Sea Fencibles from the mouth of the Humber to the river Ouze. His post commission bears date November 11, 1794; and his super- annuation took place July 9, 1814. Jiesidence. — Dover. ALEXANDER WILSON, Esq. This officer's good conduct when coxswain to the late Lord Bridport, raised him to favor and promotion. He was a Lieu- tenant in that nobleman's flag-ship on the glorious Ist June, 1794, and in the action off I'Orient :|: ; after which he was en- trusted with the charge of the Alexander 74, recaptured from the enemy on that occasion. His post commission is dated September 2, 1795. He subsequently commanded the Flora frigate, and Trusty, a 50 gun ship, armed en flute j served in the expedition against the French in Egypt ; and is one of those gentlemen who were presented with the Turkish gold medal. He was superannuated July 18, 1814. Residence. — Wexford, Ireland. SIMON MILLER, Esq. This officer commanded the Experiment, a 44 gun ship armed en Jlutey at the reduction of Martinique, Guadaloupe, &c. in 1794, and was posted by Sir John Jervis into the Van- guard 74, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Charles Thompson, in which ship he convoyed home a fleet of merchantmen in 1797. His post commission bears date Nov. 4, 1794. During his continuance in the West Indies he was attacked three times by the yellow fever. He was superannuated August 16, 1814. Mrs. Miller died Dec. 31, 1823, aged 67. Residence. — ^Twyford, near Winchester. • See Vol. I. pp. 76 and 246. f See Vol. I. note at p. 414, et seq. X See Vol. 1. pp. 76 and 246. •i SUPBKANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 29 ted to tho irards the guns, as e assisted he month the peace Fenciblea His post ds super- » late Lord ms a Lieu- i IstJune, he was en- tured from on is dated i the Flora served in is one of irkish gold 1 gun ship uadaloupe, 0 the Van- hompson, lantmen in During ked three August 16, 14, et seq. ■A 'Wffg RICHARD DACRES, Esq. This officer, whose ancestors appear to have settled at Lea- therhead, in Surrey, about the close of the sixteenth century, is the fifth son of the late Richard Dacres, Esq. Secretary to the garrison of Gibraltar, by Mary, daughter of William Bateman, Esq. of Bury St. Edmund's, in the county of Suffolk, and a brother of the late Vice- Admiral Dacres. He was bom in Sept. 1761, entered the naval service in 1775, and served as a Midshipman on board the Renown of 50 guns, at the evacuation of Boston*, and the reduction of New York, Rhode Island f, and on various other services. Mr. Dacres remained in the Renown until 1778, when he returned to England and joined the Apollo frigate, commanded by Captain Philemon Pownall. He was consequently in the action between that ship and I'Oiseau French frigate, Jan. 31, 1779, which terminated in the capture of the enemy. On this occasion the Apollo had 6 men killed and 22, including her Commander and his two Lieutenants, wounded. The enemy's loss was never ascertained. Our officer was afterwards removed into the Victory, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir Charles Hardy, Commander-in- Chief of the Channel fleet ; by whom he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to the Amazon frigate, com- manded by the Hon. W. C. Finch, with whom he proceeded to the West Indies in the spring of 1780. During the memorable hurricane which visited the West India islands on the 10th and 11th Oct. in that year |, the Amazon had a narrow escape from destruction. The parti- culars of her situation are thus related in Captain Finch's official letter on that subject :— " The morning of the commencement of the gale, the Amazon stood un- der her storm stay-sails ; it was but for a short time the canvas held : after that the ship behaved perfectly well. About seven at night the gale in- creased to a degree that can be better conceived from the consequences, than any description I can give. There was an evident necessity of doing something to relieve the ship ; but I was unwilling to cut away the lower masts till the last extremity, and accordingly ordered the people to cut away the main-top-mast : my orders were attempted to be put into execu- tion with the utmost alacrity ; but before it could be accomplished, I * See Vol. I, p. 39 ». f See Retired Captain Sir Andrew S. Hamund. J See Vol. I, p. 106. III ! 1 ! I > : 1 i '^' 1 '^ 1 1 i I 30 8UPBRANNUATRD REAR-ADMIRALS. found it necessary to call them down to cut away the menn-mast. Whilst I was waiting for the men to come down, a sudden gust overset the ship ; roost of the officers, witli myself, and a number of the ship's company, got upon the side of the ship ; the wheel on the quarter-deck was then under water. In this situation I could perceive the ship settling bodily some feet, until the water washed up to the after part of the slides of the carronades on the weather side. Notwithstanding the ship was so far gone, upon the masts, bowsprit, &c. going awuy, she righted as far as to bring the lee gun- wale even with the water's edge. By the exertion of all the officers and men, we soon got the lee quarter-deck guns and carronades overboard, and soon after one of the forecastle guns and slieet anchor cut away ; which had 80 good an effect, that we were enabled to get at the pumps and lee guns on the main-deck : the throwing them overboard was, in our situa- tion, a work of great difficulty ; and I could perceive the ship was already going down by the stem. Tliis arduous task was accomplished under the diretttion of Lieutenant Edward Pakenhain, whose great experience and determined perseverance, marked him out as perhaps the only individutd to whom (amidst such great exertions) a pre-eniiuence could be given. The water was above the cable on the orlop-deck, with a vast quantity be- tween decks ; and the s ,ump of the main-mast falling out of the step, oc- f^sioned one of the chain pumps to be rendered useless, as was the other soon after : by the great activity of the two carpenter's mates, they were alternately cleared. Besides the loss of our masts, the ship has suffered considerable damages, the books and papers totally destroyed, and 20 sea- men drowned and wounded." From the Amazon, Mr. Dacres was removed, as first Lieu- tenant, *Tito the Alcide of 74 guns, Captain C. Thompson ; in vhicli ship he wae present in Admiral Graves' action off the Chesapeake, Sept. 5th, 1781 * ; and in the different skir- Biiahes with Count de Grasse's squadron, aft St. Christopher's, in the beginning of the year 1782 f. He also participated in Rodney's glorious victory over the French fleet, on the 12th April succeeding X- The present just rule, of promoting first Lieutenants on such occasions, was not then established ; and Mr. Dacres re- mained in the Alcide till 1783, when he was appointed junior Lieutenant of the Bombay Castle 74, stationed at Ports- mouth, where he continued about two years, and then accom- panied Commodore Sawyer to Halifax, in the Leander 50, from which ship he was paid off in 1788. In the Spanish armament of 17^0, Lieutenant Dacres was appointed, first, to the Dictator 64, amd aftenn^ards to the * See Vol. L p. 133. f See retired Captain J. N. Inglbfielu. X See Vol. I., note at p. 35, et sc/. 8L< HANf ITATEl) REAR-ADMIRALS. V ast. Whilst set the ship ; ompany, got A then uader ily some feet, le carronades ne, upon the 5 the lee guu- j officers and es overboard, away ; which imps and lee in our situa- p was already l»ed under the cperience and inly individual lid be given. it quantity be- f the step, oc- was the other tee, they were phas suffered d, and 20 >ea- ; first Lieu- rhompson ; ' action off flferent skir- iristopher's, •ticipated in )n the 12th utenants on . Dacres re- inted junior I at Ports- then accom- jeander 50, Dacres was ards to the 4GLBFIBLU. Windsor Castle ol >8 gtinn, .aring the flag of Hrm \ ikral Sawyer. The difference with Spain, it Avill 1 •coUer I, wiit nii- cably settled ; and from that p«'rio(1 i the ' .iimenceinLMit of hostilities against the French rt iblic, \n\ Dacres re- mained unemployed. He was then appointed to command the Union armed brig ; froui which vessel he removed as first Lieutenant into the Hannibal of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir John Colpoys. In 1794, the Hannibal being put out of commission, he was appointed first Lieutenant of the Diamond frii^ate, com- manded by his old messmate and steady friend Sir W. Sidney Smith. With that officer he appears to have remained but a short time ; as in the month of October following, we find him serving with his former Commander, Rear-Admiral Col- poys, in the London of 98 guns. At length, in the month of March, 1795, after serving fifteen years as a Lieutenant, Mr. Dacres was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Childers sloop ; and on the 31st Oct. following, he was further advanced by being made a Post-Captain, in the Camilla of 20 guns, on the North Sea station. During the time he commanded the former vessel, he captured the Vigilante, a national cutter, mounting 6 giins. In the spring of 1797j Captain Dacres was removed into the Astrea frigate, and soon after performed a most essential service by effecting his escape from the Nore during the height of the general mutiny, and convoying a valuable fleet in safety to the Baltic. Whilst in that ship he also captured several French and Dutch privateers. The Astrea being paid off in 1799, our officer remained without any other ap- pointment until early" in 1801, whcfn he obtained the com- mand of the Juste of 80 guns, and accompanied Sir Robert Calder to the West Indies, in pursuit of a French squadron that had escaped from Brest. On his return to England, our officer was appointed to the De Ruyter of 68 guns, stationed as a guardship at Spithead ; in which he remained till the cessation of hostilities. He then joined the Desiree, and went to Jamaica with the squa- dron under the late Sir George Campbell, but quitted her there in consequence of ill health. !l ■■!|i i!' ! t I 111 82 SUPKRANNUATBD It EAR- ADMIRALS. On the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain Dacres was appointed to the Sea Fencible service at Dartmouth j antl in 1805, when his friend Sir W. Sidney Smith hoisted his flag in the Pompee, he proceeded with him, as his Captain, to the Mediterranean, where he was engaged in a great variety of services, particularly on the coast of Calabria, and at the forcing of the passage of the Dardanelles, and destruction of a Turkish squadron off Point Pesquies*. The Pompee, as already mentioned in our memoir of Sir W. Sidney Smith, returned to England from Alexandria in June 1807, and soon after received the flag of Vice-Admiral Stanhope, whom Captain Dacres accompanied to Copenhagen, where he displayed very great activity, zeal, and presence of mind, in his exertions to subdue an alarming fire which un- fortunately broke out in the dock-yard, on the night of Sept. 22, for which he received a very deserved tribute of praise from Sir Samuel Hood, under whose orders he was at that time superintending the equipment of the Danish fleet, and was presented by Admiral Gambler and Lord Cathcart, the naval and military Commanders-in-Chief, with a handsome piece of plate, as a token of their approbation. On the 2d Feb. 1808, Captain Dacres was appointed Go- vernor of the Royal Naval Asylum, where he continued until August 1816, highly respected by every individual connected with, or participating in the benefits of that admirable insti- tution f. He was superannuated with the rank of Rear Ad- miral, March 29, 1817. Our officer married, in 1788, Miss Martha Phillips Milligan, by whom he has several children, one of whom is the lady of Captain W. F. Carrol, R. N. C. B. and another has recently been united to Captain H. S. Olivier, of the 32d regiment. Residence. — Bathford, co. Somerset^ * See Vol. I. pp. 316, eteq. 799, et seq. and 809. f The Royal Naval Asylum was first instituted by two philanthropic chiefs of the Hebrew nation, (Messrs. Benjamin and Abraham Goldsmid) aided by the public and professional skill of the gallant Sir W, Sidney Smith. The object of the institution is the education of children, whose fa- thers are, or have been, engaged in the naval service of their country. The number of pupils was originally intended to be 1000 ; but at present it is. we believe, restricted to a smaller number. I a SUPBRANNUATEn REAR-ADMIRALS. 33 icres was ; and in i his flag in, to the jrariety of id at the iction of a loir of Sir landria in e-Admiral penhagen, iresence of which un- tit of Sept. B of praise 7as at that fleet, and theart, the handsome )inted Go- inued until connected rable insti- Rear Ad- s Milligan, the lady of IS recently iment. ihiianthropic m Goldsmid) ir VV. Sidney en, whose fa- ountry. The present it is. D'ARCY PRESTON, Esq. This officer served under Sir John Jervis at the reduction of Martinique and St. Lucia, in 1794 j and after the cap- ture of the latter island, was promoted from a Lieutenancy in the fioyne of 98 guns, to the command of the Rattlesnake sloop of war, in which vessel he returned to England with the officers who were charged with the official accounts of that conquest. He afterwards commanded the Termagant sloop ; and on the 13th June 1796, was posted into la Mignonne of 32 guns, from which ship he removed into the Blanche^ another frigate of the same class. On the night of Dec. 19, in the same year, the Blanche, in company with la Minerve, bearing the broad pendant of Com- modore Nelson, fell in with two Spanish fngates, one of which, the Sabina, was taken by the latter, but soon after re- captured *. Captain Preston engaged the other, and obliged her to surrender, with the loss of 22 men killed and wounded ; but before she could be taken possession of, a Spanish 3- decker and two other frigates approached, and compelled the Blanche to wear and make sail in the direction of her consort. Captain Preston subsequently commanded the Dido of 28 guns, Boston 32, and during the greater part of the late war, the Sea Fencibles between Flamborough Head and the river Tees. In Dec. 1813, he was appointed Commodore of a division of prison-ships ; and on the 24th Aug. 1819, obtained the su- perannuation of a Rear-Admiral. His eldest son is in holy orders ; another is a Lieutenant R. N. Residence. — Askam, near York. MAN DOBSON, Esq. This officer was made a Post-Captain June 28, 1796 j and from that period till the latter end of 1800, commanded the Queen of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker, on the Jamaica station. At the close of the late war he was em-> ployed to regulate the Impress service at Bristol. His su- perannuation took place Aug. 24, 1819. jRmrfewe*?.— -Oxendon, near Market Harbotough, Leices> tershire. '"■ »•■■■''•'••-•" ■ • ■ ■ •• • • ' • .. , • -^ •■■■■■■■ VOL, II. • See Vol. I. p. 620. I r , i I ^ I li I. 34 STTPBRANNUATKD U EAR-ADMIR AL9. TIIOMAiS PEAJ^SE, Esg. Posted Dec. 6, 1796; superannuated Aug. 24, 18195 resides at Bradninch, near Columpton, in Devonshire. JOSEPH BULLEN, Esq. This officer, the second son of the late Rev. John BuUen, Rector of Kennet, in Cambridgeshire, and of Rushmoor-cum- Newburn, co. Suffolk, entered the navy in 1774, under the patronage of the late Hon. Sir William Cornwallis, and served with that admirable officer during the greater part of the American war. He was with him in the Isis at the re- duction of Mud fort *, and in the Lion, in the action between Byron and d'Estaing f. On the glorious 12th April, 1782, when Rodney defeated de Grasse, we find Mr. BuUen serving as a Lieutenant on board the Prince George of 98 guns, commanded by the late Captain John Williams, and not by the present Admiral Freeman, as stated in our first volume |. The Prince on that occasion was next astern of the Princessa, which ship carried the flag of Rear- Admiral Drake, and led the fleet into action. Lieutenant BuUen subsequently served with the late Lord Nelson, in the Hinchinbrooke frigate, on the Mosquito shore ; where tlie mortality was so great, owing to the unhealthiness of the climate, that at the end of six weeks, only 27 officers and men were surviving, out of a complement of 235 §. * See Retired Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond. t See Retired Captain Robert Fanshawe. I We were led into the mistake alluded to, by Schomberg, whose errors of thits description are innumerable. § Early in 1780, a project was formed by General Dallinf;;, Governor of Janiaioa, against the Spanish American colonies. This design was to take Fort St. Juan, on the river of that name, which flows from the LakeJsfica- rag,ua, iiU(^ the Atlantic ; make himself master of the lake itself, and of the cities q( Grenada and Leon ; and thuu cut off the communication of the Spaniards between their northern and southern possessions in America. Here it is that a canal between the two seas may most easily be formed ; — a work more important in its consequences than any which has ever yet been otfectod by human power. The Secretary of State for the American department approved the plan: and as discontent! at that time were known t() prevail in the Neuvo Reyno, in Pop»yan, and in Peru, the more sanguine part of the English nation began to dream of acquiring an empire in one part of America, more extensive than that which they were on the point of losing in another. General Dalling's plant vvcic well-formed \ Lut ■^: J^ SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 35 4, 1819 5 re. in Bullen, loor-cum- untler the 'allis, and ter part of at the re- n between y defeated [tenant on )y the late t Admiral ice on that hip carried nto action, late Lord lito shore ; lealthiness 27 officers 35 §. D. whose errors Governor of was to take J Lake-Nica- f, and of the ;ation of the in America, c formed ; — has ever yet jc American ,t time were ru, the more ij( BU empire were on the formed in the Mosquito shore craft, and in the Hinchin- brooke's boats, and they began their voyage. Indians were sent forward through narrow channels between shoals and sand-banks, and the English were frequently obliged to quit the boats, and exert their utmost strength to drag or thrust them along. This labour continued for several days, when they came into deeper water ; they had then currents and rapids to contend withi which would hare been insurmountable, but for the skill of the Indians in such difficulties. The brunt of the labour was borne by them, and by the British sailors — men never a' jsiomed to stand aloof when any exertion of streng*^ or hardihood is required. The soldiers, less accustomed to rely upon themselves, were of little use. But all equally endured the violent heat of the sun, rendered more intense by l)eing reflected from the white shoals, while the high woods, on both sides of the river, were frc({uently so close as to prevent all refreshing circulation of air ; and during the night all were ed at- tempts to land were repulsed. On the third day, however, they succeeded, under cover of a tremendous fire, '^hich obliged the picquets to retire into the fort, the attack and defence of which was carried on with great spirit until the night of Aug. Idth, when on a sudden the American fire ceased. At day-light, on the following morning, to the astonishment of the garri- son, it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned their works, and re- embarked their troops and artillery. This mystery was soon cleared Up by the appearance of Commodore Sir George Collier, in the l^aisonalilo ^4, with three frigates, two 'JO-gun ships, and a sloop of war, entering the river, having sailed from Sandy Hook to their relief. The American C'om- modore at first drew up his 8<|ua(lron. and made a shew of resistance ; but on the approach of the British frigates, his resolution soon faibvl.aiid a most ignominious flight took place, which terminated in the capture and destruction of the whole rebel force, consisting of one frigate, three ship* of 24 guns each, one of 22, twelve ships, brigs, &c., muiuiting ■•> the whole 194 guns, and twenty-one sail of Iriuupwts, besldel two brigs of war prctiously taken by the xjuadion. I I '1 i 1 i . i' i k] 1 1 ■ 1 ' 1! ' iji • 1 1 i 1 i 1 ! ! 1 i, ■ ■ 1 1 \ I ill ' 1 1 1 i !i 1: ill } ( ' 'fi 40 SUPERANNUATED RKAR.ADMIRALd. command of the Drake, in which vessel he was aftcrwardH sent to the Jamaica station. His promotion to the rank of Post-Captain took place July 21, 1796. During the ensuing three years we find our officer command- ing the Jamaica, a 20-gim ship, and a squadron consisting of two sloops of war and two or three schooners, besides several armed vessels belonging to the government of Jamaica, placed under his orders for the protection of the coasts of that island, and the collection of the periodical fleets previous to their departure for England. Whilst thus employed, he ac- quitted himself so much to the satisfaction of the House of Assembly, that that body, as will appear by the following document, voted him a sword value 100 guineas, which, on his return to England as convoy to the homeward bound trade at the latter end of 1709, was presented to him by their agent in London. " House of Assembly, Nov. 14, 179I>. " Resolved, that tliis House entertain i^ high sense of the scr. Tices derived to this island from the zeal and activity of Samuel Brooking, Esq. Captain of his Mt^esty's ship Jamaica, during the period of three years, when the protection of the coasting trade and navigation was under his directions ; and that the Receiver-General do pay to his agent the sum of one hundred guineas for the purchase of a sword, as a testimony of the favorable opinion this House entertun of has meritorious conduct. " By order of the House, (Signed) " James Lewis, Clerk to the Assembly." The gentlemen, merchants, planters, &c. of St. Ann's Bay, had previously expressed themselves in terms as follow : " St. Ann's Bay, Aprils, 1799. " Sir,— We the inhabitants of this place should be wanting in gratitude were we not to subscribe to your peculiar merits, and express the lively sense with which we are impressed of the benefits this port and its vicinity have participated with the island in general from your unexampled activity and vigilance for a series of years past. The temerity of such of our ene- mies as have attempted to approach our coast has been puitished by your activity, while the name of Brookina has struck terror in our neigh- l)ouriug enemies, and has awed them from attempting depredations on us. We trust that a conduct so manifestly essential to the interest and security of the island will be properly reported, and duly rewarded. We are, with unfeigned respect. Sir, your obedient and very humble servants." \HerefvHote twenty-seven lifi^natures.] ■■JSt M ,#< Hl/PHHANNWATED IIKAR-ADMIHALB. 41 afterwards le rank of command- msisting of de8 several f Jamaica, asts of that previous to ^cd, he ac- le House of c following which, on vard bound im by their 14, 1799. le of the 8cr. tuel Brooking, eriod of three ion was under a^ent the sum mony of the uct. Assembly.'* ■. Ann's Bay, oUow : i720, 1799. g in gratitude ress the lively mid its vicinity npled activity ch of our enc- ished by your in our neigh- dations on us. t and security We are, with its." f The services more particularly alluded to in the foregoing nddrcss, were the capture of a number of privateers, and the recapture of several valuable Jamaica ships. The following little affair we notice on account of its ludicrous nature : Captain Brooking having received iuforniation that some French privateers were in the habit of sending their pri/es to a river near Cape Cruz, on the Cuba shore, whither they also repaired to rendezvous and refit, he one night stretched over and took a station for conunencing operations in the morn- ing. At day-light, however, he unexpectedly found himself within gun-shot of a battery presenting rather a formidable appearance ; opposite which, as soon as enabhul by the sea- breeze, he took his position, placing a prize with a carronade in her to flank the enemy's work. The shallowness of the water prevented him approaching so near as he could have wished. Some time after he had opened his fire, he was surprised at seeing the Spaniards run down to the beach and pick up the shot which had fallen short ; and it subsequently turned out, that until they had thus supplied themselves, it was not in their power to return his fire. Observing from the mast-head that the privateers had run a considerable dis- tance up the river, and that a great number of people were collected in the fort, he did not consider it expedient to at- tempt a landing, or to throw away more ammunition ; there- fore, as soon as his crew had dined, took his departure for Jamaica. The climate of the West Indies proved so injurious to Captain Brooking's health, that he was at length compelled to quit it, and return to England, at the period we have above stated ; from which time we lose sight of him until Aug. 31, 1819, the date of his superannuation as a Rear-Admiral, Residence, — Plymouth, Devon. • (J /•j HENRY EVANS, Esq. This officer was, we believe, a protege of the late Sir Pe- ter Parker, Bart. Admiral of the Fleet. He commanded the Fury sloop of war, and captured I'Elize, a French schooner of 10 guns, in 1795 ; assisted at the reduction of St. Lucia, in m I ' ;. 5 U I m h ; ! I \i I >!.! iiii! 42 SUP£RANNUATSD REAR-ADMIRALS. May 1796 * ; and was present at the unsuccessful attack upon Porto Rico in the following year. His post commission hears date June 20, 1797- During part of the late war he com- manded the Cork district of Sea Fencibles. On the 9th March 1819, he was chosen M. P. for Wexford, which place he represented until the dissolution of parliament in the fol- lowing year. His superannuation as a Rear-Admiral took place July 26, 1821. Residence. — Wexford, Ireland. SIR WILLIAM OGILVY, Bart. (0/ [nnerquharity, Forfarshire, North Britain.) This officer's patent of Baronetcy is dated 1626; that of the Premier Baronet of Scotland, 1625. He entered the naval service in 1773j ^^^ was made a Lieutenant into the Boston ; on board of which frigate he was severely wounded whilst endeavouring to suppress a mutiny in 1782. He subse- quently joined the Polyphemus 64, and was in the partial ac- tion with the combined fleets oiF Cape Spartel, October 20, in the same year f, after which that ship was detached to the West Indies, under the orders of Rear- Admiral Sir R. Hughes. At the commencement of the French war in 1793, he was appointed first Lieutenant of the Robust 7*4 ; and from the time Toulon was taken possession of by the allied forces until its final evacuation, we find him acting as commander of that ship, her proper Captain (Elphinstone) holding an import- ant command on shore %. He was afterwards removed as first Lieutenant into the Glory, a second rate, forming part of the grand fleet under Earl Howe j and obtained the rank of Commander in consequence of that nobleman's victory over the republican fleet, on the 1st of June, 1794 §. In 1795, Captain Ogilvy commanded the Lark sloop of war j * See Vol. I. note f. at p. 134. f The British Fleet, under Lord Howe, after throwing supplies into Gibraltar, was pursued and attacked by the combined fleets of France and Spain. The firing continued from sun-set until 10 P. M. but the dis- tance between the hostile forces was so great that it produced little effect on either side. The next morning the enemy were seen standing to the N. W. Hie loss sustained hy the British fleet amounted to 68 killed, and 206 wounded. X See Vol. I. pp. 46, 60, and 294. § See Vol. I. note at p. 75, et scq. wm. fSSR' tack upon '« sion bears 'm ' he com- ■w i the 9th * tiich place 4 n the fol- J niral took *!s' SUPERANNUATMD RUAK-ADMIRALS. 43 6 J that of \ the naval le Boston ; ded whilst fie subse- partial ac- )ber 20, in led to the L. Hughes. )3, he was from the )rce8 until ler of that 11 import- ; moved as ng part of le rank of tory over )p of war J pplies into France and mt. the did- Httlc effect ding to the killf^d, and and after receiving on board some French royalists in the ri- ver Elbe, proceeded in company with the Venus and Leda frigates to join the expedition under Sir John B. Warren in Quiberon Bay, v^heire he arrived in tiitie to render a most essential service, for which he received the thanks of Earl Spencer, then at the h6ad of the Admiralty, and of the Com- modore. • ■ ,i. : ; ; : " t," ; 'In our first volume, at pp. 169 and 1/0, we have given an outline of the operations carried on by the British and emi- grant forced in the summer of 1795. Our i*eaders will remem- ber that, owlhg to thie misc6nducf and treachery of the latter. Fort Penthievre, which, from its situation on a hill, com- mands the peninsula of Quiberotl, was retaken by the enemy on the night of July 20th. At day-break on the following morning it was discovered that tht: republicans had advanced towards the S. E. point of the peninsula, and with sonie field pieces wer6 driving before them the scattered royalists, who threw aWay their arms, divested themselves of their clothes, and plunged from the rocks into the sea, swimming to the boats which were sent from the British fehips to receive them. Captain Ogilvy, on the fort being attacked, had slipped his cable, and ran so close in shore that the Lark had but one foot water more than she drew. He then opened and kept up a heavy and well-directed fire, whibh had the effect of turning the enemy's doliinln, killing the General tvho' commanded, together with many of his men, and thus afforded time for the boats, under the able directions of Captain (now Sir R. G.) Keats, to embark upwards of 2000 royalist inhabitants, and about UOO emigrant troops. ''-'"^-> rv*- , In March 1796, the Lark assisted at the unsuccessful attack made on the town and fort of Leogane, in the island of St. Domingo. From that vessel Captain Ogilvy was removed to the Thunderer 74, in which ship he chased and obliged the Harmony, a frigate of the largest class, recently received by the French government as a present from the United States of America, to seek refuge in Mustique harbour, where she was burnt by the enemy, to prevent her falling into his hands. He continued to be employed off St. Domingo until the final evacuation of that island; on which occasion, in conjunction with the present Rear- Admiral Cochet, he su- lii l!f 44 8UP£RANNUAT£D REAR-ADMIRALS. t i ^m perintended the embarkation of our troops and the French royalists ; which service was conducted with great order and regularity. His post commission bears date July 5, 1797* Captain Ogilvy's next appointment was to the Magicienne frigate ; and in her he appears to have made several valuable captures. In February 1801, when the French Admiral Gan- theaume put to sea from Brest, with seven sail of the line and two frigates, the Magicienne was attached to a squadron of equal force, under the orders of Sir Robert Calder, detach- ed from the Channel fleet in pursuit of them. The ships hav- ing been dispersed by a heavy gale of wind, during which tlie Montagu 74 was dismasted, the Telegraph schooner founder- ed, and the Magicienne had nearly shared the same fate, Captain Ogilvy, after tracing the enemy to the Mediterranean, followed the Rear- Admiral to Jamaica, with the information of their real destination. Sir William Ogilvy has not been employed since the peace of Amiens ; about which period he married the eldest daughter of the late James Morley, Esq. His superannuation as a Rear- Admiral took place December 6, 1 82 1 . n:j ,i> ^ ;: • ?; .3 1^ Residence. — Dundee, Scotland. -'^'..^f!^ * SIR ROBERT BARLOW, Knt. wu Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Baths Fellow of the Royal Society ; and late Commisaioner of Chatham Dock- Yard. This officer is the eldest son of the late William Barlow, of Bath, CO. Somerset, Esq. by Hilare, daughter of Robert Butcher, of Walthamstow, in Essex, Esq. and was born in London, December 25, 1757. His youngest surviving bro- ther, George H. Barlow, formerly Governor-General of India, was created a Baronet June 29, 1803. The family appear to have been settled originally at Fordbridge, in Staffordshire. We are not acquainted with the exact period at which Mr. Barlow entered the naval service ; but we knowtliat he served with credit under the late Earl Howe and Lord Mulgrave, during the whole of the American war. His promotion to the rank of Lieutenant took place in November, 1778 ; and he appears to h&ve assisted at the capture of la Minerve, a French frigate of 32 guns and 316 men, Jan. 4, 17S1> and to / J SUPERANNUATED RfiAR-ADMiRALS. 45 le French order and ►, 1797. [agicienne, d valuable ' niral Gan- ' jf the line, I squadron er, detach- ships hav- which Uie ir founder- Bame fate, iterranean, aformation X the peace 3t daughter latlon as a 'ifthe Bath; atham Dock- m Barlow, of Robert as born in iving bro- d of India, appear to DFdJshire. which Mr. he served Mulgrave, motion to 778; and linerve, a il, and to .^■ hav« accompanied the grand fleet to the relief of Gibraltar in 1782; on which latter occasion he was first Lieutenant of the Courageux74. '*fi«<'MV,.- '^^ From 1786 till 1789, Lieutenant Barlow commanded the Barracouta cutter, and cruised with very great success against the smugglers. In 1790, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and soon after appointed to the Childers brig of It) guns, with orders to resume his former station on the coast of Cornwall. As this appointment was given him by the Admiralty, without any solicitation on the part of himself or his friends, we may reasonably conclude, it was in conse- quence of the favorable impression made on their Lordships* minds by the long list of captures which he had transmitted to the Board, when superseded in the command of the Barracouta, at the expiration of the usual period of service. Whatever might have been their expectations as to his future exertions, it is certain they were not disappointed. Captain Barlow having captured several fine v essels laden with contraband goods, one of which was a new cutter of one hundred and fifty tons, with a cargo of one thousand ankers of spirits. On the 2d Jan. 1793, a few weeks previous to the declara- tion of war by the French National Convention against Great Britain, the Childers, whilst reconnoitring the port of Brest, was fired at by a battery, from which she was not more than three-quarters of a mile distant. Imagining the national cha- racter of his vessel was doubted, Captain Barlow immediately hoisted his colours, whereupon the republicans displayed the French ensign, with a red pendant over it j and the signal was immediately answered by the adjacent forts, which opened a heavy cross fire upon the little brig ; and she must inevitably have been destroyed, if a breeze springing up had not enabled her to stem the tide, by which she had been driven close to the entrance of the harbour. Fortunately, being so small an object, she was hit by only one shot, a 48- pounder, which struck one of her guns, and then split into three pieces, but providentially did not injure a man. This was the first act of decided hostility committed against Great Britain ; and on the 1.5th of the following month. Captain fiariow, being off Gravelines, captured le Patriote privateer, the first armed vessel taken from the French republic. Captain Barlow obtained post rank May 24, 1 793 ; com- i^ \ lilt !||t 46 80PERANNIIATKJ) KKAR-ADMrRALS. mandea\he Pegasus of 28 guus, one of the repeating frigates to Earl Howe's fleet, on the memorable 1st June, 1794*; and subsequently the Aquilon and Phoebe frigates, the latter mounting 44 guns, with a complement of 261 men. His appointment to the latter ship was in Dec. 1795 ; and on the 10th Jan. 1797* he captured I'Atalante, a French cor- vette of 16 guns t- On the 21st Dec. following, being on a cruise to the M'estward, he discovered and immediately pur- sued an enemy's frigate ; but the difference in point of sailing between the two ships being inconsiderable, the Phoebe sus- tained much damage in her masts, sails, and rigging, from the Frenchman's stern guns, before she could close with the dhase : and at the moment when Captain Barlow was about to commence the attack, his opponent hove in stays. The Phoebe being under a crowd of sail, the night extremely dark, and her commander not aware of the enemy's intention to practise this manoeuvre, a few minutes necessarily elapsed before he could get fairly alongside. The action commenced at ten P. M., and continued about three quaHers of an hour, when t^e French ship surrendered, and proved to be la Ne- reide of 36 guns and 330 men, 20 of whom were slain and 55 wounded. The Phoebe had 3 men killed and 10 wounded. ' Subsequent to this event. Captain Barlow captured THa- zard, of 10 guns and 60 men, laden with spices, ivory, ^d gum, from Senegal, valued at 10,000/. sterling j three French privateers, mounting in the whole 68 guns, and manned with 455 men ; and I'Heureux, a flush-decked ship of 22 brass 12-pounders and 220 men. The latter vessel, mistaking the Phcebe for an East Indiaman, bore down, and did not discover her error until within musket-shot, when she commenced a well-directed and spirited fire, by which 1 man was killed and 5 wounded on board the British frigate. The enemy, however, paid dear for his temerity, being soon obliged to strike, with the loss of 18 men slain and 25 wounded. • See Vol. I, p. 75» et seq. t L'Atalante had sailed from Brest iii company witii a powerful fleet, uuder the orders of M. de Galles, having on board 25,000 troops, com- manded by General Hoche, destui£d for the invasion of Ireland. The outset of this expedition was attended by several disasters, and the whole project was defeated by the dements. Many of the vessels composing tlie armament were cither captured or wrecked, and several foundered ; the remainder returned to France in a wretched condition. M AJ^ m 73 SUPKUANNUATEI) JIEAR-ADMIRALS. .31,. -''. ing frigttes ' e, 1794*; I, the latter I. 1795 ; and 'rench cor- being on a liately pur- it of sailing Phoebe sus- ;ging, from close with Jarlow was re in stays, it extremely r's intention irily elapsed commenced of an hour, 0 be la Ne- re slain and 0 wounded, ured rHa- ivory, and ree French lanned with f 22 brass itaking the lot discover Immenced a was killed he enemy, obliged to ed. >\verful fleet, troops, cora- j-eland. The liid the whole 18 coinposiug ll foundered; .m 47 This afltair occurred March 5, 18(H) ; and from" that period until Feb. 19th, in the following year, we find no particular mention of Captain Barlow. On the latter day, being near Gibraltar, he discovered an enemy's frigate close to Ceuta, steering under a press of sail to the eastward. At 7»» , .. 'Mi= • • Sic V(»l. I, uotf §, at p. 1 1(5. t Sec Vol. I, p. 663 •. 49 li Sea fleet, he summer ; an office ed the late liam Dock- 820*; and 1. 24, 1823. Elizabeth, ithampton, [lad Beveral 0 the Right in, George 1 a third to egiment of landed the and ob- \g year we the coast est Indies, w escaped. frigate he adcn with fter com- into the during the im ip the Commis. emoved to the latter rom which l,June 12, t daughter sent peer. 63 •. RETIRED CAPTAINS. ROBERT FANSHAWE, Esq. fjute Commistioner of Plymouth Dock Yard. This officer, a son of the late Captain Fanshawe, R. N., was born in America, about t\ i month of Jan, 1740 ; entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Salisbury of 50 guns, in 1753; and proceeded in that ship to the East Indies, in company with a small squadron commanded by the late Vice-Admiral Charles Watson, under whom he served at the reduction of Geriah, a strong fortress, the re- sidence of the piratical chief Angria ; the recapture of Cal- cutta ; and the taking of Chandemagor, the principal French settlement in the province of Bengal *. He also bore a part in the three general actions between Vice-Admiral Po- cock and the Count d'Ache, in 1758 and 1759 f. His * Vice-Admiral Watson fell a sacrifice to the unwholesomenesa of i'le East India climate, Aug. 15, 1757. The East India Company, as » tes- timony of their gratitude for the services he had rendered them, caused a beautiful monument to be erected to his memory, in Westminster Abbey ; and the King was pleased to create his son a Baronet. The operations of his squadron will be found fully detailed in the first volume of Schom- berg's Naval Chronology. t On the death of Vice-Admiral Watson, bis friend Pocock succeeded to the command of the squadron in India, and three times defeated a su- perior force under M. d'Ach^. When General Lally was brought pri- soner to England, after the reduction of Pondioherry, immediately on his arrival he begged to be introduced to Admiral (then Sir George) Pocock ; whom he no sooner saw, than he flew to embrace him, and thus addressed him : " Dear Sir George, as the first man in your profession, I cannot but esteem and respect you, though you have been the greatest enemy I ever had. But for you, I had triumphed in India, instead of being made a cap* tivc. When we first sailed out to give you battle, I had provided a num- ber of musicians on board the Zo one day previous to a grand promotion. Early in 1/69, Captain Fanshawe obtained the command of the Lively, a small frigate, in which he continued until the autumn of 1770. From that time he does not appear to have been again afloat till 1775 ; when, in consequence of the dispute which had then reached a most serious height between Great Britain and her trans-atlantic colonies, he was appointed to the Carysfort of 28 guns, and ordered to America, where he fully established his chara^'ter as a brave, skilful, and vigilant officer. The Carysfort formed part of the squad i mmanded by Commodore Hot ham at the reduction oi x^ew York, in Sept. 1776 * ; ii»d was afterwards employed in a variety of active service under Lord Howe. From that frigate Captain Fanshawe was removed into the Monmouth 64, which sliip greatly distinguished herself in the action between Byron and d'Estaing, off Grenada, July 6, 177^, and was most dreadfully cut up, in consequence of her bearing away to bring the van of the enemy to close action, and thereby prevent the capture of several British transports. Her loss on this occasion amounted to 25 men killed and 28 wounded f. * See p. 66. t On the 13th April, 1778, at which period the junction of France added •trenfi[th and confidence to our revolted cnlonien, the Count d'Estaing sailed from Toulon with ten ships of the line, one of 50 guns, five frigutus, and a corvette, destined for North America. Although the sailing of this urina- ment was made known to the British Government on the 27th of the same month, no measures were taken to intercept it until the 6th June ; when Vice-Admiral Byron, with twelve sail of the line and one frigate, was sent in pursuit of the enemy. In consequence of ii succession uf heavy gnles i S II the latter nshawe had returned to ths after his dated Aug. commanded dwell sloop n the Ame- is advance- y 26, 1768, s command inued until not appear sequence of •ious height olonies, he ordered to as a brave, mmanded w York, in variety of ite Captain which ship een Byron was most 5 away to d thereby rta. Her ed and 28 ""ranee added stain^ sailed ^'utus, and a )f this urina- of the same lune ; when Ip, was sent heavy gales RETIRED CAPTAINS. 51 Early in 1780, Captain Fanshawe removed into the Eg- mont of 7"^ guns; and in that ship he experienced a most of wind, the British ships were dispersed in their passage across the At- lantic, and it was the middle of September before they all met at Ne.v York; from whence the Vice-Admiral proceeded to cruise oflf Boston, where the French squadron had taken shelter. Soon after the British squadron reached Boston Bay, a tremendous storm arose, and so disabled the ships that they were obliged to put into Rhode Island to refit. The Count d'Cstaing seized this favorable moment to slip out of port and steer for the West Indies, whither he was followed by Vice-Admiral Byron towards the latter end of the year. During the winter, both fleets were reinforced. The Count, however, did not choose to risk an action, although frequently tempted to do so. At length the season arriving for the departure of the trade bound to Eng- land, Vice-Aduii;-al Byron was uuder the necestity of going to St. Chris- topher's to collect them, and of proceeding to windward of the islands, for their protection. On hit* return to St. Lucia, July 1st, he received intelli- gence that the island of St. Vincent had been taken by a small body of French, not exceeding 450 in number, headed by a naval Lieutenant ; also that the Count d'Estaing had availed himself of the absence of the British fleet, to attack Grenada. The Vice-Admiral immediately sailed to the relief of that island ; but before his arrival, the garrison, after making a very able and gallant defence, were obliged to surrender at discretion. At day-break on the morning of the 6th, two days after the capture of Grenada, Vice-Admiral Byron discovered the French fleet getting under sail from St. George's Bay, and stretching out to sea. The signal was immediately made for a general chase, and for the ships to engage as they cam* up with the enemy. At />' 30' A. M., Reftr-Admiral Barrington, in the Prince of Wales, supported by six other ships, commenced a partial action with almost the whole of the French line, whose advantage in point of sailing, enabled them to elude every effort of the British to bring on a general and decisive battle. In this unequal conflict, the Grafton, Corn- wall, Lion, and Monmouth, sustained the fire of the whole French fleet, consisting of one ship of 96 guns, and twenty-one two-deckers, as they passed theiri Du the opposite tack, and wcte very much disabled. The action ceased uliout uoon, but was renewed at 2^ P. AI., :ind a random fi;e kept up until the evening, when the hostile fleets had incrca-^ed their dii^tance about three uiileM. The Lion and MtHunouih sustaiucd so nmcli daiiiuge that they were little better tliiui wricks, and narrovvly t>acape(l being cMit oft by the enemy. The former bon.' awuy for Jamaica, and the latter pro- ceeded to Antigua to refit. The loss sustained by the British fleet, which couhlbtt;d of one yB-gun ship and sixteen two-deckers, was 183 killed and 346 wounded -, among the Utter was the gallant Barrington. The slaughter on board the French shipi, owing to the vast number of troops embarked, was prodigious ; the lowest estimate itatei it at 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded. E 2 1 I : i 52 KETIRED CAPTAINS. dreadful liurricane, which spread desolation over the whole of the West India Islands, particularly Barbadoes, Marti- nique, and Jamaica : several ships of war and merchant- vessels were lost, with the greater part of their crews *j tlie Egmont, however, escaped with the loss of all her masts, and in the following year was ordered to escort a large fleet to England. On approaching the Channel, Captain Fan- shawe received intelligence of the combined fleets of France and Spain, amounting to forty-nine sail of the line, being on the look-out for his valuable charge j which induced him to take them north about, and thus prevented the greater part from falling into the hands of the enemy. For his judicious conduct on this critical occasion, he received the thanks of the Admiralty, and was presented with the freedom of Edin- burgh. The Egmont having been paid off soon after her arrival, Captain Fanshawe was for a short time out of employ ; but happening fortunately to be at Plymouth when Sir George B. Rodney was about to sail from that port to resume the chief command in the West Indies, and the Captain of the Namur, a 90-gun ship, having desired to be superseded, ho was immediately sent for to fill up the vacancy, — an ap- pointment as sudden and unexpected as it was compli- mentary on the part of the Admiral. His conduct as one of Rodney's supporters, on the glorious 12th Auril, 1782, is too well known and too highly appreciated to require re- petition f. Captain Fanshawe retained the command of the Namur until the termination of the war in 17^3, and was afterwards • See Vol. I, pp. 68, 106, et seq. t Sir (tCiirge B. Rodney formed a Junction with Sir Samuel Hood, off Anti);iia, Feb. 25, 1782} and on the 8th April following, whilst refitting his fleet at St. Lucia, received intelligence tiiat the enemy were coming out of I*(>rt Royal Bay. Before day-light on the following monung, he came up with the French fleet near the island of Dominica. A partial action en- sued i but notwithstanding the greatest exertions were used by the British, nothing decisive could be effected till the 12th; on which day a most com- plete victory was gained over the enemy, commanded by the Count de Grassc, who was himself captured, with the Ville dc Paris, and four other ships of the line, besides one sunk In the action : for a more particular ac- count of which we must refer our readers to Vol. I, p. .16, et neq. i RHTIRED CAPTAINS. 53 r the whole ocs, Marti - merchaIlt- ;rews*; the i her masts, 1 large fleet iptain Fan- ;s of France le, being on iced him to greater part lis judicious le thanks of jm of Edin- hcr arrival, mploy ; but Sir George resume the jtain of the erseded, he y,— an ap- ^as eompli- duct as one uril, 1782, require re- the Nanmr afterwards net Hood, off vliilst refitting re coining out ing, he came lial action cn- y the British, a most com- the Count de ml four other particular ae- ry. Up pointed to the Bombay Castle 74, stationed at Plymouth as a guard-ship. In April 1784, he was elected M. P. for that borough, which he represented till the year 1789, when he vacated his seat on receiving a patent as Resident Com- missioner of Plymouth Dock- Yard, the duties of which office he performed in the most exemplary manner upwards of twenty-six years. He died at Stonehall, Stonehouse, co. Devon, Feb. 4, 1823 ; at which period, had he accepted his flag, he would have been the senior Admiral of the Red. The following is the introduction to a brief notice of Cap- tfiin Fanshawe's services, which we have met with in a small volume of naval biography, published in 1788 : — " Captain Robert Fanshawe," says the writer, " is one of the ablest officers the British fleet can boast ; — cool, collected, brave, and active ; ever ready for service when called upon, and rigidly attentive to the most trivial, as well as the more im- portant duties of his station. It may with truth be observed of him, that his ship is like his mansion^ — the ship's com- pany his family ; the former in a constant state of regularity, the latter governed by a rigid but a just hand. A scrupu- lous observer of the relative duties he owes his country as a citizen and a soldier, Captain Fanshawe exacts a like con- duct on the part of all with whom he may have any concern, whether civil or military." Captain Fanshawe married Christiana, daughter of John Gennys, Esq., and by that lady had issue three sons and nine daughters. His eldest son, Robert, Captain of the Carya- fort frigate, died at Antigua in 1804 : although a very young man, he had given repeated proofs of his skill, zeal, and gal- lantry, in which he was surpassed by few, if any officers, of his age and standing in the profession ; of which, had he been spared, he would no doubt have been a great ornament. The second son, Edward, is a Major in the Royal Engineers; and the youngest, Arthur, a Post-Captain, R. N. The names of the daughters are as follow: — Christiana, married the Rev. Francis Haggitt, D. D. Prebendary and Sub-Dean of Duriiam, died in 1810. Elizabeth, married to F. Glanville, Esq. Susan, married to Vice-Admiral Bedford, ('atharine, married to Sir T. Byam Martin, K. C. B., Comptroller of the Navy. Cordelia, married Captain J. C. White, R. N., 1 1 > 1 '^1 i :;!i 54 RETIRED CAPTAINS. died about 1809. Anne, unmarried. Mary, married Vice- Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, K. C. B. Penelope, widow of Colonel Duckworth, who fell in the battle of Al- buera, May 16, 1811 ; and Harriet, unmarried. SIR ANDREW SNAPE IIAMOND, Bart. One of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House ; a Fellow of the Royal Society ; and formerly Comptroller of the Navy. This venerable and much respected officer is the only son of the late Robert Hamond, Esq., who died in 1775? by Su- sanna, daughter and sole heiress of Robert Snape, Esq. j and uncle of the gallant Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, who com- manded the Queen Charlotte, bearing Earl Howe's flag, and was severely wounded in the celebrated battle of June 1, 1794*. * A most ioteresting memoir of Sir Andrew Snape Douglas appears in the Naval Chronicle, Vol. 26, p. 363, et seg. The following is an extract therefrom : " On Sunday, June 4, 1797> al^ei* an agonizing illness, which he bore with a fortitude that exemplified an unshaken confidence in his God, died in the 35th year of his age. Sir Andrew ^nape Doiiglas, nephew of Sir Andrew Stiape Hamond, Bart. — He was late Captain of H. M. S. Queen Charlotte, and Colonel of Marines. As an ofiicer in his Majesty's navy, few have ever equalled him ; and for activity and courage none have sur- passed him. His career of glory was therefore brilliant, though his life was short. No name stands higher in the list of fame — no name has been more justly celebrated for acts of heroism on the memorable Ist of June. Severely wounded on that day in the head, he scorned io leave his station beyond the moment that was necessary to stop the flow of blood ; but he exerted nature almost beyond her powers. " On the victorious 23d June, 1796, when no ships were in a situation to support him, but the Irresistible and Orion ; undaunted by the heavy fire of nine sail of the enemy's fleet, he boldly arrested their flight, at the very mouth of I'Orient : and to his intrepidity and perseverance, England stands chiefly indebted for the capture of thr6e ships of the line. " His benevolence as a man equalled his. gallantry as an officer ; and he proved on all occasions, a father to those whom he commanded. He was a true christian, a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a tender and faithful husband, a most indulgent parent, and a warm, generous, and firm friend. As a patriot and a public character, his death, particularly at this mo- mentous crisis *, is a loss which cannot but be painfully regretted. * During Sir Andrew's painful illness, the mutiny in the fleet broke out. See Vol. I. p. 648, et leq. RETIREt) CAFFAINS. 55 a,rried Vice- Penelope, )attle of Al- Bart. ,'/* 0 of the Royal h he only son "I? i 77h, by Sii- 1 , Esq. ', and ^ , who corn- 's flag, and of June 1, ■ ■ appears in the "\ is an extract vi^ which he bore • i hia God, died 'i lepheir of Sir M. S. Queen 1 ajesty'fl navy. '1 one have sur- ■". lough his life Bine has been 4 ^ Ist of June. A V6 his station loud ; but he in a situation ,' )y the heavy flight, at the ice, England 1 le. ■ icer ; and he _■ ed. He was '1 r and faithful [firm friend. J at this loo- ted. It broke out. He was born at Greenwich in Dec. 173^; entered the na- val service in 1753 ; and was appointed a Lieutenant of the Maffnanime 74, at the particular request of her Captain, the late Eiirl Howe, in June 1759. He served under that officer and H. R. H. the late Duke of York, until the end of the seven-years' war *, was made a Commander in the Savage sloop, about 1765, and obtained the rank of Post-Captain Dec. 7, 1770. After serving for some time as Flag-Captain to Lord Howe, in the Barfleur of 90 guns, he obtained the command of the Arethusa frigate, in which he was employed on the American station nearly four years. At the commencement of the co- lonial war he joined the Roebuck, a new ship mounting 44 guns on two decks, and soon after entered upon a series of most active and perilous services, in the rivers Delaware and Chesapeake. In the month of June, 1776, Captain Hamond accom- " But who can speak the deep and lasting sorrows to which his ftimily and friends are now devoted ! Here, alas, words are useless. Draw then the mournful veil, and ' Let expressive sicencb muse his praise'." Sir Andrew Snapc Douglas was distantly related to the Marquis Douglas, and bore the same arms. — ^The regard which hia late Majesty re- tained for the memory of this lamented officer, is exemplified by the fol- lowing anecdote :— The King having often inquired whether it were pos- sible for him to have a bust of Sir Andrew, his uncle carried one to Uie Queen's house, and placed it in one of the rooms through which the royal family were to pass, on their return from the chapel. His Majesty imme- diately recognized the well-known features of his faithful servant, and in a manner that did the highest honor to his feelings. Having shewn the bust to all the royal family, the monarch then t(A)k it in his own hands, and placed it over a book-case, where it ever aftc-wards remained. • The Magnaniine formed part ot Sir Edward Hawke's fleet, in the action off Quiberon, Nov. 20, 1769, on which occasion the French lost six ships of the line : viz. le Formidable of 80 guns, captured; le Sulcil Royale, of the same force, bearing the flagof Adiniral de Conflans, and I'Heros 74, driven on shore and burnt ; le Thesde 74, and Superbe 70, sunk with their crews on board ; and le Juste of 70 guns, wrecked. The British fleet con- sisted of twenty-three sail of the line, two of which, the Resolution of 74 guns, and Essex 64, were lost on the Four Banks. The enemy had twenty- one line-of-battle ships, two frigates, and one corvette ; their loss, if we may judge from the carnage made on board le Formidable, which vessel had about 200 men, including Rcar-Adniiral de Verger, killed, must have been considerable, f )n our side 50 \verc slain, and about 250 wounded. i'' I if i' ) .nl I ; I 1 ' 1" 56 RETIBKD CAPTAINS. panied Vice-Admiral Lord Shuldham and his military col- league, General Sir William Howe, on an expedition against New York. On the 3d July the fleet passed the bar at Sandy Hook, and anchored off Staten Island, which was taken possession of by the troops without resistance. On the 14th, Admiral Lord Howe arrived from England, and assumed the chief command of the naval forces on the coast of America *. In order to facilitate the reduction of New Vork, Com- inodore Hotham was detached with a squadron to Gravesend Bay, Long Island, to cover the landing of 15,000 troops, under the command of Generals Howe, Clinton, and Lord Comwallis. On the 25th Aug. some ships of war, under the orders of Sir Peter Parker, were directed to approach nearer to the town ; and another small squadron, of which the Roebuck formed a part, was sent to cover the general attack. At day-break on the 27th, the naval force made a diversion, which perfectly succeeded ; and in the evening the army encamped in front of the enemy's works. The siege continued until the 15th Sept. ; oh which day, the first division of troops, having embarked at Newton Creek, landed upon New York Island, under cover of the Phoenix and Roebuck, at a place called Keep's Bay, about three miles dis- tant from the town. As soon as the second division was landed, the Americans retired to Morris's height ; and New York was taken possession of by a brigade of royal troops the same evening. General Washington subsequently re- treated into the Jerseys, pursued by the British, who before the end of November were in possession of almost the whole of those provinces. On the 9th Oct. Captain Hamond accompanied Captains Hyde Parker and Cornthwaite Ommanney, of the Phoenix and Tartar, up the North River, for the purpose of intercept- ing any supplies which might be sent to the rebels by that channel. The ships sustained a heavy cannonade on passing the enemy's batteries, by which the Rcebuck had 10 men, including a Lieutenant, killed, and 18 wounded. On the 23d July, 1777> L^rd Howe sailed from Sandy • The Thirteen United Provinces of America declared their independence July 4, 1/76. nilitary col- ition against the bar at which was stance. On ngland, and )n the coast iTork, Com- > Gravesend [XX) troops^ I, and Lord war, under o approach 1, of which the general force made the evening orks. The ly, the first 3ek, landed hoenix and 3 miles dis- vision was ; and New jyal troops uently re- who before the whole d Captains le Phoenix intercept- s by that )n passing d 10 men, m\ Sandy idependeuce RBTtRS.D CAITAIXS. 5/ Hook with a fleet of two hundred and sixty -seven sail, hav- ing on board a considerable body of troops, destined for the reduction of Philadelphia. Owing to calms and adverse winds, it was the 14th Aug. before his Lordship reached the Chesapeake. On the 11th Sept. the Americans were de- feated in a severe battle fought at Brandyvvine ; General Washington fled to Philadelphia ; but finding that he couUi not maintain his position there, without the hazard of a ge- neral action, abandoned that capital to its fate, and continued his retreat several miles higher up the river. A few days after, the Delaware frigate, assisted by some other armed vessels, attempted to obstruct the British troops, who were employed to erect batteries next the sea. Upon the falling of the tide, she got aground, and was taken possession of by the Roebuck : her consorts cut their cables and pushed up the river. Captain Hamond appointed his first Lieutenant to command the prize, who pursued and destroyed the whole of them, amounting to seventeen sail. Before the ships of war could proceed higher up the river, it was necessary that several machines, resembling chevaux-de-frize, which the enemy had sunk to block up the passage, should be removed. This arduous undertaking was entrusted to Captain Hamond, who, after much perseverance and great exertions, succeeded in weighing a sufficient number of them to secute a safe channel for the ships, notwithstanding he was greatly an- noyed by the enemy's floating batteries. The next object was to dislodge the Americans from the strong posts which they held at Red Bank and Mud Island. To effect this ser- vice, on the 22d Oct. the Augusta, Somerset, Isis, and Mer- lin, commanded by Captains Reynolds, Cornwallis, Ourry, and Reeve, were ordered to cannonade the batteries on the island ; and a detachment of Hessian soldiers under Count Donop, were at the same time directed to attack the re- boubt on Red Bank. The Augusta and Merlin took the ground in a situation Avhich prevented them from firing with much eflfect ; they however kept up a heavy cannonade, and baffled the efforts of the enemy, who sent down several fire-rafts and heavy gun- vessels to destroy them. Unfortu- nately, the Augusta, by some accident, took fire ; and the other ships being obliged to withdraw, the Roebuck covered it 5 I 1 I'S 1 I J; ! 'i'! m i 58 RETIRED CAPTAIN!!. her till she blew up, to prevent the Americans getting pos- session of her. This service Captain Hamond performed under a very severe fire, his springs having been cut three several times ; and when heaving upon the fourth, 14 men were knocked down by one shot, which completely cleared two opposite capstern bars. The Augusta having at length exploded, and involved in her destruction the Merlin, the Hessians being at the same time repulsed with dreadful slaughter, he felt it necessary to retire from his very perilous situation *. On the 15th November, a more vigorous and successful at- tack was made on Mud Island, by the Somerset, Isis, Roe- buck, Pearl, Liverpool, and three smaller vessels : the can- nonade was so furious that the enemy were driven from their guns, and retired in great confusion. Those on the main soon shared the fate of their countrymen on the island ; by which means a free communication was opened with Phila- delphia by water. The Roebuck, on this occasion, had 3 men killed and 7 wounded. The total loss sustained by the other ships was no more than 3 slain and 13 wounded. During the ensuing two years Captain Hamond was con- stantly employed on a variety of hazardous services, rendered necessary by the 'peculiar nature of the war. In February, 1780, he accompanied Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, who had re- cently hoisted his flag in the Roebuck as Commander- in-Chief on the American station, on an expedition against Charlestown, in South Carolina ; from whence he returned to England with the official despatches relative to its reduction. During the operations against that place he appears to have acted per order as Captain of the Fleetf. * Mud Fort is situated on the Pennsylvania shore, and Red Bank on the Jersey side, near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. ^ In consequence of the badness of the weather, and the annoyance which the boats employed to sound the channel sustained from the ene- mies' gallies, it was not till the 20th March that the British squadron was able to pass the bar; when the enemy, who had a considerable naval force in the harbour, which was drawn up in order of battle, as if determmed to dispute the passage, abandoned their position and retired towards the town, where most of the armed ships, with several merchant vessels, were sunk to obstruct the navigation. On the requisition of Sir Henry Clinton some heavy guns were landed RETIRED CAPrAINS. 59 getting pos- d performed en cut three irth, 14 men Btely cleared ng at length Merlin, the ith dreadful ,'ery perilous uccessful at- , Isis, Roe- Is : the can- 'n from their )n the main i island ; by with Phila- ision, had 3 ained by the mded. nd was con- es, rendered a February, who had re- >ommander- tion against ; returned to s reduction, cars to have ed Bank on the (ill rivers, he annoyance from the ene- squadron was )le naval force if determined :d towards the chant vessels, 18 were laiuled Towards the latter end of the same year Captain Hamond, who had previously received the honor of knighthood, was ap- pointed Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Nova Scotia, and Commodore and Resident Commissioner at Halifax, where he remained until the conclusion of the war ; when he embarked as a passenger on board the Caton of 64 guns, from which ship he removed on her arrival at Antigua, to re- pair the damages she had sustained in a heavy gale of wind near the banks of Newfoundland, into the Amazon privateer, in which vessel he returned to England about June, 1783. On the 10th December following. Captain Hamond was created a Baronet of Great Britain, as a reward for his very distinguished services. From this period we find no mention of him until the commencement of 1785, when he hoisted a broad pendant on board the Irresistible of 74 guns, as Com- modore and Commander-in-Chief in the river Medway and at the Nore. He subsequently sat as a member of the board appointed to investigate and report on the expediency and efficacy of certain plans which had been proposed for the better security of the dock-yards at Portsmouth and Plymouth. During the Spanish armament, and the altercation that af terwards took place between Great Britain and Russia, Sir Andrew commanded the Vanguard 74 j and on that ship being from the men of war, with a detachment of seamen ; and by the 9th April, the army, consisting of 7>550 men, had constructed and opened bat- teries afrainst the town. On that day the squadron passed Sullivan's Island, amidst a heavy fire ; and soon after a brigade of seamen and marines were landed, and took possession of a post at Mount Pleasant, without opposi- tion, the enemy flying into Charlestown on their approach. Thinking it practicable to carry the fort on Sullivan's Island by storm, the Vice-Admi- ral determined to make the attempt ; and in the night of the 4th May, 200 seamen and marines were landed. This detachment succeeded in passing the fort before daylight, unobserved by the enemy, and took possession of a redoubt on the east end of the island. The ships being drawn np to support the attack, and every arrangement having been made for the as> sault, a summons was sent into the fort, the garrison of which almost im- mediately surrendered as prisoners of war. This success was followed by the surrender of Charlestown itself, about the 11th of the same month, when the Providence and Boston, American frigates. Ranger of 20 guns, I'Aventure, a French ship of 26 guns, a polacre of 16, four armed gallies, and several other small veiseh, fell into the hands of the British, whose whole loss during the siege did not ex- cced 23 killed and 28 wounded. i f i! 1 P-; , 1 1 { l''i ' • '; i 1 '' i 1 ^ 'i ,!i ' .'i. 1 ' 1 ' • i 1 1 i 'ii 60 RETIRED CAPTAINS. put out of commiBsion, in the autumn of 1/91 > he was ap- pointed to the Bedford, another third rate, in which he con- tinued until the commencement of the French revolutionary war, when he removed into the Duke of 90 guns. In the course of the year 1793 he was nominated a Commissioner of the Navy Board, of which he became Deputy Comptroller in Febniary 1794. Sir Andrew S. Hamond's last appointment was in August, 1794, to be Comptroller of the Navy ; in . which high and laborious office he remained till early in 1806, when he re- tired with a pension of 1500/. per annum. Our officer married Anne, daughter and heiress of Henry Greeme, Esq. of Hanwell Heath, co. Middlesex, and has is- sue, Graham Eden Hamond, a Post Captain, and C. B. ; and Caroline, widow of the Hon. Lieutenant- Colonel Hood, eldest son of Henry Viscount Hood, who served as Adjutant- General to the second division of Lord Wellington's army, and fell in the enterprise of driving the enemy from Aire, March 2, 1814. Residence. — Terrington, near Lynn, Norfolk. SIR FRANCIS JOHN HARTWELL, Bart. A Director of Greenwich Hospital, and late Deputy Comptroller of the Navy. This officer is the third son of Captain Broderick Hartwell, who died Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital in January, 1784 ; was born about the year 1757; and at the commencement of the war with the colonies, commanded the Rattlesnake cutter, in which he fought several smart actions with the enemy's privateers, and captured a very valuable French West Indiaman. On his promotion to the rank of Commander he was appointed to the iEtna bomb, stationed at Antigua; and on the death of Captain Broughton, he suc- ceeded that officer in the command of the Sphynx frigate, from whence he removed to the Brune. His post com- mission bears date December 19, 1779. In the month of August, 1789, when their late Majesties reviewed a squadron under Commodore Goodali, at Ply- mouth, Captain Hartwell commanded the Bellona of 74 guns, and was presented to the King immediately after the sham- RKTIURD tAl>TAlNS. Gl he was ap- lich he con- evolutionary ins. In the missioner of imptroUer in as in August, ch high and when he re- BS of Henry , and has is- l C. B. ; and lonel Hood, as Adjutant- gton's army, f from Aire, i, Bart. Hroller of the :k Hartwell, lospital in and at the imanded the mart actions ery valuable the rank of stationed on, he suc- ynx frigate, post coni- ie Majesties ili, at Ply- of 74 guns, r the sham- ;:'■■ *m fight which took place on that occasion *. He co)itinued in tlic Bellona during the Spanish and Russian armaments, but was paid ofT in the autumn of 1791. Towards the close of the following year we find him fitting out the Tiictis of 33 guns, at Deptford ; and at the commencement of the Avar with revolutionary France, cruising with considerable success in the Channel. The Thetis was paid off in September, 1793 ; and about the same period Captain Hartwell became a Commissioner of the Victualling Board, in which office he remained until the autumn of 1796, when he was appointed to superintend the Dock-yard at Sheerneas. In the course of 1799 he removed to Chntham Yard; and soon alter obtained a seat .-it the Navy Board, wlore >te <:ootiinii'd to sit as a Commissioner and Deputy Coiaptrnllw, ti'} the summer of 1814. He has ever since lived in r-.tireroent. Commissioi^e .' Hart' /ell received the honor of knighthood tm the occ?-,*4i'>n of his acting w* proxy for Lord Keith, at an installatian -^f Knights of the Batb> Hf aubsequcntly had a niiich flfrt:iir?r mark vif royn^ favor 0 jiii'erred upon him, be- ing raised to the digiiJty ui \yy Certain Macbride. After manoeuvring for some time upon ditfercut tack^ , in order to bring each other to action, the en- gaj,5o;>\ent liegan »vitli a most furious cannonade between the two com- ^nanders, and soon became general. In about a quarter of an hour both lleets wore to the westward, the enemy's line gave way, and were furi- ously assailed by Commodore Goodall. Captain Macbride, however, suc- ceeded in reforming hia line, wore round upon the larboard tack, and re- newed the action with fresh vigor. This continued for some time, when the enemy again gave way. Soon after both divisions formed in the order of sailing, an9 HETIKEI) CAPTAINS. June 6, ]809, had five gons und one daughter. His eldest son, the Rev. Houlton Hartwell, Vicar of Loders and Brad- pole, in Dorsetshire, and an active magistrate of that county, died February 24, 1819, aged 36 years. Sir I'rancis Hartwell married, second, in 1812, Miss Al- dridge, sister of Joluj Aldridge, of New Lodge, co. Sussex, Esq. Jiesidence. —LaXeham, Middlesex. JOHN N. INCiLEFIELD, Esq. This officer attained the rank of Lieutenant about the year 1768; and served as such in the Courageux and the Robust 74*8, commanded by the brothers Captains Samuel and Alex- ander Hood, both of whom were afterwards advanced to the peerage. He was made a Post-Captain October 11, 1780 i and soon after appointed to the command of the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, whom he accompanied to the West Indies, with a re- inforcement for the squadron in that quarter, under the orders of Sir George B. Rodney. Oil the 29th April, 1781, Sir Samuel Hood having been de- tached with eighteen sail of the line to cruise off Martinique, fell in and had a partial action with the French fleet under the Count de Grasse, consisting of twenty-four ships of the line and two of 50 guns. In this aflair the Barfleurhad 5 men killed. The to- tal loss sustained by the British was 41 slain and 130 wounded. Amongst the former were Captain Nott, of the Centaur, and Mr. Plowden, his first Lieutenant, tv^ o brave and excellent officers. The next day, the enemy's van and centre being at some distance from their rear, Sir Samuel Hood, by a bold manoeuvre, nf)twith8tanding his inferiority, attempted to cut them off; but havirg failed in this resolute enterprise, he was obliged, from the bad condition (»f many of his ships, to bear away for Antigua. On tlio 31st July following, he assumed the chief conunand of the fleet, Sir George B. Rodney having sailed for England. In the ensuing month Captain Inglefield, who had been re- moved into the Centaur on the death of her late commander, accompanied Sir Samuel Hood to the coast of Auwrica, in pur- suit of M. dc (irusse. He returned to Barbadoes with the ^ 1 RETIRED CAPTAINS, m His eldest s and Brad- that county, 2, Miss Al- co. Sussex, jut the year . the Robust i\ and Alex- inced to the r 11, 1780i Barfleur, a Sir Samuel 5, with a re- er the orders ing been de- rtinique, fell er the Count line and two ed. Theto- 0 wounded, entaur, and id excellent tre being at by a bold )ted to cut ise, he was ips, to bear le assumed ney having id been re- ummander, ica, in pur- B with the^ i 4 ^.ime oflicer, after the surrender of Earl Cornwallis to the ronihined armies of France and America*. During the subsequent operations at the island of St. Christopher, Captain Inglefield was several times sent with flags of truce to the Marquis de Bouille and the Count de Grasse. He was also employed in the hazardous service of establishing oignalti between the fleet and the garrison of Brimstone 11 ill, by means of personal communication with the oflicer commanding there f. Tlie Centaur formed part of the red division of Sir (leorge • Alter the partial action off the Chesapeake, September 5, 1 /H I , which we have already noticed in our first volume, p. 133, th« British fleet, commanded by the Rear-Admirals Graves, Hood, and Drake, re- turned to Sandy Hook, and took on board "000 troops under fir Henry Clinton, destined for the relief of Earl Cornwallis, who was closely in- vested at York and Gloucester, by the French and rebel artnics. On the 24thOctober the armament arrived off the Chesapeake, when the British commanders had the mortification to find that his Lordship, owing to the exhausted and sickly state of his army, and bein^ without any hopes of relief, had entered into a capitulation for the surrender of those important posts on the 17th. By this unfortunate event 6000 British troops, and 1500 seamen, fell into the hands uf the enemy. t Sir Samuel (food, after his return from America, remained in Carlisle Bay, with bis tloet moored in order of battle, in daily expectation of a visit from the French, till January 14, 1782, when he received intelligence that t)ie Count de Grasse had relinquished his plan of attacking Barha- docs, and gone to St. Christopher's ; on his arrival at which island the Marquis de Bouille wis landed with 8000 troops, and the British garrison consisting of only 600 men, under Brigadier-General Fruser, obliged to retire into tlie fort at Brimstone Hill. The R^ar-Admiral, notwithstanding the superiority of the enemy, determined on a measure of unusual boUN ness, for the preservation of that valuable island. InstecMl of waiting their approacii, he resolved to confound the enemy by an immediate at- tack, and to engage them as they lay at their anchors. For this purpose he immediately put to sea from Carlisle Bay, embarked (teneral Prescott and the few troops that could be spared from Antigua, and proivcded without loss of time to attack the enomy in Basseterre Road. At day-break on the 24th the signal was made to form the line of battle, for the purpose of bearing down to the attack ; but the untoward accident of the Alfreds running foul of the Nymph, arrested the prosecution of this well-concerted design, and obliged the fleet to bring to whilst the for- mer vessel repaired her damages. Towaids the evening of the Mme day the Count de Grasse quitted his anchorage and put to sea, that hia ships might have full room to act, and thus necure the iidvantagea of their su- periority in point of number. if !«' 1 ; 64 FIKTIRED CAPTAINS. li. T^odncy's fleet in the glorious battle of April 12, 1/82, the particulars of which will be found in our first volume, p. 35> et seq. In August following she sailed for England, in com- At day-lic;ht on the 25th, the enemy's fleet was observed about three leagues to leeward, formed in order of battle, and consisting of twenty- nine sail of the line. Sir Samuel Hood, who had only twenty-two line- of-buttle ships, instantly perceived the great advantages to be derived from thi$s movement, and carried on every appearance of an immediate and de- termined attack, which drove the enemy farther to leeward, whilst ho himself pushed for Basseterre, and anchored his fleet in line of battle a-hcad, in Frigate Bay. The Count de Grasse, astonished at this excellent manoeuvre, and apprehensive that all communication with the army might be cut oif, made a most furious attack upon the rear of the British fleet, commanded by Commodore Affleck ; but that gallant oflicer made i^o noble a defence, and was so ably supported by his seconds, the Hon. WiU Ham Cornwallis in the Canada, and Lord Robert Mauuers in the Resolu- tion, who kept up an incessant fire, covering the other shipii of the divi- sion while they brought up in their stations, particularly the Prudent, whose wheel was shot away, and the rudder choked by a shot which had lodged between it and the steni-post, that the enemy, finding they could not make any impression on the resolute firmness of the British, bore up and stood to sea. The next morning, at 8 o'clock, the French fleet stood in, as if deter- mined to force the British line, which they attacked with great violcnc e from van to rear, without making the least visible impression on it ; they then wore and stood to sen. Sir Samuel Hor I, having observed that the rear of his fleet was too much exposed, took thii opportunity to change the position thereof, and directed the Alfred, Canada, Prudent, Resolution, Belliqueux, Centaur, and Monarch, to extend themselves in a line towards the town of Basseterre, forming an obtuse angle, by which means na one part of the fleet could sufier a partial attack. The Count de Grasse, not yet discouraged, renewed the engagement in the afternoon, directing his attack principally against the centre and rear divisions ; he was again re- pulsed, and suffered more material damage than in the preceding battle. The Ville de Paris, bearing de Grasse's flag, was upon the heel all the next day, covering her shut-hulcs ; and according to information which Sir Samuel Hood subsequently received from the shore, upwards uf 1,0()0 wounded Frenchmen were sent to St. Eustatius. The. loss sustained by the British, in all tho^attacks, amounted to 72 killed, and 244 wounded. On the 2Hth, part of the 13th regiment, and the whole of the 2Kth and f»f)th, were landed under cover of four frigates. After a smart skirmish with a detachment of French troops, which were beaten, and obliged to retreat with great loss into Basseterre, (teneral Prcucott took post upon u com- manding hill. The following morning, the iMar<(uis de Boutlle arrived with 4,0()0 troops from Sandy Point ; but finding the British (jeneral's po- .^{tion to be too strong to venture an attack, he proceeded to the siege of RETIRED CAPTAINS. 65 2, 1782, the ume, p. 35? ,nd, in corn- el about three ting of twonty- rcnty-two Une- le derived from lediate andde- rard, whilst ho I line of battle t this excellent he army might te British fleet, flicer made ao , the Hon. WiU in the Resolu- pti of the divi- y the Prudent, shot which had f they could not b, bore up and in, as if de'.cr- great violcnc e on on it ; they erved that the nity to change nt. Resolution, a line towards means no one [le (irasse, not directing his was again re- seeding battle. :cl all the next ion which Sir urds of 1,0(K) IS sustained by 4 wounded, if the 2Hth and skirmish with ged to retreat upon a <.-om* ouillc arrived (ieneral's po- lo the siege of '■* pany with the prizes taken on that memorable occasion, and a large fleet of merchantmen, the whole under the orders of Rear- Admiral Graves. Nothing material occurred until the night of the 22d, when I'Hector, a French 74, being badly manned and a heavy sailer, dropped a-stern and parted com- pany. On the 8th September it blew a strong gale, and the le?ks of the Caton, another of the prizes, and the Pallas fri- gate, had so much increased, that the Rear-Admiral was ui.vkCr the necessity of ordering them to bear away for Halifax. On the Kith the fleet encountered a heavy gale from the E. S. E. which continued to blow with unabating fury till three o'clock next morning, when on a sudden it shifted to the N. N. W., and soon increased to a hurricane. As the day broke, it discovered an indescribable scene of horror and dis- Brimstonc Hill. As no object conld be gained by General Prescott re- maining on shore, he rc-embarked the same evening. Soon after the arrival of the fleet. Captain Inglefield of the Centaur, was sent to Brigadier-General Fraser with a message of importance, and retunied in safety, after establishing signals between the fort and the squadron. The vigilance of the enemy cut off all further communication. Many attempts were afterwards made to throw succours into the garrison, all of which proved ineffectual ; and several officers sent with messages to the Brigadier, were detected and taken prisoners. Tlic enemy prosecuted the siege with unabating vigour till the I3th Feb., when a practicable breach was made in the works, and Brigadicr- (icneral Fraser and the Governor, having given up all hope of succour, reluctantly consente'l to capitulate. On the morning of the 14th, the French fleet, reinforced by five ships of the line, anchored off Nevis ; and it being no longer necessary for the British to continue in its present situation, which was useless and d gerous, not only from the vast superiority of the enemy's fleet, but ti they were preparing to erect gun and mortar-batteries on a hill com manding the anchorage, Sir Samuel Hood issued orders to the respective Captains to slip or cut their cables without signal, at 11 P. M., the stem- most and leewardmost ships first, and so on in succession, then to proceed under an easy sail until directed otherwise by signal. That this order might be punctually obeyed, the Captains were directed to set their watches by Sir Samuel's time-plcce . This was performed with the utmost order and regularity, without being molested or pursued by the French fleet ; which was lying within five miles, and must have witnessed the ma- ncvuvrc. The British fleet anchored at Antigua on the 1 9th, and a few days after was joine«l by Sir (Jeorgo B. Rodney, with n reinforcement from England. VOL. II. r I .(■ n 1:1, '$\ 66 HKTlKKi) CAPTAINS. tress ; sonic of ihcHhipH of war had lost their masts, uiul were otherwjic much disahled ; many of the convoy had not only suffered similar disasters, hut had actually foundered ; and the sea was covered with wrecks. Numhers of miserable wretches of both sexes were seen, either lashed or clinj^ing t(» them : and what rendered their dreadful situation still more piteous, was the impossibility of giving them the smallest assistance : the storm continued to rage, and the sea so rough and agi- tated, that no boats could be put out to their relief. A few indeed were fortunate enough to be saved by n)pes thrown from the ships as they approached them. When the squall canu' on, the Ramillies Ji had her main-sail set, and in this situation was taken aback. Before the clue-garnets could be manned the main-mast went over tlu* side, carrying with it the mi/en-mast, fore-top-mast, and fore-yard. The tiller broke in the rudder head ; and in a short time, from the chain pumps being choakcd, the water in the hold had in- creased to six feet. In the course of the day several of the guns and heavy stores were thrown overboard, to ease the ship ; but these efforts proved ineffectual : the pumps could not be cleared, and by the 'ilst the leak had gained so consi- derably that Rear-Adnnral (Jraves began to despair of saving her. I^'ortunately the gale abated sufliciently to allow the few merchantmen still in company to take out the crew ; which being effected by four o'clock in the afternoon, she was set on fire and soon after blew up. The melancholy fate of the C'entaur was still more deplo- rable. The squall had laid her so much on her beam ends, that the water biirst through from the hold between decks ; she lay motionless, and seemed irrecoverably overset. Her masts falling overboard, she in some degree righted, with the loss of her rudder, and such extreme violence as caused un- speakable mischief and confusion. The guns broke loose, the shot were thrown out of the lockers, and the water that came, from the hold swept away eery thing between decks, as effectually as the waves had from the upper. The officers, when the ship overset, ran up from their beds naked ; nei- ther could they get at a single article of ch>the8 to put y themselvei* having no other but what they had on. m , and were (1 not only ;d ; and the le wretches jj to them : ire piteoiiH, assistance : \r\\ and agi- ief. A few pes thrown I the 8(iuall and in this ;ts could be ying wUh it The tiller J, from the \()ld had iti- veral of the to ease the lumps could ed so ccmsi- lir of saving low the few rew ; which she was set more deplo- hcam ends, veon decks ; erset. Her |ed, with the caused im- |)roke loose, water that kveen decks, Phe officers, naked ; nei- i,o put on in those who L'r but what KKTIRKD CAPTAINSi. 67 The unshaken fortitude of the crew, under every difficulty, ll and with scarcely the possibility of escape remaining, — while ' '; it heightens the merit of the sufferers, only serves to render f their fate the more grievous. By their unwearied exertions, the ship was kept afloat until the 23d ; but on the morning of that day, all their efforts appeared fruitless. The water in the hold had blown up the orlop-deck, the ship was filling fast, and going gradually down. Every countenance wa8 painted with horror and despair ; not a shadow of hope now remained : the people could be no longer prevailed on to bail, and the vessel wiis left to her fate. Sotnc of the bravest seamen, who had hitherto persevered in their sufferings and labour, without a murnuir or any expression of fear, seeing that all was o\'er, and being suddenly struck with a melan- choly and tender recollection of their t^ountry, and of every thing that was most dear to them, burst openly into tears, and wept like children : others, appearing perfectly resigned to their fate, went to their hammocks, and requested their messmates to lash them in : numbers were lushing them- selves to gratings and small rafts. Amidst this scene of mi- sery and distress, the idea most prevalent among the men was that of equipping themselves in their best and cleanest clothes. Althov' ;h rafts were made, and the boats put into the water, the julk of the officers and men, convinced of the impossibility of being saved, preferred resigning themselves quietly to their fate, rather than take the chance of prolong- ing their wretched existence for a few hours. At 5 o'clock in the evening, Captain Inglefield, who had not yet formed any determination for himself, perceiving a few of the people getting into the pinnace, and others preparing to follow them, beckoned to Mr. Renny, the Master, who was the only offi- cer on deck, and instantly jumped into the boat, followed by that gentleman *. The aea ran so high, it was with much difficulty they could get her clear of the ship ; numbers of the people who were on the gangway, endeavouring to follow their example, fell into the sea and were drowned. Mr. Ro- liert Baylis, a Midshipman, only 15 years of age, jumped * Rir. Reiuiy was afterwards made a LicutcnuiU, and uppuiiitcd to the com iiiuiid uf a cutter, »vluch foundered on her pu88ng(! to Gibraltar with despatc lies, and all vn hoard perished. ;•; i ■! I '! I 08 RETIRED CAPTAINS. overboard, and had the good fortune to reach the boat, though it was with some difficulty Captain Inglefield could prevail on his companions to take him in *. The whole number now in the boat was twelve, adrift in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a dark and stormy night approaching, without either compass, quadrant, or sail. Their provisions consisted of a bag of bread, a small ham, a single piece of pork, a few French cordials, and two quart bottles of water. A blanket which had been thrown into the boat, they bent to one of the stretchers, and used as a sail. Providentially, the next motning the weather proved more moderate, and the wind continuing to blow from the N. W. buoyed them up with the hope of being able to reach the Azores, which, at the time they quitted the Centaur, were about 260 leagues to the S. E. On the fifth morning it was discovered that the salt water had spoiled the greater part of their bread ; this reduced them to the necessity of living upon the miserable pittance of two biscuits for the twenty-four hours, which were divided equally between the whole. The neck of a bottle with the cork in it, was the measure of water allotted to support each individual for the same period. For the want of this necessary article they must shortly have perished, had not a pair of sheets been found in the boat ; rain coming on, they were enabled, by alternately spreading and wringing them, to catch and save a few quarts of water ; but not by any means a suffi- ciency to allay their thirst. Captaui Inglefield, to divert the attention of the people from their situation and distress, in- duced them during the heavy and pensive hours of the night, to am ise each other by relating a story, or singing a song, in turn. On the I6th day after their departure from the ship, the last ration of bread and water was distributed, and all hope vanished. The Almighty, however, who had conducted these unfortunate people through so many perils, still favored them with his divine protection ; and on the same day, to their in- expressible joy, land was discovered, for which they instantly steered, and before night arrived safely in the harbour of • Mr. Baylis died a Lieutenant of the Mercury frigate, at St. John's, Newfoundland, Sept. 1 , 1799. I the boat, efield could The whole le middle of pproaching, r provisions igle piece of js of water. ;hey bent to entially, the te, and the ^ed them up i^hich, at the agues to the le salt water jduced them ance of two ided equally le cork in it, ;h individual sary article ir of sheets ere enabled, [) catch and ans a suffi- o divert the distress, in- )f the night, ff a song, in le ship, the md all hope iucted these ivored them to their in- ley instantly harbour of at St. John's, RKTIRKD CAPTAINS. 60 Fayal, where they met with every humane attention, and from whence they soon after proceeded to England *. On the 25th Jan. 1/83, Captain Inglefield and the other survivors of the Centaur, were tried by a court-martial at Portsmouth, for the loss of that vessel, and fully acquitted of all blame on account thereof f. Immediately after his trial, Captain Inglefield was appointed to the Scipio of 64 guns, stationed as a guard-ship in the river Medway. His next appointment was in the autumn of 1788, to the Adventure of 44 guns ; in which ship he went to the coast of Africa, and returned from thence in Aug. 178i>. He afterwards made three successive voyages to the same station, in the Medusa of 50 guns. The Medusa, coming up Channel in Sept. 1/92, passed the frigate in which our late venerable monarch was making liis usual marine excursion from Weymouth. After saluting the royal standard. Captain Inglefield followed her to the anchor- • Thomas Matthews, a quarter-master, died in the boat the day before land was discovered. Those who escaped from the ill-fated Centaur, in iiddition to Captain InglcAeld, the Master, and Midshipman mentioned above, were Mr. James Clark, Surgeon's Mate ; Timothy Sullivan, the Captain's coxswain ; John Gregory, a Quarter-Master; and five seamen. t The following is a list of the ships of war which sailed from Jamaica under the orders of Rear-Admiral Graves ; and will show how they were disposed of : P .... » c Rear-Admiral T. Graves, ■» Abandoned after "" \ Captain S. Moriarty. J being set on fire. * Villcde Paris 110 A.Wilkinson. -» Foundered, and * Glorieux.... 74 Hon. T.Cadogan./ their crews perished. Canada 74 Hon. W. Cornwallis. Arrived in Eng- land, with the loss of her mizen-mast. Centaur .... 74 J. N. Inglefield. Foundered, only 1 1 of her crew preserved. • Hector 74 J. Bouchier. Foundered, crew Baved by a letter of marque. t Jason 64 John Aylmcr. Arrived in England. t Caton 64 T. Fisher. Arrived at Halifax. • Ardent 64 R. Lucas. Returned to Jamaica. J'alias 36 C. Parker. Went to Halifax very leaky, and afterwards lost on one of the Wes- tern Islands ; crew saved. * Taken by Sir George B. Rodney, April 12, 1782. t Taktn by Sir Samuel Hood, in the Monu Passage, April 19, 178;J, I n \ ^P I ■i ■i', i'. t. :i^ ■| 70 KBTIRED CAPTAINS. age, and on the following morning was received by the Kiri^ with marked distinction and approbation, and honored with a long conference on the esplanade. On the Medusa's arrival at Chatham, she was ordered to be put out of commission ; and Captain Inglefield soon after obtained the command of TAigle frigate, inj(vhich ship we find him serving at the reduction of Corsica, under the orders of Lord Hood, by whom he was appointed, conjointly with Vice-Admiral Goodall, Captain James Young, and his Lord- ship's Secretary, Mr. M*Arthur, to draw up the articles of the capitulation, by which Bastia was surrendered to the British arms. In the spring of 1794, our oflBcer was appointed to succeed the late Sir Hyde Parker, as Captain of the Mediterranean fleet ; and towards the close of the same year, he returned to England with Lord Hood, in the Victory of 100 guns. From this period until the summer of ISll, he appears to have been employed as a resident Commissioner of the Navy, successively, at Corsica, Malta, Gibraltar, and Halifax. Pre- ferring the retention of his civil appointment to a flag, he was placed on the retired list of Post-Captains in Feb. 1799. Captain Inglefield is the reputed author of " A View of the Naval Force of Great Britain," published in 1791 . His son, Sanruel Hood Inglefield, obtained post rank in 180/; and his daughter is the lady of that excellent officer, Vice-Ad- miral Sir Benjamin Hallowell, K. C. B. Agent. — William Marsh, Esq. WILLIAM CARLYON, Esq. This officer's post commission bears date May 9, 1781. He resides at Tregrehan, near St. Austle, Cornwall. SIR RUPERT GEORGE, Bart. Lute Chairman of the Transport Board. This officer, the third son of the late Dennis George, of Clophook, in Ireland, Esq. and a brother of the late Baron George, of the Irish Court of Exchequer, was born at Dublin January 16, 1749; and during the colonial war commanded the Vulture sloop of war on the American station. by the King honored with L3 ordered to !ld soon after lich ship we er the orders jointly with d his Lord- B articles of lered to the ^ to succeed editerranean he returned 100 guns. appears to f the Navy, ilifax. Pre- flag, he was .1799. View of the . His son, J 80/ J and ', Vice-Ad- y9, 1781. 1. George, of ate Baron at Dublin unnianded »/;? RETIRED CAPTAINS. 71 On the ICth July, 1781, the Vulture, in company with the Charleslown of 28 guns, and Allegiance sloop, fell in ■>$ with and was attacked by two large French frigates, I'Astree of 40 guns, and THennione of 36, which, after a severe ac- tion, they succeeded in beating off, thereby preserving a fleet of merchantmen which they were convoying to Spanish River. The Charlestown had 8 men slain and 14 wounded; amongst the former was her commander. Captain Evans, an active and gallant officer. Tho Vulture had 1 nuin killed and 2 wounded. Captain George was advanced to post rank in the Amphi- trite frigate, November 29, 1781 ; and subsequently com- manded the Charlestown, on the coast of America. About the period of the Spanish armament he was appointed to the Thisbe of 28 guns, and afterwards to the Hussar, a ship of similar force, in which he continued until the autumn of 1795, when he was nominated a Connnissioner of the then recently established Transport Board, over which he presided for some years, previous to its dissolution at the conclusion of the late war. In 1 803 Commissioner George received the honor of knight- hood on the occasion of his acting as proxy for a K. B. at an installation of the Knights of that order. His patent of Ba- ronetcy is dated September 18, 1809. He married, June 30th, 1782, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Cochren, of Halifax, Esq. and by that lady had a numerous family. Sir Rupert George died at Willesden House, co. Middle- sex, January 25, 1823. His widow, if still alive, enjoys a pension of 300/. per annum during the royal pleasure. Sir HON. MAITHEW FORTESCUE. Thjs Fortescues are an ancient Devonshire family. Henry Fortescue was Lord Chief Justice of the Comn^on Pleas in Ireland, in 1246 ; and his second son was the cele- brated Sir John Fortescue, Chief Justice of England in 1442, afterwards Lord Chancellor, and the author of the famous " Treatise de Laudibus Legum Angliae." Captain Fortescue is the second son of Matthew, second Earl of Fortescue, by Anne, second daughter of John Camp- bell, of Cawdor, in Scotland, and Stackpole-court, co. Pem- .;? 1 1 I" ;|R trd RfiTIRBD CAPTAtNg. broke, Esq. He was born April 12, 1754 ; obtained post rank May 24, 1782 ; and commanded the Daphne, a 20-gun ship, at the close of the American war. He married, in June 1795, Henrietta, only daughter of Sir Richard Hoare, Bart., and widow of Sir Thomas Acland, Bart. He has a son in the Coldstream regiment of foot guards. His brother is the present Earl of Fortescue. Bankers. — Hoare and Co. RALPH MILBANKE, Esq. This officei* was a descendant from Ralph Milbanke, cup- bearer to Mary, Queen of Scots, whose great-grandson was created a Baronet of Great Britidn Aug. 7, 1661 . Captain Milbanke obtained post rank July 20, 1782, and died at Blackwell, near Darlington, co. Durham,Nov. 21, 1823, in his 75th year. He was a man whose amiable disposition endeared him to the circle of friends in which he moved. RICHARD CREYKE, Esq. Governor of the Royal Naval Hospital, and Resident Ctmmissioner of the Fictualling, at Plymouth. In 1764, we find this officer accompanying the late Hon. John Byron on a voyage round the world*. During the American war, he commanded the Otter of 14 guns ; was very actively employed under the orders of Commodore Sir George Collier, and assisted at the capture and destruction of the towns of Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Gosport, and others of less note in the vicinity of Elizabeth River j the strong posts of Stoney Point, Fort la Fayette, and Varplanks, up the North River ; and the towns of Newhaven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Greenfield, on the Connecticut shore ; together with an immense quantity of shipping, merchandise, provi- sions, and naval and military stores. He also accompanied Sir George Collier to the Penobscot river, where nineteen sail of American armed vessels, and upwards of twenty trans- ports, were either taken or destroyed, in Aug. 1779 f. His post commission bears date Dec. 17, 1782 ; and his appoint-^ • See note at p. 1 . t Sec Nav. Cluon. Vol. 32, p. 266. rt xcq. RKtiRBD CAPTAINS. 73 ment to be Governor of Plymouth Hospital, July 15, 1795 *. He has a son in holy orders, married to Sarah, daughter of the late Colonel Hotham, of York. — ^— ^— ^— — — ^— jfit it JOHN GIBSON, Esq. '^'^^^^ '^ ^ Was made a Lieutenant Dec. 10, 1760;. posted Dec. 23, 1782 \ and commanded the Porcupine frigate, employed in the defence of Gibraltar, at the close of the American war. Residence. — ^Dulverton, Devonshire. WILLIAM FULKE GREVILLE, Esq. Post commission dated January 16, 1783. Bankera. — Coutts and Co. SAMUEL ARDEN, Esq. Senior Captmn of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, and a Director ofthv Chest. This officer lost his right arm when serving as a Lieutenant on board the Atalante sloop of war, in an action with a large American frigate on the banks of Newfoundland, May 28, 1781. His conduct on this occasion was of the most heroic description. The instant his mutilated limb was dressed, he resumed his station upon deck, where he continued anima- ting the crew till the vessel struckf. He was made a Post-Cap- tain Jan. 21, 1783 ; and appointed to Greenwich Hospital in 1796. MATPHEW SMITH, Esq. Fellow of the Royal Society. This officer is a son of the late Matthew Smith, Esq. Major of the Tower of London, Colonel of the 2d regiment of Tower * For the better regulation of the Royal Naval Hospitals, in the year 1795, Governors were appointed to each. To those at Hasiar and Ply- mouth, a Post-Captain, with a salary of 500/., and 75/. for house, coals, and candles ; three Lieutenants under them, whose salaries were tixed at 130/. per annum. By a recent regulation, the office of Governor has merged in that of a Resident Commissioner of the Fictualling, in whom are united the superintendance of the victualling department of the navy, and the control of the hospital. ^ See Vol. 1. p. 173. h V \ , '1 ■ 't i i i > 1 ! ,* V 74 RETIRUD CAPTAINS. Hamlets' militia, F. R. S. and F. S. A. who died Feb. 17, 1812, at the advanced age of 73 years. He was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, April 18, 1783, and during the Dutch and Spanish armaments, com- manded the Carysfort of 28 guns. At the commencement of the French war, in 1793, he was appointed to the Diomede, a 50-gun ship, and ordered to the East Indies. On the 22d Oct. 1794, the Diomede, being off the Mauri- tius, in company with the Centurion, a ship of similar force, fell in with a French squadron consisting of two frigates, one corvette, and a brig. After a smart action the enemy re- treated into Port Louis, with the loss of 38 men killed and 87 wounded. The Diomede's loss we have not been able to as- certain ; but the Centurion, which ship appears to have borne the brunt of the action, had 27 men killed and wounded. On the 2d Aug. in the following year, the Diomede, whilst turning into Back Bay, near Trincomalee, with a transport brig in tow, struck on a sunken rock which was supposed to be about half a mile further to the northward than its true si- tuation, and after getting off sunk Mdth all her stores on board about three miles to the northward of Flag-Staff Point. The Diomede, at the time this accident occurred, formed part of the squadron under Commodore Rainier, employed in the re- duction of Trincomalee, which surrendered by capitulation on the 26th of the same month. During the latter part of the siege. Captain Smith commanded a detachment of 300 sea- men and marines, landed to co-operate with the army, under Colonel J. Stuart*. * In the month of May 1795, the iirst official accounts reached India of the ^var between Great Britain and Holland, a report of which had some time before caused preparations to be made for that event. On the 1st ol' Aug. a squadron consisting of the Suffolk 7'1> bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Rainier, Centurion and Diomede 50*3, Heroine frigate, and se- veral transports, having on board about 3000 troops, commanded by Colonel Stuart, anchored in Back Bay, Ceylon, and the commandant of Trinco- malee was immediately summoned to surrender. On the 3d the troops were disembarked without opposition ; but owing to the extraordinary high surf and the violence of the wind, it took ten days to land the whole of the stores and provisions. The carriage of these and of the artillery to the camp, a distance of about three miles, over a heavy sand, was cheerfully executed by the seamen. On the 23d, the batteries having been completed, were opened on the lower fort with such effect, that by the 26tb, a practi- com- |nco- [)ops fiigh the I the Illy ked, IctU RETIRED CAPTAINS. 