Full text of "Royal naval biography : or Memoirs of the services of all the flag-officers, superannuated rear-admirals, retired-captains, post-captains and commanders, whose names appeared on the Admiralty list of sea officers at the commencement of the year, or who have since been promoted; illustrated by a series of historical and explanatory notes. With copious addenda"

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VT ^f

ROYAL

NAVAL BIOGRAPHY;

OR,

;£Hemoft0 of tfjc g>ertrite£

OP ALL THE

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 account of all the

NAVAL ACTIONS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS,

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LATE REIGN, IN 1/60,
TO THE PRESENT PERIOD.

WITH COPIOUS ADDENDA.

By JOHN MARSHALL (B),

LIEUTENANT IN THE HOYAL NAVY.

" Failures, however frequent, may admit of extenuation and apology. To have attempted
much is always laudable, even when the enterprise is above the strength that undertakes it.
To deliberate whenever I doubted, to enquire whenever 1 was ignorant, would have protracted
the undertaking without end, and perhaps without improvement. I 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, was, like the first
inhabitants of Arcadia, to chase the sun, which, when they had reached the hill where he
seemed to rest, was still beheld at the same distance from them." Johnson.

VOL. II.

Eoafcon :

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,
PATERNOSTER ROW.

1824.

W. P«plet Printer,
Gf, C.u in ery Lane.

ROYAL NAVAL BIOGRAPHY ;

VOL. II.

CONTAINING MEMOIRS OF

ALL THE

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS,

RETIRED AND OTHER

POST-CAPTAINS

HIS MAJESTY'S FLEET,

WHOSE NAMES APPEARED ON THE ADMIRALTY LIST OF SEA

OFFICERS, AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF 1823, OR

WHO HAVE SINCE BEEN PROMOTED.

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.— PART I.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

Page

Barlow, Sir Robert 44

Bazely, John 27

Brooking, Samuel 38

Bullen, Joseph 34

Carthew, William 9

Chambers, William - - 4

Cooke, John 17

Dacres, Richard 29

Dawson, John 22

Dobson, Man 33

Evans, Henry - - - 41

Fraser, Percy 47

Goldesbrough, Thomas 7

Graves, David ... 2

Graves, Richard 2

Hunter, Laucblan 7

Ingram, Nicholas
Kendall, John
Miller, Simon -
Monkton, John
Ogilvy, Sir William
Peard, Shuldham
Pearse, Thomas
Preston, D'Arcy
Smith, Isaac
Stow, David
Tatham, Sandford
Warre, Henry -
Watkins, Frederick
Willis, Richard
Wilson, Alexander

Page

RETIRED CAPTAINS.

Arden, Samuel V' 73

Bowen, James 94

Boyle, Hon. Courtenay - - 104

Browell, William 92

Carlyon, William 70

Creyke, Richard 72

Cunningham, Charles - - 75
Edge, William .... 93

Fanshawe, Robert - - 49

Fortescue, Hon. Matthew - - 71

George, Sir Rupert 70

Gibson, John 73

Grevillc, William Fulke - - 73

Grey, Hon. Sir George
Hamond, Sir Andrew Snape
Hartwell, Sir Francis John
Inglefield, John N.
Larkan, Robert
Middleton, Robert Gambier
Milbanke, Ralph
Millar, John «
Pattern, Charles
Shield, William
Smith, Matthew
Wolley, Isaac

CONTENTS.

POST- CAP TAINS.

Adam, Charles

Astle, George -

Austen, Francis William -

Ballard, Volant Vashon

Barker, George

Bathurst, Walter

Bazely, Henry

Bowyer, Richard Runwa -

Brace, Edward

Brenton, Sir Jahleel .. \\

Brings,' Thomas

Brisbane, Sir James

Broke, Sir Philip Bowes Vere

Broughton, John

Campbell, Charles

Campbell, Patrick

Capel, Hon. Thomas Bladen

Carthew, James

Chesshyre, John

Cumberland, William

Curry, Richard

Dash wood, Charles

Devonshire, John Ferris

Dicksbn, Edward Stirling -

Downman, Hugh '

DrumYnond, Adam

Dundas, Thomas

Dnndas, Hon. George H. L.

Evans, Andrew Fitzherbert

Feilding, Charles

Fitzgerald, Robert Lewis -

Forster, Samuel Peter

Fowke, George

Garrett, Henry

Granger, William

Grant, Charles

Hall, Robert -

Halliday, Michael

Hainond, Graham Eden

Hanwell, William

Hardy, Sir Thomas Masterman

Hanlyman, Lucius - /XV

Hay, John Baker - ' - '