76 The report niaile by Captain Osborne of the Centurion, of the action with the French squadron, in the preceding year, not being satisfactory to Captain Smith, he applied to that offi- cer for an explanation. Captain Osborne, after more dis- tinctly expressing his approbation of Captain Smith's conduct than he had done in his public letter, thought fit to demand a court-martial for enquiring into the conduct of the two ships, with a view of justifying his letter on service. The court sen- tenced Captain Smith to be dismissed the service ; but on his return to England in 1798, he appealed against their verdict ; and his memorial being referred to the Crown lawyers and the Admiralty counsel, they reported their opinion that the sen- tence was unwarrantable, and not to be supported. Captain Smith was consequently restored to his rank in the navy, but never afterwards called into service. CHARLES CUNNINGHAM, Esq. Commissioner of His Majesty's Dock-Yatd at Chatham- This officer was born in 1755, and entered the royal navy as a Midshipman on board the ^olus frigate in 1775 ; pre- vious to which he had, (owing to the want of employment for young men in the King's service,) made several mercan- tile voyages with a friend in America, from whence he re- turned to England at the commencement of the colonial war. Early in I776jthe iEolus sailed for the West Indies, on which station Mr. Cunningham joined the Bristol of 50 guns, bear- ihg the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Parker, by whom he ca))le breach was made. A suraraons was then sent to the garrison ; but the Governor demanding terms which were inadmissible, and refusing to accept those sent in return, hostilities recommenced. Three hundred sea- men and marities were also landed, under the command of Captain Smith, for the purpose of assisting to storm the furt, had the enemy determined to hold out. In a short time, however, a white flag was displayed on the ramparts, and the Dutch commandant surrendered at discretion. The loss sustained by the British in obtaining possession of this post amounted to 16 men killed and 60 wounded ; 1 of the former and 6 of the latter were sailors. The fort of Oostenburg, situated on an almost perpendicular bill, and garrisoned by 400 Europeans, was nextvummoncd, and the enemy seemed resolved to defend it; but observing their invaders making prepa- rations for a bombardment, and about to cut off their water with which they were supplied by pipes from an opposite hill, they at length agreed to surrender. Several other posts and factories in Ceylon soon after shared the same fate. I .! ^ U f :|ill i i 76 RETIUKD CAPTAINS. wag made an acting Lieutenant, and appointed to the Port Royal sloop of war June 12, 1779. At the latter end of the same year, we find him serving as first Lieutenant of the Hinchinhroke, commanded by the late Lord Nelson, from which ship he removed into the Pallas frigate Jan. 14, 1780. The Pallas being ordered to England in July IJS'^, Mr. Cunningham was then appointed second Lieutenant of the Ajax 74. On the 4th Sept. following, he obtained the com- mand of the Admiral Barrington, a brig of 14 guns j and was soon after sent by Sir Joshua Rowley, with the Racehorse sciiooner under his orders, to stop the American salt trade, and prevent any communication between the people of the United States and those of Turk's Island, lying to the north- ward of St. Dcnningo. During his temporary absence, for the purpose of obtaining supplies at Jamaica, the French eft'ected a landing and took possession of the island ; which circum- stance being communicated to Captain Nelson, who had ar- rived olT there with a small stpiadron the day after Lieutenant (Juimingham's return to his station, an attempt was made to dislodge them on the following morning, by landing a detach- ment of seamen and marines under Captain C. Dixon, of the Drake brig, whilst that vessel and the Admiral Barrington at- tacked a battery of three 24-pounders ; but finding the enemy entrenched, and far superior in numbers, tho enterprise was abandoned, and the party re-embarked. In thi^ affair the brigs had several men wounded *. Va The Admiral Barrington was paid off at Jamaica, May II, I7H3; and, we believe. Lieutenant Cunningham was subse- quently appointed to the Tremendous of 74 guns. In I7B8, he joined the Crown 64, bearing the broad pendant of Com- modore Cornwallis, by whom he was made a Command'^ into the Ariel sloop uf waron the East India station in I70(). At the conunencement of the French, revolutionaiy war, Captain Cmmingham, then commanding the Speedy of 14 guns, sailed from England with despatches for the Mediter- ranean ; and on the arrival of the fleet luuler Lord Hood at Ciibraltar, he was ordered to remain there with two small ves- sels under his orders, for the purpose of preparing the hos- pital, fitting up ships for the reception of prisoners, forming " Mr. Cuhtiinghain'tt commission as u Lieutcuaitt wus aot cuufiriQud till Ills nppoiiitmciit to the Admiral Durrington. Rl-7riRK» (AITAINS. // from i I !i well, uiul forwarding any intelligence that might arrive, to his Lordship. InJi 1793, the Speed} •ed M. Calf ex-Mi convi nister of France, from Gihraltar to Naples, on a political visit ; and after performing that service joined Lord Hood at Toulon. She was suhseqxiently employed in keeping up a communica- tion between the Admiral and our Envoy at Genoa, the ten- ders hitherto sent on tluit service having been forcibly detained in that port, notwithstanding its neutrality, by the French vessels lying there. On the 5th Oct. in the same year, the Spt^cdy accompanied the Bedford and Captain, J4'i^, into the harbour of Genoa, and assisted in seizing the Modeste frigate, and two armed tartans. From thence she proceeded in company with the Captain to Port Espccia, in quest of another French frigate, the Impe- rieuse of 40 guns, which on the approach of the British was scuttled and abandoned by her crew. To this fine ship, the name of which on being weighed and taken into our service, was changed to the Unite, Captain Cunningham Mas ap- pointed by a post commiss':.ii, dated on the day of her cap- ture *, and afterwards contirmed by the Admiralty. lu April 1794, Captain Cunningham exchanged t^hips with (Jftptain V\'olselcy of the Lov\ estofte, in which frigate he as- sisted at the reduction of Calvi f, from whence he was sent home overland with Lord Hood's despatches announcing the total subjugation of Corsica, from which we make the fol- lowing extract : '* Captain Cunningham, who has cruised uith infini'i. diligenre, zoul, and pcrseveranro, under many diflioulties, for three months pa'»t, titTCalvi, is ('harped with my despatches, and is competent to pive any int'ornuilioii the'r lordshipis may wish to have. I l)ep to reeummend him us an ulUrer of great uu-ril, and highly deserving-atiy favor th'.it can he sliewn him." Captain C'unningham's journey across the continent appears to have been a very rapid one, he having left Calvi on the 1 1th Aug., and notwithstanding his being obliged to make a circuitous route to avoid the French army, and a detention of three or four days at llelvoetsluys, occasioned by a heavy gale of wind, arrived in I^ondon on the 1st of the e:»suing month. U'lti next appointment was in April, 17*a'>, to the Cly1 men. During the remainder of that year we find him active y emph)yed in the North Sea, • Oct. 12. 17:'3. t Sec Vol. i. p. i.'W. ■A i ^i^;< rs RETIRED CAPTAINS. and on the coast of France, having occasionally a smiUl squa- dron of frigates under his orders. In May, 1797) when a most dangerous mutiny I roke out among the crews of the ships composing the North Sea fleet, the Clyde happened to be refitting at the Little Nore, not- withstanding which, and the circumstance of his being no- minally under the influence of the mutineers, he had the good fortune never to be entirely dispossessed of his command, or to receive the least insult from his men, but on the contrary, at length succeeded by his conduct in detaching them from the contagion, which he efl'ected in the following manner : — On the 29th May, seventeen days after the first symptonw of mutiny had appeared on board the Sandwich and other ships at the Great Nore, Captain Cunningham gave orders that the signal from Parker, the rebel chief, for all delegates to repair to him, should not be answered by the Clyde, as was done on board the other ships. Her fore-sail being unbent at the time, and it being known that she was unprovided with a pilot, the rest of the fleet did not suspect that this was the prelude to her secession from their cause. At 9 P. M., Captain Cunningham assembled his crew, and made known to them his intention of working the ship into Slieerncss harbour in the course of that night ; intimating likewise that the St. Fiorenzo frigate would make her escape at the sanu^ time. Soon afttr mid-night the cables were slipped, and by su i-riee on the morning of the 30th, the Clyde was safely anchored in the harbour, thus givhig the first blow to a most diabolical con- Hpir:»cy, which, while it lasted, was terrifying to the whole country, and, but for the promptitude and activity di$ played by Captain Cunningham, his officers, and loyal crew, might have spread into a serious extent of mischief to the state •. On the return of the other ships to their duty, Captain Cunningham was ordered to Elslneur, for the purpose of con- voying homo a rich fleet of merchantinon, which, owing to the lute uidiappy events, had been detained in the Sound. * Captaina Ciinniiigliain !in and at the commencement of was a Mulsliiptuan on board the Centurion, and the first person who discovered Mie rich Acapiilco ship, captured by Coinniodcre Anson in the Southern Ocean. In 1767i he commanded the Medway of 60 puns, under the orders of Sir Edward Hawke, in tlie expedition against Rochefort. On the 17th July, 1761, when Captain of the Thunderer 74, he captured, after a severe and gallant action, I'Achille of 64 guna and 600 men. The Thun- derer on this occasion had 17 men killed, and 114, including her com- mander, wounded. So great a carnage was occasioned by one of the main- deck guns bursting, which blew up a part of the quarter-deck, and set the ship on fire. The enemy's loss was also very considerable. In 1769, we find him vvith his broad pendant on board the Pembroke, as Connnander- in-Chief on the IMcditcrrunean station. In 1771> he was made Com{>- troUer of the Victualling Board ; and, before the year elapsed, ap- pointed Commissioner at Chatham, where he died in 1799, aged 71 years. He was remarkable for his charitable disposition ; and among other dona- tions, he allowed 60/. per annum to the poor of Chatham. • The Greys are a junior branch of an ancient baronial family in Nor- thumberland, the chief of whom was created Baron Grey, of Werkc, by •lames I., nnd advanced to the Earldom of Tankerville by William III. ; which titles became extinct at the commencement of the last century ; and the heiress having carried the estates, by marriage, to Charles Benuet, Lord Ossulton, that nobleman was, in consequence, created Earl of Tan- kerville in 1714. The late Earl Grey was an officer of great experience, having served at the battle of Minden, under Prince Ferdinand ; and on the plains of Abraham, as aid-de-':mp to the immortal Wolfe. He next com- manded a body of troops during the colonial war ; and in 1 793, wus ap- pointed to command the army sent against the Frerch \Vest India colonies. He wae born Oct. 23, 17ii9; created Baron Grey de Howick, June 23, 1 801; Viscount Howick and Earl Grey, April 1, 1806. His Lordship died Nov. 14, 1807; and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, ('h.4ri"s, the present peer. KKTIRED (AP^^^NS. 83 4 the war with France, in 1793, we find him serving as a Lieu- tenant on board the Quebec of 32 guns ; from which ship lie was promoted to the command of tlie Vesuvius bomb ; and on the 1st Nov. in the same year, he obtained post rank in the Boyne, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis ; with whom he served during the memorable West India cam- paign *. At the siege of Guadaloupe he conunanded a de- tachment of 500 seamen and marines, landed to co-operate with the army. At 11 A.M. on the Ist May, 1705, soon after Captain Grey's return to England, and whilst he was attending a court-martial in Portsmouth harbour, a fire broke out on board the Boyne, then at Spithead. The flumes burst through the poop-deck before the fire was discovered, and spread so rapidly, that in less than half an hour the ship was in a blaze fore and aft ; every exertion on the part of the officers and crew to save her proved abortive. All her guns being loaded, went off as they became heated, the shot falling among the shipping ; and some even reached the shore in Stokes Bay. Two men on board the Queen Charlotte were killed, and one wounded. About P 30' P. M. she burnt from her cables, and drifted slowly to the eastward, till she strujk on the Spit opposite Southsea castle, where she continued to burn until near (> o'clock, when she blew up with a dreadful explosion. Fortu- nately, on the fire being first observed by the rest of the fleet, all the boats were sent to the ussistance of her crew ; the whole of whom, eleven only excepted, were happily rescued from the impending destruction. All the other ships were promptly removed to St. Helen's out of the reach of danger. This unfortunate accident has, by some, been attributed «o the funnel of the ward-room stove being overheated, and setting fire to some combustible matter in the Admiral's cabin ; but the evidence given by Lieutenant, now Rear-Ad- miral, Winthrop, who was the commanding officer at the time, completely contiadicts this assertion, as he proved that the funnel, instead of passing through the Admiral's cabin towards the poop, led upwards through the lobby on the out- side of the bulk-head, and, consequently, could not have oc- * See \'ol. I. pp. If*, 710 ^/ *r^., mid 840 if srij, 2 u '¥ Ib 84 RETIRED CAPTAINS. I ( casioned the disaster. It seems much more probable that the bottoms of the cartridges fired by a party of the 86th regi- ment, then doing duty on board as marines, and who were exercising on the poop at the moment when the ship was tending to the tide, had entered the ports of the cabin, into which Sir John Jervis's stock had recently been removed, preparatory to its being landed, and thereby set fire to the hampers, &c. The rapidity with which the flames extended throughout, may be attributed to the state of her planks and timbers, which had become perfectly dry through long expo- sure to a West India sun. It should be observed also, that she was riding with her stem to the wind, which no doubt greatly accelerated the progress of the fire towards her fore- castle *. -^ Captain Grey subsequently commanded the Glory, another iship of 98 guns, forming part of the Channel fleet. In the foUoM'ing year we find him in the Victory, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis, with whom he continued during the whole period that oflficer held the command on the Medi- terranean station. He consequently assisted at the defeat of the Spanish fleet, off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797 t) «« which occasion the Victory had only 1 man killed and 5 wounded. Previous to his return to England, his friend the Com- mander-in-Chief gave him the dormant appointment of Ad- jutant-Genei al of the Fleet, under which he acted in a certain degree, so as not to give offence to the senior Captains. The Admiral, in a letter to Earl Spencer, aimouncing his intention of resigning the command to Lord Keith, mentions this cir- cumstance, and adds, *' In the state I am in. Captain Grei/ is essentially necessary to my comfort, and I hope your Lordship will approve of his accompanying tne." In the spring of 1800, Earl St. Vincent hoisted his flag on board the Ville de Paris of 110 guns, as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel fleet ; and at the same time our officer assumed the command of that ship, which he held until the month of * A man who had liv«d some years upon a comfortable annuity at a small village in StatFordshire, died iu 1806. On his death-bed he declared that he had been hired to set fire to the Boyne. t See Vol. I. p. 21, et seq. RBTIUED CAPTAINS. 85 cir- at a ared March, 1801. He was soon after appointed to one of the yachts in attendance on the royal family at Weymcuth, and continued to be employed on that sort of service till about April, 1804, when he succeeded Sir Isaac Coffin, as Commis- sioner of Sheerness Dock-yard, from whence he afterwards removed to Portsmouth, where he now resides. In June, 1814, his present Majesty, (then on a visit to the fleet at Spithead, in company with the allied sovereigns) pre- sented Commissioner Grey with the patent of a Baronetcy ; and on the 20th May, 1820, he was graciously pleased to nominate him an extra K. C. B. Sir George Grey married, in July, 1705, Mary, sister to the late Samuel Whitbread, Esq., M. P. for Bedford, (who had some years previous thereto been united to one of his sisters) by whom he has had several children. /lu-,*^^ linUtl^ ^^ o(Ar 3 Ocrmr \S3\- ^^^ ,^ ROBERT GAMBIER MIDDLETON, Esq. One of the Principal Ojficers and Commissioners of his Majesty's Savy, The name of Middleton is derived from the lands of Mid- dletoun, in Kincai'dineshire, of which this family were in pos- session for nearly four centuries and a half. Tlie subject of this memoir is a son of the late George Middleton, Esq., brother of Admiral Lr)rd Barham, and Col- lector of the Customs a*^ Leith, by Elizabeth, daughter of George Wilson, of Stottencleugh, N. B. Esq. Being destined for the navy, he went to sea at an early age, and we believe served as a Lieutenant in Lord Hood's fleet, at the occupation and evacuatio.i of Toulon, in 1703*. • In the list of officers employed in the service of burniiii,' the French ships and arsenal at Toulon, we find a Lieutenant Middleton of tlie Bri- tannia. Unfortunately for the Compiler, in this, as in numerous other instances which hfi has met with, the christian names of officers were not considered necessary to be mentioned by the writer of the official despatch : an omission great'y to be deplored, as we know that the meritorious actions of some individuals are occasionally, though unintentionally, as- signed to others, in <.'onsequencc thereof. Commandinjj officers, having a proper feeling for their subordinates, would do well to give their secretaries and clerks strict orders to insert the names of officers employed on hazard- ous services, at full length. The palm would then be worn by him who won it. To evince the necessity of so doing, we need only point to the Navy List for Jan., 1824, in which will bo found no Icsa than 39 Licutc- I Sft RETIUKl) fAPTAINS. .,lto He obtained the rank of Post-Captain, Aug. 1 1, 1794 ; soon after which he had an opportunity of distinguishing himself as a brave officer. In the month of June, 1795, he commanded the Lowestoife, a 32-gun frigate, with a complement of 212. men, under the orders of the late Lord Hotham, by whom he was sent, in company with the Dido, of 28 guns and 193 men, to recon- noitre the port of Toulon and the adjacent islands. On the 24th of the same month, these ships fell in with two French frigates, la Minerve of 42 guns and 330 men, and I'Arte- mise of 38 guns and 275 men. After some manceuvring. Captain George Henry Towry, of the Dido, leading down, commenced a close action with the headmost and largest of the enemy's ships, which falling twice on board, was at an early period much disabled from the loss of her bowsprit, fore-mast, and main-top-mast ; the Dido's mizen-mast being shot away, and her fore and main-top-sails rendered useless, she no longer kept to. At this juncture Captain Middleton ciime up, and opened a well-directed fire. L'Artemise ex- changed broadsides with the British frigates as she passed them on the opposite tack, and soon after tacked for the pur- pose of joining her consort ; but upon the approach of the Lowestoffe sheered off, and succeeded in effecting her escape*. Captain Middleton, on his return from the pursuit, com- menced a raking fire upon la Minerve, and soon compelled her to surrender. This was justly considered one of the most gallant actions of that period, la Minerve alone being superior in weight of metal to both her opponents. Captain Towry, the senior officer, in his letter to the Conimunder-iu-Cliief, acknow- ledged the very able support he had received from Captain Middleton, and testified, that *•' by his good conduct, the business of the day was, in a great measure, brought to a fortunate issue f." mints bearing the name of Smith ; and, of those, no less than 5 having the same Christian name, John ; which also renders it necessary that the distinguishing italic after the name should not be neglected, as the figures 1, 2, 3, &c. formerly were. • L'ArtiSmise was destroyed in Aboukir Bay, Aug. 1, 1/98, f Captain Towry was afternards appointed to the Diadem of 64 guns, I RBTIRED CAPTAINS. 87 We are not aware of tlie exact loss sustained by the ene- niv, but that of the British was not so great as might have been expected ; the Dido had (i men killed, and 15, including her first Lieutenant, the late Captain Buckoll, wounded*. The Lowestoffe had only 3 men wounded. In the course of the same year, Captain Middleton was appointed to the Flora of 36 guns, in which ship he served a considerable time under the orders of Commodore Nelson, in the gulf of Genoa and on the neighbouring coasts. On the 10th July, 17iK5, the Flora assisted at the occupa- tion of Porto Ferrajo, which place it was considered neces- sary to secure, in consequence of the French having taken possession of Leghorn, and evinced a disposition to seize upon the island of Elba, in order to facilitate their meditated invasion of Corsica. Porto Ferrajo is by nature very strong, and the citadel nearly impregnable ; notwithstanding which, it surrendered without resistance, on observing the preparations made by Commodore Nelson's squadron, and the British troops under Major Duncan, for storming the place. It was mounted with 100 pieces of cannon, and garrisoned by 400 regulars, besides a numerous militia. In April, 1797? soon after the battle off Cape St. Vhicent, Vice- Admiral VValdegrave was appointed Governor of New- foundland, and the Flora ordered to convey him to England. On the 3d Nov. following, she received the flag of Rear- Ad- miral Frederick for a passage to Lisbon ; from whence she proceeded to her station in the Mediterranean f. On the 14th May, 1708, Captain Middleton pursued a French brig, which he compelled to seek shelter in the har- bour of Cerigo, an island near the Morea j and there not being sufficient water for his frigate to follow her, he despatched and commanded that ship w the glorious battle with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, \797. At the time of his death, which took place April 9, 1809, he was Deputy Chairman of the Vi(tuallinf(, and junior Commissioner of the Transport Board. His father, Commissioner G. P. Towry, died in 1817, aged 84. * Captain Buckoll commanded the Serpent sloop, and died on the Afri- can station, April 23, 1798. t On her passage from England to Lisbon, the Flora assisted at the capture of I'lncroyable, a French privateer, of 24 guns and 220 men. !■-« inS» "..H^Qi' .^. W. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I l^m |2.5 ■so ■^" M^H tik 1^ |2.2 us lU u 1.25 |||||.4 J4 ^ 6" - ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 93 WIST MAIN STRUT WliSTIR.N.Y. I4SI0 716) •73-4S03 88 RETIRED CAPTAINS. lin the^boats to cut her out ; which service they effected in a most gallant manner, bringing her off in triumph, notwith- stiinding a heavy fire from two batteries at the entrance of the harbour, with the loss of only 1 man killed and 8 wounded. She proved to be le Mondovi, of 16 guns and 68 men, 1 of whom was slain. 5 supposed to be drowned, and 8 dangerously wounded *. In the course of the following month. Captain Middleton captured la Corcyre, a French corvette of 16 guns, near Sicily. During the two succeeding years he was employed on the Lisbon station, where he cruised with considerable success against the enemy's privateers and merchantmen. Among the numerous prizes taken by him, were I'lntrepide, of 20 guns and 160 men j I'Aventure, 14 guns, 132 men ; N. S. del Carmen, 2 guns, 21 men j I'Aurore, 8 guns, 33 men; la Lcgere, 14 guns, 60 men; the Rhuiter, 14 guns, 104 men ; Corunesa, 16 guns, 90 men ; St. Antonio y Animas^ 10 guns, 55 men ; and the Cortes of 4 guns ; making a total of nine armed vessels, mounting 102 guns, and carrying up- wards of 640 men. He was also fortunate enough to re-cap- ture many of their prizes. In the early part of 1801, the Flora accompanied the fleet under Lord Keith to Aboukir Bay, where she had several men killed and wounded, whilst assisting at the debarkation of the army under Sir Ralph Abercrombie ; with whose re- mains she was soon after sent to Malta, where they were interred in the N. E. bastion of the fortifications of la Valette, on the 29th of April. A black marble stone, laid horizontally, adorned with a Latin epitaph, marks the place of interment. The Flora returned to England in the course of the following month. Soon after the renewal of hostilities in 1803, we find Cap- tain Middleton commanding the North Foreland district of Sea Fencibles. In the summer of 1805, he succeeded Com- missioner Otway in the superintendance of the naval yard at Gibraltar, where he remained until Sept. 1808, at which period he obtained a seat at the Navy Board, where he still continues. -U «,.>»., : ^f^,*,...^*, i- Sff> ■^r^y ' *>♦" ^- n -h'.-y iJ * Lieutcoaiit W. Russel, who commanded the boats on thin occasion, *\'m\ Captain of the Cvres frigate in 1801, aged 36. •1 ....-■• *•» c* St^^^ Cyv/T-V. ^(.V- 1''^ " T-.-'.^-* , Atj''^-^^*^ j..> RBTIRKD CAPTAJMS, 89 Commissioner Middleton married^ Dec. 11, 1802, Susan Maria, daughter of John Martin Leake, of Thorpe Hall, co. Essex, Esq. WILLIAM SHIELD, Esq. Resident Commissioner of Plymouth Dock-Yard. Thb result of an action brought against this officer, in the Court of Common Pleas, in March 1792, gave peculiar energy to the 36th naval article of war * . The plaintiff complained of an assault and violence used to his person, in consequence of his refusing to obey an order of Mr. Shield, who was first Lieutenant of the Saturn 74, and for the time being, com- manding officer, which order was in itself of the nature of punishment ; namely, directing him to go to the mast-head, and there to remain for a certain time, or until called down. On his refusing to obey. Lieutenant Shield ordered some men to secure him with a rope, and hoist him up to the mast- head. The usage of the service, with respect to the mast- heading of midshipmen for minor offences, was proved by the testimony of several naval officers. Lord Chief Justice Loughborough observed, in summing up, that the custom of the service justified the first order, and rendered it legal ; therefore the disobeying such order justified the measures taken to enforce it. The jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict for the defendant. On the 16th July, in the preceding year. Admiral f^rd Hood^ Vice- Admiral Hotham, Rear-AdmiralGower,Sir Hyde Parker, and Captain Richard Onslow, had, in compliance with an order from the Admiralty, formed themselves into a Court of Inquiry, in order to ascertain whether Lieutenant Shield's conduct * By the 36th naval article of war, it is devlared, " that all other crimes not capital, committed by any person or persons in the fleet, which are not mentioned in this act, or for which no punishment is hereby directed to be inflicted, shall be punished according to the laws in such case uiieChief in the Downs ; and when Lord Barham presided over naval affairs, he held a seat at the Board of Admiralty. A few years before his decease he published " The Natural Defence of an Insular Empire earnestly re- commended." 4to. t See Vol. L p. 294. % Sec Vol. L p. 246. 11 11 1:1 n m IM UKTIHKH r.Xl'TAINS. 21)th of tho same inoiiUi, lio obtainrd Iho laiiU of I'osI (.'jiptsiin ; from vvhioh prriotl wo losr si^lit of hhu iiiilil \\\v ostablisluuent of Soa IVuciblrs in 1 he spring t)f 17i)H, ulu-n ho wsis sippointod to tlio ooinniuiul of llio diwlriot hotwoon Harwich juul YaruuMilh, havinu; his rosidonoo al S(mlhwoi«l. Early in 18(H), ho sucooodoil tho prosont I^iontonant-CJovornor of (iroonwioh Hospital, as ono of tho Captains of that osta- blishmont; and continuing (o hohl that' appointniont, was passed ovor in tho general promotion thai took place on the 4th .hme, 1814. JAMKS IU)VVKN, Esq. Ouf of Ihr Pr'mnjMl Offirirn and (^ommmhnrrs of /its Mnjcxtt/x Xki';/. This ollker, a native of Ilfracombe, co. Devon, is descend- ed from the ancient and rc«pcctahle family of tho Rowens, of Court House, in the seignory of (lower, in Glamorganshire. About the year \77^\ ^'C find h\v^ commanding a merchant ship employed in the African, ("anada, and Jamaica trade ; on board which vessel, his gallant brother, the late Captain Richard Bowen, first went to sea *. He subsequently entered the naval service aa a Master, and served as such on board the Artois frigate, commanded by the late Admiral Macbride, in the battle between Sir Hyde Parker and Admiral Zoutman, Aug. 5, 1781 f. Some time after this event, Mr. Bowen went into the Texel in a Dutch fishing boat, closely reconnoitred the ene- * Captahi Richard Bowen cntntnanded the Torpssichorc friii^ate, and full covered with wounds at the attack upon Santa Ouz, in the ishuid of Te- neriffe, ,Tuly 24th, 17J>7. (See Vol. I. note f, at p. ii\)\.) He hud landed at the Mole head, with about fifty of his crew, stormed the battery, spiked the giu\», and was proceeding towards the town, in pursuit of the fugitive Spaniards, when a tremendous discharge of grape, from some Held pieces in his front, brought him to the ground, with his first liieutcnuut, and ninny brave followers, at the nioinont that Neisun received the wound wliich caused him the loss of an arm. Commissioner Uowen hud two other brothers in the naval service : George, a Post-Captain, died at Torquay, Oct. .'U St, 181/; and Thomas, who fell a sacrifice to the climate of tlic West Indies, when serving as a Midshipman on promotion, in the Cumberland, Captain Macbride, during the armament of 1 "9t). t S«e Vol. I. note §, at p. 175. RKTIUHD rAPTy\INS. 05 trade ; luy'H HhipB lying at that aiichoriigc, and made an nrcurate rrport of their condition to the Achniralty. Thti Duteh H(|uadroti nliortly after attempted to eonu' <»ut; hut upon the ArtoJH making a Hignal to the Jtritish HhipH in the oiling, and the hitter anchoring in the Land i)oe|», the eneniy put ha<;k in Huch eoufuHion, that a 7^1 grounth'd oti the Maak Sauds, whcr(> she waH c. The Artois, on this occasion, had 1 nmn killed and 0 wounded ; th(> enemy huh- tained a Iohs of 22 killed ami M5 wotmded. ThcHe vchhcIh had been cruiuuig off Fland)orough Head, to intercept a fleet of ICngliHli merchantmen coming from the Baltic, of which Mr. Howen wau fortunate enough to obtain information while watching the Texel in a tender belonging to the Artoia. Early in 17H2, the ArtoiH wan ordered into the Channel ; and, in the month of April, she formed |)art of the fleet which waH Hcnt out under Admiral Barrington, for the purpose of intercepting a French Hcpuulron, then about to Mail from BrcKt for the I'^ant Indies. On the 20tii of that month, being a-head on the look out, whc discovered the enemy, and succeeded in leading them to the British fleet ; by which, in the course of that and the following day, the Pegase of 74 guns, I'Action- naire, a (54 anned enjlnte, and twelve transports, laden with provisions and ammm» • •* At a General Mectinfj of the British Consul and Factory, held at the Consul's house, on the 23 Jan., 1802 — " Resolved unanimously — ^That the thanks of this Factory be given to Thomas Wolley, Esq., Captain of H. M. S. Arcthusa, for his very meri- torious conduct in the discharge of his professional duties, during his cuni- mand on this station; and for the exemplary discipline and regularity preserved on board the diflferent vessels of his squadron. The Factory with pleasure avail themselves of this opportunity, to acknowledge the many obligations which the commerce of Madeira owes to Captain Wolley ; Vvho, very fortuijatcly for the island, has, in the course of the war, had occasion frequeitly to visit this station ; and he has uniformly shewn every attention to the British inhabitants, and given every protection to their property, which it was in his power to afford. " The Consul and Factory, as a token of their gratitude for the services which he has rendered them, and as a mark of their respect for his profes- sional character, request Captain WoUey's acceptance of a sword. And it it is with singular satisfaction that while, as a public body, they offer this tribute to his professional conduct, each individual member of this Factory feels a private gratification in an opportunity of testifying his personal attachment to the character of Captain Wolley. " Resolved — ^That the Consul and Direetors be a Committee to carry the preceding resolve irto execution ; and to have an authentic copy trans- mitted in the most respectful manner to Captain Wolley. " Resolved — ^That the sword shall be of such a value and workman- ship, as shall be worthy of the public body which presents, and of the respectable character who is to receive it." H 2 li!:"' 100 RETIRED CAPTAINS. ^1 performed, by laying down buoys on the different banks and moorings for ships of the line ; after which, and serving for some time as Captain of the Fleet under Earl St. Vincent, he resumed his seat at the Board *. In January 1809, Commissioner Bowen added to his well- earned fame, by the important services which he rendered to the brave troops, recently commanded by Sir John Moore, when embarking at Corunna, and for which he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. Since that period, we believe he has not been afloat. He became a Commissioner of the Navy about March, 1816. In 1810, Commissioner Bowen received a letter from a distant relative, at that time Governor of Teneriffe, where his gallant brother fell ; stating, that the magistrates of the island, out of regard for the memory of the deceased, and respect for the surviving relatives, had requested him to re- ceive the gold seals, chain, and sword, of the late Captain Richard Bowen, which had been kept ever since, in the Town House of that island, as a record of their defeat of the English on that occasion, and which was all that they could recover belonging to him, the populace having stolen his watch and other valuables : the sword, chain, and seals, had been care- fully preserved; and they requested the Governor to beg Commissioner Bowen would accept them, as they conceived such relics would be grateful to his feelings ; and, as the two nations were then firmly united in a cause, which reflect- ed equal honor on both, they did not wish to retain a trophy which could remind them that they had ever been opposed to each other. Captain James Bowen, of the Phoenix frigate, eldest son of the subject of this memoir, died on the East India station, in 1812. In him, his country lost an active, brave, and skil- ful oflicer, and society an amiable and distinguished ornament. Another son of the Commissioner's, John, obtained post rank, January 22d, 1806. His youngest son, St. Vincent, was admitted into holy orders in 1823. * Admiral CornwalHa rendezvoused at Falmouth several timen in 1806 ; and in the succeeding year, Commissioner Bowen conducted the fleet under Carl St. Vincent, consisting of five 3'decker9 and eight other liue-of- battle ships, into that port, where he moored them in safety. RETIRED CAPTAINS. 101 ROBERT LARKAN, Esq. A Captain of the Roj/al Hospital at Greenwich. This officer was born at Athlone, in Ireland, Dec. 27, 1756, and at the age of fourteen years was placed by his uncle, the late Captain John P. Ardesoif, R. N. under the protection of Captain George Vandeput, commanding the Solebay frigate. He subsequently served as a Midshipman on board the Terrible and Ramillies, third rates j Argo 44 ; Pelican sloop of war; and Prince of Wales 74, the latter bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Barrington, on the Leeward Islands station. Whilst serving under that distinguished commander, Mr. Larkan was present at the capture of St. Lucia*, and bore a part in the action between Vice-Admiral Byron, and the Count d'Estaing, off Grenada, July 6, 1779 f. On the 28th April, I78O, after having acted for some time as a Lieutenant in the Diana frigate, he was confirmed to that rank in the CuUoden 74, From the following months until Nov. 1783, he served as such under the late Lord Hugh Seymour in the Diana, Ambuscade, and Latona, principally attached to the grand fleet, at that period employed cruising in the Bay of Biscay, and escorting supplies to the besieged garrison of Gibraltar. The last named frigate afforded such essential service, during the relief of that fortress by Earl Howe, that we think it proper to enter into a more minute account of what passed on that memorable occasion, than we did in our first volume. On the 9th Oct. 1 782, being then abreast of Cape St. Vincent, Lord Howe sent a Lieutenant into Faro to gain intelligence ; who returned with the newa that the enemy had failed in their grand attack, and that the combined fleets of France and Sptun, consisting of forty-seven sail of the liiie, three uhips of 5G guns each, besides frigates, &c. were lying off Alge- ziras, for the purpose of preventing any supplies being carried to the rock. At five P. M . on the following day, the British fleet, consisting of tliirty- four sail of the line, fiv< irigates, three fire-vcsscls, and twenty-nine trans- ports, brought to on the starboard tack, about fourteen leagues from the entrance of the Gut. At eight A. M. on the 1 1th, it having blown hard the preceding evening, the signal was made to close ; and at IC* 30' to form the line of battle a-hcad ; the transports, under protection of the Latotia. ♦ See Vol. I, note • at p. 103. t Set note t at p. 50, rt xrq. of this volume. 102 RKTIRKD CAPTAINS. nPli preceding the fleet to the eastward. The same evening the Latona an- chored in the bay, and Lord Howe, in the Victory, passed the rock. On the 12th the Latona came out and brought Captain Curtis of the navy to the Commander-in-Chief : only four of the transports fetched into the bay ; the remainder were driven by the current up the Mediterranean, whither the fleet also repaired. Oct. 13th, tlie Panther of 60 guns, anchored off the garrison. At eleven A. M. the Latona, abreast of Europa point, in- formed the Admiral by signal that the enemy were in motion, and bore up to close with the fleet. At sun-down the enemy were seen about six leagues to windward, in lioe-of-battle on the larboard tack, forty-nine sail of square-rigged vessels, forty-two of which appeared to be of the line. The Latona and another frigate were ordered to reconnoitre. At two A. M. on the 14th, the Latona made the signal for the enemy having tacked. At six they were not in sight from the decks of the British ships. Oct. 15, Gibraltar distant about ten leagues. The next day very thick weather with a heavy swell ; Latona informed Lord Howe that eighteen more of the transports were safe in the Mole. At four P. M. on the 1 7th, the fleet stood over for Tetuan Bay, with intention to anchor there, but found it was not sufficiently capacious. On the 18lh, Captain HoUoway of the Buffalo, who had been sent to the Zaffarine islands, hove in sight, and got safe into the bay with all the remainder of the transports, under his protection, one brig alone excepted *. In the evening Captain Curtis agam went on board the Latona, charged with the final communi- cations the Governor hud to make to Earl Howe. At six A. M. on tho 19th, wind about east, the Crown made the signal for the enemy's fleet. His Lordship attempted to form, but finding it impracticable, fan through the Gut with his colours flying as a challenge- At four P. M. the Captain of the Latona went on board the Victory, with the news of his having cap- tured and destroyed a Spanish firo-vessel ; he also carried with him Cap- tain Vallotton, aid-dc-camp to General Elliot, and Captain Curtis, returning to England with despatches. The loss sustained by the British in the en- suing skirmish has already been stated in a note at p. 42, of this volume. The Spanish fire-vessel just alluded to was taken posses- sion of^ and conducted into Gihraltar Bay, by Lieutenant Larkan, who appears to have had a most miraculous escape from destruction, she being actually on fire in several places, and her hatches all battened down, when boarded by him. On searching the prize several lighted matches were disco- vered in various parts, some of which had communicated tlieir fire to rags and otiicr combustibles, whilst one was found sticking in a barrel of filled cartritlges placed under the cabin. The man who luvd been ordered to inspect that part of the vessel, was so nuich alarmed, that instead of attending to « Sec Vol. I. p. 107. RETIRKD CAPTAINS, 103 Lieutenant Larkan's order enjoining him to be steady, to take up the match gently and hand it to him, he threw it up the scuttle with such force that it fell down an adjoining hatch- way where a large quantity of combustible matter was depo- sited ; and but for the promptitude of Lieutenant Larkan^ who seeing another man standing near, instantly pushed him down upon the match, which was thereby fortunately extinguished, the most alarming consequences might have followed. Others, however, being secreted in different parts, as was evident from the increased smoke. Lieutenant Larkan having suc- ceeded in reaching Gibraltar Bay about mid-night, and re- ported the condition of the vessel to his Captain, was ordered to destroy her without delay, a service which he performed so effectually, that in little more than a quarter of an hour the water for some distance was covered with her burning wreck. On the appearance of hostilities with Spain in 1790, Lieu- tenant Larkan again joined Lord Hugh Seymour, in the Ca- nada of 74 guns ; and at the commencement of the French war in 1793, he accompanied him to the Mediterranean in the Leviathan, a ship of the same force. During the memorable actions of May 29 and June 1, 1794, the Leviathan, at that period attached to Lord Howe's fleet, bore a distinguished part. The veteran Admiral, in his supplementary official letter, dated June 21, thus notices her conduct on the 28th of the former month : " The quick approach of night only allowed me to observe, that Lord Ilurrh Seymour Conway in the Leviathan, with equal pood judgment and determined courage, pushed up alongside of the 3-decked French ship, and was supported by Captain Parker of the Audacious, in the most spirited manner. I have since learnt that the Leviathan stretched on farther a-hcad, for bringing the sccoimI ship from the enemy's rear to action, as soon as her former station could be occupied by u succeeding llrltish ship ; also that the 3-decker in the enemy's rear, as aforesaid, being imsustained by their other ships, struck to the Audacious, and that they parted company together soon afterwards.'* Respecting the Leviathan on the ensuing day, his Lordship adds : — " The Queen Charlotte was therefore immediately tacked) and followed by the Dellerophon, her second astern, and soon after joine<< by the Leviathan, passed through in action. i)etn'ccM the fifth and sixth ships in the rear of the enemy's line." On the Ist June, the Leviathan engaged I'Ami'rique of "JA guns, bearing the broad pendant of a French Commodor*^ i 1 104 RBTIRKD CAPTAINS. % I. and fairly beat her out of the enemy's line ; but such was the obstinacy of her commander, that sdthough she had been ren- dered perfectly defenceless, and her firing had entirely ceased, he could not be prevailed on to strike. Lord Hugh was at length obliged to leave his antagonist, and close with the British Admiral, in obedience to a signal then flying : I'Ame- rique soon after struck to the Russel, without making any further resistance. The Leviathan had 10 men killed and 33 wounded, whilst the French ship, in the different actions, had 134 slain and 110 wounded. Mr. Larkan's conduct, as first Lieutenant of the Leviathan, on those eventful days, procured for him almost immediate promotion ; and we subsequently find him commanding the Hornet sloop of war. His advancement to the rank of Post- Captain took place Sept. 16, 1796; and from this, period till the peace of Amiens, he was employed in the Camilla, a 20-gun ship, principally on the North Sea and American stations. , • • . Captain Larkan appears to have been doomed to a state of painful inactivity during the whole of the late war. He was appointed to the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, in Jan. 1818, and placed on the retired list in Aug. of the following year. His brother was first Lieutenant of the Defence in the battle of the Ist June, and is now a Commander on half pay. HON. COURTENAY BOYLE. One of the Principal Oncers and Commissioners of His Majesty'' s Navy ; and a Fellow of the Royal Society. This officer is the third son of Edmund, seventh Earl of Cork and Orrery, by his first Countess, Anne, daughter of Kelland Courtenay, Esq. and niece to John, fourth Earl of Sandwich. tie was born Sept. 3, 1/69, and entered the naval service Feb. 19, 1781, as a Midshipman, on board the Latona frigate, commanded by the late Sir Hyde Parker. In this ship he witnessed the action between the squadron under the com- mand of his Captaui's veteran father, and tliat of Holland under Admiral Zoutman * j some time after which he had the mis- fortune to fall from the booms into the orlop, and was • See Vol. I. note i at p. 175. RETIRED CAPTAINS. 105 obliged to go on shore for his recovery. He subsequently joined the Goliah 74, andremained in that vessel until April 8th, 1783, when he was sent to the Naval College at Portsmouth, where he continued until March 1784; at which period he re-commenced his professional career, under the auspices of* the great Nelson, in the Boreas frigate, and sailed in her to the West Indies, from whence he returned to England in the summer of 1787* The Boreas having been put out of commission, Mr. Boyle was received, at the recommendation of Captain Nelson, on board the Barfleur 98, bearing Lord Hood's flag ; and in that ship he continued until the 25th Nov. 1788, when he was re- moved into the Leander 60, the flag-ship of Admiral Peyton, by whom, on the 5th June 1789, he was appointed to act as Lieutenant in the Aquilon frigate, on the Mediterranean sta- tion. He subsequently served in the same capacity on board the Vanguard74, and was at length confirmed in that rank and appointed to the Roebuck, a 44 on two decks. At the commencement of the war against revolutionary France, in 1793, we find Mr. Boyle fourth Lieutenant of the Egmont, of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir Archibald Dixon. This ship, after fitting at Plymouth, proceeded with the squadron under Rear-Admiral Gell, to convoy the East India fleet to a certain latitude ; and then cruised between the Western Isles and the coast of Spain. On the 14th April, the squadron captured the General Dumourier, French Priva- teer of 22 guns and 196 men, and retook the St. Jago re- gister ship, her prize, which, after a tedious litigation, was condemned, when the captors shared largely, each of the Lieutenants receiving 1,400/.* On the 27th of the following month, Lord Hood, then at Gibraltar, appointed Lieutenant Boyle to the Fox cutter, and charged him with despatches for the Admiralty. Our oflScer afterwards served in the Excellent and Saturn ships of the line ; and in the spring of 1795, accompanied Commodore Payne in the Jupiter of 50 guns, to bring over H. S. H. the Princess Caroline of Brunswick from Cuxhaven. On his return from that service, he was promoted, April 1795, to the rank of Commander ; and during the month of October fol- lowing, obtained an appointment to the Kangaroo, a new brig • Sfc Vol. I, note f, at p. 757- fcL^ 106 RETIRED CAPTAI!^. of 18 guns, in which he cruised with considerable succeda against the enemy's privateers and other armed vessels on the Lisbon and Irish stations. He obtained post rank, June 30th, 1797. From this period until the beginning of the ensuing year. Captain Boyle remained on half-pay. He was then appointed to the Hyfena, of 24 guns, and served in her off Cherbourg, St. Maloes, and the Isle of Bas, until March 1799, when he was obliged to resign his ship in consequence of the injury he had sustained from being thrown out of a carriage, when about to sail for Lisbon, His next appointment was, in the ensuing month of June^ to the Cormorant, of 24 guns ; in which ship, after being for some time in attendance upon the royal family at Weymouth, he was sent to the Mediterranean, and on the passage out captured a Spanish brig of 14 guns and 87 men, and retoojc an English West Indiaman. On the 20th May, 1800, tho Cormorant was wrecked ofFDamietta, on the coast of Egypt, when on her way to Alexandria, mth despatches from Lord Keith to Sir W. Sidney Smith, containing the ratification of the treaty of El Arish. Contrary to the usages of war. Captain Boyle was kept in close confinement for nearly three months, during which period tLe French General Menou, into whose power he h'';d fallen, tn^ated him in the most savage manner, telling him that he must consider himself as an hostage for the safety of Bodot, \/ho had been an aide-de-camp to Buona- parte, and was then in the hands of the Grand Vizier. Having at length recovered his liberty, Captmn Boyle joined Sir W. Sidney Smith at Cyprus, and from thence went to Minorca, where a court martial assembled, Nov. 17th, 1800, to inquire into the circumstances by which the loss of the Cormorant was occasioned. The court were unanimously of opinion, that it arose from an error in the reckoning, occa- sioned by the great incorrectness of the charts, and that the conduct and exertions of Captain Boyle, were highly merito- rious and exemplary on the unfortunate occasion ; and did therefore adjudge him to be fully acquitted of all blame. From this period, our officer remained unemployed till the spring of 1803, when he was appointed to the Seahorse fr^ate, and ordered to the Mediterranean, where he was most t RETIRED CAPTAINS. \QfJ actively employed under the immortal Nelson, during a most important part of his Lordship's command on that station. In the summer of 1805, Captain Boyle exchanged into the Amphitrite, a Spanish prize frigate, and returned to England. His last appointment afloat was May 31, 1806, to the Royal William, bearing the flag of the Port Admiral at Spithead, the command of which ship he retained until the month of June, 1809, when he succeeded the late Captain Towry as a Commissioner of Transports. The controul of the dock-yard at Sheerness was confided to him in the summer of 1814; and some time after he was appointed, by an order in council, to superintend the bringing up of the arrears of the accounts left unaudited by the Transport Board at the time of its dis- solution. He has recently obtained a seat at the Navy Board. Commissioner Boyle married, in 1799, Caroline Amelia, daughter of the late William Poyntz, of Midgham House, CO. Berks, Esq. His son is a Lieutenant R. N. ISAAC WOLLEY, Esq. Dcputi/ Chairman of the yictuallmg- Board. Tins officer, a brother of Vice- Admiral Thomas Wollcy, was educated at the celebrated maritime school formerly estab- lished at Chelsea, and which furnished the navy with many excellent officers. At the commencement of the French war in 1793, we find him holding the rank of Lieutenant, and commanding a large ship in the West India trade. He sub- sequently joined the Santa Margaritta frigate, commanded by the present Admiral Sir Eliab Harvey, with whom he served on shore at the reduction of Martinique by the naval and mi- litary forces under Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey *. * After the investiture of Fort Bourbon by the British, Captain Harvey landed at the head of 300 seamen and a party of marines from his own ship, the Solebay, and Nautilus, and instantly began to proceed with a 24- pounder and two other gims from the wharf in the Cul de sac Coh<5e to- wards Sourier, a post recently taken by Sir Charles Grey, and near which that General had established his head-quarters. After cutting a road through a thick wood for nearly a mile ; making a sort of bridge, or rather passage, across a river, which they effected by filling it up with large stones and branches of trees ; and levelling the banks of another river by the removal of immense fragments of rock, this p(!rscvcring party, on the third day, to the astonishment of the whole army, got the 24-pounder tq i^i :. i^F '■ I V F i ' f 'I. 'I 108 RETIRED CAPTAINS. From the Santa Margaritta, Lientenant WoUey removed into the Boyne, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis, by whom he was entrusted with the command of 180 seamen landed from that ship to co-operate with the British army in the island of Gaudaloupe, after the recapture of that colony by the republican forces *. the heights of Sourier before the night shut in, and two howitzers within a mile of it. On the following day they got two other 24-poundcr8 and the howitzers to the heights, the distance from which to the wharf where they landed is near five miles. When we consider that the road was to be formed for near four miles of the way, one of which was through a very thick wood, and that, as they approached Sourier, for near a mile, the road was so steep, that a loaded mule could not walk directly up it, it seems scarcely credible that so small a number of men should be able to have un- dergone such severe fatigue, considering the climate and the nature of the soil, which was a very stiff clay intermixed with large stones. The assistance thus rendered to the army by these brave fellows was invaluable ; and the compliments paid them in general orders for their spirited con- duct, is a convincing proof that they never once relaxed from their first exertions during the whole siege of Fort Bourbon, a period of five weeks, indeed their astonishing exertions were almost beyond probability : after rain, which fell frequently, the steep parts of the road were so slippery, that a man even with the greatest care would often slip back ten and some- times twenty feet at a time : but so determined were the honest tars not to fail in what they undertook, that when once they set out with a gun after heavy rain, and found it impossible to keep their footing, they have . crawled up as they dragged the ponderous engine of destruction, and kept themselves from falling back by sticking their fingers in the ground. But among the many 'compliments paid the seamen, none pleased them so much as having a battery appointed solely for them, where they used to relieve one another by turns, without even an additional allowance of grog as an encouragement. The following anecdote is related by a gentleman who published an account of the West India campaign in the year 1/94 :— "One day, when the Commander-in-Chief of the army met Captain Har- vey's detachment of seamen on the road, they, being ignorant that a bat- tery was appointed for them to serve in, surrounded the General, and offered him their services, swearing they thought it d d hard to have all work and no fighting ; and hoped his honour would let them have some share in it. Upon the General replying, " Well, my lads, you shall have a bat- tery to yourselves," they saluted him with three hearty cheers, and went readily to their work again." Previous to the surrender of Fort Bourbon, Lord Garlies, now Earl of Galloway, joined the naval detachment at Sourier, with a reinforcement of seamen and marines. f • See Vol. I. note at p. 841. <. *-^ It£'nR£D CAPTAINS. 109 Oil the 22d June 1794, whilst the main body of the troops were employed in erecting batteries against Fort Fleur d'Epee, the Hon. Captain Stewart commanding the 9th gren- adiers, and Lieutenant Wolley with a party of sailors, marched from Grozier to attack St Ann's fort, a strong post about twelve or fourteen miles to windward. After a moat fatiguing march, during which some heavy showers of rain rendered the roads almost impassable, they reached the foot of the hill on which the fort was situated } up which they scrambled so leisurely, and such a profound silence reigned among their people, that they approached within Rfteeu or twenty paces of the centinel before he perceived them, though he was apparently alert on his post. The French guide was now so terrified tnat he fired his pistol at the centinel, which gave the alarm ; when the British party instantly rushed for- ward, and with three cheers began to storm the works. The enemy were completely surprised, and not more than two of them escaped. During this the French royalists who had accompanied Captain Stewart and Lieutenant Wolley, marched into the town, where they began the most brutal excesres; but the humane exertions of those officers soon put a stop to their mischievous proceedings. In this attack near 400 republican soldiers were killed, and one prisoner taken : on the side of the British only one man wa? wounded, but Lieutenant Wolley and his followers had some narrow escapes. The commanding officer of the fort rushed out of the guard-room on the alarm being given, with a lighted match in his hand. He first fired a gun which was luckily pointed in an opposite direction; he then three times at- tempted to fire a 24-pounder as Lieutenant Wolley and his men were advancing to the muzzle of it j but fortunately, either from the dampness of the priming, or trepidation of the man, it missed taking effect ; on which he flung down his match, and retreated to the further end of the fort, pursued by Lieutenant Wolley, who, owing to the darkness of the night, soon lost sight of him, and as he returned was met by some of his own party, who, taking him for an enemy, were about to put him to death, when his voice discovered to them their mistake. Had the gun in the first instance gone off, it must have made considerable havock among the assailants, M v?*' ; ' 3!" -'I 110 RJBTIRED CAPTAINS. 1 11 i Ifl \ i| as it was loaded with a bag of muskct-balls. Several light sloops and schooners were found in the bay, one of which Was sent by the commanding officers with an account of their Success to the Admiral and General. It being impossible to keep possession of this post, from the small number of our troops, and intelligence being brought that a large detach- ment of the enemy were on their way to cut off the retreat of the party, it was determined to return to the camp without loss of time, all the ammunition having been previously destroyed, and the guns of the fort dismounted. The day proving mi- usually hot, and the roads being deep and slippery in conse- quence of the heavy rains that had fallen during the prece- ding night, they were not able to reach the camp without halting; they therefore took post at a planter's house on an emmence, where they were received with great hospitality. By three P. M., the men who had dropped down on the road through fatigue, were brought in, except two, who reached the camp next morning, and the party proceeded to their different stations without further accidents. From this period the operations carried on against the French republicans in Guadaloupe, are thus described by the Rev. Cooper Willyams, late Chaplain of the Boyne, in his interesting narrative, which we have already alluded to in the course of this memoir : ** On Tuesday the 24th of June, General Grey opened his batteries, which he had erected niear Grozier, against Fleur d'Epde ; at the same tiaie Brigadier-General Dundas kept up a smart fire on Point k Pitre^ where the enemy seemed to be roakuig preparations against the hurricane months, now approaching, by stripping the ships in the harbour of their sails and rigging. On the 26th, early in the morning, the enemy, to the number of three hundred, made a sortie from Fleur d'Epde, on our ad- vanced post, consisting of one hundred men, but were soon obliged to re- treat ; we lost one man killed and eight wounded : at the same time our batteries and gun-boats cannonaded the fort } in the latter two seamen were wounded. On the 27tb, the batteries at Grozier having opened as Vsual on Fleur d'Ep^e, a detachment of our troops under Brigadier-Ge- neral Fisher marched forward to attack a piquet of the enemy posted on Morne Mascot, from whence they drove them after a sharp contest, and established themselves, as our advanced post, mthin musket-shot of the fort. During the preceding night the light infantry at camp Ber\ ille >vere sent by Brigadier-General Dundas, under command of Major Ross of .the 25th regiment, to Petit Bourg, where they embarked, and joined the army at Grozier. This moveuacut, by which the main body was much llETlttSl) CAITAiNS. Ill Strengthened^ wad effected unperceived by the enemy, and ihc 39tli and 4dd regiments only left at Berville. " Several skirmishes now daily took place, and many fell on both sides ; though, from want of steadiness at the last, the enemy were always greater losers than ourselves. On the morning of the 29th of June, a large body o( the enemy, to the number of one thousand, marciicd out of Fort Fleur d'Ep^e, and seemed to meditate an attack on a detachment of light infantry under Colonel Goram, posted to the right of the grenadiers who were on Mome Mascot, under Brigadier-General Fislier. By this false movement, they hoped that a detachment of the grenadiers would he sent to reinforce the light infantry, and thereby weaken the force on Morne Mascot, which was their real object of attack. In a short time, however, they were perceived mounting the side of Mascot heights, with colours flying and singing the national songs, covered by a heavy fire uf round and grape-shot from Fleur d'Epfce, which prevented our grenadiers from shew- ing themselves till the enemy were close to them ; on which General Fisher made them pi;ostrate themselves on the ground, and wait the approach of the CAemy in that posture. The instant the republicans came within a few. yards of them they started up, and an obstinate engagement commenced, whk'h terminated at length by the grenadiers advancing to the charge ; on which the enemy fled, and were pursued down the hill with great slaughter. Our loss amounted to thirty killed and wounded : among the former was Lieutenant Toosey of the 65th regiment ; of the latter. Captain Dc Ri- vigne of the artillery, irsceived a ball in the side of his neck. Brigadier- General Fisher was hit three times by grapet«hot, which caused contusions only, and Ids horse was killed under him. In the evening the enemy sent in a flag of truce, requesting permission to bury their dead and carry off their wounded, which was granted them ; yet they left a number of both, on the side of the hill, to the great annoyance of our piquet, which during the following night was disturbed by the groans of the dying and wounded. The day following the enemy again made an attempt, in equal force, against our post on Mascot, and was again repulsed with great loss. The rainy season bemg already set in, and the hurricane months now approach- ing, determined the Commander-in-Chief to make an effort to hnish the campaign at once. From his success in the two last engagements, and the excellent manner in which he had planned the attack, it would no doubt have succeeded, had his orders been punctually obeyed. The plan he had laid down was, for a large body of troops under General Symes, to march during the night, and make themselves masters of Morne Go- vernment, and the other commanding heights round the town of Point k Pitre, whilst himself, at the head of the rest of his army, was m readiness on the heights of Mascot to storm Fort Fleur d'Ep<^e, on receiving a signal from General Symes j but, from some unfortunate misapprehension, the whole of General Grey^s well-concerted plan was rendered abortive, and the almost total destruction of our exhausted forces ensued : but it is my business to detail the events of this unfortunate affair as accurately as the «dofas«d accounts I have received mil permit. Brigadier-General Symes> •I i 'I 0 III 'i ft £1';: |;i i^: III 112 Ri84, and from the return of the general review on Putney Heath, upon the 1st October in that year. It was then styled, " The Lord High Admiral of England, H. R. H. the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Rvgiment of Foot,'* commanded by the !I(ni. Sir Charles Littleton, and called also the Admiral Regiment. It consisted ol twelve companies, without any grenadiers, had yellow coats lined with red, and their colours were a red cross, with rays of the sun issuing from each of its angles. Many revolving years had witnessed the distinguished gallantry, and un- impaired loyalty of the corps of marines ; the records of a British legislu- turc had long teemed with grateful memorials of their merits upon the shores, and the ocean <»f every clime, but with scarcely one solid mark of recompenee for all their briilian' "'^rviccs. It was reserved for the year 1802, and the ministerial auspices of Earl St. Vincent, to draw this body of faithful soldiers into a close alliance with a family and a throne, for whom they had so often bled, and round which they will no doubt rally .0 the iatcit period of their existence. The title of Hnyid was not the at- I •> I ^ i! 'I Ml » I E II ' i 116 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1/98. Parry, with whom he served as a Midshipman, on board the Lynx, Lizard, and Actaeon, in the West Indies and British Channel. He subsequently joined the Vigilant of 64 guns, commanded by the late Admiral Sir Robert Kingsmill, Bart, which ship formed part of Admiral Keppel's fleet, and was warmly engaged in the action with M. d'Orvilliers off Ushant, July 27, 177?. Mr. HoUis^s promotion to a Lieutenancy took place Jan. 22, 1781 J and from that period until July 27, 1793, we find him serving successively in the Seaford of 24 guns, Pegase 74, Narcissus 24, and Andromeda frigate, under the Cap- tains Christian, Roberts, Marshall, Bligh, and Salisbury. At the latter period he was removed by Rear-Admiral Alan quircment of influence. No! it was the reward for more than 100 years of undiminished zeal ; a monan^h's tributary sacrifice at the altar of honor ! The following are the terms in which it was conveyed to Lieutenant-Gene- ral Souter Johnstone, Commandant in Chief, on the day of a grand pro- wotion in the navy : " Admiralty-Office, April 29, 1802. " Sir— The Earl of St. Vincent having signified to my Lords Commis- sloners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty, in order to mark his royal ap- probation of the very meritorious conduct of the corps of Marines, during the late war, has been graciously pleased to direct, that, in future, the corps shall be styled ' The Royal Marines.' " I have great satisfaction in obeying their Lordship's commands to communicate this intelligence to you; and in offering their Lordships' congratulations on this tettimony of the opinion his Majesty ciuci'tains of the very distinguished services of that part of his forces to which you be- long. I am. Sir, &c. &c. (Signed) " Evan Nepean." " Lieut.-Gen. Souter Johnstone, Commandant of the Marines." The Royal Marines have lately been clothed in a manner similar to the guards. They are under the immediate control of the Admiralty, and no- minally commanded by three general officers, and four colonels belonging to the sea-service — these are at present H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, General; Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, //lVMre;lan^(»<'/^^/vl/ ; Vice- Ad- miral Sir George Cockburn, Majur-General ; and Captains Hollis, Sir E. W. C. R. Owen, George Scott, and Sir T. M. Hardy, Colonels. The Royal Marine officers themselves never rise beyond the rank ot colonel commandant in their own corps \ but they attain the rank of ge- neral officer in the army. No commissions are bought or soU^>, but each officer rises according to his seniority. For further particulars »ec Vol. I ♦»olc t at p. 132. )oard the d British 64 guns, ill, Bart. and was f Ushant, >lace Jan. 3, we find I, Pegase the Cap- ibury. At iral Alan in 100 years ar of honor ! cnant-Gene. i grand pro- 29, 1802. ds Commls- iis royal ap- nes, during; future, the inmandis to Lordships' ntr.i'taias of tich you be- El'EAN." inilar to the Ity, and no- s belou^iiii!;' of Clarence, /; Vice- Ad- ullis, Sir G. the rank of ; rank of {;e- h^i, but eai'h I sec Vol. 1 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 117 Gardner into his flag ship, the Queon, a second rate, then on the West India station, but soon afterwards attached to the Channel fleet under the orders of Earl Howe. Early in 1794, the French fitted out a powerfiil fleet, man- ned with the flower of their marine, and comiiianded by an ofticcr of acknowledged bravery and long experience. On board the Admiral's ship were two Conmiissioners, delegated by the National Convention to animate by their presence the operations of the armament, and inspire the seamen with a more than ordinary portion of hostility against the British nation ; but the intentions of the enemy, in spite of all their measures, and the bravery, bordering on desperation, with which they fought, were, happily for the safety of England, averted by the splendid victory gained by Earl Howe on the memorable 1st of June. The conduct of the Queen on that never to be forgotten occasion, and in the preceding battle of May 29, is thus described by a contemporary writer : " Of the twelve or fourteen ships that had the good fortune to be en- gaged (May 29), the Queen, Royal George, and Royal Sovereign, were those only whose casualties were of serious consequence •. Such were the excrtifins on board the first-named ship of the three, that, before dark, nc^v sails were bent fore and aft ; a main-top-sail-yard had been got up for a fore-yard, a fore-top-gal!ant-mast for a mizen-top-mast, and a fore-top- gallant-yard for a mizen-top-sail-yard ; and the Queen was reported again ready for service." See Jameses Nav. Hist. Part I. fo/. I. p. 201. " The Queen, in bearing down to engage, (June I,) having suffered con- siderably in her sails and rigging, was unable to get abreast of her proper opponent, the Northumberland ; who, with her fore and main tacks «lown, was running fast a-head. She therefore closed with the seventh Trench ship, the Scipion. This ship also made sail a-head, and then ran to leeward ; but the Queen kept close upon her starboard quarter, and an< noycd her much. The Scipion, having had her colours twice shot away, ro-hoisted them at the mizen-top-gallaiu-mast-heatl. /\t three quarters l)ast ten, her mizen-mast came by the board. At eleven, the Queen's main- mast went over the lec-side, springing, in its fall, the mizen-mast, and carrying away the fore part of the poop, and the barricade of the quarter- deck. In another (|uarter of an hour, the main-mast of the Scipion came down ; and, almost immediately afterwards, her fore-mast. By this time the Queen had fallen round off; and the Scipion's crew, having been driven from their quarters with great slaughter, came tipondeck, and waved submission with their hats. But the Queen was in too disabled a state to take poxdession. • Qiifcn, mizen-top-mast and fore-yard shot away ; main-mast, bow- sprit, and fore-top-mast shot through, 22 men killed, and 27 wounded. ,il.! .ill ! ^l 118 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. Her nii;;cn4op-ina8t had been sbot away since the fait of her maia-mast ; her fore-mast and bowsprit had been shot through in several places ; and her raizen-mast, from its wounds, was expected every instant to fall. Her rigging had been cut to pieces, and her sails all rendered useless. " After about an hour's exertions in repairing some of the principal damages, the Queen bad got her head towards her own fleet, and was stem- ming along to leeward of it ; when, at about half-past twelve, she disco- vered through the smoke, twelve sail of French ships standing towards her. The leading ship, the Montague, passed without firing, and so did her second astern ; but the third ship opened her fire, as did also every one of the remainder ; the last of which was the Terrible, with only her fore- mast standing. The latter was towed into the line by three frigates ; two of which cast off and hauled to windward, to engage the Queen. The lat- ter, however, soon convinced them that her guns were not so disabled as her masts : tmd the two frigates put up their helms and ran to leeward, without returning a shot. The appearance of the Charlotte and the line a-stern of her, had caused the Montague and her line to keep more away than was at first intended ; and hence the Queen suffered but little from the distant cannonade she had been exposed to. The French line, on coming abreast of the Queen's late antagonist, the Scipion, towed her off, as well as two other dismasted 2-deckers, lyin£ close to h r. The damages which the Queen had sustained have already appeared: her loss amounted this day, to 14 seamen and marines or soldiers, killed ; her second, sixth, and an acting Lieutenant, one midshipman, and 36 seamen and marines or soldiers, wounded." See id. p. 237, et seq. The total number of killed and wounded on board the Queen, in the two actions, as stated in the London Gazette> agrees with the foregoing staterrents, but in the list of wounded presents us with the name of Captain Hutt, who lost a leg, and died a few days after his arrival at Ports- mouth *. Among those who were seriously hurt in the conflict of June 1, but whose names were not reported as such, was Lieutenant Hollis, who received a severe contusion in the head by a splinter. The other officers of his rank wounded were Messrs. Dawes, Lawrie,and Crimes, the former mortally. On the 23d June in the ensuing year, the Queen formed part of Lord Bridport's fleet in the afl^iir ofl'TOrient, on which oc- casion three French ships of the line were captured, as already stated under the head of Sir William Domett, in our first volume. Some time after this event Lieutenant Hollis accompanied • See Vol. I. note at p. 614. * fnain-mast ; places ; and to fall. Her IS. lie principal id was stem- , she disco- tovvards her. so did her every one of ly her fore- igates; two u. The lat- disabled as to leeward, and the line more away tie from the , on coming off, as well lages which lountcd this sixth, and marines or )oard the Gazette> e list of utt, who it Ports- mflict of ich, was n in the tvounded nortally. ned part hich oc- already our first npanied POST-CAPrAINS OP 1798. 119 Vice-Adniiral Sir Alan Gardner into the Royal Sovereign, a first rate ; and he continued to serve with that highly distin- guished officer till Nov. 1, 1796, on which day he was pro- moted to the rank of Commander in the Chichester, a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, intended to form part of a squadron about to be placed under the orders of Lord Hugh Seymour, for the reduction of the Manillas. On the 10th Nov. 1797, Captain Hollis, being at the Cape of Good Hope, received an order from Rear- Admiral Pringle, commander-in-chief on that station, to assume the temporary command of the Jupiter, (her Captain, the present Vice-Ad- miral Losack, being absent on a court-martial,) and proceed with that ship to the advanced anchorage of Robin island, where the Crescent frigate was then lying in a state of mutiny, and whose crew he was directed to reduce to immediate obe- dience. The Crescent was met by the Jupiter coming into Table Bay, towed under the batteries, her ringleaders secured, brought to trial, and punished. On the 16th of the same month Captain Hollis was posted into the Tremendous 74, bearing the Rear- Admiral's flag ; and a few weeks after ap- pointed to the Vindictive, a small frigate, in which he was or- dered home as convoy to a large fleet of East Indiamen. On his arrival in England, the Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company presented Captain Hollis with a va- luable piece of plate. His advancement to post rank was confirmed by the Admiralty Feb. 5, 1798; and the Vindictive, owing to her bad condition, was paid off May 4th following. From this latter date we find no mention of our officer until June 8th, 1801, when he obtained the command of the Thames, a 32-gun frigate, in which he performed a most rs- sential service on the 13th of the following month, by heaving off from the shoals of Conil, and with great exertions towing into Gibraltar the Venerable 74, commanded by the late gallant Sir Samuel Hood, who, when eagerly pursuing the French ship Formidable, forming part of the combined squadrons at- tacked by Sir James Samnarez in the Gut on the preceding night, had unfortunately grounded, and lost all his masts *. Sir Jamea Saumarez, in his official despatch relative to the • See Vol. I. p. 191 J and at p. 187, line 9 from the bottom, for /A'j/- Ikm Luhin iiibstilute A'ukeui Paffard Hollis. i;;';; i Hllll I j I *l 4 'i *■ I 11 If 120 POST-CAFfAINS OP 1798. above action, makes particular mention of Captain HoUis •, and the commander of the Venerable, when writing to the Rear- Admiral, three days after the action says, " it was only by the great exertion of the Thames, with the boats you sent me, the Fenerahle was saved, after being on shore some time." Shortly after this event. Captain Hollis, in company with the Hon. Captain Dundas of the Calpe sloop of war, destroyed a number of the enemy's coasters in the bay of Estapona ; and on the 21st Sept. following, the boats of the Thames boarded and carried a Spanish privateer, carrying 2 four- pounders, 2 brass swivels, and 31 men. From this period Captain Hollis was employed on the coast of Egypt, and va- rious other services in the Mediterranean, until the peace of Amiens, when he returned to England. The Thames wa» paid off Jan. 15,1803. In the ensuing autumn, our officer commissioned the Mer- maid of 32 guns ; and after cruising for some time in the Channel, escorted a fleet of merchantmen to the West Indies. In Oct. 1804, he was sent by Sir John ^J\ Duckworth, the commander-in-chief at Jamaica, to reconnoitre the harbour and arsenal of the Havannah ; and on the 16th of the follow- ing month, whilst lying there and preparing to entertain the Spanisli officers at that place, he received information which induced him to believe hostilities with Spain were about to commence in Europe, and that it was most probable the government of Cuba were already in possession of similar in- formation. In this situation, prompt measures only could save the Mermaid from detention, and he immediately deter- mined to cut and run out with the land breeze ; but to his mortification the night was perfectly calm. The ship, how- ever, was unmoored without causing any alarm, and at day • break, whilst the public autliorities were dtliberating on the propriety of detaining her, she warped out clear of the bat- teries. lliere being at this time some valuable English merchant vessels in the Havannah, Crijit^'n Hollis lost no time in ap- prising them of their situation, and rendering them every assistance in his power to avoid the threatened danger. The Mermaid remained off the port three or four days, and iu that ■s POST-CAPTAINS OK l/Sti. 121 f^'K time her boats brought out several vessels whicyi she after- wards convoyed through the Gulf; and thus was saved, through the promptitude and exertions of Captain Hollis, property to a considerable amount, which would otherwise have been confiscated *. The Mermaid was subsequently employed blockading some French ships in the Chesapeake, and affording protection to the British trade between Nova Scotia and the West Indies ; but being at length found defective, was ordered to England with a homeward bound fleet, and on the 20th Aug. 1807, put out of commission. Captain HoUic's next appointment was, March 16, 1809, to the Standard 64, forming part of the Baltic fleet under Sir James Saumarez, by whom he was entrusted with the com- mand of a small squadron sent to reduce the Danish island of Anholt ; which service was most ably effected by a strong detachment of seamen and marines landed with their respec- tive officers, under the cover of the ships composing the squadron f. The garrison, consisting of 170 men, surren- dered at discretion. On our side only 1 man was killed and 2 wounded. This island, although of no intrinsic vahie, proved of great importance to the British, as from its situation near the en- trances of the Baltic sea, and the refuge it afforded to the enemy's gun-boats and privateers, the safety of our valuable East country trade could never be relied on whilst it remained in the possession of Denmark. The utility of its capture may be inferred from the circumstance of Captain Hollis having afterwards passed through the Belt, at different times, with upwards of two thousand sail under his protection, going to and returning from the Baltic. Early in 1811, the Standard was ordered to convoy a fleet • A few daya after the performance of the above-iinportaut service, certain intelligence was received in the West Indies of a British S(|uadron having attacked four Spanish frigates laden with treasure, of which three were captured and one blown up, on the 5th of the preceding month, just six weeks prior to Captain HoUis's departure from the Havannah. See Vol. I, p. 536. t Standard C4, Captain Hollis; Owen Glendower frigate, Captain Selby; Ranger, Rose, and Avenger sloops, Captains Acklom, Manse), and White ; and Snipe gun-brig, Lieutcutuit Champion, J " n^^B 1 I 1 1 in^B • i m i n i! 11 ■! (. I 122 POsf-CAPTAINS OF IJQS, of merchantmen to Lisbon and Cadiz, and to join the squa- dron employed in the defence of the latter place^ at that time invested by a division of the French army. On the 16th April, in the same year, he was removed into the Achille of 80 guns, and attached to the ileet l)lockading Toulon. He subsequently visited Malta, from tlience went to the pro- tection of Sicily, and was ultimately ordered to the Adri- atic, where he continued about eighteen months, during which time he was employed blockading the French and Venetian squadrons at Venice, consisting of three line-of-bat- tle ships and a frigate ready for sea, and several of each class fitting in the arsenal. The Achille being in want of repair, was obliged to return to England in the summer of 1813, on which occasion Captain HoUis escorted home the Mediter- ranean trade. After refitting his ship, and commanding the blockade of Cherbourgh for some time, our ofl&cer, in the month of May 1814, was ordered to take charge of some outward bound East India ships, and other vessels bound round Cape Horn, which he saw in safety to a certain latitude ; when he detached them to their different destinations, and proceeded himself to reinforce Vice Admiral Dixon at Rio Janeiro. On his return from South America, in company with the squadron, in the autumn of 1815, the Achille was put out of commission, and he remained on half-pay until Sept. IJ, 1816, when he ob- tained the command of the Rivoli 74, stationed at Portsmouth, in which ship he continued till Feb. 18, 1817? when she was also paid off, in consequence of a further reduction of the naval force taking place at that period. On the 11th Sept. 1818, he commissioned the Ramillies, another third rate, which he commanded nearly three years, occasionally hoist- ing a broad pendant as senior officer at Portsmouth, during the occasional absence, and after the demise, of Sir George Campbell, the commander-in-chief on that station. In 1819 and 1820, when his present Majesty visited Portsmouth, Captain Hollis had the honor of dining with his royal master, on the day of whose coronation he was nominated to one of the vacant Colonelcies of Royal Marines. Our officer's youngest sister is married to Captain George M'Kinlej', of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich. Agent, — John Chippendale, Esq. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 123 ! •« SIR HENRY HEATHCOTE, Knt. This officer, a younger son of Sir William Heathcote, Bart., of Hursley in Hampshire, and formerly M. P. for that county, by Frances, daughter and co-heiress of John Thorpe, of Embley, Hants., Esq., is descended from Samuel, third son of Gilbert Heathcote, of Chesterfield, co. Derby, Esq. who in the early part of his life went to Dantzic, where he acquired a considerable fortune with an unsullied character. He returned to England, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him, being a man of uncommon understanding, great commercial knowledge, and unquestionable integrity : he had the honor of being the intimate friend of the celebrated John Locke, who consulted with, and had much valuable assist- ance from him, in that useful undertaking, the regulation of the coin of Great Britain, as well as in several other public affairs. Mr. Henry Heathcote was born in 1777 J and early in the French revolutionary war, we find him serving as a Midship- man on board the Proserpine frigate, in the West Indies. He commanded the Alliance store-ship, on the Mediterranean station, in 1797 ; obtained post-rank, Feb. 5, 1798 ; and, in the course of the same year, brought home the Romulus of 36 guns. From this period we lose sight of him, until the renewal of hostilities in 1803, when he was appointed to the Galatea fi^gate. In Feb., 1804, he escorted a fleet of mer- chantmen to the West Indies j and on the 14th Aug. fol- lowmg, made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out the General Emouf, a French privateer, formerly the British sloop of war Lilly, lying at the Saintes near Guadaloupe. The party sent on this enterprise, consisted of about 90 officers and men, no less than 65 of whom were either killed or wounded, includ- ing among the former their gallant leader, Mr. Chai'les Hay- man, first Lieutenant of the Galatea. Captain Heathcote was subsequently appointed in succes- sion to la Desiree frigate, and the Lion of 64 guns. On the 30th Aug., 1811, he was tried by a court-martial at Batavia, for a breach of the 27th article of war *, and for disobedience * No person shall sleep upon his watch, or negligently perform his duty, or forsake his station, upon pain of death, or such punishment as a fiourt-martial shall think fit to inflict. .h-!'i 1: * 'M f I' i 1-1 i 1 1 '■■ i "i 124 i: '1 ^ !■ POgT-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. of orders given by the late Vice-Adniiral Drury *', and sub- sequently confirmed by Commodore Broughton ; also, for neglecting his duty, in not attending to the request of the Bombay government, to aftbrd convoy to the China fleet. It appears, by Vice-Admiral Drury's orders, that Captain Heathcote was directed to take charge of the western coasts and ports of India, from Cape Comorin to the bottom of the Persian Gulph, acting according to circumstances, for the preservation of the trade, and the general good of his Ma- jesty*^8 service. Whilst Captain Heathcote was at Bombay, in June 1811, the Hussar frigate arrived there from England with despatches. Captain Heathcote, knowing the impossi- bility of his receiving any orders from Commodore Brough- ton, (who was then on his passage to Java,) that might arise out of these despatches, in less than three months, antici- pating the detriment that might accrue to the service from his ignorance of them, and the peculiar nature of the opera- tions then going on against Java; he, from these considera- tions, opened the despatches, thwtt he might issue the neces- sary instructions to all whom they might concern, and act in conformity thereto himself, should circumstances require it. The despatches disclosed the belief, that eighteen French fri- gates and from 3 to 4,000 French troops, might reasonably be expected to be on their way to Java, for the purpose of defeat- ing any attack on t\:it settlement; and that they might arrive there before Commodore Broughton. Further, the des- patches earnestly expressed to the commander-in-chief in India, the conviction of the Lords of tlie Admiralty of the great importance of the conquest of Java, to the country at large; and particularly to the interests of the Hon. East India Company, whose trade would, unless the kingdom maintained a very large, and consequently expensive force in India, be in a fair way of annihilation, by the enemy retaining possession of that island, and commanding the eastern straits, which, as their Lordships observed, are the key of the China sea, whence the Hon. Company derive their most lucrative resources. Captain Heathcote, upon possessing himself of this information, instantly proceeded for Java, to put Com- modore Broughton in possession of the despatches; who, • Vice-Admiral Wlllmm O'Bryen Drmydied at Madras,. March G, 181 1. ■5 POt ( Apr^iNs OK 1798. 126 Ibeicupon, being iliuisiii sfiea with Juptain Heathcote't n ceedings, requested Ki .ir-Ailiniiv StopfonI would cuub m enquiry to be made into his fui»(bict. «■ Cour' having heard what Captain Heathcote had to off n\ just' , ttion of his conduct, agreed, that the two first c rges we» proved ; but that in consideration of the motive;- , >vhich led him to deviate from the orders he had received, and which appeared to have arisen from a zeal for the good of his Majesty's ser- vice, they deemed them of such a nature as to justify his conduct in the present instance. The charge of not afford- ing convoy to the China ships, was not proved ; and the Court did therefore adjudge Captain Heathcote to be acquit- ed. We regret that our limits will not allow us to present our readers with the excellent defence made by Captain Heathcote. it will be found at length in the Nav. Chron. vol. 27, p. 492, et seq. In the following year, Captam Heathcote was appointed to the Scipion, of 74 guns, which ship he commanded on the Mediterranean station, at the close of the war. He received the honor of knighthood, July 20, 1819. His brother Gilbert is a Captain, and one of his sons a Midshipman, R. N. Agent. — J. Copland, Esq. ANDREW FITZHERBERT EVANS, Esq. Tins ohicer was made a Lieutenant, Dec. 1, 1787; and on the 4th May, 1796, when commanding the Spencer sloop of war, captured, after a brisk action off Bermuda, la Volcan, a French corvette of 12 guns, pierced for 16, and 95 men. His post commission bears date April 15, 1798 ; and from that period until the peace of 1801, he commanded the Porcupine of 24 guns, on the Halifax and Jamaica stations. We sub- sequently find him in the .Eolus frigate, and Vanguard 74, employed in the blockade of St. Domingo, and various other services. Towards the close of 1810, he was removed from the superintendence of the Stapleton depot for prisoners of war, to be a resident Commissioner of the Navy at Bermuda,' where he had a broad pendant flying on board the Ruby 64, in 1816 and I8I7. Jgent. —iohw Chippendale, Estj. wmi m m fl 1 p .1 : i i 'I 126 rOST-CAPTAlNS OF 1798. SIR EDWARD WILLIAM CAMPBELL RICH OWEN, Knight Commander of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath} Commodore, and Commander-in-Chief on the West India station. This officer is^the son of a Captain, R. N., who lost an arm in the service of his country. We truly regret that the Commodore's absence on a foreign station prevents us from applying for the necessary memoranda, wherewith to frame a correct memoir of so distinguished an officer : we shall, how- ever, endeavour to do justice to his merits, at least as far as the materials in our possession will enable us. He was educated at Chelsea ; made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; and advanced to the rank of Post- Captain, April 23, 1798. In the course of the same year, if we mistake not, he com- manded the Northumberland 7'1> in the Channel and Medi- terranean ; and in 1801, the Nemesis of 28 guns, on the North Sea station. His next appointment was to I'lmmortalite fri- gate, about May, 1802 ; and, soon after the renewal of the war^ we find that ship, in company with the Jalouse and Cruiser sloops of war, driving le Commode and I'lnabordable, a French brig and schooner, each mounting 4 guns, on shore near Cape Blanc Nez, where they were taken possession of by the boats of the squadron, under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries. The only operation of any consequence, at all connected with the navy, that occurred on the home station during the year 1803, was the bombardment of Granville, Dieppe, and St. Valery en Caux ; the two latter places, by a small force under the orders of Captain Owen, but without any material effect. There was, however, not the slightest blame to be attributed to any person engaged ; on the contrary, it evinced the spirit of the officers and men of the British ships, and drew forth applause and approbation on their respective commanders. The following is a copy of Captain Owen's report to Lord Keith, dated Sept. 14. " In obedience to the orders of Rear-Admiral Montagu, I, at eight o'clock tlus morning, in company with the Perseus and Explosion bombs, commenced an attack on the batteries which protect the town of Dieppe, and vessels building there, in number seventeen. " The firing was continued on both sides till past eleven, when the lee- i POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 127 tide making Btrong, and the town having taken fire Imdly in one place, and slightly in two otbera, I caused the bombs to weigh, and proceeded with them off St. Valery en Caux, where they are constructing six vesaela ; and at 3 P. M. opened our fire on that place for an hour. The enemy was for the most part driven from tlieir batteries, the inhabitants flying to the country, and judging from the direction in which many of the shells burst, they must have sufiered much. " On a service of this nature, we cannot expect to escape unhurt : I have, however, pleasure in reporting, that, although the enemy's fire, ertpe- cially from Dieppe, which is very strong in batteries, was heavy and well- directed, and many of their shot took effect, our loss has been but small. The Perseus has one man missing, and the Serjeant of artillery is wounde 13 those of that I need ave always ised, there coniiision, itance into bservation. •s, but will made of ry of the s flotilla, or were upwards it many a spec- writers, doubt, British invade mament our at- jlacc in Louis, 0 guns. s \vater, five or cruised re fired POST-C^PTAlNS OF 1798. 129 from mortars brought^own to the beach during the ebbing of the tide. On the 25to of that month, an unusual degree of bustle prevailed in the road of Boulogne, which then con- tained no less thjhi one hundred and forty-six armed vessels of different descriptions. At l** 45* P. M. a division of this flotilla got under weigh, and worked up towards Pointe Bombe, where the Cruiser, an 18-gun brig, lay at anchor. This was probably done to amuse Buonaparte, who nine days previously, had presided at the grand ceremony of distributing to his troops encamped at Boulogne and Montreuil, the cross of the Legion of Honor. In a short time a firing commenced between the parties, and soon brought Captain Owen to the spot J who, at about 2'' 30' opened his broadside at the gun- vessels, and received in return a heavy fire from the batteries on the edge of the cliff. One shot only struck the Immorta- lite, and did no great injury. It now became necessary to haul further from the shore ; and having done so, he hove-to about three miles in Ihe offing. On the following day, a se- cond division of gun and mortar-vessels weighed, and, joining their friends between Vimereux and Ambleteuse, formed a total of sixty brigs and more than thirty luggers. Napoleon himself, it appears, was at this time in the road in his barge, attended by two of his Generals and Admiral Bruix. At 4 P. M., the Immortalite, Harpy sloop of war. Adder gun-brig, and Constitution cutter, made sail tovvards the flotilla, and in a quarter of an hour afterwards opened their fire ; but the gun- vessels kept near the shore, purposely to draw the British within reach of the land batteries. There was ...) withstand- ing the temptation ; and (iaptuin Owen, with his three com- panions, tacked and stood in, within three quarters of a mile of the batteries, which kept up an incessant fire. As if that were not enough to preserve the gun- vessels from capture, the greater part of those in the road weighed and proceeded to their assistance. At about 5 o'clock, a shell fell into and sunk the Constitution, but without injuring the rrew, all of whom were picked up by the Iwats of their friends. This little vessel had been setting a noble example, both by the boldness of her advance and the skilful manner in which she plied her small artillery. A shell also fell on board the Har- py, and killed one of her crew, but did not explode. Tlie Ini- VOL. II, K :W\1 i ii 'ill 430 POST-CAPTAlMfS OF 1798. mof talH6 was twice struck by shot in the hull, and had 4 men slightly wotmded. The British squadron now hauled off, whilst some of the French vessels were compelled to run on shore on account of the shot-holeis in their hulls ; and the re- mainder bore up for the road of Boulogne. On the two suc- ceeding days some slight skirmishes took place, but nothing decisive could be effected on account of the batteries ; nor was any injury done to Captain Owen's division, beyond a wound in the Cruiser's bowsprit. < We have dwelt thus long on events which to some of our readers may appear too trivial to require so minute a detail ; but let it be remembered, that they had the salutary effect of teaching the French despot what the gales of the British Channel, and our cruisers, would do with his flotilla, if it fell in the way of either. On the 23d Oct. following, Captain Owen being off Cape Grisnez, about 3* 30' P. M. discovered three praams, seven brigs, and fifteen luggers, which soon after bore up to the west- ward, keeping close to the beach, under cover of their bat- teries, and accompanied by horse artillery, making the best of their way to shelter themselves within the Banc de Laine. By making all sail to windward he was enabled to close the praams about a quarter before five, and to open his fire upon them within the distance of grape-shot, under the high land of Cape Blanc Ne/, the Orestes sloop and Basilisk gun-brig joining iti the attack, the enemy still pushing to the westward, and returning at first a brisk fire, but it latterly slackened much. This running fight continued till near six o'clock, when, having been thrice obliged to sheer out into deeper wa- ter, Captain Owen found himself still within the end of the Banc de Laine, where the falling tide prevented him from fol- lowing them, and obliged him to haul off, with the loss of 1 man slain, and a Lieutenant and 10 men wounded, 3 of whom died soon after. Captain Owen, in his letter to the Uear-Ad- miral, says, " from the manner in which our grape-shot co- vered the enemy's vessels, their loss in men must have been very great— I never saw guns pointed better, or so coolly." Early in the ensuing year the Inimortalite captured El Entre- pruda Corune, a Spanish privateer, of 14 guns and 66 men. The following letter, which never appeared in the London I* d had4 mled off, 0 run on i the re- two siic- ; nothing ; nor was a wound e of our a detail ; effect of i British if it fell >ff Cape IS, seven the weat- tieir bat- the best e Loine. ;lo8e the ire upon igh land jun-brig cstward, ackcned o'clock, per wa- l of the 'oni fol- 3BS of 1 if whom car-Ad- hot co- :e been ;oolly." Entre- mcn. |»ndoi» ^ POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 131 Gazette, records the particulars of an action with a part of the Boulogne flotilla on the 18th July 1805. " Sir, — In consequeaco of the information brought mc by the Bruizer, which I had the honor to communicate to you this morning, I moved, with the detachment under my orders, to windward of Cape Gregory, in rcadi- neas for attacking the enemy's vessels, should they give opportunity, by pursuing their course towards Boulogne. " About half past three I perceived their flotilla steering along shore : our Calais squadron was then standing for them, and opened their fire about 4'* 30' P. M. abreast of Cape Blanc Nez. The force of the enemy con- sisted of three praam ships under French, and tweuty-two large schooners under Dutch colours. These latter had drawn themselves into a line, and were about half-a-miie a-licad of the praams. I therefore made a signal for the brigs of my detachment to attack this part of their force, which was done about five o'clock, most handsomely, by the Watchful, Pinchcr, Sparkler, qnd Arab ; Captain Maxwell of the latter pushing in-shore with the brigs, whilst he found water barely sufficient to keep his ship afloat. They were also joined by the Jackall, and two other brigs of the Calais squadron, whose names I do not know, which were previously engaged with them ; and the other brigs of my detachment pushed in as they came up from to leeward. "The junction of the Calais squadron about this time brought our ships, of which a great number had collected, very close together; and as we had already a force fully sufiicient engaged with the enemy, I hauled out, making the signal for open order, and calling off the Hebe, Utile, and Di- ligence; at the same time directing tlio brigs to chase and engage tlic enemy close. In consequence of this isigual, the Arab and gun-brigs pressed close upon the enemy's schooners. In passing Cape (Jrisiicz, three of them had already grounded, and struck on the Banc de Lainc. Two others ran ashore !)ctween Cape Grisiu-z and St. iFobn, to keep tlicin- selves from sinking ; and several others seemed cut up in their rigging, and thrown into great confusion. " The three praams having at length cleared the channel, were passing within the Banc. I stood for tbem, and at half-past six brought them to a tolerable close action, which continued with some little intermission, occa- sioned by the difficulty of keeping a-stcrn with tbfMn, till half-past seven, when wc were abreast of Ambleteuse, whore tlie praams anchored with die schooners already arrived. Wc wore followed i?> this attack by the Hebe and Diligence, who availed themselves of every opportunity to join in it. I cannot particularize the number of ships which jt/mcd and occa- sionally fired upon the enemy ; but the commander of that 8(|uadron will of course make his report to Vicc-Adn)iral Ilolloway. " Of the detachment under mc, I foci it my duty to report my most per- fect satisfaction : all were anxious und eager to seize every opportunity which presented Itself for closing with the enemy. The situation of (>ap- tain Maxwell of the Arab, and lieutenants Mariihall and Aberdour, of the K 2 ^\l''^ n ii I i i M ''■\-:\ ■4. 132 POST-CAPTAINS OF IJ^' 'm ' fi 'I' ' ' • il '■ ' ffl '- ' ir ' : I'''' 1: Wutchful and Pincher, enabled them to do this most conspicnously ; and I am sure with the greatest effect. Nothing could excel the Arab, whose draught of water made her closing with them still more difficult. " Of the conduct of Lieutenant Marshall on former occasions I have had to speak, and you. Sir, know full well the high opinion I had of this most estimable ofScer. It was his fate to fall ; and no one could fall more ad- luired, or more regretted. I can say nothing which will do justice to my feeling of his merit; his vessel was still conducted well by the Sub- Lieutenant. " My own ship's company and officers acted fully up to every good opi- nion I had formed of them ; they were cool and steady. I have so fre- quently spoken of Lieutenant Payne's merits, that it is needless to say more than that I had his assistance : he and every officer was what I have always found them. Mr. Taper, the Master, merits my warmest approba- tion, for the coolness and steadiness with which he directed the ship's course along shore. " Of the enemy's loss in such an action it is impossible to judge ; but from the direction of the shot, and every thing of which I could form a supposition, it must have been very great. I have the honour to l>e, Sir, " Your most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) " E. W. C. R. Owen." ** To Billy Douglas, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the fFhite." The Immortalite on this occasion had her fore-mast, main- top-mast, spanker -boom, and three boats shot through j her rigging and sails much cut ; her hull struck in several places j two carronades disabled ; 4 men killed and 12 wounded, se- veral of them severely. The damages sustained by her con- sorts, will be noticed in the memoirs of their respective com- manders or senior surviving officers. The decisive trial that was intended to have been made of Mr. Congreve's rockets, in Nov. 1805, having been thwarted by the too advanced season of the year, the ensuing winter was eniployed in preparations for returning to the charge in the spring : but this attempt was almost as ill-fated as the first. No sooner was all in readiness at the proper season, than negociations for peace were set on foot, and the passage of our Plenipotentiary was counted a sufficient reason for ta- citly suspending hostilities against Boulogne, and the sum- mer of 1806 was consequently consumed in the joumies of messengers ; till at length, on the 8th Oct., the Earl of Lau- derdale being then known to have quitted Paris re m/ectUf Captain Owen, win* had some time before iioistcd a broad I oualy ; and rab, whose t. I have had >f this niost 1 more ad- itice to my f the Sub- j good opi- ave 80 fre- lless to say I'haC I have t approba- the ship's udge; but lid form a to l>e, Sir, t, main- ghj her places ; ded, se- ler coll- ide com- nade of iwarted winter large in 1 as the season, passage for ta- e sum- ■niea of of Lau- itifcctUf •X broad POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 133 pendant in the Clyde frigate *, was tenipted not to lose a fa- vorable coincidence of wind, weather, and tide, far from frequent on that station so late in the autumn. Accordingly, on the evening of that day, boats, armed in an appropriate manner, took their stations in Boulogne Bay, to the number of eighteen. Notwithstanding the want of expertness naturally attend- ant upon a first apprenticeship, not less than 200 rockets were discharged in half an hour ; and in about ten minutes the town appeared on fire : while such was the panic on shore, that scarcely a shot was returned from the batteries. The nature and extent of the mischief could never be thoroughly ascertained : it was reported, however, that some vessels in the harbour were destroyed j and it is certain that a consider- able range of buildings, apparently barracks or store-houses, were burnt — the fire could not, from its duration, have been trifling, having blazed from two A. M. till the evening. The ruins of eight buildings were discernible from the Clyde ; and from the extreme jealousy with which Lord Lauderdale and his retinue were guarded on passing through the town a few days afterwards, there is reason to believe the ravages were serious, and more extensive than met the eye on board Com- modore Owen's squadron f. It was only to be regretted that the conflagration had not taken effect more to the right, where the bulk of the flotilla lay : nevertheless, the efficiency of the weapon, and the vulnerability of Boulogne, were com- pletely shewn j since it could not be doubted that what had destroyed houses of substantial masonry, would have annihi- lated shipping, crowded together in a dock, had it fallen amongst them : besides, as the part of the town burnt was • Broad pendants were first ordered to be worn by officers commanding squadrons as Commodores, in the year 1674. t In order to relieve tlie compunctious vlsitings of such cosmopolite pa- triots as reserve their philanthropic sympathies for the enemies of their country, be it known, that the destruction of the town formed no part of thnt project, nor was it wantonly attempted : but the precis« situation of the flotilla basin not being visible from the cruising station, owing to the interposition of rising ground on the western side of the harbour, the rockets were thrown by guess in the dark, ratlicr too much to the east-. ward. u !<' ^ 'm 1 1 j i :'^f ijjw ' ' t 1 iJ fl ! 1? Mi .ii 1 I j ;! in J i;i ? •- b 'If' til 1 ; 1 1 i 1 1 H 4 , i 1 1 ii> 1 ■■ ^ !< ■ ^ I 1 ^B a H I [ r i 151 rOST-CAlTAINS OF 171^. more veniotr fn)m the boats tliaii the basin, the range of the rockbts was also demonstrated beyond a doubt ; and lastly, the ftieility of using this utapon in small craft afloat was satlsfActdrWy proved. Tlie effect produced by it at Copen- hagen in the following year, produced a general conviction of its powers. F'roni this period we find no particular mention of our officer until thb month of August 1809, when he assisted at the siegte of Flushing. The following are extracts from Sir Richard Str&e!i{»n'S despatches to the Admiralty, announcing the capturfe and evacuation of that place : •* St. Domingo, Mushing- Uoads, Aug. Vjth. ** Tiie bombs ttnd gun-vessels, mulcr the direction of Captain Cockbum of Hie BcIIeiale, wfere "mosl judiciously placed at the S. E. end of the town ; KtA to the S. W., Captain Owen of the Clyde, had, with equal skill and judgment, placed the bomb and other vessels under his orders. I had much satisfaction in witnessui;; the fire that was kept up by the siiuadrons under the commands of these two officers, and the precision with which the sh'ells \Vere thrown from the bombs. " Tlih 8qto<^on >vaS lAd ii^ by tl satisfaction of seeing the Blake also afloat, and come to anchor with the rest of the squadron." " Blake, in Flxshing Poitds, Dec. 13, 1809. " In addition to my despatch of this morning, I have now to transmit a letter, and an extract of one I have just received from Commodore Owen : every time I hear from that gallant and animated oflicer, I have fresh cause to admire his conduct. " I propose, as soon as I liave made my final arrangements at Flushing, to leave this command with Rear-Admiral Otway, aiul proceed to the Vcre Gat, to communicate with Commodore Owen." " St, Domingo, in the Doinis, Dec. 28. *' It is with great pleasure I inform you of the arrival of Commodore Owen in the Clyde, who gives me the pleasing intelligence of the divisions under his command and that of Captain Ma!;on, having sailed from the POST-CAPTAINS OF 1793. 133 ?e of the nd lastly, floiit was it Copen- onviction n of our ssisted at from Sir iiouncing 4ug. nth. Cockbum the town ; skill and rs. I had s(|Uadrons 'ith which flasf, and iral Lord we had Domingo >ur situa- he other jusly iu- cnemy'a en of the St. Do- eing the 1." 