Heathcote, Sir Henry

Hill, Henry - - .y-n,,

Hill, Marcus Samuel - . •&. ,

Hollis, Aiskew Paffard i<- .,

Honyman, Robert

Horton, Joshua Sydney

Hoste, Sir William

Junes, Bartholomew

Irby, Hon. Frederick Paul -

Katon, James

King, Edward Durnford

Page

222 Laroche, Christopher

152 Lewis, John Mason

274 Littlehales^Bendall Robert

187 Livingston, Sir Thomas

221 Lloyd, Robert - - -

239 Mackellar, John

260 Mackenzie, Adam
136 M'Kinley, George -
253 Maitland, Frederick Lewis

261 Maling, Thomas James

417 Manby, Thomas
400 Mansel, Robert

367 Manvers, Right Hon. Earl -

418 Matson, Richard - .
233 Mends, Sir Robert

290 Mudge,Zachary -

195 Muudy, George -

416 Nisbet, Josiah -

243 O'Bryen, Right Hon. Lord James

169 Ommanney, John Ac worth
459 Oughton, James -
450 Owen, Sir Edward W. C. R«
411 Parker, William

296 Peacocke, Richard -

188 Pearson, Richard Harrison

240 Philpot, Robert -
149 Raggett, Richard -
418 Ricketts, Tristram Robert

125 Rodd, John Tremayne - -

482 Rotheram, Edward

181 Ryves, George Frederick

151 Sayer, George (a)

149 Schomberg, Alexander Wilmot -

238 Scott, George -

230 Seymour, Sir Michael

300 Shepard, James Keith

240 Shirley, George James

228 Shortland, Thomas George

170 Skipsey, William -
198 Stiles, John -

153 Stuart, Henry -
245 Thompson, Norborne

• 152 Thomson, Lenox -
123 Tinling, Charles -
319 Tomlinson, Nicholas

• 488 Vansittart, Henry -
115 Vesey, Francis -
179 Waller, William -

• 247 Warren, Frederick -
470 White, John Chambers
181 White, George -

• 488 Wolfe, George -

• 448 Wollaston, Charles -

• 325

Page
247
324
283
244
242
214
234
441
381
302
199
360
183
213
270
307
333
184
212
303
221
126
438
416
150
289
213
441
152
298
13(5
350
325
145
294
150
135
482
488
228
306
294
482
362
430
329
237
327
414
230
233
310
325

ROYAL NAVAL BIOGRAPHY.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

JOHN KENDALL, ESQ.

TL 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
Rear- Admiral, took place July 3, 1795.
Residence. — Scarborough.

* On the 3d July, 1764, the Dolphin, of 20 guns, commanded by the
TIou John Byron, and the Tamar sloop of war, Captain Patrick Mouat,
sailed from Plymouth, on a voyage of discovery ; and on the 14th Jan.
1765, being in the lat. of 51e S., and long. 63° 22' W., some small islands
were discovered, in one of which was found a most excellent harbour,
where the ships anchored. 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 Britain, 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. II. B

2 MJPKRANM'ATRD REAR-ADMIRALS.

DAVID GRAVES, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Post-Captain, Sept. 9, 1/79;
commanded the London, a second-rate, bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Graves, in the action off Cape Henry, Sept. 5,
1781 *; 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
Majesty, 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 great promotion of Flag-Officers, which
took place on the 1st Jan. 1801, in honor of the union be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland ; and afterwards created a
Knight of the Bath, for his gallantry in the battle off Copen-
hagen, on the 3d April, in that year J.

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.
\ See vol. 1, aote *, at p. 385, et teg.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

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 wound. 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, with 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 Carolina, daughter and sole
heiress of Sir John Colleton, Bart. His son, Samuel Colleton
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 political 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 Wil-
helm. The third was united, in December 1819, to her

4 SUPERANNUATED RKAR-ADMIRAL5.

relative, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir James R. Colleton, Bart.
Mrs. Graves died, Dec. 2b, 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 1758, 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 1759, and until the conclusion
of the war in 1763 *.

* The naval and military forces employed in tbe reduction of Quebec,
under the orders of Vice-Admiral Saunders, and Major-General Wolfe,
arrived off the 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 effort, 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, he
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 terminated 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 Palliscr.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 5

During 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 Gambler in the Salisbury ; and by that
officer was made a Lieutenant into the Mermaid frigate, on
the coast of North America, in 1771 j 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 Gharlestown, in South Carolina; which ship had the
honor of leading her consorts to the attack made on Sulli-
van's Island, June 28, 1776 *. The Active, on that occasion,
had her first Lieutenant (Pike) killed, and 8 men wounded.

V J 7

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 j 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.

-j'i

ISAAC SMITH, ESQ.

' ii9io H fvrm .iii'.i tiV.
THIS officer entered the naval service about the year 1766,

and served for some time on board the Grenville, a brig com-
manded by Cook, the celebrated circumnavigator, who was at
that period employed as marine surveyor of Newfoundland ;
and whom he afterwards accompanied in the Endeavour, on a

* See Vol. I, p. 95, where the following correction and additions
should be made: line 2, for 1777, read 1775; line 9, after May, insert
1776 ; line 24, after Experiment, insert Active.

<J SUFERANNUATJBD RKAR- ADMIRALS.

royage to the South Sea, for the purpose of observing the
transit of Venus over the sun's disk *.

His commission as Post- Captain bears date Dec. 1, 1787 J
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 Corn-
wallis 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 which must exceed all moderate limits.