3, 1809. msniit a Owen : ih cause lung, to le Vere ec. 28. nodore visions >tn the EttHt and West bchcldt, and are by this time at the mouth of the Thames, if nut at the places of their respective destination : I enclose the Commo- dore's report of his proocctlings. It is my duty to draw their Lordships* attention to the excellent conduct of (/ommodorc Owen in the discharge of the various and arduous duties he had to perform ; and I beg, in the most earnest manner, to recommend to their Lordships' notice, the zeal, brave- ry, and perseverance of the captains, officers, and seamen, composing the flotilla under the Commodore's order;* *." Wc next find Commodore Owen with his broad pendant on board the Inconstant frigate, in the Gulf of Mexico, where tliat dreadful Bcourge the yellow fever appears to have carried off many of his ofiicera and crew, about the month of April 1811. He subsequently commanded the Cornwall of 74 guns, employed in the North Sea; and at the cloBc of 1813, distin- guished himself by his exemplary conduct at the head of the Royal Marines, landed from the British fleet to co«-operate with the Dutch royalists in the island of South Beveland, which was soon freed from the presence of their quondam allies. For some time after the termination of hostilities, our officer commanded a royal yacht. He was nominated a K. C*. Jan. 2, 1815; obtained a Colonelcy of Royal Ma- rines, July 19, 1821 ; and in Nov. 1822, was ordered to hoist a broad pendant on board the Gloucester of 74 gtius> in which ship he proceeded to the West Indies, where he still conti- jmes. The House of Assembly at Jamaica, has recently passed a vote of thani^s to him for his prompt attention to the commercial and naval interests, during the period of his command on that station. Agents.— Me^^TH. Maude. GEORGE JAMES SHIRLEY, Esq. This officer was a Lieutenant of the Royal George, a first rate, during the mutiny at Spithead, in 17^7 1 ; commanded tiieMegufirafire ■i- .. \\ \p-l 1] ;il I* <. j :i! .: # If I / i , .1 .: !<• 138 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. nearly «uiferetl shipwreck w^ien pasuing tbrough Hdi Gates, on her way to HunUugdon Bay, Long Island, for the purpose of afFof ding protection to tlie troops employed cutting wood for the nse of ttie army. The Paciiic was thus employed for a period of nineteen months, and during that time experienced one of the severest winters ever known ; Uie glass being fre- quently 15* below 'O, and the ioe so solid that the Ame- Ticans medstated her capture by marching a body of troops over it 4o attack ber : their scheme, however, was providen- 1&a&y frustrated by the intervention of a anow-atorm, which completely dispersed them. Previons to her departure from Huntingdon Bay, the cook of the Pacific, a man witli only one arm, fell overboard, and would inevitably have perished but for the generous exertions of LLeuteoaot Ry ves, who lea^d after, and succeeded in res- cuing him. A similar aet of fbumauity had been performed by our officer when commanding the Portland's tender : a seaman having lost his hat overboard, jumped after and readied it, -but not before his .stBength had failed him. This being observed by Mr. Ryves, ;he immediately swam to his assistance, and was fortunate enough to bring him back in safety to the vessel. Lieutenant Ryves contumed in the Paciiic, himself and the Master constantly at watch and watch, until the latter end of 1780, -when he joined the Fox frigate as First Lieutenant ; in which copat^ we find him serving on the Jamaica station, &om iwhenoe he retumad to £ng^ajMl with the Hon. Captain Windsor, in the Loweatoffe c^ 28 g4iins, towards the conclu- sion of tfie-war. Whilst at Jamaioa, Lieutenant Ryves was the ha{){>y Instcument of saving a maifine centinel, who fell overboard from his post on the fore-castle, and leaving struck against tlie anchor, was completely stunned tliereby. This happened on the evening of a Christmas day, and when all the crew were Jbelow regaling themselves. Providentially, Lieutenant Ryves happened to be on deek« and hearing the noise occasioned by the man's mu^&et str&ing against the anchor, immediately suspected the cause, flew to the poor fellow's jrelief, and jumping off the gunwale with a rope in his hands, caught him by the head with his feet, when in the aot of sinking. In peribrming this generous act, our officer's POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 139 hands were very much burnt, owing to the shortness of the rope, which brought him up before his body reached tlie water. Mr. Ryves's next appointment was as First Lieutenant of the Grafton 74, Captain Sir John Hamilton; which ship being in the Bay of Biscay, on her passage to the East Indies, rolled all her masts away, and was consequently obliged to put back. A general peace having taken place, and the Grafton being put out of commission. Lieutenant Ryves made a tour on foot over part of France, Switzerland, Alsace, the Duchy of Xiuxembourg, and Flanders. In 1788 he v/as appointed first Lieutenant of the Aurora frigate ; and in Feb. 1795, to the Arethusa : which latter ship formed part of the fleet sent to Quiberon Bay, for the purpose of co-operating with the French royalists, and was subsequently employed cruising on the coast of France. In Oct. 1795, our officer was promoted to the rank of Com- mander, and appointed to the Bull-Dog sloop of war, then in the West Indies j to which station he proceeded as a pas- senger in the Colossus 74, one of the fleet commanded by Rear-Admiral Christian, and destined for the reduction of the French colonies *. On his arrival at St. Lucia, the Bull-Dog being absent. Captain Kyves landed with a body of seamen ; and during the ensuing operations in that island, was employed in assisting the troops, making roads, and transporting guns, one of which, a 24-pounder, to the surprise of the artillerymen of the army, who considered it impossible to be accomplished, was mount- ed upon one of the highest hills, and from thence threw the only point-blank shot which fell into the Morne Fortunee. After the conquest of the island, Captain Ryves remained on shore with 400 seamen, to remove the cannon from the British advanced batteries into the Morne ; a service of ex- treme fatigue, the rainy season having set in, and the detach- ment having iiothmg but the bare earth to lie on. '':!.t'[l * The disasters of the fleet under Rear-Admiral ChriHtiun arc well knowii, and have already been noticed by us. See Vol. I, note t, at p. B9 ; and Vol. II, p. 96, ef seq. I ! i • I., I ! ? I »■ II I ir. I i '^^ 140 POST-CAl»TAINS OF 1/9^. The skill, alacrity:, and unremitting exertions of the navy, during the siege of St. Lucia, 'vere duly acknowledged by the Commander-in-Chief of the army, to whose General Order of May 27, 1796, which will be found in our first volume, p. J 34, we must refer the reader, for a passage applicable to the subject of this memoir ; whose conduct is also eulogized by Sir Hugh C. Christian, in his official letter on the same sub- ject, from which we make the following extracts : " In the progress of the siege great difficulties were to be surmounted, and much service of fatigue undertuiten. The more eflfoctuaUy to assist the operations of the army, I directed 800 seamen to land, under the com- mand of Captain Lane of the Astrea, and Captain Ryves of the Bull-Dog : the merit of their services will be better reported by the Commander-in- Chief of his Majesty's troops ; but I feel it an indispensable duty to ac- quaint their Lordships, that the conduct of the officers and seamen equalled my most sanguine expectations, and that it has been in every instance highly meritorious. • • • • " Capttun Ryves of the Bull-Dog, will proceed immediately to join his ship ; but I should be unjust to the merits of his exertion, were I to omit recommending him to their Lordships' notice and protection." The Rear-Admiral, on his return to England, addressed the following letter to Mrs. Ryves : " Cavendish Square, Nov. 29, 1796. " Madam. — ^Your letter of the 24th was forwarded to me from the Isle of Wight, which will account for my not replying more immediately to it. I had the pleasure of hearing from Captain Ryves a few days previous to my quitting tlie West Indies ; he was then perfectly well, and proceeding to the island of Antigua to refit his ship. " I much regret that more notice has not been taken of his conspicuous merit and exertions. I hope that a favorable opinion is entertained of him, and should believe that a very little exertion of interest by his friends, would obtain for him the promotion to which, in my opinion, he has a most just claim. I trust, in such event, that I may have the satis- faction of seeing him very shortly. I have the honor to be. Madam, &c., &c., &c. (Signed) " Hugh C. Christian." From this period Captain Ryves was employed cruising off the Virgin Islands, until Sept. 1797, when he convoyed the trade to England, and on his arrival was put out of commis- sion. In April 179S, he was again appointed to the Biill- Dog ; and on the 29th of the following month, advanced to post rank in the Medea frigate. His next appointment was in April 1800, to the Agincourt of 64 guns, bearing the flag tlio navy, ed by the Order of •lunie, p. de to the )gized by mie sub- rmounted, y to iiHsist p the coiu- [)uII4)of; : nan(ter-in- luty to ae- n equalled Y instance ;o join his were I to I." [dressed ?.9, 17.96. I the Isle Bly to it. ivious to oceedii^g' spicuous tained of : by his nion, he lie satis- Vlndam, ing off ed the tnmis- Bull- ied to it was e flag I'osr-cAriAiNs OF 1/98. 141 of Sir Charles Morice Pole, with whom he had l)ofore sailed in the Colossus. The Agincourt was at Newfoundland during the ensuing summer ; and on her return from thence at the elose of the season, Captain llyves received orders to join the armament preparing for the Haltie. These, however, were countermanded ; and after serving for some time in the North Sea under Admiral Dickson, we find him conveying (Jeneral Graham, (now I^rd Lynedocb) and tlie 25th regiment, to Egypt. The harmony that prevailed between the Agincourt's crew and the troops has never been surpassed, not one complaint having been made on either side during the passage to Abou- kir Bay, where the whole regiment, with the exception of one man, was landed in perfect health, llie same corps was Bubsequently taken back to Malta by Captain Ryves, who appears to have suffered greatly in a pecuniary point of view, as in consequence of the Agincourt not being fitted up for the reception of troops, he was obliged to entertain no less than 10 officers, exclusive of the General, at his own expence, without ever receiving the least compensation from government. Previous to his quitting the shores of Egypt, he was presented by the Grand Seignior with the gold medal of the Order of the Crescent. We next find Captain llyves entrusted with the command of a small squadron, consistiiig of the Agincourt, JSolebay, Champion, and Salamine, sent by Lord Keith to take posses- sion of Corfu, where he remained till July 4, 1802, on which day he was honored with the thanks of the Government and Corps Representative of that island. The address presented to him by a deputation of Syndicks and other official person- ages, was couched in the following terms : " Three months since, Sir, you saw us as at present, on hoard the vessel you command, but on a very diflFerent occasion. We then came to re- joice at your arrival, and to beg your continuance of those favors by which the English %rmy had already so greatly benefited us. To-day it is to mourn yotii> departure, and to thank you for those benefits arising from your presence ; nor can we sufficiently satisfy our hearts, or express our sentiments on this last subject, whatever may be our wishes ; to have proved the fact, and made a more lasting acknowledgment, it would have been our pleasure to have added, had not the state of our circumstances, iiiu. the ungrateful times in which we live, prevented the fulfilment of our wishes. x\t the same time, sincere gratitude indelibly engraven on the m ''I I i*M| 142 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. I M hearts of men, is a nobler monument to the honor of themselves, and its object, and more becoming in acceptance, than arches and statues. *' Go, Sir, where you are sure to be followed by our earnest prayers ; go, and present to your King these sentiments of veneration and gratitude, which our great regard for yourself, and indeed all British officers, has caused us to make public. May our Republic one day attain that ascend- ant which the ud of sovereigns appears to conduct us to ; when the honor of rendering some service to the British nation will not be rejected. If to save us from misfortune, sparing by the most circumspect conduct even the slightest threat which might promote revolt ; keeping secret all poli- tical and other important concerns ; whatever, in fine, related to the conclu- sion of a peace necessary to the safety of our lives ; is not a service which we can never hope adequately to return i The answer to this must live for ever in our memories, and be a homage rendered in silence to greatness, while your renown is alone left to us as a consolation for your departure from our country this day." Some time after his departure from Corfu, Captain Ryves was ordered by Sir Richard Bickerton to proceed to the Madalena islands, and if possible to do so, without using force, to prevent the French taking possession of them, which, according to intelligence recently received, they were about to do, nothwith^tanding the treaty of Amiens, by which all hostilities had long since ceased in Europe. At this period there did not exist a chart of those islands, nor had any ship of war ever anchored among them. The Agincourt was nearly lost in doing so. No Frenchmen appearing, Captain Ryves spent the week he was directed to remain there in making a Burvey of the islands, which he performed alone, there not being a single person on board able to assist him. In May 1803, the ship's company of the Gibraltar evinced symptoms of mutii.y, in consequence of their being kept abroad after hostilities had ceased ; and her commander hav- ing been dismissed by the sentence of a court-martial. Cap- tun Ryves was appointed to that ship, and sent to Naples to attend upon the King. He continued on that service about eight months, and had the satisfaction of completely restoring subordination among his men ; 50 of whom wcic frequently ttllowed to go on shore at one time, without ever giving cause for the leant complaint from the inhabitants of that city; their general conduct on board being equally exemplary, pu- nishment was seldom necessary. When about to quit that station, the King presented Captain Ryves wilii a superb dia- », and it* es. 'fayers ; go, I gratitude, •fficers, has hat ascend- the honor ted. If to iduct even !t all poll- he concla< 'ice which list live for greatness, departure n Ryves to the it using , which, 0 about hich all i period ny ship nearly 1 Ryves aking a ere not evinced g kept r hav- , Cap- plcs to about »toring uently cause city J pu- t that b dia- FOST-GAPTAIN9 OF 1/98. 143 iiMmd ring ; whilst froiu the King ol Sardinia he received a handsome gold snuff-box, m return for the attention, he had |Mud to his royai brother, when on board the Gibraltar for a passage to Cagliaxi. On the arrival of Lord Nelson to assume the chief com~ mand in the Mediterranean at the renewal of the war, Cap- tain Ryves presented his Lordship with a manuscript chart of the Madalena and Barelino Islands : its correctness and utility are proved by (be following letter, dated Victory, Nov. 1, 1803 : ** My dear Sir, — We anchored in Aginr urt Sonnd yesterday evening, and I assure you that I individual ty feel aii the obligation doe to yon for your nioHt correct chart and diroctions for tkesc islands. VVc work«d (he Victory every foot of the way from Asiiiana to this anchorage, the wind blowing from Largo Sarde, under double reefed top-sails. I shall write to the Admiralty, stating how much they ought to fed obliged to your very great skill and attention in making this survey. This is absolutely one of the finest harbours f have ever seen.'* The gallant Admiral, allu^g to the state of Naples, &c. &c. thus proceeds in his usual kind and communi- eatire manner : " Althoagh I forgot to mention to you when tlie Childers went to Na- ples, my desire, if circumstances would allow the Gibraltar to be spared from thence, that you would see the Sardinian galley with the King's bro- ther on board, safe into Cagliari, I have since then wrote to you hy way of Palermo on the subject : but I am sure you would do it if the potrtl- cular service you are employed upon would admit it, without any directions from me. We are all in high health, aiul nothing to ruffle our tempers. The French have eight sail ready, so that we shall have them out one of these days. I sincerely hope that your ship's company are pfrfcctly re- covered. We have had very bad weather, and I am afraid the Gibraltar's rotten masts and yards must have suffered. As I am very anxious to get the Raven back before I leave this anchorage, I beg you will give Iier all the assistance in your power and send her off, for wc are very short of can- dles, nearly in distress. With every good wish, I am, my dear Sir, your much obliged, and very obedient servant, (Signed) " Nelson and Bronte." *' P. S. Will you be so good as to embark my servant Oactano on board the Raven." In June 1804, the Gibraltar havhig been upwards of twelve years in commission, and In great want of repair, was ordered to proceed liome, calling at Cadi/ for the trade bound to England, with which she arrived at the Motherbank on tlie 14th of the following month; and two days after, the r I ' I Vim tr i'lp ii4 1 ii :( ! !« liltil 'tf^l V 144 POST- CAPTAINS OP 1798. following letter was sent to Captain Ryves^ by the masters of the vessels who had accompanied him : " Ship Mountroyal, 16M July, 1804. " Sir. — We the undersigned Masters of vessels under your convoy from C&diz, sensible of the advantage we derived from your very great protec- tion and attention during the whole course of the voyage, beg leave to pre- sent our sincere acknowledgments for the samej and to offer our best wishes for your future happiness. We are respectfully. Sir, " Your most obedient Servants, (Signed by the different Masters.) " Geo. Fred. Ryves, Esq." The Gibraltar was paid off July 30^ 1804, and Captain Kyves did not obtain another appointment until March 1810; at which period he was commissioned to the Africa of 64 gunS; and ordered to the Baltic station, where he was em- ployed in a variety of hazardous services, particularly that of blockading Copenhagen, keeping the numerous gun-boats by which he was constantly surrounded in check, and in con- ducting two hundred sail of merchantmen through the Great Belt, during the prevalence of a heavy gale of ^vind, without the loss of a single vessel. The manner in which this latter service was conducted, excited the smprise of offi' -- wlio had been several years on the station, one of whom a ' i < ;1 a most gratifying letter to Mrs. Ryves on the occasion According to the orders received by Captain Ryves, on quitting the Baltic with the above fleet, he was to part com- pany with his valuable charge off Yarmouth, and from thence proceed to Portsmouth. On his passage thither, he experienced a most severe gale of wind from the southward, with very thick weather j and fearing lest the Africa should be driven back into the North Sea, he immediately resolved to bring her up, although in deep water, and against the advice of the pilots, who considered such a step unsafe, and relin- quished all charge of the ship. The event answered Captain JR-yves's expectations j the Africa rode very comfortable for four days, at the end of which time the gale abated, and she was found to be exactly in the same place where the anchor was let go. Had such a measure been adopted by the St. George, Hero, and Minotaur, they would in all probability liave avoided the melancholy futc which befd them about that time. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 145 ^ves, on The Africa being required for the flag of Vice-Admiral Sawyer on the Halifax station^ Captain Ryves was super- seded soon after his arrival in England ; since which he has been on half-pay. Our officer married, first, Jan. 3, 1792, Catharine Elizabeth, third daughter of the late Hon. James Everard Arundel, of Ashcomb, Wilts, sister of the late Lord Arundel, and aunt of the present peer. The death of this lady was announced to Captain Ryves when at Naples ; on which occasion Lord Nelson, who ever delighted in administering consolation to the afflicted mind, wrote to him as follows : " Victory, Madalena, Feb. 10, 1804. " My dear Sir. — It is with the sincerest sorrow that I am to be the messenger of such news as must distress you very much, but for the sake of your dear children you must bear up against this heavy misfortune. To attempt coasolation at such a moment is I know out of the question ; therefore I can only assure you of my most sincere condolence, and that I am your most faithful friend." (Signed) " Nelson & Bronte." Captain Ryves married, second, in 1806, a daughter of R. Graham, Esq., of Chelsea Hospital, by whom he has seven children. By his former marriage he has three children living. His eldest son has recently been promoted to the rank of Commander in the Sophie sloop of war, on the East India station. Two other sons are also serving in the navy. Agents, — Messrs. Goode and Clarke. GEORGE SCOTl\ Esq. A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and a Colonel of Royal Marines. This officer is the second son of John Scott, of Gala, in Selkirkshire, Esq., and descended from the ancient and most noble family of Buccleuch. He was born in 1770 ; first went to sea in 1782; and served as Midshipman and Master's- Mate, in the Edgar, Vengeance, Romney, Blenheim, Diadem, Latona, Goliah, and Adamant, employed on various sta- tions, until Feb. 19, 1791, when he was appointed a Lieuten- ant of the Thisbe frigate. We next find him holding the same rank iji the Vengeance 74, which ship formed part of the squadron under Rear-Admiral Gardner, when that officer VOL. II. . i! i !;■ 146 POST-CAPTAINS ov 1798. made au unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession of Mar- tinique, in 1793 *. On his return to England, Lieutenant Scott removed into the Bellerophon 74, bearing the broad pendant, and after- wards the flag, of the late Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart. He consequently bore a part in Earl Howe's actions of May 28 and 29, and June 1, 1794 ; for a general outline of which, we xnust refer the reader to our first volume, p. Jb, et seq. An account of the Beilerophon's conspicuous behaviour on those memorable days will be found at pp. 509 and 610 of the same. Lieutenant Scott's next appointment was, Aug. 1, 1794, to Uie Niger of 32 guns ; in which frigate he assisted at the capture of a French convoy. May 9, 1795 f. At the com- mencement of the ensuing year he was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Albatross sloop of war. Captain Scott's good qualities as an officer are thus alluded to in the records of the Committee of Merchants, appointed for the. purpose of counteracting the mutiny, at the Nore : ** Marine Society's Office, London, JultfZ\, 1797- " At a meetiog of the Comiuittee of Merchants, &c. &c., held here tlus day — " Resolved, — ^That the thanks of this Committee be transmitted to Cap- tain Scett, and the officers of H. M. S. Albatross, for their spirited conduct in suppressing a mutiny on board the said ship, and detaching her from tlic sliips in a mutinous state, in order to , prevent the contagion becoming more general on lioard the Albatross. (Signed) " Huoh Inolis, Chairman." This testimony of the approbation of so respectable and patriotic a body as the merchants of London, was no doubt highly gratifying to Captain Scott, whom we shortly after find cruising in the North Sea, where he captured two of the enemy's privateers j de Braave of 12 guns, and I'Emouchet of 8 guns and 55 men. His post commission bears date June 15, 1798. From this period. Captain Scott remained on half-pay till July 10, 1799, when he obtained the command of tlic Stately, a 64 gun ship, armed en flute. In April 1800, ho sailed witli troops for the Mediterranean ; and after his arrival on that • See Vol. I. p. 40 •. t Sec Vol. I. p. 559. H POST-CAPTAINB OF 1798. 147 Ration; was employed in the respective blockades of Genoa and Malta*. Early in the following year, he accompanied LordvKisith to AbouHir Bay, where he cominanded the left wing j9f. the boat^ employed to land the army under Sir Ralph AbereroQtby f. For hh conduct on this Qqc^tsiqn, ^.^d during the gubseqijent operations in that qparter, the gold med^ of the Turkish Order of the Crescent was presented to hipa by order. qf the Grwd Seignior X- C^pt^ Scott continued in the Medit^rran^ivn during the su^pensiqn of .hostilities, occasioned by the treaty of Ap^ieQS ; 9gi^i^Jm»Q^ the command of the Stately till Aug. 1^4, when he jqiQf d ;the .Success of 32 guns. From the latter he removed M^f]^]]^, .1806, into the Malabar 64 j which ebip helj^ft on t|ie 3J^t Jjjly.lbJJowing. ,ftip;fl^; appointment w^s, June 1 1, lW7t^^ tfe^ Horatio, a 38-gWi fr^ate, biiilt qf fir. Pn the 10th Feb. 1809, being in the neighbourhood of the Virgin Island^^ ]be feU in iwith, and ^t ^ee-i[ji^rtecs of ^n hot^r past noon bi^nght la Junqn, a IfMn^hifrigjite of ^he largest elftBS^ to close aotion, which WAS maii^taiA^ with tl)e greatest skill and bravery on both 8i4jes .till,3'* ^' P. M. wh^n the Latoi^ frigate, which had previously vh^^d.l^^^nemy, arrived within pistol-shot; and in 9 Uw rpinutes ^ftorwardP la Junon, having loat her fore and mis^-ffv^st^, iv^s compelled to surrender. In this gallant ^Qtion the Horatio had 7 n^^n killed and 26 wounded ; among jtbe latter was Captain Scott, who, after being deprived of the services of bis first Lieutenant, received a very severe wound in the shoulder by a grape-shot, and was thereby obliged to leave the ship in charge of the Hon. George Douglas, by whom his place was most nobly supplied. She was also much cut up in her masts and rigging, the enemy in the early part of the conflict having used every eflFort in his l)ower to disable her. The Latona had 6 men slightly wound- ed, and lost her fore-mast two minutes after the firing had ceased. The Driver, a ship-sloop, closed towards the ter- u^ui^tion pf ^he a^i^ir, but does not appear to have been uf • See Vol. I. pp. 53 and 281. t Sec Vol. I., note f. at p. 2.W ; und note ♦. at p 'MX X See Vol. I. note at p 129. L 2 il; i. I I 148 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. any assistance in subduing the enemy. She however had 1 man wounded. La Junon, from the number of shot-holes low down in her hull, was in a very leaky state, and had no less than 130 killed and wounded, including among the latter her brave commander. Captain Roussea, mortally. When intercepted, she was proceeding from the Saintes to Europe *. For his excellent conduct and severe sufferings on this oc- casion. Captain Scott received the marked encomiums of his superiors, and a pension of 250/. per annum, which has since been increased to 300?. On the 21st Feb. in the following year, being in lat. 33" 10' N. and long. 29° 30' W. he captured, after a long chase, and running action of one hour, la Neces- bickf pierced for 40 guns, mounting 28, with a complement of 186 men, and laden with naval stores and provisions from Brest, bound to the Isle of France. No casualties appear to have occurred on either side. During the two last years of the war, Captain Scott com- manded the Gibraltar 80, and Asia of 74 guns. In the former he remained but a few weeks ; the latter he was obliged to resign on account of the wound he had received five years before, and which during that long period, had caused him incessant pain. He was appointed to a royal yacht June, 16, 1814; and nominated a C. B. June 4, 1815. He obtained a Colonelcy of Royal Marines, July 19, 1821 . Our officer married, Oct. 27, 1810, the Hon. Caroline Lucy, daughter of Lord Douglas, and niece of the Duke of Buccleuch. Agents, — Messrs. Atkins and Son. * La Junon was first discovered and chased by the Asp of 16 guns, and Supdrieure, pierced for 14, but with only 4 on board. The former sloop was soon lost sight of by her consort, who not only gallantly pur- sued the French frigate into the hands of Captain Scott, but during the action rendered every assistance which could be effected by the greatest skill and courage. La Junon was retaken in the course of the same year, after a most desperate resistance, by a squadron of French frigates bound to Guadaloupe. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 149 THOMAS DUNDAS, Esq. This officer, after commanding the Merlin sloop of M'ar for a considerable period in the North Sea and British Channel, was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain July 9, 1798 ; and about the same time appointed to la Prompte of 20 guns*. In March 1799, he burnt a Spanish vessel of war, pierced for 26 guns, but with only 12 mounted. His next appointment was to the Solebay frigate, in which he escorted a fleet of merchantmen to the Mediterranean, from whence he returned July 2, 1802. Towards the latter end of 1804 we find him in the Naiad irigate, making prize of a Spanish ship worth upwards of 200,000 dollars. In the same vessel he also assisted at the capture of the Fanny, a French privateer of 16 guns and 80 men, and the Superb letter of marque, of 4 guns and 20 men ; the latter bound to Martinique, with a cargo of sun- dries. The Naiad was one of the repeaters to Lord Nelson's fleet in the glorious battle of Trafalgar, and rendered essential service afterwards, by towing the Bellcille 74 from her peril- ous situation near the shoals, whither she was fast drifting. Captain Dundas subsequently commanded the Africa of 64 guns, and the Vengeur 74. He commissioned the Bulwark of 76 guns, on the 28th March 1822, and is now stationed at Plymouth. Our officer is said to be the inventor of an inflammable ball, " applicable for besieging a town, and peculiar for its small weight, by which means it may be thrown to a great distance ; and it takes fire on a very curious plan : it spreads a flame in three distinct openings, which is so strong, that the fire extends a full yard in length from the ball itself; and is so powerful, that any thing under, over, or near, cannot escape its effects f." Agents, — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. GEORGE FOWKE, Esq. This officer was made a Post-Captain July 9, 1798 ; prc- ■ i m ! \ 1 I * Lu Proaipte was the first ship launched by the French Republic, t Sec Nav. Chron. v. JO. p. 487. 160 I»OBT-CAI»TAfN9 OP 1798i vious to which he commanded the Swallow sloop of war in the West Indies, where he captured several of the enemy's privtite^rd. H« assisted ^t ttue captutromoted into the Abergavenny of 54iguns, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker, at Jamaica, about June, 1798. From that ship he removed into the Re- tribution frigate, in which he arrived at Portsmouth with Lieutenant-General Lord Balcarras, late Governor of Jamaica, joint force amounted to 64 guns and 380 men, so gallantly dclbndcd hinu self against four of the enemy's ships, carrying 126 guns and 1 100 men, com- manded by that notorious traitor aud fl'eobooter, Paul Jones, a naturalized tubjeci of the United- Slates, and by his gallant exertions prevented a fleet under hi» convoy, valued at upwards of 600,000/. sterling, from being cap- tared. A portrait and memoir of Sir Richard will be found iu the Nnv. Chron v. 24. p. 353, et teq. i(. I F'J 152 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798* and suite, Jan. 20^ 1802. His post commission bears date Aug. 17, 1798. Captain Forster married, Aug. 20, 1811, Miss Weekes, of Plympton, Devon, Agent, — GEORGE ASTLE, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1794 ; and obtained post rank Aug. 27^ 1798. During the remainder of the war he commanded la Virginie frigate, in the East Indies, where he took several prizes, and among others captured three Dutch vessels of war, mounting in the whole 32 guns. He returned to England Feb. 14, 1803. Agent, — JOHN TREMAYNE RODD, Esq. A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath. This officer was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, Sept. 7) 1798. He had previously commanded the Bonetta and Scorpion sloops of war. In the latter he captured the Courier, a Dutch vessel of 6 guns. At the renewal of hos- tilities, in 1803, he was appointed Flag-Captain to the late Sir Charles Cotton, Bart, in the San Josef, a first rate ; and in 1805, to 'command the Indefatigable frigate, under the orders of Admiral Comwallis : but with the exception of his capturing la Diana, a French letter of marque of 14 guns, pierced for 22, and 68 men, laden with naval stores, &c. for the Isle of Prance ; and la Clarisse, a privateer of 3 guns, pierced for, 14, and 48 men ; we find no farther mention of him until April, 1809, when he assisted at the destruction of the French squadron in Aix Roads *, He was appointed to the Warrior 74, in the summer of 1814. Captain Rodd married, in 1809, the only daughter of Major Rennell, a gentleman well known to the literary world. Agent.'^^vc Francis M. Ommanney, M. P. JOHN BAKER HAY, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790; obtained post rank Sept. 7, 1798 ; and subsequently commanded the Sen- • See Vol. I. p. 84. )ears date ^eekes, of obtained ■ the war s, where ed three ins. He Bath. Captain, Bonetta ired the of hos- the late ite; and ider the 1 of his 14 guns, &c. for 3 guns, ition of ction of luted to hter of world. ed post e Sen- POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 153 ■sible frigate, and la Constance of 24 guns. He was ap- pointed Flag-Captain to Sir James Hawkins Whitshed, in Feb. 1821 ; and died at Portsmouth, May 13, 1823, in his 63d year. SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, I3art. Kntght Commander of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; a Colonel of the Royal Marines ; Commodore on the coast of South Amer-. ica ; and a Chief-of-Division in the Portuguese Navy. This officer, a native of Somersetshire, early displayed a decided attachment to the naval profession ; and, contrary to the wishes of his family, resolutely began his career of glory without any interest to promote his views. He served fot some time as Master's-Mate in the Hebe frigate, commanded by the late gallant Captain Alexander Hood, in which ship Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, whilst a Midshipman, was his messmate. After being separated by the vicissitudes of service for many years, they again met in la Minerve, of which frigate Mr. Hardy had been appointed a Lieutenant early in the revolutionary war, and in which capacity he served under his friend Captain Cockburn during the various operations already related in our memoir of that officer *. Whilst preparations were making in the fleet off Cadiz for an expedition against Teneriffe, the gallantry of our seamen was conspicuously displayed in the road of Santa Cruz. On * See Vol. I. p. 520 et seq. In addition to what we have already stated respecting the action between la Minerve and the Spanish frigate Sabina, it is necessary to observe, that on the surrender of the latter, Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with 40 men, were sent on board the prize, wliich was soon after taken in tow, but cast ofif again in consequence of another frigate approaching. This vessel engaged la Minerve about half an hour, and then hauled off. A Spanish squadron now hove in sight, and la Mi- nerve had her own safety to look to. The ofScers on board the prize, purposely to draw the attention of the enemy from what, on more than one account, would have been by far the more valuable acquisition of the two, hoisted English over Spanish colours ; and with their few men, not only kept the prisoners in subjection, but manoeuvred with the greatest skill, until the fall of their masts, when they were obliged to surrender. On Commodore Nelson's return from Porto Ferrajo to Gibraltar, they had the gratification of being allowed to rejoin la Minerve, having been pre- viously exchanged by the Spaniards. ]l r 154 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798, i. ■ I, ; K 1 1 "M » ■ '.; ■| t ' Uv Mi:'' the 28th May, 1797> Captains Hallowell and Gockburn, of the Lively and Minerve, having discovered a French brig of vrar lying closp to the town, ordered their boats> under the command of Lieutenant Hardy, to proceed into the bay and attempt the daring enterprise of cutting her out. Accordin^y, about 2** 30' P. M'., our officer proceed- ed on this service ; and being gallantly supported by Lieu- tenant (now Rear- Admiral) Gage, and his other companions, he boarded and carried the enemy, notwithstanding a steady fire of musketry from the brig, and a heavy discharge of artillery and small arms from the shore, to which he was for a long time exposed, as also to the lire of a large ship at anchor in the road. The prize proved to be la Mutine, mounting 12 long 6-pounders and 2 brass 36-pr. carron- ades, having on board about 120 men. In this dashing affair the British had not a man killed,.and only 15 wounded,.including. Lieutenant Hardy, who was immediately advanced for his bravery to the rank of Commander, and ap- pointed to la Mutine,. in which vessel he afterwards became more nearly associated with the services of Nelson, who had already, borne public testimony to his merit, and im- mediately after his late achievement had exerted his influence with the commander-in-chief to obtain him the reward his gallant conduct merited. The following is a copy of the letter written by Sir John Jervis to Sir Horatio Nelson, in reply to his recommendation : ** My dear Admiral.— The capture of la Mutine ^vas so desperate an eotorprise, that I should certainly have promoted Lieutenant Hardy, so that neither you^ Hallowell, nor Cockburn, have any debtor account to me Upoti this occasion. He has got it by his own bat^i and I hope will prosper." We nex!t find Captain Hardy aocompanying Nelson in pur- suit of the powerful'armament which had sailed from Toulon, and proceedfed to Egypt, under the command of General Buonaparte. Immediately after the defeat of the French fleet in Aboukir Bay, he was made post into the Vanguard 74, ben*ing the flag of his heroic chief, which ship had become vacant! by the selection of Captain Berry, to convey the official account of the victory to Earl St. Vincent*. His commission wa^ confirmed by the Admiralty> Oct. 2, 1798. • Sec Vol.1 p. 777, ockburn, a French eir boats> ceed into tting her proceed- by Lieu- panions, steady large of was for ship at Mutine, carron- md only ediately uid ap- became f^f who »d im- fluence ird his 3 letter sply to Jrate an rdy, so i to me le will ipur- mlon, neral fleet ^74, :ome "the His 8. i>os!ir-c.«»TAiNs OP 1798i rsa Towards the Litecf end' of the sani© ycat King Fetdl- rtartd of Naples, ^nd his Gonil;, embarked in the Vanguard, for a passRge tt)' Palermo^- wbeife tiiatt' persecuted monarch prbseMed Ga[J«ain Hardy with Uis miniature on. a box scft iVjund with a drtttble row of diamonds. Nelson soon after-' wards shifted his flag^ iilto the Foudroyant of 80 guns, to which ship Captain H/ Mfe "^f&^ dhffkg uishtd merit." Our officei< i:^b^(:,i\imvS.y BH-^^ed is Flag -Captain, to- Lord teson, uv^fe Wrn*;.:-, S^tn «V^fK>f, iii^ ^t. George,* the latter fotftalttg' p^^* ^^ ^**^ fleet rkst/i^tt-d' it>- di^!iPf>V<*^ tibe-Nobthern Confederttey. The pRi*tki«Ure oi liie Baitffoir:?aiy battle oflF Copenhagen, April 2, 180?,, I>ave a?'.^iv:ly bee^i p 'en,; nnder the head- of Vir.L'-Admivaii '^ir Thomas Foley * ; to \rhvjb we have only to adti^ thnt il.-nring'i the precedin.'i;. nigiit, Captain Hardy was em;>ioyed sour- ding the ohannely anci asoertaiaing the bearing of^ H^mt ensU*n' md of tiie Mid(!lo Csroundy the gpeatfest obstaolej as it ijiterward^i prOKc-d, that, the BriUeh had to contend with in ^teip aj^proueh to^vards' the Danish fine of defence. On this oocp,sion>he rowK^ inhis boat to the enemy's leading ihipj som^ding roaxd her, and ivsing* a^ pole when he Was apnr(!hen»ive of being heard. On' his return to the Elephant) iiitc> wlltthi ?hB05, nCftpt^in Blackwood of the Furyalus arrived at the Adiniralty,(V^r.ftQaount«ripg muoh bJowiRg ^father, hi^ tLordship A^ivod^^ladijson the g9th Sept.:; tmd from that day till the ^i^at O^t'tntsverieameln gightof land> in. ord«r that the enemy might bej(#pt in .ignorance of his foroe; the wisdom of tiiis plan .was ^tr(H)gly proved by subsequent iw>«nts. The French commander-in-chief, M. Villeneuve, repeatedly declared his belief that NeiUoQ^ by detaching sly sail of the line to the Mediterranean, Md reduced the iBriti^h fleet so much as to render it oiie4hird weaker than tho^ of France and Spain*. We nowx*oine to the great And terrible day of the battle, when,,afi ithasfewn well exproiwed, **, God gave us vuslory^ hut Nelson died** The two columns of the British fleet, led on by tbe,coinmai>d^>inTchiQf an^ bis worthy second, the gallant ColUngwood, advanced with light airs and all sail Het, towards the van and centre of the enemy ; the former steering for the bow of the huge Santissima Trinidada, the latter cuttii^g through their line astern of another Spanish first-rate. The suceeccjii^ sjbip^ pf «aeh colunui vied with each other in ioUowii^ thek >a4i)c«' qftaniple. The enemy at first dis- played considerable coolness ; and, as the Victory approached, •ueh of their 9hii>8 as were U'head of her, and on her bows, • For the rcHperlivo force of ihc hostile fleets, icc Vol. 1, p|>. 206— (». POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 159 !)od of the ce of the atched by following e Victory, affecting* ihabit^nts vn before on. The hise with J welfeire, hod thmr Victory sd by Ihe Dd 8tr(Hig Lordship ly till the « enemy A of tJiis ; French iired hia ; to the luch as ace and battle, vifiiori/y eet, Led \if\, the »ail Hft, tecring latter st-ratc. (tlier in 8t dis- >achcd, bowH, )r)—(;. i frequently fired single guns, in order to ascertain whether she was within range. A shot having passed through her main-top-gallant-sail, they opened a tremendous fire, by which the Victory had about 20 men killed, and 30 others wounded, before she returned a shot. Her spars, sails, and rigging, were also much injured ; when at length she opened her larboard guns on the combined van. Captain Hardy soon afterw0''G:) informed his chief that it would be impossible to break U'H. ugh their line, without running on board the Santis- sima Trinidada or the Bucentaure (the latter a French 80-gun ship, bearing the flag of M. Villeneuve), and begged to kiiow which he would prefer. " Take your choice^ Hardy" re- plied the hero, " it does not much signify which*' The helm was now put a-port, and a raking fire poured into the sterns of those <«hips ; after which, and being raked herself by the Neptune, a French 74, the Victoi?.y, in the wA of coming to the wind, fell on board the Redoubtable. 74-; which: ehip, after discharging a broadside, let down h^r lower-d^dk ports^ probably that she might not be boarded through them.; nor were they again opened. Some time after this the Fougueux, another French 7^> 'An foul of the Temeraire, which ship had been previously lashed to the Redoubtable on her stevboard side: so that the extraordinary and unprecedented circumstance occurired, of four ships of the line being on board of eatioed the coohiQss displayed by his orew, and declared, thdt in aU his battles he had seen nolliing that could surpass it. The Redoubtable, in lieu of hiT.grcut guns, kept up a heavy tiro of musketry from her decks and tups, by which alone 160 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. I ii^i ' ■! I ; i: the Victory had upwards of 40 men killed and wounded. About an hour and a quarter after the commencement of the battle, Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy were observed to be walking near the middle of the quarter-deck : the Admiral had just commended the manner in which one of the British ships near him was fought : Captain Hardy advanced from him to give gome necessary directions ; and his Lordship was in the act of turning near the hatchway, with his face towards the stem, when a musket-ball struck him on the left shoulder, and en- tering through the epaulet, passed through the spine, and lodged in the muscles of the back, towards the right side. He instantly fell with his face on the deck, in the very place that was covered with the blood of his Secretary. Captain Hardy, on turning round, saw three men raising him. " Hardy y* said his Lordship, " / believe they have done it at last ; my back bone is shot through." An extraordinary instance of his Lordship's presence of mind when in the arms of death, is related by Dr. Beatty, who has still in his possession the fatal ball which terminated the existence of the greatest naval commander that ever breathed, '* While the men were carrying him down the ladder from the middle-deck, his Ijordship observed that the tiller-ropes were not yet replaced, and desired one of the Mid- shipmen stationed there to go upon the quarter-deck, and remind Captain Hardy of that circumstance, and request that new ones should be immediately rove. Having delivered this order, he took his handkerchief from his pocket, and covered his face with it, that he might be conveyed to the cockpit at this crisis unknown to the crew." "When the Surgeon had executed his melancholy office of ascertaining the direction of the ball, expressed the general feeling that prevailed on the occasion, and repeatedly been urged by the Admiral to go and attend to the other wounded officers and men, he re- luctantly obeyed, but continued to return at intervals. As the blood flowed internally from the wound, the lower cavity of the body gradually filled ; his Lordship therefore con- stantly desired Mr. Burke, the Purser, to raise him, and, com- plaining of an excessive thirst, was supplied with lemonade by the Rev. Mr. Scott. In this state of suffering his noble spirit remained unsubdued. His mind continued intent or VOST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 161 i the gre.it object that was always before him, his duty to his country ; he therefore anxiously inquired for Captain Hardy, to know whether the annihilation of the enemy might be de- pended on ; but it was upwards of an hour before our officer could, at so critical a period, leave the deck, and Lord Nelson became apprehensive that his brave associate was dead. The crew of the Victory were now heard to cheer, and he anxiously demanded the cause; when Lieutenant Pasco, who lay wounded near him, said that one of their opponents had struck. A gleam of devout joy lighted up the countenance of Nelson j and as the crew repeated their cheers, and marked the progress of his victory, his satisfaction visibly encreased. " Will no one," exclaimed he, " bring Hardy to me? He must be killed ; 1 am certain he is dead." His wishes were at length gratified ; Captain Hardy soon afterwards descended to the cockpit, and anxiously strove to conceal the feelings with which he had been struggling. " How does the day go with us. Hardy?" "Ten ships, my Lord, have struck." " But none of ours, I hope ? " " There is no fear, my dear Lord, of that. Five of their van have tacked, and shew an intention of bearing down upon us ; but I have called some of our fresh ships around the Victory, and have no doubt of your complete success." Having said this, he found himself unable any longer t( "uppress the yearnings of a brave and affectionate heart, and hurried away for a time to conceal the bitterness of his sorrow. For about fifteen minutes after Lord Nelson received his mortal wound, the Redoubtable continued to sustain the fire of the two British S-deckers, she herself pouring in constant discharges of musketry upon the decks of her antagonists. To obviate the danger of the Temeraire's suffering from the Victory's shot passing through the French ship, the star- board guns of the former were depressed, and fired with a diminished charge of powder, and three shot each, into the enemy. The larboard guns ofthe Victory were occasionally used in returning the fire of the Santissima Trinidada, Bucen- taure, and other ships in the van, from whose shot, during the progress of the battle, she received considerable injury. At length, after having been twice in flames herself, and by throwing combustibles occasioned a fire among VOL. ir. M M m m 161? l»OST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. some ropes ami canvas on the Victory's booms, the Redoubt- able, having lost her bowsprit, main luul mizen-masts, and fore-top-mast, and being, as we may readily imagine, in a dreadfully shj^ttered condition, ceased her opposition and surrendered. Towards the close of the combat. Captain Hardy again visited the cockpit, and reported to his dying chief the num- ber of ships that had struck. " God be praised. Hardy ! " replied the expiring hero; " bring the fleet to an anchor." The delicacy of Captain Hardy's situation, there being no Captain of the Fleet *, was peculiarly embarrassing ; and, with as much feeling as the subject would admit of, he hinted at the command devolving on Vice-Admiral Collingwood. Nelson, feeling the vast importance of the fleet being brought to anchor, and with the ruling passion of his soul predomi- nant in death, replied somewhat indignantly, " not whilst I live, I hope. Hardy j " and vainly endeavouring, at the mo- ment, to raise himself on the pallet, " Do you," said he, " bring the fleet to anchor." Captain Hardy was returning to the quarter-deck, when the Admiral called him back and delivered his last injunctions, desiring, among other matters of a private nature, that his body might be carried home, and, unless his Sovereign should otherwise command it, be buried by the side of his parents. He then took his faithful follower by the hand, and observing, that he would most probably not see him again alive^ desired Captain Hardy to kiss him, that he might seal their long friendship with that affection which pledged sincerity in death. Captain Hardy stood for a few minutes in silent agony over the body of him he so truly re- garded, and t^en kneeling down, again kissed his forelicad : " Who is that ? " said the dying warrior : " It is Hardy, my Lord." *'God bless you. Hardy," replied Nelson feebly, and shortly after added, " 1 wish 1 had not left the deck, 1 shall soon be gone;" his voice then gradually became hiarticu- late, with an evident increase of pain : when, after a feeble struggle, these last words were distinctly heard, — " I have * Rear-Aduiiral George Murray, who hail formerly filled the honorable post of Captain o( the Fleet, having occasion to remain in England to settle 8onio family afTairs, left his Lordship un his return from the West Indies. Redoubt- asts, and jine, ill a itiou and dy again the nuni- Hardy!" anchor." being no ngj and, le hinted ingwood. ; brought predomi- whilst I the mo- said he, ■eturning back and • matters me, and, le buried follower ably not lim, that in which or a few ruly ro- >rehcad : idy, my bly, and i, 1 shall narticu- a feeble 1 HAVE honorable d to settle t Indies. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 163 DONE MY DUTY, 1 PRAISE GOD FOR IT." Having Said this, he turned his face towards Mr. Burke, on whose arm he had been supported ; and great as must have been his previous sufferings, expired without a struggle or a groan, at half-past four o'clock, just three hours and a quarter after he had re- ceived the fatal wound, and about fifteen minutes after Cap- tain Hardy left him *. According to the official statements, the total loss sus- tained by the Victory in this ever memorable combat, was 57 killed and Jb wounded ; but, according to Dr. Beatty's Nar- rative, the real number of wounded was 102 ; 27 men having reported themselves too late to be included in the returns f- The Victory having been made sea-worthy at Gibraltar, where she arrived seven days after the battle, passed through the Straits during the night of the 4th of November, and the next day at noon joined Vice-Admiral Collingwood oft* Cadiz. Captain Hardy parted company in the evening, and stood for England. The body of Lord Nelson had been pre- served with the greatest care and attention by the Surgeon ; at first in brandy, and afterwards, on amving at Gibraltar, where a sufficient quantity could be procured, with a portion of spirits of wine mixed with brandy. After a long and me- lancholy passage, the Victory arrived at St. Helen's on the 4th December, when the Port- Admiral made the signal for the ships at Spithead and in Portsmouth harbour to strike their colours half-mast. The recollection how lately she had sailed, bearing the flag of that great Admiral, whose remains * A short time previous to the commencotncnt of the battle. Captains Blackwood and Hardy witnessed Lord Nelson's will. To the latter ofliccr Lis Lordship bequeathed a small legacy, and all his telescopes. t It is said to have been the intention of Vice-Admiral CoUinscwood, to have sent the body of Lord Nelson home in the Euryalus frigate, until a very strong reluctance was manifested by the crew of tlie Victory to part with so valuable n relic, to which they felt almost an exclusive claim : they remonstrated through one of their boatswain's mates, against the removal, upon a ground that could not be resisted : he said, " the noble Admiral had fought with them, and fell on their own deck ; that if, by being put on board a frigate, his body should fall into the hands of the enemy, it would make their loss doubly grievous to them ; and, therefore, that they were one and all resolved to carry it safely to England, or to go to the bottom along >vith it themselves." M 2 1 f f ■'!F ■i :! « r ' 164 POST-CAITAINS OF 1798. she now brouglit home to his country for burial, rendered her an object of the greatest interest. Her shattered and dis- mantled state declared the fury of the battle in which the hero fell, and her decks were still stained with the blood of those who had avenged his death. She had received 86 shot be- tween wind and water. Her fore and main-masts had been very badly wounded, and were filled with musket-balls ; she had a jury mizen-mast and jury fore and main-top-masts ; and many round shot were to be seen in her bowsprit and bows. On the 1 1th Dec. Captain Hardy sailed from Spithead for the Nore, but did not reach the Downs till the IJth. On the 22d the Victory was met by a yatch sent from Shcerness with the York Herald and Mr. Tyson, formerly Secretary to the deceased Admiral, to receive the corpse. In the evening, when they got on board, and had declared the purpose for which they came, a general gloom and impressive silence pervaded the whole ship. On the coffin being lowered down from the Victory, the flag of Nelson, which had been flying half-mast high ever since the battle, was struck, and immediately sent on board the yacht, where it was again hoisted in the same fu- nereal manner. In the evening of the 24th the body was landed at Green- wich, and deposited hi the Record-room of the Royal Hos- pital, preparatory to its lying in state in the Painted Hall. The Victory proceeded to Chatham, where she was soon after put out of commission for the purpose of being repaired. On the 9th Jan. 1806, the day on which the remains of Lord Nelson were interred in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, Captain Hardy bore the Banner of Emblems before the relations of the deceased. In the following month he was created a Baronet of Great Britain ; and in the ensuing spring appointed to the Triumph of 74 guns, on the Halifax station. He subsequently served under the orders of the late Admiral Berkeley, at Lisbon; and in 1811, the Portuguese Govern- ment conferred upon him the rank of a Chief-of-Division in the royal armada of Portugal, doubling at tiie same time the pay attached to that appointment. In August 1812, Sir Thomas M. Hardy obtained the com- mand of the Ramillies, another third rate ; and towards the close of the same year, proceeded in that ship to reinforce S.J' lered her and dis- 1 the hero of those shot be- had been dis ; she ists ; and d bows, bhead for On the ness with y to the ng, when ar which pervaded from the lalf-niast y sent on ianic fu- Green- ^al Hos- ed Hall, ion after ed. lains of of St. 3 before he was spring station. Admiral lovern- ision in me the e com- rds the linforcc i POST-CAPTAINS OF l/OS. 165 the rteet on the coast of North America. During the sum- mer of 1813, he commanded a squadron employed off New London, watching two frigates and a sloop of war belonging to the United States. On the 25th June a boat was sent from the Raniillies to cut off a schooner, which was making for that harbour. She was taken possession of about eleven o'clock, the crew having deserted her after letting go her only anchor. 'J'hc officer of the boat brought the prize near the Kamillies, and informed Sir Thomas Hardy that she was laden with pro- visions and naval stores. Very fortunately for the ship he com- manded, SirThomas ordered the schooner to be taken alongside :i trading sloop which had been captured a few days before j for while they were in the act of securing her, about half past two o'clock, she blew up with a tremendous explosion, and a Lieutenant (Geddes) and ten valuable seamen lost their lives. It was afterwards ascertained, that this schooner, the Eagle, of New York, was fitted out by two merchants of that place, induced by the American government offering half the value of the British ships of war so destroyed, for the express pur- pose of burning the Kamillies ; and hearing that that ship was short of provisions and stores, they placed some in the hatch-way hoping thereby to induce Sir Thomas Hardy to take her alongside. Under the provisions were deposited several casks of gun-powder, with trains leading to a maga- zine, which was fitted upon the same mechanical principles as clock-work. When it had run the time given to it by the winder-up, it gave force to a sort of gun-lock. The explosion of the vessel, and the destruction of all that might be near it, was the end proposed. We shall not attempt to comment on an act, the success of which would have hurled so many luuulred persons as were on board the Kamillies into eternity ; every friend of humanity rejoiced at its failure. '1 owards the conclusion of the war with America, Sir Thomas M. Hardy, in conjunction with a detachment of the army under Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington, took possession of the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay. He also bombarded the town of Stonington, which had been conspicious in pre- paring and harbouring torpedoes, and giving assistance to the enemy's attempts at the destruction of the British ships of WAV stationed off New London. fi I i I I ■; 3 'I i' ri M I '11 J ^ iFii 166 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. At the enlargement of the Order of the Bath^ Jan. 2, 1815, Sir Thomas M. Hardy was nominated a K. C. B. ; and in July, 1816, he obtained the command of a royal yatch. He was appointed to the Superb of 78 guns, Nov. 30, 1818 ; and in the following year hoisted a broad pendant in that ship, as Commodore of the squadron employed in South America; fror-i which station he has returned since the first part of this memoir went to the press. Of the nature of the service on the coast of South America, so little is generally known that a slight sketch of it may not be without interest to some of our readers. Owing to the unacknowledged political existence of the South American governments, they have been diplomatically neglected by European nations ; we at least have hitherto had no Ambassador there, no Consuls, nor indeed any public authorities whatever. But as the commerce of those countries, upon being freed from the Spanish yoke, became at once con- siderable, and was rapidly increasing ; and as many British merchants were resident there, and much British capital float- ing about, it became necessary that some protection should be afforded to those interests, and a watchful eye kept over the proceedings of States which, though still in a state of infancy, were nevertheless respectable from their wealth and extent. As it had ever been usual to station men of war wherever commerce was in activity, there was nothing novel, or calculated to excite jealousy, in having a squadron in South America. The duties of this squadron became important in proportion as the new States, feeling their growing strength, were inclined to give trouble, either by new and oppressive commercial laws, or by interfering with the personal liberty, and sometimes by detaining the ships, of our countrymen. Many of the countries of which we are speaking were, it must be recollected, in a state of war. Some of their ports were blockaded, and every source of jealousy and distrust let loose. Others had more than one government — and the consequent confusion was greatly augmented by the eager- ness of commercial speculation, which led many individuals to despise all prudence, and all local regulations, in order, at every hazard, to force their trade : this was naturally follow- POST-CAITAINS OF 1796. 167 2, 1815, ; and in ch. He 118 ; and ship, as Lmerica ; t part of Vmerica, may not B of the natically hitherto y public )untries, ice con- r British »al float- i should ept over state of ilth and 'herever vel, or South rtant in rength, jressive liberty, ;rymen. rere, it ir ports listrust and the eager- viduals rder, at follow- ^ cd by seizures, confiscations, and a long train of appeals. The governments too, Avere often ignorant of what was cus- tomary, and generally obstinate ; but not infrequently they were right — and our own countrymen not easily defended. Under these circumstances the greatest temper and judgment, and the nicest arrangement, were necessary ; but it is scarcely possible, without entering into long details, to afford a just conception of the effective ttianner in which those complicated duties M'ere conducted by Sir Thomas Hardy. It will be easily understood why services of this riiiture are not suited to strike the public eye in a Gazette ; but it is cer- tainly to be lamented, that the successful exercise of such qualities should be confined to the knowledge of a few officers whom accident had placed within its view, and be utterly unknown to the public, and to the body of the naval service, to whom the example is of so much consequence. These things are the more worthy of remark from theif teqUiring an exertion of powers very different from those which it has heretofore been almost the exclusive duty of officers to che- rish. Yet it is pleasing to think that the qualities of patient forbearance and of conciliatory kindness may, at times, prove as useful to the public service, as the more energetic talents of enterprise and action. In South America, indeed, where we were at peace, any shew of violence must have been mis- chievous to the British interests, and could have accomplished nothing. Yet there was no want of provocation, for injustice was often committed, and the national honor, it might seem, sometimes threatened j and although there could not be for a moment a question, that these things required adequate redress, yet there was no ordinary skill and dexterity displayed in the way in which it was sought and obtained, so as to leave things better for us than before. These cases were scarcely ever alike, so that experience did little more than teach the truth and solidity of the principles, by which our conduct was regulated. Had we always had right on our side, that is, had the commercial transactions which we had to protect always been pure, and the displeasure of the governments always unjust, it would have been easier ; but it sometimes happened otherwise. Many prizes, or rather detentions, were made by the Patriot squadrons, on the strongly supported plea of m ill hi lit 'I II h 5 'H ' U'.\ Mi '■-'*! I « 168 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. having Spanish property on board — British sailors reported that they had been forcibly detained, and made to fight agunst the allies of their country— Masters and Supercargoes of ships said they had been plundered on the high seas, under the form of local usage and regular duties. — Englishmen re- presented themselves as being unjustly imprisoned — each party charged us with favoring their opponents — the crews of ships, taking advantage of the general state of confusion, mu- tinied and refused to do their duty : — in short, all was out of order, nothing was flowing in its natural course, every thing being, in fact, under the guidance of men whose bad passions were at their height, and whose minds were in such a frame, that they interpreted every thing in the worst language it would bear. This dislocation of society was not confined to a single port, or a single state, but extended, with more or less distraction, over the whole continent, threatening all social order and security of persons, as well as destmction to the great mass of commerce which, notwithstanding the for- bidding aspect of affairs, was always ready to flow in at every casual opening, in spite of all prudence and experience. At a time when very few, if any other man, saw his way clearly through this dark and troubled prospect, Sir Thomas Hardy appears never to have faltered, or been at a loss ; and this confidence, as he sought on every occasion to impress on the minds of his officers, consisted principally, he told them, in their being totally pure and disinterested personally in all that was going on — in maintaining themselves, above all, free from political party spirit on every hand ; and whatever seeming provocation might arise, never to consider that any disrespect was intentional, unless it were obvious ; to be slow, in short, to take offence, national or personal, unless it could not be mistaken ; and in every consequent explana- tion to recollect, that voluntary acknowledgment, however trifling, was always better than any whatsoever that was compulsory. When decision and firmness, however, became necessary, as they sometimes did, the different governments and their servants speedily learnt that nobody could be more immoveably resolute than he was ; and yet the sentiment which his private habits and public conduct had inspired, not only amongst the Spaniards and the native powers, but POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 160 amongst the strangers, who from motives of gain had 3ought that country, was of a far kindlier nature ; and it was essen • tially owing to this circumstance, that his influence became so commanding and extensive. He was trusted everywhere, and enjoyed in a wonderful degree the confidence and esteem of all parties whatsoever: his advice, which was never ob- truded, was never suspected ; and a thousand bitter disputes were at once settled amicably, and to the advantage of all parties, by a mere word of his, instead of being driven into what are called national questions, to last for years, and lead to no useful end. When this respect and confidence had once become fully established, every thing went on so smoothly under his vigilant auspices, that it was those only who chanced to be placed near the scene, who could perceive the extent, or appreciate the importance, of the public good which he was silently dispensing — as in a well-steered ship, a stranger is unconscious how much he owes to the operation of the helm, or how much merit belongs to the hand which, unseen, guides the motions of the whole. It is on this ac- count that we have dwelt so long on services which, unlike his former exploits in war, do not speak for themselves, but which are nevertheless in the highest degree entitled to public gratitude, and are most worthy oi professional imitation. Sir Thomas M. Hardy married Anne Louisa Emily, a daughter of the late Admiral Hon. Sir George C. Berkeley, G. C. B., niece of the late Duke of Uichmond, and sister to the Countess of Euston. Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. WILLIAM CUMBERLAND, Esq. This officer is a son of Mr. Cumberland the celebrated dramatist, a memoir of whom will be found in the first vo- lume of a work entitled " Public Characters." He was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; commanded the Fly sloop of war in 1797 > ^"d obtained the rank of Post-Captain Nov. H, 1798. During the late war he commanded la Pique frigate, the Leyden and Stately 64's, and Saturn, a third rate. La Pique, in company with the Pelican sloop of war, took pos- session of le Gcelan, a French brig of 18 guns, and an armed $ <:i '.^ A 170 POST-( APTAINS OF 1 70^. cutter, at the evacuation of Aux Cayes, St. Domingo, in Oct. 1803 ; the Leyden formed part of Admiral Gambicr's fleet at the capture of the Danish navy in I8O7. Towards the hitter end of the war, we find him regulating the impress service at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. Captain Cumberland married, in 1800, a daughter of the late Charles Pym Burt, Esq., of Albemarle Street, London. Agent,-— GRAHAM EDEN IIAMOND, Esq. j4 Companion of the most Honorable Militartf Order of the Bath ; and a Deputy-Lieutenant of the Isle of tVight. This officer is the son of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, Bart, whose services we have related at p. 54, et seq. of this volume. He was born in London, Dec. 30, 17/0 ; and after serving for some time on board the different guard-ships commanded by his father, joined the Phaeton frigate, commanded by his cousin, the late Sir Andrew Suape Douglas, which was the first vessel sent out to cruise against the enemy, and give pro- tection to British commerce, at the commencement of the war with France in 1793. Amongst the captures made by the Phiicton during that year, were le General Dumourier, a Freiich privateer of 22 guns and 19G men, having on board 2,040,000 dollars ; her prize the St. Jago, Laden with bark, copper, and hides, worth nearly .'^0,000/. sterling * ; la Prompte, a small French fri- gate of 28 guns and 180 men j a privateer of 16 guns and 60 men ; and the Blonde, a national ship mounting 24 guns. In April 1/04, Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, who had pre- vioxisly worn a distinguishing pendant, and commanded all the frigates of \^\\r\ Howe's fleet, formed into a separate stjuadron, was appointed his Lordship's Captain, in the Queen Charlotte, to which ship Mr. Hamond was also removed In a letter writ- tenby the former to his uncle the Comptroller, about thisperiod, • See Vol. 1. note f, at p. 75/. A'. li. Lc (leneral Dumourier uiid tlic St. .la|i;o were first dlscovercil frr>in the IMiiicton's mnin-top-gallunt-inast- head, by IMr. IfaiiioiHl. The remainder of Ilenr-Admiral (Jell's s»|uadror» .ioliK1AINS OF 1/98. 1796, when he was sent in the Flora frigate to join rAigic off 'J^unis. The latter ship, under the command of Captain (now Sir Charles) Tyler, was afterwards employed co-ope- rating with the Austrian army between Trieste and Venice ; and on her return from that service in February 1797, to join Sir John Jervis, was twice chased by the Spanish fleet. On the 10th of the following month Lieutenant Hamond re- moved into the Niger, another frigate, commanded by the present Vice-Admiral Foote, with whom he served till Octo- ber 1798 ; on the 20th of which month he M-as made a Com- mander, and appointed to the Echo, a new sloop of 18 guns, fitting at Deptibrd. In this vessel. Captain Hamond escorted a fleet of mer- chantmen to Elsineur, and from thence convoyed the home- ward bound Baltic trade to the mouth of the Thames. He was afterwards sent to cruise on the coast of Holland, where he destroyed a French cutter privateer, and assisted at the capture of thirty large Dutch fishing vessels, which were seized in order to prevent their being employed in the threatened invasion of England. In May 1798, he conveyed Prince Frederick of Orange from Yarmouth to Cuxhaven, and re- ceived the thanks of H. S. H. for the attention he had paid to him during the voyage. The Echo continued on the North Sea station until Sept. following, when Captain Hamond was ordered to convoy the trade bound to Halifax and Quebec 100 leagues west of C'lpc Clear. After performing this service he went to Marcou with reinforcements for the garrison, and then proceeded to join the s(|yadron blo::kading Havre ; off which port lie renuiined till the beginning of December, when he returned to Spithead, and f(>'..iid himself promoted to the connnand of the C^iianipion, a p jst-ship, by commission dated Nov. .'i, 1798. During the ensuing year, (Japtain Hamond was succes- sively employed convoying a ileet of merchant vessels to the Elbe ; guarding the mouths of that river and the VVi ser, to j)rev('nt the enemy's gun-boats from «Mitcring ; cruising ofl' Norway ; carrying money from the Thames to the British army in Holland; and watching the retiu'n of the trach* from Archangel. Thi.s latter, owing to the advanced seaison "f the year, proved a very severe service, the Champion's station POST-CAPTAINS OF IJOH. l^S being from 60' to 7^** North l.-xtitude. On his return to port, he received information that a foreign ship of war was on the coast in distress ; he immediately went to her assistance, and after much difficulty succeeded in towing the stranger, a Russian 74 totally dismasted, with an Admiral on board, safe into Leith Roads. On the 26th June preceding, being off the Dudgeon light on his way to Yarmouth, for the purpose of getting a new rudder, the old one being disabled, he discover- ed an enemy's cruiser in the midst of near 200 coasting ves- sels and colliers. No time was lost in giving chase to the marauder, whilst a boat was lowered and recaptured two English brigs. The pursuit continued during the night ; and the following day being calm, the sails were furled and every exertion made with the sweeps and boats towing to come up with the enemy ; but it was not until the evening of the 28th, with the assistance of a fresh bree/e, that this could be ef- fected. She proved to be the famous French privateer Ana- creon of 16 guns, a vessel which had done incalculable mid- chief to our commercial interests. In March 1800 tlie Champion convoyed a fleet to Gibraltiir, and from thence took several transports laden with ordnance stores, and a battering train, to Malta. On his passage up the Mediterranean, Captain Hamond fell in with an Algerine squadron, which at first sliewcd symptoms of hostility, and, considering the valuable charge he had, rendered his situation by no means pleasant. Soon after discovering the British vessels, the Algerines, whose force consisted of a 36-gun frigate, two xebecs each mounting 24 guns, and three armed polacres, all full of men, hauled to the wind and displayed the flags of three Admirals, llpon the Champion showing her colours they bore up together, with their rigging, yards, and boarding ladders hanging from each yard arm, lined with men. On arriving within gun-; hot tiiey again hauled their wind, each Admiral hoisting an English jack, and firing three guns, the greatest number they ever gave as a salute. The Cham- pion in return hoisted an Algerine jack, and saluted them with three guns. Had these pirates determined to search the British vessel*, Captain Iluinond was fully prepared to give them a warm reception ; but, considering their immenhc s\iperiority, it is i I M ^ 174 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. I' i \H more than probable his resistance would have been unavailing j and had they discovered such a booty of ordnance stores, it is not to be imagined that any moral reasoning on his part, woald have prevented their taking the whole to Algiers. The same squadron afterwards fell in with an English frigate off Cape Bona, and would not allow her to proceed until her commander had sent his commission on board for their inspection. Captain Hamond was subseciuently employed conveying the officers and crew of the Guillaume Tell, a French 80-gim ship *, to Minorca ; assisting at the blockade of Malta, and occasionally serving on shore at the siege of Valette ; but at length his health being much impaired by the extreme h«at of the climate, he was obliged to return home j for which pur- pose he exchanged ships with Lord William Stuart, of the Lion 64, July 27, 1800, and proceeded in her to Port Mahon, from whence he conveyed Major-General Craddock and part of the 40th regiment to Gibraltar, where he was charged by Lord Keith with despatches for England. The Lion was paid off Nov. 18, 1800; and on the following day he commission- ed the Blanche, a new 36-gun frigate ; which ship, after being fitted and manned, was ordered to join the armament under Sir Hyde Parker, then at Yarmouth, and about to sail for the Bi^ltic. On the 19th March, 1801, Captain Hamond was sent on to Elsineur with a flag of truce, and despatches for Mr. Druni- mond, the British Minister at Copenhagen. After a delay of two days at the former place, all hopes of accommodation with the Danes being at an end, that gentleman, with the whole British Factory, were received on board the Blanche, a.id car- ried to the fleet at the entrance of the Sound. In the ensuing battle with the Danisli line of defence before Copenhagen f, the Blanche was anchored by the stern between the Amazon a!id Aicmene frigates, abreast of the Great Crown battery, uilder the fire of which formidaulc work she continued nearly two hours. Her loss consisted of 7 men killed and 9 severely wounded. Her hull and rigging were also much cut up J. • See Vol. I. p. 37s. t See Vol. I. note • at p. 3(55, ,'t sfq. \ From the ciroiuustancc of Iter ^'rounding the preceding evciii:ig, near POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 176 Lord Nelson behaved very kiiully to Captain flamond when he saw him on board his flag-ship after the battle, and was pleased to say, he would never forget him as long as he lived. On the following Sunday our officer held his Lord- ship's prayer book whilst he returned thanks to Almighty God, for the victory which under the Divine auspices had been achieved by the British arms. The Blanche returned to England with the flag of Sir Hyde Parker, who landed at Yarmouth on the 13th May. During the remainder of the war she was attached to the Channel fleet under Admiral Cornwallis, and employed in occasional cruises to the southward. After the peace of Amiens we find her stationed on the coasts of Cornwall and Devonshire, for the suppression of buuigglingj and in the sunnner'of 1802, attending upon his late Majesty and the royal family, at Weymouth. She was paid off fit Sheerness, Se it. 22, in the same year. The three succeeding months of Captain Hamond's life were spent in visiting Havre, Rouen, Paris, the Court of St. Cloud, and Calais. On the 21st Feb. 1803, Captain Huniond was appointed to the Plantagenet of 74 guns*, in which ship he captured the Courier dc Terre Neuve, a French brig privateer of 16 guns and 54 men, July 24, 1803, and throe days aftorwards I'A- talante, a beautiful corvette of 22 guns and 120 men. The latter chased the Plantagenet, under the impression that she was an Indiaman, bemg without a poop. Captain Hamond was obliged to resign the command of tliis fine ship, through ill-health, in November of the same year ; and he remaini d without any other appointment until the change of Ministry in 1804, when he obtained ihe co/nmand of the Lively, a fine 38-gun frif ''te, recently launched at Woolwich. The Lively joined Admiral Cornwallis off Brest, Sept. 23, 1804, and was in\mcdiately detached with secret ord()rs to intercept two Spanish frigates expected from Lima with trea- sure, for which purpose Captain Graham Moore had received siniilar directions the same day. On the ,')d Oct. the Inde- thc island of Amak, not an officer or u man hud boon off the BiHnche's deck from the time of licr ftrst getting unarke(l in II with a efence of onsisted J Merlin 5 by Sir lioni had iient left lussians From clicd to I with a retreat ; ibarkedj f which lanSj ni r mam- down ing the Malta, urcd a Craig, , once him at amoiid Vic- POST-CAPTAINS OF IJOS. \'\) torioua 74, fitting for the North Sea station, in which ship he assisted at the capture of Flushing, in Aug. 1800*. Hy this time his health had again become so much impaired, that he was under the necessity of applying for permission to go to England ; and his request being complied with by tli(> commander-iti-chief, who kindly gave him a cutter for that purpose, he resigned the command of the Victorious to his first Lieutenant, Sept. 20, and arrived in the Downs on th(> following day. During the last year of the war he commanded the Rivoli, a third rate, forming part of tlie Mediterranean fleet. He was nominated a C. B. in June 1815; and ga- zetted as a Deputy-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Nov. 8, 1821. Captain Hamond I'larried, in Dec. 1806, E!i/abeth, d;iiigh- ier of John Kimber, of Fowey, co. Cornwnil, Es(j. y^i^rnt. — Sir Francis M. Omnianney, M. P. ROBERT IIONYMAN, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1/90; commanded the Tisiphone sloop of war, and captured the French priva- teers le Prospere of 14 gmis and 73 men, and le Ceif Volant of 14 guns and 63 men, on the North Sea station, in 1/07 > and obtained the rank of Post-Captain Dec. 10, I7O8. In Oct. 1800, he was appointed to the Garland of 28 guns, em- ployed on Channel service; and in June 1801, we find him conveying Rear- Admiral Robert Montague to Jamaica, where he removed into the Topaze frigate, in which he returned to England Oct. 12, 1802. At the general election, in the same year, he was chosen to represent the si' res of Orkney and Shetland. Early in 1803, Captain Honyman obtained the command of the Leda frigate : and at the renewal of tlic war was sta- tioned on the coast of France, witli a small squadron under his orders, to obstruct the progress of the enemy's flotilla from the eastward., towards Boulogne. On the 29th Sept. he attacked a division of gun-boats, and drove two on shore, where they were bilged. Whilst, performing this service, a • See VoJ. I. p- 'J!l(> J and note * at p. I'A'j, of the prt'sent volume. .N 2 V- • w I M f. 1 IHO POST- CAPTAINS OF 1798. shell fell on board the Lcda and exploded in her hold, doioij but little injury to *'ic ship, and \\ith()ut hurting a man. •^At the latter end of July 1804, the boats of the Leda, com- manded by Lieutenant Rl^ican, boarded a French gun-ves- sel in Boulogne roads, and after a smart conflict, succeeded in cutting her adrift ; but, in consequence of the flood-tide running very strong, were unable to bring her out. Of 38 men engaged in this affair, only 14 returned to the I^da. The gallant commander of the party was among the slaiuv' On the 24th April, 1805, Captain Honyman discovered twenty-six of the enemy's vessels rounding Cape Grisnez : he inuuediately made the signal for his squadron to weigh ; and after engaging them about two hours, succeeded in cut- ting off seven schuyts, carrying altogether 18 guns, 1 how it/er, and 168 men, from Dunkirk, bound to Ambleteuse. The British on this occasion had only 1 man wounded. In the course of the same year, the Leda appears to have narrowly escaped the fate which befel two ships under her convoy from England to the Cape of Good Hope ; these ves- sels, the King George transport and Britannia East Indiamtm, having been totally wrecked on some rocks near the coast of Brazil. The particulars of their loss will be found in the Nav. Chron. v. 23, p. 483, et seq. In Jan. 1806, the Leda formed part of Sir Home Popham's squadron at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope ; after which he accompanied the s"me officer on an expedition to the Rio de la Plata *, where she continued until the final eva- cuation of Spanish America by the British forces, about Sept. I8O7. Towards the conclusion of that year, Captain Hony- man captured I'Adolphe, a French privateer of 16 guns, on the coast of France. The Leda was wrecked near the en- trance of Milford Haven, on the 31st Jan. 1800, but her commander was fully acquitted by a court-martial of all blame on the occasion. Captain Ilcniyman has since commanded the Ardent of (54 guns. Sceptre 7'1» »»tl Marlborough of the same force. In the autumn of 1814, we find him superintending the pay- ment of ships afloat at Portsmouth. j4gciif. — ' * * S(T Vol. I, note t, at p (^2-2, >t sk/. nan. sda, coni- guii-ves- iucceeded iood-tide . Of 38 he Lcda. slain./' scovcred Grisnez : • wciifli ; d in cut- , I how bletousc. ?d. to have idcr her esc ves- dianuin, :oast of he Nav. tphani's ! ; after it ion to lal eva- it Sept. llony- uis, on the eii- ut her of all lent of force. e pay- POST ( APr.VINS: OF 1/98. 181 BARTHOLOMEW JAME8, Esg. 'Yum officer was made a Lieutenant May f>, 177^; com- manded a letter of mar([ue belonging to Jamaica, at the com- mencement of the French revolutionary war ; and served as an Agent of Transports, at the capture of Martinique, in 179-4; after which he joined the Boyne, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis. In 1797> we find him comnuuuling El Corso of 18 guns, on the Mediterranean station ; and in the followhig year, conducting the Canopus, (late Franklin) one of Lord Nelson's prizes, from Gibraltar to England. His post commission bears date Dec. 24, 1798. At the re- newal of hostilities in 1803, he was appointed to a command in the Sea Fencible service on the coast of Cornwall. His youngest daughter is the lady of Captain T. B. Sulivan, 11. N. C. B. Agent. —iohw Chippendale, Esq. ROBERT LEWIS FITZGERALD, Esq. This officer is descended from a younger branch of the very ancient and noble house of Leinster, in the kingdom of Ireland, and nearly related to the [L\xx\ of Kingston. He entered the naval service in March 1780, as a Midshipnum, on board the Winchclsea frigate, commanded by the present Viscount Exmouth, with whom he served on the Newfound- land station for a period of three years. He afterwards joined the Centurion .50, bearing the flag of Ilear-Admiral Philip Affleck, at Jamaica * ; and during the West India campaign in 1794, we find him serving under Sir John Jervis, in the Boyne of 98 guns ; from which ship he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Avenger sloop of war. Soon after his return to England, Lieutenant Fitzgerald ob- tained an appointment to the London, a second rate, carrying the flag of Rear- Admiral Colpoys ; and in her he assisted at the capture of three French line-of~battlc ships olV TOricnt, ;,* « Sec Vol. I. note t, at \\ 5(18. t n IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h A l/j & ^ 1.0 1^ m ^ 12.2 u §^ I.I f/* Ha IL25 il.4 ii|.6 ^ ^ v-i >> Photographic Sciences Corporation V 4 a? :\ \ ;\ i3 WIST MAIN STRUT WnSTM.N.Y. 14510 (716) •73-4S03 .^. r Ki ': II 182 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1796. June 23, 1795*. His advancement to the rank of Com- mander took place in Feb. 1797. Captain Fitzgerald subsequently commanded the Vesuvius bomb, and in that vessel assisted at the bombardment of Havre by a squadron under Sir Richard J. Strachan ; and at the destruction of la Confiante of 36 gnns, and a French na- tional cutter, in May 1798 f. His conduct on this occasion was honorably noticed in the London Gazette. The Vesuvius was afterwards ordered to the Mediterranean, from whence Captain Fitzgerald returned to England in the Tonnant, a French 80-gun ship, taken at the battle of the Nile. His post commission bears date Dec. 24, 1798. During the latter part of the war, he commanded the Triton of 32 guns, in which ship he captured a French vessel from Gua- daloupe, laden with colonial produce. The Triton was paid off at Plymouth, April 9, 1802. Soon after the renewal of hostilities, Captain Fitzgerald, whose health would not allow him to serve afloat, was ap- pointed senior officer of the SeaFencibles in the Isle of Wight. Previous to the dissolution of that corps, he held the chief command of the district between Kidwelly and Cardigan. In July 1816, he was elected Governor of the Royal Naval Asylum ; but the power of nomination being afterwcirds con- sidered not to rest with the Commissioners, the appointment did not take place. Captain Fitzgerald married, in Aug. 1800, Jane, a daughter of Richard Welch, Esq., formerly Chief Justice of the island of Jamaica, and sister to the lady of Sir George Thomas, Bart., by whom he has Ave sons and four daughters remain- ing, of eleven chilt'ren. His only brother, an officer in the 3d regiment of Guar s, aide-de-camp and equerry to H. R. H. the Duke of York, died in 1802. ^gent. — Hugh Stanger, Esq. \ iv^i * See \'ul. I. p. 24(). N. D. The London was coiuinundcd by Captoin (u'liBth, nephew of lloai-Admirul Colpoys. See ui p. 54H. t Sec Vol. [. p. 4-18. ^-C'-fK*'^ Eve- lyn, Duke of Kingston, and the wife of Philip Medows, Esq., yoiinjjest son of Sir Philip iMedows, Knight Murslial. He ohtiiincd the rank of Post-Captain Auj(. 17, 17''>7, and resigned his commission in 17^3. His Lordship was much altached to tlic pursuit of a^^ricnUure ; and in 1H03 received a gold ineihil lioni the Society for tlie Enconragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, for his spiritcii exertions in sowinjr acorns and plantinjf oaks on his estate. The Duke of Norfolk, who filled the chair on this occasion, paid him a just and handsome compliment upon the services rendered lo his country, not only in war, but during' his rural t ...S 184 P08T-CAPTA1NS OP 1798. if^e^i^. Charles Herbert, the second son by the above marriage, and the subject of this sketch, was born Aug. 11, 1778; and on the 8th Jan. 1798, when commander of the Kingsfisher, a brig mounting 18 six-pounders, with a complement of 120 men, captured after a smart action, la. Betsey, a French ship privateer of 16 guns and 118 men, 9 of whom were killed and wounded. The Kingsfisher had only 1 man wounded. Whilst in the same vessel, he also captured le Lynx of 10 guns and 70 men; I'Avantivia Ferolina, of 1 gun and 26 men ; and TEspoir of 2 guns and 39 men. He was made a Post-Captain into the Spartiate 74, (one of the prizes taken by Sir Horatio Nelson, in Aboukir Bay) Dec. 24, 1798; and returned to England in that ship about July 1799. He was subsequently appointed to the Dedaigneuse frigate, but re- signed the command of her on the death of his elder brother, which took place Oct. 22, 1801 *. From this period our officer represented the county of Nottingham in Parliament, until his accession to the Earldom, June 17, 1816. In 1820 he ordered the arrears of his half- pay, amounting to 1865 {. 9s. 6rf., to be added to the funds of the Naval Charitable Society, together with all future half- pay to which he may be entitled from the Navy ; the present annual amount of which is 261/. 5s. 6d. f In the following year he reduced the rents of his tenants 20 per cent. ! ! ! This munificent nobleman married, Aug. 21, 1804, the eldest daughter of Anthony Hardolph Eyre, Esq., his col- league in the representation of Nottinghamshire. Agents. Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Sou. 7 .> JOSIAH NISBET, Esq. This officer is the only son of the late Dr. Nisbet, Phy- sician in the island of Nevis, by the accomplished Miss retirement ; and observed that he had not only maintained the ancient bul- warks of the empire, but had furnished materials for posterity to form new ones. His Lordship died June 17, 181(>. * Tlic Kingsfisher was wrecked on the bar of Lisbon, when proceeding to sea from the Tagus, under the commund of her first Lieutenant, a few ^ays after Captain Pierrepont had joined the Spartiate. t See Vol. I. note * ut p. 6C, and ditto at p. 604. marriage, 77s ', and igsfisher. It of 120 nch ship ere killed vounded. IX of 10 1 and 26 s made a ;es taken '98 J and He was , but re- brother, )unty of 2arldom, his half- funds of ire half- present )llowing f I m, the his col- t, Phy- d Miss lent buU arm new occcdinjf at, tt few POST-CAFfAINS OF IJOS. 185 Woolward, niece of Mr. Herbert, the President of that Co- lony ; who afterwards married the gallant Nelson. The subject of this memoir, when first seen by his future father-in-law, at that time Captain of the Boreas frigate, and senior officer on the Leeward Islands station, was only three years old: and from that time they entertained a mutual regard for each other, until Nelson became his legal guardian and instructor. " There are three things, young gentleman," said Nelson to one of his Midshipmen, " which you are constantly to bear in mind. First, You must alvmys implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. Secondly, You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King : and, Thirdly, You must hate a Frenchman as you do the Devil.'' With these feelings he engaged in the war of 1793, Mr. Josiah Nisbet accoripanying him as a Midshipman on board the Agamemnon of 64 guns. It would be superfluous, in this place, to recount the many services performed by our matchless hero, during the period he commanded this ship j we shall therefore be content with observing that his son-in-law was present at the whole, and completed his time as a petty officer under him. In the ex- pedition against Teneriffe, we find Mr. Nisbet accompany- ing Nelson as a Lieutenant, on board the Theseus of 74 guns ; and the affection entertained by him for his patron is strongly exemplified by his conduct on the disastrous night of July 24th, 1797. Perfectly aware how desperate a service the attack upon Santa Cruz was likely to prove, before Nelson left the Theseus, he called Lieutenant Nisbet, who had the watch on deck, into the cabin, that he might assist in arranging and burning his mother's letters. Perceiving that the young man was armed, he earnestly begged him to remain behind : " Should M'e both fall, Josiah," said he, " what would become of your poor mother ! The care of the Theseus fulls to you : stay, therefore, and take charge of her." Lieutenant Nisbet replied, "Sir, the ship must take care of herself , I will go with you to-night, if 1 never go again." In the act of stepping out of the boat, Nclbon reeei\ cd a il if' ■* ii 186 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. shot through the right elbow, and fell j Lieutenant Nisbet, who was close to him, placed him at the bottom of the boat, and laid his hat over the shattered arm, lest the sight of the blood, which gushed out in great abundance, should increase his faintness. He then examined the wound j and taking some silk handkerchiefs from his neck, bound them round tight above the lacerated vessels. Had it not been for this presence of mind in hi^i son-in-law, Nelson must have perish- ed. Lieutenant Nisbct then collected half a dozen seamen, by whose assistance he succeeded, at length, in getting the boat afloat, for it had grounded with the falling tide ; and, himself taking an oar, rowed off to the Theseus, under a tremendous, though ill-directed fire, from the enemy's batteries. In a private letter to Sir John Jervis, the first which he wrote with his left hand. Nelson recommended his youthful com- panion for advancement, in the following terms : " by my last letter *, you will perceive my anxiety for the promotion of my son-hi-law, Josiah Nisbet. ******. If from poor Bo wen's loss + you think it proper to oblige me, I rest confident you will do it. The boy is under obligations to me ; but he re- paid me, by bringing me from the mole of Santa Cruz." In his first letter to Lady Nelson, he says : " I know it will add much to your pleasure to find that Josiah, under God's providence, was principally instrumental in saving my life." Lieutenant Nisbet, according to the wish of his father-in-law, was immediately promoted, and appointed to the command of the Dolphin hospital-ship, attached to the Mediterranean fleet. On Nelson's recovery after the loss of his arm, and return to join his former chief, he received the following letter : !,t'r^; " hi a letter addressed to tlie comumndiT-in-chiof, a few houi-s before he set out upon the ciiterpri»o, he rei-om mended Lieutenant Nishct to the protection of Sir John, and of the nation ; addin,i>', " the Duke of Clarcnt'p, shouUl I fidi, will, I am confident, take a lively hitercst for my son-in-law, on his name beinij iiiejitit)ned.'' t ( aptain IJowen, of the Terpsichore, killed in the attack, brother of the present Commitissuncr Jaiui;3 Bowcn, see p. 04, and Vol. I, notet, at p. ,'il)l, guns, which frigate he commanded on the Mediterranean station until the month of Oct. 1800. Previous to his return from thence, he appears to have given offence to his father- in-law, by remonstrating >vith him on his infatuated attach- ment to Lady Hamilton, an attachment which afterwards had the unhappy effect of totally weaning his affections from the wife he once loved so dearly. Captain Nisbet, we believe, has held no subsequent appointment. ^gent. — William Marsh, Esq. VOLANT VASHON BALLARD, Esq. A Companion of the most Honourable Military Order of the Bath. This officer, when a Midshipman, accompanied the late Captain Vancouver on a laborious and anxious voyage of dis- covery to the N. W. coast of America, in which expedition he was absent from England about four years and nine months. In 1798, we find him commanding the Hobart sloop of war, on the East India station, where he was posted into the Cu- rysfort of 28 guns. He subsequently commanded the Jason frigate, Dc Kuytcr of &*> guns, Ik'rscheriner TiO, and jjloiide 38. Among the captures made by him in the luUcr ship, we find the following French privateers : ^h 188 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1/98. Guns, Men. Lu Dame Villaret 5 (>!> . . . L'Hortense 8 !)0 ..., L'llironddle 8 84 Sept. 14, IjcDuquesne 17 123 ... I/Alort 20 149 Oct Aug. 15, >, — ir», I !pt. 14, f. — 23, let. 14, >' 1807. Total .... 58 616 Towards the close of 1809, we find Captain Ballard em- ployed in the blockade of Guaduloupe, and assisting at the destruction of two French frigates in Ance la Barque, toge- ther with a heavy battery, by which they were defended*. The Blonde on this occasion had her first Lieutenant, a Master's-Mate, and 5 men killed ; Lieutenant C. W. Richard- son, 1 Midshipman, and 15 men wounded. The following is an extract from the official report of the senior officer pre- sent to Sir Alex. Cochrane, commander-in-chief at the Lee- ward Inlands, dated Dec. 18, 1809 : " To Captains Ballard and Miller all possible praise is due, for so judi- ciously placing their ships, in a situation nearly annihilating the enemy's two frigates, of 40 guns each ; the outer ship's masts being gone, and her- self on fire, by the time this ship (Sceptre) and the rest of the squadron, from baffling winds, could render assistance." The general order issued by Sir George Beckwith, after the reduction of Guadaloupe in Feb. 1810, will be found at pp. 879 and 880 of our first volume. Captain Ballard's name is there mentioned in terms of high approbation, as also by the naval commander-in-chief, in his public letter announchig the conquest of that colony. Captain Ballard married, Sept. 18, 1811, Arabella Sarah, eldest daughter of James Crabb, of Shidfield Lodge, Hants, Esq. His post-commission bears date Dec. 25, 1798. Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. HUGH DOWNMAN, Esq. This officer is descended from a respectable family in De- vonshire, of which his father was a younger branch. His first cousin is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Artillery. He was born near Plymouth, about the year 1765 ; and entered the nuvul service as a Midshipman on board the * See Vol. r, p. S78 and 87:>. 1807. lard em- ig at the le, togc fended*, en ant, a Richard- d] lowing cer pre- he Lee- • so judi- eneiny's , and her- quadron. POST-CAPTAINS OF 3/98. 189 Thetis frigate, in Oct. 1776. He afterwards joined the Are- thusa, and in that ship had the misfortune to be wrecked near Ushant, while in pursuit of an enemy. Mr. Downman remained a prisoner in France from March 1779 till January 1780, when he was exchanged ; and from that period we find him serving in the Emerald, commanded by Captain Samuel Marshall, until May 1782, when he re- moved into the Edgar 74, bearing the broad pendant of Com- modore Hotham, with whom he proceeded to the relief of Gibraltar, in company with the grand fleet, under the orders of Lord Howe, in the partial, and on the enemy's side cautious encounter, which took place after the performance of this service, the Edgar had 6 men wounded *. From this period we lose sight of Mr. Downman till Feb. 1789, when he sailed for the East Indies with Commodore Cornwallis, by whom he was made a lieutenant, on the 5th Mar. 1790. At the commencement of the French revolu- tionary war he was appointed to the Alcide 74, in which ship he assisted at the attack made upon the tower and redoubt of Fornelli in Sept. 1793 f. , after >und at s name by the •uncing Sarah, Hants, n De- is lirst ; and d the • See p. 101, et xeq ; and Vol. I. pp. 17, 106. f During the time that Toulon remained in possession of the allied forces, a very formidable insurrection existed in Corsica : and General Paoli, the leader of the insurgent party, souiflit the aid of the British, as- suring Lord Hood, that even the appearance of a few ships of force oflf the island, would be of the most essential service to the popular cause. Ac- cordingly, in the month of Sept. 1793, the Alcide and Courageux 74 's. Ardent 64, Lowestoflfe and Nemesis frigates, commanded by Captains Woodley, Matthews, Sutton, Wolseley, and Lord Amelias Beauclerk, were sent thither, under the orders of Commodore Linzee, '-vho entered the Gulf of St. Fiorenzo on the 2 1st. ; and having been led tw I/^lievc that the bat- teries near the town could not, on account of the distance, co-operate with the tower and redoubt of Fornelli, resolved to make an attack on that formidal)le post. On the 30th, before day-break, the two-deckers took their stations, and opened a heavy cannonade on the redoubt, which continued without inter- mission nearly four hours, without producing any visible effect on the ene- my's works. By this time the ships, particularly the Ardent, were so much cut up, by a raking fire of nine 24-pounders from the town of St. Fiorenzo, that Commodore Linzee, seeing no appearance of co-operation, as had been promised, on the part of Paoli's adherents, deemed it prudent to retire out of gun-shot. The force opposed to the squadron on this oc- |i 190 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. On the 11th April, 1794, Commodore Linzee was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral ; and when, in consequence of his promotion, he hoisted his flag on board the Windsor Castle of 98 guns, Mr. Downman went with him into that ship, as second Lieutenant. He returned to England with Lord Hood in the Victory, a first rate, at the latter end of the same year. In the ensuing spring, that distinguished nobleman, as we have stated in our memoir of Admiral Sir John Knight*, had prepared to resume his command in the Mediterranean, when most unexpectedly, on the 2d May, he was ordered to strike his flag. The Victory, however, immediately proceeded to tliat station, as a private ship, and in December following re- ceived the flag of Sir John Jervis, under whom Lieutenant Downman served in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1/97 1 ; a few months after which he was promoted to the rank of Commander in the Speedy brig of 14 four-pounders and 80 men. During the time Captain Downman commanded the Speedy, he took and destroyed several of the enemy's privateers, and fought a very gallant action with a vessel of far superior force. The following is a copy of his official letter, addressed to Earl St. Vincent, on this occasion : " Speedif, Togus, Feb. l6, 1798. "My Lord. — I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the 3rd instant, at day-liglit, being seventeen leagues west of Vigo, we discovered a brig bearing down on us with all sail set. At three P. M. being witliin half a mile of us, she hauled her wind, and opened her fire ; on which we made all sail to close, engaging her until half past five, when she tacked and made sail from us. I immediately tacked, continuing to engage till half- past seven, when, from her advantage of sailing, and little wind, she got out of gun-shot. Owing to the great swell, we received little damage, having only our fore-topmast shot through, with some of the running rig- ging cut. It falling calm, and the vessels separating, against all our efforts casion consisted of one 4, two 8, and thirteen 34-poundcrs, from which the enemy fired hot shot ; together with six heavy mortars. The loss sus- tained by the British amounted to 16 men killed and 39 wounded. An account of the subsequent operations against the French in Corsica, and the final reduction of that island, will be found in our first volume, at p. 249, et seq. * See Vol. I. p. 159. f See id. p. 21, et seq. POST- CAPTAINS OF 1798. 191 advanced [uence of Windsor into that land with r end of m, as we ht*, had n, when to strike eeded to wing re- eutenant Feb. 14, the rank :lers and Speedy, ers, and superior Idressed 1798. d instant, red a brig inn half a we made ;ked and till half. she got damage, ning rig- ir efforts n which OSS sus- ed. An ca, and ic, at p. with the sweeps, I had the mortification, al)out twelve o'clock, to see her fire several guns at our prize that we hud tuken the day before. Owing to the good conduct of the master, 12 men who were on board the prizo battened down 26 Spa...ards, and made tlieir escape in a small l)oat. At day-light a breeze of wind sprung up, which enabled us to fetch her. At eight o'clock, she being within gun-shot, tacked, and made all sail from us, rowing with her sweeps at the same time. We chased her until noon, when they, finding she had the heels of us, shortened sail, wore, and stood towards us, with a red ilag flying at the main-top-gallant-must head. At half-past twelve, being within pistol-shot, we began to engage her, with the wind upon the larboard quarter. At two, observing her fire to slacken, I thought it a good opportunity to lay her on boanl ; but at that instant she wore, and came to the wind on the starboard tack : finding us close upon her starboard (piarter, and from our braces and bow-lines being shot away, our yards becoming square, she took the opportunity to put before the wind, and made all sail from us. We immediately wore after her, firing musketry at each other for 20 minutes, and so soon as the lower-masts were secured, set our studding-sails, and continued the chase until seven P. M. when we lost sight from her superior sailing. I then hauled our wind, and made short tacks all night to fall in with our prize ; at day-light saw her to windward ; at ten P. M. retook her, with 10 Frenchmen on board. I learn from the prizemaster, the brig is called the Papillon, 360 tons burthen, pierced for 18 guns, mounting 14, four 12 and ten 9 pounders, manned with 160 men. We had 5 men killed and 4 badly wounded. I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant Dutton, and Mr. Johnson, Boatswain, amongst the killed. I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship's notice Mr. Marshall, Muster, for his good conduct during the action. Every praise is due to the ship's company for their good behaviour. As all our lower-masts, bowsprit, main-boom, both topmasts, and most of the yards were shot through, with all the standing and running rigging cut, I thought proper to put into Lisbon to repair our damage. " I have the honor to he, &c. ** Hugh Downman." The credit which our officer acquired on this and other oc- casions was such, that he received the thanks of the British Factory at Oporto, accompanied by a piece of plate, value 50/. as an acknowledgment of his services, and a token of their gratitude. In the course of the same year, we find him com- manding the Santa Dorothea frigate. His post-commission bears date Dec. 26, 1/98. Amongst the captures made by Captain Downnian while commanding the Santa Dorothea, we find the San Leon, a Spanish brig of 16 long six-pounders and 88 men* ; a brig laden with wheat, and the Santa Anna of 10 guns : the two • The Strombolo, Perseus, and Bull Dog> assisted at this capture. I i' « 192 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. latter were cut out from under the batteries of Bordiguera and Hospitallier. In the spring of 1800, Captain Downman was entrusted by Lord Keith with the blockade of Savona, a fortress situ- ated about seven leagues from Genoa, which city was at that time besieged by the British and Austrian forces*. During 41 nights the boats of the Santa Dorothea and the vessels under her orders f rowed guard, with a perseverance highly creditable to their officers and men ; and at length, by their vigilance and activity in cutting off all supplies, obliged the garrison, consisting of 800 troops, to capitulate. The terms proposed having been submitted to and approved of by the commander-in-chief, were signed by Captain Downman, in conjunction with the Austrian Major-General Count de St. Julian. Notwithstanding the exertions of the allied forces, the French were destined to be successful ; and, in consequence of the fatal battle of Marengo, the whole of Tuscany and Genoa again fell under their dominion. After the surrender of the latter city to the enemy, Captain Downman was sent to destroy the fortifications in the Gulf of Spezziaj a service which he executed in the most satisfactory manner. He also preserved the valuable Gallery of Florence from falling into the hands of the French, by receiving it on board the Santa Dorothea, and conveying it in safety to Sicily. On his arrival at Palermo he received a letter, of which the following is a correct translation, from one of the Grand Duke's confi- dential servants, dated Nov. 18, 1800. " I beg of you. Captain Downman, to accept 100 zeehlns, to distribute among your seamen, as a trifling acknowledgment of the trouble which my equipage occasioned them. In regard to yourself, it has already been my care to take advantage of an extraordinary courier sent by the Imperial Ambassador to Vienna, to inform my Sovereign of the important service you have rendered to him and to Tuscany, by placing the most valuable possessions of his royal gallery in safety : and I feel assured that H. R. H. will publicly testify his thanks. On my own account, I owe you much more. You have preserved relicks which have formed, and will continue to form, much of my happiness ) and you also entertained me while on board, with unexampled politeness and urbanity. For the present, be ' * See Vol. I. p. 63. t Cameleon sloop of war, commanded by Lieutenant Jackson; and Strombolo a Neapolitan brig, a; and POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 193 assured of my lively and sincere acknowledgments. In more happy times, I may recompence the obligation at Florence, where, in appreciating the works of art which you have preserved, you will be sensible of the import- ance of your services, and the weight of my obligations. In this hope I remain, with perfect esteem, respect, and gratitude, your friend and servant, (Signed) "Tommaso Puccini." The following letters subsequently passed between the British representative and another of the Grand Duke's Mi- nisters : " Fienm, March 3, 1801. *' The assiduous attention tvith which Captain Downman, of the English frigate Santa Dorothea, has conveyed from Leghorn to Palermo various valuable effects belonging to H. R. H. the Grand Duke of Tuscany, my Sovereign, which were accompanied !)y Signor Tommaso Puccini, has been stated to his Royal Highness. " H. R. H., understanding that orders to this effect were given by Ad- miral Lord Keith, desires me to request you will convey to the same his royal thanks. It will also be gratifying to H. R. H., if you will condes- cend to forward to Captain Downman a diamond ring, which will be con- veyed to you by Signor Brigadier Giovanno del Bava, ns a testimony of the high sense which H. R. H. has of the delicate attention with which Cap- tain Downman executed this commission. • * • ♦ " Mr. fFt/ndham. (Signed) " G. Rainoldi." " Trieste, March 20, 1801. ** Most Illustrious Signor. — I have received the honor of your note, accompanied by a diamond ring, which H. R. H. the Grand Duke of Tus- cany condescends to present to Captain Downman, of his Britannic Ma- jesty's frigate Santa Dorothea, for the care with which he conveyed various effects belonging to H. R. H. from Leghorn to Palermo ; and I feel myself happy in being deputed to testify to my brave and worthy firiend so hono- rable a testimony of H. R. H.'s approbation. I shall not ful to send it to him, with a copy of your Excellency's letter, by the first courier that sets out for London, being very uncertain where the Santa Dorothea may be met >ndth at sea. *' I shall do myself the honor of writing to Admiral Lord Keith, announ* cing to him those professions of acknowledgment from the Grand Duke, which cannot fail to be highly gratifying to him, and to impress him with sentiments of respect and gratitude. • • • ♦ '< Signor G. Rainoldi. (Signed) " W. Wyndham." At the same time that Captain Downman took the Flo- rence gallery on board his ship, he also received the Duke of Savoy, (afterwards King of Sardinia) his family, and suite, and landed them at x^ aples. For his very sedulous and oblig- ing attentions during :he passage, that Prince sent him the following letter, and tne Duchess a diamond ring : VOL. II. O t \ 194 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. " Sir. — I cannot sufficiently express the extent of my gratitude, and that of my wife, for the extraordinary care and trouble which you have so willingly taken, during our passage from Leghorn to Naples. It is to your solicitude, in shortening, as much as possible, the sufferings which the bad weather might have occasioned to a woman, in the ninth month of her pregnancy, that my wife is indebted, for not having eventually suffered from those shocks, which might perhaps have occasioned an irreparable loss to our family, had she been exposed to them twenty-four hours longer. Our gratitude will consequently be proportionate to the obliga- tion which you have conferred upon us ; and it will always be with plea- sure that we shall remember our acquaintance with an officer of merit and capacity, in all rer oects like yourself. I flatter myself that you will be convinced of the sincerity of these sentiments, as well as of the constant interest which I shall take in every thing that may concern you ; and that I shall esteem myself happy in being able to distinguish you upon every occasion. It is with these sentiments that I am. Sir. &c. &c. , , . (Signed) "Victor Emanuel de Savoie." * In July 1801, we find Captain Downman escorting three Swiss regiments and the corps of Lamenstein to Egypt, where he received the gold medal of the Turkish Order of the Cres- cent. He subsequently removed into the Caesar of 84 guns, bearing the flag of Sir James Saumarez, Bart., which ship was paid off at Portsmouth, July 23, 1802. In Jan. 1804, he was again selected by that excellent officer to be his Flag-Captain, in the Diomede 50, on the Guernsey station, where he con- tinued about fourteen months. He afterwards commanded the Diadem 64, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Home Pop- ham, at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope f » from whence he returned to England with the Commodore's des- patches, announcing the conquest of that important colony, and from which we make the following extract : " Captain Downman, of the Diadem, will have the honor of delivcrinsf this despatch to their Lordships ; and from the intelligent manner in which I am satisfied he will explain every movement, and the causes by which I have been actuated, I trust he will reciuire no further recommendation to their Lordships' protection." Having executed this mission. Captain Downman proceeded to the Rio de la Plata, where he resumed the command of his * Victor Emanuel, King of Sardinia, Duke of Savoy, Piedmont, and Ge- noa, abdicated his throne March 13, 1821; and was succeeded by his brother Charles Felix» son.in-law of Ferdinand IV. King of Naples and the Sicilies. t See Vol. I. note I, at p. 622, rf seq. itude, and ou have so . It is to ings which t month of ly suffered irreparable bur hours the obliga- with plea- merit and 'ou will be t constant ; and that pon every OIE." * ig three t, where tie Cres- 34 gunsj ship was ^ he was Captain, he con- manded le Pop- from des- colony, » ielivering in whicli by which idation tn oceeded d of his , and Gc- d by his iples aud POST- : APT AINS OF 1798. 195 former ship, the Diomede. After the capture of Monte Video he sailed for Europe ; and in June 1807, was put out of com- mission. During the latter part of the war, he commanded the prison-ships stationed at Portsmouth, and the Princess Caroline of 74 guns, attached to the North Sea fleet. Captain Downman married, June 23, 1803, a daughter of Mr. Peter Palmer, of Portsmouth. Agent. — HON. THOMAS BLADEN, CAPEL *. A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is descended from Sir William Capel, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1493 ; and the youngest son * Among tlie eminent men of this family, whose founder was Sir William Capel, Lord Mayor of London, we tind a Giles Oapel, who ^va8 knighted by Hen. VIIL for Ids valour in different battles. Arthur, first Lord Capel, who, during the civil wars, took part with Charles L, raised several troops of horse at his own expence, defended Colchester with great bravery, and after the surrender of the garrison was beheaded, with the Duke of Hamil- ton, Earl of Cambridge, &c. &c., in express violation of the promise of quarter given by the rebels : " he was a man," says Lord Clarendon, " in whom the malice of his enemies could discover very few faults ; and whom his friends could not wish to see better accomplished." * * * " In a word, he was a man, that whoever after him, deserves best of the English nation, he can never think himself undervalued, when he shall hear that his courage, virtue, and fidelity, is lud in the balance with, and compared to, that of Lord Capel." Arthur, the son of this nobleman, was created Earl of Essex, April 20, 1661 ; held several important situations in the diplo- matic line, and exhibited a noble instance of prudence, integrity, and mo- deration, as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, from whence he was recalled in 1677) and being afterwards accused as one of the conspirators in the " Rye House Plot," was committed to the Tower, where he was foimd with Ids throat cut, July 13, 1683 ; a catastrophe which is yet involved in mystery. His only son, Algernon, second Earl of Essex, was a Lord of the Bed- chamber to King William, and attended him in all his campaigns. The fol • lowbg mention will be found of him among the " Anecdotes of the Court of Queen Anne.** — " He is a good companion ; luves the interests of his country ; hath no genins for business, nor will ever apply himself that way. He married my Lonl Portland's daughter. The Queen continues him in her regiment, and has made him Brigadier-General. He is a well-bred gentleman, l>rown coniplexioned, and well-shaped ; but his moutli is al> ways open." Hampton Court, n splendid buihiing in Mercfordbliire, willi u considcr- o 2 m I 11 m 196 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. of William, fourth Earl of Essex, by his second Countess, Harriett, daughter of Colonel Thomas Bladen. He was bom Aug. 26, 1776. We are not aware of the manner in which Mr. Capel passed his time as a Midshipman ; but early in 17^8, we find him serving as junior Lieutenant of the Vanguard 74, bearing the flag of Sir Horatio Nelson, by whom he was promoted to the rank of Commander in the Mutine sloop of war, imme- diately after the glorious battle in Aboukir bay, on which oc- casion he did the duty of signal officer. On the 13th Aug. 1798, Captain Capel sailed for Naples with a duplicate of the Rear-Admiral's despatches, and letters for different official personages, among which was one ad- dressed to the chief magistrate of the British metropolis, ac. companied by the sword of M. Blunquet, the senior French officer who survived the battle. From Naples, Captain Capel proceeded overland to England, where he arrived on the 2d Oct., and gave the first intelligence of the defeat sustained by the republican fleet. On the 27th Dec. following. Captain Capel, (to whom Nelson had referred the Board of Admiralty for further infor- mation respecting the battle, at the same time describing him as " a most excellent officer,") was advanced to post rank, and early in the following year appointed to the Arab of 22 guns. From this vessel he aft;erwards removed into the Me- leager 32, in which ship he had the misfortune to be wrecked on the Triangle rocks, in the Gulf of Mexico, June 9, 1801 *. Early in 1803, he obtained the connnand of the Phoebe frigate, and proceeded to tlie Mediterranean, where he con- tinued to serve until after the death of his noble friend, tiie lamented Nelson. In the month of April 1805, when that gallant hero pro- able estate annexed, wna knocked down by S<|uibb, atGnrraways, in 1808, for 64,000/. The grand junction cuiiul passes through Caahiobury Park, Herts., the present residence of the Eurl of Essex, and which is said to have been the seat of tlic Kings of Mercia, till Otfagave it to the monastery of St. Albans. Tlie proprietors at first intended to make a tunnel under Crossley Hill, but were spared the enormous cxpenee which would have attended such a measure, by the liberality of his Lordship. * See Captain William Hbnry Dii, et scf/. ; and 808, et s'eq. 111 11 'li ,' 198 POST-CAPTAINS OP IJSS. under his orders were particularly active and successful in their annoyance of the enemy *. Captain Capel at present commands the Royal George yacht, to which he was appointed Dec. 15, 1821. He was nominated a C. B. in June 1815. Our officer married. May 10, 1816, the only daughter of F. G. Smyth, of Upper Brook Street, London, Esq. Agent. — ^Thomas Stilwell, Esq. WILLIAM HANWELL, Esq. This officer obtained his first commission about the year 1793 J and in 1798, we find him serving as senior Lieutenant of the Sheerness 44, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore James Cornwallis, on the African station. There is a privilege existing, from time immemorial, which is not enjoyed on any other station than that of the coast of Africa : it is that of the next officer giving himself the rank of his deceased superior ; and which self-appointments have ever been held good by the Admiralty. Commodore Corn- wallis died of a fever July 31, 1798; when Lieutenant Han- well, who succeeded him in the command of the Sheerness, gained two gradations of rank, which, on his arrival in Eng- land, was confirmed by a post commission, dated Dec. 29, 1798. We know of no other living instance of such a fortu- nate advancement in the navy f. Early in 1810, Captain Hanwell obtained the command of the Grampus, a 50-gun ship j and on the 26th Oct. in the fol- lowing year, he was tried by a court-martial upon a charge of repeated drunkenness and unofficer-like conduct, preferred againsthim by Lieutenant John Chesshire. The Court agreeing that the charge was not proved, acquitted him ; observing, that the prosecution appeared to be malicious and vexatious. He subsequently commanded the Dictator 64 ; and during the • See Captains F. P. Epworth, Sir P. B. V. Broke, Hydb Parkbr, and H. Ptne. t The Naval Instruction!, established by an order in council, Jan. 26, 1806, appear to abrogate this regulation, so far as concerns post rank \ see •ect. iv. chap. 2. art. viii. !l 'm POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 199 latter part of the war superintended the deput for prisoners of war at Norman Cross. Captain Hanwell married, in 1800, Miss Hanwell of Mix- bury, near Braekley, Northamptonshire. Agent.'— * THOMAS MANBY, Esq. This officer is descended from a family whose existence we can trace to the reign of Henry 111. His progenitors possessed large estates at Manby in Yorkshire ; and his father. Captain Matthew Pepper Manby, considerable pro- perty at Hilgay, co. Norfolk *. When very young, he was appointed one of the Stationers to the Ordnance department, over which his friend the late Marquis Townshend at that time presided ; but notwithstand- ing the emoluments of this situation, his predilection for the Naval profession was so great as to induce him to resign it, and embark as a Midshipman on board the HysBna of 24 guns, in which ship he served on tlie Irish station from 1/83 till 1785; at which latter period his naval patron, the late Hon. Admiral J. Levison Gower, placed him in the Cygnet sloop of war, under the protection of Captain (now Sir Henry) Ni- cholls, with whom he proceeded to the West Indies, and af- terwards removed into the Amphion frigate. After visituig the whole of the West India and Bahama islands, the Mosquito Shore, Bay of Honduras, Carthagena, and the Spanish Main, he returned to England in the Amphion, and soon after joined the Illustrious of 74 guns, bearing his patron's flag. Towards the close of 1790, he embraced an offer made him by Captain George Vancouver, to accompany him as a Master's- Mate, in the Discovery, a ship which had been fitted out early in the year, for the purpose of exploring * Captain M. P. Manby, wns owner of the Wood Hull estate, and liord of the Manor. He served several years in the Welcli Fuzilcers ; hut hcin^ severely wonnded durin|if the siege of Delleisle in 1761 f, he was compelled to withdraw from service in the field. He subsequently acted ttd an aide-de-camp to (icor^e Viscount Townshend, Viceroy of Ireland. t See Schombcig'ij Naval Chronology, Vol. I. p. 364, ft set/. 200 POSt-CAPtAlNS OP 1799. the N. W. coast of America, but detained in consequence of an expected rupture with the court of Spain. That cloud having blown over, she was ordered to Nootka Sound, for the purpose of receiving formal restitution of the territories on which the Spaniards had seized ; after which she was to make an accurate survey of the coast, and obtain every possible information respecting the natural and political situation of that country. The Discovery, attended by a brig called the Chatham, commanded by Lieutenant W. R. Broughton *, proceeded on her voyage early in 1791 ; visited the Canary Islands, Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, and New Zealand ; discovered the island of Oparo; touched at Otaheite, and all the Sand- wich islands ; made considerable discoveries on the N. W. coast of America ; and arrived at Nootka Sound in the au- tumn of 1792. At this place some disputes arose with the Spanish authorities j in consequence of which, Captain Van- couver despatched officers to England for further instructions, and at the same time appointed Mr. Manby Master of the Chatham. For nearly two years from this period, the vessels were employed exploring a considerable portion of the inte- rior navigation of N. W. America, and the southern shores of California, passing each winter amongst the Sandwich islands. On one occasion, the Chatham was sent from Atooi to Cook's river, where she arrived after a passage of three weeks, during which short period the thermometer had fallen from 90° to 5° below zero. This rapid change caused all the crew to be afflicted with violent rheumatic complaints, and laid the foundation of those pains with which the subject of this memoir has long been tortured. Whilst exploring this river, the Chatham was hurried down a fall ; the velocity of the current rendered it impossible to anchor, and her destruction appeared inevitable : but fortunately the channel, though narrow, was free from rocks, and on her reaching an immense basin of water, after being twirled round several times, she was brought up by her masts and yards becoming entangled among some trees ; from which dilemma it required the greatest exertions of her officers and crew, during two days, to extricate her. " Sec Vol. I, note •, at p. 166. l»OST-CAl»TAINl* OF IjOO. 201 From Cook's river, the Chatham proceeded to Nootka Sound, where she again joined the Discovery ; with which Bhip she afterwards went to the southward, for the purpose of exploring Columbia river, then recently discovered. On ar- riving at the entrance thereof, the Chatham led in and an- chored ; but from the state of the weather, the Discovery was obliged to stand out to sea, and ultimately proceeded to Port St. Francisco, in New Albion. The examination of Columbia river occupied near three weeks ; in which time the constant gales of wind had thrown up so dreadful a surf across the entrance, that to gain the offing appeared almost impossible. For several days Mr. Manby was employed sounding the bar ; and not finding less than three fathoms water, his commander resolved to make the attempt. A favorable breeze assisted their efforts ; and not- withstanding the fury of the surf, by which she was often erected nearly an end, Mr. Manby, from the fore-top- sail- yard, succeeded in conning her out to sea without any serious injury, although each surge, after breaking at the height of the lower yards, swept her deck, and threatened destruction to all on board. A more perilous time was never known by the oldest seaman. At length Captain Vancouver, finding the officers he had ^ent to Europe, concerning the adjustment of the differences relative to Nootka Sound, did not return, promoted Mr. Manby from the Chatham, to be a Lieutenant in the Discovery, where he continued till that ship returned to England, and was paid off, in the fall of 1795. This expedition added much to the geographical know- ledge of the world, the vessels having kept sight of the con- tinental shore from the 30th to the 62d degree of North la- titude. On their passage home, they called at the island of Cocos, the Gallapagos, and Valparaiso j rounded Cape Horn, and anchored at St. Helena. ' ■ • ' '•' Lieutenant Manby afterwards served in the Juste of 84 guns, commanded by the Hon. Thomas Pakenham ; and in 1796, when the late Lord Hugh Seymour prepared a squa- dron for the South Sea, that nobleman applied for him to be placed under his orders ; in consequence of which he was '4 f 202 POST- CAPTAINS OF l/OO. promoted to the rank of Commander in the Charon 44, armed en Jiute, intended to carry stores for the armament ; but cir- cumstances inducing government to countermand Lord Hugh's orders, she was subsequently employed affording pro- tection to the trade between Cork and the Downs, and con- veying troops to Ireland during the rebellion in that country. On one occasion she received a regiment of 1000 men j the whole of whom were landed at Guernsey twenty-four hours after leaving Portsmouth. Before sun-set, the ship was again under weigh, with the Glengarry and Nottingham Fencibles, 1000 strong, embarked j and the following day those corps were landed at Waterford. The alertness thus displayed by Captain Manby at so momentous a crisis, was highly praised by Sir tlugh Dalrymple, the Governor of Guernsey, and gained him the approbation of the Admiralty. Whilst in Ireland, Captain Manby landed several times with his crew, to dislodge the insurgents from their strong holds near the banks of Waterford river j and on his return to England, he had the honor of presenthig to his late Majesty at Weymouth, several pikes taken from his rebellious sub- jects. The exemplary conduct of the Ch.iron's officers and men during the disgraceful mutiny in the British navy, was so much approved by Sir John Orde, the l*ort- Admiral at Ply- mouth, that a considerable part of the petty officers were re- warded with warrants by order of the Admiralty, and Captivin Manby himself obtained a promise of promotion to post rank. He was afterwards sent to cruise in the Channel, where he captured a French privateer, March 2, 1798. During the time he commanded the Charon, he gave protection to no less than four thousand seven hundred and fifty-three vessels, not one of which was lost. In addition to these services, he for some time assisted at the blockade of Havre de Grace. His post commission bears date Jan. 22, 1799. The follow- ing anecdote will explain why this advancement did not take place at an earlier period : In Oct. 1798, the Charon was ordered to prepare at Wool- wich for foreign service. Captain Manby to be posted, and the late Lord Cumelford to succeed him in the command of . t>OST-CAPTAlN9 OP 1799. 203 that ship. Unfortunately, his LorilBhip soon entered into so many altercationa with the Navy Board, that the Admiralty directed Captain Manby to superintend her outfit ; a circum- stance to be lamented by him, as he would otherwise have stood at least one-third nearer the top of the Post-Captains' list than he does at present. Lord Camelford attended the Charon daily, had several boats built and fitted with brass guns, at a great expence; and, the various alterations he wish- ed for being nearly completed, despatched an intelligent per- son to France for the purpose of purchasing, at any cost, plans of all the French ports in the Mediterranean ; his Lord- ship's agent not succeeding, he resolved on the hazardous enterprise of going himself to Paris, and actually left London with that intent late in December. Lord Camelford had tra- velled near two stages on the Dover oad in his own carriage, when the mail-coach drove up, in which he took a place, and found three foreign gentlemen as his fellow passengers ; one of whom was the celebrated Monsieur Bompard, who had recently been taken prisoner by Sir John Borlase Warren *, and was then returning home on his parole. His Lordship, who spoke French as fluently as English, to humour the French commander, extolled the republican government, and so far ingratiated himself in his good opinion, that M. Bompard of- fered to serve him in any way he could. At Dover, Lord Camelford requested to have a private interview with his new friend, hoping by a little flattery to work on the Frenchman's credulity, and thereby ensure his own safety to Paris. His request being complied with, he said to his dupe, " I am an officer of the British Navy, and most desirous to get to Paris, having a wish to see the Mhiister Barras, to unfold important information that would prove of essential service to the re- public." In an instant Bompard embraced him, caUed for pen and ink, and wrote an introductory letter to Barras, which was sealed and pocketed by his Lordship, who laughed in his sleeve at having tlius hoaxed his fellow traveller. He then went to the beach, and agreed with the crew of an open boat to land him on the French coast. The boat was promised to be got ready in two hours, and Lord Camelford returned to the lit: * • See Vol. I. p. 171. ^1 j 204 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. inn to take rcfi*eshments. Whilst he was thus employed, the boatmen suspecting something wrong from his extreme anx- iety to cross the Channel, communicated their suspicions to the Collector of the Customs, who, taking some of the civil power to his aid, placed himself near the boat, and on his Lordship coming down to embark^ seized his person, and con- veyed him back. On searching his pockets, they found the identical letter written by M. Bompard, together with a con- siderable sum of money, a brace of pistols, and a dagger. His Lordship refusing to answer any questions, they hurried him into a post-chaise, and proceeded to the office of the Se- cretary of State, in London. A Privy Council was imme- diately summoned, an investigation took place, and on Lord Camelford saying all his intentions were known to Captain Manby, the latter was waited on by Lord Grenville, and re- ceived an order from the Duke of Portland to attend the fol- lowing morning at the Treasury, where he underwent a long examination before the Privy Council assembled for that pur- pose ; and by his answers, set every thing in its proper light. His Lordship was forthwith liberated, but soon afterwards received an official message from the Board of Admiralty, acquainting him that he was not to have the Charon. Hurt and mortified at this intelligence, as he had made great pre- parations for assuming the command of that ship, his Lord- ship wrote to desire his name might be erased from the list of Commanders, which the Board instantly complied with ; at the same time giving post rank to Captain Manby, and appointing Captsdn Mackellar to succeed him in the Charon *. Towards the latter end of the same year, Captain Manby was appointed to le Bourdelois of 24 guns ; in which ship, during a long cruise off the Western islands, he captured a valuable French schooner from Guadaloupe, laden with coffee. Le Bourdelois was afterwards employed in the blockade of Flushing; but from her lowness in the water, and great length, she proved so perpetually wet, that her crew got sick, and rendered it highly necessary to remove her from that service. • Lord Camelford was one of Captain Manby's messmates in the Dis- covery. The barony became extinct by his demise in 1804. See Vol. T. note at p. 716- POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99. 205 She was therefore ordered to Spithead, and from thence to the West Indies *. Le Bourdelois sailed from England at the close of 1800, under the orders of the Andromache frigate, Captain Bradby, and in company with a fleet of merchantmen. The convoy being dispersed in a gale of wind off Cape Finisterre, Captain Manby proceeded to the rendezvous at Madeira ; from whence he was despatched by the commodore, to keep a look out for the scattered ships, one hundred leagues to windward of Barbadoes. On his way to that station, he re-captured two of the stragglers, which had been taken by a French priva- teer t ; and on the 28th Jan. 1801, he had the good fortune to discover two large brigs and a schooner, which had been sent from Cayenne by Victor Hugues, to intercept the West India fleet. These vessels were first seen at noon, and being to windward. Captain Manby brought them down by stra- * Le Bourdelofs had formerly been a French privateer, belooging to Bourdeaux. She was pierced for 26 guns, and at the time of her capture, mounted 16 long brass 12-pounders, and 8 brass 36-pr. carronades, on a flush deck, with a complement of 202 men. Her extreme length was one hundred and forty-nine feet. In form she was like a dolphin ; but al- though the most beautiful model ever seen, many of Captain Manby's brother officers considered her the most dangerous vessel in the service, and were therefore induced to call her the cq^n. Sir Edward Pellew, now Viscount Exmouth, viewing her one day as she lay alongside the Jetty ut Plymouth dock-yard, gave this advice to her commander : " Whenever you arc in a gale of wind, stanchion up your main-deck fore and aft ; for shwikl a heavy sea break on board, she will go down like a stone, as her frame is very weak, and she has no beam to support it.'*: This precaution was always taken, and le Bourdelois survived ; but two sloops of war, the Railleur and Trompeiise, of the same build, but smaller, both went to the bottom in a gale off Brest, May 16, 1807, aitd every person on board them perished. Had the above measure been adopted, most probably they would not have foundered. Le Bourdelois was taken by the Revolutionnaire fri- gate, Oct. 11, 1799, after a chase of 114 miles in nine hours and a half. She was at this tim.e on her second cruise, and had previously outsailed all her pursuers. At the termination of her first trip, during which she took twenty-nine valuable prizes, her owners gave a splendid dinner to her offi- cers ; and upon their relating how often she had been cliased, her builder being present said " England has not a cruiser that will ever touch her except the Revolutionaire ; and should she ever fall in with that frigate in blowing weather, and be under her lee, she will be taken." This actually occurred on her second cruise. The same builder constructed both vessels, t See Captain Robert Barrie, C. B. !:i:'! ■t!,.. II n \§i 206 P03T-CAPTAINS OF 1799. tagem, reserving his fire till the largest brig had arrived within hailing distance, when he brought her to action ; and after a close carronade of more than half an hour, compelled her to surrender. The other vessels observing le Bourdelois could fight botli sides at once, behaved very shy on this occasion, and made off when they saw the fate of their commodore j but not before they had received such a dose from the English ship, as effectually spoiled their cruise. The prize proved to be la Curieuse of 390 tons, pierced for 20 guns, mounting 18 long 9-pounders, with a complement of 168 men, about 50 of whom were killed and wounded, including among the latter her commander. Captain George Radclet, who lost both his legs, and survived but a few hours. Many of the prisoners were in an equally pitiable state ; and the vessel was so completely torn to pieces, that she went down just as our seamen had removed the last of the wounded Frenchmen from her. The floating wreck buoyed up many from destruc- tion ; butMessrs. Spcnce and Auckland, two promising young gentlemen, with five of Captain Manby's gallant and humane crew, unfortunately perishied, in consequence of their perse- verance in the meritorious service on which they were em- ployed. The delay occasioned by this unhappy event, secur- ing the prisoners, and repairing damages, detained Captain Manby about three hours before he could pursue the flying enemy j which was done, however, with all alacrity, but wiUiout €ucce88, as the night favored their escape. They were la Mutme of 300 tons, sixteen long 6-pounders, and 156 men ; and TEsperance of six 4-pounders and 52 men. La Bourdelois at this time mounted twenty-two 32-pr. carron- ades, and two long 9-pounder8, with a complement of 195 men. She had 1 killed and 7 wounded. The discomfiture of this little squadron saved the scattered fleet from capture, and induced the commodore to write the following official letter, which was transmitted to the Admi- ralty, with Captain Manby's account of the action : " Andromache, Barladoes, Feb. 6, 1801. *< Sir.— Boclosed are two Iciters from Captain Thomas Manby to me, from which the service he has rendered to the different blands, by destroy- ing a squadron seat out by Victor Hugues, for the interception of the out* ward buund convoy, speaks for itself. (Signed) " J. Bhadby." •• To Rear'Admiral Duohrorth, /^c. ^c.*' \ ■ \ POST-rAPTAINR OF 1709. 207 Ijc Bourdclois having landed her prisoncrH at BarbadocR, proceeded to Martinique, and convoyed the trade from thence to Jamaica, where Captain Manby joined his noble friend Lord Hugh Seymour, by whom he was sent to cruise in the Mona passage, on which service he continued for several months. During the time he was thus employed, a Spaniard came on board from Porto Rico, and begged protection, as lie had just murdered his <;fficer. Captain Manby heard his story with indignation, and immediately put the wretch in irons. He then proceeded to the bay of Aquadilla, and sent his first Lieutenant on shore to the Governor, with the assas- sin, and a laconic epistle, of whicli the following is a copy : " Sir. — ^The British colours disdain to pnjtoct a murderer. I send you one, and hope he will meet the fate he merits. I am, Hcc. T. Manby." The Governor, much pleased with this act of British gener- osity, sent back a most complimentary letter, and forwarded a large supply of fruit, vegetables, and many other articles, for the use of le Bourdclois' crew. Some time after this event. Captain Manby chased a large privateer schooner, mounting 18 guns, into Aquadilla bay, where she anchored under a battery. An effort was made to destroy her, but did not succeed ; and le Bourdclois having received much damage in her masts, yiu*ds, and rigging, was obliged to return to Jamaica to refit. During his absence on a subsequent cruise in the Gulf of Mexico, Captain Manby had the misfortune to receive intel- ligence of Lord Lord Hugh Seymour's demise, by which he was deprived of a most valuable friend. At the termination of the war, he assumed the command of the Juno frigate, and was employed with other ships to v/atch the motions of a con- siderable fleet and army sent from France to recover St. Do- mingo fi'om the -Blacks. The Juno being at length ordered to England, the merchants of Jamaica, who had often witness- ed Captain Manby's activity as a cruiser, collected a large «um of money for him to carry home, and which yielded him a welcome freight. He was put out of commission at Wool- wich, in Aug. 1802. ; , 1 ' Early in October following. Earl St. Vincent, who then presided at the Admiralty, sent for Captain Manby, and on his arrival said, " I don't like to see an Active officer idle on shore ; C' M i \'i 206 PdST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. I therefore give you the Africaine, one of the finesl frigates in the British navy." This ship was soon after commiBsioned at l^eptford, and mounted 48 guns. The short interval between paying off the Juno, and his appointment to the Africaine, had been passed by our officer at Rdnham Hall, Norfolk, the re- sidence of his friend and patron, the Marquis Townshend, by whom he had the honor of being introduced to H. R. H. the Princess of Wales, who was much gratified on viewing the innumerable curiosities collected by Captain Manby on his voyage round the world, and presented by him to the Mar- chioness Townshend. Many articles from the South Sea were presented to the Princess, likewise some valuable furs of rare animals, procured on the N. W. coast of America; which in- duced H. R. H., whilst the Africaine was fitting out, to honor Captain Manby with several invitations to dinner at Montagu House, Blackheath. Whilst off Gravesend, on his way to the Nore, Captain Manby received an express from town, directing him to com- mence an impress at midnight; this order was promptly obeyed, and before sun rise on the following morning, 394 prime seamen were secured. From the Nore, he proceeded with a 24-gun ship under his orders, to blockade two large French frigates, with troops on board, lying at Helvoetsluys. On tills irksome service he continued about i^o years, during which the Africzdne had many narrow escapes from the sur- rounding dangerous shoals, and was once set on fire in several places by lightning, which destroyed the fore-mast, killed 1 of her men, and wounded 3 others. The blockade of an enemy's port is a service which seldom presents any incident worthy the particular attention of the historian. The unwarrantable detention of Captain Manby's first Lieutenant ho wever,by order of theFrench consular government, at a time when he was employed in the sacred character of a flag of truce, should not be passed without notice, in a work of this description ; but as it is our intention to introduce this subject when the time shall arrive for us to speak of Captain W. H. Dillon, the officer alluded to, it may be sufficient in this place to say, that that gentleman, to the eternal disgrace of the republic, was kept in captivity for the space of fire years, notwithstanding many appeals were made by the liri- P0ST-CAPTAIN8 OF 1799. 209 tish nation to Napoleon Buonaparte, the tyrannical ruler of France against such indefensible conduct. The French frigates which Captain Manby had so long watched, being at length dismantled and passed through the inland canal to Flushing, the Africaine was ordered to rein-* force the squadron off the Texel, where she continued several months under the command of that most worthy officer, the present Admiral Russell. Previous to his quitting the block- ade of Helvoetsluys, Captain Manby, who had never molested the Dutch fishing-vessels, was much mortified on observing several shot fired by order of the French General at Scheveling at the Africaine'sjoUy boatjin which four boys had been sent to take shrimps from a sandbank near the Maas. By way of retaliation, he that night seized sixty large vessels employed in the fishery, most of which were sent to Yarmouth, and then addressed the following brief letter to the French myrmi- don : " Monsieur le General. — As you have prevented my liaving Shrimps to my Turbot, I will deprive you of Turbot to your Shrimps, by taking; every fishing vessel you have. I am, &c. " T. Manby." The Hague was thus deprived of the usual supply of fish for many weeks. During the period Captain Manby was employed off the Texel ; and while the Africaine, with three cables an end, was riding out a heavy gale of wind, the main piece of her rudder broke near the water line, and before it could be got clear off, occasioned serious injury to the stern post. On the storm abating, the Glatton was ordered to see her over to Yar- mouth ; and accordingly towed her into the entrance of St. Nicholas' Gat ; but it being the first of a flood tide when she arrived there, secure anchorage could not be obtained. In the night, a furious gale sprang up from the eastward, two cables parted, and she was only saved from destruction by cutting away all her masts. After refitting at Sheerness, she escorted a large fleet of merchant vessels to Surinam, Esse- quibo, Demerara, Trinidad, and other islands in the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes with a crew of 340 men, in perfect health. There Captain Manby received orders from Sir Alexander Cochrane, to take cliargc of the homeward bound trade, and to receive on board some invalids from th« VOL. II. If :1^ It W'i 1 1 210 POST-rAPTAINS OF l/Ofh '\ navul iiiul military hospitals, for a passage to England. Tn forty-eight hours after his departure from Carlisle Bay, the yellow fever raged in the most malignant manner; and not an hour passed without one or two gallant fellows being com- mitted to a watery grave. The surgeon and his assistant fell victims to this dreadful disease, the second day after it ap- peared ; and Captain Manby himself took charge of the sick, following the directions of Dr. Armstrong, who kindly came off from St. Kitt's, and recommended ten grains of calomel to be administered every two hours to each patient, and the cold effusion directly after. This had the effect of checking the career of death in a slight degree ; but Captain Manby's anxiety for the safety of his valuable charge, added to feelings of the moat acute nature, brought on an attack of the fever, which had nearly numbered him with the dead, and made an impression on a good constitution that we fear will never be totally eradicated. At Tortola, a medical assistant was pro- cured ; and the Africaine, after losing nearly one-third of her officers and crew, arrived in six weeks at Falmouth. On the malignity of the disease being made known, she was ordered to perform forty days quarantine at the Scilly islands, whither a physician was sent from London to attend her. Being at length released, she proceeded to Sheerncss, and was there put out of commission. Captain Manby's next appointment was to the Uranie of 36 guns ; but that ship, being soon after found very defective, was paid oflT and taken to pieces. The next frigate that be- came vacant was the Thalia, to which he was appointed by Lord Mulgi'ave ; Avho likewise gave him the command of a small squadron stationed off Jersey ; where he passed a year without any thing particular occurring, except the capture of le Requin, a French privateer, of 14 guns. In 1808, he was sent with the Medusa frigate and Locust brig, under his or- ders, to look out for two French frigates, supposed to have gone to Davis's Stniits for the purpose of destroying our Greenland fishery. On this frigid service he continued twelve weeks, without seeing an enemy. In the course of that pe- riod, each vessel received much damage from the ice, as se- veral days frequently elapsed without the possibility of seeing fifty yards in any direction, owing to the prevailing thick fogs ; lie of tivc, be- by of a year re of was or- lavc pe- 8C- leing bgsi POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 211 and the dangers by which they were surrovmdod could only be avoided by listening for the breakers us they dashed on immense floating masses, many of which measured two hun- dred feet above the surface of the water, and extended between two and three miles in circumference. On quitting tins inhos- pitable station, the Thalia and Medusa Ibmid an excellent anchorage on the coast of Labrador, affording an abundant sup Ay of wood and water ; which Captain Manby surveyed, and named Port Manvers, in honor of his esteemed friend the late Earl of that name *. From thence he proceeded to New- foundland, the Western Islands, Cadiz, Gibraltar, and Eng- land. Captain Manl)y's health was so much impaired hy this northern cruise, (having nearly lost the useofliis right side,) and several internal complaints, occasioned by the great quantity of calomel he had taken in the West Indies, that his medical advisers strongly urged him to give up his ship, as the only chance of being restored to health. This advice he reluctantly complied with, and nearly four years elapsed before he became sufficiently convalescent to ask for employ- ment. The downfall of Buonaparte soon rendering an appli- cation unnecessary, he purchased an estate at Nortiiwold in Norfolk, where he now resides in a state of comfortable in- dependence, anxiously looking for that step which alone can reward an officer who has ever served his country with vigi- lance, xeal, and fidelity. Captain Manby married, in 1800, Miss Hamond, of North- wold, by whom he has two daughters. His brother, George W. Manby, Esq., formerly Barrack- Master at North Yar- mouth, and who now holds an office of value in the Ordnance department, is the gentleman who brought into practice the method of saving shipwrecked persons, upon a plan published by Serjeant Bell, about twenty years before. The subject of this memoir is, we believe, preparing for publication a new chart of the South Sea ; a work which will prove that the innumerable islands in the Pacific Ocean are all peopled from the same stock ; and that the same hierogly- • Sec luilr ill p. ly.i. V 2 Ml \\\ I. i ) 9 /,.--t/^^^ C w if vf^^-^^ ^^'212 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1799. i' phical characters are known from one extreme of that sea to the other. * -^"^ ^^cw/.— Thomas Stilwell, Esq. RIGHT HON. LORD JAMES O'BRYEN. This officer is the second son of the late Edward 0*Bryen, Esq., a Captain in the army, brother of Murrough, the first Marquis of Thomond*. During the greater part of the first French revolutionary war, he commanded the Shark and Childers sloops of war. His post commission bears date Feb. 14, 1799. We subsequently find him in the Emerald frigate, assisting at the capture of St. Lucia and Surinam. The following are extracts from the official letter of Com- modore Hood, announcing the reduction of the latter co- lony : " Brigadier-General Hughes was ordered on board the Pandour, to en- deavour to gain possession of Braam's point; and instructions were sent to Captain O'Bryen, then lying oft' the bar, to carry this service, in onccrt with the Brigadier, into execntton : he, with his usual intrepidity, lost not a moment, but as the tide flowed, pushed in over the bar, and anchored close -to the battery of seven 18-pounders, followed by Captains Nash and Ferris, in the Pandour and Drake. The fort commenced a brisk fire on the Emerald, but was silenced by a few broadsides after the ships had anchored, without any loss an our side : in it were captured 43 officers and men, 3 of whom were wounded. Not being able to approach nearer in the Centaur, the General and myself removed next morning to the Emerald ; and having summoned the colony, received an answer containing a refusal of the terms. The moment, therefore, the tide served, every effort wus made to get up the river, which, from the shallowness of the water, was very difficult, the Emerald having passed through the mud in three feec less than she drew. • • • • The indefatigable zeal of Captains O'Bryen and Nash, in arranging and forwarding the supplies, and Captains Maxwell, Ferris, Waring, and Richardson, in giving aid to the army, as well as Captain Kempt, agent for transports, claim my warmest ap- plause t" • " • • • The O'Bryens are one of the aboriginal families of Ireland,' and des- cended from the kings of Thomond and Munster ; their pedigree Is traced with peculiar exactntss by the Editor of a Biographical Peerage of Ireland, published in 181 7. t An account of the reduction of Surinam will be found under the head of Sir Murray Maxwell, in this volume. POST- CAPTAINS OP 1799. 213 ■ Some time preceding this event, Captmn O'Bryen captured I'Enfant Prodigue, a French schooner of 16 guns, the whole of which were thrown overboard during a chase of seventy- two hours. • On the 29th Nov. 1809, his late Majesty was pleased to grant Captain O'Bryen, his brothers and sisters, the same precedency as if their father, who died in 1801, had survived his brother, the late Marquis, who died without male issue Feb. 10, 1808. Lord James O'Bryen married, first, a Miss Bridgeman ; and secondly, Jane, relict of Horsford, of the island of Antigua, Esq. He is the heir presumptive to theMarquisate of Thomond, now enjoyed by his brother. Agents*-^Meaara. Cooke, Halford and Son. RICHARD MATSON, Esq. /^/^^^ Post commission dated March 22, 1799, Agents. — Messrs. Maude. /. /iMr o'fin^ RICHARD RAGGETT, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant, Dec. 15, 1778; and obtained the rank of Commander about 1793. From this period he commanded the Pluto and Dart sloops of war, on the Newfoundland, and North Sea stations, until posted, April 21, 1799. The latter vessel formed part of Sir Home Popham's squadron at Ostend, in May 1798 *. At the close of the war in 1801, we find him serving as Flag-Captain to Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Harvey, in the Royal Sovereign, a first rate. Early in 1805, Captain Raggett was appointed to the Leopard 50, bearing the flag of the late Admiral Billy Doug- las, on the Downs station. In 1807, he commanded the Africaine frigate, and conveyed Lieutenant-General Lord Cathcart from England to Swedish Pomerania, at that period invaded by a French army, and defended by the Swedish Mo- narch in person f. On the arrival of Admiral Gambler iu the • See Vol I. note at p. 713, It must afford you great pleasure to recollect and reflect upon the character and virtues of such a father. * * * *' I am, dear Sir, most sincerely yours, (Signed) " Alex. MERCEn." " P. S. I forgot to mention, that he was of very great service in General Braddock's unfortunate engagement ; and that he was wounded ut Oa- wego." * General Mackellar was badly wounded in six placet, t See Vol. I. note at p. 368, et scq. \ 216 P06T-CAPTAINS OP 1799. troy the former, which was accomplished, notwithstanding the resistance made by her crew, supported by some military, and the presence of several French men of war lying in Bos- ton harbour. The Mohawk was afterwards commissioned as a sloop of war. Subsequent to the general pacification, the Enterprize took possession of Montserratt, Nevis, St. Kitt*s, and Dominica; which islands had been restored to Great Britain by the treaty of Versailles. She was paid off at Dept- ford May 26, 1784; and from that period Mr. Mackellar served in the abovementioned ships *, until 1790, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Circe frigate, employed cruising in the Channel. A few months after the commencement of hostilities against the French republic, our officer was appointed to the Assist- ance of 50 guns ; in which ship we find him serving as first Lieutenant, at the capture of I'Elizabeth, mounting 40 guns, with a complement of 300 men, by the squadron under Vice- Admiral Murray, on the Halifax station, Aug. 28, 1796. In Jan. 1797* Captain Mowatt, of the Assistance, having succeeded to the command of the squadron employed in North America, appointed Lieutenant Mackellar to the command of a sloop of war recently launched at Bermuda ; but, on the ar- rival of Vice-Admiral Vandeput, he was superseded and obliged to return home as a passenger on board the St. Albans 64. On h'.b arrival in England, he was confirmed as a Commander, by commission dated July 5, 1797 ; and in November following, he was appointed to the Minerva fri- gate, armed enfiute. The Minerva formed part of the expedition sent against Ostend, in May 1798 ; and Captain Mackellar, then labour- ing under a severe attack of dysentery, after distinguishing himself by his activity and zeal, appears to have been included in the capitulation by which the British troops, under Major- General Coote, and a detachment of seamen, landed from Sir Home Popham's squadron, surrendered themselves as prison- ers of war to a very superior French force f, * The Barfleur and Victory bore the flajjr of the late Viscount Hood j and th« Salisbury that of Admiral Milbanke. t See Vol. I. note at p. 713, et teq. POST-CAPTAINS 0|i' 1799. 217 The following is an extract from the general order, issued by the militai^ commander-in-chief, dated Sand Hills, near Ostend, May 20, 1798 : " To Captains Wintbrop of the Circe, and Mackellar of the Minerva, Msgor-Oeneral Coote cannot sufficiently express how highly he is satis- fied with the great assistance he has derived from those officers, by their support to the general object of the expedition ; in conveying up to the basin gates, the powder and materials necessary for their destruction, and the effectual manner in which this object has been accomplished. To Captain Mackellar, the Major-General has in a particular manner to con- vey his marked approbation for his able conduct in lashing the vessels to the basin gates after the explosion ; and in setting fire to and burning them." Captain Mackellar continued a prisoner in the citadel of Lisle until the month of December following, when he had the good fortune to be exchanged. The following is an ex- tract from a letter written to him at a subsequent period, by Major-General Harry Burrard, one of his fellow captives : " To your exertions, and those of Captain Winthrop, I have always con- sidered the service as extremely indebted, both in taking the command of transporting the necessary combustible materials, and in arranging them for the required effect. I well remember your particular exertions, after the mine was sprung, in burning the vessels, and lashing them to the flood- gates, to consume the whole ; and during the attack upon us the next morning, you did every thing an officer could do in your situation. When, a few days aftenvards, I joined you in the citadel of Lisle, and found that the French Commandant, with much liberality, but at his own riskj allowed us the command of our own men, I soon had reason to rejoice that an officer of your firmness of character, had the management of those who, generally speaking, I considered as a very ungovernable, I may say, mutinous set of fellows. The quota furnished, I believe, by two of the frigates, were well behaved, and might be depended upon ; the rest, above 100, were mostly from the gun-brigs, Irish and lawless, as undisciplined and difficult to keep under as any men I have ever seen. We all considered ourselves as much indebted to you, when, at the extreme hazard of your life, you went into them, when in a state of mutiny, and at a time the Commandant, notwith- standing his good will, found it necessary to point guns at them. By your spirit and firmness, you l)rought them at length to a more sober way of thinking ; shielding us all from the rigorous treatment reasonably to be ex> pected from such a government at such a time." After noticing his atten- tion to the victualling and clothing of bis men, together with his anxiety about those who fell sick, the Major-General tells Captain Mackellar, " These sentiments were not those of the moment only. We remained together," says the gallant officer, " confined strictly to the citadel, for abovii six months, where I had leisure, and surely opportunity enough to 218 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1799. collect these observations with correctneas. I sliull only add, that to your firmness I consider we owed much uf that lenity \vc continued to ex- perience ; for had it not been for those exertions, and tlie support you gave your officers, tlie very undisciplined state of the crews with us, must have made it necessary for the government to be much more rigorous." After commanding the Wolverene sloop of war for a very few days, Captain Maekellar was appointed to the Charon, a 44-gun ship, fitting for the Mediterranean station * ; and on his arrival at Gibraltar, April 27, 1799, he received a post commission dat^d that same day, as a reward for his conduct at Ostend, but particularly for remaining on shore with the certainty of being made a prisoner, for the express purpose of giving his aid to Major-General Coote, by assuming the command of the seamen who had unavoidably been left with- out an officer of sufficient rank to direct them, at a moment when the presence of one was absolutely necessary. From Gibraltar, Captain Maekellar proceeded to Constan- tinople with presents for the Grand Seignior, and a transport having on board a number of artificers and artillerymen, sent to instruct the Turks in their respective branches of military science. On his return he called at Smyrna, Sicily, and Minorca, for the homeward bound trade collected at those places ; the whole of which he conducted in safety to the rock, where he was charged with despatches for England. On his passage thither, he chased a privateer schooner, which escaped, after throwing overboard her guns, 14 in nunvber, boats, spars, and anchors. He subsequently assisted at the evacuation of the Helder. Captain Mackellar's next appointment was to the Jamaica of 26 guns, in which ship he escorted a fleet of merchantmen to and from the Baltic, re-took an English mast-ship, and a brig laden with corn ; and obliged a large privateer, com- manded by the famous Blackeman, to lighten herself of guns, &c., in order to avoid capture. In March 1801, he was ap- pointed to the Terpsichore frigate, employed blockading Boulogne and Calais ; on which service he continued till June following, when he received orders to sail for the East Indies with despatches, and a large quantity of specie. In Dec. 1801, whilst the Terpsichore was under repair at • Sec p. 204. POST-CAPTAINS OF iJiY^ 219 Bombay, the Governor of that Presidency ceivrd informa- tion that the Portuguese authorities on the )a8t >i Mai 'bar, expected a French squadron, with a body < f tn><)pi*, take possession of their settlements j and feeling tiie import, icc of preventing the enemy establishing themselves at Di'inaun and Isle Diu, applied to Captain Hargood, of H. M. S. Intre- pid, the senior officer present, for assistance. The Intrepid and Terpsichore being in a dismantled state. Captain Mac- kellar instantly volunteered to take the command of an ex- pedition; and his Offer being accepted, sailed the same evening in the Marquis Cornwallis of 48 guns, accompanied by the Upton Castle Indiaman, Betsy, an armed brig belonging to the Hon. Company, and several smaller vessels, on board of which were embarked 1000 regulars and native troops ; it being intended to have recourse to force, should the Gover- nors of Demaun and Isle Diu refus6 to admit British rein- forcements. The object of the armament, however, was gained by the address used upon the occasion, and to the entire satisfaction of the government of Bombay^ as will ap- pear by the following official document : *' Political Department, Bombay Castle, Jan. 18, 1802. " Sir. — I am directed tiy the Governor ia Council, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., with enclosures ; and to express to you his entire satisfaction and thanks for the services you have lately ren- dered, in conveying British reinforcements to the Portuguese settlements of Demaun and Diu ; and for the able and successful manner in which tlie object of this expedition has been accomplished." • • • (Signed) " R. Richards, Sec. to Govt." *' To Captain John Mackellar." On the 27th March following, information was received at Bombay, that the Governor (Hon. Jonathan Duncan), who had gone to arrange a dispute with some of the native powers in the Guzzeret country, was unexpectedly attacked, and having lost many of the troops who formed his escort, compelled to entrench himself at Surat. This being " a case of the greatest emergency, and of particular importance to the reputation of the British name in India," the Political Department re- quested Captain Mackellar, the then senior officer at Bombay, to proceed to Goa, at that time blockaded by Sir William Clarke, and convey the troops under that officer's orders from f, i>! ^ 220 POBT-CAl'TAINS 0|.' 1799. tliciicc to Surat. Cnptain Mackcllar iiistnntly trailed in the 'J'crpHichore, accompanied by the Trident 64, Hetsy armed brig, and two Indiamen, joined Captain Hargood at Goa ; and such was the alacrity of all parties on this occasion, that in seven days from his leaving Bombay, 30()0 troops were landed at Surat, the natives defeated, and Governor Duncan again in possession of the country. For his exertions in thus pro- moting the public service, Captain Mackcllar was again hon- ored with the thanks of the Bombay Government. We subsetpicntly find him employed in the blockade of Goa. In May 1804, the subject of this memoir was, after ft short period of inactivity, appointed Agent for Transports and Pri- soners of War, and Governor of the Naval Hospital at Halifax, where he continued about six years. Soon after his return, seeing no prospect of immediate employment afloat, he soli- cited permission to join the Spanish navy, and having procured strong letters of recommendation from Admiral Apodaca (the Ambassador at the Court of St. James's) to the Cortes at Cadiz, he proceeded thither in the Prevoyante store-ship ; but on his arrival found the Spanish marine in so cramped and inefficient a state, as to preclude all hope of obtaining a com- mand suitable to his rank. He therefore relinquished the idea, and proceeded to his native island, at that time the rendez- vous of the British licet, from whence he returned to England in 1812. On the 2d Aug. 1815, our officer was nominated Flag- Captain to Rear-Admiral J. E. Douglas, with whom he pro- ceeded to Jamaica in the Salisbury of 58 guns ; from which ship he exchanged into the Pique frigate, Mar. 1/, 1817* Previous to his departure from the station, he had the gra- tification of receiving the following address from the prin- cipal merchants of Kingston : " hlnyston, Sept. 21, 1818. " Sir. — We the undersigned mcrchauta of^this cily, cannot suffer you to leave the station without conveying to you the high sense we entertain of your conduct. " Your kind solicitude evinced on every occasion for the welfare of thq trade of this island, and your great attention to the safety of the convoys with which you have been entrusted, deserve the thanks of this community at large ; but those who have known and felt the good effects of your exertions, are bound more particularly to address you on this occasion. PORT-f.Al'TAINS OF IJOJ). 221 " We hope your Hcrviccfl will be duly appreciated on your return to the mothxir country ; and with a tender of our sincere wishes for your health and prosperity, we remain, with the litf(hcRt respect, fcc. 8tv. &c." Signed hy Ororor Kinoiiorn, Mat/or, and the principals of forty-nine commercial finns. Thn Piqup, on Iicr pasHage home, encountered a dreadful Inirricane, and nearly foundered : slie was paid off at Oept- ford, in Dec. 1818; since which Captain Mackellar has twice viMted the continent. He is married, and has three daughters. His only brother, Colonel Neil Mackellar, C. B. was Aid-de- Camp to Sir Adam Williamson) in all the battles at St. Do- mingo ; served at the reduction of the Danish islands, by Sir John T. Duckworth; and commanded a brigade during the late war in India, where he at present commands the 2d bat- talion of the Royal Scots, in which corps he has served ever since the commencement of his military career in 1788. Agent.— -- Mc. Inerheny, Jiscj. JAMES OUGHTON, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant, Sept. 3(), 17KJ ; served as such on board the Queen of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Gardner, in the memorable biittle of June 1, 1794 ; and was appointed to the command of the Hector bomb, early in 1798. This vessel formed part of Sir Home Popham's squadron at Ostend, in the spring of the same year. He afterwards commanded the Sphynx, Isis, Windsor Castle, and Leander, the three latter bearing the flag of the Ute Sir Andrew Mitchell, with whom he served at the capture of the Helder, in Aug. 1799, oJRT Brest, and on the Halifax station. His post conn.iiBSjion bears date May 15, 1799. Agent. — Mc. Inerheny, Esq. GEORGE BARKER, Esq. ; This officer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Mar, 15, 1782 ; commanded the Incendiary fire-vessel, and as> sisted at the destruction of a French store-ship off Ushant, 222 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. Jan. 8, 1797, and obtained post rank June 8, 1799. During the late war he was employed as Regulating Captain at Bristol. Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. CHARLES ADAM, Esq. This officer was a Midshipman of the Monarch 74, and commanded a gun-boat at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1795 *. His good conduct on that occasion was particularly mentioned in Sir George Keith Elphinstone's public letter to the Admiralty. In the following year we find him commanding the Swift sloop of war, and subsequently the Albatross, on the East Lidia station, where he obtained the rank of Post-Captain in la Sybille, of 48 guns and 300 men, June 12, 1799. On the 23d Aug. 1800, la Sybille assisted at the capture of five Dutch armed vessels, and the destruction of twenty-two merchantmen, in Batavia Roads f. Five days afterwards her boats captured a brig of 6 guns and 16 men, from Samarang, laden with rice. In October following she took no less than twenty-four Dutch proas, four of which mounted 6 guns each, laden with coffee, sugar, and rice, and five others in ballast. On the 19th Aug. 1801, Captain Adam being off the Sey- chelles, observed signals flying on St. Anne's ; upon which he hoisted French colours, stood round the island, and discovered an enemy's frigate, with her foremast out, and some smaller vessels, lying in Mah6 Road, the passage to which was ex- tremely intricate, being formed by many dangerous shoals. The necessary preparations having been made, and a man placed at the mast head to look out for shoal water, la Sy- bille stood in to attack the enemy, who at 10 A. M. fired a shot, and shewed her colours : in fifteen minutes after la Sy- bille, nowunder English colours, came to an anchor, with a spring on her cable, and at 10'' 25/ commenced a smart fire, which was instantly returned by the French frigate, assisted by a well-constructed battery, erected in a raking position on the nt:(ghbouring ijhore, from whence hot shot were frequently • See Vol. I. p. 47. «"/ wy. t Sec Vol. I. p. 771. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 223 fired. The cannonade was kept up with great spirit for nearly twenty minutes, when the enemy struck her colours, cut, and drifted on a reef. While an officer and party went to take possession, la Sybille brought her broadside to bear on the battery, the fire from which soon ceased. The prize proved to be la Chiffonne, of 42 guns, four of which, from her unengaged side, were mounted in the battery on shore, and a complement of 250 men, 23 of whom were killed, 30 wounded, and about 100, including those stationed at the battery, effected their escape. La Chiffonne had sailed from Nantz on the 14th April preceding, for the purpose of landing 32 persons on the Seychelles, who had been suspected of conspiring against the life of Napoleon Buonaparte, at that time First Consul of the French republic. She was quite a new frigate. Her fore-mast had been taken out and landed, in order to have the cheeks, a fish, and some hoops replaced. La Sybille had only 2 men killed, and a Midshipman slightly wounded *. Although la Chiffonne would certainly have been no match for la Sybille in an action at sea, the dangerous circumstances under which she had been approached and attacked, entitle Captain Adam, his officers, and crew, to a considerable de- gree of credit. The enemy was, it is true, inferior to the British frigate in point of guns and men ; but she had such advantages of position, as more than counterbalanced the deficiency. On his arrival at Madras, in company with la Chiffonne, Captain Adam was presented by the Insurance Company of that place with an elegant sword, value 200 guineas. He re- turned to England in la Sybille, April 20, 1803, and at the renewal of the war was appointed to the command of his prize, which had been added to the British navy as a 36-gun frigate. He subsequently served in the North Sea. * Captain Adam at the same time took possession of a schooner and a ((rab ketch, under French colours ; the former he gave over to Lieutenant (;umpbell, late of the Spitfire schooner, who had been wrecked on the Shcrhomu Duboplam, an African islnnd hitherto unknown to the English, and recently discovered by the inhubilants of the Seychclle islands. Lieu* tenant Campbell having charge of despatches from Bombay, bound to the Rod Sea, was thus enabled to proceed on his voyage. '■! 224 POST-CAPFAINS OF 1700. On the 10th June, 1805, at 7 A. M. a (liviaion of the French flotilla, consisting of two corvettes and fifteen gun-vessels, car- rying in the whole 51 guns, 4 eight-inch mortars, and 3 field- pieces, accompanied by fourteen transports, sailed from Havre, bouiul to Fecamp ; and when about mid-way between those places, were chased by Captain Adam, who was cruising off the coast with the Falcon sloop of war. Clinker gun-brig, and Frances armed cutter, under his orders. At about O** 30' la Chif- fonne, then in 10 fathoms water, considerably a-head of her companions, and close in with the flotilla, opened her fire upon the enemy's van ; but in a quarter of an hour, shoaling her water, was compelled to haul farther oflf. At about \0^ 30', by which time the Falcon and Clinker had closed, she recom- menced firing ; and shortly afterwards one of the Frcndi vessels was observed in flames, which were, however, soon extinguished ; at the same time some of the other vessels ran on shore. Towards noon la Chitfonne again hauled out into deeper water. Two hours afterwards the attack was renewed, and at 3** 15' P. M. one of the enemy's brigs had her fore-top- mast and main-mast shot away. As the British passed along the coast, the forts kept up an incessant fire of shot and shells, and continued to do so until the flotilla, &c. had completely sheltered themselves under the batteries at Fecamp. The engagement did not cease till past four o'clock ; by which time la Chiflbnne had been much cut up in her rigging, received a shot between wind and water, besides several higher up, and sustained a loss of 2 men killed, and 3 wounded. The Falcon suflcred in rigging and sails, and had 4 men wounded ; the Clinker, 1 killed and 1 wounded. The French admit a loss of 3 killed and 12 wouuded^ including the commander of a gun-brig. Towards the latter end of the same year we find Captain Adam commanding the Resistance, a fine new frigate, in which he captured I'Aigle, a French privateer of 14 guns and 66 men, near the Owers, Dec. 27, 1807. On the 8th Mar. 1807, his boats destroyed an armed sciiooner, and a chasse mar^e, in the port of Archovc, near Cape Machicaco. This service was performed under the directions of Lieutenant Corbyn, who had previously carried a battery which commanded the harbour. POST- CAPTAINS OF 1799. 225 Captain Adam's next appointment was to the Invincible 74, on the Mediterranean station. In that ship he was em- ployed on the coast of Catalonia, co-operating with the Spa- nish patriots, to whose cause he rendered great service by his activity and exertions. The Invincible formed part of a sc^uadron nnder Captain (now Sir Edward) Codrington, assisting iu the defence of Tarragona, during the siege of that ill-fated city, by Marshal Suchet's army, in 1811. The following is an extract from the public letter of that excellent officer, to Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Bart., dated June 29 : ** I cannot conclude my history of our operations at Tar- ragona without assuring you, that the zeal and exertion of those under my command, in every branch of the various ser- vices which have fallen to tlicir lot, have been carried far be- yond the mere dictates of duty. The Invincible and Centaur have remained with me the whole time, immediutely off Tar- ragona ; and Captains Adam, White, and myself, have passed most nights in our gigs, carrying on such operations under cover of the dark, as could not have been successfully employed in sight of the enemy ; I do not mean as to mere danger, for the boats have been assailed with shot and shells both night and day, even during the time of their taking off the women and children, as well as the wounded, without being in the smallest degree diverted from their purpose. It is impoH^ible to detail in a letter all that has passed during this short, but tragic period. But humanity has given in- creased excitement to our exertions ; and the bodily powers of Captain Adam have enabled him, perhaps, to push to a greater extent that desire to relieve distress, which we have all partaken in common *." f!v- * The French army under Marshul Suchet inurched upon Tarnif^ona about the end of April, 1811, and the inveHtnient uf that city was completed to the sea, on the 4th May. Its defenct became more obstinate as the siege advanced ; for being open by sea, it was able to receive succours of every kiud, l>y means of the English squadron on the coast. On the 21st June, the enemy made a furious assault, and after much bloodshed on both aides, obtaine we find him com- manding the Pylades sloop of war, and employed by the Port- Admiral at Sheerness, to negociate with the mutineers at the Nore, and to assist in securing the dock-yard from any at- tempt they might make to obtain possession thereof. From this period, the Pylades was stationed principally on the coast of Holland, where Captain Mackenzie greatly dis- tinguished himself by his zeal and activity. On the lOth July, 1799, he directed a boat attack on some of the enemy's vessels near the island of Ameland, brought out three valua- ble merchantmen, and burnt a galliot, laden with ordnance stores. On the 1 1th of the following month, he was despatch- ed by Captain Frank Sotheron (now a Vice- Admiral), under whose orders he had recently been placed, with the Espi^gle of 14 guns. Captain James Boorder, and Courier hired cutter. Lieutenant Thomas Searle, to attack the Crash, formerly a British gun-brig, which lay moored between Schiermonikoog and the main land of Groningen. The Courier, working faster to windward than her consorts, was sent a-head to engage the Crash until their arrival ; which Lieutenant Searle did in the most gallant manner, although the enemy's force, when compared with that of his little vessel, was as five to one *. The wind blowing right down the channel, which was so narrow that the Pylades and Espiegle could not stand on each tack more than twice their length ; and the soundings in many places not exceeding two and a quarter fathoms, delayed their approach considerably; they however per- severed, and at length got within pistol-shot of the enemy, who was consequently compelled to surrender, but not until he had made a most gallant and determined resistance. The • The Crash mounted 12 carronadcs, 32, 24, and 18-pouiulers. i»OST-CAPTAlNS OP 1799. 235 Pylades on this occasion had 1 man killed and 3 wounded. Her boats, in company with others belonging to Captain Sotheron's squadron, had in the interim obliged a large armed schooner to run ashore on the main land, in order to avoid capture. The Crash being of a light draught of water was imme- diately manned, and the command of her given to Lieutenant James Slade of the Latona frigate ; Lieutenant Salusbury P. Humphreys, of the Juno, was at the same time appointed to the Undaunted, a schuyt which he had cut out from under the protection of the schooner on the main, and which Captain Mackenzie ordered to be armed with two 12-pr. carronades, for the purpose of acting against a battery of 6 guns on Schiermonikoog, and the Vengeance schooner, carrying two long 24-pounders, 4 guns of smaller calibre, and JO men, lying with a large row-boat, and several merchant vessels, near that island. Oi^ the I3th at three P. M., the Crash and Undaunted moved on to the attack, accompanied by the launches of the Latona and Pylades, each mounting a 12-pr. carronade, and several smaller boats armed with swivels and muskets, the whole under the orders of Lieutenant Slade. Unfortunately the Crash grounded too far from her destined station to afford efficient aid to Lieutenant Humphreys, who steered his vessel steadily towards the schooner, and succeeded in getting along- side of her just after she had been deserted by her crew. The tide, however, was so rapid, that he could not hold on, and the roundness of both vessels' sides prevented him jumping on board. He therefore seized a rope, and leaping into the sea, attempted to reach the schooner for the purpose of at- taching it to her j but soon found he had no chance against the tide, and was consequently obliged to be hauled back to the Undaunted. Fortunate for him was this failure ; for scarcely had he obtained footing on his own deck, when aii explosion took place on board the Vengeance, by which she was blown to atoms *. • The Dutchmen are sup^posed to have left a slow match burning near a train of powder leading to the magazine, when they fled to the shore. Had the Undaunted's crew succeeded in boarding the schooner, they f: 36 POST-CAPTAINS Olf 1799. The remainder of this small flotilla had in the interim buC'* ceeded in driving the enemy from their battery on the island, the guns of which were soon turned upon the fugitives, and aftenvards spiked by Lieutenant Cowan of the Pylades, whilst the rest of the detachment, assisted by the brave com- mander of the Undaunted and his crew, brought off two brass field pieces, the row-boat, and twelve schuyts. This service was performed without the loss of a man on our side j but the Dutch are said to have suffered considerably. Captain Mackenzie subsequently assisted at tlie capture of the Dutch fleet under Rear-Admiral Storey * ; and obtained post rank Sept 2, 1799. From this period he remained on half-pay till Oct. 1801, when he received an appointment to the Brilliant of 28 guns ; in which ship he continued during the peace of Amiens. At the renewal of the war in 1803, he joined the Magicienne frigate ; and during the ensuing winter, was employed blockading the enemy's coast. We next find him escorting some vessels, having on board ten troops of horse and 1000 infantry, to the West Indies, where he had several skirmishes with the enemy's batteries, and destroyed many vessels, no account of which was ever published. The Magicienne formed part of the squadron under Sir John T. Duckworth, in the action off St. Domingo, Feb. 6, 1806 t ; and was subsequently ordered to convoy the trade from Jamaica to England. After passing through the Gulf of Florida, Captain Mackenzie encountered a tremendous hur- ricane, which proved fatal to twenty of the finest vessels under his charge, and obliged him to steer dii :ct for Bermuda, to repair the damages done to his own ship. In the following year. Captain Mackenzie commanded the Prince of Wales, a second rate, bearing the flag of AdmirtJ Gambler, at the capture of the Danish navy. On his return from Copenliagen, where he had acted as Commissioner of the Arsenal during the equipment of the prizes J, he was ap- would most likely have shared her fate, as only four or five minutes elapsed between the separation of the vessels and the cxploiiion. * See Vol. I. notn at p. 414, et seg. t See Vol. I. note at p. 2f)2. i Admiral Gamhier in his letter to the Hon. W. W. Pole, dated Oct. 20, 1807, says : " I should not do justice to the diligent uttcntion and arduouH POST-CAPTAINS OP 1799. 23/ pointed to the President frigate, and soon after ordered to Brazil; from whence Sir W. Sidney Smith despatched him to negociate with the Viceroy of Buenos Ayres (Lini^res) for the opening of the South American ports to English com- merce. On his return from this service, he joined the flag of Rear- Admiral de Courcy, by -whom he was stationed to attend upon and afford protection to the royal family at Rio Janeiro. Previous to his departure from thence, he received the insignia of the Portuguese order of the Tower and Sword. He afterwards commanded the Armada, a new 74. in the Channel and North Sea *. On the 13th May, 1820, our officer was appointed to the Creole of 42 guns. From her he removed about Jan. 1821, into the Superb 'JS, on the coast of South America. In the latter ship he rounded Cape Horn during the shortest days of winter, and by his appearance in the Pacific, saved British property to the amount of several millions sterling. He was re-appointed to the Superb, stationed as a guard-ship at Ply- mouth, June 27, 1822 ; and died in Nov. 1823. FRANCIS VESEY, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1/93 j commanded I'Amaranthe of 14 guns, at the Leewiird Islands in 179/ ; and captured le Vengeur, a French schooner letter of marque, mounting six 4-pounder8, and laden with flour, near Jamaica, April 13, 1799. This vessel, notwithstanding her vast infe- riority, maintained a close action with I'Amaranthe for one hour and eight minutes, during which she had 14 men killed and 5 wounded out of her crew, including passengers, only 36 in number. The English brig had 1 man killed and 3 wounded. Captain Vesey obtained post rank Sept. 10, 1799 ; and during the remainder of the war, commanded the Volage, on endeavours of Captain Mackenzie to ful61 the civil duties of the arscaal, which were committed to his management and superintendence, if I did nut on this occasion express my warm approbation of his exertions ; and I beg leave to recommend him to their Lordships' favorable notice." * Wliildt at Brazil, Captain Mackenzie was removed from his friKato to the Uedtord 74 \ but he came home in the President. 238 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1799. the Jamaica station. In 1804, we find him serving in the Brilliant of 28 guns ; and previous to the peace of 1814, superintending the payment of ships at Portsmouth. yigrnt.-^Havry Cook, Esq. HENRY GARRETT, Esq. Commissioner of the FictuaUing' at Portsmouth. (Resident at the Royal Hospital, Haslar.) If we mistake not, this officer is a son of the late Daniel Garrett, of Portsmouth, co. Hants, Esq. He was bom in 1774 j entered the naval service in 1787 ; and served his time as a Midshipman on board the Hebe frigate, under the command of the present Sir Edward Thornbrough, and the late Captain Alexander Hood. In June 1793, Mr. Garrett was made a Lieutenant, and ap- pointed to the Princess Royal of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Goodall ; during the occupation of Toulon by the allied forces, he served on shore with a party of seamen belonging to that ship *. Lieutenant Garrett obtained the command of the Trial cutter, armed with eight long 3-pounders, and four 12-pr. carronades, in Dec. 1790 ; captured le Courier de la Mer, a French brig privateer of 12 guns, near Portland, July 25, 1797 J and assisted at the destruction of la Confiante frigate, and a republican cutter, off Havre, May 1, 1798 ■\. Towards the close of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Alecto fire-ship ; and in April 1799, ap- pointed to the Calypso sloop of war. His post commission bears date Sept. 16, 1799. . «> ■ ' • Our officer's next appointment was, early in 1802, to the Texel of 64 guns j which ship was soon after paid off at Chat- ham, in consequence of the peace of Amiens. At the re- newal of hostilities in 1803, we fnid him commanding the Southampton district of Sea Fencibles ; and from Sept. 1805, till Aug. 1808, the Kent 74, Ville de Paris, and Royal So- vereign, first rates. During the remainder of the war, he superintended the Victualling department at Deptford, where • Sec Vol. 1. 1>. 23G. t See Vol. I. p. 448. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 239 he continued till Feb. 1820, at which period he received his present appointment. Mrs. Garret died in child-bed Aug. 26, 1812. The Com- missioner's eldest son, a promising young man, was acting as a Lieutenant of the Curlew, and died at Bombay in Nov. iol9. His sister (also deceased) married Captain (now Admiral) Purvis. WALTER BATHURST, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in IJ*^) ; f^"d con- firmed as a Post-Captain, Oct. 24, 1799. Previous to the latter promotion, he had taken the Ville de Paris, a first rate, to the Mediterranean, where he received the flag of Earl St. Vincent, and from whence he brought her home as a private ship, about August in the same year. The Earl re-hoisted his flag in the Ville de Paris, as commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, April 25, 1800; and Captain Bathurst soon after joined the Eurydice of 24 gims j in which ship, being on his return from convoying the outward bound Quebec trade, he captured le Bougainville French privateer of 14 guns and 67 men; and a Danish Juvst Indiaman, about April 1801. On the 20th Oct. following, he siiiled ft>r the East Indies with despatches relative to the peace of Amiens. Whilst on that station. Captain Bathurst removed succes- sively into the Terpsichore and Pitt frigates ; the ioruicr of which captured a Dutch East Indiaman early in l^()^5 ; the latter was employed blockading Port Louis, and took :u'ver;'.l prizes in Jan. 1806. On the 20th of that month she had I man killed and her hull much damaged by the fire from Fort Canonnier, to which she was exposed during twenty minutes, without being able to return a single gun. The Pitt subsequently resumed her original name, Salsette, and was employed in the Baltic, uiuler the orders of Sir James Saumarez. On the 23d June 1808, Captain Bathurtit captured the Russian cutter Apith of 14 guns and 61 men ; 4 of whom were killed, and 8, including her commander, a Lieutenant in the Imperial navy, wounded, before she could be induced to surrender. The Salsette, on this occasion, had u nuu'ine killed by the cutter's fire. I 240 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. In July 1809, Captain Bathurst conducted a division of Earl Chatham's army to Walcheren. Towards the latter end of 1810, he removed into the Fame 74 ; in which ship he was actively employed on the Mediterranean station during the remainder of the war. Captain Bathurst married, in 1808, Miss Marianne Wood, of Manchester Street, Manchester Square, London. Agent. — M'Inerheney, Esq. ADAM DRUMMOND, Esq. This officer obtained post rank Oct. 30, 1791). During the first revolutionary war, he commanded the Peterell sloop of war, and Bull Dog bomb. The former vessel was employed under Commodore Nelson in 1796 * ; the latter assisted at the capture of the San Leon, a Spanish brig of war, on the Lisbon station, Nov. 29, 1798 f ; and the bombardment of Alexandria in 1799. We subsequently find him commanding the Carysfort of 28 guns, Dryad frigate, and Leviathan 74. The Dryad captured le Rennair, a French privateer of 14 guns and 95 men, on the Irish station, March 22, 1808. Captain Drummond married. May 28, 1801, Lady Char- lotte Menzies, eldest daughter of the Duke of AthoU, and widow of Sir John Menzies, Bart., by whom he has several children. j4gents. — Messrs. Brine, Chards, and Co. ROBERT HALL, Esq. This officer served the greater part of his time as a Mid- shipman under the late Admiral George Murray (brother of John, third Duke of Atholl) in the Levant and Cleopatra frigates, and was promoted from the latter to the rank of Lieutenant, Feb. 23, 1782. From this period, Mr. Hall was almost constantly employed in different ships and under various commanders, among whom were Commodore Sir John Lindsay, and Captains Bourmaster and Hart well, till Feb. 1793, when he joined his See Vol. I. pp. 619 fttid 620. f See Vol. II. note at p. 191. P0ST-CAPTAIN8 OF 1799. 241 early friend. Commodore Murray, in the Duke, a second rate ; which ship was paid off on her return from the West Indies, at the latter end of the same year. In April 1794, after fitting out the Glory of 98 guns, he removed into the Resolution 74, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Murray, who had recently been promoted, and no- minated commander-in-chief on the North American station. On the 3d July, 1795, Lieuten&nt Hall was appointed by his patron to command the Lynx sloop of war, but his commis- sion does not appear to have been confirmed by the Admiralty tillJan. 1796; previous to which, he had been superseded by another officer, on whose demise, in October following, he was re-appointed to that vessel. Among the captures made by Captain Hall whilst in the Lynx, we find la Solide, I'lsabelle, and le Mentor, French privateers, the latter carrying 14 guns and 79 men. The capture of la Solide was considered by the merchants and inhabitants of St. John's Newfoundland, a service of great importance to their interests, she having hoisted the bloody flag, and threatened to plunder and lay waste the neighbouring defenceless coast. They accordingly sent Cap- tain Hall a letter of thanks, for the protection he had thus afforded to the colony *. We next find Captain Hall commanding the Assistance of 50 guns ; in which ship he conveyed H. R. H. the late Duke of Kent, from Halifax to England, and arrived at Plymouth Aug. 31, 1800. During the remainder of the war, he com- manded the Waakzaamheid, a small frigate, on the North Sea station. His post commission bears date Nov. 18, 1799. In Aug. 1803, our officer was appointed pro temporCf to the Revolutionnaire frigate, and ordered to take the 26th regi- ment to Cork. He subsequently commanded the Malabar of 54 guns ; and after cruising for some time in the North Sea, convoyed a fleet of merchantmen to the West Indies. On the 2d Jan. 1806, Captain Hall being off Cuba, In com- pany with the Wolfe sloop of war, sent the boats of his ship to assist that vessel in bringing out from Port Azarades, two m 11^ * La Solide was taken in the bay of Fundy, where she had been harboured by the Americans. VOL. II. R ' 242 VOST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99. ry. ^: I large French privateers, which service was performed witli the loss of 7 men killed, drowned, and wounded *. Captain Hall was soon after obliged to invalid at Jamaica, through ill-health. His next appointment was in Nov. ISOtS^ to the Ruby 64 ; from which ship he was superseded in the Baltic, about July following. During the preceding three months, he was employed protecting different convoys through the difficult passage of the Belt. On his return to England, Captain Hall assumed the com- mand of the Puissant at Spithead. From her he removed in April 1810, to the Royal William flag-ship, where he con- tinued until the expiration of Sir Roger Curtis's command, in the spring of 1812. At the close of the same year, he was appointed to superintend all the supplies required by the Russian fleet in the river Medway ; this duty he performed for the space of ten months : after which he became Flag-Captain to Vice-Admiral Domett, commander-in-chief at Plymouth, on whose retirement, in July 1815, he was superseded from the Impregnable, and placed on half-pay f. He has since conunanded the ships in ordinary at Portsmouth, during the customary period of three years. Agent, — Sir F. M. Onnnanney, M. P. ROBERT LLOYD, Esq. This ofiicer was made a Lieutenant about the year 179() ; and commanded the Racoon sloop of war on the North Sea station, iu 1797* On the 11th Jan. 1798, he captured, after a short running fight, le Policrate, French privateer of 16 ^^uns, and 7^ luen ; the Racoon on this occasion had I killed and 4 wounded. Eleven days after. Captain Lloyd also intercepted la Pensee of 2 guns and 32 men ; he had some time previously taken les Amis, of similar force. On the 20th Oct. following, he destroyed le Vigilante, of 14 guns and 50 men. Early in July 1799, during a dark and foggy night, the Benjamin and Elizabeth, Vl^^est Indiaman, being about twelve miles from Dungeness, was suddenly boarded on the quarter * See Captain Groroe Charles Mackenzie. t Vlce-Admiral Domett had his fla^ in the Salvador dei Mundo^ previous to its being hoisted on board the Impregnable. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 243 by a French lugger. Mr. White, the master, with his mate and two men, defended their vessel with all the gallantry that characterises British seamen, and had actually beaten the enemy from their deck, when they were boarded on the beam by a second lugger, the crew of which behaved in a most inhuman manner *. Fortunately, Captain Lloyd, who was at that time stretching out from under the land, heard the firing, and re-captured the ship a few minutes after the lug- gers had hauled o£f. In a short time he also got sight of them, and immediately opened his broadside upon the nearest. On the smoke clearing away, not a vestige of her was to be seen, she having gone to the bottom with all on board. The other, though at a mu greater distance, was still plainly to be seen ; but the fog increasing, she succeeded in effecting her escape. On the 2d Dec. in the same year, Captain Lloyd captured le Vrai Decide, privateer, of 14 guns and 41 men. The next day, after a running fight of about forty minutes, he succeeded in coming up with a lugger, which he had dis- covered in the act of boarding an English merchant brig; and after a short action, compelled her to surrender. She proved to be rintrepide of 16 guns and 60 men, 13 of whom were killed and wounded. The Racoon had her commander and 1 seaman wounded. Captain Lloyd was promoted to post rank Dec. 6, 1/99 ; and in 1801, conimanded the Mars, a third rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Thombrough, in the Channel fleet. During the late war with the United States, we find him com- manding the Plantagenet 74, on the American station, where he captured a great number of coasting vessels. He has not been employed since the peace. j4ge9it.~^Hwn'y Cook, Esq. JOHN CHESSHYRE, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant July 24, 1781 ; Com- mander in 1794 ; and Post-Captain Dec. 26, 1799. He com- * The reiBMnder of the West Indiaman'R crew consisted of 8 foreigners, wbo did not feel tliemscives bound to fight, and consecpiently kept aloof. R 2 ,tr i!li i 244 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800 manded the Plover sloop of war, and captured TErin-go- Brah, French privateer, of 10 guns and 45 men, hi the North Sea, Oct. 28, 1798. During part of the late war we find him employed in the Sea Fencible service. Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. SIR THOMAS LIVINGSTON, Bart. Keeper of Linlithgow Palace. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; commanded the Echo sloop of war at the Cape of Good Hope in 1796 ; and the E^xpedition, a 44-gun ship, armed en flutej employed conveying part of the Russian contingent from Revel to Eng- land, in 1799. His post commission bears date Jan. 13, 1800. During the remainder of the war, we find him in the Diadem and Athenienne 64*8 ; the former was employed as a troop-ship, and attached to the expedition against Quiberon and Belleisle, under Sir Edward Pellew *; the latter accom- panied Sir John Borlase Warren to the coast of Egypt, in quest of r\ French squadron under M. Gantheaume f ; and returned to England Sept, 11, 1802. Sir Thomas Livingston's next appointment was, we believe, to the Renommee frigate , in which ship he captured the Vigilante, a Spanish brig of war, mounting 18 guns, with a complement of 109 men, near Cape de Gatt, April 4, 1806. By the fire from this vessel, and Fort Callaretes, under tlic protection of which she had anchored, the Renommee had 2 men wounded. The Spaniards sustained a loss of 4 men killed and wounded. In the course of the same year, the boats of the Renommee captured a Spanish schooner of 9 guns and 38 men % J a tartan of 4 guns ; two settees laden with grain, each mounting 3 guns, and another of 2 guns. On the 7th Nov. 1807, a detachment sent by Sir Thomas from his own ship, and the Grasshopper sloop of war, carried two of the enemies' vessels, lying under the protection of the • See Vol. I, p. 219, (?^ *tfy. t See Memoir of Captain J. C. White. I A party from the Nautilus sloop of war assisted on this oooaaioo j see Memoir pf Captaiif Sir Williabi Parker, Bart. > POST-CAPTAINS OV 1800. 245 Torre de Estacio, on the coast of Murcia ; but unfortunately there was so little wind, and the current ran so strong, that they both got aground ; and, notwithstanding every exertion was used for the purpose of getting them oflF, it was found impossible. Their destruction would of course have been easily effected, had not the commanding officer, Mr. Webster, an acting Lieutenant, been swayed by the nobler motive of humanity to abandon them, on finding they contained many helpless men, women, and children. Mr. Thomas Bastin, Purser of the Grasshopper, serving as a volunteer in the boats^ and the coxswain of the Rcnommee's pinnace, were the only persons hurt on this occasion; they were both very badly wounded. Sir Thomas Livingston at present commands the Genoa of 74 guns: to which ship he was appointed Oct. 3, 1821. On the 12th Jan. preceding, the Sheriff Deputy and a jury of the county of Edinburgh, declared him nearest and lawful male heir in general, of James, first Earl of Calender, Lord Livingston, of Scotland. His lady is a daughter of Sir Gil- bert Stirling, Bart. Jlgent. — Isaac Ciementson, Esq. tie LUCIUS HARDYiMAN, Esq. A Companion of the most Honourable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is a son of the late Captain Hardyman, of Portsmouth, and a brother of Major-General Hardyman, who died in India Nov. 28, 1821. We find no mention of him previous to March 1 , 1790 ; on which day he greatly distin- guished himself as first Lieutenant of the Sybille frigate, in an action with la Forte of ,52 guns, the command of which ship was afterwards conferred upon him by Vice-Admiral Rainier *. His post commission bears date Jan. 27, 1800. • The Sybille, commiimled l»y Captain Kdward Cooke, wliil«tat Madra?, received iiitelligenoe that la Forte was cruising' in the hay of Bengal, and eaptiirinjf with impunity <*veiy vesst'l that oauie in her way. The Sylnlle, though of much inferior force, immediately proceeded in search of the i.-ncmy ; had the good fortnne to meet her in Ualasore roads about mid- night on the 28th Feb. ; soon after brought her to close action ; and in less than two hours compelled her to surrender. The late (laptain James llingston Twckey, who fcTl a victim t) lh« i If II i \V 246 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. La Forte was wrecked in the Red Sea about June 1801 j but fortunately her crew were saved. Captain Hardyman climate of Afrk-a, whilst employed in exploring the river Congo, in Sept. 1816, was a volunteer on board the Sybiile ; and in a letter which he wrote on the occasion of la Forte's capture, stated the force of the combatants, and their respective loss, as follows : British 44 guns, and 3/0 men ; French 62 guns, and 420 men. The Sybiile 5 killed and 17 wounded ; la Forte 81 killed and 93 wounded. Lieutenant Hardyman, who succeeded to the command in consequence of his gallant commander being dangerously ^vounded, says, " The scene which presented itself on la Forte's deck was shocking ; the number she had killed cannot be accurately ascertained, as many had been thrown overboard during the action ; but from every cal- culation I have been able to make, the number killed must be from 150 to 160 men, and 70 wounded ; the first and second Captain, the first Lieutenant, with several other officers, are among the number killed. The Sybiile had only 3 men killed and 19 wounded, 2 of whom afterwards died." The Sybille's complement havbg been much reduced by deaths, and debilitated by severe illness contracted at Calcutta in the preceding year, a company of the Scotch brigade had been embarked by order of the Gover- nor-General ; u party of men belonging to the Fox frigate also joined her as volunteers at Madras, and, together with some military officers passen- gers, probably made up the number said by Captain Tuckey to have been in the action ; but it should be remembered, that most of her old and va- luable crew were in a weak state of convalescence. The prisoners landed at Calcutta were 340 in number, from which we conclude Captain Tuckey did not assign the French ship u weaker crew than she actually had on board at the commencement of the battle. Schomberg, whose errors are very numerous, gives her 700 men. The Sybiile had long eighteens on her main-deck ; la Forte mounted 24-pounders. Captain Cooke lingered under the painful effects of his wound till the 23d May, when he expired at Calcutta, beloved and respected by all who knew him. The following garrison-orders were given out by the Deputy-Governor, previous to the funeral, in which is a just panegyric to his character: ** Captain Cooke, of his Majesty's ship the Sybiile, after a painful and lingering illness, in the coui*sc of which the ardent hopes of the settlement were sanguinely fixed on his recovery, having expired this morning, in con- sequence of the wound he received in the action with the French national frigate la Forte ; it is the painful duty of the Deputy-Governor to order the last tribute of military honors to be paid to the remains of that gallant officer, by u-hose premature death in the defence of the interests of the Driiish nalloii in general, and of the Emt Indiu (Jompany in particular, our gracious Sovereign has lost a zealous, brave, and active officer, whose in- trephl and skilful conduct in a contest with a vessel of far superior force, has added another glorious triumph to the many obtained this war by the POST-CAl»TAINS OF 1800. 247 subsequently commanded the Unicorn frigate, on tlic West India Htation, and at the reduction of Monte Video, by Rear- Admirul Stirling, and Brigadier-General Auchmuty. He also assisted at tlie destruction of a French squadron in Aix Roadis, April 11, 1809. His next appointment was to the Armide of 38 guns, employed cruising off the French coast. On the 4th May, 1801, Captain Hardyman sent the bouts of that ship, assisted by those of the Cadmus, Daring, and Monkey, to attack a number of the enemy's armed and coast- ing vessels, at the isle of Rhe ; thirteen of which were des- troyed mider a heavy fire from the batteries, and four others driven on shore *. Captain Hardyman was nominated a C. B. in 1815. He married, Dec. 29, 1810, Charlotte, youngest daughter of the late John Travers, Eyq., of Bedford Place, London. Agent. — Sir F. M. Ommanney, M. P, CHRISTOPHER LAROCIIE, Esq. Post commission dated Jan. 29, 1800. Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. JOSHUA SYDNEY HORTON, Esq. This officer entered the naval service about 1/81 ; was first W:. valour of the British niivy, of which, had Providence spared his life, he would have become oue of the brightest ontaments. " His Majesty's 7(>th regiment will forjn the funeral party, and attend the remains of Captain Cooke, with every mark of solemnity and respect that is in their power to show, from the house of ]Mr. Muir, at Chouringhee, to the place of interment, at six o'clock this evening ; and as there is no i»fficer of the rank of Colonel with that corps. Colonel Greene is directed to parade with it on this occasion. " During the procession, minute guns are to be fired from Fort William, and the colours to he hoisted half staff high." Captain Cooke was the officer who undertook the hazardous negociation l)(;ttwen Lord Hood and the Magistrates of Toulon, previous to the allied lorces taking possession of that place in 1 793. An account of his pro- ceedings in the neiglibourhood of Manilla one year previous to his death, will be found in our first volume, at p. 584, et seq. A monument to his memory was subseciucutly erected at Calcutta, by order of the Honorable Court of Directors. * See Captain SamVei. RoBiinTs. ii 248 J POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. Lieutenant of the LowestoiTe frigate, at the capture of la Minerve, June 24, 1795 * ; and subsequently command- ed the Fairy of 18 guns, in which vessel he sunk a French lugger off Boulogne, Oct. 5, 1797 ; and captured a Span- ish privateer of 8 guns and 55 men, in the Channel, Jan. 11, 1799. On the 4th February 1800, the Seaflowet, a small brig of war, commanded by a Lieutenant, was chased into St. Au- byn's bay, Jersey, by la Pallas, a French frigate of 46 guns and 380 men. Captain Horton was then dining with Captain d'Auvergne, Prince of Bouillon, the senior officer on that station j and, with Captain Henry Bazely, of the Harpy, a brig mounting sixteen 32-pr. carronades and two long sixes, immediately volunteered to go out and fight the enemy. Their handsome offer being accepted by the Prince, those officers weighed at 6 A. M. on the following day, and before noon discovered the object of their pursuit near St. Maloes, but so close in shore as to preclude the possibility of bringing her to action without having recourse to stratagem. They therefore tacked for the purpose of decoying her out from under the land ; a manoeuvre which had the desired effect, as the enemy soon after made sail in chase of them. At one P. M., la Pallas having arrived within pistol-shot of the British sloops, a warm action commenced, and continued till a quarter before three, when she hauled off and made all sail from them. The Fairy and Harpy were by this time much cut up in their riggingj which was no sooner repaired than they crowded sail after her. At four o'clock, a British Squadron, consisting of the Loire frigate, Danae, a 20-gun ship, and Railleur sloop of war, hove in sight from the Fairy's mast head ; about 1 1" 30', Captain Newman of the Loire, succeeded in bringing the enemy to action, in which he was afterwards joined by the Railleur, Harpy, and Fairy ; and la Pallas being thus surrounded, was at length compelled to surrender, after a gallant defence of three hours. The loss sustained by the Fairy in those actions, amounted to 4 men killed and 9, including^ her commander, wounded. The total loss on the part of the British, who were for some time ex- * See p. 86. posT-cAprAiNs OK 18(X). 249 posed to tlie fire of a battery on one of the Seven Islands, was 10 slain and 36 wounded. Captain Newman, in his official letter to the Admiralty respecting this capture, acknowledged himself indebted to Captains Horton and Bazelyj for the exertions they used to come up with la Pallas, but took no notice of their having shaded in the night action 5 and since his unfortunate death *, an officer of the Loire has even gone so fur as to deny their having done so; although it is a notorious fact, that the Harpy in particular, was of great assistance in subduing the enemy's ship, by laying on her quarter, and during the last fifteen minutes of the combat, pouring in a most destructive fire from her heavy cafronades. The Fairy, we believe, owing to her dull sailing, was not able to do more than ex- change a few broadsidea with la Ppllas, v. bcii passing on op- posite tacks f . Captain Hortoi A:; spirited conduct, however, first, in volunteering to seek an e i>joant(r with a ship of such superior force to the small vessels under his command ; secondly^ in attacking la Pallas, und I'isily, in renewing the chase for the purpose of brJagiiig hei* again to action, added to the skill with which r;e dire»'tfrd the mauoe'ivres of th« Fairy and Hat-py, in oider t j axi the euenr/iy off iVov/; the iand, sufficiently established his charaiiiev a« h zealous, briive, and skilful officer, and fully entitlr.d him to the promotion which. he soon after obtained. His poft coramissicu beari date Feb. 18, 1800 |. ■«' , * Captain Newman perished in the Htro 7^, wi'Ji all his cniv, durir.g the disastrous winter of 1811. t The Fairy was a ship-sloop, and mounted sixteen )ov,g" 5's :>n lier main-deck, and two carronades, 24-pound»rs, on the <^uarter-dei k. I Captain Newman's silence is thus accounted fir hy a gentleman who enjoyed his friendship (in a note to tLe author) : " With regard to the little controvtjrsy curried on respectiu,^ tb?; sLar'^, of the Faik-y and Harpy in ac- tion with the Pallas, and the complaiut, ihat (Jap<;ain Newman of the Loire, did not mention it m lis despatches, I can state most clearly and positively, from Captaia Newman's own relation to me, that his only rea- son for not speakr.g .;f that event was, that he saw nothing of it, and could kr,<}w noi/iiij >fit, but from Captains Horton and Bazely : the for- mer cf whoai, on coming on board of the Loire after the action, instead of requesting Captain Newman to detail the occurrence for him, expressly said that he should forward his own statement : in consequence of which, « Ik 1. ! 250 rOST-CAlTAINd OF 1800. The following is a copy of the Prince of Bouillon's letter to the Admiralty, enclosing Captain Horton's report of his proceedings up to nine P. M. on the 5th Feb., at which hour he hailed the Loire, and pointed out the enemy, then about one and a half gun-shot distant : " N. M. S. Bravo, Jersey, Feb. 14, 1800. " Sir. — I have a very lively satisfaction in transmittiiis^, for their Lord- ships' iufurmation. Captain Horton's report to mo, of the address with which he enticed the republican frigate la Pallas from the protection of her own shore, and the gallantry with which he uiul Captahi Bazely, in the Harpy, and their officers and crews, sustained and persevered in the un- equal contest with bo superior a force. The distinguished conduct of those officers needs no comuient from mc to be acceptable to their Lordships ; but it is a duty that I fill with pleasure, to state, that they sailed from here well informed of the woight untl force of the frigate, and apprised of her destination, with the sanguine hopes of meeting her, and the firm reso- lution of exerting their utmost to produce the fortunate result that, I un- tlerstand^ succeeded, in that fine new frigate having been conducted to an English port. I have the honor to i)e, &c. ftc. (Signed) " P. D'Auvewine, Prince of BouiUmt." " To Evan A'apean, Es^." Captain Horton commanded several ships during the late war; but does not appear to have had any opportunity t\f- forded him of adding to his well-earne ! i I I ' [ > I II I near enough to hear, " Nc tirez pas encore. Messieurs, nous sommes avoits ;^* and that when Captain Bazely paid his res- pects to Captain Newman on board the Loire, that officer expressed himself much indebted to the Fairy and Harpy for driving the enemy down to him *. Captain Bazely's next appointment was to the Antelope of 50 guns ; in which ship he continued during the absence of Sir W. Sidney Smith, from May till Nov. 1804. In Aug. 1805, he obtained the permament command of that vessel, and shortly after hoisted the broad pendant of Commodore Smith, off Boulogne. From December foUowitig till Nov. 1807, the Antelope Was employed as a private ship, cruising off the Texel, escorting the East India trade to and from St. Helena, and conveying the Earl of Caledon and his suite to the Cape of Good Hope. At the latter date, Captain Bazely's health had become so much impaired in consequence of the injury he sustained in the action with la Pallas, as to render it necessary for him to resign the Antelope. He therefore came on shore, and during the ensuing three years, regulated the Impress ser- vice between Margate and Folkestone. On the 9th May 1814, he was appointed to the Bombay 74 j in which ship, after bringing the British garrison from Madeira to England, and for some time carrying on the port duty in the Downs, we find him cruising off the Western Islands in the spring of 1815. He subsequently accompanied Lord Exmouth to the Mediterranean ; and in August following, conveyed the Queen of Sardinia and three Princesses, with their attendants, from Cagliari to Genoa. For this service her Majesty presented • The ainliiifuous terms in which Cupttiin Ncvvinnn's letter to the A(U iiiiralty WHS penned, operated very much Ufi;»inst the interests of Captain Bazely ; hut at length, throu^'h the pruiae-worthy exertions of Captain Hortun, who laid u copy of the Tuiry's lujf hefore the Admiralty, and anii>ly stated what liis superior had uiuitled, Enrl ISpenoer became fully satisfied that the liurpy's commnnder had, hy his meritorious exertions, entitled himself to promotion, and accordinjrly siirucd a commission, ad- vancing hiiu to the rank of Posl-Caplain, April 8, 1800. We may here be permitted to add, tliat the French Captain was conveyed to the lioire by Lieutenuul Waisoii of the Hurpy — a convincing proof, if one were wanting, that " the little black bri^ " could not have been nt too great u diiitance from lu I'alla^, to uittiiiit in hubduiujii her. nous POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 253 him with a gold snuff box, having the initials M. T. set in diamonds on the lid. At the commencement of 1816, the flag of Sir Charles V. Penrose was hoisted on board the Bombay ; and Captain Bazely afterwards proceeded with the squadron under Lord Exmouth to Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers, for the purpose of obtaining the liberation of those Europeans who were then in the power of the Barl'iuy States. His Lordship, on this occasion, succeeded in i biasing 1792 persons from their chains. Previous to Captain Bazely's return fromthe Mediterranean, he received the Grand Cross of the order of St. Maurice, and St, Lazarus ; and was presented with a miniature of the King and Queen of Sardinia. The Bombay was paid off at Ports- mouth in July 1816. Captain Bazely married, first, in 17i^> Miss Stringer of Canterbury, Kent ; seccmd. Miss Ruddle, of Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, London. He has six children living. Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. 1 I from EDWARD BRACE, Esq. A Companion of the most Honorahlc MHitari/ Ordi'r of the Bath ; and a Knight of the Royal Ordcn of Charles III. of Spain ; St. Maurice and St- Latarus, of Sardinia ; and JVilhelm of the Netherlands. This officer is a son of Francis Brace, of Stagbatch, co. Hereford, Esq. He entered the navy M'hen extremely young, about the year 1781 ; and after visiting the West Indies, where he served under Captains Macbride and Pakenham, proceeded with Commodore Cornwallis, in the Crown of 64 guns, to the East India station ; from whence he retumed as a Lieutenant of the Ariel sUwp, in the autumn of 179-, after an absence of nearly four years. On the 13th May, 1793, the Iris, a SlJ-gun frigate, to which Mr. Brace had previously been appointed, fell in with, and en- gaged a French ship of superior force ; but owing to the loss of her fore and mizcn-lower-masts, and main-top-mast, had Ihe mortification to see the enemy escape. The Iris on this occasion had 5 men killed and about 30 wounded. At i 'a'I h m 'I * 1254 POST-CAPtAINS OF 1800. Mr. Brace subsequently removed with Captain Lumsdaitie into the Polyphemus 64 ; and was first Lieutenant of that ship at the capture of la Tortue of 44 guns, having on board a considerable number of troops, Jan. 5, 1797- In the en- suing summer we find him commanding the Kangaroo of 18 guns on the Irish station ; where he rendered essential ser- vice to the country, by beating out of Cork harbour during a heavy gale of wind, and conveying information to the different cruisers on the coast, of M. Bompard's approach with a for- midable Frencli squadron, wliich was consequently encoun- tered and defeated by Sir John Borlase Warren, on the 12th Oct. 1798 *. We have already shewn in what manner seven of M. Bom- pard's ships were disposed off ; and alluded to the drubbing which one of them received from an Englisii frigate of far inferior force, previous to her capture : but havhig omitted to notice the zeal and gallantry displayed by Captain Brace on that occasion, we gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity to do so, taking Captain Newman's official letter as our guide. At eight A. M. on the 15th Oct. that officer, in the Mer- maid, mounting twenty- six long 12-pounders, six long 6's, a.id eight 24-pr. carrona'ljs, with a complement of 208 men, being on his way towards Black Cod Bay, in company with the Revolutionnaire frigate, and Kangaroo brig, fell in with and pursued two of Bompard's squadron, retreating from the scene of their late disaster. Having gained considerably on the fugitives before sun-set, Captain Newman was in hopes of bringing them to action that night, and made the signal to prepare accordingly. At the commencement of the chase, the Frenchmen kept their wind ; but towards (he evening, were right before it with all sail set. They then spoke and hauled from each other, which necessarily separated the Bri- tish frigates, Captain Twysden in the Revolutionnaire, and Captain Newman, each pursuing one ; the latter officer was • See Vol. F. p. 171. t See Vol. I. pp. 171, 452, 493, ixiul 636. The other two frigates, a schooner, and a brig, effected their escape. Napper Tandy, a celebrated Irish rebel, ^vns supposed to have been on board the latter vessel. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. !255 followed, though iit a great distance astem, by his friend Captain Brace. The weather being very thick and squally, Captain New- man lost sight of the Revolutionnaire at 7 P. M., and shortly after of his chase. He then hauled to the wind, and was soon joined by the Kangaroo. On the following morning, he again fell in with one of the enemy's ships, and lost no time in making sail after her. *•' At 3 P. M. the Kangaroo came ^ip with, and engaged the enemy, in a most gallant manner ; hut unfortunately her fore-lop-mast zvas shot away by the enemy's stern-chasers, and Captain Brace was rendered in- capable of pursuit *." Captain Newman continued the chase during the night ; and at day-light on the 17th, per- ceived the Frenchman preparing to give him battle, as no other vessel was in sight. Despising his superiority both in guns and men, the British commander ran alongside, and com- menced a warm action, which lasted from 6** 45' till 9^ 30 A. M. ; when the Mermaid, having lost her mizen-mast and main-top-mast, and being in other respects so much da- maged as to be a mere wreck, was compellrd to haul off, and her opponent thus obtainc;! a few hours' respite from her des- tined fate f. The Anson, a cut down 04, mounting 46 guns, and com- manded by Captain Philip Charles D' 'ham, having lost her mizen-mast, and main-lower and to^j-sail-yards, during the chase of M. Bompard's squadron, and received very consi- derable damage in her other masts, yards, sails, and rigging, whilst engaged with five of the French frigates on the 12th Oct., had parted from her consorts durhig a gale of wind ; and in this situation, with 15 of her officers and men wounded, 4 of the latter mortally, and her complement still further re- duced by the absence of otlicrs in a re-captured vessel |, on the morning of the 18th she discovered a large frigate to .!' II I 1 i * See Captain Ne^rman's letter to Vice-Admiral Kiugsmill, in the Nav. Chron. vol. iii. p. 43. t For a memoir of Captain Newinan, nee Nav. Chron. vol. xxz. p. 361, et neg. At pp. 369 and 3/0, will be found a full account ofhia action with lu Loire, and the very distressed state in which his little frigate reached Lotigh Swilly. X Sec Nav. Chron. vol. Ui. note f at p. 396. 256 POST-CAI»TAINS OF 1800. I M leeward, without her fore and main-top-masts. This wa» the ship that had escaped from the Mermaid and Kangaroo, and one of those which the Anson had engaged on the 12th. On the preceding night (17th), the Anson and Kangaroo joined company ; and Captain Durham, thinking the latter's services might be useful in the Anson's disabled state, or- dered Captain Brace to remaui with him. The Kangaroo, since her late disaster had, with creditable alacrity, replaced her fore-top-mast ; and, as soon as her old antagonist was dis covered, got vp her top-gallant-masts, and made sail i.i chase. The Anson, being far to leeward of the Kangaroo, was, of course, first up with the enemy ; and, at about 10'' 30' A. M., a spirited action took place between the two ships. At ll*" 45', the Kangaroo came up under a press of sail, and re- ceived a shot from the Frenchman, accompanied by several vollies of musketry. To this salute. Captain Brace imme- diately replied by a broadside ; and shortly after, the enemy's mizen-mast fell. Already reduced to a defenceless state by the Anson's powerful fire, she then surrendered, and was taken possession of by a boat from the Kangaroo. The prize proved to be la Loire, of twenty-eight long 1 8- pounders, twelve long French S's, and six brass 24-pr. car- ronades. At the commencement of her first action (on the 12th), she had on board 664 men, including troops ; 48 of whom were killed and 75 wounded, between that day and her capture. The Anson, in this last affair, had 2 men killed and 14 wounded. The Kangaroo, whose force was sixteen 32- pr. carronades and two long 6*8, with a complement of 120 men, escaped without any loss, Captain Brace took la Loire in tow, and proceeded with her to Plymouth. In Feb. 1800, the Kangaroo captured le Telegraph, French brig privateer, of 14 guns and 78 men j and re-captured ap American ship and two British merchantmen. On the 25th of the same month, she fell in with le Grand Decide, a pri- vateer, carrying eighteen brass 12-pounders and 150 men ; the action which ensued, was fought in good style at close quarters, and lasted upwards of fifty minutes, when the enemy hauled off j and, although every exertion was made by Cap- tain Brace to renew the engagement, succeeded in effecting POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 257 her escape. The Kangaroo at this time had 44 officers and men absent in prizes, 6 unable to attend their quarters, and 4 employed below guarding her numerous prisoners ; of the remainder, only 6 men were wounded. Captain Brace was advanced to post-rank, April 22, 1800 ; and in the following year, commanded the Neptune, a second rate, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Gambler, with whom he afterwards served in the Isis of 50 guns, on the Newfound- land station. His next appointment was in 1803, to be Flag- Captain to his old commander and friend, the late Hon. Sir William Comwallis, in the Dreadnought of 98 guns, on Chan- nel service. We subsequently find him commanding in suc- cession the Camilla, a 20-gun ship ; the Civstor and Iris fri- gates, rated at 32 guns ; and la Virginie, mounting 46 guns, witli a complement of 281 men *. La Virginie was employed on the Irish station about four years and a half; during which period Captain Brace cap- tured the Guelderland, a Dutch frigate of 36 guns and 280 men, including 23 passengers ; and two Spanish privateers, each mounting 14 guns. He also re-captured three British West Indiamen, and several other merchant vessels. The Guelderland was taken on the western coast of Ireland, May 19, 1808, after a gallant defence of an hour and a half, in a night action, during which she had all her masts shot away by the board, 25 men killed, and 40 severely wounded. La Virginie had only 1 man killed and 2 wounded. Vice- Admiral Whitshed, when transmitting Captain Brace's report of the action to the Secretary of the Admiralty, expressed himself as follows : " The gallantry and officer-like manner in which thiti service ha> been performed, is as strongly exemplified in the modest terms iii which it is related, as by the resnlt ; and affords an additional proof amongst many, of what may be effected by that order and discipline which I have observed to be so well maintained on board la Virginie." La Virginie was paid oflF in March 1810; and Captain Brace remained without any other appointment till about October following, when he was appointed to the St. Alban's of 64 guns. In tiiat ship he was employed on the Cadiz sta- * The Ctutur wus stationed us a temporary giiard-sliip nt Liverpool ; the other three were employed as cruisers. VOL. II. S i 258 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1800. tion, under Sir Richard G. Keats, who entnisted him with the command of a squadron sent to convey Lieutenant-General Graham (now Lord Lynedoch) and his troops to Tariffa, for the purpose of co-operating with the Spanish General La Penas, in an attack upon the rear of the French besieging army. It being found impracticable to effect a landing any where between Cape Trafalgar and Tariffa, Captain Brace proceedeil to Algeziras, where the troops were disembarked under his personal superintendence. From thence the Lieutenant-Ge- neral immediately marched for Tariffa, to which place the* artillery, provisions, stores, &c. of his little army were con- veyed in boats, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, by the indefatigable exertions of the navy. Tin; famous battleofBarrossa followed ; and the assistance afforded by Captain Brace to the combined armies, was most hand- somely mentioned in the naval and military despatches res- pecting that truly glorious event *. Towards the latter end of 1811, Captain Brace removed into the Berwick of 74 guns, which ship he commanded on the Mediterranean station during the remainder of the war. A gallant exploit was performed May 16, 1813, by a de- tachment from the Berwick and Euryalus, under the direction of Mr. Henry Johnston Sweedland, fust Lieutenant of the former ship. Upwards of twenty vessels collected in Cavji- larie bay, to the eastward of Toulon, under the protection of several land batteries, and la Fortune, u French national xebec mounting ten long 9-pounders and 4 swivels, with a complement of 95 men, were either brought out or destroyed, and the batteries taken in a period of time astonishingly short, the assailants sustaining no greater loss than 1 marine killed, and an ordinary seaman missing. The attack was ably planned ; and Lieutenant Swcedltmd curried it into execution with that calm intrepidity which, while it leaves an enemy nothhig to hope from protracted resistance, foresees and pro- vides all that is requisite to ensure success. * 'J'lio Britiali and Spanish armies formed a junction atTariffa, Feb 28, 1 8 1 1 , and five days afterwards obtained a most brilliant victory over two divisions of Alarsiial Victor's army. The loss of the French, who left be- hind them two generals, an eagle, and six pieces of cannon, was computed nt 3,000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners ; on the side of the allies, the loss was stated at 1/243 in slain and wounded. POST-CAI'TAINS OF 18(X). 251) : I In December following, the boats of the Berwick made unigltt attack on Fort Negaye, near Frejus, for the purpose of cap- turing a number of merchantmen lying under its protection. Lieutenant Sweedland, who likewise commanded upon this oc- casion, nothing daunted by the unexpected appearance of two French national schooners in the bay, gallantly pushed on, carried one of the latter and the fort, and obliged the enemy to scuttle the coasting vessels. The second schooner, how- ever, found means to repel the divided force which assailed her, and Lieutenant Sweedland, Mr. James B. Hawkins Whitshed, Midshipman, and several seamen were killed, be- sides others wounded. The sailors in the fort no' v turned some field-pieces on this vessel, and damaged her so much, that she was finally scuttled by the enemy *. Captain Brace's services during the operations which led to the surrender of Genoa and its dependencies in April 1814, were duly acknowledged by Sir Josias Rowley, who com- manded the squadron employed on that occasion, in conjunc- tion with the British army under Lord William Bentinck. After the reduction of that fortress, he acted as naval Com- missioner on shore, until the arsenal was finally cleared of its valuable contents. He then returned to England, refitted his ship, and was again ordered to the Mediterranean. Dur- ing the war with Murat, occasioned by that chieftain's se- cession from the cause of the allied powers, the Berwick was employed under the orders of Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Fahie, at the siege of Gaeta f ; on which service Captain Brace was the second in command. On his arrival in England, about June or July 1816, all warfare between the European powers being at an end, and his »' ■ * Lieutenant: Sweedland was the eldest son of Sir C. Sweedland, of St. Helen's Place, London ; and it may with truth be said, that, by his pre- mature death, the navy lost one of its ornaments, his country a real pa- triot, his King a most loyal subject, and his disconsolate family a source of joy. IMr. Whitshed was the eldest son of the present Admiral of that uame ; he served under Lieutenant Sweedland in the affair at Cavalarie, and by his conduct us a youth, he gave high promise of possessing those virtues 80 eminently conspicuous in the officer whose fate he shared. His last words were, " Carrt/ her if you can .- / nm no wore" t Sco Vol. L p. 7 IS. s 2 260 POST-CAPTAINS OP 180(). h health much impaired by long and anxious services, Captain Brace was recommended to seek benefit from retirement, and the pleasures of social and family intercourse at home. The dispute with the Dey of Algiers, however, occurring about this time, he was induced to comply with the express wishes of Viscount Melville and Lord Exmouth; and without any interval of repose, assumed the command of the Impregnable, a 3-decker, which was to form one of the squadron appointed to visit that piratical tyrant, under the orders of the last named nobleman. When the ships arrived at Gibraltar, Rear- Admiral Milne, who had been appointed to the com- mand at Halifax, but allowed, at his own particular request, to accompany the expedition, hoisted his flag on board the Impregnable, as second in command of the squadron. During the tremendous battle of Aug. 27th, the Impreg- nable was hulled by two hundred and thirty-three shot, none less than a 24-pounder, about twenty of which passed between wind and water. She however not only maintained her pe- rilous situation about three hundred and fifty yards from a fortification of three tiers, containing 66 guns, flanked by four other works of two tiers each, in which were mounted 60 pieces of cannon, and a redoubt of 4 guns, but succeeded, with the aid of an explosion vessel, in destroying the strong- est of all the Algerines* batteries. She expended no less than 6,730 round shot, and 28,800 pounds of powder. Her killed and wounded amounted to rather more than one-fourth pint of the total loss sustained by Lord Exmouth's fleet * ; and her masts, yards, sails, and rigging, were much cut up. Captain Brace himself, was slightly wounded in two places ; but as he did not allow his name to be included in the re- port, we suppose it was not his wish to make a longer list than he could possibly avoid, of the casualties on board his ship. The names of Rear-Admiral Milne, and one or two other officers who received wounds, were probably withheld, through the same motive. Such acts of modesty are truly praiseworthy, and should always be recorded. After the battle, Rear-Admiral Milne removed into his proper flag-ship, the Leander of 60 guns, and proceeded with • See Vol. I. pp. 227 and 682. i POBT-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 261 the commander-in-chief's despatches to England ; but owing to adverse winds, the duplicates brought overland by Capt^dn James Brisbane, of the Queen Charlotte, were received at the Admiralty several days before the Rear-Admiral arrived in England. Captain Brace having been nominated a Companion of the Bath in 1815, could not, consistently with the regulations of that Order, receive any personal mark of distinction from his own government, for this most hazardous but brilliant ser- it having some time previously been determined, not vice to confer the insignia of a Knight Commander on any other than Flag-Officers in the navy, and General Officers in the army. He however received the Orders of Wilhelm of the Netherlands, and St. Maurice and St. Lazarus of Sardinia, for the skill and valour he had displayed at Algiers ; and that of Charles III. of Spain, for his services at Cadiz in 1811. On the 1st Aug. 1821, Captain Brace was appointed to the Ramillies 74, stationed at Portsmouth ; and on the 31 st May, 1823, to the Ganges of 84 guns; in which ship he is now absent on foreign service, with the Superb 78 under his orders. It will thus appear that, during the long period of 43 years, this officer has been in almost constant employ, on various stations and services ; his intervals of living on shore out of commission, being very few and very short. One of Captain Brace's sisters married the late Captain Newman, of whom we have spoken in the course of this memoir; another is the lady of Rear-Admiral Poyntz. Two of his nephews are also in the navy, viz. Herbert Brace Powell, Esq., a Post- Captain, and Francis Brace, Esq., a Commander. The names and services of those officers will appear in their proper places. Agents. — Messrs. Atkins and Son. SIR JAHLEEL BRENTON, Bart. Kni if ht Commander of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath : and a Knight Grand Cross of the Netipolitan Order of St. Ferdinand «nd of Merit. This officer is a son of the late Rear-Admiral Jahleel Bren- 'ii 'V, 262 POBT-CAPTAINS OF 1800. ton, by Henrietta, daughter of Joseph Cowley, Esq., of Wol- verhampton, in Staffordshire (by Penelope, daughter and heiress of Edward Pelham, Esq.) . He was born Aug. 22, 1770; received his education at the maritime school at Chelsea ; and obtained the rank of Lieu- tenant in 1790*. At the commencement of the French revo- lutionary war, we find him commanding the Trepassey of 12 guns, on the Newfoundland station ; and subsequently serv- ing as a Lieutenant of the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral Waldegrave (now Lord Radstock), in which ship he assisted at the defeat of the Spanish fleet, under Don Josef de Cordova, off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797 t. Towards the close of 1798, or early in 1799, Lieutenant Brenton was promoted to the command of the Speedy, a brig mounting fourteen 4-pounders, with a complement of 60 men. On the 9th Aug. in the latter year, he chased three of the enemy's armed vessels into a small bay, near Cape de Gatt, where they moored in a close line, within a boat's length of the beach. The Speedy engaged them an hour and three quarters under sail, before she could gain soundings, although not more than a cable's length distant from the rocks ; but finding the enemy had much the advantage, from her constant change of position, Captain Brenton determined to push for an anchorage, and was fortunate enough to gain one within pistol shot of the centre vessel. A warm action now took place, and lasted about three quarters of an hour ; at the end of which time the enemy took to their boats, leaving the ves- sels to their fate. The prizes were taken possession of under a heavy fire of musketry from the surrounding hills, and 2 Spaniards found dead on their decks : the wounded were carried off by their companions. They mounted in the whole 22 guns, 6 and 9-pounders. The Defender, a privateer belonging to Gibraltar, was in company with the Speedy at the commencement of this very creditable affair ; but having * Previous to this promotion, Mr. Brenton had served as a Lieutenant in the Swedish navy, and bore a part in the desperate battle between the Russians and Swedes, in the gulf of Wibourg. See Vol. I. note §, at p. t See Vol. I. pp. 21 and 61. l'OST-{'Al»TAlNS OF 18(H). 'i(« only 22 men on board, was oblit,'C(l to stand out for tlie p\ir- pose of procurincf assistance from a boat sbe liad in the of- finsr, and could not reach the anchorasje till the conclusion of the action. She had 1 man wounded, the Speedy 2 ; but neither of them dangerously. ' On the 3d Oct. following, whilst running through the (lut of Gibraltar, in sight of a Ikitish convoy, Captain Brcnton observed a number of small vessels coming out of Alge/iras ; and concluding they were Spanish gun-boats endeavouring to cut off some of tiie mercluuitmen, steered for them in order to defeat their purpose. He soon after perceived they were coasting vessels, eight in number, under the protection of an arine nctidii of till' (itii July, the (Jaisiir had 9 ijkmi killed, l?r> wnuiidod, und H inissiiiflf. The latter lire supposed to have liceii taken prisoners when usdistui}; the Iliinnihal. " When, in the hottest part ot the uction, the. Ciesar lirokc her sheer, and could not jfet her guns to hear on the enemy. Captain Brenton ordered a cutter to he U>wered down from the stem, lu convey a warp to the Audaciou.* ; but the boat wa.s fuun our officer, then comniaiuling the Diligence of 16 guns, on the Jamaica station, fell in with, and after an action of forty-five minutes, captured la Nativctas, a Spanish ship of 500 tons, 16 guns, and 60 men. He subse- quently assisted at the capture of a Spanish armed packet. His post commission bears date May 2, 1800 i and he con- tinued to serve in the West Indies, commanding successively the Abergavenny of 54 guns, Thunderer, a third rate, and Quebec frigate, until the conclusion of the war. He arrived at Plymouth in the Nereide of 36 guns, and was paid off in Sept. 1802. Early in 1805, Captain Mends was appointed to the Sea Fencible service in Irehuul ; and about Sept. 1808, to the Arethusa frigate. On the 26th Nov. following, he captured the General Ernouf, a French privateer of 16 guns and 58 mf n. In the following year, we find him co-operating with the Spanii^h patriots. On the 15th March 1809, a party of seamen and marines i>elonging to the Arethusa, were londed under the command of Lieutenant Hugh Pearson, ar.d destroyed upwards of twenty heavy guns, mounted on the batteries at Lequito, defended by a detachment of French soldiers, 21 of whom were made prisoners, the rest escaped. The British had only 3 men wounded. A small vessel, laden witli brandy, was fimnd in th(* Ii rbour and brought away. Captain Mends having received iuformation of two other vessels being up the river Andero, laden with brandy for the French army in Spain, the same party landed in the evening of the following day, and finding them aground about four miles up, destroyed their cargoes, and delivered the vessels f See Hants Telegraph, Jan. 1!>, 1824, p. 2, col. 3. •i: jj m I'OST-CAPTAIXS OF 1800. to their proper o^vners, from whom they had been forcibly taken. On the 20th, a party under Lieutenant Elms Steele, des- troyed the gims at Baignio, and captured a vessel laden with merino wool ; whilst Lieutenant Fennel of the royal marines, accompanied by Mr. Elliott, the Purser, and a boat's crew, ascended the mountain and destroyed the signal-posts. The same evening, Lieutenant Pearson took possession of the batteries of the town of Paisance without opposition, and destroyed the guns ; the small parties of the enemy stationed at these places, retiring as the British advanced. On the 6th April, 1809, the Arethusa joined the Amethyst, just as the latter had silenced the fire of a l:u*ge French fri- gate, which soon after surrendered : an account of this cap- ture will be found in our memoir of Sir Michael Seymour, Bart., who commanded the Aaicthyst on that occasion. Whilst proceeding to attack the enemy's ship, a block struck Captain Mends on the back of his head, knocked him down, and for a short time deprived him of his senses. The effects of this blow he felt and complained of during the remainder of his life *. Captain Mends was afterwards entrusted with the comnumd of a s(juadron stationed on the north coast of Spain. On the 24th June, 1810, after a consultation with the Junta of As- turias, he consented to embark the Spanish Brigadier-Gene- ral Porlier, and 500 of his soldiers, with the intention of beat- ing up the enemy's quarters along the coasts of Canta- bria and Biscay. The result of this expedition was the des- truction of all the batteries (with the exception of Castro) from St. Sebastian to St. Andero, on which were found altoge- ther about 100 pieces of heavy cannon ; a loss to the ene- my of more than 200 men ; and an addition of nearly 300 volunteers to Porlicr's little army. Communications were also opened with the patriots in the interior, and that part of the sea-coast now laid entirely bare of defence ; the zealous attachment of the inhabitants to the independence of their country, was ascertained ; and two good anchorages for the scjuadron in westerly gales were secured, until the French could re-mount heavy cannon on the various eminences near • Sec I {ants TcU•^^•Ul)ll, Jan. 11^ 1821. il ^L. /^^ C,/J>*- ^■X/^^^e-rC^ POST CAPTAINS OF 1800. '^269*^'^ ^'^^ 10 men killed, and 22 wounded; among the latter was Mrr^ ^6, t'l scij, I 2 »■ ■• 1 ; ■ * r \ \ '!• i: I ■■ 1 fl ' 1 i\ • 276 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. On the 3d Feb. 1799, Lieutenant Austen was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Peterel sloop of war at Gibral- tar. In this vessel he was employed affording protection to the Mediterranean trade, carrying despatches, and occasion- ally cruising amongst the Balearic islands, on the coast of Catalonia, and in the gulfs of Lyons and Genoa, where he Captured and destroyed upwards of forty vessels of various descriptions. Whilst performing these services, the Peterel was repeatedly exposed to a heavy fire from the enemies' batteries ; and on one occasion had her first Lieutenant mor- tally wounded *. He also assisted at the capture of a French squadron returning from Egypt, in July 1799 f. On the 21st March, 1800, Captain Austen, whilst cruising near Marseilles, under the orders of Captain Oliver, of the Mermaid frigate, fell in with and attacked three French na- tional vessels, two of which, le Cerf, a ship mounting fourteen 6-pounders, and le Joilliet, a xebec of 6 guns, were driven on the rocks, where the former was totally wrecked ; the third, la Ligurienne, a brig of fourteen brass 6-pounders, two 36-pr. howitzers, of the same metal, and 104 men, was obliged to surrender, after a running fight of about an hour and a half ; during which the Peterel was never more than a cable's length from the shore, and frequently not half that distance. This service was performed under a heavy fire from a battery of four 24-pounders ; and fortunately, without the loss of a man on our side. La Ligurienne had her commander and 1 man killed, a midshipman and 1 seaman wounded. Captain Oliver was in sight to leeward, but out of gun-shot ; the following is an extract from his official letter to Lord Keith : " At one time the PetereVs stem touched a rock, where she stopped * The officer alluded to was Lieutenant Brenton, brother of the present Captuns Sir Jahlccl and Edward Pelhatn Brenton. He was unfortunately shot through the breast in a tluring atteutpt to capture an armed vessel near Barcelona, see p. 270. t The French squadron consisted of three frif^ates and two brigs, whose names appear in Vol. I. at p. 267. They were first discovered and chased by the fleet under Lord Keith; but only four 74'a, five frigates, and the Peterel, were present at their capture. Since we published Admiral Mark- ham's memoir, we have been credibly informed that that officer was fortui.. tously the senior present : he had not been entrusted with the command of a squadron. . , , r- POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 277 for a few minutes. It is impossible for me to express in terms strong enough, the gallant conduct of Captain Austeny his officers^ and ship's company j on this occasionf in a contest against so superior a force *." The Peterel was subsequently employed blockading Genoa, and stationed for a considerable time as the advanced ship of Lord Keith's squadron, with directions never to be more than three miles distant from the mole-head, whether by day or night. The manner in which those orders were obeyed may be inferred from the circumstance of her having been twice fired at by the British gun-boats ; their officers imagin- ing, from her closeness to the shore, that she was an enemy's vessel attempthig to enter the poit. It is almost superfluous to add, that Captain Austen received the Admiral's thanks for his zeal and diligence in so arduous and anxious a si- tuation. After the surrender of Genoa, in June 1800 1> Captain Austen was sent to join Sir W, Sidney Smith on the coast of Egypt. In Aug. following, he rendered an important service to the allied forces, by preventing the French from landing tlie ordnance of a Turkish 80-gun ship, which had grounded on a reef between Aboukir Castle and Bequiere island. Indjee Bey, her commander, with part of his crew, surren- dered to the enemy ; the remainder escaped to two Ottoman corvettes, and refused to give the English sloop any assistance, saying they had saved their clothes, and that they could not think of exposing themselves to the fire of the Frenchmen, who had obtained possession of their ship, and were removing her guns into some djerms at the time Captain Austen arrived to their aid. The Peterel anchored within gun-shot, com- pelled the enemy, about 300 in number, to abandon their intention, and succeeded in setting fire to the ship ; by which * Accurding U) James, the Peterel mounted liixteen long G-pounders, und eight 12-pr. curronades, with a couipleincnt of 120 men. Captuia Austen, in his report of the action, noticed the previous capture of two vesseU ludeu with wheat, which had sailed from Cette that morning under protection of le Cerf and her consorts ; and the absence of his first Lieu- tenant, gunner, and 30 men, in prizes. He also described la Ligurienne ai ■a very fine brig, built on a peculiar plan, being fastened throughout with screw bolts, so as to be taken to [neccs and set up again with ease. t See Voi; I. p. 63. ' ) m ',: I 'I M ' t ll V\ M Hi ! 1 . ' H'ii i' W* I t.' :a Hi' 278 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. she was soon consumed to the water's edge. For his conduct on thiG occasion, our officer was presented by the Capitan Pacha, with a rich sabre and pelisse. On the 20th Oct. in the same year, he received the first intelligence of his pro- motion to post rank, for his action off Marseilles, from Cap- tain Inglis, by whom he was succeeded in the command of the Peterel at Rhodes. His commission bears date May 13, 1800. On his return to England, in the spring of 1801, Captain Austen found his friend Vice-Admiral Gambler was about to assume a command in the Channel fleet, and had applied for him to be appointed his Captain in the Neptune of 98 guns *. Circumstances, not necessary to be detailed here, prevented him joining that ship till September following j from which period he continued to command her till Oct. 1802, when he was superseded by Captain Drury, and at the same time declined the offer of a frigate made him by Earl St. Vin- cent f. At the renewal of hostilities in 1803, Captain Austen was appointed to embody and command a corps of Sea Fencibles at Ramsgate, where he remained ten months. In May 1804, he received a commission for the Leopard, a 50.gun ship, beariqg the flag of Rear- Admiral Louis, with whom he served during the remainder of that year, off Boulogne j and afterwards removed into the Canopus of 80 guns, on the Me- diterranean station ; the Rear- Admiral having been sent thither at the particular request of Lord Nelson, who in a letter to Earl Moira (now Marquis of Hastings), written about this period, makes the following mention of Captain Austen : " You may rely upon every attention in ray power to Captun Austen. I hope to see bim alongside a French 80-gun ship, and he cannot be better placed than m the Canopus, which was once a French Admiral's ship, and Htruck to me. Captain Austen I knew a little of before; he is an excellent young man." The Canopus accompanied Lord Nelson to the West Indies, * Lord Gambier and the late Sir H. Martin, Comptroller of the Navy, were Captain Austen's first naval patrons. ■t The Neptune was pud off at the peace in April 1802, and re.coin- missioned as a guard-ship at Portsmouth by Captain Austen. POST- CAPTAINS OF 1800. 2/9 ill pursuit of the combined squadrons of France and Spain, and continued under his orders till Aug. 15, 1805, the day on which his Lordship formed a junction with Admiral Corn- wallis off Ushant * ; from whence she was sent with a strong detachment under Sir Robert Calder in quest of the enemy, and having joined Vice- Admiral CoUingwood near Cadiz, re- mained at the head of the advanced squadron, watching that port till Nelson arrived from England and resumed tlie chief '.command of the Mediterranean fleet, when Rear- Admiral Louis was detached to Tetuan and Gibraltar with the Cano- pus, Spencer, Queen, Tigre, and Zealous, for the purpose of procuring supplies of water and provisions. During the ab- sence of this squadron, the combined forces put to sea, and the glorious battle of Trafalgar took place. Captain Austen was thus unfortunately deprived of the opportunity of sharing in that most brilliant victory : an event which appears to have been anticipated by the Rear- Admiral, who, when taking leave of the commander-in-chief, expressed his reluctance to go, saying, " 1 know, my Lord, the enemy will come out, you will have an action, and we shall be thrown out." " My dear Louis," replied his Lordship, " I have no other means of keeping my fleet supplied, but by sending them a few at a time to compleat, and I send you first, because I would have you with me in the day of battle ; I consider your squa- dron as my right hand : the enemy will come out, and we shall fight them, I am confident of that ; but you will be back first, — so make yourself easy : I need not tell you to make haste back." We have related the substance of the last conversation that ever took place between Nelson and Rear-Adm' i-I Louis, lest our account of the battle of Trafalgar should L .- consi- dered by others as calculated to convey a wrong impression, and one not very creditable to the latter officer. We beg leave to add, his Lordship did not detach the Canopus and her companions on a particular service f, in the common acceptation of those terms, but simply to compleat their water and provisions. This service was completed on the third day after they had passed the Streights ; imd Rear-Admiaal Louis i :j 01 • See Vol. I. note at p. 689, et seq. t Sec Vol. I. line 14 of note at p. 202 i ';:;i !■ t 280 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1800. only waited for a wind to carry him back tiirough the Gut, when a valuable convoy arrived from England, which he re- ceived orders to escort past Carthagena, where nine sail of the line were lying ready for sea. The squadron actually sailed from Gibraltar for this latter purpose, the very day M. Villeneuve quitted Cadiz. As to the open manner * in which we have stated the Rear- Admiral to have been detached, we merely alluded to the impossibility of such a squadron rciich- ing Gibraltar without being seen by the Spaniards at Alge- y-iras ; from whence notice of its arrival at the rock would of course be immediately transmitted to Cadiz. Rear-Admiral Louis was subsequently employed watching the remnant of the combined fleets, under the orders of Sir John T. Duckworth, who left his station late in November to pur^ie a French squadron, which had chased the Lark sloop of war near Madeira. Gaining no information of the enemy at that island, nor off the Canaries, Sir John was returning towards Cadiz, when at day-break on the 25th Dec, six sail of the line and a frigate were discovered about four leagues distant to the eastward. The English squadron, consisting of the Superb, Canopus, Spencer, Donegal, Powerful, and Agamemnon, two deckers, Acasta and Amethyst frigates, chased the enemy till the following day at noon, when they effected their escape j and Sir John T. Duckworth, in con- sequence of his ships having been run so far to leeward, and being in general short of water, determined, after despatching the Powerful to the Cape of Good Hope and the East Indies, and the Amethyst to England, to proceed with the remainder to Barbadoee, where he arrived on the 10th Jan. 1806 f. * See Vol. I. line 15 of note at p. 202. t Having stated in our first volume, page 345, that Sir John T. Duck- worth had been sent by Lord ColHugwood in quest of a squadron which had sailed from France to relieve St. Domingo, and that the Powerful was despatched from the Leeward Islands to the East Indies, we lose no time in correcting those errors (into which Mr. James has likewise fallen). Neither Lord Collingwood nor Sir John T. Duckworth had heard of the sailing of any such squadron so destined ; and the latter merely went to the West Indies, in consequence of the impossibility of regaining his station without previously procuring supplies. Lord Collingwood was much dis- pleased when he heard of his departure from before Cadiz. The Powerful was detached from off the Cape de Verd Isl^ds, as stated in the text above. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 281 From Carlisle Bay, Sir John T. Duckworth proceeded to St. Kitt's, where he commenced watering and refitting his ships ; intending, as he h ird nothing of an enemy in that quarter, to return as expeditiously as possible to his proper station. On the 1st Feb., however. Captain N. D. Cochrane arrived in the short space of twenty-four hours from St3 Thomas's, with intelligence of a French squadron being at St. Domingo. Sir John T. Duckworth, reinforced by Sir Alexander Cochrane with the Northumberland and Atlas 74*8, a frigate and two sloops, immediately sailed thither ; and on the 6th, attacked and defeated the enemy, capturing three sail of the line, and destroying a 3-decker and an 84-gun ship. In this action the Canopus had 8 men killed and 22 wounded. After refitting at Jamaica, she sailed in company with the Spencer, Donegal, and the prizes, for Plymouth, where she arrived at the latter end of April. For his conduct in the battle off St. Domingo, Captain Austen received a gold medal, the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, and a vase, value one hundred pounds, fi'om the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's. He left the Canopus June 22, 1806, and did not serve again till the beginning of April 1807, when he was appointed to the St. Albans of 64 guns ; in which ship he convoyed five East Indiamen to the Cape of Good Hope, from whence he returned home in company with the Lion 64, and a valuable fleet of Chinamen. In the ensuing year, we find him escorting another fleet from St. Helena to England ; and subsequently a number of transports, having on board about 2000 troops, commanded by General Anstru- ther, to the coast of Portugal, where this reinforcement was landed just in time to assist at the battle of Vimiera; after which Captain Austen superintended the embarkation of the wounded men belonging to Sir Arthur Wellesley's army, and conducted them in safety to Oporto. On his return to Spithead, he was ordered to the North Sea ; but soon after removed from that station, in consequence of his ship re- quiring to be docked. The next service he performed, was that of superintending the debarkation at Portsmouth of those brave troops who had survived Sir John Moore's disastrous campaign in Spain. . . - - In April 1809, Captain Austen sailed vvith seven of the lit: M )' J f 282 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. ,! "If! I '•' East India Company's ships under his protection for China, where he arrived in September ; and, pursuant to his orders, remained to convoy them home. A dispute with the Chinese caused a total suspension of the trade for six weeks, but was at length happily settled without any compromise of our na- tional honor; and the St. Albans with her valuable charge, consisting of thirteen ships, worth nearly two millions ster- ling, took her departure on the 2d March, and arrived in the Downs at the end of July 1810. Captain Austen's conduct on this occasion, and the remonstrances presented by him to the Chinese government, were highly approved by the Ad- miralty ; and the Court of Directors voted him 1000 guineas, as a testimony of the sense they entertained of his attention to the interests of the Honorable Company. Our officer continued in the St. Albans till Sept. 1810, when he accepted an offer from Lord Gambler, to become his Captain in the Caledonia, a first rate, which ship he joined at Spithead about November following. From that period until the expiration of his Lordship's command, he was em- ployed in Basque Roads, and cruising off the French coast. In July 1811, Captain Austen was appointed to the Ele- phant fif attached to the North Sea fleet, commanded by Admiral Young. During the winter of 1812, he was sent with the Phoebe and Hermes under his orders, to cruise off the Western Islands j where, in company with the latter ves- sel, he captured the Sword Fish, an American privateer of twelve 6-pounders and 82 men. The Elephant was subse- quently stationed in the Baltic, from whence she returned in Dec. 1813. She was put out of commission in May following, and Captain Austen has ever since been on half pay. He was nominated a Companion of the Bath, at the extension of that order in 1815. Captain Austen even when a boy, was very fond of prac- tical astronomy and hydrography, and his taste for the latter science led him on all possible occasions to employ his lei- sure hours in making surveys of the various places he visited, of which there are several specimens in the Hydrographical Office. He married, in July 1806, Mary, eldest daughter of John Gibson, Esq., of Ramsgate. That lady died July 13, 1823, 'i! POST-CAPTAINB OF 1800. 283 leaving issue six sons and five daughters. His eldest son is now serving as a Midshipman on board the Revenge 78, bearing the flag of Sir Harry Neale, in the Mediterranean. Captain Austen has two brothers living ; one, a clergyman, took the simame of Knight, on succeeding to considerable property in Kent and Hampshire. The other is a Post- Captain of 1810. Another brother (deceased) was in holy orders. Agent.-^ ' BENDALL ROBERT LITTLEHALES, Esq. This officer is the second son of the late Baker John Little- hales, of Moulsey House, Surrey, Esq., a Barrister at Law, by Maria, daughter and sole heiress of Bendall Martyn, Esq. His elder brother, Edward, formerly a Lieutenant-Colonel in the army, was created a Baronet of Great Britain, as a reward for various important services in Ireland, Sept. 2, 1802 ; and obtained the Royal permission to assume the surname of Baker only, Jan. 6, 1817. He entered the naval service at an early age, as a Midship- man, on board the Vigilant 64, under the protection and com- mand of Captain (afterwards Sir Robert) Kingsmill ; and at a period (early in 1778) when the insidious conduct of France caused this country, already engaged in a war with her Ame- rican colonies, to make preparations for a long, severe, and bloody contest with her ancient European rivals. The Vigilant had 2 men killed and 3 wounded in the action between Keppel and d'Orvilliers *. At the conclusion of the same year, she was ordered to the West Iniies f, where Mr. Littlehales removed into the Royal Os,k 74; which ship formed part of Vice- Admiral Byron's fleet, and sustained a loss of 4 men slain and 12 wounded, in the battle off Grenada, July 6, 1779t' From that date he was almost constantly employed in different ships and on various stations, till his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, in Sept. 1790 } soon • See Vol. I. note t at 196, et aeq. t Captain Kingsmill having resigned his command, was superseded by the late Sir Digby Dent, who died in 1817. X See p. 50 tt seq., of the present volume. 284 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1800. I (,■ I !• i! .' after which he joined his friend Captain Kiugsiniil in tlie Duke of 90 guns *. In 1793 Mr. Littlehales was appointed first Lieutenant of the Rose frigate, at the particular request of her gallant com- mander, the late Captain Edward Riou f, with whom he pro- ceeded to the West Indies, in company with the expedition under Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey. On that station he saw and assisted at much service both on shore and afloat, particularly at the siege of Martinique ; during which he served in one of the batterica on Point Carriere, and assisted at the storming of Fort Louis, against which they had been erected J. Soon after this dashing exploit. Lieutenant Littlehales re- moved with Captain Riou into the Beaulieu of 40 guns ; which ship having lost 7 officers and a proportionate num- ber of men by the yellow fever in less than three months, was sent to Halifax in order to get rid of that dreadful ma- lady. After heaving down and refitting tiiere, she cruised for some time with considerable success on the coast of Vir- ■f' ■ * In 17S4, Mr. Littlehales, then belonging to the Salisbury of 50 guns, stationed ut Newfoundland, was placed under a, Lieutenant in the Laurens, a brig of between 70 and 80 tons, with a crew of only 12 men, employed, we believe, as a tender to the flag-ship. Whilst lying to, during a heavy gale of wind, on her return from the coast of Labrador to St. John^s, a tremendous sea struck and laid this little vessel on her beam ends, thereby obliging our officer and his companions to get on her weather broadside, where they continued for some time in the most immuient peril, expecting every moment either to be washed oif or go to the bottom with their brig. Fortunately, however, they succeeded in cutting away the laniards of her lower rigging, and the masts going soon after, she righted sufficiently to allow them to replace theliallast which had shifted. After enduring very great privations, in consequence of their slender stock of provisions, and being driven by the fury of the storm above 100 leagues from the land, they were at length, by a fortunate shift of wind, and the aid of some sails l)elonging to their only boat, the loss of which and every other buoyant article, had left them no other alternative but to share their vessel's fate, enabled to regain the island, and with the assistance of boats from the shore, to reach the bay of Bulls in safety. t Ti«e same officer who commanded and saved the Guardian hi 1789. He fell in thv'■ ,i ' ," sir. — It la with inexpressible concern that 1 have to acquaint you, for thp inforinatiun of their Lordships, of tlie fate of his Majesty's »hip Amu- « '!' i::. • See Vol. I, p. 217, '•'*'•?. 286 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. zon, wrecked on the French coast in Hodierne bay, on the 14th instant. Their Lordsh^s are already acquainted, by Sir E. Pellewr, of our shattered condition towards the eud of our united action withies Droits de I'Homme, a French man-of-war, ccmmanded by Capt. {ci-devant Baron) Le Cross. The various situations and changes incident to so long an action, I forbear to mention ; Sir E. Pellew having unquestiunably done it in a better man- ner than I am able. Tlie Amazon began to engage about seven o'clock in the evening on the 13th, an hour after Sir Edward bad gallantly com- menced the action, and continued a running fight until five the next morn- ing, which brought ua forty leagues from where \ve began the chase, near the French coast } and the wind blowing strong directly upon the shore, in the eagerness of pursuit, and during the heat of battle, we were unable accurately to calculate the distance we had run ; and our masts, yards, and rigging, being miserably shattered, it was not possible for us to work offshore. Our mizen-top-maat, gaff, spanker-boom, and roain-top-saiU yard, were entirely shot away ; the main and fore-masts, the fore and main- yards, wounded in several places by large shot, some of which we judged to be 36.pounders ; our shrouds, stays, and back>stayd, many of them shot away, besides those we had knotted and stoppered in the action ; and our cordage all expended in reeving running-rigging. In this condition. Sir, and with three feet water in our hold, we struck the ground a little after five in the morning, and not more than ten minutes after we had ceased firing. Les Droits de I'Homtnfe met with a similar fate a little distance from us, and almost at the same moment. From half past five to nine o'clock, we were employed in making rafts to save the men ; and it gives me unspeakable comfort, that not a man was lost after the ship struck the shore, except six that stole away the cutter from the stern, and were drowned. Myself t.nd officers quitted not the ship till with great care and pains we got the woun4ed and every man out of her. We w«re received on shore by a party of soldiers, who conducted us to the little town of Hodierne, about a league from the ship. Thence they marched us through Doumancy to Quimper, where we now remain, and are well treated. I am not able to express my satisfaction for the noble support I received from the oncers in general, and petty officers, during the action : to particularise either, I hope, will not be considered as taking from the merits of the whole I but Mr. Littlehales, the first Lieutenant, being constantly on the quarter-deck with me throughout the whole of the action, it would be ui^ust and ungrateful in me not to acknowledge the ample assistance he afforded in every situation throughout the course of so long and trying a conflict ; and if a man, who has unfortunately lost his ship, (though I hope not dishonorably,) may be permitted, I humbly beg leave to recommend Mr. Littlehales to their Lordships' notice and patronage. I hope this will not be deemed to derogate from the merits of Lieutenants Nichols and Thomaa, who wire quartered on the main-deck, and who, during a great part of the action, fought half way up their legs in water, cheering and inspiring cou^ rage to all around tlicm by their own animated and gallant example. Mangled as we were in our hull, as well as in our masts, yards, and rigging, P0ST-CAPTAIN8 OF 1800. 287 thanks to Almighty God, we had but 3 men killed, and 15 badly wounded. I rest firmly assured that Sir E. Pellew has done ample justice to my con> duct in his representation of the engagement to their Lordships ; and I Iiumbly hope no blemish will attach to my character, for a misfortune oc- casioned by an impatient ardour to signalise British valour opposed to superior force. I have the honor, to be, &c. '" '• '• ' i '*: (Signed) " R. C. Reynolds." A circumstance occurred in the course of the action with les Droits de THomme, -rhich we notice for the purpose of shewing our non-military readers what effect even the wind of a shot is capable of producing. Lieutenant Littlehales was knocked down senseless when standing near Captain Rey- nolds, who lifted him from the deck, and ordered some of the men to take him below ; by the time they had reached the foot of the quarter-deck ladder, however, he recovered his senses, and forthwith returned to his post ; but his chest and the upper part of his arms were black and blue for several weeks afterwards. ■ • il* ' -t ' ''; After the ship struck the ground, Mr. Littlehales, as first Lieutenant, was too much occupied to think of his wardrobe and other private property ; and his servant being one of those who were drowned in the boat, he lost every article thereof. On the 29th Sept. in the same year, Captain Reynolds and his officers having previously been exchanged, a Court-Martial was assembled at Plymouth to enquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the Amazon, and to try her late com- mander, officers, &C.&C. for their conductonthatoccasion. The Court declared as their unanimous opinion, that the Amazon was unavoidably lost in consequence of her being so far in shore at the close of a well-disputed action with les Droits de THomme, during which she had suffered materially in her masts and r);^ging ; that too much praise could not be awarded to Captain Reynolds, his officers and crew, by whom, in conjunction with the Indefatigable, an enemy's line-of-battle ship was destroyed | and tliat the loss of the Amazon was the result of a noble pursuit of an enemy of superior force on her own coast. Captain Reynolds, his offi- cers, &c. &c. were therefore most honorably and fully aequit' t^d of all blame f and with every sentiment of the Court* s highest approbation. Lieutenant Littlehales was n^ade a Commander immedi- 1 .' ' if Mm 288 POST-CAITAINS OF 1800< I I '-> :i '! ately after the trial; and in Jan. 1798, appointefd to the Penguin sloop of war on the Irish station, where he continued till advanced to post rank. May 15, 1800. Some time after this promotion, he was nominated acting Captain of the Centaur 74, at the request of her proper commander, the pre- sent Admiral Markham, then about to take a seat at the Board of Admiralty. During the remainder of the war, we find him cruising off Brest and Rochefort. In the night of April 10, 1801, the Centaur was nm foul of by the Mars 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Thorn- brough, commander of the in-shore squadron off Brest. Two men were killed and 4 wounded by the falling of the main- mast. Captain Littlehales having rigged a jury-mast, bore up for Plymouth, where he . arrived on the 14th. After rc" pairing her damages, the Centaur rejoined the Chamiel Fleet ; and at the latter end of the same year she formed part of the squadron assembled in Bantry bay, where a mutiny broke out on board some of the ships, in consequence of their being ordered to the West Indies to watch the motions of an arma- ment which had sailed from Brest for St. Domingo ; and to be in readiness to check the French commanders, should they betray any sinister intentions against the valuable colo- nies belonging to Great Britain in that quarter *.. The treaty of Amiens having been ratified by the British and French governments. Captain Markham continued at the Admiralty, the subject of this memoir was confirmed in the command of the Centaur, and that ship selected by the late Vice-Admiral Dacres to bear his- flag at Plymouth; where she remained till Nov. 18, 1802, on which day Captain little- hales sailed with sealed orders for Barbadoes, from whence she conveyed Lieutenant-General Grinfield, the military commander-in-chief, to the different islands, oh a tour of inspection. In 1803, after a short cessation, war was again declared, and Sir Samuel Hood, who had hoisted his broad pendant on board the Centaur as Commodore at the Leeward Islands, lost not a moment in proceeding to the attack of St. Lucia ; and in thirty-six hours after his departure from Carlisle bay. niiiiii ,otr • See Vol. I, p. 670. .t'jiitUI ,tru4»,(jj> j;.l posT-cApfAiNs or 1800. 289 that island was obliged to surrender to the British arms *, The naval force employed on this occasion, consisted of two 74's and six smaller vessels. Captun Littlehales' " assiduity and attention/' during this short but successful expedition, were duly acknowledged by Sir Samuel Hood, with whose despatches, announcing the conquest of St. Lucia, he retiuned to England in the Mome Fortun^e, a brig purchased for the purpose. Ill health, occa- sioned by his long services in the West Indies, preventing him from accepting the command of an active ship, he has not since been afloat. For two years previous to the disso- lution of the Sea Fencibles, he commanded the Liverpool district ; and during the last four or five years of the war, superintended the payment of ships afloat at Plymouth. Ojur officer married, Aug. 22, 1803, Mary Anna, daughter of Thomas Cleather, Esq. of Plymouth, and by that lady has four sons and one daughter now living. The second son is at present a Midshipman in the Revenge 78, under the auspicea of Vice-Admiral Sir Haxty Neale. ROBERT PHILPOT, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1/90, and obtained the rank of Commander Jan. 3, 1799. On the 14th Oct. fol- lowing, being on a cruise off Porto Rico in the Echo sloop of war, he chased a French letter of marque mounting 12 four- pounders, with a complement of 30 men, into Aguadillabay ; and the following day his boats captured a Spanish brig of 2 guns and 20 mm, laden with cocoa and indigo. On the 16th in the evening, the Echo's pinnace and jolly-boat, con- taining 15 men, under the command of Lieutenant Napier, pulled into the bay and succeeded in carrying the letter of marque, which was brought off in triumph, notwithstanding a heavy fire from 2 field-pieces, one I8-pounder, and sevend ^mailer guns, all placed on the beach for her protection. In the execution of this service the pinnace was sunk, but not a man hurt. The prize had on board a valuable cargo, and was bound to Cura^oa. *; ^ VOL. II. • See Vol. I„p. 481. U 1 ■ in, !i m V-\ 11 79 I ly !'• '11 290 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. Captain Philpot was posted iiito the Prompte, a 20-gua ship, July 1, 1800; and convoyed a fleet of merchantmen from Jamaica to England in the spring of 1801. He subee- quently commanded the Brighton district of Sea Fcncibles, and regulated the impress service at Deal. : .; j^gent. — Messrs. Atkins and Son. i-M/-. PATRICK CAMPBELL, Esq. ^ Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath. ^ This officer commanded the Dart sloop of war, and assisted at the capture of four armed vessels on the North Sea station, Oct. 6, 1799. In July following, we find him serving under the orders of Captain Henry Inman, in an attempt made to destroy a French squadron lying in Dunkirk harbour : the following are the particulars of the affair, as far as respects Captain Campbell. The Andromeda frigate, with two or three smaller vessels, having spent some time in the irksome service of blockading Dunkirk, and conceiving it practicable to capture or destroy the enemy's ships as they lay at anchor, Captain Inman of the Andromeda submitted a plan for that purpose to the Ad- miralty, and requested that a certain number of fire- vessels might be placed under his command, to enable him to carry it into effect. His scheme being approved by Earl Spencer, he was joined by the desired reinforcement on the 27th June, but from contrary winds and other circumstances, the attack could not be made till the night of July 7th ; by which time, the enemy appear to have been apprised of the British squa- dron's intention, as the assailants were much annoyed by gun-vessels, and others lying in advance, which afforded the French frigates an opportunity to cut their cables, and avoid our fire-ships. Captain Inman had directed the Dart, if possible, to run alongside of the easternmost frigate; calculating that the first fire>8hip would about tlie same time have hooked the westernmost frigate. Captain Campbell stood in according to his orders, and with dctermine^I bravery boarded and carried his opponent. The fire-vessels followed ; but the moment they were discovered to be in flames, the remainder tf 11 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 291 of the French squadron cut, and stood down the inner chan- nel, within the Braak sand ; on the following morning, they regained their anchorage, without our ships being able to mo- lest or cut them off. Captain Campbell's prize proved to be la Desiree, mount- ing 40 guns, long 24-pounders on the main-deck, with a com- plement of 350 men, some of whom were on shore. Captain Inman, in his official letter to the Admiralty, says, " the hand- some and intrepid manner of his completely carrying her in less than a quarter of an hour, and bringing her out, must convince their Lordships of his unparalleled bravery, and the very gallant conduct of his officers and ship's company, as the enemy's frigate was so much superior in force * ; and had it not been so instantly done, the ship could not have been got over the banks, as the water had begun to fall." The Dart's loss on this occasion amounted to no more than 1 man slain, and her first Lieutenant and 10 men wounded; la Desiree is said to have had nearly 100 killed and wounded, including among the former every officer on board, with the exception of one Midshipman. Only 6 men were wounded on board the other vessels of Captain Inman's squadron. The Earl of St. Vincent pronounced this to have been one of the finest instances of gallantry on record. Three days after the capture of la Desiree, the subject of this memoir was advanced to post rank in the Ariadne, a 20- gxm ship. His next appointment was about Sept. 1803, to the Doris frigate, stationed in the Channel. On the 12th Jan. 1805, as the Doris was proceeding to Quiberon bay, she struck upon a sunken rock, called tlie ^ ] * " The Dart was a curiously constructed sloop of war, after the plan of General Uentham, inounti;)^ 30 gm\s. Her bow and .stein were of the same shape, and she could anchor by cither end ; though it must be ob- served, but very awkwardly, particularly in bad weather. She carried her water in wooden tanks, and was so sharp in her construction, that a tra- verse section taken amid ships, had nearly the form of a wedj^e : she had two top-masts on the same lower-uiast, parallel to each other, and her gixagwayi were outside of /fie lower rip'giiig : she had no stability in the water, and was found in blowing weather to be a very unsafe vessel. Cap* tain Campbell made the only use of her for which slie w as calculated, viz. that of laying an enemy on board." See lJRENT(iN's Naval History of Great Britahi, vol. ii, p. 425. U 2 I, ;I5 i 292 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. % hi. 4 Diamond, and in consequence thereof, made so much water, that Captain Campbell was obliged to throw her guns and every weighty article overboard. During the following day it blew a tremendous gale at S. W., but the weather after- wards moderating, they gained upon the leak, which was under the fore-foot ; and in the evening she steered for Eng- land with a fine breeze, accompanied by the Felix schooner. During the third night, however, it blew hard from the N. W. with a heavy sea, and the leak increased so much, that every exertion to keep it under proved ineffectual ; she soon be- came water-logged, of course would not answer her helm, and drifted considerably to leeward. In this predicament. Captain Campbell determined to abandon her, and accordingly brought her to an anchor near the mouth of the Loire. At this time there was a prodigious swell running, and breakers in sight directly asteni : happily the wind abated, or the crew must have perished. The officers and men were now removed to the schooner, and a Danish brig, which had been driven in near to where the Doris lay ; after which the latter was set on fire. The after magazine soon blew up, (the fore one had been drowned previously) and the ship immediately went down. A few days after this disaster. Captain Campbell had another narrow escape. The Felix having joined the squadron off Rochefort, he removed from that vessel into the Tonnant of 80 guns, commanded by Captain W. H. Jervis ; that ship being about to proceed with despatches to the rendezvous of the fleet blockading Brest, where she arrived on the 26th January. Captain Jervis, eager to communicate the intelli- gence with which he was charged, left the Tonnant in his boat, accompanied by his guest, when still at a considerable distance from the commander-in-chief. Unfortunately, when about half way between the Tonnant and St. Josef, the latter bearing the flag of Sir Charles Cotton, the boat was upset by a sea breaking into her ; and notwithstanding every effort was made to save them. Captain Jervis and one of his men were drowned. The conduct of Captain Campbell and the coxswain on this melancholy occasion, deserve to be re- corded : the latter, holding fast to his commander, kept him above water a considerable time, and brought him thrice to POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 293 the surface, when he was in the act of sinking ; and the for- mer, although himself in the most perilous situation, regard- less of his own state, kept constantly urging and encouraging the gallant fellow, whose name was John Jones, to further exertion. In I8O7, we find Captain Campbell commanding I'Unite, a fine frigate, stationed off Corfti. During the ensuing year, he captured a French xebec of 6 guns, and three Italian brigs of war, each mounting sixteen brass 32-pr. carronades, and measuring about 400 tons *. From I'Unite, Captain Campbell removed into the Levia- than of 74 guns, on the Mediterranean station. On the 29th April, 1812, the boats of that ship made an attack on a French privateer of 14 guns and 80 men, and several merchant ves- sels at Agay ; four of the latter were brought out, and the privateer carried ; but having been hauled on shore, could not be got off : in their attempt to do so, the British had 2 men killed and 4 wounded, by the enemy's fire from the shore. Eleven days afterwards, a detachment of seamen and marines from the Leviathan, assisted at the capture of sixteen mer- chant vessels with cargoes, under the batteries of Languilla f. On the 2/'th June following, the batteries at that place and Allassio were stormed, the guns spiked, their carriages ren- dered useless, and eighteen sail of vessels destroyed by the Leviathan, and three other vessels under Captain Campbell's orders. The principal part of this service was performed by the royal marines, 7 of whom were killed and 26 wounded. The total loss sustained by the squadron, was 9 killed and 31 wounded; amongst the latter was lieutenant William Walpole, R. N., of the Imperieuse frigate. * El Ronco, Nettuno, and Teuh^. The former, although alone» had the temerity to fire several broadsides at l'Unit6, and succeeded in doing considerable damage to her suia and rigging. The two latter had sailed from Zara the day before their capture, in company with another brig, for the purpose of attacking the British frigate ; having heard that she had many men absent and sick, and must inevitably fall an easy prey to them. L'Unitd had not a man hurt j but El Nettuno and her equally deceived consort, suffered most severely ; the former sustained a loss of 7 men killed, 2 drowned, and 13 wounded ; the latter had 5 slun and 16 wounded. t See Vol. I. p. 633. i! 2D4 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. i: li V M ^"kl The subject of this memoir lias not been employed since the peace. He was nominated a C. B. in June 1815. Agent. — Tliomas Collier, Esq. NOllBORNE THOMPSON, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1/90 ; commanded the Zebra sloop of war in 1/95 j and subsequently the Savage of IG guns : the latter vessel formed part of Sir Home Pop- ham's squadron at Ostend^ in May 1/98. His post commis- sion bears date Aug. 1 1, 1800. During the late war, we find him successively commanding the Foudroyant 80 ; Minotattr 74 ; Perlen frigate ; Bombay and Aboukir, third rates. The former ship was employed blockading the coast of Portugal, ill I8O7 * ; the Perlen assisted at the reduction of Flushing, in 1809 t ; and the Aboukir at the capture of Genoa, in 1814 t. Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq. , : -.r- SIR MICHAEL SEYMOUR, Bart. Knight Commander of the most Honourable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is the second son of the late Rev. John Sey- mour, Rector of Abington, and Chancellor of Emly, in Ireland, and a Chaplain to the Archbishop of Cashel, by the youngest daughter of William Hobart, of High Mount, co, Cork, Esq. lie was born at Palace, in the county of Limerick, Nov. 8, 1768 ; and commenced his professional career as a Mid- shipman on board the Merlin sloop of war, commanded by the Hon. James Luttrell, in Nov. I78O. He subsequently served with the same officer in the Portland 50, Mediator 44, and Ganges of 74 guns. Whilst serving in the Mediator, Mr. Seymour participated in a very warm action between that ship and a French squa- dron of far superior force j the result of which was the cap- ture of le Menagere, a frigate armed en flute, and 1' Alex- andre of 24 guns. Mr. Seymour left the Ganges in 1783; and from that pe- • See Vol. I. p. 320. f See id. p. 290. X See id. p. 634. J POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 295 riod was almost constantly employed in different ships till Nov. 1790, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Magnificent 74. His next appointment was to the Marlborough, another third rate, in which ship he lost an arm on the memorable 1st June, 1794 *. As a Commander, the subject of this memoir served about five years in the Spitfire sloop of war, on the Channel station ; and, among other prizes, captured I'Allegree, a French ves- sel laden with ammunition and other warlike stores ; six pri- vateers, carrying in the whole, 57 guns and 301 men ; and a transport armed with 14 guns. His post commission bears date Aug. 11, 1800. At length, after acting as Captain of several line-bf-battle ships and frigates, our officer obtained the permanent com- vaaid of the Amethyst, rated at 36, but mounting 42 guns, with a complement of 261 men and boys ; in which ship, whilst cruising near TGrient, he fell in with, and after a long, sharply contested, and bloody action at close quar- ters, captured la Thetis, a French frigate of 44 'guns and 436 men (induding soldiers) ; of whom, according to Captain Seymour's account, 136 were killed and 102 wounded. The Amethyst had 19 slain and 51 wounded. Thi^ brilliant exploit was performed in the night of Nov. 10, 1808. His late Majesty was graciously pleased to signify his most gracious approbation of Captain Seymour's distinguished conduct in the action with la Thetis, by presenting him with the naval gold medal : the Corporation of Cork and Limer- ick voted him the freedom of those cities ; that of the former, to be delivered in a silver box ; the latter, in a box made of oaik, and ornfamented with gold. He also received a piece of plate, value 100 guineas, from the Patriotic Fund at lAoyd'sf. = - . . ' -i On the 6th April, 1809, Captain Seymour captured le Niemen of 46 guns and 319 men. The enemy had 47 killed and 73 wounded : the Amethyst, of whose crew a Lieutenant •-.- • ■:• ■■:i r-, '■■ .._■. . ■ .■ ..-i: ■, ' , ■ * See note f, at p. 16. t La Thetia was bound to Martinique, and had on board 1000 barrels of flour, Ujgether with a quantity of other stores. A painting by Dodd, representing the action between her iuid the Amethyst, was exhibited at the Royal Academy, in IB09. I I ! I ii - 4 w u [I m r ' ■: 'I ., : ^' y 296 rOBT-CAPTAINS OF 1800. and 37 men were absek.^t in prisses, sustained a loss of 8 slain and 37 wounded. In the course of the following month, Captain Seymour was raised to the dignity of a Baronet of Great Britain, as a reward for his gallant conduct in thus adding a second large frigate to the royal navy*. Puring the ensuing summer, we find Sir Michael Seymour serving with the Walcheren expedition. He was afterwards appointed in succession to the command of his prize le Niemen, and the Hannibal of 74 guns. On the 26th March, 1814, the latter ship captured la Sultane French frigate, of 44 guns and 330 men. This vessel had previously suffered considerable damage in an action with two British cruisers. Sir Michael Seymour was nominated a K. C. B. in Jan. 1815 ; and at present commands a royal yacht. His pension for the loss of an arm is, we believe, 300/. per annum. He married Jane, third daughter of the late Captain James Hawker, R. N., and has several children. His brother Rich- ard was first Lieutenant of the Amazon frigate, and fell in the action between her and the Belle Poule, in March 1806. AgenL'-^ — M*Inerheney, Esq. EDWARD STmUNG DICKSON, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant July 9, 1780 ; com- manded la Victorieuse of 14 guns and 130 men, at the Lee- ward Islands, towards the close of 1796 ; and was present at the capture of Trinidad, in Feb. 1797 1« On the 7th May, 1798, Captun Dickson, whilst convoying some merchant vessels from Trinidad to St. Kitts, was at- tacked by two French privateers, which attempted to carry la Victorieuse by boarding, but were foiled in theur attempt $ and * The French Captain's bombastic account of this %ction i^^pears at full length in the Nar. Chron. v. 22, p. 93, et teq. We should here ob^enre that the Amethyst, after beating her opponent, but previous to the eneni3r's surrender, was joined by the Arethusa frigate, commanded by the late Sir Robert Mends. Of this drcumstance M. du Potet avuls himself in so great a degree, as actually to declare that the Amethyst had struck to him, and was about to be taken possession of when her friend appeared in sight! 1 t See Vol. I. note at p. 112. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 29/ the smallest, a sloop of 6 guns and 60 men, obliged to sur- render. The other, a schooner carrying 12 guns and 80 men, was considerably damaged, but succeeded in effecting her escape. The prize had 8 men killed and wounded j la Victorieuse sustained no loss whatever. On the 3d Dec. following, la Victorieuse, in company with the Zephyr sloop, and about 40 troops, destroyed a fort at Rio Caribe, on the island of Margueritta j two others at Gu- rupano, and a small Dut^h privateer; and captured la Cou- leuvre of 6 guns and 80 men. The enemy'i force at the latter place was at least 300 men j notwithstanding which, their lire was silenced in fifteen minutes. The assailants had only 4 men killed and wounded. Captsun Dickson had previously captured two small French privateers, and destroyed another of 12 guns and 80 men. In July 1709, Captain Dickson was presented by the Eng- lish inhabitants of Trinidad with a sword, value 100 guineas, as a reward for his activity and diligence, in protecting the trade of that colony. His post commission bears date Aug. 11,1800. From this period, we find no mention of him till the latter end of 1803, when he was appointed to the Inconstant frigate. On the 7th March following, he arrived off the island of Goree, with a store-ship and some merchant vessels under his protection ; and suspecting that the place might be in pos- session of the enemy, sent Mr. Pickford, his first Lieutenant, on shore to ascertain tLv. fact. At sun-set, seeing no appear- ance of the boat. Captain Dickson anchored out of gun-shot, and it being highly necessary to obtain some information, despatched Mr. Runciman, Midshipman, with three boats properly manned and armed, to cut out any vessels he might find in the harbour. Mr. Runciman acquitted himself nobly, bringing out a ship, under a heavy fire from the batteries, which sunk one of his boats, but only wounded 1 man. From the prize Captain Dickson learned, that the settlement had been in the hands of the enemy about two months, and that the garrison consisted of 300 white and black troops. The following day was spent in making the necessary prepa- rations for an attack ; and the French governor being aware of , ■ 298 POST-CAI»TAINb OF 180(). 1. 1 the British Captain's intentions, agreed to surrender by capi- tulation on the morning of the 9th. We next find Captain Dickson commanding the Stately 64, employed in the defence of Cadiz. On the 5th Dec. 181 1 , he was detached with the Druid frigate. Thunder bomb, and several gun*boats under his orders, to co-operate with the British troops at Tariffa, which place was then besieged by a French army of 10,000 men, whilst the garrison under Colonel Skerrett did not exceed 1500. The enemy had pushed their works close to that important fortress, the safety of which must be attributed to the unwearied exertions of the officers and men of the squadron, whose services were noticed in the most handsome manner by Rear-Admiral Legge, who com- manded at Cadiz, as also by Commodore Penrose, whose broad pendant was then flying at Gibraltar. A very flatter- ing vote of thanks was also decreed by the Spanish Regency and Cortes. "i • From the Stately, Captain Dickson removed into the Swift- sure 7^9 on the Mediterrnrean station ; where his boats cap- tured the Charlemagne, a French privateer of 8 guns find 93 men, Nov. 26, 1813. The loss sustained by the British in obtaining possession of this vessel, was 5 killed and 15 Wounded. In 1814, Captain Dickson joined the Rivoli, another third rate ; and on the 30th April, 1815, he captured le Mel- pomene, a Fpench frigate, on her passage from Elba to Naples, to take on board Napoleon Buonaparte's mother. Le Mel- pomene made a brave defence of fifteen minutes, was very much cut up in her hull, masts, and rigging, and sustained a loss of 6 men killed and 28 wounded. The Rivoli, whose loss was only 1 man mortally, and a few others slightly MTOunded, had thus the honor to receive the submission of the last tri-colored flag struck in action at sea *, ^^en^— Isaac Clementson, Esq. EDWARD ROTHERAM, Esq. j4 Companim of the Mo»t Honorable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is a son of the late John Rotheram, M. D., of * See Jameses Nar. Hist. v. 6, p. 561. POST-CAFFAINS OF 1800. 299 Newcastle upon Tync ; a gentleman of high estimation, both as a medical practitioner, and a person of general science. He was born at Hexham, in Northumberland, where his father lived many years senior Physician of the Infirmary. His elder brother, John, studied physic, &c., under the cele- brated Linneeus, at Upsal, and died Professor of Natural Philosojjhy, in the University of St. Andrews, N . B., about the year 1805. Mr. Edward Rotheram was early instructed in mathema> tical learning by his father, and the late Dr. Hutton. He ac- quired practical navigation in the same school which bred our immortal circumnavigator Cook — the Coal Trade — and entering the navy, served during the whole of the American war, chiefly in the squadron commanded by Admiral Barring- ton; obtained a Lieutenant's commission April 19, 1783; and was the senior officer of that rank on board the CuUoden 74, in the battle of June 1, 1794j an event that led to his further promotion. . • - In 1795, we find him commanding the Camel store-ship, on the Mediterranean station ; and subsequently the Hawke sloop of war and Lapwing frigate, at the Leeward Islands. His post commission bears date Aug. 27, 1800. In the unparalleled battle of Trafalgar, Vice-Admiral Col- lingwood's gallantry was most ably seconded by Captain Rotheram, who commanded the Royal Sovereign, a first rate, bearing the flag of that excellent officer, by whom he was subsequently appointed to the Bellerophon 74, as successor to Captain John Cooke, who had fallen in the conflict *. The severe loss sustained by the Royal Sovereign, is the best proof of the share she had in the defeat of the combined fleets. Her surgeon reported 3 ofl^cers, 2 midshipmen, and 42 men killed ; and 4 officers, 6 petty officers, and 85 men wounded — total ) 41 . At the close of the battle, not a spar was left standing, except the tottering fore-mast, and it went overboard in tlie ensuing gale. The following anecdote has been related of Captain Ro- theram, and we have no reason to doubt the authenticity thereof : " A heavy shower of musketry had nearly swept the * See CapUin William PRYiB Gvmby -j and Vol. I. note at p. 205. I 300 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. quarter-deck of the Royal Sovereign, when some of his of- ficers requested him not to expose himself so much to the enemy's small-arm men, by wearing his epaulets and a gold laced hat. * Let me alone,* he replied, ' I have always fought in a cocked hat, and always will.* " Captain Rotheram bore the banner of Nelson as a K. B. at the funeral of that great chieftain ; and was himself nomi- nated a C. B. in 1815. urgent. — ^William Marsh, Esq. CHARLES GRANT, Esq. ^ Companion of the most Honorable MilUnry Order of the Bath ; and Commodore of the Squadron employed in the East Indies, Tflis officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790; subsequently commanded the Tisiphone sloop of war on the West India station ; and returned from thence in the Quebec of 32 guns, July 11, 1802. His post commission bears date Sept. 6, 1800. Captain Grant's next appointments were, we believe, to the Diadem 64 ; and Diana, a 38-gun frigate. In the lat- ter, he conveyed Sir W. Sidney Smith from Rio Janeiro to Portsmouth, where he arrived Aug. 7, 1809. in Oct. 1809, the Diana, having under her orders the Niobe of similar force, was employed watching the port of Havre, where the enemy had two new 40-gun frigates, waiting an opportunity to escape to sea. On the 13th of the following month, the French ships having slipt out during a N. £. gale, were discovered and obliged to take shelter under the batteries of Marcou. In the course of the same day. Cap- tain Grant and his consort being driven by the tide to the northward of Cape Barfleur, the enemy made a push for, and succeeded in reaching the anchorage near la Hoguc. On the following morning the Niobe was sent to inform the senior officer off Cherbourghx how the Frenchmen were situated $ and Captain Grant had soon after the satisfaction to see one of them nm ashore. The next day the other perceiving that she was about to be attacked by the Diana, weighed and took up a position between the batteries oflaHogue and Tatilion. Captain Grant, notwithstanding the formidable force opposed POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 301 to hinij stood in twice close alongside of her, sustfuning each time a very heavy fire, by which the Diana 8ui!iered con- siderably in her masts, sails, hull, and rigging.. At this pe- riod Captain Malcolm of the Donegal, arrived with the Re- venge and Niobe, and the attack was renewed by the four ships going in alternately, and making every exertion to des- troy the enemy as long as the tide would allow them to do so J but being at length drifted to leeward, they were obliged to desist and anchor out of gun-shot. In this af&ir, the Donegal had 3 men wounded, the Revenge 2 killed and 8 wounded, and Diana 1 man slightly wounded. At day-light on the 16th, one of the French frigates was observed on her beam-ends, and the other also aground ; but as they were perfectly protected by the batteries, and as it did not appear to Captain Malcolm that any further attempt to destroy them would prove effectual, he returned to his sta- tion off Cherbourgh, leaving Captains Grant and Loring to watch la Hogue. The following is a copy of the letter Captain Grant soon after received from his commander-in-chief, dated Royal fViU Kam, Spithead, Nov. 22, 1810: " Sir. — Havin)]^ transmitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 16th instant, detailing your proceedings in an attack on two of the enemy's frigates, whicli escaped from Havre in the night of the 1 2th, and which had taken refuge under the batteries of la Hogue, I am di* rected by their Lordships to convey to you their approbation of the zeal, gallantry, and good conduct shewn by you, and by all the officers and men of the ships under your orders on that occasion. I am. Sir, &c. &c. (Signed) *' Rogbr Curtis." The enemy afterwards got their ships afloat, and one of them effected her escape into Havre. The other, being at- tacked by a bomb-vessel, was again obliged to run aground on the 6th Dec. lay a wreck until the night of the 23d, when she was set on fire and completely destroyed by the boats of the Diana, under a heavy fire from the batteries, and three armed brigs lying within hail of her. ITiis service was performed without a man being hurt on the part of the British *. In 1812, Captain Grant was appointed to the Armada of 74 " The other frigate was subsequently destroyed by her own crew. See Captain John Wbntwortm Lorino, C. B. 302 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. ii 1^1 where he served guns, fitting for the Mediterranean station^ during the remainder of the war. On the 19th July, 1813, the marines of the Armada, and two frigates, landed and took possession of the batteries near Bordighero, a town on the coast of Italy, spiked the guns, de- stroyed the ammunition, and burnt all the vessels lying on the beach. In Nov. following, when forming part of the in-shore squadron off Toulon, the Armada received a shot from one of the enemy's fleet, which passing through the bows of her launch, lodged among the booms, without doing any farther mischief. Towards the close of the same year, she assisted! in an attempt made by Sir Josias Rowley to obtain possession of Leghorn *. A few days after the surrender of Genoa to the British arms f. Captain Grant was sent with the Armada, Cura^oa, and twelve Sicilian gun-boats, to co-operate with a detach- ment of troops in the reduction of Savona ; the garrison of which fortress surrendered by capitulation on the 24th April, 1814. Our officer was nominated a C. B. in 1815, and appointed Commodore of the squadron in India, Oct. 22, 1821. His broad pendant is flying on board the Liffey of 50 guns. THOMAS JAMES MALING, Esq. This officer, a son of the late Mr. Maling, ofWestHenning- ton, CO. Durham, was made a Commander Dec. 24, 1798 j and obtained post rank Sept. 6, 1800. During the late war, he commanded the Diana and Undaunted frigates, and Mul- graveof 74 guns; and among other vessels captured la Char- lotte, a French ship privateer of 14 guns, pierced for 20, with a complement of 118 men ; and the Sun Josephe of 14 guns and 96 men. In I8I7, a Chapel capable of containing about 500 persons, and built at Captain M^aling's expense, near Hylton Ferry, in the county of Durham, was opened for divine service by the Rector of Bishops weainnouth. Captain Maling was appointed to the Northumberland of .V< .♦;•, : i>c<.' Vol. I. p. G33. , ■!5«-v ■'■ t Sec id. p. 634. POST CAPTAINS OV 1800« 303 and :rry, by 78 guns, lying in the Medway, July 31, 1821 ; and at pre- sent coininands the Cambridge 82, oh the. South American station . He married, Dec. 2, 1811,. Harriet, youngest daugh. ter of the late celebrated Dr. Darwin, of the Priory, near Derby. One of Captain Maling's sisters is the lady of Earl M ul- grave ; another was married to Lieutenant- Colonel Jackson, of the Guards, and died at Lisbon in 1813 ; a third to Colonel Walsh, formerly a Commissioner of the Victualling Board ; and a fourth to Robert Ward, Esq., M. P. for Haslemere, and Clerk of the Ordnance. JOHN ACWORTH OMMANNEY, Esq. A Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Southampton ; and a Justice of the Peace for Surrey. Tiifs officer is the eldest son of the late Rear- Admiral Comthwaite Ommanney *. He entered the naval service in 1783, and during the ensuing eleven years, served successively on board the Powerful J4 ; Rose frigate ; Lcander 50 ; Aqui- lon 28 ; Zobra sloop of war ; and Lion of 64 guns ; under the respective commands of Captains Fitzherbert, and Henry Harvey ; Rear-Admiral Peyton ; and Captains Robert Mon- tagu, William Brown, and Sir Erasmus Gower. The latter gentleman, of whom we have already spoken in onr first vo- lume, at p. 783, may justly be considered as his principal naval patron. In 1792, Sir Erasmus Gower, who had recommended him- self to the notice of Earl Macartney, by his exploits in India during the American war, was selected by that nobleman to command the ship fitting for his conveyance to China. Sir ♦ Rcar-Admtral Ommanney had seven children, six of whom are now living, vit. John Acworth, the suhjcc-t of this memoir; Sir Francis Moly- ueux, a Navy Agent, and M. P. for Barnstaple ; Honry ]\Iau(>. The Rear-Admirul died in ISOl,, sincerely laincntcvl l>y all who had the pleasure uf his acquaintance. ., t j> I ; 304 POST-CAPTAINS «7 1800. jiHrl 'llil ii u Erasmus entertaining a great friendship for Mr. Ommanneyy availed himself of so favonrable an opportunity to promote bis interests by applying for and obtaining permission to ap- point him a supernmnerary lieutenant of the Lion. This accordingly took place on the arrival of the embassy at Madeira. Shortly after their departure from Funchal, lieu- tenant Cox of that ship died, and Sir Erasmus appointed his protege to succeed him. His commission was confirmed by the Admu^ty in May 1793. The Lion being paid off on her return to England about Sept. 1794, Mr. Ommanney readily accepted an offer made him by Captain (now Sir Robert) Barlow to become his first Lieutenant, in the Aquilon ; and he continued to serve with that distinguished officer till May 1795, when he was ap- pointed to the Queen Charlotte, a first rate ; in which ship he assisted at the capture of three French 2-deckers off rOrient, on the 23d of the following mouth *. Lieutenant Ommanney was promoted to the rank of Com- mander in Dec. 1796 ; and happening to be on half pay when the mutiny broke out at the Nore, he lost no time in tender- ing his services towards its suppression. His offer being accepted, he held the command of a gun-vessel equipped to act agsdnst the refractory seamen, until the spirit of rebellion bad subsided in that quarter; and was afterwards sent with two other Captains to Deal, in order, should such a measure be necessary, to take the command of some vessels lying in the Downs, whose crews still behaved in a disrespectful manner to their officers ; but happily the sailors there soon followed the example of those at the Nore, and returned to their duty. In Dec. 17^7 > Captain Ommanney was appointed to the Busy, a new brig of 18 guns, fitting at Chatham for the North Sea station, where he cruised with considerable activity. In Aug. 1799, being off Goree, in company with the Speed- well brig, he discovered a fleet of merchantmen running alongshore under the convoy of a Swedish frigate. While the Busy ran alongside the man of war and prepared for action,^ * See note at p. 54 } and Vol. I, p. 246. — N. B. Mr. Ommanney was sent at the close of the action to assist Lieutenant Alexander Wilson, Vt- a superannuated Rear-Adqii|til, in conducting one of the prizes to oi^ English port. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 305 Ker consort searched one of the other vessels, and found that she was laden with spars of sufficient size to make top-masts for line-of-battle ships, and others with iron, &c. bound to Brest, rOrient, and Cadiz. Upon receiving the report of Lieutenant Reddie, who commanded the Speedwell, Captain Ommanney wrote the following laconic letter on the Busy's capstem head, and immediately forwarded it to the Swedish Commodore : ** H.B, M. Sloop Busy, at Sea, Aug. 8, 1799. " Sir. — ^The officer who has boarded one of the ships under your con- voy has reported to me that she is bound to an enemy's port, and is laden with naval stores. I shall therefore insist upon searching^ the whole of the fleet, and shall detain all those vessels that have naval stores on board. I remain. Sir, your humble servant, (Signed) " John A. Ommanney." " To the Captain of the Swedish frigate ♦." This letter had no sooner been delivered, and the bearer thereof returned to the Busy, than she stood towards the fleet, and fired a shot athwart the bows of the nearest ship, to make her shorten sail ; upon which the frigate hailed in token of submission, and sent an officer to Captmn Ommanney, with a list of the convoy, and the Commodore's instructions, which directed him not to suffer the vessels under his charge to be searched at sea ; but in case of meeting with any 'British cruiser, to proceed with her to an £nglish port, for the pur- pose of being examined. On his way to the Downs, Captain Ommanney fell in with a squadron under the orders of the present Vice-Admiral Lawford, who had been cruising off the Flemish banks for a period of six weeks, in order to intercept this very fleet. Captain Ommanney being now relieved from his charge, returned to his station off Goree, and some time afterwards received a letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty, inform- ing him that the Lords Commissioners " very highly ap- proved of his conduct" on the above occasion. He then joined the expedition sent against the Helder f ; and on the 16th Sept. following, captured le Dragon, a French lugger privateer of 16 guns. This vessel had for a length of time an- noyed our trade in the North Sea ; and when discovered by * She was commanded by Baron Oderstroom. t See Vol. I, note at p. 414, et wy. VOL. II. X 306 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. Mil' the Busy, was running along the Dutch coast on her return to Jlunkirk from the coast of Norway. After a short chase she anchored in the midst of a very heavy surf, but by skill and good management was soon brought out. Ten of her crew being British subjects, endeavoured to land on the beach, but 6rily two succeeded ; the remainder perished. In Jan. 1800, the Busy was ordered to the Ijeeward Islands, and Captain Ommanney received a letter from Earl Spencer, who then presided at the Admiralty, recommending him to Lord Hugh Seymour, the Commander-in-Chief on lliat station, and expressing a wish that his Lordship might soon have an opportunity of promoting him. In the course of a few months, however, he became so much debilitated by sickhess, as to render it absolutely necessary to give up his brig and return to England, where he arrived at the latter end of September. As a compensation for his loss of health, Earl Spencer, who for kindness and liberality of conduct has never been excelled, immediately gave Captain Ommanney a temporary appointment to the Garland frigate at Plymouth, and a few days after sent him a post commission dated Oct. 16, 1800. During the last year of the war our officer commanded in succession the Hussar frigate. Robust 74, and Barfleur of 98 guns, on Channel service : the latter ship, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Collingwooc', was paid off in May 1802. From June 1804 till March 1806, he served as Flag-Captain to his' early fiiend Sir Erasmus Go>ver, on the Newfoundland station. Captain Ommanney has been for several years an active magistrate for the counties of Southampton and Surrey. He married, in Oct. 1803, Frances, daughter of Richard Ayling, of Slidham, co. Sussex, Esq. and has issue four daughters. Agent* — Sir Francis M. Ommanney, M. P. ,,i HENRY STUART, Esq. , '^ v This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; Commandci! Oct. 7, 1799 ; and Post-Captain Oct. 16, 1800. . , j ; . ivf Agent. — Sir Francis Mi Ommanney, M. P. . . ./ < POST-CAPTAINS OV ]dOO. 307 ^ ZACHARY MUDGE, Esq. V » This officer, a son of the late eminent Dr. Mudge of Ply- mouth, CO. Devon *, was made a Lieutenant about 1789 ; and in that capacity accompanied Captain Vancouver to Nootka Sound f, from whence he was despatched to India in au open vessel, with a crew of only 14 men. In 1799> he commanded the Fly sloop of war, and captured la Gleneur French privateer of 6 guns and 32 men, off Portland. During the ensuing year, the Fly was nearly lost on an immense island of ice, near the banks of Newfoundland^ whilst on her passage from Halifax to England, with despatches from H. R. H. the late Duke of K«nt. She also captured le Trompeur, a French cutter privateer, off la Hogue. Captain Mudge's post commission bears date Nov. 15, 1800. His next appointment was to la Constance of 24 guns. In the spring of 1801, Captain Mudge received the thanks of the British Consuls and Merchants at Lisbon and Oporto, for the services he had rendered them, by convoying a fleet from Falmouth to Portugal in safety, and for his very great activity in collecting some vessels at Viaua, laden with brandy, without which the wines could not have been got ready in time to go home under his protection. About the same period he captured El Dduides, a Spanish national cutter of 8 guns and 69 men j a lugger privateer of 2 guns and 27 men j and a brig laden with West Indian produce. ' Having seen eighty-two vessels deeply laden with port wine to their destination in safety. Captain Mudge again sailed for Oporto, and on the 27th July, 1801, Cape Ortegal bearing south four miles, he discovered a brig and a lugger rounding the point, within a quarter of a mile of the shore. Relying on the accuracy of the Spanish charts in his posses- sion, he ran la Constance so close to the Firgu rocks, as to oblige the strangers to pass through the inner channel, each receiving a broadside as she passed. The Stork of 18 guns, which had hove in sight to leeward, now stood into the bay, and compelled the brig to run on shore directly under a high • The Mudges are remarkable for their literary and scientific abilities. t Sec p. 200. X 2 ii 308 POBt-CAPTAlNS OF 1800. cliff, from whence the militia of the country kept up a constant though ill-directed fire on the British boats, commanded by Lieutenant Stupart of la Constance, who gallantly pushed in and hove her off without loss. She proved to be El Cantara, Spanish privateer of 22 guns and 110 men: her consort, mounting 10 guns, was also taken, as were two French brigs laden with brandy, soon after. Towards the latter end of the same year. Captain Mudge conveyed General Count Viomenil and his suite from Ports- mouth to Lisbon. On the 27th March, 1802, the Active frigate arrived in theTagus from Gibraltar, and passing Belem castle, took up an anchorage which appeared to her com- mander the best and safest in the river. This appears to have offended the Portuguese, who, the same evening, seized the bargemen of the British ships, whilst they were waiting for their respective Captains at the usual landing place, and without assigning any cause, lodged them in a subterraneous cell belonging to the police guard. Upon Captain Mudge and liis brother ofl&cer demanding the liberation of their boats' crews, they were themselves conducted to the main guard, and shut up in one of the commanding officer's apartments, exposed to the insults of the soldiers. As soon as H. R. H. the Duke of Sussex, who happened to be at Lisbon, M'as in- formed of this transaction, he went in company with General Fraser and Mr. Frere, to the proper authority, and demanded their release ; but, notwithstanding all the zeal uA diligence of the Prince and his attendants, the two Captains were kept in custody more than thirteen hours ! After Captain Mudge's return to England, we find him em- ployed conveying a number of disbanded foreign soldiers from Lymington to the Elbe, He was appointed to the Blanche frigate about Oct. 1802. ' At the close of 1803, the Blanche was attached to a squa- dron under Captain Loring of the Bellerophon, employed in the blockade of St. Domingo j on which station she captured and destroyed twenty-four of the enemy's vessels in less than a month, thereby completely checking the intercourse be- tween the different ports of the island *. During the ensuing • Wc shall have occasion hereafter to enter into the particulars of more than one jjallant exploit performed by the Blanche's boats at this period. POST- CAPTAINS OF 180(). 309 eighteen months^ she cniised with great activity, . amo'^j other prizes, took two French national vessels ot 1 4 p' ujs each J a Dutch schooner of 4 guns j another laden v ith iiol- lands ; a Spanish sloop, with a cargo of horses and Nicara- gua wood J and two French privateers. Captain Mudge was now doomed to experience a sad re- verse of fortune. On the 19th July, 1805, the Blanche, being in lat. 20« 20' N.. long. 66" 44' W. fell in with a French squadron, consisting of la Topaze frigate of 44 guns and 410 men j one ship of 22 guns and 236 men ; a corvette of 18 guns and 213 men ; and a brig of 16 guns and 128 men. To escape by sailing was out of the question, the greater part of the copper having been oflF her bottom nearly nine months. Captain Mudge, therefore, made every disposition for action, which began at 11 A. M., and lasted about forty- five minutes; the frigates constantly within hail of each other, running large under easy sail ; the 22-gun ship on the J31and»'6 starboard quarter, and the other vessels close astern of her. The British frigate had by this time become un- governable, her sails being totally destroyed, and her rigging cut to pieces ; she had also seven guns dismounted, six feet water in the hold, her fore and main-masts disabled by the enemy's shot, 8 men killed and 15 wounded. Thus situ- ated. Captain Mudge and his officers considered further re- sistance unavailing, and at noon the colours were struck. The Blanche was not destined to wear French colours. At 6 P. M., the officers who had taken possession, reported her to be sinking, and she was consequently set on fire ; but the magazine having been long drowned, no explosion took place. She burnt to the water's edge and then sunk *. On the 14th Oct. in the same year. Captain Mudge was tried by a court-martial at Plymouth, for the loss of his ship, and honorably acquitted of all blame. The President, Rear- Admiral John Sutton, on returning his sword, addressed him in the following words : *' I feel tlie greatest satisfoction and pleasure In the discharge of tils • The Blanche mounted 44 guns, and went into action with only 215 men. The enemy's squadron, as will be seen above, carried altogether 100 guns and 982 men ; of whom 132 were soldiers belonging to the L<;gion du Midi. Their exact loss we have not been able to ascertain- ■li ! 11 ; II' :; I ll ij 1 310 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. part of my duty, knving to coovey to you the just seutiments which the members of this Court entertain of your very able and ufallant conduct in the defence made by you of his Msjesty's late ship the Blanche, a^^ainst a very superior force of the enemy's ships ; and likewise of the spirited sup- port afforded you by the oflScers of every description, as well as the seamen and royal marines, under your command, in the discharge of their duty ; and which reflects upon you and them the highest degree of merit and approbation." /, ; ., ; Captain Mudge subsequently commanded the Phcenix frigate, stationed in the Channel. On the 29th Jan. 1810, the boats of that ship, in company with those of the Jalouse sloop, gallantly boarded and captured le Charles French brig privateer of 14 guns and 90 men. The Phoenix on this oc- casion had 1 man killed and another wounded. Our officer's sister, Elizabeth, married Sir Richard Fletcher, B^., a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Engineers, who fell in action before St. Sebastian, in Aug. 1813. His brother. Colonel Mudge of the Royal Artillery, and F. R. S., was the author of " An Account of the Operations for accomplishing the Trigonometrical Survey of England and Wales, 3 vols. 4to. 1799—1811." , . .. ..t. Agent, — ^Thomas Stilwell, Esq. i J a'fJIX' ected meeting POST-CAFFAINS OK 1800. 311 The Ocean formed part of the Channel Ikct under Aditiiral Geary, at the capture of twelve French West lr4Uiamen, va-' hied at 91, 000*., July 3, 1 780. She was likewise present at the relief of Gibraltar, by Vice-Admiral Darby ; and the cap- ture of fifteen transports, laden with military stores and full of troops, in 1781 ; as also at the capture of twelve others, April 20, 1782 *. Mr. Wolfe continued in the Ocean, which ship was suc- cessirely commanded by Captains Ourry, Edgar, Cleland, and Phipps, till May 1782, when he was removed into the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Kemp- enfelt, in the Channel fleet. Fortunately for him he escaped sharuig the fate of many of his former messmates, who were lost in that noble vessel at Spithead, by following Captain Phipps into the Berwick of 74 guns. This may with pro- priety be termed the third miraculous escape he had expe- rienced in less than two years and a half, from the commence- ment of his professional career f. The Berwick accompanied Earl Howe to the relief of Gib- raltar, in 1782; and bore a part in the subsequent action with the combined fleets off Cape Spartel^ on which occasion Mr. Wolfe was wounded in the face and neck. During the re- mainder of the war, we find her stationed in the West Indies, «nder the orders of Admiral Pigot. She was put out of com- mission June 30, 1783. with some friends of the family, by wliom h<; was compelled to return home, after trudging twenty-two miles on foot in pursuit of his favorite object. • See Vol. I. p. 4, note J at p. 33, pp. 68, and 15. t During the winter of 1780, while the Ocean was lying with the grand fleet in Torbay, her launch was sent to Torquay for water ; and Mr. Wolfe having been engaged tc dine with the father of his messmate, Mr. Broderick Hartwell, was descending the side for the purpose of going on shore by her, when the boat-rope broke, and caused him to be left behind. On her return, the launch unfortunately sunk, and a Lieutenant, 2 Midship- men, one of whom was Mr. Hartwell, and 19 seamen perished. Soon after this melancholy catastrophe, the Ocean and several other ships struck the ground in Torbay, unshipped their rudders, and were under the necessity of proceeding to Portsmouth to repair their damages. Early in 1781, Mr. Wolfe fell overboard whilst playing about the Ocean's hulk in a sroall boat, and was carried by the tide to the mouth of the har- bour, before he could be rescued fromhis perilous situation. *A: •! i I ! 312 POSr-CAPTAINS OP 1800. During the ensuing peace, Mr. Wolfe served in the various ships commanded by Captains Herbert Sawyer, Charles Chamberla}iie, Robert Fanshawe, Charles M. Pole, J. Smith, and Thomas Hicks. In 1790, an explosion accidentally took place on board the Orion 74, Captain Chamberlayne, then at anchor in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes. Mr. Wolfe was at that time confined to his bed by a fever, which had already carried off 23 men, and to which the Surgeon, who was an atheist, predicted he would also fall a victim in less than twenty-four hours. So great was the alarm among the crew, that many of the people jumped through the ports and were drowned. During the confusion, Mr, Wolfe's cot was broken down, and as he lay on the deck, his ears were assailed by the dreadful cries of some who were drowning, and others in distress. Not relish- ing the idea of being burnt alive, he contrived to pull on his trowsers and crawl to the gun-room ports, where he saw the Surgeon hanging by the rudder chains, kicking and screaming most furiously, and holding out his purse as an inducement for a boat that had been sent to the Orion's assistance, to come and save him from being devoured by the sharks : so much for the carelessness about futurity, of a person who denied the existence of a God, and attributed " surrounding nature and all its astonishing phoenomena to chance, or a for- tuitous concourse of atoms *." Strengthened in an extraor- dinary manner by the fright to which he had been subjected, Mr. Wolfe managed to hand the poor wretch a rope's end, by which he was enabled once more to obtain a firm footing on the Orion's deck, and observe the recovery of his patient ; the preservation of whose life may reasonably be attributed to his dormant pulse being suddenly roused into action by the terror excited in his breast, on hearing the appalling cry of " fire," and witnessing the despair of his shipmates. At the commencement of the French revolutionary war, Mr. Wolfe, who had passed his examination upwards of four years, joined the Windsor Castle, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Cosby, with whom he soon after sailed * Sec an account of the sect calling thcmscIvcH atheists, in Evaue's Sketch of all Religions, p. 2, rt srq. POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 313 for the Mediterranean station. During the occupation of Toulon by the allied forces, he served as a volunteer in se- veral land and floating batteries, and was consequently often engaged with the enemy. After the evacuation of that place, and while the fleet was lying among the Hieres islands, an hospital ship parted her cable, and drifted into a small bay, where she was completely commanded by the republicans. The boats of the fleet were immediately sent to take out her wounded and sick inmates ; but owing to the sharp tire kept up by the enemy from behind a breastwork, as they approach* ed, the Windsor Castle's launch, commanded by Mr. Richard Hawkins, a Midshipman, was the only boat that succeeded in boarding her. On this occasion, one of the launch's crew was killed, but 12 wounded soldiers were rescued. It being determined to renew the attempt, an order was issued for all the boats to assemble alongside a frigate, sent in shore to cover them in their approach. The Windsor Castle's launch was this time commanded by Mr. Wolfe, who volunteered his services, and was fortunate enough to bring off 13 more of the wounded men. He was soon followed by a boat manned with French royalists, who behaved most nobly, and the vessel was at length finally cleared, and after- wards set on fire by Lieutenant Thomas George Shortland, of the Nemesis. In the execution of this hazardous service, Mr. Wolfe was very much hurt by a soldier in a heavy wooden cradle falling from the gunwale of the hospital ship into the launch, striking him on his head, and bending him backwards with such violence, as to cause the blood to gush from every aperture in hib head and body. In consequence of this acci- dent, he was confined to his hammock for the space of two months ; a circumstance, which however painful in itself, was by no means so mortifying to him as that of seeing the Lieu- tenant who had been sent from the Victory to command the boats promoted to the rank of Commander, whilst his own conduct and sufferings passed unrewarded. Subsequent to his recovery, Mr. Wolfe served on shore, under Captains Serecold, Miller, and Cooke, at the reduction of Corsica. By the latter oflicer he was introduced to Lord Hood, who received him very kindly, and ordered him to bo i !i i i;;« 814 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. |i W td removed to the Victory ; ia which ship he returned to England as Master's Mate, towards the close of 1/94. On his arrival at Portsmouth, Mr. Wolfe was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in the Phaeton frigate, comuianded by the Hon. Robert Stopford, with whom he continued about two years and nine months *. In Sept. 1797, he was made a Commander, and appointed to the Sally armed ship^ on the North Sea station. ' • Soon after this promotion. Captain Wolfe being on a cruise off the Yorkshire coast, in a very thick fog, suddenly found himself close toaFrench ship, which afterwards provedtobe le Republicain of 36 guns and 360 men. The Sally, originally a collier, mounted 14oldfashionedcarronades (24-pounders), and had a complement of 45 men. On the fogbeginning to disperse, the enemy, then within pistol-shot, was observed lowering a boat to take possession of his expected prize, whose starboard guns, loaded with two rounds of grape-shot, were instanta- neously discharged into the French frigate, and with such effect as to bring down her jib and spanker, which afforded Captain Wolfe an opportunity of putting about and effecting his esbape : the confusion on board le Republicain, occasioned by this unexpected salute, being so great, that by the time she had wore and come to the wind on the other tack, the Sally was at least a mile on her weather bow. Captain Wolfe's conduct on this occasion was highly approved by the Admi- ralty. The Sally was afterwards employed affording protection to the Baltic and Hamburgh trade ; and in the course of the two following years, captured several Dutch vessels, two of which were Greenlandmen f. • The Pliacton was one of the squadron that escorted the Princess Caro- line of Brunswick from Cuxhaven to England, in April 1 7^6. Slie after- wardi resumed her station in the Cliannel ; and among other services, des- troyed I'Echoud of 28 guns ; capturetl la Donne Citoyenne of 20 guns ^ three large privateers, and a number cf merchant vessels ; and assisted at the capture of two French frigates, one mounting 36, the other 30 guns. She also formed part of the squadron under Vice-Admiral Cornwallis, during his masterly retreat ; an account of which will be found in Vol. I. note •, at p. 364. t The Cruiser, Captain Charles WoUaston, was in company at tliis latter opturc. POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 315 Captain Wolfe obtained post rank Dec. 10, 1800 ; and was appointed to the Galatea of 32 guns in April 1801. During the ensuing peace, we find him employed conveying troops from Guernsey and different ports in England, to Holland. His next appointment was Dec. 24, 1802, to the Aigle fri- gate, then recently launched; and in March following he received orders to repair to Portland, for the purpose of im- pressing seamen, and raising volunteers for the navy. On his arrival he communicated with the Mayor of Weymouth, and found that the sailors belonging to that neighbourhood had placed themselves under the protection of the stone quarry men, who soon proceeded to acts of violence against his own people, who after being severely handled, were obliged to re- treat from the quay to their boats. Confiding in the pro- mise of the Mayor, who had agreed to furnish a sufficient number of const{d)les to assist him and preserve order. Cap- tain Wolfe landed, at 4 P. M. on the 1st April, at the head of ^ seamen and marines, but had scarcely got on shore before his party were fired on by a number of sailors collected on the beach; A scufSe now ensued, and two of the rioters, named Porter and Wey, were secured, the one armed with a poker, the other with a reap-hook. The remainder of the mob retiring towards the Bill of Portland, were soon re-in- forced by nearly 300 men, armed with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, which had been plundered from the transports wrecked on that co».st 'n 1795*. This formidable body, urged on by two constables, lost no time in attacking their imwelcome visitors, 16 or 17 of whom were dreadfully wound- ed. At length, after the most patient forbearance on the part of Captain Wolfe, who was himself seized and cruelly treat- ed, the marines opened their fire, killed 4 of the rioters, and obliged the remainder to retreat ; which they did with so much precipitation, that only 3 could be secured f. As soon as the Aigle's wounded men reached their ship, Captain Wolfe despatched a Lieutenant, (the present Earl of • See Vol. I. note f, at p. 89. f John Manning, a quarter- :naster belonging to the Aiglc, had hit cut- lass broken whtlit warding off a blow aimed at hit Captuip's head. Nine of the wounded men were discharged from the service, in consequence of 0am ii^lorio they received. P '■'; I ■ ■'* 316 l>08r- CAPTAINS OP 1800. Huntingdon) to lay a correct account of this unfortunate af" fair before the Admiralty, and prevent the misrepresentations with which public opinion is usually abused in like cases; but on his landing at Weymouth, that officer and Mr. Morgan, a Midshipman, were recognized by the mob, who seized them and compelled the Mayor, by threatening worse consequences, to commit them to Dorchester gaol for the alleged murder of the unhappy men who had fallen the victims of their own disloyal conduct. The Coroner having returned a verdict of wilful murder against Captain Wolfe, Lieutenant Francis Hastings, Laeute- nant Jefferies of the marines, and Mr. John Fortescue Morgaui the Midshipman, those gentlemen surrendered themselves for trial at the ensuing summer assizes, and after a full investiga- tion of their conduct were fully acquitted, the jury agreeing that they had merely acted in self defence *. * The following circutastanccs connected with this unfortunate affray, will serve to shew how deeply the principle of self-love is implanted in the lieart of man. The Coroner, an attorney, finding that another limb of the law was engaged to draw up the affidavits of those officers against whom he had returned a verdict of murder, went on board the Aigle and begged Captain Wolfe to employ him ; stating, at the same time, that the verdict was given in consequence of his dreading the resentment of the populace, had he acted more leniently. A surgeon of the sanoe town, having an eye to number one, also waited upon Captain Wolfe, and solicited him to en- trust the Aigle'8 wounded men to his care ; stating that he had had the charge of all the sick men belonging to the navy who had come into Portland road during the late war, and if Captain Wolfe would comply with his request, he should be able to obtain a renewal of the former contract. On the morning of the trial, this disciple of iEsculapius made his appearance in court, and stated that a young girl who had received a wound in the lute tumult, declared to him before her death, that Captain Wolfe was the per- son who had shot her. We do not pretend to divine by what motives he was actuated; but this we know, that the grand jury rejected his evidence in toto. The unfortunate girl alluded to was a sister of one of the impressed men, James Wey, by whom Captain Wolfe was first apprised of her being wounded. Two days after the riot, her father, by his dismal account of her sufferings, prevailed on Captain Wolfe to liberate his son, whom he described as the only support ot himself and family. About a week after, the old man, who had previously received two guineas from Captain Wolfe to procure necessaries for the girl, wrote a distressing letter, begging him to forward five pounds to pay the surgeon^a bill, On the luttcr being u$kcd f m POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. SIJ In the interim, between the holding of the coroner's inquest and his trial, Captain Wolfe went on a cruise, and was fortu- nate enough to intercept six homeward bound French West Indiamen. Towards the latter end of the same year, he cap- tured, after a long chase, I'Alert privateer of 16 gims and 90 men. On the 12th July, 1804, the Aigle fell in with two French corvettes, proceeding from Rochefort to Bayonne, with ord- nance and stores for a ship of war just launched at that port. These vessels, at first, seemed resolved to try their strength with the British frigate ; but on her near approach, fired a single broadside, and ran on shore about ten leagues to the southward of Cordouan. Every effort was made by Captain Wolfe, during the ensuing night and part of the next day, to get them afloat again, but without effect ; and he was at length obliged to destroy them by fire. They proved to be la Cha- rante of twenty 6-pounders, 4 swivels, and 104 men ; and la Joie of eight 12-pounders (pierced for 14 guns), 2 swivels, and 7^ men. The greater part of their crews escaped to the shore j several were drowned by the swamping of the boats, owing to the heavy surf on the beach ; and the remainder, amounting to 26 officers and men, were tal:en prisoners. . In Sept. 1805, Captain Wolfe, being off Vigo, was attacked during a calm, by nine Spanish gun-boats. After an homr's cannonade, a breeze sprung up, and enabled him to capture the Commodore's vessel, sink another, and drive the rest on shore. The prize carried a long 24-pounder, and 29 men, 4 of whom belonged to the artillery. From this period, we find no particular mention of Captain Wolfe till March 1808 ; in the course of which month, he discovered two French frigates pushing for I'Orient, under a (iress of sail. The Aigle, at this time cruising near the Glenan islands, immediately went in pursuit, passing between Isle Groais and the main ; and after sustaining a heavy fire why he had not informed Captain Wolfe what Mary Wey had said, when he solicited the care of the Aiglc's men, which was several days after she hud been wounded, he replied, that she did not make the declaration till three weeks after. We should here state, though not without cautioning the young oiFiccr against acting precipitately in such a case, that the Court unpiainted Captain Wolfe he had done wrong in conunuuicating with the Mayor of Woymouth, when acting under an order from the King in Council. I !1 i: 318 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1900. from the land batteries on both sides, compelled one of the enemy's ships to take shelter under a fort on the S. E. side of the island. The other, la Furieuse of 40 guns, was soon after brought to close action, and ultimately obliged to run ashore on Point du Chat. The Aigle, in this dashing affair, had three guns split and dismounted, a bower anchor cut in two, her masts and yards much damaged, and 22 officers and men wounded : among the former we find the names of Cap- tain Wolfe and Lieutenant Lamh. She subsequently cap- tured, after a long chase, les Six Freres of 18 guns, from Bourdeaux bound to the Mauritius. The Aigle formed part of the detachment sent from Lord Gambler's fleet to attack a French squadron in Aix Roads, April 12, 1809 ; and on that occasion was the second ship which opened her fire on the enemy. After assisting at the destruction of four 2-deckerSj Captain Wolfe relieved Lord Cochrane in the command of the advanced squadron, consist- ing of a bomb, several gun-brigs, and other small vessels ; obliged the enemy to burn a frigate which had got on shore in the Charante, and the remainder of their ships to retreat »p that river, after throwing overboard all their guns and stores. On this anxious and fatiguing service, he continued a» long as there existed a possibility of annoying and harras- sing the fugitives; the Aigle preserving her station above the Boyart shoal, although much exposed to an attack from the French gun-boats, for a period of fifteen days, during which Captain Wolfe was never once in bed. On the llth Aug. following, the Aigle had 1 man killed and 4 dreadfully wounded, by the explosion of an 18-inch shell, which fell on board her when forcing the passage of the Scheldt, in company with a squadron of firigates, under the orders of Lord William Stuart *, ^ ' • • ,' In Sept. 1810, Capt^n Wolfe being on a cruise off the Western islands, fell in with, and after a chase of one hun- dred and thirty-four miles, in thirteen hours, captured le Phoenix French privateer, mounting eighteen 18-pounders, • The shell passed through the bulwark, quarter, main, and lower- decka, to the bread room, where it Imrst. The splinters, in their ascent throvgh the decks, occasioned the loss we have stated* - ' ,' ^«^... - .. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801, 319 with a complement of 129 men, commanded by M. Jacques Perrond, a Lieutenant in the French navy, and a Member of the Legion of Honor *. In addition to the foregoing services, he appears to have taken, at different times during the war, two Prussian, three Danish, one American, one Russian, and upwards of one hundred and fifty French vessels ; the lat- ter principally coasters of from 10 to 100 tons. He was no- minated a C. B. in 1815. HENRY HILL, Esq. This officer is a son of the late Colonel Hill, of St. Boni- face, in the Isle of Wight, who served during the German war as aid-de-camp to Count de Lipp. He entered the naval service in 1787, as a Midshipman on board the Vestal of 28 guns, commanded by Sir Richard John Strachan, with whom he removed into the PhtEnix fri- gate, on the East India station ; where he was engaged in a variety of service, particularly that of transporting the batter- ing train, &c., belonging to the Malabar army, up the BaHy^* patam river, to the foot of the Ghauts ; and in the action with la Resolu French frigate, Nov. 19, 1791 1« On one occasion, * Mr. Perrond was a most experienced and scientific officer. He had previously commanded the Bellona privateer upwards of nine years in the East Indies, where he committed great depredations on our commerce. Le Phoenix was a l)eautiful ship, built in imitation of the Bellona. She tried the Aigle on every point of sailing ; and had there been less wind, would most likely have escaped from her, as she had before done from tour other cruisers. The capture of so fine a vessel may justly be deemed a service of importance. t See Vol. I. pp. 284 and 285. N. D. Since the publication of our first volume, wc have received the following remarks on the action between the Phoenix and Resolui from an old and intelligent Post-Captain : " A correspondence had been carried on for some time between Commodore Cornwallis and the French Captain, respecting the right of earching mer- chant vs^jels ; and the latter, in order to try whether the threats of the English Commodore would be put in force, got under way from Mahd roads with two merchant ships under his convoy, and passed close to the British squadron of three frigates in Telliuhcrry roads. The Phoenix and Perseveranco were both ordered by signal to * ex'amine the strange sails passing near,* and both in conse(|iicncc weighed and went in chase ; both 820 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901, Isl I i whilst employed in a boat at the mouth of the above river, he was upset in a heavy surf, but preserved himself by supe- rior swimming : his companion, a Mr. Robinson^ and most of the boat's crew, unfortunately perished. The Phoenix returned to England in 1793 ; and Mr. Hill was soon after removed into the Boyne, a second rate, bear- ing the flag of Sir John Jervis, under whose auspices he first went to sea, and by whom he was almost immediately pro- moted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Zebra sloop of war, commanded by Captain Robert Faulknor, and forming part of the fleet sent to reduce the French West India colonies. The services of the Zebra during the campaign of 1794, were very conspicuous, and are too well known to require repetition. It is therefore unnecessary to say more, than that Lieutenant Hill was on all occasions the constant associate of his gallant commander, both on shore and afloat*. The Rev. Cooper Willyams, from whose work we have already made one or two extracts, thus relates a melan- choly accident, which occurred in one of the land batteries, during the siege of Fort Louis : " CapUun Faulknor of the Zebra, who commanded in the battery, being provoked by the interference of an artillery officer, and one of the seRinen not obeying him with alacrity, was provoked to strike him with his s .vord ; which unfortunately wounded him mortally, and he died in a few minutes. Captain Faulknor was acquitted by the court-martial that was instantly Hummoned to investigate the matter ; and the circumstance of its happen- ing in the heat of action, when the least disobedience of orders involves the most fatal consequences, as well as that it appeared there was no pre- meditated intention of killing the unfortunate man, but was a blow given from the impulse of momentary passion, the sentence was confirmed and approved.** On this sad occasion, Lieutenant Hill, then at Point Negro got up with the French together, and both were concerned in the action with la Resolu, a 12-pounder frigate, though she only fired at the Phoe- nix." — It will be remembered by our readers, that the Hon. East India Company was at this time engaged in a w ar with Tippoo Saib, which ended only with his life, and the destruction of Seringapatam, the capital of his dominions ; and as the French and Dutch were known to be favorable to that chieftain, and suspected of supplying him with warlike stores, it became the duty of our naval commanders to watch them very narrowly. ,■ t . • See Vol. I. note at p. 859. ; - . POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 321 camp, received the following letter from Captain Faulknor. We insert it for the purpose of shewing how much that offi- cer lamented the rash act which he had committed : " Zebra, March 14, 1794. " Sir, — My unfortunate rashness and impetuosity in giving a wound to a poor seaman, on service with me at the new battery, has occasioned a court-martial to he held on my conduct to-morrow at 8 o'clock; and whatever the result may be, and one sentence only I can apprehend, be- lieve me I shall care infinitely less for my own fate, than that of being ac- cessary to the death of any human being, not the natural enemy of myself or of my country. The insolent contempt and provocation from the unfor- tunate man was great, and such as would have condemned him to death, had I brought him to trial ; but the hasty and sudden punishment I un- happily inflicted on the spot, will be a source of lasting affliction to my mind. Mr. Fahie • and Mr. White will accompany me to the court-mar- tial ; and have done themselves honor by their sympathy and feeling. May I venture to ask your attendance with them ; and to hope whatever difference may have arisen between us on service before, may at a peiiod like the present be buried in oblivion. My heart is incapable of malice or ill-will ; and a temper hasty and ungovernable, previous to this unfortunate moment, has been the only unhappiness of my life ! I propose sending for twelve, if not all the people under your command on shore ; as I can hardly doubt but they will give their testimony of my character as a man and an officer of humanity ; it appears to me, on an occasion of this nature, to be the best jury I can summon. Brigadier Rogers, I have no doubt, on your application, will give permission for yourself and them to embark. I remain, Dear Sir, with every sentiment of regard, " Your most faithful Servant, (Signed) " Robert Faulknor." That this appeal to Lieutenant Hill's feelings, whatever might have been the nature of any previous misunderstanding between his commander and himself, was not made in rain, appears by the following communication : " Dear Sir, — I am sensibly obliged by your note, and the sympathy contained in it. It would be a satisfaction to me to hare the whole of the people on shore with you, officers and all, to attend me at the court-mar- tial. If that l)e impossible, I must beg you will send any twelve who are willing to come on the occasion, &c. &c. (Signed) " Robert Faulknor.'* After the reduction of Martinique, St. Lucia, &c., the Zebra was sent to tiie coast of America in company with a squadron of frigates, under the orders of Commodore Josias 'I I ^ m * IVIr. Fahie (now a Rear-Admiral), was at that time first Lieutenant of the Zebra. VOL. II. Y I 322 roST-CAFrAINS OF 1801. |!BI ill ill Rogers ; but returned from thence to the West Indies at the latter end of the same year, and subsequently cruised with considerable success against the enemy's privateers, several of which she captured and destroyed *. In March 1795, the French having disembarked on the island of St. Vincent, excited the Caribs to revolt, and mas- sacre many of the white inhabitants ; by which means nearly the whole colony fell into the possession of the insurgents. Upon receiving intelligence to this eflfect, Captain Skynner lost no time in leaving his cmising ground and proceeding to Kingston Bay, where Lieutenant Hill was landed on the 12th, with a party of seamen and a 6-pounder, to co-operate with the British land forces then on the island. At this moment the enemy were in possession of Dorchester hill, a commanding eminence immediately above the town of Kingston, which they were preparing to cannonade. The post taken by Lieu- tenant Hill becoming untenable, he suggested to the Governor and Captain Skynner the necessity of driving the enemy from their position. His plan being adopted, as many sea- men as could be collected from the vessels in the bay were landed on the evening of the 14th; and Captain Skynner having assumed the command of the whole, arrangements were forthwith made for carrying it into effect. At midnight this gallant little band moved on to the attack^ preceded by Lieutenant Hill, and with such regularity that their approach was not discovered until they were within a few yards of the enemy's post. A brisk fire of musketry now did much exe- cution among them ; but the tars, who under Faulknor had stormed Fort Royal, were not to be daunted : rushing forward with impetuosity, they drove the Caribs from all points, and entirely off the hill, with the loss of Chatowee, their chief, who foVight with great personal bravery and determination. In this brilliant affair. Lieutenant Hill received a very severe wound in the right shoulder, which obliged him to retire to his ship immediately after the occupation of Dorchester hill, and subsequently to return home. Previous to his departure from St. Vincent's, he received the thanks of the Governor * Captain Faulknor Imving previously l)ccn posted, the Zebra was now commanded by Captuin Skynner. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 323 nftd House of Assembly, tocrether with the most marked at- tention, and expressions of gratitude from all dnsscs of the inhabitants. Soon after his arrival in England, he reeeivcd the following letter from Drewry Ottley, Es(|., second in Council of the above island : " Dear Sir. — It is with i^roat pleasure that I liear of your safe arrival at the Isle of Wight, where I make no doubt but that by the attention of your friends, the skill of your surjfeons, and your own good constitution and high spirits, you will be soon restored to health, and enabled once more to engage in the service of your country. I made a point as soon as I arrived in London, to write to Lord Spencer about you, and to explain to him the obligations which our colony felt for your gallant and spirited behaviour. I shewed him also a copy of our vote of thanks. He ex- pressed himself much pleased with what you had done, and promised to take aa early opportunity of rewarding your services. I am, dear Sir, " Your faithful and obedient Servant, (Signed) *' Duewry Ottley." Lieutenant Hill was advanced to the rank of Commander, July 24, 1795 ; and in Feb. 1/97? liad the honor of being coupled with Captain Skynner, in a letter of thanks from the Agents for the colony of St. Vincent. His sufferings in con- sequence of his wound were long and severe ; nor do wc find him again in employ till the spring of 1798, when he was ap- pointed to the Sea Fencibles in the Isle of Wight. He after- wards commanded the Gorgon, a 44-gun ship, armed enfiute, on the Mediterranean station ; and Megtera fire-vessel, at- tached to the Channel fleet. His post commission bears date Jan. 1, 1801. Captain Hill's subsequent appointments were, in succes- sion, to the Princess Royal of 98 guns j Ruby 64; Camilla 24 ; Orpheus 32 ; Agincourt 64 ; and Naiad, a 38-gun fri- gate. In April 1805, Captain Hill worked the Orpheus out of the Tagus during a gale of wind, to the astonishment of the most experienced pilots, and succeeded in conveying and forward- ing intelligence of the French and Spanish fleets having formed a junction at Cadiz, to our squadrons off Ferrol, Brest, and Ireland. Previous to, and after that event, he was principally employed affording protection to the trade. ' In March, 1810, eight petty officers and seamen belonging to the Naiad, were tried by a court-martial at Plymouth, on charges of which the following is the substance, vh : y 2 324 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. " First, (or making, or attempting to mai with a squadron under his orders, on the Irish stutioii- lie was taken in a iit whilst at dhuicr on board his ship, tiwn lyini; in liie Cove of Corlv, and survived only five days. t See Vol. I. p. 47, f( »et/. A\ li. I/ieutenRnl Waller on this oenisioii was also landed with a party of seamen to co-operate with the nnny. Pas- sing throii^h the villa^'e ot ('(initanlia during Jhe inaph fmin SinionV 328 POST-CAPTAINS Of 1801. On the 9th Sept. 1/96, the Victorious, in company with the Arrogant of 74 guns, had a very severe action off Ceylon, with six heavy French frigates, commanded by M. de Sercey. The brunt of this conflict was borne by the Victorious, whose loss consisted of 17 men killed and 56 wounded ; among the latter was her commander. Captain William Clarke, whose place, on his being carried below, was most ably and gallantly supplied by Lieutenant Waller * : the Arrogant had 7 slain and 27 wounded. Both ships were greatly disabled in their masts, yards, rigging, and sails ; and the French squa- dron received so much damage, as to be under the necessity of proceeding to Batavia, where three out of the six frigates were compelled to undergo a complete repair. The delay oc- casioned by this kept de Bercey in port at a very critical season : and so far the action contributed to preserve from spoliation much valuable British property, afloat in every part of the eastern hemisphere. In the following year. Lieutenant Waller was removed into the Suffolk 74, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Rainier, by whom he was made a Commander, and appointed to the Al- batross of 16 guns, in June 1799 ; but that vessel being in the Red Sea, he acted as Captain of la Sybille frigate, until he had an opportunity of joining her. During the night of Nov. 12, 1800, Captain Waller fell in with, and after a smart action, during which the enemy at- tempted to carry the Albatross by boarding, captured I'Adele French privateer of 12 guns, pierced for 16, with a comple- ment of 60 men, several of whom were killed and wounded. On the 24th March, in the following year, he had also the good fortune to intercept la Gloire of 10 guns, pierced for 18, and 130 men. These marauders had committed great depredations on our trade ; and their capture was considered of 80 much importance, that the Madras Insurance Compa- nies presented Captain Waller with a sword and a piece of town, one of the aailors swore, that for once in his life he wouUl swim in wine; and jumping in the head of a vat, was ahnost immediately satiated with that enticin)( beverage. * The first Lieutenant of the Victorious was ahsent in a pnze. For a detailed account of the action, see Jiuucs's Nuv. Ilist. v. i. p. 432, ft leq. POST-CAl»TAlNS OF 1801. 329 plate, each worth 200 pounds, as a reward for the services he had thus rendered to their interest *. Captain Waller's post commission bears date Jan. 8, 1801. He subsequently commanded the Dffidalus of 32 guns ; which ship returned to Englandandwaspaidoff inthesummerof 1803. From the time of his joining the Rose frigate on the New- foundland station (1789), to this period, he had never been a day out of active service. His next appointment was ^ro tem- ])ore, to the Norge 74 ; and at the conclusion of the war, we find him fitting out the Sceptre, of similar force. His brother, John, commanded tlie Serpent sloop of war, and was lost with all his crew on the West India station, in I8O7. ylgents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. HENRY VANSIITART, Esq. This officer is a son of George Vansittart, Esq., formerly M. P. for Berkshire (which county he represented many years), by Sarah, daughter of the late Rev. Sir James Ston- house, Bart. Tf ? was born at Bisham Abbey, near Marlow, co. Berks ; *) e. ed the naval service under the protection of the late Admiral Sir George Bowyer f > and served his time as a Midshipman on board the Pegasus of 28 guns, commanded by Captain William Domett, on the Newfoundland station ; Hannibal 74, Captain John Colpoys, in the Channel ; Rom- ney 50 ; and Princess Royal 98, bearing the flag of the late Admiral Goodall ; I'Aigle frigate, Captain Samuel Hood ; and Victory of 100 guns, the flag ship of Lord Hood j the four latter ships employed in the Mediterranean, from whence he returned to England at the latter end of 1794. During the siege of Toulon by the republican army, Mr. Vansittart, although very young, was allowed, after repeated entreaties, to serve as a volunteer in a floating battery, where * L'Adcle was purchased for the Hon. East India Company, and la Gloire for the King. The latter was a very fine ship, and had left the Isle of France with 190 men on board. Daring her cruise, she took six British merchantmen, and sunk several others, t^even of her crew were killed and 15 wounded, before ^he surrendered to the Albatross. t See Vol. I. irotc • at p. 72(». " • ' m m 330 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801, he received a very severe M'ouiid in the head, from a heavy oak splinter, which cut through the skull to the thin mem- brane that covers the brain, and passing on, took off the thigh of a Spanish bombardier. He was at the same time slightly wounded in several places by smaller splinters *• In 1794, we find Mr. Vansittart employed for several weeks in an open boat belonging to I'Aigle, at the siege of Calvi ; on which ser- vice he was also a volunteer. For his zealous conduct and severe sufferings at this early period of life, he was rewarded with a Lieutenant's commission, and appointed to the Stately of 64 guns, in Feb. 1795. The Stately formed part of the squadron under Sir George Keith Elphinstone, at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, in Sept. 1795. During the operations carried on against that colony, Lieutenant Vansittart commanded a company of sea- men belonging to the second naval battalion, landed to assist the army. The Stately was subsequently ordered to assist in reducing Columbo ; but that place appears to have surrender- ed whilst she was at Trincomalee. Previous to her quitting the Indian seas, the scurvy made such ravages among her crew, as obliged her to put into St. Augustin's bay, Madagas- car, where Lieutenant Vansittart had the charge of preparing tents for the use of the sick, more than 100 of whom were unable to move from their hammocks. The disease being at length subdued, she returned to the Cape of Good Hope in time to assist at the capture of a Dutch squadron in Saldanha bay; after which the subject of this memoir returned to Eng- land as signal Lieutenant of the Monarch 74, bearing the flag of Sir George K. Elphinstone, under whom he continued to serve in that ship and the Queen Charlotte, a first rate, till the commencement of 1798, when he was appointed first Lieutciuant of the Maidstone frigate, commanded by Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Donnelly. * The floating bnttcry mounted four heavy guns and two brass mor- tars, the latter of vvhich were worked by Spanish boral)ardicrd. She wuh cotomandcd by Lieutenant Moriencourt of the PrinccBS lloyiil, who had 2 midshipman and 48 men under his orders. Tito first of tho ciiomy'ri batteries to wliicli she uns opposed, wiis soon rtrectiially silenced ; but ihu tire from a second, erected on a rising ground, proved so destructive tlittt only 0 met? >vere left fit for duly on board tlic lloat. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 331 Lieutenant Vansittart was promoted to the rank of Com- mander in the Hermes sloop of war, about Aug. 1/98 ; re- moved into the Bonetta about Oct. following ; and during the ensuing year, was employed convoying the trade to and from Newfoundland and America. In 1800, he captured several of the enemy's armed vessels on the Jamaica station, where he obtained post rank in the Abergavenny of 54 guns. He subsequently commanded the Thunderer 74, and Magicicnnc frigate ; the former returned to Europe with the squadron under Sir Robert Calder, who had gone to the West Indies in pursuit of the French fleet under M. Gantheaume ; the latter was employed conveying a number of disbanded Dutch troops from Lymington and Jersey, to the Texcl and Helvoctsluys, after the peace of Amiens. His post commission bears date Feb. 3, 1801. At the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain Vansittart com- missioned the Fortunce frigate, and during the remainder of the year we find him blockading the rivers Elbe and Weser, and cruising off Boulogne. On the 2d Feb. 1804, he sailed for the Jamaica station, where he was most actively employed upwards of four years j during which, and the two years pre- viously spent there, he had three severe attacks of the yellow fever *. In the summer of 1806, Captain Vansittart sailed forEngland, in company with the Surveillante frigate, Hercule 74, an armed schooner, and a large fleet of merchantmen. When off the Havannah, a number of Spanish vessels were discovered, un- der the protection of a J'l-gun ship and two gun-boats. The Fortunce was immediately detached in pursuit by signal from the senior officer. Captain (now Rear-Admiral) John Bligh, and assisted by the schooner, succeeded in capturing the gun- boats, and upwards of twenty sail, deeply laden with sugar, &c. * When the yellow fever made its appearance on board the Fortun<^e, Captidn Vansittart was about to return to Jamaica from a cruise olf the Havannah. Six men having died before he cleared the Gulf of Florida, he pushed for the Bermudas, and landed all the sick on one of those islands, which being uninhabited was humanely lent to hira for that purpose by Mr. Tucker, the President (the Governor being absent). The fever went through the whole of his crew, but fortunately not a man died of that disorder from the time of his arrival there, nor indeed during the re- mainder of his stay in the West Indies. i 332 PoST-CAln-AlNS Off 1801. i The Hne-of-battle ship being close in with the Havannah, succeeded in effecting her escape. Captain Vansittart on this occasion exhibited a noble spirit of disinterestedness, by de- stroying the whole of those valuable prizes, in order that the convoy might not be detained, although the Spaniards offered to bring off from the shore in the course of twelve hours a sum sufficient to ransom them. A few days after this event, he obtained intelligence that six French ships of the line were cruising to intercept the homeward bound fleet ; this squadron was subsequently seen, but successfully avoided through the able management of Captain Bligh and his brother officers. Among the vessels taken by the Fortunee during her va- rious cruises in the West Indies, we find le Vautour, French privateer j a Spanish brig laden with cocoa ; le Grand Juge Bertolio, French schooner, of 7 guns and 51 men j and two Spanish feluccas laden with beef and flour : the latter were destroyed. In 1807) and the three succeeding years. Captain Vansittart was employed on Channel service, and the Irish station. Towards the latter end of 1810 he conveyed Hear- Admiral Freemantle to the Mediterranean ; and after serving for some weeks with the in -shore squadron off Toulon, was ordered to Algiers, where he embarked an ambassador, with presents from the Dey to our late Sovereign. Whilst there he was presented with a sword, some other trifling articles, and a bag of dollars ; the latter he instantly returned to the Dey, at the same time informing him that a British officer would never receive money for his own use from any foreign power, but that the sword he should retain, Jind ever value as a mark of the honor conferred on him by his Highness. On the 11th Oct. 1811, Captain Vansittart, being on a cruise to the westward, with the Saldanha frigate under his orders, fell in with and capiured the famous French ship pri- vateer le Vice-Amiral Martin, of 18 guns and 140 men j a vessel which, by the superiority of her sailing, and the dexte- rity of her manoeuvres, had often escaped from other British cruisers, and committed great depredations on our commerce. In the spring of 1812 he was appointed to the Clarence 74 ; and from that period till the conclusion of the war he appcirs to havebccn employed blockading the Tcxel, Brest, and Uochcfort. I»OST-CAPTAlNS OF 1801. 333 never but on a We cannot close this memoir without remarking that the subject of it, with the exception of a very few mouths in 1802-3, was never a day out of commission from the summer of 1791, when he first went to sea, till the peace of 1814, a period of twenty-three years. Captain Vansittart married, in 1809, a daughter of the Rev. John Pennefather, by whom he lias three sons and two daugh- ters now living. His surviving brothers are George Henry, a General in the army, and Edward, in holy orders ; the latter has added the surname of Neale to that of his own family. His first cousin, the Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart, many years Chancellor of his Majesty's Exchequer, an upright statesman, and an amiable i ' ate character, has recently been created a peer, by the title of Baron Boxley. j jigent, — Thomas Stillwell, Esq. , , , !, GEORGE MUNDY, Esq. A Companion of the most, honorable Milltari/ Order of the Bath ; and M. P. for Doroughbridge, in Yorhshire. This officer ia a son of the late Edward Miller Mundy, Esq. many years M. P. for Derbyshire, by Frances, daughter of Godfrey Meynell, Esq. of Yeldersley, in the same county ♦, * The Mundys of Derbyshire arc an ancient and most respectable family, branches of which resided at Mocketon and Quanlon. Their estates were considerable, and they still flourish at Mackworth, near Derby, and at Marton. Edward Mundy, E!i(|. was M. P. for the town of Derby in 1710 and 1713} W. Mundy, Esq. represented Leicestershire in 1741. The late Edward Miller Mundy, En\. by his union with Miss Meynell, had six children ; viz. first, Frances, married Lord Charles Fitzroy, brother of the Duke of Grafton, a General in the army, and Colonel of the 48th rcpiment; whose son married Lady Mary, eldest daughter of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond. Second, Edward Miller, a magistrate for the county of Derby. Third, Godfrey Basil, a Major-General, married Sarah, daughter of the celebrated Admiral Lord Rodney. Fourth, George, the subject of this memoir. Fifth, Fre:\duci anci gaUantry vijsp'.ayed by you and the officers and mert of the Hydn, a.)d pmrti-uhry Ly Lieutenant Drury, and the other oflicers, seamrn, oitl nwiRes, v:Tio were engaged with him on this occasion; to all of whom you, 'v'JI 6e jvieaoed to make known their Lordships' high approbation. I love th?. honci* to be, &c. &c. &c. " Captain Mundy, Hydra." (Signed) " ,S. C. Punvia." On the 27th Feb. in the followirg ytiiy, Captaiiri MuMfly being on a cruise off Carthagena, disco rered aix ships of the line coming out of that harbour. Aware of the h^iport^vacu of ascertaining the enemy's destination, he dJligeBtlj'- obse.fvet! their movements ; and although frorii foggy ona blaw'.rig weather, and other untoward circumstances, he frequently lost sight of them, yet by dint of perseverar.co and good judgment, he succeeded in dogging them umtil they avxchored off Palma, the capital of Majorca, from whence, after ;v;;tch- ing them for several days without perceiving any dispositioii on their part to stir, he sailed to Gibraltar, to cerit his frigate and complete her stores. ,i -,, ,. , , , , , , The Hydra, however, had by thii< tir\ie become scaicely sea-worthy, and a temporary repair being con8ider»:d insuffi- cient, the commander-in-chief four*, it exoedient to send her' home with upwards of 100 sail cf merchant vessels under her protection, the whoie c^ which arrived safely in England about the middle of Jiily. Towards the latter end of November 1808, the Hydr . •ill I n i 340 POST-CAI'TAINS OF 1801. having undergone a complete repair, Captain Mundy wat» ordered to convoy the outward bound trade to the Mediter- ranean ; and soon after his arrival there we find him em- ployed on the coast of Catalonia with the Leonidas frigate and some smaller vessels under his orders^ for the purpose of assisting the Spaniards, who had already manifested much courag" in resisting the aggressions of the French forces in that prO' ince. Captain Mundy commenced his operations by attacking the enemy's detachments passing from the east- ward to Barcelona. The following is a copy of his first re- port to Lord Collingwood, dated Feb. 1, 1809 : — ** Mt Lord. — According to the orders of Yice-Adiniral Thombroufjh, I have 8ent the Cyane to Minorca, to receive any instructions or orders that may be there for me ; and I take the occasion to represent to your Lordship, that on receiving information on tlic 30th inst. that the French troops under the Governor of Barcelona, General Lccchi, had taken pos- session of Mataro l>ut two days before, I immediately shaped a course for that place ; but observing a party of French erecting u battery on Mongat, I anchored the ships, and drove them from their work ; and finding that the station was extremely eligible in point of preventing the plunder and ammunition of the army from getting to Barcelona, as we completely commanded the beach over which all carriages must pass, as well as the bridge of Mongat, I determined to retain the anchorage, more especially as it appeared to give spirit and encouragement to the Simotines, an armed peasantry, who arc la considerable numbers on the hills, and have already begun to harrass the enemy, who were by us forced to take a route more inland. " On the first of the month General Lecchi, with several hundred infan- try and cavalry, made an attempt to get along the beach *, but our fire turned him up the country, where he met with so warm a reception that he got with great difiiculty to Barcelona. The same evening I received information that forty waggons, laden with the plunder of the King's store at .Mataro, containing flour, corn, &c. &c. were to pass during the night along the beach, under a strong escort. I therefore sent the boats of the Hydra, under the first Lieutenant, Mr. Hawkins, to lay on the beach between the villages of Mas nan and Prcniia, to look out for them, those of the Leonidas being to tlic westward of Mongat, to pre- vent artillery or cavalry from passing from Barcelona. At about !) P. M. the cavalry and waggons were heard, and the boats had the good fortune to get within twenty yards of tlicni before they were discovered ; and having given them several rounds of carronadcs, the people landed, drove awny the escort, consisting of near two hundred men, and seized some waggons ludrn with flour, k'.iled t\\o cuira8»ien> and their horsc!^, and wounded forty men and all the draught horses, I am hnppy to stale, without loss or hurt on our side. The rest of the waggons returned to Muturo. 1P0ST-CAPTAIN8 OF 1801. 341 livery ni^ht since, the boats have liecn in the snme station, under the direc- tion of Mr. Hawkins, and have each night killed some of the patroles, };[enerally cavalry. The enemy have likewise lost a great number of men by the peasantry since we have been at the anchorage. " I calculate it at 200 in killed, prisoners, ^vounded, and deserters, and 20 horses ; and had I had at first a disposable force of 500 men, with the as- sistance of the Simotincs, I am sure we should have increased the enemy's loss to five times the number. The German and Italian troops desert hourly ; and it is evident that the French army in this quarter are much in want of provisions, which has induced their (iencral to attack Mataro, in order to provide his troops with bread. However, if the weather con- tinues moderate, I trust we shall be aide to prevent hia getting much of the plunder to Barcelona. Captain Staines has been employed in embark- ing, and conveying the artillery of the Marquis de Lagoses, coming' from St. Fiton to Tarragona. By the deserters we learn that General Lecchi certainly iotends to evacuate Mataro, as soon as he can get the plunder from it. 1 have written the Captain-General Reding a statement of the business, of which I am surprised to find he is entirely ignorant. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) " G. Mundy." In all his succeeding reports, Captain Mundy bore ample testimony to the noble and gallant spirit of the Simotincs, whom he constantly supplied with such arms and ammu- nition as he could obtain for them, which was the means of prolonging the obstiitatc resistance which was made by the irregulars of that province ; and as he conceived tliat the Spanish authorities did not do sufficient justice to the exer- tions made by thut spirited people, liis humanity was ever at worli to advocate their cause, as will appear by one of the following letters addressed to the Junta of Mataro : " //. /?. M. Ship Hyilm, offMongnt, March 25, 1H09. " li/xcellent Sirs. — I have the honour to send such ammunition us can be spared from his Mt\|csty's ship under my command, and wish it was more equal to the grateful service it will be employed upon, that of harrossing the incendiary Lecchi* on his return from Spain, in which, I trust, the people of Catalonia will shew themselves worthy of being allied in the great and just cause with the heroes of Saragossa. Gentlemen of the Junta, I call upon you, in the name of my coiuitry, that country which has «hewR an unalterable attachment and zeal for your welfare, to exert the utmost of your power in raising the whole population of Catalonia to kurrass the retreat of the army of Nopolcon ; indeed not only to harass, I * General Lecchi had cvucuute^ doing you have deprived me of the only ai(i 1 possessed in the arduous task of blockading Barcelona, uud defending t''u\ coast against the advances of the enemy, as you must be well aware fh:i, I have no assistance from the Spanish navy. Having stated these few instances of what appears to me to he f/a(t pot ici/ ; aad having made these representations under a conviction th;it they arc just and true, and for the good of the ciiuse in which oUr two notidnts are mutually embarked ; I lieg to assure you, tliiit there is nothing meant personally by me, but that this letter is addressed to you as Supreme of the Junta of the district ; and I have the honor to be, Sec. &c. (Signed) " G. MuNor." ** To the Supreme of the Junta of Mataro:* Had Captain Mundy's persevering exertions on this coast been met by a corresponding energy on the part of the Spanish leaders, and the enthusiastic spirit of the peasantry been directed by able and active commanders, tliere is little dotibt that the French army would have been driven out of Catalonia. But such was the apathy and inactivity of those in power, that although the manly appeal addressed to the Junta in the first of the preceding letters, was printed and circulated in the province with excellent effect, yet treachery tiiwarted, and incapacity paralysed, the ardent energies of the people, and General Lecchi was permitted to escape unmo- lested ; nor was any attempt made on Barcelona, notwith- standing the garrison remaining in that city after his de- parture amounted to no more than 2500 men. Mortified as he was at such imbecile conduct on the part of the allies, Captain Mundy was nevertheless in«|MColonel Claros, with 600 ca- valry, a strong force of Miquelets*, and other troops. At the same moment the ship s were to commence an attack on the citadel, to keep that garriaon from lending their aid to those troops who were in the town. " This all appeared very well, provided every one acted hia part. How- ever, I did not consider the plan as definitively settled ; but, on my return the next evening, I found that a letter had been received by Captain Taylor, from the commanders of the troops, stating ' their full determination to attack the place at eleven at night,' and requiring the assistance of tho ships. The answer returned was, ' that the ships would do their part, and be at their station, provkled the wind and weather permitted them.' * The Miquelets are a race of freebooters who occupy the Pyrennean mountains, especially towards the frontier of France, into which country they were formerly accustomed to make iAcursions, like the predatory ones of the Scottish borderers. Of late years their depredations have been (" fined tu travellers. POSJT-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 345 To secure a diversion on the side of the citadel in case of calm, or tbe wind not answering for the sliips, I sent the carronade-boats and two Spanish gun-boats to take a position close in-shore, with orders to commence a fire on St. Carlos, on observing the appointed signal at Montjui or the town. About ten the wind came off the land ; I weighed, but at half-past one finding no attack, and the breeze dying away, I anchored again. No symptom of attack took place ; and from what I Itave since learnt, it is most fortunate for the inhabitants that it did not. It appears that the garrison of Montjui was relieved on the day before, therefore that part uf the plan was done away with ; and I understand, as if with an intentioivof marring the whole affair, that Geaeral Coupigny had (at the same time) ordered one of his aides^e-camp to proceed to Moulins de Re, and take the command of the whole. The imaginary laurels of the other chiefs now vanished from their sight, and ' like true Spanish Patriots,' they deter- mined within themselves, that through their assistance the unwelcome aid-de-camp should not gain the wreath : they accordingly threw every difficulty in his way. Moreover, Colonel Green informs me, that this commander was quite appalled at the miserable banditti which had been placed under his orders. They consisted of 200 hussars, the scum of a Spanish regiment, some Miquelcts, and the rest Simotines. But, my Lord, the reply that was made by the officer at the head of General Coo- pigny's staff, to the inquiry of Colonel Green, * what were likely to be the movements of the Spanish army of Tarragona ?' will better explain to your Lordship the style of action, and manner of thinking of the General and his advisers, than if I were to write volumes ; viz. ' That the troops would not change their quarters, until the result of the attack on Barcelona should be known.' So that 10,(X)0 regular troops were to rest upon dieir arms and look on, while a handful of armed peasantry shout * attack one of the strongest fortresses in the Spanish dominions." On the 11th July following, Ciiptain Mundy writes thus to Lord Collingwood : " My Lord. — I have the honor to report, that the French General Duhesme, came out of Barcelona on the night of the 7th inst., with a force of near 2,000 troops, 2 howitzers, and 3 field-pieces, and early the next morning occupied the heights in the rear of Badaloua and Mongat, also those villages. His intention was to have surprised and surrounded the inhabitants of that part of the country, and to have forced them to repair the bridge and broken roads of Mongat, in order that he might get his artillery towards Mataro, s^d occupy the coast. The Spaniards, however, got previous notice of his project, and quitting their habitations fled to the mountains. The enemy did not appear in any number until some hours after day-break ; and when discovered, were only in small detachments. The carronade- boats under the orders of Lieutenant Hawkins were sent to annoy them, which service was performed with such effect, that the enemy was obliged to bring the whole of his juns, &c. on the beach to their sup- port. Tiie boats returned the fire with their usiKtl firmness. I imme- diately weighed to cover them ; and with a few well<4l1recte Mr. Sayer served on shore with a body of seamen and marines, at the reduction of Tippoo Saib's forts, and other possessions on the Malabar coast. He was also employed on various boat services in co-operation with the army ; and bore a part in the action between the Phcenix and' la Resolu, an account of which will be found under the head' of Admiral Sir Richard J. Strachan, who commanded the Pfieenix on that.oecasion *. The Phoenix returned to England in July 1793, and Mr. Sayer wa» soon after made a Lieutenant into the Carysfort, a 9* pounder Cngftte, rated at 28 guns, and commanded by the present Sir Fitmds Laforey. In this ship he assisted at the capture of 'the Castor French frigate, mounting 26 long twelves and six 6-pounders, after a close action of an hour and a quarter, off Brest, May 29, 1794 f. From this period, Mr. Sayer served as Captain Laforey's first Lieutenant in the Carysfort, Beaulieu frigate, and Ganges 74, till March 1796, when he was promoted by that officer's father to the rank of Commander, and appointed to the liace- difsmonian sloop of war on the Leeward Islands station ; in which vessel he was present at the capture of St. Lucia by the military and naval forces under Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby,and Rear- Admiral Sir Hugh C. Christian J, • See Vol. I, p. 286 ; aud Vol. II, note t at p. 319. t See Vol. I, p. 447. : See Vol. I, note f at p. 1.34. POST CAPTAINS OP 1801. 351 a Captain Sayer subsequently commanded the Albicore sloop on the Jamaica station, where he remained but a short time, the Admiralty harving confirmed his commission for rawA; only. In 1797* he was attached to the flotilla equipped for the pur- pose of acting against the mutinous ships at the Nore. During the ensuing two years, and part of 1800, we find? him commanding the Xenophon sloop of war, stationed in the North Sea. In 1799 he brought the notorious Irish rebel, Napper Tandy, and his principal associates, as state prisoners from Hamburgh to England. His next appointment was to the Inspector, of 16 guns, in which vessel he conveyed the present King of the Netherlands and suite from England to the continent. Captain Saycr's zeal and activity in affording protection to the trade of his country was at length repre- sented in the strongest manner by the members of the mer- cantile community to Earl Spencer, then presiding at the Admiralty, by whom he was advanced to post-rank on the 14th Feb. 1801. The peace of Amiens took place soon after this promotion ;. and Captain Sayer, notwithstanding his applications for em- ployment, was not again called into service till the latter end of 1804, when he obtained an appointment to the Proselyte of 28 guns. • Early in the following year he sailed for the West Indies, with 150 merchant vessels and three regiments of in- fantry under his protection j and being fortunate enough toi elude the vigilance of the celebrated Rochefort squadron, con- ducted the whole in safety to Barbadoes * ; where he was presented with a complimentary address on the part of the different masters. In July 1805, Captain Sayer was removed by an Admiralty order to the Galatea of 32 guns, in Avhich frigate he assisted at the capture of the Danish islands f, by Sir Alexander Coch- rane and General Bowyer, in Dec. I8O7. From this period till his departure for England, we find him entrusted with • The Rochefort squadron coiisistefl of five sail of the line, three frigate?, and two brigs, comniandfid by Rcar-Admiral Alloinand, who having got scent of Captain Saycr's departure from England, used every endeavour to intercept his vuluable charge. We need not remind our naval readers of tliti great depredations committed by M. Allcmaud upou British commerce. t Sec VoU I, p. L'G3. 362 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. the command of a detached naval force, employed at the Virgin Islea and off the Spanish Main. The Galatea's boats appear to have performed several dash- ing exploits, one of which we may venture to say has rarely been equalled, never surpassed. The following is a copy of Captain Sayer's official letter on the occasion alluded to : " Galatea, Const of Caraccas, Jan. 22, 1807. " Sir.— Yesterday morniiijr we discovered, from the mast-head, a sail iii the S. E., steerinp; for la (}uira, and soon compelled her to shape another course for Barcelona. About noon it was marly calm, when she appeared to be a man of war, and, liy her manoeuvres, an enemy : sM had now the advantage of us by a breeze, and with her lofty flying sails, and sweeps, was leaving us fast. At two o'clock her top-gallant-saiis were scarcely above the horizon, hut in a situation between the ship and the coast that still afforded me hopes of her, by co-operation of the boats. They pushed off, under the direction of the first Lieutenant William Goombe, manned with 6 officers*, 50 seamen, and 20 marines ; and after rowing about twelve leagues in eight hours, (part of the time under a burning sun,) they came up with her, going, with a light land breeze, about two knots. Having first huled her, our brave fellows instantly attempted to board on both quarters, but by the fire of her guns, all which had been trained aft in rea- diness, and having to combat under every disadvantage, with more than double their numbers, were twice repulsed by them. The boats now dropped, and poured through her stem and quarter-ports a destructive fire of musketoons and small arms, that cleared the deck of many of the enemy, who were all crowded aft ; when, after an arduous struggle, a third time, for a footing, our men rushed on board, and in a few minutes drove all before them. The bowsprit and jib-boom Were covered -, some flew aloft, and others ran below : the Captain and most of his officers were lying wounded on the deck, leaving the remainder of this handful of men in proud possession of the French Imperial corvette, le Lynx, of fourteen 24-pounder carronades, and two long 9-pounders, pierced for 18 guns, and with a complement of 161 men. She is two years old, and a well- equipped fine vessel, in all respects fit for his Majesty's service. At the head of our invaluable mens' names, who fell in this <]uarter of an hour's sharp contest, stands that of the second Lieutenant, Harry Walker, of his third wound ; of the officers commanding our five boats, only Lieutenant Robert Gibson escaped unhurt. It may be unnecessary to add Lieutenant Cooinbe's report, that every man did his duty. I am satisfied they did, &c. &c. (Signed) " Geo. Sayeb." " To Rear.Admiral Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, K. B." • Lieutenants Coombe, Walker, and Gibson j Messrs. John Green and Barry Sarsfield, Masters-Mates. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901. 353 The loss sustained by the British on this brilliant occasion amounted to 9 killed and 22 wounded ; the enemy had 14 slain and 20 wounded. When we take into consideration the fatigue of so long a row as the boats' crews had before they came up with le Lynx, their great disparity in'numbers, their having to attack a man of war under sail, completely pre- pared for their reception, and their perseverance in the at- tack, without a chance of support from the Galatea, after being twice repulsed, we can have no hesitation in declaring that more determined bravery was never displayed, and that the eulogy afterwards pronounced in the House of Peers was highly merited. In the death of Lieutenant Walker, who had some time before been promoted from the Northumberland 74, the service lost a most promising officer. Lieutenant Coombe's conduct speaks for itself; although he had previously lost a leg, his activity in the execution of his duty had al- ways been remarked : in this action a musket-ball passed through the" muscular part of his thigh, above the former am- putation. The zeal and gallantry manifested by the whole party were deservedly praised by the Board of Admiralty, who promoted the surviving officers, each of whom received a sword from the Patriotic Fund. Le Lynx being a fine brig of 337 tons, was added to the navy as a sloop of war, and the command of her given to Lieutenant Coombe *. The Galatea returned to England in the spring of 1809, and being found very defective, was soon after put out of commission and taken to pieces at Woolwich. In Nov. fol- lowing Captain Sayer was appointed to the Leda, a new frigate of 42 guns ; and at the commencement of the ensuing year, ordered to convoy a number o^ransports with troops to Cadiz, from whence he came home with the flag of Vice- Ad- miral Purvis, on that officer being relieved in his command by Sir Charles Cottonf. * . • There being already a Lynx in the British navy, the Galatea's prize was named the Heureux, after a vessel so called which had foundered with all her crew m the preceding year. Captain Coombe was killed by a 24-pound shot, when heading his boats in an attack on several French vessels at Guadaloupe, Nov. 29, 1808 ; an account of which will be given under the head of Captain Daniel Lawrence. ' t See vol. l,p. 241. VOL. n. 2 A 354 rOST-CAPTAlN« OF 1801. Cuptuiii Sayer uulMequently escorted a fleet of Indiamen to Bengal, and joining Vice- Admiral Drury at Madras, in Jan. 1811, was directed by that officer to ^issume the command of a i^quadron, having on board 500 soldiers belonging to the 14th and 89th regiments, sent to pave the way for the reduc- tion of Java and the enemy's remaining possessions in the Eastern seas. Previous to the arrival of the armament prepared in India to effect those conquests, a detach m'^nt from the squadron, consistuig of 200 seamen, marines, and suldiers, defeated 500 of the enemy's troops near the city of Bantam ; and a fort mounting 54 guns, with a garrison of 180 men, besides tlic crews of 2 gun>vessels, was stormed by a Lieutenant and 34 sailors belonging to the Minden, — events which compelled the enemy to weaken his force at Batavia, by detaching a body of 1000 men to Bantam, at a time when the former place was threatened with an immediate attack*. Captain Sayer s services during the subsequent operations in the island of Java, are thus related by Conmioas8. The circumfer«nce of these fortified lines was nearly five riiles, and there were mounted in different parts of them 2H0 pieces of cunnuu. 2a2 35(5 POST-CAPTAINS OV 1801. present our readers with copies of several documents, which we have reason to believe were not published in the London Gazette : The Supreme Government of India, to Captain Sayer. " Scnsil)le as this Government is of the value of your services in advauof! of the expedition asfalnst the enemy's settlements to the eastward, hiii Lordship, the Governor-(iencral, has much pleasure in aeknowledging the exertions made by his Majesty's squadron under your command." General Order issued hy the military Conuuander-in-Chief. " Lieutenant-fleneral Sir Samuel Auchmuty reijuests Captain Sayer, thtr senior officer of tlie naval detachments, and all the officers and seamen of the Royal Navy under his command, to accept his thanks for the able and active assistance rendered by the naval detachments from the moment of their disembarkation to join the army and assist iit the batteries. Th(; eager exertions of the corps of seanien, when permitted at their earnest request to leave the batteries and join in t?ie pursuit (»f the enemy, pave the most satisfactory proof that Uritish sailors, though not actin;' on the clement particularly their own, are in every situation ready, able, and happy, to oppose with vigour and effect tlic enemies of their Kin^ and Country." The Hon. Rear- Admiral Stopford to Captain Sayer. " I feel great satisfaction in expressing to you my fullest approbation of your conduct during the tediouj Eervicc entrusted to your charge in landing the army stores of all descriptions from the transports at Batavia, as well as the mure arduous service you had to perform whilst in com- mand of the seamen emphtyed in the batteries which reduced the enemy's very superior force to complete silence, on the evening of the 25th Aug. I have taken care to impress my Lords ("ommis^iioners (tf the Admiral" y with as perfect an idea as possible of the great share y')u have bad, in co- operation with (/aptaius Testing, Ma insell, and Reynolds, in rfl'ccting the success which has already attended the British arms upon the island of .lava. Captain Stopford's early misfortun'' * will I hope procure him that next step which he is so anxious to get 1 have to recjuest that you will accept yourself, and communicate to the officers above-mentioned, ;iy warmest thanks for the meritorious and indefatigable exertions displayed under many di«(y«'d in the batteries. >pcnr POST-CAPTAINb OF IHOl. 357 From the Biimo, to the Btmie, Sept. 7* 1812. ** I have great pleasure in fnlfilHnjf the commands of my Lords Com* hiisaioners, by expressing to you their Lordsliips' high approbation of tlic KenI, gallantry, and good conduct, displayed l)y yourself lunl the officers und men employed under your orders in the distinguished services at Oatavia, and at the asiiiult of Meester ('ornciis." After the sulyugation of Java, Captain Saycr was left, as senior olKeer of a squadron, to secure and garrison its nu- merous valuable dependencies. The manner in which ho executed this important duty may be inferred from the fol- lowing testimonial : The Government of Java, to the C»ovcrnment of India, Jmie 25, 1812. *• The Honorable the Licutenant-dovernor ciuuiot omit expressing the very high sense he entertains of the services rendered by Captain Sayer, since the capture of the island, while exercising the cliief naval command. His ready compliance with every re(|uisition, and the zealous co-operation of his Majesty's navy under his command, on all occasions, have claimed the partkulnr nckmtclcdgments of this Government.''^ In January, 1813, when the late Sir Samuel Hood, who at that period commanded on the East India station, received intelligence of the war between Great Britain and America, Captain Sayer was again detached to the Eastern seas. In the course of the same year it was found necessary to send an expedition agiiinst the Sultan of Sambas, in the island of iJorueo, whose lawless depredations Imd become so daring and extensive as to threaten the extinction of our commerce in that quarter, and who had some time before repvdsed a respectable force sent to check his piracies. Captain Sayer commanded tlie vessels employed on this occasion ; and, in coi junction with Colonel James Watson, succeeded in taking tht town, and subduing the whole province of Sambas. During this trying service, the British naval and i.iilitary forces proceeded seventy miles up the principal river, and stormed several batteries and redoubts, mounting in the whole 40 guns. Previous to their separation. Captain Sayer re- ceived the following letter from his colloagiie, Colonel (now Major-Gencral) Watson : " Tho service on which we have been mutually employed, being »<» happily terminated by the capture of tho defences of Sambas, my fcelingi will not allow me to depart without fir-it endeavouring to express my sen- I i I 1 1^1 i .*■ m u\ mA :{58 POST-CAPTAINB OK 1801. timents on Uio powerful and cll'cctual nssiittancc afibrdeil Uy you from liid Majofity's nquudron under your command. Allow mo to cxpreHS my warmcat thnnks for the honor you have done mc in accompanying nic during' the opcratiouH, and personally aflbrding your aBHistancu and atlvicc ■, as also to rii place in our naval f'lree there, as war with the United States Htill continued, and that st^ition hud be(;oni(; the ob- ject of additional enterprise on the part of the American (ioverninent. He aictrordiru^ly hoisted a brriad pendant in the J^eda, and made ho jndiciouH a disposition of the force under his orders, that Rear-Adniinil Sir Cieorfi^c Iturlton, on his arrival from England in June lHi5, to iissume the chief command, sent him from Madras to the Straittt of Sunda and ('hina sea, for the purpose of directing the movements of the ships he had already drHpatched thither to coimteract the designs of the enemy. At Java, Jidy 23, Captain Sayer Heard officially tlu! fate of the AnuTican frigate President*, the ratification of peace on the iiart of the United States t» '""d the formal cessation of hostilities by the (mly American cruiser \ in those seas, whose conunander, in (MMiformity to an article of the treaty, had restored the lion. Compatkj''s brig Nautilus, captured by him ofT Anjier i'oint, on the liOth of the preceding month. After giving the necessary directions to the ships of war in that neighbourhood, Captain Sayer prcjceeded txiwards the China sea; aneaceable relations with America every where completely <"onfirmed, was returning from thence at the first change of tin; morisoon to re-join Sir (ieorge Jiurlton, when he experiencred a ']'\ foong, in which t}u> Lcda sustained nnu'h damage, arul was marly lost. Thus retarded ii5 his progress, ('aptaiii vSayer did not enter the Straits of Malacca till the i*>th Nov. 1815, when he received intelli- gence of the Hear-Adnnral's death at Madras, on the J Ist Sept., by which event he figain found himscli autliori/Axl to hoist the distinguishing broad pendant, and assume the deno- mination of a Conunodore. (ireat lirittiin •mg P as * !Scc ('aptui.. IlnNRY I[(m*f., <'. B. t Fob. 17, isir». I Tli<" rcaoock wloop of war, rnptain Warriiigtuii, was the only \"ss»;l lliMt rcathf!(l the ICuAtr; i aeas j ihc rest lii.vln^' liceii prcvpiiU'd In th« vigiliuicc of our (i uiacrii. 360 POST-CAFFAINS OF 1801. several of the sliips composing the East India squadron were ordered home, and the remainder gradually relieved. At the close of 1816, Rear- Admiral Sir Richard King having arrived from Europe as successor to Sir George Burlton, Captain Sayer resigned the command to that officer, and returned to England after an absence of nearly seven years. Previous to his departure from India he received a letter, of which the following is an extract, from Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Brownrigg, Governor of his Majesty's possessions in the island of Ceylon, &c. " Your attention during the interval of Sir Samuel Hood's absence (in 1814) on a voyage to the Eastern scaa, left no doubt of your friendly disposition towards this island, and prepared me to expect that commu- nication of your sentiments for which 1 beg you will be pleased to accept my grateful thanks. 1 shall always be happy to have an opportunity of making uty ackno\vledgments for the ready attention wi:h which you have honored my applications in the prosecution of my duties here ; and my humble testimony of your exertions in the public service will never be withheld." Captain Sayer received a gold medal, and, in common with his brother officers, was honored with the thanks of Par- liament for his services at the reduction of the enemy's settle- ments in the Eastern hemisphere*. He was nominated a C. B. in 1815. Agents, — Messrs. Goode and Clarke. ROBERT MANSEL, Esq. This officer is the second son of Miijor-Gencral Manscl, who was killed at the head of a brigade of dragoons, when serving under the command of H. R. H. the Duke of York, in 1794. He entered the naval service as a MHshipman on board the Samj)son 64, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Milbanke lu • On the 10th Jan. 1812, the thanks of both Houses of Parliament were unanimously voted to the naval and military commanders, officers, he. &c. employed at the capture of Batavia and its dependencies, for their " tkilfid, gitlUint, und mcntorioux exertiont.** >OST-CAPTAINS OK 1801. m 361 1784 ; sailed for the West Indies with Captiun Peter Rainier in the Astrea frigate, about Oct. 1786; removed with that officer into the Monarch 7^, at the period of the Spanish armament ; and subsequently accompanied him into the Suf- folk of similar force, from which latter ship he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in Nov. 1793. His first appoint- ment as such was to la Prompte of 20 guns, commanded by Captain (now Vice- Admiral) Taylor, under whom he after- wards served as senior Lieutenant of the Andromeda frigate, on the North Sea, Newfoundland, and Halifax stations. . In 1797 we find Lieutenant Mansel serving as first of the Iris frigate, Captain Thomas Surridge, under the orders of Admiral Duncan ; from which ship he appears to have been appointed to the Mary yacht, w^ ^a our late Monarch made an attempt to visit his fleet at tli-j Nore *. His advancement to the rank of Commander took place in 1798. Captain Mansel commanded the Adventure 44, armed en Jlute, during the expeditions against the Helder and Quibe- ron t, and subsequently the Penguin of 18 gims, on the Irish station. In Feb. 1801, being on his passage to the Cape of Good Hope with despatches for Sir Roger Curtis, he fell in with and was attacked by a French squadron, consisting of a corvette mounting 24 guns, and two other ships, of 16 guns each. The action continued with great warmth about three hours, when the Penguin obtained the weather gage of the stemmost vessel, bore up to cut her oflF from her consorts, and succeeded in breaking the enemy's line and throwing them into confusion ; but, unfortunately, at the monient when Cap- tain Mansel's gallant attempt seemed likely to be crowned with success, his own fore-top-mast fell, and in such a direc- tion as to render the fore-sail useless, which, added to the disabled state of his other sails, some of which were on fire, caused the Penguin to bo'^ome quite ungovernable, and af- forded the enemy an opportunity of making off. The next morning they were again discovered and pursued by Captain Mansel, but succeeded in effecting their escape into Teneriflfe, The Penguin's losa on this occasion was very trifling, con- sidering the length of the contest, and the superiority of the • See Vol. I, p. ir>2aiKl 163. t See Vol. I, p. 414, etaeq. and p. 219. 362 I'OST-t'Al'TAINS OF 1801. enemy, whoHc fire appears to have been directed principally against her rigging. She had not a man shun, and only a few persons wounded. In May following, Captain Manael sailed from the Cape of Good Hope, with three vessels under his convoy, bound to the Red Sea ; but was compelled to put back in consequence of a heavy gale, during which two of the vessels parted company, and are supposed to have sunk. On his return he found him- self promoted to post rank, by commission bearing date Feb. 14, 1801, and accordingly took a passage to England in the Adamant of 50 guns. Soon after his arrival Captain Mansel was appointed to the Berschermer 50, the command of which ship he retained till Dec, 1803, when he received a severe wound by the splitting of the main-top-sail clue-line block, one half of which, in its descent towards the deck struck him on his head, and ren- dered him incapable of serving any longer afloat, in addi- tion to this severe injury, by which Captain Mansel was doomed to a state of inactivity during the late war, he was four times slightly wounded in the service of his country. Agent, — Isaac Clementson, Esq. CHARLES TINLING, Esq. This officer entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Porcupine frigate, conunandcd by Sir Charles H. Knowlcs, Bart. Mar. 15, 17^0; and on the 22d July follow- ing bore a part in an action between that ship and two Spanish men of war, near the coast of Valencia *. He was subsequently appointed to the command of a gun-boat, forming part of the flotilla employed in the defence of Gibraltar, under the late Sir Roger Curtis, and greatly distinguished himself during the memorable attack made on that fortress by the combined forces of France and Spain, in September 1782 ; the following account of which we have extracted from a work now out of print: *' The Spanish monarch expressed so much joy at the reduction of the island of Minorca, (Feb. 5, i7?2) that he appointed the Due dc Crilloii Captain-General of the Spanish armies ; and Don B. Moreno, who coin- • SceVol. I. p. 114. POST-CAPTArNB OF 1801. 3G3 raandcd ihe naval expedition, was advanced in ranl< ; these ofBccn were destined to command hid forces against Gibraltar, where the Spaniards and French had collected upwards of "10,000 troops, and forty- seven sail of the line, besides tloatlng batteries, frigates, and other vessels of war. For the more effectual means of reducing the fortress, the Chevalier D' Argon, a French engineer of high repute and abilities, made a proposition to the Spanish Court to project floating batteries, that should be constructed on such a principle that they could neither be sunk nor set on (ire by shot. The first of these properties was to be acquired by the extraordinary thick- ness of timber with which their keels and batteries were to be fortified ; and which was to render them proof to all danger in that respect, whether from external or internal violence. The second danger was to be opposed by securing the sides of the ships wherever they were exposed to shot, with a strong wall composed of timber and cork; a long time soaked in water, and irtcliiding between a large body of wet sand ; the whole being of such a thickness and density, that no cannon ball could penetrate within two feet of the inner partition. A constant supply of water was to keep the parts exposed to the action of fire always wet ; and the cork was to act as a sponge in retaining the moisture. " For this purpose, ten large ships, from 600 to 1400 tons burden, were cut down to the state required by the plan, and 200,000 cubic feet of timber, with infinite labour, worked into their construction. To protect them from bombs, and the men at the batteries from grape, or descending shot, a hanging roof was contrived, which was to be worked up and down by springs, with ease and at pleasure : the roof was composed of a strong rope-work netting, laid over with a thick covering of wet hides ; while Hs sloping position was calcnlated to prevent the shells from lodging, and to throw them off into the sea before they could take effect. To render the fire of these batteries the more rapid and instantaneous, the ingenious projector had contrived a kind of match to be placed, so that all the guns on the battery were to go off at the same instant. " But as the red hot shot from the fortress was what the enemy most dreaded, the nicest part of this plan seems to have been the contrivance for communicating water in every direction, to lessen their effect. In imitation of the circulation of the blood, a great variety of pipes and canals perforated all the solid workmanship in such a manner, that a continued succession of water was to be conveyed to every part of the vessels, a number of pumps being adapted to the purpose of an unlimited supply. By those means it was expected that the red hot shot would operate to the remedy of its own mischief; as the very action of cutting through those pipes would procure its immediate extinction. So that these teT ribic machines, teeni'< ing with every source of outward destruction, seemed in themselves in- vulnerable, and entirely secure from all danger. " General Elliot liaving observed that the enemy's wo.rics were nearly completed on the land side, and some of them pretty far advanced towards the fortress, resolved to try how for a vigorous cannonade and bombard- ment, with red hot balU, carcasses, and ehells, might operate to their de* M 304 POST-CAl'TAINS OK 1801. struction. Accordingly, at seven o'clock in the morning on the 8th Sep* tcinhcr, he opcnoi a most tremendous and admirably directed Are, tiie effect of which fui exceeded his expectations ; and was supported through the day with the usual unrivalled skill and dexterity of the artillery o^Hccrs. At ten o'clock the Mahon battery, with the one adjoining to it, were ob- served to be in flames ; ami by five in the evening they were entirely con- sumed, together with their gun-carriages, platforms, and magazines, the last of which were bomb proof. A great part of the eastern parallel, and of the trenches and parapet for musketry, were likewise dcMtroyed. A large battery near the bay was so much damaged by having been repeat- edly set on fire, that the enemy were under the necessity of taking down the greater part of it. The loss the combined armies sustained, in their endeavours to extinguish the flames, musst have been immense, as the troops were exposed to a dreadful and incessant fire from the garrison. This fresh insult irritated the allied commanders to such a degree, that the next morning at day-break they opened a new battery of G4 heavy cannon, M'hich, with the artillery from the lines, and 60 mortars, continued to play upon the garrison without intermission the whole day. At the same time seven Spanish ships of the line, and two French, with some frigatett and small vessels, got under way from the Orange Grove, and passed along the works under an easy sail, discharging their broadsides, until they had cleared Europa Point and got into the Mediterranean. The Spanish Admiral then formed his 8(|uadron in order of battle, leading himself, and stood in to the attack of the batteries at Europa. " The small naval force, by the vast superiority of the enemy, had been for some time rendered entirely inactive. The seamen were therefore lauded and formed into a brigade, under the command of Captain Curtis, of the Brilliant frigate. General Elliot conferred on him the temporary rank of Brigadier, and entrusted the defence of the batteries at Europa to his particular care ; a trust which was so ably discharged by himself, and the brave fellows under his command, that they soon compelled the Spa- nish squadron to retire out of reach of their shot. Two of the line-of- battlc ships were so much disabled, that they were imdcr the necessity of running into Algeziras to repair. The enemy, notwithstanding the rough treatment they had received, made repeated attacks on Europa, but scarcely ever approached near enough for the shot to produce much effect. • ■ . " For several days they were observed to be extremely busy in making the necessary preparations for the grand attack by land and sea. It was said that no less than 1200 pieces of heavy ordnance of various kinds had- been accumulated before the place. The quantity of shot, shells, powder, military stores and provisions, were so immense as to exceed all credibi- lity. The gunpowder alone amounted to 83,000 barrels. Above 12,000 French troops reinforced the already enormous army. The Count D'Ar- tois. Due de Bourbon, and many others of the most distinguished nobility of France, were asseujbled in the allied camp, in order to partake in the glory which was expected to be derived from so illustrious an enterprise '1 POST-CAPTAISS OF IHOI, 365 «8 the retlucliou of this fortress. Besides the combined fleet, forty gun- boats with heavy cannon, as many bomb-vessels, mth each a twelve-inch mortar, and five larj^e bomb-ketches on the usual '.'onstruction, were des- tined to second the powerful efforts of the battering ships ; 30() large boats were collected from every part of Spain, which were to be employed in landing the troops so soon as the breach should be made. "About eight o'clock on the morning of the 13th September, the battering ships lying at the head of the bay, under the couimund of Rear-Admiral Woreno, were observed to be getting under sail, and proceeded to the attack of the garrison. At ten o'clock, that officer having taken his station opposite the capital of the King's bastion, the other ships extended them- selves at moderate distances from the Old to the New Mole, in a line parallel with the rock, at the distance of about 1000 ynrds, and imme- diately commenced a heavy cannonade, supported by the cannon and mortars from the enemy's lines. The garrison at the same time opened a tremendous fire ; the red hot shot were thrown with such precision, that abont two o'clock in the afternoon smoke was seen to issue from the Spanish Admiral, and another ship ; and men were perceived pouring water into the holes, endeavouring to extinguish the fire. Their efforts proved ineffectual : by one o'clock in the moraing those two sliips were in flames, and seven more took fire in succession. Evident marks of confusion ap- peared among them ; and repeated signals of distress were made by throw- ing up rockets. The launches, feluccas, and boats of their fleet, were observed to be taking the men out of the burning ships, it being impossible to remove them. Captain Curtis availed himself of this favourable oppor- tunity to employ liis gun-boats, twelve in number, each carrying a 24 or 18-pounder, with which he advanced, and drew them up so as to flank the enemy's battering ships, while they were extremely annoyed by an incessant, heavy, and well-directed fire from the garrison. The Spanish boats were so assailed by showers of shot and shells, that they dared no longer to approach, and were compelled to abandon their ships and friends to the flames, or to the mercy of their enemy. Several of the enemy's boats were sunk before they submitted to this necessity ; in one of these were fourscore men, who were all drowned excepting an officer and twelve of them, who floated on the wreck umler the walls, and were taken up by the garrison. At day-light two Spanish feluccas, which had not es- caped, submitted upon a shot being fired from a gun-boat, which killed some of their men. Nothing can ex<.'eed the -"orrors of the scene which now appeared : numbers of men were seen in the midst of the flames, imploring relief; others floating on pieces of timber; even those on board the ships where the fire had made but little progress, expressed the deepest distress and despair, and were equally urgent in soliciting assistance. The number saved amounted to 13 officers and 344 men, 29 of whom were wounded, and taken from among the slain in the holds of the ships. Upon a moderate estimate, it is supposed that the Spaniards lost in their attack by sea not less than ir)00 men. The intrepidity, conduct, and ge- nerous humanity of Captain Curtis, and the marine brigade, reflect on i j'n'-' ■>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /, 1.0 I.I I^IM 125 ■^ Uii |2.2 £ 1^ 12.0 \i& 1:25 ||U II 16 < 6" ► Hiotographic Sciaices Corporation ^ €^ <^ ^. 3? WIST MAIN iTMIT WIUTH.N.Y. MSM (7U) •73-4S03 Ci^ 0 ^ .V ,v^ i/j k 366 Post-captains op 1801. them imtnortal honour. Exposed to the most imminent danger, they eagerly boarded the burning ships, to rescue from inevitable destruction that enemy to whom they liad just before been opposed. While engaged in this glorious service, one of the largest of the ships blew up, spreading its wreck to a vast extent, by which one of the English gun-boats was sunk, and another considerably damaged. A piece of the falling timber struck a hole through the bottom of the barge in which was Captain Curtis ; his coxswain was killed, and two of the crew wounded : the rest were saved from perishing by the seamen stuffing their jackets into the hole, which kept her afloat until relieved by other boats. Nine of these battering ships were burnt ; the tenth shared the same fate, as it was found impracticable to bring her off. Rear-Admiral Moreno left his flag flying, and it was consumed with the ship." Shortly after this celebrated event, the San Miguel, a Spa- nish two-decker, was driven under the walls of Gibraltar, and captured by the garrison *. This ship being commissioned by Sir Charles H. Knowles, Mr. Tinling served in her till the conclusion of the war. During the ensuing long peace we find him successively employed as Midshipman and Mastcr's-Mate, in the Ganges and Bedford, third rates ; Aquilon frigate ; Formidable, of 98 guns; and Spitfire sloop of war; under the respective commands of Captains Sir Roger Curtis, Robert Mann, Robert Montagu, Henry NichoUs, and John Woodley. On the 28th Dec. 1792^ Mr. Tinling joined the Queen, a second rate, fitting for the flag of Rear-Admiral (afterwards Lord) Gardner, with whom he proceeded to the West Indies, where he served for some time as acting Lieutenant of that ship ; but his appointment to her not being confirmed, he was subsequently removed into the Orion J A, in which ship he assisted at the defeat of the French fleet under M, Villaret de Joyeuse on the 1st June, 1794 f. A vacancy at length occurring in the Queen, Lieutenant Tinling was appointed to fill it, at the particular request of Sir Alan Gardner ; and on the 23d June, 1795, we find him • See Vol. I, note f at p. 1 14. f We believe that Mr. Tinliog was fourth Lieutenant of the Orion in the great battle of June 1, and preceding actions of May 28 and 29, 1794. His commander, the late Sir John Thomas Duckworth, was one of the Captains who were specially named by Earl Howe, as having particular claim to his Lordship's attention. To this it Is only necessary to ad .', that the Orion was much cut up by the enemy's Arc, and sustained a losi of 29 men killed and wounded. and P0ST-CAPTAIN8 OF 1801. 367 present at the capture of three French two-deckers off I'Orient. He afterwards accompanied his patron into the Royal Sove- reign of 1 10 guns, and became first Lieutenant of that ship previous to his being made a Commander in the Scorpion sloop of war, Sept. 7, 1797 ; from which time he was actively employed on the North Sea jmd West India stations till Nov. J 800, when his vessel, being found unfit for further ser- vice, was paid off and broke up. Captain Tinling was appointed to the Snake sloop, Jan. 1, 1801 ; and advanced to post rank on the 14th of the following month. His last appointment was, Nov. 23, 1803, to the Dictator 64, stationed in the King's Channel, the command of which ship he retained till April 28, 1804. ^ 4^cw^— William Marsh, Esq. ^ ^{' I * ^ -^ — "()' SIR PHILIP BOWES VERB BROKE, Bart. Knight Commander of the Most Hnnorable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is the eldest son of the late Philip Bowes Broke, of Nacton, co. Suffolk, Esq. by Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Charles Beaumont, M. A. of Witnesham, in the same county*. He was born Sept* 0, 1776; completed his edu- cation at the Royal Academy, Portsmouth ; and commenced his naval career as a Midshipman on board the Bull Dog sloop of war, June 25, 1792. From her he removed with Captain George Hope into I'Eclair, a French prize corvette on the Mediterranean station, where he was employed in much active service, particularly at the siege of Bastia. L' Eclair was for some time commanded by the late Com- missioner Towry, with whom Mr. Broke continued until May 25, 1794, when he joined his former Captain in the Ro- * From a pcdif^ree now in the possession of the family, the Brokes appear to trace their descent from Williefinus de Doyto del Brooke, son of Adtiin, Lord of Leighton, in Cheshire, previous to the rci^n of Kin^^ Henry III. From this Willielmus descended Thomas dc la Brooke, of Lci^hton, who married the heiress of John Parker, Est}, of Copcnhall, und had issue, 1st, JoIir, ancestor of the Brookes of Leighton ; the Brookes of Norton, co. Cheshire, created Baronets in 16G2; the Brookes ofMeire, Sto. : 2nd, Ralph Broke, of Namptmoh : 3rd, Rol)ert ; and 4th, Sir Richard Broke, Knt., Chief Baron of tiic Exchequer in the reign of Henry VIII., from whom the suhjool of this memoir derives his descent. J. \b '. ■ .> k 368 r03T-CAPTAINS OF 1801. mulus of 36 gunSj which ship was attached to the fleet undcf Vice- Admiral Hothani in the action off Genoa, Mar. 14, 1795*. On the 8th June following, he was removed into the Britan- nia, a first rate, bearing the flag of that officer, by whom he was appointed third Lieutenant of the Southampton frigate, shortly after the skirmish off Frejus, which ended in the de- struction of a French 74 1* . . .• : The Southampton's action with la I'^estale French frigate, and the capture of TUtile corvette, together with the other services performed by her, have already been described in our memoir of Rear- Admiral Macnamara, with whom Lieu- tenant Broke returned to England, after witnessing the defeat of the Spanish fleet by Sir John Jervis, Feb. 14, 1797. We subsequently find him serving under the late Hon. Captain Charles Herbert in the Amelia frigate, and bearing a part in the battle between Sir John B. Warren and M. Bompart, off the coast of Ireland, Oct. 12, 1798 J. : Lieutenant Broke was advanced to the rank of Commander in Jan. 1799 j and made a Post-Captain Feb. 14, 1801. Pre- vious to this latter promotion he commanded the Shark sloop of war, employed in affording protection to the trade, and occasionally cruising off the Dutch coast. At the renewal of the war in 1803, Captaui Broke made several unsuccessful applications for a ship ; but as inactivity formed no part of his character, he employed himself in training the peasantry in his neighbourhood to arms, for the purpose of opposing the threatened invasion from France. In April 1805, he was appointed to the Druid frigate ; and the scarcity of seamen then being so great that many ships were lying idle for want of hands, he offered to proceed to sea with scarcely a sufficient number to work her. His offer being accepted, the Druid sailed on a cruise for men off the Land's End and in the Bristol Channel ; and after making up her complement, was placed under the orders of Lord Gardner, on the Irish • See vol. I, note at p. 340. f See Vol. I, note at p. '254. X Captain Herbert, second son of the Eurl of Carnarvon, was a brave ofticer, and a gentleman of respectable literary talents. He unfortunately lost his life by the swamping of a boat near Gijon, on the coast of Spain, Sept. 12, 1808. Captain Herbert married a sister of the present Rear- Admiral Viscount Torrington. fOST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 369 station, where she captured the Prince IVTurat, French ship privateer, of 18 six-pounders and 127 men. On the Ibt May, 1806, Captain Broke fell in with le Pan- ilour, a national brig of 18 guns and 114 men, which, after a run of 160 miles, was arrested in her flight by the squadron under Rear-x\dniiral Stirling, and conducted to Plymouth by the Druid. Captain Broke also took some smaller vessels j and about the same timq pursued a large frigate into the Pas- sage du Raz, near Brest. His next appointment was, in June 1806, to the Shannon, rated at 38 guns ; in which ship he es- tablished his fame as a British commander in the first rank of naval renown. In April 1807, Captain Broke was sent, with the Meleager of 32 guns under his orders, to protect the whale fishery in the Greenland seas. On the 7th May, he fell in with the ice ; and after pushing through it with much perseverance and difficulty, made the southern part of Spitzbergen on the 17th June. Thence the two frigates proceeded to Magdalena harbour, lying in the 80th degree of north latitude, and nearer to the pole than any ships of war had ever reached before, excepting those under the late Lord Mulgrave. After making a correct survey of the bay and harbour of Magdalena, Captain Broke stood to the northward till his progress was prevented by the ice, in 80"* 6' N. ; he then di- rected his course to the westward ; and after speaking se- veral whalers, made the coast of Greenland on the 23d July. During the ensuing autumn the Shannon and Meleager cruised off Shetland, from whence the former returned to North Yar- mouth at the latter end of September. Towards the close of the same year. Captain Broke ac- companied the expedition sent against Madeira, in consequence of the Portuguese Government having declared war against Great Britain. Possession of that island being obtained by a mere display of force, he was ordered by Sir Samuel Hood to convoy the transports back to England, where he arrived on the 7th Feb. 1808. In November following he joined company with Captain Seymour, of the Amethyst, about an hour after that officer had captured the Thetis French frigate, several of whose crew were received, and the prize herself, being wholly dismasted, taken in tow by the Shannon. On ll i I VOL. II. 2 II 370 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. I I r li the 27th Jan. 180f), he took, after a long chase, le Pomme- reuil cutter privateer, of 14 guns and 60 men. The comparatively unimportant series of services to which Captain Broke was now restricted, he being attached to the Channel fleet, and principally employed in watching the enemy's ports, would not justify us in trespassing on the patience of our readers by Ciitering into a detail of them : we shall therefore proceed with him to the Halifax station, where he arrived Sept. 24, 1811. At this period the machinations of the French government to produce a war between England and America had long been sufficiently evident, and the hos- tile inclination of the United States was now equally obvious. On the 18th June, 1812, a formal declaration of war against Great Britain was made on the part of Congress ; and on the 5th of the ensuing month Captain Broke was despatched by Vice-Admiral Sawyer, with the Africa 64, and Belvidera and iEolus frigates under his orders, to blockade the enemy's ports*. Eleven days afterwards he captured the American brig Nautilus, of 14 guns and 106 men, off Sandy Hook. The same evening another vessel was seen, which proved to be the Constitution, of 56 guns. All sail was immediately made in chase, and by 3^ 30' A. M. on the 17th, one of the British squadron had arrived within gun-shot of the enemy's ship, notwithstanding which the latter succeeded in effecting her escape, after an anxious pursuit of sixty-five hours t« Captain Broke now proceeded to the eastward in quest of Commo- dore Rodgers, who had sailed from New York with a squadron to intercept our homeward bound West India trade. On the 29th Captain Broke fell in with the fleet from Jamaica, under convoy of the Thetis frigate; and having seen them in safety over the banks of Newfoundland, stood back towards the enemy's coast, where he destroyed many American merchantmen, and re- captured several British ves- sels. His provisions and stores being at length exhausted, he returned to Halifax on the 20th September, and there had the mortiflcation to learn that the Guerriere had been taken by the Constitution. |. • The Guerriere was subsetiuently added to Captain Broke's squadron. t See Captains Richard Byron, C. B. and James R. Dacres. X Tlie Guerriere, Belvidera, Africa, and iEolus, had successively parted POST-CAPTAINS OF 18()1 . 871 Vice-Admiral Sawyer's s(|uadron had by this time been reinforced by several frigates, and he had sent them to join the Shannon at Long Island. Captain Broke was on the point of sailing again, when Sir John B. Warren arrived from England and assnmed the chief command. Intelligence being received soon after of the wreck of the Barbadoes on Sable Island *, the Shannon was despatched to bring off the crew and specie saved from her; which service being per- formed in company with the Bream schooner, she again re- turned to Halifax, bringing with her an enemy's privateer taken on the way. During a subsequent cruise with the Tenedos, Nymphe, and Curlew, under his orders. Captain Broke intercepted the Thorn, American brig privateer, of 18 long 9-pounders and 140 men, and recaptured a British merchant vessel. Sir John B. Warren resolving to spend the winter at Ber- muda, Captain Broke was left in charge of the naval force stationed on the coasts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New England. In December he escorted a homeward bound fleet half way across the Atlantic ; and being impeded in his return by adverse winds, went round the Azores, but without having the good fortune to meet with an enemy. On the 21st March 1813, he was joined by Captains Oliver and Capel, in the Valiant and la Hogue 74'8, when the former officer relieved him in the command of the northern stations. The Shannon and Tenedos soon after separated from the squadron in a gale, and steered for Boston, which port they reconnoitred on the 2nd April. Observing the American ship Congress ready for sea, the President nearly so, and the Constitution under repair, they then returned to the ren- dezvous to make their report. It was at this time that the ill-fated Chesapeake got into Boston through the eastern channel. The Commodore having taken a station off New Y(>rk, and left Captain Capel in command of the squadron before company with the Shannon, the latter on the 28th August. Left thus hy himself, Captain Broke maintained his station off the enemy's coast ; and previous to his departure from thence compelled the Essex of 46 guns and 328 men to seek for safety in an ignominious flight. • Sec Captain Thomas Huskisson. 4 !*t 1 f 2 u :.> 372 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. Boston, the latter officer directed the Shannon and Tenedos to watch the harbour, while la Hogue, with the other ships under his orders, cruised in the offing. Under this judicious arrangement, the squadron was kept sulBciently active by the enemy's privateers and traders, several of which were captured*; but notwithstanding the exertions and vigilance of Captains Broke ;md Parker, the President and Congress suc- ceeded in making their escape. Having ascertained that the Chesapeake would soon be ready for sea again. Captain Broke, on the 25th May, took a supply of provisions and water from the Tenedos, and detached her, with orders not to rejoin him before the 14th June, the earliest date at which, it was considered, the Constitution could be got ready to accoiT\pany the Chesapeake, should the latter wait in port for that purpose. Seven days afterwards he addresser? the following letter to the commanding officer of the Chesapeake . " I/.B.3f. S.Shannon, of Boston, June \, \8\3 " Sir,-— As the Chesapeake api>enrs now ready for sea, I request you will do me the favor to meet the Shannon with her, slvp to ship, to try the fortune of our respective flags. To an officer of your chiracter it re- quires some apolofry for proceeding to funher pai 'c il: rs. Ce assured. Sir, that it is not from any doubt I can enteric" i o** your wls'iiii-? to close with my proposal, but merely to provide an answer to auy objection which might be made, and very reasonably, upon the chance of our receiving unfair support. " After the diligent attention which we had paid to Commodore Rodgcrs; the pains I took to detach all force but the Shannon and Tenedos to such a distance that they could not possibly join in any action fought in sight of the Capes, and the various verbal messages which had been sent into Boston to that effect, we were much disappointed to And the Commodore had eluded us by sailing on the first change, after the prevailing easterly winds had obliged us to keep an offing from the coast. He, perhaps, wished for some stronger assurance of a fair meeting. I am * On the 16th May, 1813, the Shannon and Tenedos drove a large ship on shore near Cape Ann Town, from whence she was brought off by the boats under Lieutenant George T. L. Watt, of the former frigate. She proved to be I'Invincible a French privateer of 1(> guns, which had lately been captured by a British sloop of war, and retaken by an American cruiser. Several other armed vessels were taken by the Nymphe, Tenedos, and Rattler. See Captains F. P. Epwokth, Hyde Parker, and Alex. Gordon. POST-CAPFAINS OF 1801. 373 tliercfore induced to address you more particularly, and to assure you, that what I write I pledge ray honor to perform, to the utmost of my power. " The Shannon mounts 24 guns upon her broadside, and one li^ht boat- gun ; Id-pounders upon her main-deck, and 32-pr. oarronades on her quarter-deck and furecastic ; and is manned with a complement of 300 men and boys, (a lari^e proportion of the latter,) besides 30 seamen, boys, and passengers, who were taken out of recaptured vessels lately. I am thus minute, because a report has prevailed iu some of the Boston papers, that we had 150 men a'Iditional lent »is from la Ilogue, which really never was the case. La Hogue is now gone to Halifax for provisions ; and I will send all other ships beyond the power of interfering with us, and meet you wherever it is most agreealde to you, within the limits of the undermentioned rendezvous ; viz. — " From six to ten leagues east of Cape Cod light-house ; from eight to ten leagues east of Cape Ann's light ; on Cashe's Ledge, in latitude 43<» north ; at any bearing and distance you please to fix off the south breakers of Nantucket, or the shoal on St. George's Bank. "If you will favor me with any plan of signals or telegraph, I will warn you (if sailing under this promise) should any of my friends be too uigh, or any where in sight, until I can detach them out of my way ; or I would sail with you under a flag of truce to any place you think safest from our cruisers, hauling it down when fair to begin hostilities. " You must. Sir, he aware that my proposals are highly advantageous to you, as you cannot proceed to sea singly in the Chesapeake, without imminent risk of being crushed by the superior force of the numerous British squadrons which arc now abroad ; where all your eflForts, in case of a rencontre, would, however gallant, be perfectly hopeless. I entreat you. Sir, not to imagine that I am urged by mere personal vanity to the wish of meeting l!ie Chesapeake ; or that I depend only upou your per- sonal ambition for your acceding to this invitation : we have both nobler motives. You will feel it as a compliment if I say, that the result of our meeting may be the most grateful service I can render to my country i and I doubt not that you, equally contident of success, will feel convinced, that it is only by repeated triumphs in even combats that your little navy can now hope to console your country, for the loss of th"*^^ trade it can no longer protect. Favor me with a speedy reply. We are sL.jri: of provisions and water, and cannot stay long here. I have the honor to be. Sir, yuur obedient humble Servant, (Signed) " P. B. V. Broke." *' N. B. For the general service of watching your coast, it is requisite for me to kcop anotlier ship iu company, to support me with her guns and bouts when employed near tlie land, and particularly to aid each other, if either ship in chase should get on shore. You must be aware that I can- not, consistently with my duty, wave so great an advantage for this general service, by detaching n;y consort, without an assurance on your part t>f meeting mc directly ; and that you will neither seek nor admit aid from any other oi your armed vessels, if I detach mine expressly for the purpose of meeting you. Should any special order restrain you from thus answering 374 POST-CAPTAIN'S OF 1801. I t a formal challenge, you may yet oblige me by keeping my proposal a secret, and appointing any place you like to meet us (within three hundred miles of Boston) in a given number of days after you sail ; as, unless you agree to an interview, I may ho busied on other service, and, perhaps, be at a distance from Boston when you go to sea. Choose your terms, but let us meet." Endorsement on the envelope of the above. " We have 13 American prisoners on board, whom I will give you for as many British sailors, if you will send them out ; otherwise, being privateers' men, they must be detained." This letter was contided to Mr. Slocum, a discharged prisoner, who immediately departed in his boat for Marble- head. At the same time the Shannon, with colours flying, stood in close to the light-house, and there hove-to. She had been as near to Boston during several of the preceding days ; but thick rainy weather had obstructed the view of the harbour. The Chesapeake was now seen at anchor in Pre- sident Roads, with royal yards across, and apparently ready for sea. She soon after loosed and sheeted home her top- sails. Between noon and 1 P. M. while the Shannon's crew were at dinner, Captain Broke went himself to the mast- head, and there observed the Chesapeake fire a gun, hoist her topsails, and set top-gallant sails. She was presently under way, and made more sail as she came down, having a light breeze in her favour. While aloft. Captain Broke saw that Mr. Slocum's boat had not reached the shore in time for the delivery of his challenge to the American commander*. The action that ensued was thus described in the London Gazette : " Shannon, Halifnx, June 6, 1813. " Sir, — I have the honor to inform yon, that being close in with Boston light-house, in H. M. S. under my command, on the 1st inst,, I had the pleasure of seeing that the United States' frigate Chesapeake (whom we liad long been watch- ing) was coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon ; I took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove-to for him to join us. The enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three American ensigns flyingt J when closing with us he sent down his royal-yards. * See James's Naval History, vol 5, p. 380. t One at the mizen-royal-mast-head, one at the peak, and one in the .1 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 375 1 kept the Shannon's up, expecting the brcOze would die away. At half-past 5 P. M. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the starboard side, and the battle began, both ships steering full under their topsails : after exchanging between two and three broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on board of us, her mizen-channels h)cking in with our fore- rigging. I went forward to ascertain her position ; and ob- serving that the enemy were flinching from their guns, ! gave orders to prepare for boarding. Our gallant bands appointed to that service immediately rushed in, under their respective officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate, but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gang- ways, and between the tops, but in two minutes time the enemy were driven sword in hand from every post. The American flag was hauled down, and the proud old British Union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below, and called for quarter. The whole of this service was achieved in fifteen minutes from the com- mencement of the action *. * starboard main-rigging. See a plate representing the action in Ral/e's Naval Chronology, vol. 3, facing p. 2i0, "She had alao, flying at the fore, a large white flag, inscribed with the words : * Free Trade ani> Sailors' Rights ;* upon a supposition, perhaps, that that favourite American motto would paralyse the efforts, or damp the energy, of the Shannon's men. Tlie Shannon had only an old rusty blue ensign at the peak ; nor was her outside appearance at all calculated to inspire a belief of the order and discipline that reigned within." See James, v. 5, p. 381. * " The good effects of an officer being able, when the range is once ascertained, to direct all the guns in the ship to be elevated or depressed alike, were exemplified in the action of the Shannon and Chesapeake : the guns of the former were all laid by Captain Broke's directicms, conse- quently the fire was thrown in one horizontal line, not a shot going ovei the American frigate. Had Captain Broke, however, trusted the laying them to the captains of the guns, it cannot be supposed that the Shannon's fire could have been thrown with such admirable precision, notwithstand- ing her men were exceedingly well-trained, and perfectly understood gunnery. Had tbid been attended to and adopted before, half our long and hard fought actions might Lave been finished in as little time as the Shannon's. The Chesapeake was beaten in eleven minutes, and taken in fifteen I" See a very useful little pamphlet written by Captain Samuel John Pechell, R. N. C. B. entitled, " Obicrvudons upon the fitting of guns on hoard his Majcstifs ships," a76 rOST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. I.; •I; 1 it ** I have to lament the loss of many of my gallant ship- mates, but they fell exulting in their conquest. My brave first Lieutanant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoisting the British colours : his death is a severe loss to the service *. Mr. Aldham, the Purser, who had spiritedly volunteered the charge of a party of small- arm men, was killed at his post on the gangway. My faith- ful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side ; Mr. Aldham has left a widow to lament his loss. I request the com- mander-in-chief will recommend her to the protection of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. My veteran boat- swain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm. He fought under Lord Rodney on the 12th April, 1782. I trust his age and service vvill be duly rewarded. I am happy to say, that Mr. Samwell, a Midshipman of much merit, is the only other officer wounded, besides myself, and he not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines, we had 23 slain, and 56 wounded. I subjoin the names of the former f. No expres- sions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of my valiant officers and crew ; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they rushed to the assault. I recommend them all warmly to the protection of the commander-in-chief. ** Having received a severe sabre wound at the first onset, whilst charging a party of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command till assured our conquest was complete j and then directing second Lieutenant Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the third Lieutenant, Mr. Fal- kiner (who had headed the main-deck boarders), in charge * " The gallant first Lieutenant of the Shannon was struck on the head l)y a grape-shot from one of that ship's foremost guns, while hi the act of hoisting the Bntiieake's quarter-gallery giving way,) he was carried on board his own ship." Sec Nuv. Hist. id. pp. 383—385, M g 3/8 POST-CAPTAINS OK 18()l. P wounded. Among the former were her fourth Lieutenant, a Lieutenant of Marines, the Master, and many other officers. Captain Lawrence is since dead of his wounds * . The enemy came into action with a complement of 440 men ; the Shan- non, having picked up some recaptured seamen, had 330 f. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts 49 guns, eighteens on her main-deck, two-and-thirties on her (juarter- deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautifiil order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they had only been exchanging a salute. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) " P. B. V. Brokk." ** To Captain the Hon. T. liladen Capel," The foregoing letter was immediately transmitted to the Board of Admiralty, and replied to by their Secretary in the following terms : * Lieutenant Augustus C. Luulow was also mortally wounded. Lieu- tenant George Budd, the senior surviving oflicer of the Chesapeake, in his official letter to the Secretary of the American navy, reporting that sliip's capture, only acknowledged a loss of 47 killed, and 9i) wounded. The total that reported themselves, including several slightly wounded, to the Shannon's Surgeon, three days after the action, were 116. The American Surgeon, writing from Halifax, and most probably omitting those who wore very slightly hurt, estimated the whole number of killed and wounded ut from 160 to 170. t Two muster-rolls were found on board the Chesapeake, one of which, written up to the morning of the action, contained 3!>1 names; and some of the petty-officers confessed that 'vcre not entered in the purser's books. Even 440, the number given as the complement of the Chesapeake iu Cap- tain Broke's letter, was not founded on mere surmise. That number was known to have been her complement on a former occasion ; and several weeks after her capture, a letter was found dated in 1811, from the Ame- rican Secretary of State, directing houses of rendezvous to be opened ut Boston for the purpose of completing her crew to 443. This, too, was in a time of p ^ofound peace, when no Shannon was cruising, iu detiniice, off the harbour. See James's Naval Occurrences, pp. 235 and 236. The Shannon went into action with 276 officers, seamen, and marines, of her proper complement ; 8 recaptured seamen ; 22 Irish labourers, who had been but lorty-eight hours in the ship, and only four of whom could speak English ; and 24 boys, of whom about 13 were under twelve years of age. Sec id. p. 228. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 379 '• Admirulty Office, 9th July, 1813. " Sir, — I have had the pleasure of receivinj^ and coramunioatin); to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter from Captain tlie Hou. T. B. Capel, of H. M. S. Ho^ue, enclosing a copy of his letter to yoti, and of that of Captain Broke to him, announcing the capture, in flftecn minutes, of the United States' frigate Chesapeake, of 49 guns and 440 men, by H. M. S. Shannon. " My Lords have before had occasion to observe with great approbation, the zeal, judgment, and activity, which have clmracteri^ed Captain Broke'i proceedings since the commencement of the war ; and they now receive with the highest satisfaction a proof of professional skill and gallantry iu battle, which has seldom been equalled, and certainly never surpassed ; and the decision, celerity, and effect, with which the force of H. M. 3. ;v»s directed against the enemy, mark no less the personal bravery of the officers, seamen, and marines, than the high discipline and practice in arms to which the ship's company must have been sedulously and successfully trained. " My Lords, to mark their sense of this action, have been pleased to direct a medal to be presented to Captain Broke ; — Lieutenants Wallis and ^ Falkiner, who, in consequence of the wound of Captain Broke, and the death of the gallant first Lieutenant, Watt, succeeded to the command of the Shannon and the prize, to be promoted to tlie rank of Commanders, and Messrs. Etough and Smith to that of Lieutenants ; and my Lords will be glad to attend to the recommendation of Captain Broke in favor of the petty officers and men who may have particularly distinguished themselves. " You will convey to Captain Broke, his officers and ship's company, these sentiments of their Lordships, with an expression of their satisfaction at hearing that the Captain's wound is not likely long to deprive his country of his valuable services. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) " J. W. Crokbr." " To Admiral Sir John Borlaae fVarren, Bart., SfC. Sfc. Sfc." On the 2(1 Nov. following, Captain Broke was raised to the dignity of a Baronet of Great Britain, " in consideration of the distinguished zeal, courage, and intrepidity displayed by him in his brilliant action with the Chesapeake ;" and in Feb. 1814, he received the royal permission to bear a crest of honorable augmentation to his family arms, together with the motto, " StBVumque tridcntem servnmus,'* It would be endless to detail the various instances of com- pliment and congratulation paid to Captain irokc, on ac- count of this glorious achievement. The underwriters of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, presented him with the following address, Aug. 25, 1813 : " Sir, — ^The Committee of Underwriters of Halifax, on behalf of their constituents and themselves, composed of a number of the princiital met- m 380 1H)ST-C.\PTAINS OP 1801. chants of the town, beg leave to offer their congratulations on your re- covery, not in the ordinary style of addresses, but with heart-felt and unrei,£[ned satisfaction and joy. " We do not attempt to express at large our sense of your magnanimous and disinterested conduct, while engaged in the command of a squadron, or singly cruising after the enemy, lest it should appear like flattery, which neither our candour, nor otir regard for your feelings, would allow us to offer ; but we feel peculiar pleasure in observing the manner in which the Lords of tlie Treasury have marked such conduct, and their having re- commended it to the notice of H. R H. the Prince Regent, in the disposal of American prizes, condemned as droits of the crown. As Underwriters, we are more especially called upon to express our thankfulness for your exertions in our favor, under the pressure of such difficulties as you had to encounter, in recapturing and preserving some of our most valualtle risks, and sending them home to us, even while in the face of the enemy ; at the same time declining to send in valuable prizes, but preferring to destroy tliem, rather than weaken the force of your ship. " To a late brilliant event we will only point in silent admiration, well '' knowing that our feelings are in perfect unison with those of the nation at large ; the public expression of which, from the highest authority, no doubt awaits you, and the brave officers and crew of the Shannon. In further testimony of our esteem, we beg your acceptance of a piece of plate, value 100 guineas, which will be presented to you in London by a gentle- raau who was lately one of our number. (Signed) " Lawuence Haktshorne, Chairman." The Court of Common Council of London voted Captain Broke their thanks, with the freedom of the city, and a sword of 100 guineas value. The thanks of the corporation of Ipswich (the freedom of which he was by birth entitled to), were also presented to him, and a subscription opened by the gentry and other inhabitants of the county of Suffolk, for the purpose of purchasing him a piece of plate, which closed at an amount of about 7'M)l. A convivial society at Ipswich, called " The Free and Easy Club," likewise subscribed 100 guineas for the purchase of a silver cup, bearing a chaste and unostentatious inscription. On his return to England, the Shannon being found unfit for further service. Sir Philip Broke was clTered the command of one of the new ships built to match the large American vessels, misnamed frigates ; but his wound was not then sufficiently healed to allow of his immediately serving again. He was nominated a K. C. B. Jan. 2, 181.5. Sir Philip married, Nov. 25, 1802, Sarah Louisa, diuightcr and POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 331 of Sir William Middleton, Burt., by whom he has several children. His second son, VVilliam, was unfortunately drowned Aug. 1, 1823. This promising youth had gone out alone fishing, and had been sitting upon the rails of a pond near his father's mansion, from which he must have fallen into the water, where he remained some time before he was disco- vered. No time was lost in having recourse to every means of recovery; but alas! they proved of no avail. Sir Philip has two brothers in the army. Agents. M*Inerheny, Esq. FREDERICK LEWIS MAITLAND, Esq. A Companion of the Most Ilonoru/tle MiUturi/ Order of the Dnth : find a Knight Commander oftheNeapolitun Order of St Ferdinand and of Merit. This officer is the third son of the late Hon. Frederick Maitland, Captain R. N. (uncle to the present Earl of Lau- derdale*), by Margaret Deck, heiress and representative of the Makgills, a very old family of Rankeillor and Lindores, in Fifeshire. He was born at Rankeillor, Sept, 7j 1/7/; commenced his naval career at an early age ; and after serving for some time as a midshipman on board the Martin sloop of war, commanded by Captain George Duff, was removed into the Southampton frigate, where he continued under the conmiand of the Hon. Robert Forbes, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Andromeda of 32 guns, April 5, 1795 \. The Southampton was attached to Earl Howe's fleet in the memorable actions of May 28, 29, and June 1, 1794 ; and was subsequently ordered to attend on his late Majesty at Wey- mouth, where Mr. Muitland had the honor of acting as a sidesman t.. the royal family for a period of six weeks, during which they made daily excursions to sea in that ship. * The Hon. (^aj)tuii) Muitlnnd was a yoiir<;cr son of Cliiu'lcs, Hixtli Earl of Lauderdale, by Lady Elizabeth Ogilvy, duiightei' of James, fourth Earl of Findlater and Seaficid, the last Lord High (Jlianecllor of Scotland. He died Dee. Xd, I'BG, iii \m 57(li year. The name!) of several other niein- hers of this noble family will be found at Vol. L p. 840, and note at the bottom. t Captain Duff wu3 the same onitcr ^vho fell ut Trafulf]far, when com- manding the Mars 74. Captain Forbt-s was drowned lit 17!'^. I 382 P03T-CAPTAIN8 OF 1801. From the Andromeda, Lieutenant Maitland removed into the Venerable 74, bearing the flag of Admiral Duncan ; with whom he continued till April l7Wi when he proceeded to the Me- diterranean station, for the purpose of joining Earl St. Vin- cent, who, out of friendship for his deceased father, had kindly offered to promote him whenever an opportunity should occur. The fJag-ship having her full complement of officers, Mr. Maitland was appointed first Lieutenant of the Kingsfisher sloop of war, in which vessel he assisted at the capture of many privjiteers belonging to the enemy ; one of which, la Betsey, a ship of 16 guns and 118 men, defended herself with considerable bravery, and had 9 of her people killed and wounded. Upon the prize-money for this vessel being dis- tributed, the Kingsfisher's crew subscribed 50A to purchase Lieutenant Maitland a sword, in token of their respect and esteem. In Dec. 1798, the Kingsfisher %vas wrecked at the entrance of the Tagus, when proceeding to sea under the temporary command of Lieutenant Maitland *, who on his arrival at Gibraltar was tried by a court-martial, and honorably acquit- ted of all blame on the occasion of her loss. Immediately after his trial he was appointed Flag- Lieutenant to Earl St. Vincent, who had about that period taken up his residence on the rock. In June 1799, the French and Spanish fleets, amounting to forty sail of the line, and upwards of thirty frigates and smaller vessels, formed a junction at Carthagena, and on the 7th July were seen from Gibraltar close in with the Barbary shore. The Earl, then on the eve of his departure for England, sent Lieutenant Maitland in ihe Penelope armed cutter, to reconnoitre them. Anxious to gain the most accurate in- formation, he stretched across the Gut with very light winds during the night, and at day-break on the 8th found himself nearly within gun-shot of the enemy's advanced ships, whose boats were instantly ordered, by signal from the Spanish Ad- miral Mazzaredo, to tow the Vivo, a brig of 16 guns, along- side the Penelope ; but the reception she met with was such as induced her soon to drop astern again. A breeze now springing up, the N. S. del Carnlen frigate, mounting 42 guns, • See note • at p. 184. such POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 383 ran down, and placing lierself about a cable's length on the cutter's weather-beam, opened a heavy fire, by which she was soon unrigged, and consequently rendered unmanageable. The Penelope being at length compelled to surrender, was boarded by an officer from the Vivo, who demanded Lieute- nant Maitland's sword, but received a peremptory denial, the British colours having been struck to the frigate ; a boat from which shortly arrived to take possession, and sent the Vivo's away. The Penelope had on board a sum cf money, intended for Minorca, which it was not deemed advisable to remove, under the pressing urgency for her immediate departure from Gib- raltar. When her crew found there was no chance of escape from the combined fleets, they made an attempt to plunder the treasure, which Lieutenant Maitland most honorably and successfully resisted, alleging, that as public property, it was the lawful prize of the captors. Lieutenant Maitland was conveyed to the Principe d'Astu- rias, a Spanish first rate, bearing the flag of Admiral Gravina, who received him into his cabin, and treated him with the utmost kindness *. The day after his arrival at Cadiz, Ad- miral Mazzaredo sent his Captain to acquaint Lieutenant Maitland that he was too much occupied in refitting his ships to see him ; but as they were to sail again in a few days, their departure from port should be immediately followed by his liberation. This promise was punctually pei formed, and he returned to Gibraltar without being exchanged, a compli- ment to his patron that must have afforded the noble Earl a considerable degree of gratification. Soon after Earl St. Vincent's arrival r^t Portsmouth (Aug. 18, 179^)> he heard of a death vacancy which had occurred in the Mediterranean previous to his quitting that station f j and * Admiral (iravina had his flag on board the same ship iu the battle of Trafalgar, and on that occasion received a wound, whicli, being improperly treated, deprived the iSpanish navy.of a brave commander uud an excellent man. t The vacancy alluded to was occasioned by the death of Captain Ralph Willct Miller, who lost hia life by the exploaion of some shells on board the Theseus 74, in May 1 7i>y ; see Nav. Chron. v. II. p. 5^0, et seq. Captain Maitland's commission as a Commander was dated buck tu June 14, iu the same year. f!i» H 3B4 POST-rAPTAINS OF iiiOI. I claiming his privilege as commander-in-chief at the time the event took place, signed a commission, promoting Lieutenant Maitland, who had accompanied him home, to the rank of Commander in the Camelion sloop of war, which vessel our officer joined off El Arish, in time to be present at the signing of a convention between the commissioners appointed by General Kleber and the Grand Vizier, having for its object the evacuation of Egypt by the French republican army *. This treaty was acceded to by Sir W. Sidney Smith, and a copy thereof brought home overland by Captain Maitland f, who soon after rejoined his sloop in the Mediterranean, where he made several captures ; and on the 10th Dec. 1800, was appointed by Lord Keith to the Waa8senaar64, armed en flute; but as that ship was lying at Malta, unfit for service, he ob- tained his Lordship's permission to accompany the expedi- tion then preparing against the French in Egypt, where his conduct in command of the armed launches employed to cover the landing of Sir Ralph Abercromby's army, and in the sub- sequent battles of March 13 and 21, 1801, obtained him the thanks of the naval and military commanders-in-chief. An account of the debarkation will be found in our memoir of the Hon. Sir Alexander Cochrane % : the following is an outline of what followed : After the defeat of the enemy on the 8th, Sir Ralph Aber- cromby advanced three miles on the neck of sand lying be- tween the sea and the lake of Aboukir, leaving a distance of about four miles between the British and French camps. In this position the hostile forces remained till the 13th, when the republicans were attacked and driven back to their lines before Alexandria. On this occasion the flotilla under the command of Captains Maitland and Hillyar accompanied the • See Vol. I. p. 312. f CHptaiu Maitland having'' ouiiveyed the iiitclliK'cnce to Lord Kcitli, tlten at Malta, was ordered by liis Lordship to proceed home uvcrlund, in rompany with Major Dou|rlas of the iparinci. In the raean time (ieueral Kleber, rendered desperate by the refusal of Lor;l Keith to ratify the treaty, re-commenced hostilities, defeated the Turks, and regained many im- portant posts which he had either evacuated ur !cft in an unguarded state, and from whence his troops were not expelled until the arrival of a British army in the following year. ^ X See Vol. L note f at p. 25!>. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801 . 385 • army, and covered its wings on the lake of Aboukir and the sea. Seven days afterwards a column of French infantry and cavalry entered Alexandria by the Cairo gate, and an Arab chief sent a letter to the commander of the naval battalion serving on shore, informing him of the arrival of General Menou, and that it was his intention to attack the British camp next morning. Although this intelligence did not re- ceive much credit at head-quarters, it was soon amply con- firmed, as will be seen by Sir W. Sidney Smith's letter to Lord Keith, dated Mar. 22, a copy of which we here present to our readers : " My Lord, — ^The menaced attack of our whole line, as announced by the friendly Arab, whose letter I transmitted to the coramander-in-chief, and to your Lordship, took place just before day-light yesterday morning. The army was under arms to receive the enemy ; the same order, steadi- ness, and courage, which gave victory to our excellent army on the two former occasions, have again givan us a most complete one. The enemy have been repulsed with great loss, such as ought to make General Me- nou, who commanded in person, respect our troops too much to risk a second attempt of the kind ; at all events we are prepared to receive him. I was in too much pain to enter into any details in writing last night, hav- ing received a violent contusion from a musket-ball, which glanced on my right shoulder. The pain has subsided, and I am enabled, by the surgeon's report to say, that if the fever does not increase, I may still continue my duty, which I am particularly anxious to do at this crisis of our affairs, when either another battle, or a happy issue to the negociation your Lord- ship has been pleased to authorise me to enter into in your name, con- jointly with Sir Ralph Abercromby, must bring them to a speedy conclu- sion. I am apprehensive lest matters should be delayed by the absence of that excellent man, the wounds he has received having been found to be worse than he would at first admit. I met him in the field, in a most perilous situation, surrounded by French dragoons, with the sword of their commanding officer in his hand, which he had wrested from him, after having received a thrust, which glanced on his breast. I gave his excel- lency my horse, of course *. General Stewart's brigade brought down most of the French horsemen singly, who were coming back through the interval in our line, and making off, having been roughly handled by the 42d regiment. The Swiftsure's seamen secured me a horse among those of the French dragoons. The push was a most desperate one on the part of the enemy ; but General Moore's brigade, as usual, found itself equal to bearing the brunt of it. Enclosed are a series of letters from General Menou and the chief of the French staff, to General Roiz, together with * Sir Ralph Abercroraby's mortal wound was occasioned by a musket- ball in the upper part of his thigh. See p. 88. m VOL. II. 2c 386 POST-CAPTAINa OF 1801. the geiteral orders for the attack, found on the Aeld of battle ; which prove that the enemy had assembled all the force they could bpare from the defence of Cairo, particularly cavalry, in order to make a decisive action of this : they have bought the experience of their inferiority dearly. Our position was precisely the same as that we drove them from on the i3th. I cannot conclude this without expressing my approbation of the manner in whioli Captain Maitland executed the orders I gave him, to place him- self with his armed vessels on the sea-side, so as to flank the front of our redoubt on the right, the attack on which was considerably checked when his fire opened on the enemy's left wing. The attack on our left having been a mere feint. Captain Hillyar, who commanded the armed flat-boats on the lake, had no opportunity of renewing his exertions on that side. Captain Ribouleau, the captains, officers, and seamen attached to the field-pieces in the line, behaved with their usual energy and bravery : they have been indefatigable in the execution of all the arduous duties required of them, and merit your Lordship's approbation. The weight of the at- tack bearing on the right. Captain Guion, Lieutenant Davies, &c., and those on that wing, had the greatest opportunity of distinguishing them- selves. The Turkish marines are landing *, and the natives come in ; both naturally look to the person who has been so long invested with au- thority from their sovereign, and the re-opening of the market has been the first good effect of this victory. The preservation of harmony and good order, and the due administration of justice, occupy me at present f. I have the honor to be^ &c. &c. (Signed) " W. Sidney Smith." " To Admiral Lord Keith, K. B." The battle of Alexandria may be said to have decided the fate of Egypt, although the campaign was not brought to a final close till September following ; and it is rather a sin- gular circumstance, that Captain Maitland's post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty on the very day that this great victory was achieved J. In the ensuing month Captain Maitland was appointed pro tempore to the Dragon 74, forming part of the squadron that * A Turkish squadron had arrived in Aboukir Bay on the 18th, and the castle of that name surrendered on the same day. f Captain Maitland and the other officers named in the above letter had previously been highly praised by Sir W. Sidney Smith in his despatch relative to the battles of March 8 and 13, a copy of which \vill be given in another part of the present volume. X Captain Maitland, on liis return to the Mediterranean, after carrying home the treaty of £1 Arish, took out ao order for hia promotion ; but al- though Lord Keith attended to it bo early as Dec. 10, 1800, be was not confirmed in his post rank until Mar. 21, 1801. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 387 pro that hadarrived on the Egyptian coast in questof M. Gantheaunie *; and he continued to conunand tliat ship, under the orders of Sir John Borlase Warren, till August following, when he was removed to la Carrere, a French frigate taken near Elba !• Captain Maitland remained in the Mediterranean till the peace of Amiens ; paid off la Carrere Oct. 4, 1802 ; and eleven days afterwards was appointed, by his steady friend Earl St. Vincent, to the Loire, a remarkably fine frigate, mounting 46 guns. During the night of June 2/, 1803, two boats of the Loire, commanded by Lieutenants Francis Temple and John Bowen, boarded in a most gallant manner, and after a very severe conflict of nearly ten minutes on her deck, carried the French national brig Venteux, of four long 18-pounders, six brass 36-pr. carronades, and 82 men, lying close under the batte- ries of the Isle of Bas, where she had been stationed to guard the coast, and regulate the convoys of stores, &c. bound to Brest. The British, in performing this brilliant exploit, had 1 warrant officer and 5 men badly wounded. The Venteux's loss consisted of her second Captain and 2 seamen killed, her ct^uimander, the remainder of her officers (4 in number) and 8 men wounded. On the 16th Mar. 1804, Captain Maitland captured the Braave French ship privateer, of 16 guns and 1 10 men, on the Irish station. In August following, while cruising for the protection of the homeward bound convoys, he had the good fortune to fall in with, and after a pursuit of twenty hours, and a running fight of fifteen minutes, capture the Blonde of thirty 9-pounders, and 240 men, 2 of whom were mortally, and 5 others badly wounded. The Loire on this occasion had a Midshipman and 5 men wounded %. On the 12th May, 1805, Captain Maitland, being in lat. 43° 20' N., long. 19" 20' W., discovered a squadron consist- ing of one 3-decker, four 2-deckers, three frigates, and two brigs J and having ascertained them to be French ships, kept • See p. 232. f See Vol. I. p. 431. X The Blonde was a frigate-built privateer, belonging to Bourdeaux. Since the renewal of the war she had been of very great annoyance to our trade \ and some time previous to her falling in with the Loire, captured a British sloop of war. See Captain Henry Gordon. 2 c 2 m\ ! I 388 POST-CAPTAINS OF J801. company till after dusk, when he made sail for Ferrol ; off which place he joined Sir Robert Calder on the evening of the 16th, carrying with him an account of his own track, the course steered by the enemy, and the position he judged them to be in at that time. Upon the receipt of this intelligence, the Vice-Admiral stood to the northward with one second rate, five 2-deckers, the Loire, and one other frigate ; but at noon the next day, not seeing the French squadron, and con sidering his orders to relate more particularly to the enemy's ships in Ferrol, he despatched Captain Maitland to the fleet off Brest, and returned himself to his station. The follow- ing day, the Loire boarded a brig which had seen the enemy on the 17th, not more than fourteen or fifteen leagues from the spot where Sir Robert had given up the chase. By this unfortunate step the French ships were enabled to reach Rochefort without molestation. The following official letters from Captain Maitland, afford another proof of his indefatigable exertions for the good of the public service ; and, at *he same time, evince his anxiety to do justice to the me^'ts of his officers and crew : " Loire, off Cape Finhterre, June, 2, 1805. " Sir, — I have to inform you, that, after delivering the despatches Lord Gardner charged me with to Sir Robert Calder, in stretching to the west- ward to regain my station, a small vessel was discovered standing into the bay of Camarinas, to the eastward of Cape Finistcrre. Being quite calm after dark, I sent the launch and two cutters, under Mr. Yeo, first Lien- tcuant, ansistcd by Lieutenant Mailock of the Marines, and Messrs. Clinch, Herbert, and Mildridge, Midshipmen, to endeavour to bring her out. From the intricacy of the passage, the boats did not get up till break of day, when they found two small privateers moored under a battery of 10 guns ; undaunted, however, by a circumstance so little expected, Mr. Yeo ordered the launch, commanded by Mr. Clinch, to board the smallest, while he, with the two cutters, most gallantly attacked and carried the largest, a felucca armed with three 18-pounders, four 4-pr. brass swivels, and 50 men. " The launch had the same success in hor attack ; the fort immediately opened a fire ; so ill-directed, however, as to do little damage. Being 8till perfectly calm, close under the guns of the battery, and no possibility of receiving assistance from the ship, Mr. Yeo was under the painful neces- sity of abandoning the smallest vessel, a lugger of two G-pounders and 32 men, to secure the felucca ; which, I am happy to add, was effected with only 3 men slightly wounded. " The loss on board the lugger cannot be ascertained. When the crew POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 389 of the felucca was mustered, 19 out of 50 were missing, some of whom had jumped overboard, but the greatest part were killed by the pike, there l»eing no weapons used but the pike and sabre. When we call to mind the inequality of force, officers included, there being not more than 35 of the Loire's opposed to 82 Spaniards, with their vessels moored to the walls of a heavy battery, it must be allowed to confer the greatest credit on the officers and men employed on the service. " Mr. Yco, in coming out, took possession of three merchant vessels ; but finding their cargoes consisted only of small wine for the enemy's squadron at Ferrol, I have destroyed them. The name of tlic privateer captured, is the Esperanza, alias San Pedro, of Corunna. She is quite new, only out four days, and was victualled and stored for a cruise of one month. Mr, Yeo assures me that he was assisted by Mr. Mallock with the greatest bravery, and gives the highest praise to Mr. Clinch for the gal- lantry and promptness with which he carried his orders into execution in the launch. He also speaks in the warmest terms of the officers and other men under his command. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) " Fred. L. Maitland.'* ** To Rear-Adinirul Drury, SfC. ^c, Cork." " Loire, Mttros Road, Spain, June 4, 1805. " Sir, — Being informed that there was a French privateer of 2G guns, fitting out at M iiros, and nearly ready for sea, it struck me, from ray re- collection of the bay, (having been in it formerly, when Lieutenant of the Kingsfisher,) as being practicable either to bring her out or destroy her, with the ship I have the honor to command. I accordingly prepared yes- terday evening for engaging at anchor, and appointed Mr. Yeo, with Lieu- tenants Mallock and Douglas, of the marines, and Mr. Clinch, Master's- Mate, to head the boarders and marines, amounting, officers included, to 60 men, (being all that could be spared froni anchoring the ship and working the guns) in landing and storming the fort, though I then had no idea its strength was so great as it has proved. At nine this morning, on the sea breeze setting in, I stood for the bay in the ship, the men previously prepared, being in the boats ready to shove off. On hauling close round the point of the road, a small battery of 2 guns opened a fire on the ship ; a few shot were returned ; but perceiving it would annoy us consi- derably, from its situation, I desired Mr. Yeo to push on shore and spike the guns ; reminding the men of its being the anniversary of their So- vereign's birth, and that, for his sake, as well as their own credit, their utmost exertions must be used. Though sucli an injunction was unne- cessary, it had a great effect in animating and raising the spirits of the people. As the ship drew in, and more fully opened the bay, I perceived a very long corvette, of 2G ports, apparently nearly ready for sea, and a large brig of 20 ports, in a state of fitting ; but neither of them firing, led inc to conclude they had not their guns on board, and left no other object to occupy my attention, but a heavy fort, which at this moment opened to our view, within less than a quarter of a mile, and began a wonderfully well-directed fire, almost every shot taking place in the hull. Perceiving ? I 1 1 is s 390 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. that, by standing further on, more guns would be brought to bear upon U8, without our being enabled to near the fort so much as I wished, I or- dered the helm to be put down ; and when, from the way she had, we had gained an advantageous position, anchored with a spring, and commenced firing. Although I have but little doubt that, before long, we should have silenced the fort, yet from the specimen they gave us, and being com- pletely embrasured, it must have cost us many lives, and caused great in- jury to the ship, had not Mr. Yeo's gallantry and good conduct soon put an end to their fire. " I must now revert to him and the party under his command. Having landed under the small battery on the point, it was instantly aban- doned ; but hardly had he time to spike the guns, when, at the distance of a quarter of a mile, he perceived a regular fort, ditched, and with a gate, which the enemy (fortunately never suspecting our landing) had neglected to secure, open a fire upon the ship ; without waiting for orders he pushed forward, and was opposed at the inner gate by the Governor, with such troops as were in the town, and the crews of the French privateers. From the testimony of the prisoners, as well as our own men, it appears that Mr. Yeo was the first who entered the fort ; with one blow laid the Gover- nor dead at his feet, and broke his own sabre in two ; the other officers were dispatched !)y such officers and men of ours as were most advanced, and the narrowness of the gate avouUI permit to push forward : the remain- der instantly fled to the further end of the fort, and from the ship we could perceive many of tliem leap from the embrasures upon the rocks, a height of above 25 feet: such as laid down their arms received quarter. For a more particular account of the proceedings of Mr. Yeo and his party, I beg leave to refer you to his letter enclosed herewith, and I have to request you will be pleased to recommend him to the notice of the Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty ; being a very old officer ; and in the two late instances, he has displayed as much gallantry as ever fell to the lot of any man. He speaks in the strongest language of the officers and men under his command on shore : and I feel it but justice to attribute our success wholly to their exertions ; for, although the fire from the ship was admirably directed, the enemy were so completely covered by their embrasures, as to render the grape almost ineffectual. " The instant the Union was displayed at the fort, I sent and took pos- session of the enemies' vessels in the Road, consisting of the Confiance French ship privateer, pierced for 26 twelves and nines, none of which, however, were on board ; the Beli^r, French privateer brig, pierced for 20 eightecn-pounder carronades ; and a Spanish merchant brig in ballast. I then hoisted a flag of truce, and sent to inform the inhabitants of the town, that if they would deliver up such stores of the ship as were on shore, there would be no further molestation. The proposal was thankfully agreed to. I did not, however, think it advisable to allow the people to remain long enough to embark the guns, there being a large body of troops in the vici- nity. A great many small vessels are in the bay, and hauled up on the beach. None of them having cargoes of any value, I conceive POST- CAPTAINS OK 1801. m\ it an iHt of iiilunnanity to doprivo the poorer iiihubitaius of the means of gaining their livelihood, and shall not molest them. On inspecting the bri^f, as she had only the lower ri;,'ging over head, and was not in a state of forwardness, I found it impraetioablc to bring her away, and therefore set fire to her : she is now burnt to the water's edge. I cannot conclude my letter without giving the portion of credit that 'is their «lue to the ofiicera and men on board the ship. They conducted them- selves with the greatest steadiness and coolness ; and although under a lieavy fire, pointed their guns with the utmost precision, there being hardly a shot that did not take effect. To l/icutonants Lawe and Bertram I feel much indebted, as well as to Mr. Shea the I'urser, (who volunteered his services, and to whom i jfave the I'har^e of the quarter-deck car- ronades in Mr. Yco's absence,) for Hie precision and coolness displayed by the men under their command in pointing the guns, as well as the ex- act attention paid to my orders, and ceasing to fire the instant the union jack made its appearance ton the walls, by which, in all probability, the lives of several of our men were saved. Mr. Cleverly, the Master, brought the broadside to bear with much quickness and nicety, by means of the spring. I send you herewith a list of our wounded on board and ashore, with one of the enemies' killed and wounded, and an account of their force at the commencement of the action. I have been tinder the neces- sity of being more detailed than I could wish ; but it is out of my power, in a smaller compass, to do justice to the exertions and conduct of the officers and men employed on the different services. It is but fair at the same time to state that, much to the credit of the ship's company, the Bishop and one of the principal inhabitants of the town came off to ex- press their gratitude for the orderly behaviour of the people, there uot Iteing one instance of pillage ; and to make offer of every refreshment the place affords. " I am now waiting for the land breeze to carry us out, having already recalled the officers and men from the fort, the guns being spiked and thrown over the parapet, the carriages rendered unserviceable, and the em- brasures, with part of the fort, blown up. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. (Signed) "Fred. L. Maitland *." " Rear Adm'mtl Drury." * From the returns alluded to in the above letter, wc find that Lieu- tenant Yeo, Mr. Clinch, 3 seamen, and 1 marine were slightly wounded on shore ; and 2 seamen i 30' p. M. the first fort on the right going in, mounting eight 24-pounders, opened on the ship, as did tlie other, containing five of the same calibre, on the left, as soon as sho was within range. As I snw it was im- possible to place the ship in a situation to act upon both batteries at the same time, I sent the first Lieutenant, Mr. Bertram, accompanied by Lieutenants Meek and Husband, of the marines, and Alessrs. MiUhidgc and • Saurin, Master's-Mates, to storm the outer fort, and proceeded with the ship ofl near the other, which was about a mite farther in, as the depth of water would allow, where she was placed, the sails furled, &c. I sent Mr. W. Smith, the third Lieutenant, with another party, to endeavour to spike the guns of the fort, then engaged with the limeruld ; Mr. Bertram having happily succeeded in driving the Spaniards out of the battery he had been sent to attack, and spiked the guns. Lieutenant Smith, almost immediately on landing, was opposed by a party of soldiers, most of whom fell, and their officer among the number ; but before they were completely subdued they had led him a considerable distance into the country, being by that time quite dark, and from the nature of the ground, having been obliged to land nearly u mile from the fort, he wa? POST-CAPI'AINS OF 1801. 395 under the iieccssUy of returning without finding it, as it had been silenced a considerable time by our fire ; it opened again, however, about ton o'clock, and continued engaged with the ship till near midnight, when she was out of range. " While these occurrences were taking place, Mr. Bertram with hh party had walked on over land, and joined Mr. Baird, the Midshipman, who had been sent to take possession of the schooner which had run on the rocks, as soon as she had made out our determination of entering the port. On the road, he was met by a part of the schooner's crew, con- sisting of about 60 men ; they gave and received a discharge of musketry, but on our people advancing with the pike and bayonet, took to flight, leaving several oead on the road. Mr. Bertram's anxiety to save the schooner induced him to persevere, for several hours, in attempting to get her off (which was rendered impracticable from her having gone on shore at high water), during which time a large body of infantry had been col- lected, and galled our men so excessively with musketry, that it became absolutely necessary to set her on fire., which was accordingly done about one A. M., when she soon blew uj), an\t 400 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901. i;!^ / « The Vengeur arrived at Spithead from the Mediterranean, March 29, 1821 ; and being found defective, was paid off at Sheernesa May 18th following ; on which day Captain Mait- land commissioned the Genoa 74, as a guard-ship at that pert, where he continued until Oct. 3d in the same year: on which day he was superseded by Sir Thomas Livingston, in consequence of his having completed the usual period of service on the peace establishment. Previous to their sepa- ration, the Midshipmen of the Genoa presented him with a very elegant sword, as a mark of their respect and esteem. Captain Maitland married, in April 1804, Catherine, second daughter of Daniel Connor, Esq., of Ballybricken, in the county of Cork. He was nominated a Companion of the Bath in 1815 *. Agent, — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. SIR JAMES BRISBANE, Knt. A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath. This officer is the fifth son of the late Admiral John Bris- bane, and a brother of the present Sir Charles Brisbane, K. C. B. t He was born in 1774 ; entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Culloden 74, Captain Thomas Rich, during the Dutch armament of 1787 ; and in the spring of the following year, was removed into the Andromeda fri- gate, commanded by H. K. H. Prince William Henry, (now Duke of Clarence), under whom he served till that ship was put out of commission in 1789 J. He then joined the South- ampton 32, commanded by the late Sir Andrew Snape Doug- las ; which ship, as we have already stated, was the first his late Majesty ever went to sea in §. * Captain Maitland received the Turkish gold medal, for his conduct during the campaign in Egypt, 1801 . ^ t See vol. I. p. 730. X The Andromeda was employed on the Halifax and West India sta- tions i but ordered home from the latter, in consequence of our late mo- narch's alarming indisposition, in 1789. V See Vol. I. note f, at p. 706. A^, B. The Southampton was subse- quently commanded by Captain (now Sir Richard G.) Keats } see id. p. 342. POliT-CAPTAINS OF 1801. ^1 rancaii, id off at II Mait- at that ear : on ston, in 3riod of ir sepa- 1 with a teem. second in the of the Bath. in Bris- irisbane, I service Thomas e spring neda fri- y, (now ship was e South- e Doug- first his s conduet India sta- r late luo- ivas subse- see id. p. At the period of the Spanish armament, we find Mr. Bris- bane serving under H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, in the Valiant of 74 guns. That ship being put out of commission at the close of 1790, he was transferred to the Shark sloop, commanded by the Hon. A. K. Legge, with whom he con- tinued as acting Lieutenant till the breaking out of the French revolutionary war in 1793, when he joined the London, a second rate, fitting for the flag of his royal patron ; but cir- cumstances occurring to prevent the Duke from going to sea, she was paid off, and Mr. Brisbane received on board the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, bearing the flag of Earl Howe, under whom he had the honor of serving as a Signal Midshipman, in the memorable battle of June 1, 1794. In the month of September following, Mr. Brisbane was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to I'Es- piegle sloop of war, stationed in the Channel. From that vessel he exchanged into the Sphynx, a 20-gun ship ; and in her assisted at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope by Sir George K. Elphinstone, and Major-General Clarke*; after which event he was removed into the Monarch 74, bear- ing the Vice-Admiral's flag. In our memoir of Viscount Keith, we have already recorded the capture of a Dutch squadron in Saldanha Bay, Aug. 18, 1796. Mr. Brisbane, at that time first Lieutenant of the Monarch, was immediately made a Commander into one of the prizes ; and a few days afterwards, appointed to the com- mand of the Daphne, a small frigate, in which he accom- panied the commander-in-chief on his return to Europe. Captain Brisbane's post commission not being confirmed by the Admiralty, he remained on the half-pay list of Com- manders from his arrival in England, about Jan. 1797j till early in 1801, when he was appointed to the Cruiser of 18 guns, on the North Sea station. He subsequently proceeded to the Sound, in cothpany with the expedition under Sir Hyde Parker, sent thither to dissolve the Northern Confe- deracy ; and whilst on that service, distinguished himself by his ** unremitting exertions " in ascertaining the channels round the great shoal called the Middle Ground, and in laying r VOL, II. • See Vol. I, p. 47, ?ment of 70 men, Jan. 4, 1807* On Lord Gardner's removal from Ireland to command the Channel fleet, the Alcmene was transferred with that noble- man, and continued under his orders till the spring of 1808 ; when Captain Brisbane was appointed to la Belle Poule, a 38- gun frigate, in which he shortly after convoyed a large fleet of merchantmen to the Mediterranean. On his arrival there, he received directions from Lord CoUingwood to assume the command of the squadron employed blockading Corfu, and watching the entrance of the Adriatic Sea. • Tlie Cruiser was attached to Lord Nelson's division in the battle off (.k>penhagen, an account of which will be found under the head of Vice- Admiral Sir Thomas Foley. t The same ship in which he hud served as a Midshipman at the com- mencement of the war. ■ POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 10^ Whilst thus employed, Captain Brisbane materially i. er- rupted the enemy's trade, cut off all the supplies sent f, >m Italy for the French garrison at Corfu, and amongst nunicr' ua other vessels, captured one having on board the military chest. In Feb. 1809, that island being greatly distressed for want of corn, the enemy determined to risk one of their fri- gates for a supply ; and accordingly, le Var, pierced for 32 guns, but having only 26 mounted, availing herself of a strong southerly gale and dark night, pushed out for Brindisi, but was discovered by Captain Brisbane at day-light on the fol- lowing morning, and pursued by him into the Gulf of Valona, where she moored with cables to the walls of the Turkish fortress, mounting 14 heavy guns, with another fort on an eminence above her, completely conmianding the whole an- chorage. Light and partial winds prevented Captain Brisbane closing with the enemy till one P. M. on the ensuing day (Feb. 1.5), when he anchored in a position at once to take or destroy the frigate, and at the same time to keep in check the formidable force he saw prepared to support her. A most animated and well-directed fire was iuunediately opened by la Belle Poule ; and the forts, contrary to expectation, making no effort to protect le Var, the latter was soon compelled to surrender *. Some time after this event, the enemy's force at Corfu having en creased so much as to induce Lord Collingwood to attach a ship of the line to that station. Captain Brisbane was superseded in the command of the squadron by Captain Eyre of the Magsuficent j with whom he proceeded in September following, to join the expedition sent from Sicily to re-estab- lish the Septinsular republic. The following arc extracts from the public letters of Captain Spranger, the senior officer of the naval force employed on that occasion : • " H. M. S. irari'ior, Oct. 3 5, 1809. ** I sailed fVom IVIessina on the 23d ultimo, in company with the Philo- mel, two large gun-boats, and the transports with troops, under the com- mand of Brigadier-General Oswald, and proceeded off Cephuionia, where we arrlred on the 28th, and continued until the 1st Oct. ; during which • Le Var had a complement of 200 men, most of whom escaped to the shore, so that her loss could not be ascertained ; la Belle Poule had not a man hurt. 2 D 2 i ni ;v' tt 404 POaT-CAPTAINS OP 1801. (lays we were joinetl, as had been previously arranged, by the Spartan from Malta ; and the Magnificent, Belle Poiile, and Kingsfisher, from Corfu ; and anchored that night in the buy of Zante, just without reach of the nearest battery. " At day-light on the following morning, the boats assembled alongside the Warrior, and under cover of the Spartan, Belle Poule, and gim-boat?, who soon silenced the batteries, landed a division of the army, in the most perfect order, about tliree miles from the town ; and whilst General Oswald was advancing. Captains Brenton and Brisbane, and the gun-boats con- ducted by Mr. Cole, my first Lieutenant, were actively employed in keep- ing the enemy, who had re-manned their batteries, in check, and covering the second disembarkation ; when the whole army moved forward, and closely invested the castle, to which the Frencli had retired from every direction. A proclamation was in the mean time distributed among the inhabitants, explanatory of our views ; and finding, as was expected, that they rejoiced in the expulsion of these common disturbers of mankind, I forbore attacking with the ships a strong battery on the mole-head, which could not be taken without destroying a great part of the town ; and I have the satisfaction of adding, that in the course of the day the enemy, though advantageously situated in a most important and commanding position, thought proper to capitulate. " No time was lost after the surrender of Zante, in establishing a pro- visional government, re-emi)arking the troops, and proceeding on the 4tli inst. with the squadron, augmented by the arrival of the Leonidas, to Ce- phalonia, the port of which was entered with the men of war formed in two columns, and the transports in the rear, and taken possession of with- out any opposition on the part of the enemy i which, indeed, from the for- midable force I had the honor to command, would have been perfectly useless : and having landed the advance the same evening, the General summoned the fort of St. George, situated on a steep hill, two leagues from the town, which immediately surrendered on the same terms as those granted to the garrison at Zante ; both islands were fortunately occupied by his Majesty's forces without any loss whatever, and the Septinsular flag, together with the British, to the great joy of the inhabitants, displayed at each*. " To Rear-Admiral George Martin." In the spring of 1810, Captain Brisbane assisted at the re- duction of St. Maura ; and during part of the siege had t'le sole charge of the naval arrangements, as will be seen by the following letter from Captain Eyre to Rear-Admiral Martin : " Magnificent, at St. Maura, April 18, 1810. ** Sir, — Having, in my letter to Lord Collingwood of the 8th of last * The island of Ithaca, was taken by the Philomel sloop of war,, and a detachment of troops, Oct. 8 ; and Cerigo by the Spartan, and a party of soldiers under Major Clarke, on the 12th of the same mouth. POST-CAPTAINS or 1801. 405 month, stated the principal rea»oud which induced General Oswald and myself to determine upon attacking the enciuy in the Island of St. Alaura, I have now the satisfnotion to inform you of the complete success of our expedition. " Immediately this measure was resolved upon, I sailed from Cephalo- nia to collect the squadron, and directed Captain Griffiths of the Leouidas to cruise to the northward of iSt. Maura, iu order to prevent any supplies or reinforcements beinjf sent to Corfu ; a service which was most effec- tually performed. On the 1 8th March we were all assembled at Zantc ; but the Montagu, in working into the road, through the ignorance of the pilot, got upon the -hoal, and knocked her rudder off, by which unfortu- nate accident she »vas prevented from accompanying us. The troops which she was intended to take being divided amongst the other ships, as also her marines, under the command of Captain Snow, and the General having done me the honor to embark on board the Magnificent, I sailed with the Belle Poule, Imogenc, three gun-boats, and five transports, early on the morning of the 21st, and arrived at St. Maura the same evening. I gave directions to Captain Stephens of the Imogeue, to anchor as close to the shore as possible, taking the gun-boats with him, in order to cover the landing of the troops, and to silence two small batteries which were situated near the landing-place. " The disembarkation began at day-break the following morning, and was very expeditiously effected, under the immediate direction of Captain Brisbane. The marines belonging to the Magnificent, Montagu, and Belle Poule, were landed at the same time, and attached to the army. One of the batteries tired at the Imogeue ; but upon a brisk returu being inade from the gun-boats, the enemy abandoned it, as he also did two other batteries, which commanded the entrance of a large lake that extends to the town and citadel. " The citadel of St. Maura is situated upon a low neck of land, pro- jecting into the sea, on the north-east cud of the island ; and though neiirly surrounded by the sea, is, from its embayed position, and shallowness of the water, unassailable by ships. " The want of secure anchorage on that side of the island obliged me to place the transports in a port six or seven miles from where the opera- tions were to be carried on. " As soon as the troops were landed, they began their march towards the town, which was given up without opposition, and taken possession of by Colonel Lowe and a body of troops. Another division continued on its route towards the citadel. 1 thought it necessary to accompany the Gene- ral, in order to facilitate such supplies and (to-operation from the ships as the circumstances of the moment might render necessary. When we reached tho northern shore, it was discovered that the enemy had con- structed two strong redoubts upon a neck of land a considerable distance in advance of the citadel, and which it was necessary to drive him from before any thing could be undertaken against the principal work. A battery of two guns, still further in advance, the enemy had been forced to li '1. 4C6 VOST-CAPTAINS OF 1801 . H abandon, hy a detachment of troops under the command of Major Church. The Leonidas was tlieu only a few miles from the shore ; and the weather being tine, it was judged a favorable opportunity to make an immediate and Joint attack upon the first redoubt. '* Captain Brisbane, who was with me, ever anxious to render himself of use, volunteered to take any orders to the Leonidas. I therefore sent directions by hini to Captain (iriffiths, to anchor as near the redoubt as possible, and cannonade it ; which was executed with his usual prompti- tude. The troops, at the suum; time, with the General at their head, advanced un • Sec Vol. I.p. <;34. t An uccoant of Major-Cieaerttl Montressor's proceedings in tlie island of Corsica will be found in Phillipart't Rnynl Military Calendar, Vol. I. p. 206. et teq. X According to Mr. SalamtS wliose " Narrative of the Ej,'f)e(Htion to Algiers'* is well worthy of perusul, the Queen Charlotte expended no less than .30,42411)8. of powder, and 4462 shot. The loss she sustained in tlie battle has been stated in our 1st vol. at p. 227< iider of s sent, Major- al pos- vention erieral lifacio, n until pon by POST-CAI>'rAINS OF 1801. 411 The objects of the expedition having been fully accom- plished, Captain Brisbane was charged with the duplicates of his noble chief's despatches, with which he caine home over- land, and arrived at the Admiralty some days before the ori- ginal. On the 2d Oct. in the same year, he received the honor of knighthood, as a reward for his able and meritorious conduct. He had been nominated a C. B. for his former services, at the extension of that Order in 1815. Sir James Brisbane married, in 1800, the only daughter of John Ventham, Esq., by whom he bus one sou and two daughters. Ageiit. — ^William Marsh, Esq. JOHN FERRIS DEVONSHIRE, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant by Sir John Jervis, into the Terpsichore of 32 guns, during the West India campaign in 1794. He subsequently served in succession on the Halifax, Leeward Islands, North Sea, and Mediter- ranean stations. Early in Oct. 1/96, the Terpichore was despatched from Gibraltar to inform the commander-in-chief, of the squadron under Rear-Admiral Mann having been chased thither by the Spanish fleet. On her return she fell in with, and captured an enemy's frigate of far superior force. The par- ticulars of the action, with its splendid result, we here sub- mit to our readers in the words of her gallant commander. Captain Richard Bowen, who unfortunately fell at Teneriffe in the following year*. " Gibraltar, Oct. 23, 1796. " Sir, — On the morning of the 13tli Inst., at day-light, we (Hscovered a frigate to windward, standing towards us. About eight I could perceive her making every preparation for battle, and she was then apparently iu chase of us ; our situation altogether was such as to prevent my being over desirous of engaging her : out of our small complement of men, (215) we had left 30 at the hospital, and wc hud more than that number still on board on our sick and convalescent lists, all of whom were cither jdangerously ill, or extremely weak. We were scarcely out of sight of tlie spot where we knew the iSpauish fleet had been cruising only two * See note * at p. 94. { l:>?' i I *: 412 tl II f POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. days before, and in fact we had stood on to look for them, with a view of ascertaining their movements ; a small Spanish vessel, which we conjee- tared to be a sort of tender, was passing us, steering towards Curtlia- gena ; so tliat I could hardly flatter myself with being able to bring the frigate off, in the event of a victory, or of even escaping myself if dis- abled. On the other hand, it appeared that nothing bnt a flight and superior sailing could enable me to avoid an action; and to do that from a frigate apparently not much superior to us, except in point of bulk, would have been committing the character of one of his Majesty's ships more than I could bring myself to resolve on. I therefore continued standing on, without any alteration of our course. Having, with infinite satis- faction and comfort to myself, commanded the Terpsichore's crew for two years and a half, through a pretty considerable variety of services, I well knew the veteran stuff which I had still left in health to depend upon, for upholding the character of British seamen ; and I felt my mind at ease as to the termination of any action with the frigate in sight only. At half- past nine she came within hail, and hauled her wind on our weather beam ; as I conceived she only waited to place herself to advantage, and to point her guns with exactness, and being myself unwilling to lose the position we were then in, I ordered one gun to be fired, as a trier of her intention. It was so instantaneously returned, and followed up by her whole broadside, that I am confident they must have done it at the sight of our flash. The action of course went on, and we ,soon discovered that her people would not, or could not resist our fire. At the end of about an hour and forty minutes, during which time we had twice wore, and employed about twenty of the last minutes in chase, she surrendered. At this period she appeared almost entirely disabled, and we had drawn close up alongside with every gun well charged and pointed. It was nevertheless with con- siderable difficulty that I prevailed on the Spanish commander to decline receiving such a broadside, by submitting ; and from every thing I have since lieard, the personal courage, conduct, and zeal of that officer, whose name is Don Thomas Agalde, was such during the action, notwithstand- ing the event of it, as reflects on him the greatest honor, and irresistibly impressed on my mind the highest admiration of his character. After (from the effect of our fire) his booms had tumbled down, and rendered his waste guns unserviceable, nil the standing rigging of his lower masts shot away, and I believe every running rope cut through, and a groat number of his people killed and wounded, he still persevered, though he could rally but few of his men, to defend his ship, almost lunger than defence was justifiable. Had there been the smallest motion in the sea, every mast must inev'tably have gone by the board. Our loss • has been much less than could have been expected ; but our masts, sails, and rigging, were found to be pretty much cut up. The spirited exertions of every officer, man, nnd boy, belonging to the ship I command, as well in the action as in securing the two disabled ships, nnd bringing them off instantly from a • Four uHMj wounded. i POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 413 critical Bituation, by taking the prize in tow, and by their incessant labour ever since, will, I trust, when their small number is considered, place them in a light superior to any praise I could bestow. I am even unwilling to speak of the particular conduct of any of the officers ; but the talents displayed by the first Lieutenant, Devonshire, who was but just out of the sick list, during the action, added to his uncommon fatigue in taking care of the prize, and the very able manner in which he conducted and prepared to defend her, entitle him to this distinction, and prove him highly deserving of the recommendation you gave him with his appoint- ment in the West Indies ; and although I had rather any other person should observe the conduct of a brother of mine in action, and speak of it afterwards, yet I feel it my duty, as Captain of the ship, to state that I thought Mr. Bowen's conduct was particularly animating to the ship's company, and useful, from the number of guns he saw well-pointed in the course of the action ; added to which, from the absence of the first Lieutenant on board the prize, the labouring oar of this ship has fallen on him, and, in my mind, the task we have had, has been infinitely more arduous than the action itself*. The name of the prize is the Mahonesa, carrying on the main-deck twenty-six Spanish 12-pounders, weighing 18 ounces more than ours ; 8 Spanish sixes on the quarter-deck, and a num- ber of brass cohorns, swivels, &c. ; had on board 276 men, besides six pilots, qualified for the Mediterranean as high as Leghorn, and to be put on 'board Admiral Langara's fleet, which she had been sent from Cartha- gena to look for. She was built in 1789, at Mahon ; is of very large dimensions, measuring 1114^ tons (Spanish); was before the action in complete good condition ; and is considered by the Spanish officers the fastest sailer, one of the best constructed, and what they attach consider- able importance to, the handsomest frigate in their navy. Both the ships have this moment anchored in safety. I am, &c. (Signed) " Richard Bowen." ** Mahonesa, by the best accounts I have been able to collect, had about 30 killed or died of their wounds the day of the action, and about the same number wounded, several of whom are since dead. " R. B." In consequence of the well-merited commendation be- stowed in the above letter, the Admiralty promoted Lieu- tenant Devonshire to the rank of Commander. His post commission, dated April 27, 1801, was given him as a re- ward for his gallant conduct when commanding the Dart sloop of war, attached to Lord Nelson's division, in the battle oiT Copenhagen. The Dart on that occasion bad a Lieutenant and 2 men killed, and 1 man wounded. During the late war he commanded several line-of-battle ships, but • Mr. George Bowen, second Lieutenant of the Terpsichore, died a Post-Captain in 18r7. See note « at p. 94. m^ ^ 11 f! i.; !■ 414 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. does not appear to have had any opportunity of further dis- tinguishing himself. jigents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. FREDERICK WARREN, Esq. This officer is a son of the late Richard Warren, M. D.* by Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Shaw, a celebrated physician. He was born in London, March 17/5 ; and entered tlie naval service in March 1789. After serving for three years as a Midshipman on board the Adamant of 50 guns, bearing the fla^ of Sir Richard Hughes, on the Halifax station, he joined the Lion 64, commanded by Sir Erasmus Gowcr, by whom he was appointed to act as a Lieutenant of that ship, during Lord Macartney's embassy to China in 1703. The LiMi returned to Spithead, Sept. 6, 1794 ; and towards the close of the same year, Mr. Warren received a commission from the Admiralty, appointing him second Lieutenant of the Jason frigate, commanded by Captain Charles Stirling ; in which ship he was actively employed on the coast of France till 1797, vvhen he removed into the Latona as first Lieutenant. Soon after this latter appoint- ment he obtained the rank of Commander in the Shark sloop of w»r, on the Newfoundland station, where he continued till the latter end of 1798 ; when his vessel was ordered home and put out of commission. Early in 1800, Captain Warren was appointed to the Fairy of 18 guns. After cruising for u short time in the Channel, he proceeded to the West Indies, and remained on that station, employed principally on the coasts of Surinam and Demerara, until advanced ta post rank, May 12, 1801. About Oct. following he joined the Amphitrite frigate, lying as a guard-ship at the Needles ; and on the renewal of the war in 1803, we find him commanding the Dundee dis- trict of Sea Fencibles. In 1806 he commissioned the D^da- lus of 32 guns, convoyed a fleet of merchantmen to Jamaica, and made several captures on that station. In April 1808, he was appointed to the Meleager, rated at 36 guns ; and on the 30th July following had the misfortune to be wrecked on * Dr. Warren was Physician to his late Majesty, and our present Monarch when Prince of Wales. er dis- ^I. D* d tlie years >eariiig , he POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801. 416 Barebush Key, near Port Royal. A court-martial, as is usual in such cases, being afterwards assembled to enquire into his conduct on that occasion, he was fully acquitted of all blame on account of the loss of his ship, and compli- mented for his exertions after she had struck. Captain Warren's next appointment was, in May 1809, to command the Melpomene frigate on the Baltic station, during the absence of her proper Captain, the late Sir Peter Parker. Whilst at anchor in the Belt, about a mile from the shore, during a perfect calm, and very dark night, the Mel- pomene was attacked by twenty large Danish gun-boats, whose crews attempted to board her, but without success : the action lasted from lO** 30' P. M. till day-light on the following morning, when the enemy retreated to the shore, leaving the British frigate with several men killed and wound- ed, and her hull and rigging much damaged. For his gal- lantry on this critical occasion he received the public thanks of the commander-in-chief, who attributed the safety of more than a hundred ,sail of merchant vessels, then about six miles distant from the Melpomene, to the exertions made by that ship. The Melpomene was subsequently employed under the orders of Captain T. Byam Martiti in the Gulf of Finland, where her boats assisted at the capture and destruction of several Russian gun-boats and a number of merchant vessels, some of which were laden with naval stores. She returned to England at the end of the year j and Sir Peter Parker having resumed his command, Captain Warren was imme- diately appointed to the Argo 44, in which ship he soon after sailed for St. Helena, and from thence convoyed home a large fleet of East Indiamen. On the 28th Nov. 1810, the subject of this memoir was tried by a court-martial at Portsmouth, for not proceeding to Quebec, in compliance with orders from the Admiralty, to escort the trade from thence to England. The court, after hearing the evidence adduced on the part of the prosecution, as also what Captain Warren had to allege in his defence, agreed that the reasons assigned by him for his conduct (arising from the lateness of the season and the bad state of the weather) were perfectly satisfactory, and did therefore adjudge him to be acquitted. I ^ii 416 Prt9T-CAPTAINS OK 1801. Early in 1811, the Argo wna placed under the orders of Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke, then about to sail with a reinforce- ment of troops for the British army in Portugal*. She sub- sequently took out an Algcrine ambassador, and conveyed Sir Robert Liston and suite to Constantinople. Captain Warren resigned the command of that ship in Oct. 1812 ; and from March till August 1814, commanded the Clarence of 74 guns, attached to the Channel fleet. 1 He married in 1804, Mary, only daughter of the late llear- Adniiral Laird, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. His eldest son is a student at the lloyid Naval College f. Captain Warren has four brothers now living, tv'-:;. 1, Charles, Chief Justice of Chester ; 2, John, Dean of liangor ; 3, Henry, Rector of Farnham, and Prebendary of Bangor j and 4, Pelham, a Physician in London. His late uncle was Bishop of Bangor. Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq. RICHARD PEACOCKE, Esq. This officer served as a Lieutenant under the late Sir John Thomas Duckworth, in the Leviathan 74 ; was made a Commander into the Gaiete sloop of war, at the Leeward Islands, about Sept. 1800 ; and advanced to the rank of Post- Captain, June 4, 1801. He married, Feb. 27, 1821, Martlia Louisa, fourth daughter of the late George Dacre, Esq., of Marwell House, Hants. .r^^en/*.— Messrs. Maude. JAMES CARTHEW, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1 700; served as such on board the Mercury frigate, in 1706; commanded the Rosario sloop of war during the expedition against the Helder ; and assisted at the destruction of two Dutch frigjites, and the dock-yard at Medenblick, Oct. 12, 1799 %- 'I'hc Rosario^ previously fitted as a fire-vessel, was burnt in an • See vol. I. p. 439. t Rcar-Admiral Laird of Strathmartine House, near Dundee, died iu Sept. 1812. X See Captain Richard Currt. POST-CAITAINS OF 1801. Ici'H of iforct*- IC 8ul)- iiveyi'd aptiiiii 1812 J euce of llear- ighter. f. 417 ttttLMiipt made to destroy a French squadron in Dunkirk Roads, July 7, 1800*. Captain Carlhcw was subseciuently appointed to the Shark sloop of war, on the West India station. His post conunission hears date July 11, 1801. He afterwards commanded the (Jarland, Astrea, Crescent, and Gloire frigates; the latter formed part of the scpiadron under Sir Alexander Cochrane, at the reduction of Martinique in 1809. Agent. — Isaac Clementson^ Esq. THOMAS BRIGGS, Esq. Resident Commitgioner o/t/ie Xavtf at Bermuda. This officer is a son of Stephen Briggs, Estj., late chief Surgeon at Madras, by Magdalen, sister of the late Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart, f He was made a Commander into the Salaminebrig on the Mediterranean station, about 1800 ; and obtained the rank of Post-Captain, July 24, 1801. We subsequently find him commanding the Madras 54, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton ; Agincourt of 64 guns ; and Orpheus frigate. The latter was wrecked on the Jamaica station, Jan. 23, 1807 ; previous to which she had captured two Spanish armed schooners. Captain Briggs' next appointment was, we believe, to the Clorinde, a 38-gun frigate ; and in her he assisted at the cap- ture of the Isle of France, in 1810. The following is an ex- tract from the General Orders issued by the military com- mander-in-chief, on that important occasion X '• " Tlic cuminander of the forces feels it his particular duty to offer his most sincere thanks to Captatii Beaver, for the able and judicious manner in which he conducted tlic disembarkation, as well as for the indefulij^ablu exertions he has since used in discharging the duty confided to liiui by the Vice-Admiral, in bU|)|dyin>f the wants of the army ; and Major-Generul Abercromby is equally indebted to Captains Briggs, Lye, and Street, ami to the ofHccrs and seamen employed under their orders in the disembark- ation of the troops." In 1814, Captain Briggs was appointed to the Leviathan 74; and from May, 1818, till Feb. 1821, he commanded the * Sec p. 290, at seq. t ^cc vol. J. note * at p. 5H3. X See Vol. I. noJe *, at p. ().'J2. VOL. II. 2 E 418 POST-tAFTAINS OP 1801. '^ V > Queen Cliarlotto, u Arst rate, bearing the flag of Sir George Campbell, at Portsmouth. ulgents, — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son. JOHN BROUGIITON, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1/89; and during the latter part of the French revolutionary war, he commanded the Strombolo bomb, and Florcntina frigate, on the Mediter- ranean station. His post commission bears date Aug. 3, 1801. In 1807, we find Captain Broughton cruising in the Me- leager frigate, for the protection of our Greenland whale fishery ; on which service he accompanied Captain Broke of the Shannon, to the latitude of 80' 6' N. * He afterwards served on the Jamaica station, and there captured a Spanish letter of mai'que, laden witli dry goods, brandy, and wine. His subsequent appointments were to the Indefatigable of 46 guns, and Cornwall 74. Agent. M' Inerheny, Esq. HONORABLE GEORGE HENEAGE LAWRENCE DUNDAS. A Companion of the most Honorable MHUarif Order of the Bath. This officer is the fottfrn son of the late Lord Dundas, by Lady Charlotte Wentworth, sister of Earl Fitzwilliam +• '^ <^^»''-^ On the 17th March, 1800, a most melancholy accident'hap- ' pened to the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, in which ship Mr. y Dundas was then serving as a Lieutenant. Proceeding from t \ ■V Leghorn to reconnoitre the island of Cabrera, and when about three or four leagues distant from the former place, she was discovered to be on fire. Every possible assistance was im- mediately forwarded from the shore ; but a number of boats, it seems, were deterred from approaching her, in consequence of the guns going off when heated^ and discharging their contents in all directions. Tlie carpenter, who was one of • See p. 3(;}). t Thomas Lord Duiidos tlied June 14, 1820. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 419 •eorgc durinfr iiandcd [editer- Mg. a. e Me- whiile :oke of r wards punish 1 wine, able of DAS. Bath. las, by ipMr. : from about e was IS im- boats, uence their )ne of those saved from that ill-fated ship, gives the following ac- count of the calamitous disaster alluded to : About twenty minutes after six o'clock in the morning, as he was dress- ing himself, he licard throuijhout the ship a f^eneral cry of " fire ! " on whicli he immediately ascended from the cockpit, and found the lialf-deck, the front bulk-heud of the Admiral's cahin, the coat of the miiin-mast, and the i'ovcring of the boats on the booms, all in flames ; whicli from every report, and in all probability, was occasioned by some hay, lying under the half-deck, having been set on fire by a n)atcli, which was usually kept there for signal guns. The main-sail at this time was set, and almost instantly caught fire; the people not being able to come to the clue-garnets on account of the flainos. He immediately went to the forecastle, and there found Lieutenant Dundas and the boatswain encouraging the people to get water to cxtingnish the fire. He applied to Lieutenant Dundas, seeing no other (lOicer in the fore part of the ship (and being unable to see any on the quuter-deck, owing to the smoke and ilarnes between them), to give him assistance to drown the lower ' decks, and secure the hatches, to prevent the fire falling down. Lieu- tenant Dundas accordingly went down himself, with as many people as he could prevail upon to follow him, opened the lower-deck ports, plugged the scuppers, secured the fore and main hatches, turned the cocks, drew water in at the ports, and kept the pumps going by the people who came down, as long as they could stand to work them. He thinks that by these exertions the lower-deck was kept free from fire, and the magazines preserved for a long time from danger ; nor did Lieutenant Dundas or him- self quit their station, but remained there with all the people who could be prevailed upon to stay, till several of the guns overhead came through the middle-deck. About nine o'clock, Lieutenant Dundas and himself, finding it impossible to remain any longer below, went out at the bridle-port, and got upon the forecastle, on which, he apprehends, there were then about I .W men drawing water, and throwing it as far aft as possible upon the fire. He continued about an hour on the forecastle ; and then finding ail eiforts to extinguish the flames unavailing, he jumped from the jib-boom, and swam to an American boat approaching, by which he was picked up and put into a tartan, then in the charge of Lieutenant John Stcwtirt, who had come off from Leghorn to the assistance of the ship, and ol whom his messmate, the present Captain Archibald Duff, speaks in the following terms : " To the active and intrepid conduct of that lamented ornament to the British navy, tlie nii^or part of those who escaped, owe tlicir preservation *. Steward had been early in the morning informed of the dreadful situation of our noble ship. The burning of Troy could not have been a more tre- mendous or awful sight to iEneas. The ship wab in one blaze from stem UM * Lieutenant Stewart was afterwards promoted to post rank. He died Oct. 2G, 1811. A long memoir of him appears in the Naval Ciironicle, vol. 28, pp. 1—4/. 2 K 2 420 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. to stern, with her j;uns going off in utl directions. His heroic conduct wus followed by two other boats, and, to the honor of some American vessels then at Leghorn, one was directly manned by three of their men ; but going alongside of the Queen Charlotte too incautiously, she fell a sacrifice to the impetuosity of the unfortunate crew, who, urged by the flames, flocked in numbers for deliverance. She sunk alongside, with all on board. Lieutenant Stewart's ardour in the cause of humanity was only equalled by his judgment in affording us relief: when he had reached the Queen Char- lotte, he judiciously dropped his tartane under the bows, where almost all tlie remaining crew had taken refuge. Little more than an hour had elapsed, after this assistance was given, before the ship blew up. All that had been left unburnt, immediately sunk down by the stern ; but when the ponderous contents of the hold had been washed away, she for an instant recovered her buoyant property, and was suddenly seen to emerge almost her whole length from the deep ; and then turning over, she floated on the surface, with her liurnished copper glistening in the sun. Amidst the various wonders of the deep which are beheld by those who go down to the sea in ships, this certainly formed a most sublime and awful sight. I had been roused from sleep by the going off of the guns, and had escaped from the surrounding flames by jumping from the poop, in order to swim to the launch then astern, full of men. I providentially reached her just as they were in the act of casting off the tow-rope ; and after some entreaties and consultation T was taken in, and had the happiness of being afterwards con- ducive to the preservation of several lives. I also witnessed, whilst in the launch, the exertions of the boats under the Queen Charlotte's bows, di- rected by Lieutenant Stewart. We had only one oar and the rudder in the launch, and were consequently at the mercy of the wind and sea." Lieutenant Stewart had the gratification to find, amongst the number who had been preserved by himself, his most in- timate friend, the subject of this memoir, and also Mr. Fran- cis Erskine Loch, a Midshipman, who was under his parti- cidar care *. ♦ Lord Keith, whose flag was flying on board the Queen Charlotte at the time of her destruction, in a state bordering on distraction, had con< tinued, after Lieutenant Stewart's departure from the shore, to use every possible effort and persuasion with the Tuscans belonging to the country boats at Leghorn, to put to sea ; but which, notwithstanding the active interference of the Governor and other authorities, had only an eflect on a few. Could the activity, energy, and humanity, possessed by Dritish sea- men have been transferred to the drones in the mole of that place, many more valuable lives might have been saved. Among the sufferers were Captain Andrew Todd and his first Lieutenant (William Bainl)ridge), who remained upon deck to the last mome- » giving such orders as appeared moat likely to prove beneficial to the crew, without providing, or ap- parently caring for their o\vn safety ; Lieutenants Erskine and K(decki>n, the latter a Russian oflicer ; Captain Joseph llreedon, of the marines ; the POST-CAPrAINS OK 1801, 421 iduct wa& an vessels nen ; but a sacrifice le flames, on board, ualled by sen Cliar- ilmost all hour had All that when the an instant ^(i almost ted on the midst the )wn to the It. I had iped from im to the St as they iaties and .Tirds con- list in the bows, di- der in the nniongst iiost in- r. Fran- is parti- larlottc at had coi>< use every ic oouutry Ihe active ^fl'ect on a ritish sea- K-e, many irers were Ige), wh() appeared g, or ap- hkolecki'M, iocs ; the In the course of the same year, Lieutenant Dundas was promoted to the rank of Commandor ; and at the commencc- inent of 1801, we find him in the Calpe, a polacrc-rigged ves- sel, employed with some gun-boats under his orders on the Gibraltar station, protecting convoys passing through the Gut. The Calpe was with Sir James Saumarez in the actions of July 6 and 13, 1801 ; and her commander's behaviour on those occasions is thus noticed by that most excellent officer, in his oH'icial letters : ^ •' Cersitr, Gihraltar, July 6. *' The Hon. Captain Dundas, of his Majesty's polacre the Calpe, made his vessel as useful as possible, and kept up a spirited fire on one of the enemy's batteries." " Cetsar, off Cape Trafalgar, July 13. " My thanks are aljo due to Captain Hullis, of the Thames, and to the Hon. Captain Dund^'.s, of the Calpe, whose assistance was particularly useful to Captain Keats in securin^r the enemy's ship, and enabling the Superb to stand after the squadron, in case of our having been enabled to renew the action." The prize alluded to in the last extract was the San An- tonio of 'J A guns, in which ship Captain Dundas soon after t'eturned to England. His post commission bears date Aug. 3, 1801. He subsequently commanded the Quebec and Euryalus frigates. Early in 1806, tiie Euryalus sailed from England in com- pany with the Ocean of 98 guns, and several other ships of war, having under their protection a large fleet of merchant- men bound to Oporto, Lisbon, the Mediterranean, &c. On Master, Purser, Surgeon, four Master's Mates, eighteen Midshipmen, the Boatswain, Captain's and Secretary's ('lerks. Schoolmaster, and three Sur- geon'd Mates. The total loss of lives on thitt disastrou:^ occasion, according to Schomhcrg, was 073, out of a complement (including the Admiral and his retinue, part of whom, together with the Chaplain and three other gen- tlemen, were on shore at the time), amounting to 840 oflicers, men, and boys. The Queen Charlotte was one of the finest ships In the British navy. She was launched in \ld^, and her first cruise was with the fleet fitted out against Spain in con8e((uencc of the dispute respecting Nootkit Soimd. Karl Howe, >vho was commander-in-chief of that fleet, was then on board of her ; and she also bore his Lordship's flag on the glorious Ist .Jnne/1794. She was rated nt 100 guns, but mounted more than that number. ■if!» 422 POST- CAPTAINS OF J 80 1. I r i her joining Lord CoUingwood off Cjidiz, she was ordered to cruise between Capes St. Vincent and St. Mary ; and after- wards sent to watch the port of Carthagena j on which latter service she continued about four months, and by means of her boats captured several small vessels. We subsequently find her cruising in the Gulf of Lyons. At the latter end of 1807, in company with the Niger frigate, she escorted several thousand troops, commanded by the late lamented Sir John Moore, from Gibraltar to England. After docking and refitting his ship at Plymouth, Captain Dundas proceeded to North Yarmouth, from whence he con- veyed the Duke d'Angouleme to Gottenburg. On the 11th June, 1608, the boats of the Euryalus, assisted by those of the Cruiser sloop of war, burnt two Danish transports, and captured a gun- vessel, mounting two long 18-pounders, with a complement of 64 men, moored within half pistol-shot of a 3»gun battery, near the entrance of the Naskon, in the Great Belt. Although the enemy's troops lined the beach, the British had only 1 man wounded. The Danes sustained a loss of 7 n^en killed, 12 wounded, and several drowned, ex- clusive of ciisualties on shore. This gallant exploit was per- formed under the directions of Lieutenant Michael Head^ of the Euryalus. In the course of the same year. Captain Dundas conveyed his former illustrious guest from Carlscrona to Lebe, a small bay near the Gulf of Dantzic ; and there embarked the late consort of Louis XVIH. the Duke de Berri, and other mem- bers of the French roval family, the whole of whom he landed at Carlscrona, received on board again at (iottenburg, and finally brought to Harwich. The Euryalus formed part of the fleet under Sir Richard J. Strachan, during the Walcheren expedition ; and on her return fnmi that service, was placed under the orders of Sir Richard King, off Cherbourgh, where she captured I'Etuile, French lugger privateer, of 14 guns and 48 men. In the spring of 1810, Captain Dundas escorted a large fleet of merchantmen from Spithead to Portugal and the Mediter- ranean. During the renuiinder of that year he waa attached \ii the in-shore squadron off Toulon* ; and early in 1811 ap- • Sec Vol. I p. (150. POST-CAPrAINS OF 1801. 423 ered to , after- 1 latter eans of quently end of several ir John pointed to the Achille 74, in which ship he continued until superseded by Captain Hollis *, when he resumed the com- mand of his frigate. On the Jth June following, the boats of the Euryalus assisted at the capture of llntrepide French privateer, of 2 guns and 58 men, near Corsica. In the autumn of 1812, Captain Duudas, being senior to all the officers then commanding frigates on the Mediterranean station, was removed into the Edinburgh of 74 guns, that ship having become vacant by the appointment of Captain Rolles to succeed Captain Kent in the Union 98 f. Me shortly after conveyed the late Sir Thomas Maitland from Port Mahon to Palermo, on his way to assume the govermnent of Malta. From this period till the peace of 1814, we find him actively employed on tlie coasts of Sicily, Naples, Tuscany, aiul Cicnoa. The following is a copy of his official letter to Captain Josias Rowley, coniinunicating the capture of twenty-nine French vessels at d'Anzo, Oct. 5, 1813. ♦• Sir, — In obedience to your directions, I put to sea, and joined Captain Duncan, of the Imperieuse, and the ships named in the margin t this morning, off d'Anzo, where he had been watching a convoy for some days, with th Intention of attacking them the first favorable ecn matle l»y that ofticcr for the attack, I addr ; .> ce of this ship to it, and made the signal that those arrange- ments \.^-iabc adhered to, and to prepare for battle. The place was defended by two batteries, mounting .3 heavy guns each on a mole ; a tower to the northward with 1 gun, and a battery to the southward with 2 guns, to cover the mole. Every thing being prepared, ut I** .'K>' P. M. the ships bore up and took their stations ; the Impcrieuse and Resistance to the mole batteries ; the Swallow to the tower ; the Kciair aiid Pyltt quire. As soon as the troops advanced, the whole of the gun-vessels and boats opened their fire with such effect, that on the landing of the seamen and marines, and preparing to storm, the enemy deserted their batteries, and the whole of the sea line without the walls, which were instantly taken possession of and soon turned on the place ; by this means drawing off a considerable portion of the enemy's fire. The arrival of the Caledonia * afforded you, Sir, an opportunity of witnessing the remaining operations, and the spirited fire which was kept up at the battery, under the direction of Lieutenants Bazelgette and White, against a very superior one of the * One killed and two wounded belonging to the Edinburgh. The other ships had not a man hurt. • See Vol. I. p. 634. 430 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901. enemy ; by which I regret to state tliat Lieutenant Bemck, of the Pylades, an officer of much promise, was killed. My warmest thanks are due to the whole of the captains, officers, seamen, and marines I had the honor to have placed under my orders, for their zealous and active co-operation. I was particularly indebted to Captain Brace, for his able assistance ; he was so good as to direct the advance of the boats and gun-vessels. Captains Dundas and Hamilton had, as usual, been most assiduous in forwarding the operations of the troops ; and my thanks are due to Captains Tower and Wemyss, for their rearortzow, the Russian Ambassador, through whose interfeienre h-; ob- tained the command of a ship of the line belonging to the Imperial navy. No sooner, however, did & wrn aetw« .xi England and France appear inevitable., than relinquishmg the most flattering prospects, he returned to Mi) native coautry^ made an offer of his services, and was appo;;it«.'d first Lieu- tenant of the Regulus 44, in which ship he served for cjgh"; months, and then left her to take the command of the Peiler gun-brig, at the particular request of Sir W. S5diiey Sirjith. To whatever extent boarding and cutting out the enemies* vessels from under forts, &c. may have since been cardci, we have reason to believe Lieutenant Tomlinson hinl the ho'ior of setting the example in the French revolutionary war (at least in Europe), by boarding and carrying a lugger, in a sin- gle boat and in open day-light, while lying witliin p)stol-shot of a battery, with the adjacent sand-hills lined with troops. The Pelter appears to have been engaged in i. variety of operations on the coast of France ; and on one occii'oion hai! an encounter with three armed vessels., > 'vo of which vere of equal force with herself, lying in the roai* if Etaples, pro- » S.'P Vo'. !. noteut p. 41*. t Mr. Campbell was teltued to Mrs. Carter, wife of tlie Duke of Port- land's private secretary. VOL. II. 2 F fi *: ■iP* :l?'\ ■ % '.m „>:*?^ 434 PObT-CAl^TAINS OF 18()i. . tected l)y a battery. In June 17^, she accompanied the fleet under Sir John Borlase Warren to Quiberon Bay, where she was employed to cover the landing of the French royalists *, and in various skirmishes along the coast; in all which Lieu- tenant Tomlinson's conduct was witnessed and highly ap- proved by Captain Albemarle Bertie, oi the Thunderer 74, who h. ^ the direction of the gim-vessels attached to the expedition. The critical assistance rendered to the royalist army on the 21st of the ensuing month deserves particular notice. Un- assisted by any other vessel, she went so near, and continued rimning along the coast so advantageously with the troops, as to be able to cover their retreat, .and prevent the republi- cans from destroying the greatest part of them ; and at length, M'hen their situation became desperate, aflForded both time and opportunity to conclude a capitulation. On this occasion, Lieutenant Tomlinson was honored with the thanks of Sir John B. Warren, on the quarter-deck of la Pomone, in the presence of many distinguished officers of the navy and army. On the 10th Aug. in the same year, Lieutenant Tomlinson was ordered to attack a fleet of chassc marees, which he did with great promptitude, and took one of them, although she had anchored under a battci-y at the mouth of the river Crach, the fire of which was silenced by the Pelter. This exploit, produced a flattering letter on the part of Sir John B. Warren, and a generous relinquishment of the prize to her captors ahmc by the officers .ind seamen of the squadron. The Pelter, in company with three other gun -vessels, had pre- vicmsly destroyed a corvette of 24 guns, aiul a rational cutter, in the Morbihan river. At length, in ccmsequence of incessant fatigm', nearly 'M) of the Pelter's crew were confined to their hammocks f ; and the rest, with Lieutenant Tomlinsf)n at their head, in so re- duced a state, that the vessel was obliged to be towed home by the Uobust 74. In Oct. I7JW), the Pelter being paid ofi", the subject of this memoir joined the (JKry, of 08 guns, as first Lieutenant, from • Si'c Vol. I. not*' at p. Hi!> rt si'/. t IltT roinpli'iHL'iit was M) oIHciti uikI iikmi. I POST-CAPTAINS OF 18()1. 435 I" which ship he soon after removed into the Vesuve gnn-vesscl. On the 29th of the following month he was advanced to the rank of Commander, and appointed to la Suffisante of 14 guns. On the 27th May, 17iX>, Captain Tomlinson, after a chase of eleven hours, and an action of thirty minutes, captured la Revanche French national hrig, of twelve long 4-pounders and 85 men, between Ushant and the Main, then a lee shore. The enemy had 2 men killed and 7 wounded ; la Suffisante only 1 man wounded. Vice-Admiral Onslow, v/hen reporting this capture, expressed himself as follows : " From all the ucoounts I hoiir, (^iiptain TomliiHoii'a i«oiuluot upon this occasion \v!is highly honorable to himself as mi olHct'i* ami a flcaman, ad more danger was attached to la Siillisante, fioin the risk of shinwrcck upon the enemy's coast, in the passage le Fore, than from the force of the enemy, frc n which dirticulty he very al»ly extriciitod himself." In the lollowing month Captain Tomiinson captured la l*a- triote and le Morgan French privatoe/s, tho latter mounting IG guns ; an American ship, and a Danish brig, the one laden with contraband stores, the other with French property ; and re-captured six valuable British merchantmen. On tile 1st Aug. in the same year he attacked a French convoy, consisting of a brig mounting 10 guns, two cutters of 14 guns each, and seventeen sail of merchant vessels, eight of which he drove on shore and destroyed. He subsequently captured a large ship laden wit., rice and wine, and two other French vessels ; a Dutch vessel laden with wine, and a ship with masts aiul spars, the latter bound to Spain ; and four Spanish vessels, one of which he gave up to the prisoners. For these and other services he was deservedly advanced to the rank of Post-Captain, Dec. 12, 170() ; nor was this the (mly reward he received for his y.ealous exertions, as will ap- pear by the following documents : " Mcetinif of the CoinmUtci- for I'livminiifinif th capture of French Pri- f'utecrs, /Irincd l''rsxch, i^c. Jtdy N, 1/1^6. " RtsoLVKn,— That ('apfain Tomlinson, of II. M. S. la Sulfisante, be requcstcil i»y this Committee to accept of u piece of plate, value 60 gui- neas, in acknowledgment of his gallant behaviour iu the capture of la Uevanche Fretich brig, in the action on the L'7tli May ; and also in the action on the ^rtli June lust, when he c.iptnred the Morgan French pri- vateer, and ro-captiired si.x IJritish merchant ships, her prizes, and in tOi, 2 V 2 :*.U p.: I Ik. 1 * ' 436 POST-CAPTAINS OF I8()l. titnony of the sense thU Connnittefi entertain of the protection lie lia^ thereby afforded to the commerce of (Jreut Britain." " ^tn Court of Directorx of the Rnml Exchnnsfe Assttrttnce, July 20, 1 /!)(). " The Committee of Averages of the 14th inst. having reromracnclcd a piece of plate, of the value of 60 guineas, to be presented to Ciptain Tom- linson, of his Majesty's sloop la Sullisantc, in consideration of his spirited and active conduct in the capture of the Morgan Frencii privateer, and the re-capture of six merchant ships, her prizes, on the 27th June last, off tl»e French coast : " Resolved, — That the Court do approve thereof; that the sccretiuy do acquaint Captain Tomlinson with the resolution of the Court; and that i\iv (vompany's silversmith be directed to prepare a piece of plate accordingly, with a suitable inscription thereon," Unforttinately for Captain Tomlinson, his post coniniisslon was not accompanied by an appointment ; and having no pros- pect of immediate employment, his eagerness to distress the enemy led him beyond the limits of his profession, and caused him to incur the displeasure of the Admiralty. In imitation of the llaleighs, the Cavendishes, and the J)rake8 of former days, he appears to have made an offer of fitting at his own expense, and commanding in person, a private ship of war ; but not being able to obtain the sanction of the Board for tliat purpose, he determined to send a ves- sel into the Mediterranean, under the superintendence of a man of approved ability ; and having procured leave of ab- sence for throe months, he embarked in ilu; I^ord Hawke pri' vateer, belonging to himself, for the purpose of establishing a correspoiulence for her at Oporto. In tlie eourse of the voyage seven of the enemy's merchant vessels, and a Spanish packet returning from the West Indies, worth about r2,(M)0/., were captured ; a valuable British brig was retaken, and a French privateer destroyed. The crew of the packet threw the mail which she was conveying overboard, hut it was re covered by one of the Lord llawke's men, who jumped int«) the sea after it. The displeasure of the Lonls of the Admiralty, alluden the larboard tack, and iis duy- light appeared, made the signal for a general chase. Soon afterwards the liondon was observed iu action with a large ship and u frigate, and conti- nued supporting a rimning fire with those ships, which were endeavouring to escape, until 7'' •'l^'t when the Amazon, being the advanced ship, en- gaged the frigate, which was attempting to bear awuy. The rciuaiiidcr of the squadron approaching fast upon the enemy, (and the action having continued from before day-light, until !>'»4.'1'A. INI.) the line-of-battle ship, bearing the flag of a llear-Admiral, struck ; and at \)^ r)3' the frigate also followed her example, when an otiicer came on board the loudroyunt with M. Liuois' sword, and informed mc, that the ships which hud surrendered • .See Vol. I. note at p. r.8!', tf sr>f. < ! 440 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. to his Mtyesty's colours were the Marengo of 80 guns, 740 men ; and la Belle Poulc of 40 guns, IS-poundcrs, and 320 men, returning to France from the East Indies ; these ships being the remainder of the French squa- dron which had committed no much depredation upon the British com- merce in the Eastern world. " I have much satisfaction in stating the meritorious and gallant conduct of Captains Sir Harry Neale and William Parker, supported by the zeal and bravery of the officers and crews of their respective ships, who claim my warmest thanks and acknowledgments, and whose exertions, I hope, will recommend them to their Lordships' particular notice and protection. " I cannot, however, avoid regretting, that the force of the enemy diil not afTurd to the oflicers and men o^ the other ships of the squadron, who shewed the most earnest desire to have closed with the cneuiy, an oppor- tunity of displaying that valour and attachment to their King and Country, which I am confident they will be happy to evince upon some future and more favorable occasion *." In the Bummer of 1809, we find Captain Parker actively employed in co-operation with the patriots of Galicia t« On the 23d March, 1811, he captured le Cupidon French priva- teer of 14 gnns and 82 men. In the ensuing month of June, the boats of the Amazon, under the directions of Lieutenant Westphal, made a gallant and successful attack on an enemy's convoy, near the Penmarks. One of the vessels having been cut off by the frigate, the remainder, eight in number, ran on shore, under the protection of a battery, notwithstanding the fire from which, and from a considerable number of troops, three were brought off, and the other five destroyed, without any loss on the part of the British. Captain Parker was nominated a C. B. in 1815. He mar- ried, about June 1810, Frances Anne, youngest daughter of Sir Theophilus Biddulph, Bart. yigents. -—MeatirQ. Cooke, Halford^ and Son. * The Amazon on this occasion had her first Lieutenant (R. Seymour), a marine officer, 1 seaman, and 1 marine killed, and 6 seamen wounded. The loss sustained by the London and the French ships has been slated in our memoir of Sir Harry Neale. Set toI. I. p. 436. t See Vol. I. p. 617, et teq. rosT-CArTAiNs OF 1801. 441 TRISTRAM ROBERT RICKETTS, Esq. This officer was made a Post-Captain Oct. 9, 1801, and subsequently commanded the Ville de Paris, San Josef, and Hibernia, first rates, bearing the flags of the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis, Sir Charles Cotton, and Earl St. Vincent. In 1813 he was appointed to the Vengeur of 74 guns; and at the close of the following year we find him conveying Major- General Lambert, and a reinforcement of troops, to the army before New Orleans*. In Feb. 1815, he commanded the de- tachment of seamen landed at Mobile, to assist in the reduc- tion of Fort Boyer ; and Sir Alexander Cochrane, in his of- ficial letter on that subject, acknowledges himself indebted to Captain ilicketts, " for his zeal and exertions in landing and transporting the cannon and supplies, by which the fort was so speedily reduced f ". Captain Ilicketts married in 1802, the daughter of the late 11. Gumbleton, Escj. of Castle Richard, co, Watcrford, Agent. — Hugh Stanger, Esq. /■ GEORGE MCKINLEY, Esq. A Captuin of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, and Superintending' Cap- tain of the liotjul Naval Ast/lum. This officer was born at Plymouth Dock (now Devonport), and left an orphan at a very early age %. He entered the naval service under the patronage of the late Admirals Bar- rington and J. Leveson Gower, with the former of whom he proceeded to the West Indies as a Midshipman, on board the Prince of Wales, a third rate, in 1778. He subsequently joined the Ceres sloop of war, commanded by Captain James Richard Dacres, and in that vessel was captured, by the Iphigenic French frigate, off St. Lucia. After his liberation, Mr. M'Kinley served under Captain • See Vol. I. p. 638. t Fort Boyer surrendered to the British Feb. 11, 1815. It was found to be in a complete state of repair, with 22 guns mounted, and u garrison oi about 3()6 men. J CajHaiu M'Kinlcy's fatlier was a LicutfaaMt U. N. - 6c\v,v«v L / iiA*i i^> i7^i u 442 V08T-CAPTAINS OF I8()l. James Brine, Bucccssively in the Surprise sloop of war *, Alcniene frigate, and BelUqueux, of 64 guns, till December I78I, when he was removed into the flag ship of the late Lord Hood, who made him a Lieutenant on the 14th of the follow- ing month. The Stormont sloop, to which vessel Mr. M*Kinley was appointed on his promotion, being captured at Demcrara before he could join her, he returned to the Barfleur, and did duty as a Lieutenant on board that ship in the battles be- tween Rodney and De Grassc, April 9 and 12, 1/82. On the 19th of the same month he was removed into the Champion, 24, commanded by Captain Alexander Hood, with whom he returned to England in T Amiable frigate, about July 1783. During the ensuing long peace, Lieutenant M*Kinley was appointed in succession to the Thorn sloop of war. Captain Lechmere ; Edgar 74, Captain (afterwards Lord) Duncan ; Trimmer brig of 16 guns, Captain Charles Tyler ; Illustrious 74, and Formidable of 98 guns, bearing the flag of his patron Admiral Gower ; and Alcide 74, Captain Robert Linzee. At the commencement of the French revolutionary war in 1793, the Alcide was ordered to the Mediterranean station, where Captain Linzee hoisted a broad pendant, on being ap- pointed to the command of a squadron sent from Toulon to co-operate with the Corsican patriots under General Paoli. An account of his proceedings will be found in our memoirs of Admiral Wolseley and Captain Hugh Downraan. On the 11th April, 1794, Commodore Linzee was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral ; and when, in consequence of his promotion, he hoisted his fliig in the Windsor Castle of 98 guns. Lieutenant M'Kiulcy accompanied him into that ship, where they continued till November following f. In April 1795, the subject of this memoir was appointed to the command of the Liberty, a 14-gun brig, stationed at Guernsey and Jersey. On the 17th Mar. 1796, he distin- • The Surprise was formerly the American privateer Bunker's Hill, of 18 guns. Being taken by the British about the same time that the Cures fell into the hands of the enemy, she was commissioned in her room, by Admiral Barrington'a first Liputenant, Mr. James Brine, who died a flag ofBccr in I8I4. t Sccp.yi. POST-CAITAINS OF 1801. 443 guished himself by his conduct in the harbour of Herqui, near Cape Frehel, as appears by the following letter from Sir W. Sidney Smith to the Secretary of the Admiralty : "Diamond, March 18, 1796. " Sir, — Having received information that the armed vessels detached l)y the Prince of Bouillon bad chased a convoy, consisting of a corvette, three luggers, four brigs, and two sloops, into Herqui, I proceeded off that port to reconnoitre their position, and sound the channel, which I found very narrow and intricate. I succeeded, however, in gaining a knowledge of these points, sufficient to determine me to attack them iu the Diamond without loss of time, and without waiting for the junction of any part of the squadron, lest the enemy should fortify themselves still fartl^r on our (4)- pearance. Lieutenant M'Kinluy, of the Liberty brig, and Lieutenant Gos- sett, of the Aristocrat lugger, joined me otf the Cape ; and though nut under my orders, very handsomely offered their services, which I at'cepted, as snjall vessels were essentially necessary in such an operation. The per- manent fortificutiuns for the defence of the bay arc two batteries on a high rocky jjromontory. We observed the enemy to be busily ciQiployed ia mounting a detached gun on a very commanding point of the entrance. At one o'clock yesterday afternoon this gun opened upon us as we pivssed ; the Diamond's fire, however, silenced it in eleven minutes. The others opened on us as we came round the point ; and their commanding situation giving them a decided advantage over u ship ui our position, I judged it ne- cessary to adopt another mode of attack, and accordingly detached the marines and boarders to land behind the point, and take the batteries iu the rear. As the boats approached the beiu.'h, they met witli a warm recep- tion, and a temporary check, from a body of troops drawn Up to oppose their lauding. Their situation was critical : the ship being exposed to. a most galling fire, and in intricate pilotage, with a considerable portion of her men thus detached, I pointed out to Lieutenant Pine the apparent prac- ticability of climbing the precipice iu front of the batteries, which he readily perceived, and with an alacrity and bravery, of which I have had many proofs in the course of our service together, he undertook and exe- cuted this hazardous service -, landed immediately under the guns, and ren- dered himself master of them before the column of troopi could regain the heights. The fire from the ship was directed to cover our iQct^ in this operation : it checked the enemy in their advancement ; and the re>eml)ark- ation was effected as soon as the guns were spiked, without the loss of a man, though we have to regret Lieutenant Carter, of the marines, being dangerously woundeil on this occasion. The enemy's guns, three 24-prs. being silenced, and rendered useless for tlie time, we proceeded to atta^ck the corvette and tlic other armed vessels, which had by this time, opened their fire on us, to cover the ojieration of hauling themselves on, ^l^orc. Thfl Diamond had anchored as close to the corvette as her draught of water would allow. The Liberty was able to approach near ; and on this occa- sion I caniiot omit to mention the very gallant iiul judicious muDner in which Lieutenant M'Kinley brought his vessel into action, profiting by I . >: 444 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901. •a ■ her light draught of water to follow the corvette close. The enemy's fire soon slackened ; and the crew l)cin|r observed to be making for the shore, on the English colours being hoisted on the hill, I made the signal for the boats to board, directing Lieutenant Gossett, in the lugger, to cover thcni. This service was executed by the party from the shore, under the direction of Lieutenant Pine, in a manner that docs them infinite credit, and him every honor as a brave man, and an able officer. The enemy's troops occupied the high projecting rocks all round the vessels, whence they kept up an incessant fire of musketry ; and the utmost that could be effected at the moment was to set fire to the corvette, (I'Etourdie of 10 guns, 12- pounders on the main-deck,) and one of the merchant brigs, since, as the tide fell, the enemy pressed down on the sands close to the vessels ; Lieu- tenant Pine therefore returned on l»oard, having received a severe con- tusion on the breast from a musket-ball. As the tide rose again it became practicable to make a second attempt to burn the remaining vessels. Lieutenant Pearson was accordingly detached for that purpose with the boats ; and I am happy to add, his gallant exertions succeeded to the utmost of my hopes, notwithstanding the renewed and heavy fire of mus- ketry from the shore. This fire was returned with great spirit and evident good effect; and I was much pleased with the conduct of Lieutenant Gossett, in the hired lugger, and Mr. Knight, in the Diamond's launch, who covered the approach and retreat of the boats. The vessels were all burnt, except an armed lugger, which kept up her fire to the last. The wind and tide suiting at 10 P. M. to come out of the harbour again, we weighed and repassed the point of Herqui, from which wc received a few shot, the enemy having found means to restore one of the guns to activity. Our loss is trifling *, considering the nature of the enterprise, and the length of time we were exposed to the enemy's fire. Theirs, I am persuaded, must have been very great, from the numbers within range of our shot and' shells. The conduct of every officer and man under my command meets with my warmest approbation. It would be superfluous to particularize any others than those I have named. SuflSce it to say, the characteristic bravery and activity of British seamen never were more conspicuous. Lieutenant Pine will have the honor to present their Lordships with the colours which he struck on the battery ; and I beg leave to recommend him particularly, as a most meritorious officer." In May 179B, Lieutenant M*Kinley was promoted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to the Otter fire-ship, in the ensuing year he assisted at the capture of Rear-Admiral Storey's squadron in the Texel ; and served on shore at En- kuysen with a detachment of marines, until the evacuation of the Helder, and the removal of the British naval force from the Zuyder Zee f. * Two seamen killed, 2 officers, and 5 men wounded, t For an account uf the expedition to Holland sec Vol. I. note at p. 4U ft seq. ''s f5i-c shore, or the thcii), ectioa I him trooj)s they POST-CArTAINS OF 1801. 445 The Otter formed part of the light squadron attached to Lord Nelson's division, in the sanguinary battle off Copen- hagen, April 2, 1801 * ; immediately after which Captain M'Kinley was appointed, pro tempurCj to the Bellona 74, her commander. Sir T. Boulden Thompson, having lost a leg on that occasion. After refitting the Bellona, Captain M'Kinley was super- seded by Captain Thomas Bertie of the Ardent 64, and ordered to conduct the latter ship to England. In October following he received a commission for the Pelican sloop of war ; and on the 20th of that month sailed for the West Indies, with de- spatches relative to the treaty of Amiens. Immediately on his arrival at Jamaica he assumed the command of the Aber- gavenny 54 ; and in July 1802, we find him removing into the Ganges of 74 guns, in which ship he returned home, June 21, 1803t. His next appointment was to the Roebuck 44, fitting for the Leith station, where he met with a very serious accident, a full powder horn having exploded close to his face, whilst superintending the exercise of his newly raised men, and de- prived him of sight for several weeks. The Roebuck continued as a guard-ship at Leith from the summer of 1803 till June 1805, when she received the flag of Rcar-Admiral Billy Douglas in Yarmouth Roads. At the commencement of 1806, Captain M'Kinley removed into the Quebec, a 32-gun frigate, employed cruising off the coast of Holland. In June following he was appointed to the Lively 38 ; and shortly after we find him senior officer on the Lisbon station, where he rendered an essential service by bringing away the British factory, and all the English merchant vessels lying in the Tagus, at a time when General Junot was rapidly approaching with a powerful French army to take possession of the Portuguese capital. For his conduct on that station he was presented with a piece of plate, accompanied ])y the following gratifying letter : " Sir, — We the undersigned British merchants, formerly rcsidini^ in Lisbon, beg leave to present you with a piece of plate, for your unwearied • See hi. note * at p. .'5G5, ct srq. t Captain M'Kinley's post commission bears date Oct. 20, 1801. ■^■4 M- \> ^; 44ft rosT-rArr.viNB oir I8()l. cxortions in protcctlnj^ ourtnwie during tlio time you were on tlmt station, uml for your unrunnnon attention to n rich fleet of nierohniitnten, tliirin^ a protracted and boisterous paHtm^e, liein^ the last wliieli sailed from tiieiiee. previourt to tlie aliuttii)|( tlic ports of IVtrtu^ul against tlie sliippiii|r of CJreat Britain*. We flatter «)urselves, Sir, that y, so, and S;<. § Sc<' Vol. 1. p. LMO. Post- (ATTAIN si OK IH()I. 447 This jiccidrnt took j)I:u'u jit two A. M. Au{(. 10; niul on the 27th Nov. followini^, ("aptaiii M'Kinlcy was tried by aeourt- luartial, and fully acqiiitti'd of all blame 011 the ocoHHioii. liis uiinMnittinm'n(U'ave3tuous weather, he put into Belfast to relit, \m\ from thence proceeded to Fiymouth, where la Coiiuille was burnt, by accident on the 14th Dec, and several of her crew, with three Avonien, unfortunately perished. • See Vol. I. p. Gf>2. t I/nutenunl Uuller; see VjI. 1. note at p. C56. X lliKler the head of Adinisal Theophilus Jones, at that time ('aptuin of the Defiiime, Vol. I. p. 242, will be found u copy of the horrildc oath >iy which lh« Roman (Catholics on board tliut ship hound themselves to mur- der every Protestant among her crc\v, and then proceed inly a» cnemy'u port. § See Vol. I. pp. 171, 452, 4!)3, am! 5:54 ; also Vol. II. p. 254 el se'/. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 453 Lieutenant Dashwood having rejoined the Magnanime, continued to be actively employed in that ship (and assisted at the capture of several privateerb) till Aug. 2, 1799, on which day he was made a Commander, and appointed to the Sylph of 18 guns, attached to the Channel fleet. The following modest narrative contains the particulars of a very gallant action fought by Captain Dashwood, July 31, 1801: " Sylph, Aug. 1, 1801. " Sir, — 1 have the honor of acquaintuig you, that being off St. Anderu with Ilia Majesty's brig under my command, I last evening gave chase to .in armed schooner, then standing to the N. E. ; but before there was a possil)ility of arriving up with her, a large frigate was discovered clo^e under the land, standing towards us, to whom the schooner fled for re- fuge. Unwilling to quit the station you assigned me, I stood towards thcni ; but f 8 the night approached, and observing them to be undismayed l)y the appea.-anccof the Sylph, with no probability of gaining the wind, at n little after sun-set I shortened sail, hove to, and prepare.rding, and which I was naluralJy anxious to avoid. I soon, however, perceived she was not in a situation even to follow us, and consequently hove to. The remaining part of ihc night wc were busily employed putting the Sylph in a situation to maintain her station. At day-light the encuty was seen six or seven miles to windward, with her fore-yard on duck, and apparently otherwise ~si\ >f zjnmmmyiwmaKsmmi iuain* ' 454 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801. dently carrying; 44 or 46 guns, I found it impossible to follow her witli the uiost distant hope of success, and accordingly wore and stood tu the nortii- ward, which I trust will meet your approbation. I beg permission to remark, that although the Uritish colours were kept flying from the break of day to the moment of the enemy's wearing, yet she carefully avoided shewing hers ; I am, therefore, at a loss to know whether she was a French or Spanish frigate ; though I am inclined to think, from various circum- stances, she belongs to France. Although I lament exceedingly the loss of I man killed and 9 wounded, 3 of whom I fear are dangerously so, yet rt is a consolation to reflect that more mischief was not done, considering the situation of the two vessels, which can only be attributed to their unceas. ing exertions to disable us *. I have the honor to be, &c. (signed) " Charles Dashwood." " 7%^ Hon. Admiral Cormral/is." Captain Dashwood, on rejoining the fleet off Brest, was most warmly congratulated by Admiral Comwallis, and after- wards strongly recommended by that veteran officer to the Board of Admiralty for promotion ; but without effect, as appears by the following letter from Earl St. Vincent, in re- ply to Captain Dashwood's application for a post commis- sion : " I have read your ofliciul letter with all the attention such a recital merits ; but until the Board receive official information of the force, and the nation to which the vessel belongs, which the Sylph was engaged with, an adequate judgment cannot be formed of the merits of the action." After repairing her damages at Plymouth, the Sylph again joined Admiral Cornwallis, by whom Captain Dashwood was ordered to resume his station off the north coast of Spain ; and it is a strange coincidence of circumstances, that on the 28th Sept. following, a second night action should take place with the same frigate, but commanded by another officer, and nearly on the same ground ; in which the enemy was again beateii, after a severe conflict of two hours and five minutes ; that one of the Sylph's Midshipmen should be woimded in both actions ; and that a lower studding-sail, which had been cut away in a squall immediately after the first, should be picked up on the day after the second encoun- ter: Captain Dashwood's account of which is as follows : .' "Sylph, Sept. 29, 1801. " Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you, that yesterday afternoon I • Tlie Sylph's main-mast was shot through in several places. Upwards of 250 large shot passed through her bo jm-inainsail alone. VI. P08T-CAPTA4S» OF 1801. ^m65 gave chase to a soil in the N. W., Cape Pinus hearing South, distance 42 leagues. Altliough hefore sua-sct I clearly discovered her to ' o a French frigate * of a large description, having fifteen ports of a side on her main deck, and evidently carrying 44 or 46 guns ; yet confident A support from tiie well-known bravery of my officers and er of lights and men were seen hanging over her bows, from which I infer she must have received considerable damage ; and I think there is every proba- l)ility of some of his Majesty's frigates falling in with bcr, as I unluckily parted with the Immortalit6 a few hours before f. • • • • " [ have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) " Charles Dashwood." " Hon. Admiral Corntraltis." Captain Dashwood was advanced to post rank, Nov. 2, ]80], and received an official notification from the cuni- mander-in-chief, that the Admiralty had promoted him for his meritorious conduct in the above actions. Towards the latter end of 1803, ht was appointed to the Bacchante of 20 guns, in which ship, after convoying home a fleet from Oporto, he proceeded to the West Indies, and served successively under the orders of the late Sir John Thomas Duckworth and Vice-Admiral Dacres. On the 3d April, 1805, being on a cruise off the Havannah, he captured la Elizabeth Spanish schooner of 10 guns and 47 men, charged with despatches from the Governor of Pensa- cola,but which were thrown overboard previous to her surren- der. On the 5th of the same month. Lieutenant Oliver of the Bacchante, with 13 men, landed near the harbour of Mariel, in the island of Cuba, and gallantly stormed a tower near forty feet high, on the top of which were planted three long 24-pounder8, with loop-holes round its circumference for musketry, and defended by a captain and 30 soldiers. Tlie same officer afterwards proceeded into the port with two boats, and took possession of two schooners laden with sugar, which he brought away from alongside a wharf, in spite of repeated discharges of musketry from the troops and militia, who poured down in numbers from the surrounding country J. On the 14th May following. Captain Dashwood captured was tried by a court-martial, and condemned to be shot, for his conduct on that occasion ; which sentence Buonaparte approved and ordered to be carried into execution. t L'Art^mise was destroyed, after having been chased on shore near Brest, by a part of the British blockading squadron, in 1808. t Captain Dashwood's letter respecting this exploit will appear in an- oftier place. His brother-in-law, the Hon. Almcricus De Courcy, served as Midshipman under Lieutenant Oliver. . POST^CArrAlNS OF 1801. 457 i i' i Id Felix, a remarkably fast-Bailing Spanish letter of marque, pierced for 10 guns, but only 6 mounted, with a complement > of 42 men, laden with coffee and bees'-wax, from the Havan- nah, bound to Vera Cruz. We subsequently find him com- manding la Franchise frigate, on the same station. Early in January 1806, three boats belonging to that ship, under the directions of Lieutenant John Fleming, cut out of the Bay of Campeachy, El Raposa Spanish brig of war, mounting 12 guns, pierced for 16, and having on board 7b, out of a complement of 90 men, 5 of whom were killed, many drowned in consequence of jumping overboard, and 26, in- cluding the commanding officer, wounded *. The British, notwithstanding the resistance they met with in boarding, and the fire they wi^re for some time exposed to from a brig of 20 guns, an armed schooner, and 7 gun-vessels, had only 7 men slightly wounded. The official account of this brilliant achievement will be inserted in our memoir of the officer who commanded on that occasion f. About the same period, la Franchise captured El Carmen Spanish schooner, and the Brutus, a Dutch armed vessel. In July 1806, Captain Dashwood sailed from Jamaica in com. pany with the Magicienne frigate^ and one hundred and nine sail of homeward bound West Indiamen. After clearing the Gulf of Florida, the fleet encountered a dreadful hurricane, dur> ing which twenty of the merchantmen foundered, la Franchise lost her fore-mast and main -top-mast, and her consort sus- tained so much damage as to be under the necessity of proceed, ing directly to Bermuda, where she was obliged to be frapped together before she could again put to sea^. In consequence of this disastrous event, the sole care of their scattered and valuable charge devolved upon Captain Dashwood ; through whose indefatigable exertions many vessels, not one of which had escaped without injury, were collected, and reached Eng- land in safety. ^ . - I , j * The Captain of £1 Raposa, his first Lieutenant, tLe civil officers, and a boat's crew, were on sliore at the time their vessel was attacked and carried. f See Commander John Fleming, in Vol. III. . . X The Magicienne was commanded by the late Captain Adam Macken- zie. Seep. 236. . , . ., , \^'-. 11-1 i m 11 i i:" ,*rJ ;i : ■';. "rtl 45B POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. We next find Captain Dash wood serving under the orders of Admiral Gambier, during the expedition against Copen- hagen ; and early in 1808, employed convoying a fleet of mer- chantmen to the West Indies. On his passage thither, he captured le Hazard French privateer of 4 guns and 50 men. In December following he rendered an essential service to the Spanish patriots blockading the city of St. Domingo, as well as to British commerce, by taking possession of the town of Samana, where the French were in the act of erecting bat- teries for their permanent establishment, which, had they been completed, would, from their position, have niade the place tenable against almost any force sent to attack it. In the harbour were found two schooner privateers, of 5 guns and upwards of 100 men each, and three trading vessels. An English ship, laden with bale goods, and a Spaniard, with a valuable cargo, were recaptured when in the act of entering the port*. On the 16th Jan. 1809, Captain Dashwood, after a chase of thirty hours, captured I'lphigenie French brig letter of marque, pierced for 18 guns, laden with naval stores and various mer- chandise, from Bayonne bound to Guadaloupc. This vessel had been launched about two months before, for the express purpose of marauding in the West Indies. In 1810 Captain Dashwood returned to England, and was appointed to the Pyrimus, a new 36-gun frigate, fitting for the Baltic station, where he captured the Norsk Mod, a Da- nish three-masted-schooner privateer of 6 guns, 4 snivels, and 28 men. '-- ^ During the disastrous winter of 1811, we find Captain Dashwood commanding a squadron of ten frigates and smaller vessels, left in the Baltic by Sir James Saumarez, to collect and bring home the remnant of llear-Admiral Reynolds' un- fortunate convoy. On this occasion he took upon himself the responsibility of passing through the Malmo Channel, in- stead of the Great Belt, as he had been ordered ^ and thereby saved the whole from destruction f. i ' ' * The Aurora, Dsedahi», Reindeer, and Pert, were in company with la Franchise at the capture of Sainana. t An account of the melancholy disaster which befel the St. George find Defence, will be found in the Nav. Chron. v. 28, pp. 113 and 210. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 459 In 1812, Captain Dashwood captured eight American Ves- sels on the Baltic station ; and at tlie latter end of that year, he was appointed to the Cressy of 7^ guns. On his leaving the Pyramus, her officers presented him with a piece of plate, as a token of their regard. After serving for some time with the North Sea fleet under Admiral Young, he convoyed a valuable fleet to the Leeward Islands, from whence he returned with another of equal importance, the masters of which pre- sented him with a chronometer, for the very great attention he had paid to them during the voyage. Captain Dashwood had the distinguished honor of steer- ing the royal barge, when his present Majesty reviewed the fleet at Spithead and St. Helen's, in the summer of 1814 ; soon after which the Cressy was put out of commission. He subsequently commanded the Norge of similar force, and served with Sir Alexander Cochrane during the siege of New Orleans *. On his return from the coast oi America in Aug. 1815, the Norge was ordered to be paid off and taken to pieces. He became Flag-Captain to Sir Alexander Cochrane at Plymouth, in Feb. 1821 ; removed from the Impregnable of 104 guns, to the Windsor Castle 74, about July of the same year ; re-commissioned that ship Jan. 4, 1822^ and still continues to comn^and her. :.'.'... ... Captain Dashwood married^ Nov. 7* 17^9, the Hon. Eliza- beth De Courcy, second daughter of the late Lord Kin sale, and niece to his old friend and commander the late Admiral De Courcy, of whom a memoir is given in our first volume f. His two eldest sons are Lieutenants R. N., and his youngest is an officer in the Hon. East India Company's artillery at Bengal. Agent, — ^Thomas Stilwell, Esq. -i RICHARD CURRY, Esq. This officer is a son of the late Thomas Curry, Esq. of Gos- port, in Hampshire, of which county he was one of the piost active, attentive, and zealous magistrates for more than twenty • See Vol. I. p. 637, et teq. t The Hon. Admiral De Courcy died at his seat, Stoketon House, near Saltash,in Devonshire, Feb. 22, 1824. i^-'■■ 1 "t'i S IMilli 'J 4 I ! "I Mil IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h ij . POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 4m l^ 10' p. M. Captain Curry observing a French guh-Tessel in flames, and drifting to the eastern bank of the river, forced his way past the castle, under a heavy discharge of grape and musketry, in order to save the crew. On boarding the djerm, he found four Arabs with theirknives in readiness, anxiously search- ing for some concealed victim ; but fortunately the Frenchmen had all escaped. He had scarcely quitted her again before she blew up, On presenting the pendant which he had strtick to the Capitan Pacha^ that chieftain expressed the strong;eGt admiration of his conduct, and presented the Cutter's Crew with a purse of forty sequins. At &* A. M. on the 19th the castle surrendered, after an honorable defence. The prisoners taken 0n this occasion amounted to 268, of whom 160 had recently arrived from France ; about 40 of the garrison had been killed and wounded during the fiiege. Several black females and a young Frenchwoman were found in the castle. Encouraged by this success, the allies determined to press their operations against the enemy in the interior ; and with this determination, Major-General Hutchinson arrived in person at Rosetta on the 26th, having left Major-General Coote in command of the army before Alexandria. ' ^^"''' Captain Curry had previously taken possession of a djerm, lying alongside the wharf at Rosetta, and added her to the flotilla by the name of the Betsy. In this vessel, armed with a 24-pounder carronade, he proceeded up the Nile ; and putting on shore at Montubis, went from thence with Sir W. Sidney Smith, Captain James Hillyar, Colonel Bromley, and other officers, to make a reconnoissance inland. On their return they passed through Berimbal, a considerable village about nine or ten miles above Rosetta, and then along the banks of a canal said to form a communication between the river and Lake Bourlos, but which actually terminates at a place called Sowacanisara, or the Christian's Well ; about a quarter of a mile from which another canal commences and runs into the lake. At Berimbal tiiey were received by the inhabitants with apparently great joy, the women collecting in a body and setting up a noise somewhat similar to that made at an Irish wake, or rather of a number of English females scolding each other. On the 26tli April, Sir Sidney Smith, accrtmphnlcd by is ' '^1 464 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. Captains Morrieon, Curry, and Hillyar, leaving their djerms at anchor abreast of Mencet el Mourchee, proceeded with the armed flat boats and launches to Shimshara, and from the top of a mosque at that place discovered fourteen vessels, part ■of the enemy's retreating flotilla, in the direction of Foua, a -village then occupied by the republican troops. Returning to their djerms, they visited a sort of school, where girls are taught dancing, &c. to qualify them for the harems of their masters. These girls, called Almas, though described by M. Savary, in his romance concerning Egypt, as beautiful, ele- gant, and voluptuous, were found to be frightfully hideous, and ill dressed ; their movements, instead of being graceful, were violent and disgusting ; contortions of the body inspiring very different sensations from those they were intended to excite. Some little allowance, however, should be made for the effects of the brandy with which they had been treated by the English seamen, who, during their supper hour, had strolled thither, and shared their allowance with them. The effective force of the allied armies now assembled in the neighbourhood of Rosetta, amounted to between 8000 and 9000 men. On the 27th, three companies of the Queen's regiment were embarked on board the djerms, and conveyed to Etphin^, from whence the enemy's advanced post was then distant about two miles *. On the 5th May, the combined force marched along the banks of the Nile to the neigbourhood of Derout, where they encamped in two lines, supported by the flotilla. On the following day, the enemy abandoned a very strong position at £1 Atph, having previously blown up several gun-boats, and obstructed the navigation by sinking others in a line between the east bank of the river and a small island, opposite El Atph, on which was found a battery of three guns. Cap- tain Curry, who on a former occasion had met with a similar accident, fell overboard and was nearly drowned, whilst em- * No stronger proof of the friendjy disposition of the natives towards their deliverers will be required, when we state that Sir W. Sidney Smith and his associates were not only allowed to enter the mosques at Shim- shara and Etphin^, but even to do so without uncovering their feet. Re- freshments were brought to them at the former, and the enterprising Com- Wvdoce displayed his vane on the top of the latter. is m l»OST-CAPTAINS OP 1902. 465 ployed in removing this obstacle. On the 8th, he conreyed Colonel Stewart, Lord Blaney, the 89th regiment, and a party of dragoons, to the vicinity of Shurafia, at which place the allies were joined by 600 cavalry, sent from the Grand Vizier's army at Belbeis : these troops were Syrians, almost naked, badly armed, miserably mounted, and totally un- disciplined *. At 10 A. M. on the 9th May, Captain Curry, with four flats and three launches, commenced an attack on the enemy's forts at Rahmani^, and continued in action with them till four P. M., when his division was relieved by the Turkish gun-boats. In this very creditable affair the British had 4 men, including Lieutenant Hobbes of the Delft, killed, and 7 wounded f. The capture of Rahmanie cut off all communication be- tween the French armies at Grand Cairo and Alexandria, secured the command of the Nile, and contributed in a great degree to the final expulsion of the enemy from a country which they had invaded with a view of humbling Great Bri- tain by seizing on her possessions in the E^st. Though re- pulsed, however, the republicans were not much weakened, the total number of prisoners taken being no more than 160, the greater part of the garrison having previously retreated J. * Captaiu Morrison, of the Thisbe, walking by himself ou tlie tnorniug of the 8th, was seized by half a dozen Arabs, who, mistaking him for a Frenchman, stripped off his cloatlis, and were on the point of putting him to death, when fortunately some Turks coming that way claimed him M an ally, and obtained restitution of his apparel, watch, and other property. t Captain James Stevenson, of the Europa troop-ship, was at this period in command of the flotilla, but remained at a place called Mehallet Malik, to regulate the disposition of the Turkish gun-boats, and the djerms under his orders, only one of which (the Betsy) was called to Captain Curry's as- sistance, and she was soon obliged to retire in consequence of her carronode upsetting on the tenth discharge. Captain Stevenson died on his po^ssage from Leith to Aberdeen, May 10, 1818. ^ At 9 P. M. on the 9th Muy, Captaiu Curry, with two flats and four launches, pushed past the French batteries, and anchored on the Delta fiide, four miles above Rahmani<$. About four o'clock the next morning, observing the fugitives on the banks of the river, he placed his division about mid channel, and by a well-directed fire compelled them to file off towards the desert with considerable loss. They were subsequently at- VOL. II. 2 H ll i.*l 'It ,■"11'' (^ 406 PO^T-CAl'TAINS OP 18()2. ContinuiiiGf their march towards Grand Cairo, the urniioH fell in with a French armed vessel and sixteen djerms, con- veying wine, spiritH, clothing, specie, and a reuiforcement of troops to Rahmanie. Finding themselves thus unexpectedly opposed, the Fimch soldiers instantly landed and fought with the Turkish advanced guard, till the arrival of an English detachment; when the survivors, m3 in nuniher, surrendered. The transports and their escort were in the meantime taken by a part of the British flotilla. A nund)er of females accom- panying this convoy were innnediately claimed by the Capi- tal! Pacha, hut he only succeeded in obtaining those of co- lour ; the remainder, being Europeans, were protected by their captors till they could be restored to their husbands. On the 17th General Doyle's brigade intercepted 550 camels, escorted by 560 traops, the whole of whom were made prisoners. At ten A. M. on the 23d, the wind suddenly shifted from East to South, and the atmosphere was instantly darkened with a scorching mist. The ground in a short time resembled the floor of a furnace : every thing metallic, as arms, buttons, knives, &c., became btirning hot ; the poultry exposed to the air, and several camels died ; respimtion was diflicult, and general lassitude prevailed. Happily, as night drew on, the sirocco ceased ; for had tlie heat continued forty-eight hours, the eflFects would have been dreadful *. Seven days afterwards a whirlwind passed the flotilla, beat down a child and a dog on the banks of the river, and brought with it great quantities of corn, stubble, and rubbish. On the 31st May, Captains Stevenson and Curry waited on the Capitan Pacha by appointment, and after nmch ceremony were each presented by him with several pieces of rich silk stuiT, embroidered with gold in various patterns. On the 5th of the following month the latter oflicer received a hand- some pelisse of camels' hair lined with rich fur, as a mark of particular distinction, from the Grand Vizier. The armies had by this time advaiu-ed beyond Menouf, and were so sickly as to render the establishment of a hospital camp necessary. taokcd nml .,i ' .... June 1 9th, orders were issued for the march across the Nile on the next morning. The bridge, composed of sixty djerms, and about one hundred and eighty yards wide, being completed, some of the guns were passed across ; but at eight F. M. counter orders were issued, the possession of Giza being considered indispensable. 'J'his change of movement rendering the delay of a day necessary, the Gmnd Vi/ier was instantly requested to stop the progress of his troops, but without effect, as they struck their tents at day->break on the 20th, and moved for- ward in the most tumultuous and disorderly manner, till within cannon-shot of Grand Cairo, when the^ ^:lought pro- per again to pitch them. The British flotilla were in the mean time employed in landing and dragging up the Turkish heavy artillery, ammunition, &c., a service requiring uncommon exertions. i. ,i -"f^U"., i* kI Imi? ^ On the morning of the 21st General Hutchinson advanced within a mile and a half of Giza ; and the Mamelukes, under Osman Bey, attacked and routed a body of French cavalry in front of that place. Their subsequent occupation of Sachat- mickle, a village about 300 yards from the enemy's works, obtained them the highest comnuMulation. 2 H 2 Ml '.■' I it "l( 'III 'ii" 463 rOaT-CAPTAIKS OF 1902. Early on the 22d n flag of truce arrived from tlie French General Bellian], with proposals for a conference ; and the next morning oflliccrB duly appointed by the different chiefa met imder the trees near Giza, each attended by a guard of honor. On the 24th the outline of a capitulation was settled, and on the 2(ith the tlefinitive articles were agreed to. The surrender of Grand Cairo terminated the during march which General Hutchinson had planned, and in which he had so resolutely persevered. By its conquest the fall of Alexandria was grct-itly accelerated, and the possession of Egypt secured. The intelligence of this important event was conveyed to Ijord Keith, in Aboukir IJay, by Captain Curry, who went down the Nile in his cutter, carrying with him the strongest testimonials of his able, zealous, and gallant exertions, from the superior officers under whom he had ho long served. In consequence of those recommendations his Lordship was pleased to send Captain Curry home with his despatches, announcing the successes that had attended the British arms, and at the same time to point him out as an officer highly deserving of advancement. On his arrival at the Admiralty he was exceedingly well received by Earl St. Vincent, who ordered him the usual sum of 500/. as the bearer of such mo- mentous intelligence, and gave him every assunince of pro- motion. Captain Curry having re-joined the Fury at Malta, and afterwards visited Naples, was returning to England in that vessel when he received a post commission, dated Jan 7> 1802, appointing him to the Tigre of 74 guns ; which ship he commanded from May till October of the same year, when she was paid off at Plymouth *, < '!: *>> ,; . • Oh the 13th April, 1803, Captain Curry was appointed to the Royal Sovereign of 100 guns ; and after fitting her out, we find him commissioning the Prince George 98, from which ship he returned to the former in a very few days. Previous to her sailing from Spithead, the Royal Sovereign bore the • It should he oI)scrve(t that Captain Curry, in roininon with his hrother officers, wot) twice honored with the thanks of Parliament during the re- volutionary wur, viz. for his 8vrv;c( 1802. He subse- quently commanded the Eurydice of 24 gims, and Amphion frigate. At the commencement of 1809, we find Captain Hoste em- ployed as senior officer in the Adriatic, where he cruised with unremitting vigilance against the enemy's vessels, carrying supplies and reinforcements to the garrisons of Ancona, Corfu, und the Ionian islands. On the 8th Feb. the Amphion, in company with the Redwing sloop of war, captured a French brig, mounting six 12-pounders, and destroyed two store- houses of wine and oil collected at M elida, an island near the coast of Dalmatia. She subsequently assisted at the capture of thirteen deeply laden merchantmen in the mole of Pesaro *. An account of a very gallant, well-conducted, and successful attack made on the enemy's fort and vessels at Cortelazzo, between Venice and Trieste, will be given in our memoir of Captain Phillott, who commanded the detachment employed on that service. The following is an extract from Lord Col- lingwood's official letter on the occasion : " I have on many occasions had to represent the zeal, the bravery, and the nice concert of measures that are necessary to success, which have distinguished the services of Captain Hoste ; and this late attack of the enemy is not inferior to those many instances which have before obtained for him praise and admiration. The manner in which he speaks of Lieu- tenant Phillott, who commanded the party, . nd of the other officers and men, is highly honorable to them t but t^to Amphion's officers and men, following the example of their Captain, could not well be otherwise than they are. • * * Within a month two divisions of the enemy'y gun-boats have been taken, consisting of six each." In June 1810, another gallant enterprise Avas performed by the boats of the Amphion, Active, and Cerberus, whick ended in the capture of Grao, a town in the gulf of Trieste, and a convoy laden with naval stores for the arsenal at Venice f- Passing by, for the present, several boat actions, in which • See p. 267. t See Commander William Slaughter, in our next volume. '■■A% ,_• rA 472 Post-captains of 1802. the valour of British sailors was eminently conspicuous and always successful, we now come to the most important naval event which had for some time occurred on the Mediterra« nean station ; namely, the brilliant victory obtained by Cap- tain Hoste over an enemy's squadron of far superior force near the island of Lissa, March 13, 1811. The battle is thus described by himself: ** ^mphion, off Li$m, March 14, 1811. " Sir, — It is with much pleasure I have to acquaint you, that after an action of six hours we havf completely defeated the combined Frencli and Italian squadrons, consisting of five frigates, one corvette, one brig, two schooners, one gun-boat, and one xebec ; the force opposed to them was his Majesty's ships Arophion, Active, Cerberus, and Volage *. On the morning of the Idth, the Active made the signal for a strange fleet to windward, and day-light discovered to us the enemy's squadron lying to, off the north point of Lissa ; the wind at that time was from the N. W., blowing a fine breeze. The enemy having formed in two divisions, in- stantly bore down to attack us under all possible sail. The British line, led by the Amphion, was formed by signal in the closest order on the starboard tack to receive them. At 9 A. M. the action commenced by our firing on the headmost ships as they came within range. The intention of the enemy appeared to be to break our line in two places, the starboard division, led by the French Commodore, bearing upon the Amphion and Active, and the larboard division on the Cerberus and Volage. In this attempt he failed (though almost aboard of us), by the well-directed fire and compact order of our line. He then endeavoured to round the van ship, to engage to leeward, and thereby place us between two fires ; hut was so warmly received in the attempt, and rendered so totally unmanage- able, that in the act of wearing he went on shore on the rocks of Lisaa, m the greatest possible confusion. " The line was then wore to renew the action, the Amphion not half a cabl'^'s length from the shore ; the remainder of the enemy's starboard division passing under our stem and engaging us to leeward, whilst the larboard division tacked and remained to windward, engaging the Cerberus, Volage, and Active. In this situation the action continued with great fury, his Majesty's ships frequently in positions which unavoidably ex- posed them to a raking fire from the enemy, who, with his superiority of * Favbrite, Flore, Dana6, and Corona, of 44 guns and 3C0 men each ; the latter a 24-pounder frigate ; Bellona, of 36 guns and 224 men; and Carolina of tlte same force, although described by Captain Hoste as a corvette. The brig and other small vessels carried in the whole 36 guns and 307 men, making, with the addition of 600 troops, a grand total of 284 ^* guns and 2,665 men. The Britisu squadron mounted 1 66 guns ; and being 104 short of complement, went into action with only B79 men. nuinbe withsta A. M. «xamp were would to COD leaving ThcF explo! frigati S. E.. POST-CAPl AINS OF 1802. 473 BUinbers, had ability to take advantage of it ; Imt nothing, Sir, could witkstami the brove squadron I iiad^the Iionor to rommand. At 11>> 20' A. M. the Flore struck her colours, aiid at noon the Bellona Tollowed her ^example. The enemy to windward now endeavoured to make off, hut were followed up as close as the disabled state of his Majesty's sliips %vould admit of ; and the Active and Cerberus were enabled at 3 P. M. to compel the sternmost of them to surrender, when (he action ceased, leaving us in possession of the Corona of 44 guns, and the Bellona 32 *• The Favorite of 44 guns, on shore, shortly after blew up with a dreadful explosion, tlie corvette making all possible sul to the N. W., and two frigates crowding sail for the port of Lessina, the brig making off to the S. E., and the small craft flying in every direction ; nor was it iu ray power to prevent them, having no ship in a state to follow them. ^ " 1 must DOW account for the Flore's getting away after she had struck her colours. At the time 1 was engaged with that ship, the Bellona was raking us ; and when she struck, I had no boat that could possibly take possession of her. I therefore preferred closing with the Bellona and taking her, to losing time alongside the Flore, which ship I already con- sidered belonging to ns. I call on the officers of my own squadron, as well as those of the enemy, to witness my assertion. The correspondence I have had on this subject with the French Captain of the Dana^ (now their Com- modore), and which I enclose herewith, is convincing ; and even their own officers, prisoners here, acknowledge the fact. Indeed, I uiight have sunk her, and so might the Active ; but as the colours were down, and all firing from her had long ceased, both Captain Gordon and myself con- sidered her as our own ; the delay of getting a boat on board the Bellona, and the anxious pursuit of Captain Gordon after the beaten enemy, enabled him to steal off, till too late for our shattered sliips to come up with him, his rigging and sails apparently not much injured ; but by the laws of war I shall ever maiutun he belongs to us. The enemy's squadron was com« manded by Mons. Dubourdieu, a Capitaine de vaisseau, and a member of the Legion of Honor, who is killed. In justice to a brave man I must say, he set a noble example of intrepidity to those under him. Tliey sailed from Ancona the 11th instant, with 500 troops on board, and every thing necessary for fortifying and garrisoning the island of Lissa. Thanks to Providence, we have this time prevented them. " I have to lament the loss of many valuable officers and men ; but in a contest of this kind it was to be expected. It is now my duty to endeavour to do justice to the brave officers and men I had the honor to command. I feel mself unequal to the task : nothing from my pen can add to their merit. From your own knowledge of Captains Gtrdon, Whitby, and, Hornby, and the discipline of their ships, every thing you know, Sir, might be expected ; and if an officer so near in the same rank as themselves may be permitted to give an opinion, I should say they exceeded my most aaaguine expectations } and it is a duty I owe all to express in the most il' * The Bellona mounted 36 guns, sec note at p. 472, 474 tHlBt-CAriAIMH OK IHCfcJ. public inannor my grntcriil sonnc of the liriivc atul ^nllutit cuiidiicl ofcvory oaplnin, olliccr, BcaiiiHii, ami royal iiiariite, ciiiploycd on (his orraaion. From my t^i'Bt liiciUciitint, Mr. Duviii Diiiin, I rn'civod vvory UHxiHtniHT that mi^ht \»> expectwi from u s!on!o»iR, hravc, mv\ intolli^cnl ofticer ; iind his cxortions, tlioii^li wouiKlcd, in rrpairin^ our to Hsaist him from a wonnd in my rit^ht arm, and Hcvoral Kcvrre oontnnionH. ('aptnin Moore of the royal marinoR, of this Rhip, riuTivcd a wound, hut returned to \m «piarlers iitimediately it wm drcHoed. The Ciiptaino of th*' n«|uadron speak in tlte warmcHt terms of their ofheors and men, partirularly of their first liieutenants, Dickenson, Henderson, and Wolrhhfe ; and the behaviour of my own odieers ami Hhip's company, who have^ieen with me so lon^, was every thin(( I expected from their tried worth \ hut I must not particularise where all are ecpuUly meritorious. The thmiaKC the HhipH have sustained is very oonsideralde, and 1 fear will render us totally in- capahle of keeping the sea. I encloso a statement of the enemy's force •, together with a itMnrn of the killed and wounded in tho squadron, and deeply lament they are so great f. I have the honor to be, ^c. ^Sij(ned) " Wiluam llostt?" " G\»rj>-»? Ejfrr, Esq. Sanior officer in the Mriatic, ^c" " Ainphhn, Lma, Mnr. Ifi, 1811. " Sir,— ()n my arrival here this morning;, I found the rrmaiiuler of the FViMuh < kunmodorc's crew and troops, 2(K) in ntunher, had retired t(» liissa. They were smnmoneti to snrirnder by Messrs. Lew and Kingston, two Midshipnu^u of the Active, who had been Xtd in^chargc of prizes, and several men bidonglng to pi ! . i^trerti. The summons was acceded to ; they laid drwn their arms, nn« mentionetl. The Corona caught fire In the muin-top, shortly af^er her capture, and the whole of her main- mast and rigging was instantly in flames. Lieutenants Dickenson of the Cerberus, and llaye of the Active, • See note at p. 4/2. t Amphion 15 killed, 47 wounded; the other ships 35 killed and KX'l wounded. Total 50 slttin, ir»0 wounded. p6iiT-rAPrAiNg or 1802. 475 with a pnrty of mon, were on l)nanl her ut tho time. The ihip no\/ pnv HRiUcd n inoflt nwtiil xpeotncln, rimI I had (|nite fdiven her up tin loHt. No po98ll)lc HRsiRtiinrc could be afTnrdcd from the Hrpindron, and nlio lind M trust alone to her own exertions ; tlietue, however, were not wnntin^, and by the extraordiiinry perseverance and coolnesn uf tho ofllcers and men, the fire was at lust extinguished, ^ntli the loss of the main-mast, and tho ship of course saved to the service. I have to cxprcsit my wurmcHt thanks to liicutenants Dickenion and Haye, and the oflirers and men cm* ployed under their onlers, and beg leave to recommend them to the com* mander-in-chief. I have the honor to be, ikv. (Sinned) " W. Hobtb. '• " Cfiplnin (,\ Eyre, SfO.** Tho following id u copy <»f tlic correBpoiulcnco bcivvecii Cuptain HoHtc Hiut the rrencii commodore, ulludcd to in thu tirutofthe above letters : *' H. n. M. S. /tmphion, at the Inhiml nf t/msa, Afiirrfi 16, IHI I. " Sir, — ^Thc frigate you commanded in tlin late action uith the nritlRh squadron, struck her colours to II. 13. MiijeHty's ship Amphion, under my command i I was not able to take possession of you at that moment, being engaged with the Helhrna frigate, but I considered you as my own, and as 11 man of honor you mult hftve thought so yourself; I call on the olliccrs of your own squadron, as Well as those I have the honor to command, to witness my Ms«rtion. Vou know, 8ir, I might have sunk you, had I not considered you as having surrendered, and so might two of my squadron also. By the laws ty's ships, and cannOt surrender to you his Imperial Mt^^esty's frigate under the laws to which you refer, because she did not strike her colours, as you arc pleased to state. His Majesty's frigate had her flag cut by shot. Iler state not allowing her to continue the engagement any longer, her Cap- * The French account of tho action, written by un Italian Colonel, forms a most ludicrous contrast to the Uritish Captain's. It will be foand ut length in the Nav. Chron. v. xxv, p. 42li, et teq , and an analysis tliereof in Jamcs'i Nav. Hist. v. 5, p. 13!>, et iif. i^^! tr ,,/ 'j. .*.>»^ 476 POBT-CAPTAINS OF 1802. tuii^ou^ht proper to withdraw from it. If you aliould not consider my answer Hatisfactory, I request you will address yourself to my governnieut. 1 have the honor to be, &c. (No signature.) ** To M.thgComnMndanto/the Amphion - .,; '; - frigutCt at Litm." " H. B. M. S.Amphion, lAsaa, March 19, 1811. " Sir, — ^The letter I had the honor of receiving to day was neither sij![iied uor dated (I presume through mistake) ; I return it for its signature. " As Captain of the Dana^ you will not admit that the Flore struck her colours in the late action, nor did I call on you to do so. No, Sir, I call on Mons. Peridier, the commander of that ship, as a man of honor, to declare whether she struck her colours or not ; and if M. Peridier was so severely wounded as not to have charge of the ship at that time, I look to his next in command for an answer to my letter of the 15th; but I again assert, and ever shall maintain, that, by the laws of war, his frigate belongs to my Sovereign, and his sword to me ; the world will judge between us. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) *• W. Hoste-" *' To the Captaint commanding the frigate Dana^." The Amphion and Volage having refitted at Malta, escorted the captured frigates from thence to Portsmouth, where the former ship was paid off on the 12th Aug. 181 1. About Nov. in the saiiie year, Captain Hoste was appointed to the Bacchante, a new 38-gun frigate, in which ship he returned to the Mediterranean ** ; and on the 26th July, 1812, captured la Victoire French privateer of 3 guns and 35 men. The cap- ture of two valuable convoys on the coasts of Jstria and Apu- lia in September following, will be fully detailed in another part of this volume f. On the 13th Nov. 1812, the marines of the Eagle and Bac- chante were landed on the beach near Fesano, a small town about 8 miles from Pola, where a large quantity of timber had been discovered ; part of which was brought off with- out opposition. Next day they re-landed, in company with those of the Achille, brought away as much as could be stowed, and burnt the remainder. Captain Hoste subsequently cap- * Captains Hoste, (lordon, Whitby, and Hornby, were presented hy the Admiralty with gold medals, descriptive of the action oflf Lissa, to be worn by them with their uniforms in the usual manner. Their first Lieutenants 'were made Commanders. t See Memoir of Captain Donat Henvut O'Brien. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1902. 477 tured two vessels laden with wine, from Tarento bound to Corfu. .:,■■';'/ ':-r: : ' ,,; ■ In Jan. 1813, the boats of the Bacchante cut off a division of the enemy's flotilla * ; and six vessels laden with grain and sundries. In the following month she captured two gim- boats and eight sail of merchantmen : one of the former was carrying despatches from Corfu, and had on board a French General of Artillery and his suitef going to Otranto. On the 1 Ith May, Captain Hoste having received informa- tion that a number of vessels were lying in the channel of Karlebago, proceeded towards that place without loss of time ; but, from contrary winds, and a strong current, did not arrive there till the morning of the 15th. The object of his visit had in the mean time escaped. Finding, however, that the port afforded excellent shelter to the enemy's convoys, he deter- mined to destroy the works which defended it, and accord- ingly brought up within pistol-ihot of the batteries. After a good deal of firing, a flag of truce was hung out, and the place surrendered at discretion. A detachment of seamen and marines then landed, under the directions of Lieutenant Hood, blew up the castle, destroyed all the public works, and brought off two 12-pounders, 4 nines, and 2 brass sixes. In the execution of this service, the Bacchante had 4 men se- verely wounded. The particulars of a very gallant exploit performed by her boats on the coast of Abruzza, in the follow- ing month, will appear in our memoir of the officer who com- manded them on that occasion f. Captain Hoste served on shore at the capture of Fiume, by the squadron under Rear-Admiral Freemantle, July 3, 1813 ^ ; and two days afterwards landed at Porto Re with a party of marines, blew up the forts which had previously been abandoned by the enemy, rendered the guns useless, and des- troyed their carriages. On the 2d of the ensuing month, after assisting in silencing the batteries at'Rovigno, he disembarked at the head of a detachment of seamen and marines from the Eagle and Bacchante, drove the French troops out of the * See Memoir of Captain D. H* O'Brien. t See Commander Silas Thomson Hood. : See Vol. I. p. 674. 478 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1902, town, disabled the guns, demolished the works, burnt all the vessels that were on the stocks, brought off part of a large convoy, and destroyed the remainder in the harbour. We have already stated, that by the fall of Ragusa, the allies became masters of every place in Dalmatia, Croatia, Istria, and the Frioul, with all the islands in the Adriatic Sea ; and as Captain Hoste commanded the naval force and a de- tachment of military employed in the reduction of the im- poi^ant jEbrtresses of Cattaro and Ragusa, we shall here insert bis own account of the operations which led to their sur- render: ':, ■ : ; ' nt , ■ • , '. : '.,i- ■ ,.- *• Bacchante, qfCattel Nuova, Oct. 16, 1813. '* Sir, — I arrived off Ragusa on the 12tli instant, and joined the Saracen and three ^un-boats, with a detachment of the garrison of Curzola on board, commanded by Captain Lowen, who had been directed by Colonel Robertson to act on this coast. From the information I receired from Captain Harper, of the Saracen^ together with the state of the conntry about Cattaro, and the insurrection of the Bocchese, I lost no time in pro- eeeding to this place, with the vessels under my orders. On the 13ib, in the morning, we forced the passage between Castel Nuova and the fort of Rosa, and after some firing-, secured a capital anchorage for the squadron, about three miles above the former. In the evening, I detached the boats of this ship and two Sicilian gun-boats, under the orders of Captain Harper, who very handsomely volunteered his services, to capture the €00103^8 trraed naval force, which I understood were lying between Isle S(. jQeocge and the town of Cattaro. Captain Harper completely sucr ceeded : the enemy had deserted their boats on bis approach* and having succeeded in manning them with the armed Bocchese in the ueighbour- hoo erted themselves to the utmost. We have received no assistance but from a few Moutene^ns ; we have had to trust to our own resources alone and we have found them in the zeal and perseverance which has actuated all parties. From the exertions of Captain Harper and Lieutenant Mil- bourne, two J8-pounders and two mortars were got up the range of moun. tains before Cattaro, to the astonishment of friends and foes ; and what was deemed impracticable by tlie French General, was completed in ten days. The zeal and activity of Captain Harper are well known to you, Sir; and I assure you, in no instance have they been more conspicuous than on the present occasion — he is a most invaluable oflScer. It is my duty to mention the meritorious conduct of Lieu- tenants Milbourne and Rees, (acting) of the Bacchante; Lieutenant Hancock, of the Sara^^en ; Mr. Vale, Master of ditto ; Lieutenant Haig, R. M. ; and Mr. Charles Bruce, Midshipman of the Bacchante ; and the whole of the officers and men of both ships, have tried to excel each other on this occasion. The torrents of rain, and the fatigues and privations attending an attack of a fortress like Cattaro, at this season of the year, have been borne with a cheerfulness that entitled them to every praise. I cannot conclude this without acknowledging in the warmest terms the active assistance I have received from Captain Angelo, of Lieutenant-Ge- neral Campbell's staff, who was waiting in the Bacchante for a passage to Zante. His zeal and ability have supplied m^fty deficiencies on our part, and considerably tended to the Speedy reduction of the place. I have the honor to be, &c. if . (Signed) "W.Hoste." •* Renr-Admiral Preemantle,*' . •„., ■ j,,,.^ ,., *• Bacchante, be/ore Raguaa, Jan. 29, 1814, "Sir, — My letters of the 6th inst. will have acquainted you of the cap- ture of (!)attaro, and of my intention to attack this place as soon as the artillery and stores necessary for the siege were embarked from that fortress. On my arrival here on the 19th, I found thc^hce invested by the Aus- trian General Milutinovitch, with two Croat battalions, but not a single piece of artillery had arrived. Four mortars and two guns were imme- diately landed from the Bacchante, and opened on the works of the town, and fort Lorenzo, the morning of the 22d. The enemy returned a heavy fire from all his batteries. The approach to Ragusa is extremely difficult, by the commanding situation of. Fort Imperial and the island of Ooraa ; and it became an object of importance to secure this latter post before we could advance our batteries ; two 18-pounders were therefore landed, ami by the great exertions of the officers and seamen under Lieutenant Mil. bourne, one gun was brought round the mountains at the back of Riigusa, a distance full six miles, and placed immediately opposite the island, which it completely commanded. " The French General, however, on the morning of the 27th, sent out a truce to request our batteries would cease, and a capitulation was com- menced and signed on the 28th, for the surrender of the town and its de- POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 481 pendencies. Tlic British and Austrian troops took possession the same day ; ]20piece3'of cannon were mounted on the works of the town and Fort Ltirenzo, 21 in Fort Imperial, and 1 1 in the island of Croina, with a gar- rison of 500 men, and nearly six weeks' provisions. The garrison are pri- soners of war, not to serve agauist England or her allies till regularly ex- changed. I am happy to say the best understanding has prevailed between the allied troops; and General JVIilutinovitch has expressed himself in the handsomest terms, for the assistance he has received. " The object for which you sent me here, Sir, is now, I believe, ob- tained, by the expulsion of the French troops from the provinces of Cattaro and Ragusa, and it only remains forme to mention the meritorious conduct of all the officers and men who have shared the fatigues and privations at- tending it. I beg leave also to mention the great assistance I have received from Captain Angelo, who accompanied me from Cattaro. His ready and active services have considerably diminished the difficulties we have met with. The loss of the British, during the siege, has been 1 killed and 10 severely wounded. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) " W. Hostb." ; " Renr-Admiral Freemantle** In March 1814, a deputation from the inhabitants of Parga, on the coast of Albania, having waited upon Captain Hoste and requested assistance against the French garrison, con- sisting of 170 men, commanded by a Colonel, he immediately proceeded thither, and took possession of the town and for- tifications, the tri-coloured flag being hauled down on his ar- rival. He soon after quitted the Bacchante, on account of ill-health, and returned to England as a passenger in the Cerberus frigate. Captain Hoste received the royal permission to accept and wear the insignia of a Knight of the Austrian Military Order of Maria llieresa. May 23, 1814; and was raised to the dignity of a Baronet of Great Britain on the 23d July follow- ing : in the course of the same year he obtfdned an hono- rable augmentation to his family arms ; and on the 2d Jan. 1815, was nominated a K. C. B. He at present commands the Albion 74, stationed as a guard-ship at Portsmouth. Sir William Hoste has been twice married j his present lady, to whom he was united April 17, 1817, is a daughter of the Earl of Orford. His youngest brother, Thomas Edward Hoste, served as a Midshipman under him in the Adriatic, and was made a Lieutenant in 1814. Agent, — Isaac Clementson, Esq. V I i >! y^h, II. 2 I iMTOTflmw JM^ 482 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1802. LENOX THOMPSON, Esq. This officer waa made a Lieutenant, Feb. 19, 1780 j and obtained the rank of Commanfler, March 30, 1/99. post commission bears date Jan. 15, 1802. Agent. — His CHARLES FEILDING, Esq. This officer is descended in the paternal line, from the Earls of Hapsburgh, in Germany, who were Counts Palatine in the reign of Henry L His father, the late Commodore Charles Feilding, was a grandson of Basil, 4th Earl of Den- bigh ; and his mother, a sister of George, the present Earl of Winchelsea and Notthigham. Captain Feilding was posted in the West Indies, Jan. 15, 1802 ; returned to England in the Andromeda frigate, on the 24th Sept. following ; and subsequently commanded the Circe of 28 gims, which ship was wrecked on the Lemon and Ower, whilst in chase of an enemy, Nov. 16, 1803. His next appointment was to the Sea Feucibles at Queenborough ; and we afterwards find him in the Revolutionnaire frigate. He married, April 24, 1804, Lady Elizabeth Theresa, eldest child of Henry, 2d Earl of Ilchester, relict of William Davenport Talbot, Esq., of Laycock Abbey, Wiltshire ; and sister of the Marchioness of Lansdowne. Agent, — Thomas Stilwell, Esq. THOMAS GEORGE SHORTLAND, Esq. This officer is the only surviving son of Captain John Shortland, R. N., who died at Lisle in 1803. He was born at Portsea, May 10, 1/71 J entered the naval service as a Midshipman, on board the Irresistible 74, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, in Jan. 1785 ; and removed into the Alexander store-ship, commanded by his father, in Mar. 1787. On the 13th May following, the Alexander sailed from the POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 483 Motherbank, in company with eijrht other store-ships and transports, having on board the first party of convicts ever sent from Europe to New South Wales, where they arrived under convoy of the Sirius frigate, and Supply armed tender, Jan. 20, 1788*. After remaining about five months at the new settlement, Mr, Shortland, senior, was ordered to England by way of Batavia, and charged with the Governor's official despatches relative to the infant colony. It is due to departed merit to state, that his services in New South Wales were of a very active nature ; and some of the charts, &e. given in " Philip* s Voyage,** are from surveys which he made. In that work will be found a portrait and biographical notice of him ; a * The principal officers employed on this interesting expedition were Commodore Arthur Philip ; Captain Joha Hunter ; Lieutenants Henry Lidgbird Ball, and John Shortland ; the former commanding the Supply, the latter Agent to the transports ; and Major Ross, of the marines. The 7th Fet>. 1788, was the memorable day which established a regular form of government on the coast of New South Wales. For obvious reasons, all possible solemnity was given to the proceeding necessary on this occasion. On a space previously cleared, the whole colony waa as- sembled ; the military drawn up and under arms -, the convicts stationed apart ; and near the person of the Governor those who were to hold the principal offices under him. The royal commission was then read by Mr. D. Collins, the Judge-Advocate. By this instrument, Arthur Philip, Esq. was constituted and appointed Captain-General and Governor-in- Chief in and over the territory called New South Wales, extending from Cape York to the southern extremity of Van Diemen's Land, and of all the country inland to the westward, as far as the 135th degree of East longitude, reckoning from the meridian of Greenwich, including all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean, between the latitudes of IQo 37' and 43° 39' S. The aci of Parliament establishing the courts of judicature were next read ; and lastly, the patents under the great seal, empowering the proper persons to convene and hold those courts whenever the exigency should require. The office of Lieutenant-Governor was conferred on Major Ross. A triple discharge of musketry concluded this part of the ceremony ; after which Governor Philip returned bis thanks to the soldiers for their steady good conduct on every occasion ; and then addressed the convicts in a speech wluch was received with universal acclamations. The assembly now dispersed, and the Governor proceeded to review the mili- tary on a piece of ground cleared away for the purpose of a parade. He then gave his officers a dumer ; and the first evening of his government was concluded propitiously, in good order and innocent festivity, amidst the repetition of wishes for its prosperity. 2r2 ! i^i iJttum 484 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. table of the route of the Alexander, the variation of the cfont- pass, and meteorological observations during his voyage from Port Jackson to Batavia ; and a detailed account, drawn up, we believe, from his own pikers, of the dreadful sufferings of his crew. The following is an abstract of that account : ■ - * The Alexander, Friendship, Prince of Wales, and Borrowdale, were got ready in the beginning of July, 1783, to sail for England, under the care and conduct of Lieutenant Shortland, at which time Governor Philip took the opinions of the masters of those transports concerning their route. The season was thought to be too far advanced for them to attempt the south- ern course by Van Dieinen'a Land ; and the passage by Cape Horn was objected to by the Governor. It was therefore agreed unanimously that they should go to the northward, cither through Endeavour's Straits, or round New Guinea. Unfortunately tlie ships were ill prepared to en- counter the difficulties which were to be expecteelng at all fit for duty. The Friend- ship had only 5 men who were not disabled ; both ships were short of provisions ; and as the western monsoon was expected soon to set in, it was agreed to destroy the Friendship. She was accordingly cleared, bored through with augnrs, and tiu-ned adrift in the neighbourhood of Borneo. The joint crews now amounted to only 30 persons, officers and boys included ; the sickness continued to increase ; and by the beginning of November, only one man, besides the officers, was able to go aloft. Had the Alo^ ndcr been at this time a very few days sail more distant from Batavia, she must inevitably have been lost ; not from any stress of POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 485 lycalUer, or danjjcr of coasts or shoals, but merely from mabUlty to con- iluct her into port. At 6 P. M. on the 1 7th, her anchor was let go between the islands of Lcyden and Alkmaar ; soon after a gun was fired, and a signal made for assistance. None, however, arrived till the following evening, when a boat was sent to her from the Dutch Commodore. Never, perhaps, did any ship arrive in port more helpless from the mere effects (»f a dreadful and iilvincihic dlscirder. From two British East Indiameh, which lay in Batavia Roads wlien she arrived, and from throe others which came in a few days sifter, with the assistance of a few Dutch sailors, a fresh crew was at lengih made up, in wliieh only 4 of the original seamen remained, the rest having eith«*r died in the hofipital, or not being sufficiently recovered to re-embaH( previoun to her sailing again on the 7th Dec. Nothing remarkable happening during the remainder of the passage home, she arrived off the Isle of Wight on the 28th May 1789, after an absence of j^ther more than two years. Lieutenant Shortlaud, duritig this voyage, determined for the first time the actual position of Solomon's Islands. Mr. T. G. Shortland subsequently served as Midshipman and Master's-Mate on board the Director, Discovery,, and Sandwich, the latter ship bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Dairy inple at the Nore. Towards the latter end of 1790 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Speedy sloop of war, on the North Sea station ; and from Jan. 1793 till Sept. 1794, we find him serving on board the Nemesis, a small frigate attached to the Mediterranean fleet. His gallant conduct in Hieres Bay, after the evacuation of Toulon, has already been briefly noticed at p. 313. On that occasion, although exposed to a heavy fire of musketry from the shore, he used every effort to get the hospital-ship alluded to afloat ; but finding it impracticable to move her, in consequence of its blowing a gale of wind, was under the necessity of clearing and setting her on fire, having first succeeded in bringing off the whole of the wounded men, provisions, &c. From the Nemesis, Lieutenant Shortland removed into the Romney of 50 guns, commanded by Sir Charles Hamilton, whom he accompanied into the Melpomene frigate, about April 1795, and continued to serve with for a period of four years j during which TAventurier brig of war *, la Revanche,, * At 10 P. M. on the M Aug. 1798, Sir Charles Hamilton despatched five boats from the Melpomene and Childers, under the orders of Lieu- tenant Shortland, to attack a French convoy lying in the Bay of Corigeon, near Isle Bas. The weather was at thiti time very squally, with heavy rain and vivid lightning. At 3 A. M. on the 4th the boats boarded, and after a short but spirited resistance, carried I'Aventurier of 12 guns and i86 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. of 18 gvms and 167 men, le Zele of 16 guns and 69 men, several smaller privateers, and a number of merchantmen, were taken from the enemy. In April 1799, Lieutenant Shortland was made a Com- mander into the Voltigeur sloop o2 war, stationed at New- foundland. His next appointment was, pro tempore, to the Donegal of 80 guns, at Plymouth, which ship he fitted out with only 170 men, and moored in Cawsand Bay, on the seventeenth day after she was taken out of dock. Earl St. Vincent, who then, (July 1801,) presided at the Admiralty, testified his approbation of the extraordinary exertions used on this occasion, by appointing him, in Oct. following, to act as Captain of the Dedaigneuse, and afterwards confirming him in the command of that frigate. His post commission bears date Mar. 1, 1802. Captain Shortland proceeded in the Dedaigneuse to the E^st Indies ; but soon after his arrival there was obliged to invalid through ill health, and return to England as a passen- ger on board the Intrepid 64. He arrived at Portsmouth in Feb. 1803, and subse :^uently commanded the Britannia a first rate, and Caesar 80 j the latter bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Sir Richard J. Strachan. At the latter end of June, 1806, Captain Shortland was selected by the late Sir Thomas Louis to command his flag- ship, the Canopus of 84 guns ; and on the 27th Sept. in the same year, be assisted at the capture of le Presidente, a re- markably fine French frigate, mounting 44 guns, with a com- plement of 330 men *. The Canopus led the van of Sir John T. Duckworth's squa- dron when forcing the passage of the Dardanelles, Feb. 19 and Mar. 3, 1807 1- Notwithstanding the tremendous fire to which she was exposed on both those days, from the for- 79 n)en, 16 of whom were wounded, several mortally. The Imtteriea in the neighbourhood being by this time alarmed, and the wind blowing dead on the land. Lieutenant Shortland was obliged to relinquish any attempt on the other vessels, and work his prize off shore ; which he suc- ceeded in doing, after being exposed to the fire of the batteries for about two hours. This gallant exploit was performed with the loss of 1 man killed, 1 missing, and 3 or 4 wounded. * * See Captain Edward Hawkins. t See Vol. I. pp 31 7, 799, ud 808 et teq. ' / POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 487 midable Turkish batteries, her total loss durin^^ the whole of the operations in that quarter appears to have been only 6 men killed and 26 wounded; she however suffered greatly in her rigging, and received several immense shot, or rather blocks of granite, one of which was twenty-three inches in diameter, and weighed 546lbs. After his retreat from the Sea of Marmora, Sir John T. Duckworth proceeded with the squadron to Egj-pt, and arrived there a few days subsequent to the capture of Alex- andria by the military and naval forces under Major-General Fraser and Captain Benjamin Hallowell ♦. Captain Shortland left the Canopus in Sept. 1 807 ; and for fourteen months from that period commanded the Queen of 98 guns, on the Mediterranean and Cadiz stations. In June, 1809, he joined the Valiant 74 ; and during the expedition up the Scheldt, we find him commanding the first division of the flotilla under Sir Richard G. Keats. From Dec. 1809 till May 1811 he served in the Iris frigate, at Cadiz, off the Western Islands, and on the Channel station. His next ap- pointment was, in Jan. 1812, to the Royal', Oak 74, bearing the flag of Lord Amelius Beauclerk, with whom he continued till the summer of 1813. In Nov. following. Captain Shortland was appointed Agent for prisoners of war at Dartmoor, where he remained about two years and a half. From April 1816, till April 1819 he su- perintended the ordinary in Hamoaze, and obtained the ap- probation of the Admiralty for his meritorious conduct during that period, as also for his zeal and ingenuity in forming a system to make telegraphic communications by shapes in lieu of buntin flags, or semaphore t. Captain Shortlaud's three years of service as senior super- intendipg Captain of the ordinary at Plymouth had no sooner expired, than he was nominated Comptroller-General of the Preventive Boat Service, under the direction of the Lords • See Vol. I. p. 482. t Oaptain Shortland is the author of " A Report on Azimuths and An)plitudca, with a Method to obtain the True Variation oF the Compass, having the true apparent Noon f^iven hy agood Watch ;" ulao of " A Plar rccnmuiendinf; and shewing the facility of forming u uafr anchoraj^c at the island of St. Michael (Azores)." V . V j} '! Mhi J 488 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. of the Treasury, who were pleased to express their approva of his services by a minute dated Jan. 15, 1822. He re- signed that office in consequence of the department being transferred to the Board of Customs ; and was succeeded by Captain William Bowles, R. N. in July of the same year. The subject of this memoir married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Tonkin, Esq. of Plymouth, by whom he has nine chil- dren. One of his sons is a Student at Law in the Inner Temple; and another a Midshipman in the Royal Navy. His brother John commanded the Junon frigate, and was mortally wounded in defending her against a French squadron, Dec. 13, 1809. His heroic conduct and lamented death will be more fully spoken of in a subsequent part of this work. Agents, — Messrs. Goode and Clarke. WILLIAM SKIPSEY, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant April 7) 1778 ; and re- ceived the Turkish gold medal for his services as Commander of the Termagant sloop, during the Egyptian campiugn in 1801. His poet commission bears date Mar. 18, 1802. Agent, — — — — MARCUS SAMUEL HILL, Esq. This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; Commander Nov. 19, 1799 ; and Post-Captain April 14, 1802. Agent.'-^ — ^— HON. FREDERICK PAUL IRBY. Thi8 officer is the second son of Frederick Lord Boston, by Christian, only daughter of Paul Methuen, Esq. of Corsham House, Wilts., and M. P. for Great Bed win, in the same county. He was born April 18, 1779; entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Catherine yacht, com- manded by Sir George Young, Knt. in 1791 ; and subse- quently served in the Winchelsea frigate, Hannibal 74, and Montagu of the same force, on the Halifax and Channel Btations. The latter ship was commanded by Captain James Mon bein{ Irby Real whei of 21 the POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 489 Montagu, who fell in the battle of June 1, 1794*. On her being put out of commission at the latter end of 1795, Mr. Irby joined the London, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Colpoys, with whom he continued till 1797, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Circe of 28 guns, in which frigate and the Apollo he served, under the present Vice- Admiral Halkett, until the latter was wrecked on the Haak Sands, near the Texel, Jan. 7> 1799 f. His next apf ointment was to the Glenmore of 36 guns, on the Irish station. In 1800, Lieutenant Irby was made a Commander, into the Volcano bomb, and attached to the squadron sent under Vice- Admiral Dickson, to support Lord Whitworth in his demands on the Danish court at Copenhagen X- In the following year he was appointed to the Jalouse of 18 gims, employed on the North Sea station. His post commission bears date April 14, 1802. From this period Captain Irby remained on half pay till 1805, when he obtained an appointment to the Sea Fencibles on the coast of Essex. Towards the close of 1807 he was appointed to the Amelia, a 38-gun frigate, fitting for Channel service ; and on the 24th Feb. 1809, we find him assisting in the destruction of part of a French squadron, near the powerful batteries of Sable d'Olonne, by a detachment from Lord Gambler's fleet, under the orders of Rear- Admiral Stop- ford. The Amelia on this occasion had her bowsprit shot through, and was much cut up in her rigging ; but although hulled in several places, did not lose a man. Her com- mander's conduct may be inferred from the following letter : *• CiPtar, Basque Roads, March 18, 1809. " Sir, — I have great pleasure in coinmunicatinf; to you, by the direction of the commander-in-chief, the high approbation which the Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty are pleased to express of your gallantry, as well as that of the officers and men under your command, for their conduct • See Vol. I. note • at p. 41 » et seq. and p. 663* •. t Captain Halkett received the thanks of the Admiralty and the freedom of Hull for the conduct of his ship during the mutiny of 1/97. The Circe, as we have already stated in our memoir of that officer, was one of the rc^Mjatcrs to Admiral Duncan's fleet in the memorable battle off Cam> pcrdown. Sec Vol, I. p. 674. % Sec Vol. I. note at p. 349. . ... \>^ 490 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. in presence of the French squadron which lately sailed from Brest, and in the attack made upon the three frigates belonging- to tlie said squadron. You will communicate to the officers and men their Lordships' high ap- probation accordingly *. I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) " Robert Stopfokd, Rear-Admiral." " Hon. Captain F. P. My, H. M. S. Ameliur In May following, Captain Irby was sent by Lord Gambler to co-operate with the patriots on the north coast of Spain ; and on the 10th June, being off St. Andero, in company with Captain Boys of the Statira, he captured la Mouche French corvette, mounting sixteen brass 8-pounders, with a comple- ment of 180 men ; la Rejouie national brig of 8 guns and 51 men ; a schooner of 1 gun and 25 men ; and two armed lug- gers with cargoes. These vessels had several soldiers and part of the enemy's hospital staff on board, and were endea- vouring to escape the fate of the French garrison at St. An- dero, the whole of whom were taken prisoners on the same day by General Ballasteros. Captain Irby subsequently captured several other vessels, one of which was le Charles, of Bourdeaux, a remarkably fast sailing corvette privateer, of 20 guns, 300 tons, and 170 men. On the 24th Mar. 181 1, the Amelia had 2 men killed and wounded in an attack made on I'Amazon, a French frigate of the largest class, which had been previously driven * The frigates alluded to were the Culypso, Italienne, and Sybiiie, each mounting 44 guns. They were first discovered by Captain Irby near fielleisle, Feb. 23, 1809, and chased by hitn and Captain Abdy, of the Dotterel brig, during the whole of that night. By day-light, on the 24tb, the Amelia and her consort had approached so near to the enemy's rear- most ship that the others found it necessary to haul up to her support ; and another British frigate soon after heaving in sight, the whole made sail for the Sable d'Olonne, where they were attacked in the course of the forenoon by three 2-deckers under Rear-Admiral Stopford, assisted by the Amelia, who hud formed a junction with that oflicer, after firing into the Sybille when passing on opposite tacks. The action continued about an hour and a half, when the enemy, although powerfully assisted by the formidable land batteries, finding themselves unable to withstand the fire of their opponents, cither ran or drifted on shore, and having taken the ground at the top of high water, could never afterwards be got afloat. Their loss amounted to 24 men kilted and 51 wounded. The British had ouly '6 men killed and 31 wounded. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 491 th bh into a bay, near Cape Barfieur^ where she was destroyed by her crew on the morning of the 25th, to avoid capture *. At the latter end of 1811, we find Captain Irby proceeding to the coast of Africa, as senior officer of the squadron em- ployed there for the suppression of the Slave Trade. In June 1812, he received information that the natives of Winnebah had treacherously seized on the person of Mr. Meredith, the Governor of a fort by which they had often been protected, and that the unfortunate man had fallen a victim to their barbarous treatment. This intelligence being accompiinied by an application from the Governor-in-Chief of Cape Coast Castle and its dependencies for Captain Irby's assistance^ he lost no time in proceeding to the relief of Fort Winnebah ; and having anchored off that place on the 2d July, landed his marines, and a small detachment of the African corps under Mr. Smith, Governor of I'antumquerry, who immediately destroyed the town, from which the natives had fled on the Amelia's approach. The possession of the fort, under these circumstances, presenting no advantage to the Company's trade, and it being no check whatever upon the slave dealers, a consultation was then held as to the propriety of abandon- ing the place entirely ; and the whole of the officers present agreeing on that subject, every thing was embarked on board the frigate, and the works entirely demolished f.. On his return to Cape Coast, Captain Irby received the following letter from the Governor-in-Chief and Council, dated at the Castle, July 8, 1812 :— " Sir, — We request you will honor us with the acceptance of our grate- ful thanks for the prompt and effectual aid you have given us in the aifiur at Winnebah. We are certain you will be gratified in being assured, that your interference has restored peace and confidence in the minds of the White residents in this part of the globe ; at the same time that it has • The Berwiclc 74, Niobe frigate, and two sloops of war, were in com- pany with the Amelia on this occasion. t It should here be remarked, that the Winnebahitea had ever been a most refractory set, and liad, in many previous instances, grossly insulted the British governors. They were constantly at war witii the surrounding tribes ; and a few months previous to the murder of Mr. Meredith, that gentleman had paid a considerable sum of money to prevent their town being destroyed by the Ashantees. An account of the horrible cruelties practised toward Mr. M. will be found in the " Report of the Select Com- mittee of the House of Commons ou Papers relating to the African Forts." i \ , J 492 P03T-CArTAINS OF 1802. ■ -5.. t ■ struok awe and terror in the surrounding natives. The gowl effi^cts cannot fail of being lasting, and ^f rendering the British flag as much respected in future on this coast, as it is in all other parts of the world. We have the honor to remain, Sir, &c. &c. tSigned) " Ed. Wm. White, Governor-in-Chief, &c. &c. "Geo. Richardson, Governor of Annamaboe Fort ; " John H. Smith, Governor of Fort Tantumquerry ; " Fred. James, late Governor of Fort Winnebah." •♦ Commodore Hon. F. P. Irhy," Previous to her departure from the coast of Africa, the Amelia, with a crew greatly debilitated by the climate, fought a most sanguinary battle with I'Arethuse French frigate, com- manded by Mons. Bouvet, an officer of approved talent and bravery. The combat is thus described by Captain Irby, who was himself severely wounded on the occasion : " Amelia, Spithead, March 22, 1813. " Sir, — 1 beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admi- ralty, that when I was about to quit Sierra Leone river for England, in H. M. S. under my command, on the 29th Jan. inst. Lieutenant Pascoe arrived there with the chief part of the crew of H. M.'s gun-brig Daring, he having been obliged to run his vessel on shore, and blow her up at Tamara, (one of the Isles de Los), in consequence of having been chased by a French frigate, in company with two other ships, ap- parently frigates : he reported having left them at anchor off the islands on the 27th. I immediately despatched Lieutenant Pascoe in a small schooner, to reconnoitre the enemy ; and on the 3d Feb., he returned, having ascertained their force to be two frigates of the largest class (I'Arethuse and la Rubis), and a Portuguese ship, their prize ; that they had nearly com- pleted their water ; and, after unloading the Portuguese ship, intended to give her up to her crew, and proceed themselves to sea to intercept our homeward-bound trade. Conceiving that if I cruised off the Isles de Los, (in the event of their not having left them), I might be enabled to fall in with any of H. M.'s ships that might be coming down the coast, and also protect the vessels bound to Sierra Leone, of which ^ haa re- ceived intelligence *, 1 prepared to weigh, when a cartel ar- • The Tweed of 24 guns, with the trade from England under her pro- tection was then daily expected at Sierra riconc. l»OST-CAPTA!NS Of 1802. 493 rived from the islands, with the Master and a boat's crew of the Daring, and the crew of another vessel they had taken ; whose accounts corroborating Lieutenant Pascoe's report, I left Sierra Leone river, and worked up to the islands *. Stand- ing in at day-light on the 6tli ult., towards the island of Ta- niara, we joined the Princess Charlotte government schooner, who informed me one of the frigates was at anchor at a con- siderable distance to the northward of the other, which was apparently unloading the prize. I despatched the schooner to Sierra Leone, to leave directions to any ships that might arrive to repair to me. Having neared the island in the even- ing, the frigate to the northward weighed, and stood out to sea ; the other frigate had signals flying, and being observed at sun-set with her top-sails hoisted, I stood off for the night ; and the next morning, one of the frigates (I believe I'Arethuse), was just visible from the deck : it was then calm. On a breeze springing up about noon, she stood towards us. As I had hopes of drawing her from her consort, we continued standing out to sea till sun-set ; when not perceiving the other ship from the mast-head f, and the breeze failing, we short- ened sail, wore, and stood towards her. A little after seven, the enemy tacked, and hoisted his colours. At 7** 45/, being within pistol-shot on his weather-bow, both ships commenced firing nearly at the same time, which continued (remtuning nearly in the same situation,) until twenty-one minutes past eleven, when the enemy bore up, having the advantage of being able so to do, leaving us in an ungovernable state, with our sails, standing and running rigging cut to pieces, and masts injured. During the action, we twice fell on board the enemy, in attempting to thwart his hawse, when he at- " • The Master of the Darin)^, and the other men brought to Sierra Leone by the cartel, were landed there, they having been liberated on con- dition of not serving against France or her allies until exchanged. Their paroles stated them to have been captured by I'Ardthuse of 44 guns and 380 men ; and la Rubis of 44 guns and 375 men. Mr. James, in his " Naval History " only gives the former ship 340 men, including a boat's creiv from her consort. The Amelia's /! (C There appears a difference between his letter anil one written by Lieute- tenant Chadis, late of the Java, respecting the Frenchman's weight of nietal ; see p. 4!W. .*i' \v| 406 POST-CAPT.\lf/S OP 1802. A comparison having been drawn between the above action and that of the Java and Constitution *, we feel it due to Captain Irby and his gallant companions to state, that Lieu- tenant-Governor Browell, of the Royal Hospital at Green wichy after examining the Amelia's wounded men, preparatory to their being placed on the pension-list, told Captain Irby, he wondered how he could have ^done any thing w^ith people in 60 debilitated a state ; and that he could not help remarking the great difference between them and the Java's men, who were surveyed at the same time. The following extracts, from letters addressed to Captain Irby, after his arrival in England, will show how much the Amelia had suffered through sickness, some months previous to her meeting I'Arethuse, which ship Mr. James admits " was not filled with conscripts and raw hands, in number crowding each other j but had a fair complement of expe- rienced seamen, and good artillerists," " commanded by one,: of the best officers in the French navy f.** From Robert Thorpe, Esq, Judge of the Fice-^4dmirnlty Court at Sierra , .. Leone, to Captain Ir/iff, duted London, July 23, IS13. " When I CQUsidcr the infirm state of the Amelia's crew, which you pre- served even in an enfeebled state, by running to St. Helena (in Aug. 1812), / congratulate pou on pour escape, and wonder at what you have done.'* From Captain Edward Scobell, ofH. M. S. Thais, io Vaptainlrhy, dated Portsmouth, Dec. 13, 1813. " You rightly calculate that my last months in Africa were most tediou:) and fatal, justly to be dated so from tlie time of our parting (in Nov. 1812) ; for shortly after we were assailed by sickness, inore calamitous than what I even met you in, and which rendered both our ships inefficient : scarce a man escaped disease, nor was there an exception to general enervntion and lassitude, — an helplessness which does not easily wear off, nor dues it yet seem to give way to our native climate." * " The Amelia, like the Java, had a number of siipernumcraries on board; but owing to the general sickness of the men. Captain Irby says, ' We had barely our complement fit for duty, and they much enervated-' A sickly old, and a healthy new ship's company, are about equal in effective- ness." See James's Naval Occurrences between Great Britain and Ame- rica, p. 196. t See Id p. 197, and Nav. Hist, v, 5, i^. 36-' POST-CAFfAINS 0¥ 1802. *7 . From the tame to the same, dated Penxnnce, Cornwall, Mar. 2, 19*4. " WIten last I had the pleasure of writing you, I had not det< rmined on what I have since done, in giving up the Thais for the renovation of my health, and I must now congratulate myself on the resolution. The whole of the Thais' crew have been in succession to the hospital, and perhaps they are almost as extremely enervated and debilitated as your Amelia's were when I saw them, — a cause that must have acted most unhappily, and been insurmountable in your late gallant action *." f So much for the ** effectiveness " of the Amelia : let us now present our readers with the means of forming an opinion of their own^ as to the loss and damage sustained by her an- tagonist. M. Bouvetj or rather the French Minister of Marine for him, says, *' 1' Arethuse had suffered enormously ; 20 men killed outright had been thrown into the sea during the en- gagement ; 88 men, previously wounded, were down in the surgeon's berth ; and, excepting the master-carpenter, all my naval officers were killed or wounded : such men as were only slightly wounded had not quitted their posts, or had returned to them after having their wounds dressed ; and in the midst of this scene of carnage, the fourth part of the crew left wished only for recommencing the attack f.** Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads, late of the Java, who, when on his return to England witii the surviving officers and crew of that ship, was boarded by I'Ar^tbuse, in a letter dated Mar. .^1813, says: — " She had suffered most severely, * The late Sir George Collier, in his report to the Admiralty, printed by order of the House of Commons, May 25, 1820, says — " The vessels em- ployed in the Slave Trade are navigated almost entirely by natives of Africa, or of similar climate, and they are thereby enabled to endure that which no ships, manned by Europeans, ever can. For I venture confidently to predict, that every British cruiser, exposed to the deluging rains of Africa during the sickly season, for a few days only, will generate fever of 80 malignant a nature, that half the crew may be the sacrifice, and herself thereby incapacitated from service." We have already shewn, that the Amelia had been upwards of twelve months on that station : the enemy's frigates only sailed from France ten weeks and four days previous to the action. , .^ t See Nav. Chron. v. 29, p. 385. VOL. II. 2 K i I. ' f 498 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 'W&.f' having all faer lower- masts, fore and main-yards, gaff, spanker- boom, and mizen -top-mast fished, and upwards of 30 round aho^ in l^^r hull o^th9 starbpard side below the quarter-deck. In bor cabin was the drawing of an actioriy said to have taken place on the 7th Feb., off the coast of Africa, between her and an English frigate ; and on the sides of this view was her list of 31 killed and 74 wounded. * * * • L'Arethuse is a large frigate, ami appeared very full of men,*, mounting twenty-eight French 18- pounders on the main-deck, sixteen 36-pounder carronades and two long guns on the upper-deck. From her very crippled state, and chasing us three days to the N. E., which I don't think she would have done had not our courses laid together, 1 am inclined to suppose she wa» bound into port f."" Finally, Lieutenant Charles M* Arthur, who had served with Captain Irfoy as a Midshipman, previous to his sailing for Africa, being at Rennes in 1816, met with a young man applying to the Prefect of that Department and to the Marquis de Boissiere,, to sign a, petition to the Minister at War, pray- ing for a commission in one of the regiments about to embark for the colonies. This young man, whom the Marquis de- scribed as being of a respectable family, had been forced into the service by the ca^scriptiQii, apd was severely wounded on board TAr^thuse, when she encountered the Amelia. He acknowledged that the Blaughter among his countrymei| was very great, estimated, their total loss at 195 m/en, apd^ stated that himself and four other marines were all that escaped put of the whole detachment, 50 in number. By the enemy's own accounl it thus appears veiy evident. M V- • Captain OliYicr and the whole of la Rubis's crew \Vere at this time on board I'Ar^thuse, the former frigate having been burnt on the 8th Feb. in consequence of its being found impossible to get her ^afloat. Quer^, might she not have been saved by the assistance of her consort, had no English ship appeared in sight, and drawn the Commodore off from the land, which he did not make again till the day after her destruction ? t Lieutenant Chad's conjecture was right ; TArdthuse arrived at St. Malocs on the 19th of the following month. See Nav. Chron. v. 29, p, 386. m P03T-GAPTAJN9 OF 1803. 499 » that much execution was done by the Amelia's emaciated crew ; what tbien would have been the case, had not her powder suffered by the dampness of the magazine? This circumstance appears not to have struck auy previous writer on the subject, as worthy of observation ; but it is nevert;h<;liets indisputably true, that the larger portion thereof had beccm^fk caked a considerable time previous to the action ; and althooffh it was sent on shore to be dried, the evil was but partiall y corrected. The Anielia was paid oif in May 1813 ; and Captain Irby's health being much impaired, he did not join any other ship during the remainder of the war. We are happy to say, it has since been firmly re-established. The following letter and its enclosure, will shew the sense entertained of his services by the African Institution : , . . , ' " 36, Sufolk Street, Charing Cross, March 31, 1813. *' Sir, — I have the honor of transn/uting; to you the copy of a resolution unanimously passed by the Directors of this Institution, at a Board held on the 1st December last. I am, sir, he. (Sifjned) " Thomas HAnnisoN, Secretary." *' Hon. Commodore Irby.** Enclosure. - " The Duke of Gloucester moved, and it was resolved, that the best thanks of the Board are eminently due, and shall be given to the Honor- able Commodore Irby, for hia able, persevering, and successful exertions for the abolition of the slave trade on the coast of Africa, and for the very important and interesting information afforded by his valuable letters, which have from time to time been communicated to the Board. That as Commodore Irby is expected in England in the course of a very short period, Mr. Harrison do communicate the foregoing re^iolution %o him upon his arrival *." Captain Irby raar/ied, 1st, Dec. 1, 1803, Emily Ives, youngest daughter and co-heiress of the late William Drake, Esq. of Aniersham, co. Bucks. ; 2dly, Jan. 23, 1816, Frances, »iv^ * Captain Irby sailed from the coast on his return to England in Dec. 1812 ; but having captured a slave ship, put back with her to Sierra Ijcone — a most fortunate circumstance for the trade, as otheiwise I'Ar^- thusc and la Rubis would have found a field open for their ravages, without the least probability of being encountered by any force able to cope with them. 500 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1902. second daughter of Ichabod Wright, Esq. of M apperly Hafl, in Nottinghamshire ; and has several children. One of his brothers, Edward Methuen, an officer in the third regiment of foot guards, was killed at Talavera, July 27, 1809 ; another, Charles Leonard, is a Commander, R. N., and one of the only four Europeans now in existence who have ever v4sited and tra- velled round the Dead Sea ; this tour he performed io company with Captain James Mangles, R. N. Copious extracts from their very respectable work, entitled " Travels in Egypt and Nubiay Syritty and Asia Minor,'* will be found in the " London Literary Gazette,' No. 354, et seq. Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq. • r • - ^i. ; tiJ? " ^4 J, vV't^'J?*?/*'^ t^ kn •V '» .,u ■ {■ If^'f . "*? *^-,»- u- I -. ■ '-'}' ■i ^* i t "i j. >h "'vk,' ' ■• 1 •'> *l', i , .. • !• V rHafl, of his riment lother, e only nd tra- tnpany s from pt and in the ■■; '.\ f-^ J-: ■, -'5 .u v