It having been calculated by astronomers that a transit of Venus 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. Solander, a Swedish
gentleman, who had made much proficiency in every branch of natural
history under the instructions of the celebrated Linnaeus, sailed from
Plymouth Sound on the 26th Aug. 1768, 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.
1 770, arrived at Batavia, with a vessel almost worn out, and a crew much
fatigued and very sickly. The 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 on the 15th March, 1771. 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 12th 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.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 7

obtained the superannuation of a Rear- Admiral. He resides,
if we mistake not, with the widow of his lamented friend
Captain Cook, at Merton Abbey, Surrey.

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 ; and
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 ; commanded the Antelope of 14 guns on the Jamaica
station, in 1783 ; 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 Royal 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. 1790, to the Shark sloop of war ; and on the 3d
of the following month he became a Post-Captain. From
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. He married, in 181 1, Elizabeth Ann,
daughter of the late Booth, Esq. of Bristol.

Residence. — Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Devon.

8 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

RICHARD WILLIS, ESQ.

THIS officer, a brother, we believe, of Dr. Willis, a gentle-
man celebrated for his skilful treatment of insane patients,
was made Post, Nov. 3, 1790 ; and obtained his present rank,
June 14, 1808.

Residence — Petworth, Sussex.

HENRY WARRE, ESQ.

IF we mistake not, this officer was born in Portugal, and
entered the naval service under the protection of Commodore
Johnstone. After serving for some time as first Lieutenant
of the Trusty, a 50-gun ship, bearing the broad pendant of
Commodore Cosby, on the Mediterranean station, he was pro-
moted to the rank of Commander, in the Kingsfisher sloop
of war. During the Spanish armament, he commanded the
Swan of 14 guns, stationed in the Channel. Ris post com-
mission bears date Nov. 22, 1790. In the summer of 1793,
we find him serving on board the flag-ship of Vice-Admiral
J. Sanches de Britto, commander of the Portuguese squa-
dron that came to England with Earl Howe ; and in the fol-
lowing year, commanding the Mermaid, a 32-gun frigate, in
which he proceeded to the West Indies.

On the 10th Oct. 1795, Captain Warre fell in with an
armed ship and a brig, off Grenada ; the latter pushed into
a small bay and got a-ground; and the Mermaid, in the
eagerness of pursuit, ran on shore close alongside her ; the
vessel was got off, and proved to be the Brutus, of 10 guns,
belonging to the French republic ; her crew, consisting of 50
men, together with 70 soldiers, intended to support the rebel-
lion in Grenada, landed and escaped. Captain Warre chased
the ship the whole of the next day, but lost sight of her in the
night. On the 14th he again discovered, pursued, and after
an action of half an hour, captured her. She proved to be
the Republican, of 18 guns and 250 men (including troops),
20 of whom were killed, and several wounded. On board
this vessel was a French General, proceeding to assume the
command in Grenada. The Mermaid had 1 man slain, and
3 wounded.

' 'f «'-'M..r-J P ••

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

Captain Warre subsequently commanded the Adamant of
50 guns ; he was placed on the list of Superannuated Rear-
Admirals, Aug. 31, 1810.

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

WILLIAM CARTHEW, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Post-Captain, May 10, 1794; and
in the same year commanded the Redoubt, of 20 guns, sta-
tioned at Sheerness as a floating battery. In 1795 he was
appointed to the Brilliant, a small frigate, on the North Sea
station ; from which he removed into the Regulus, 44, and
proceeded to the West Indies. On his passage thither, Nov.
2, 1796, he captured El San Pio, a Spanish corvette of 18
guns. Captain Carthew appears to have left the Regulus on
the Jamaica station, in 1798. He was superannuated, with
the rank of Rear-Admiral, Aug. 18, 1812.

Agent. — Sir F. M. Ommanney.

SANDFORD TATHAM, ESQ.

DURING the Russian armament, in 1791, this officer com-
manded the Argo, a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, in North
America. In 1793, he was appointed to the Dromedary,
store-ship, and accompanied the expedition under Sir John
Jervis and Sir Charles Grey, to the West Indies.

On the 8th Feb. 1794, whilst employed in covering the de-
barkation of the third brigade of the army on the side of Cas
de Navires, in the island of Martinique, the Dromedary, ven-
turing too near the battery on Point Negro, received a shot
between wind and water, and a second through her upper
works, which killed 1 man and wounded 4, among whom
was Captain Tatham.

Our officer was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain,
Nov. 4, 1794; employed on the Impress service, in 1798 and
1799; and obtained the superannuation of a Rear-Admiral,
Dec. 7, 1813.

Residence. — Armitage, near Rugeley, Staffordshire.

',[$£

FREDERICK WATKINS, ESQ.

SOON after the commencement of the French revolutionary

••' •' .:•'-! •

10 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

war, in 1793* we find^this officer serving as first Lieutenant
of the Blanche frigate, commanded by the late Captain Faulk-
nor, and employed on the Leeward Islands station.

On the 4th Jan. 1795, that heroic Commander, being on a
cruise off Point-a-Petre, at 7 A. M., observed a large republi-
can frigate coming out of the harbour, with a schooner in
company. Captain Faulknor immediately stood towards the
enemy, and continued to do so until nearly within gun-shot
of Fort Fleur d'Epee, the scene of his former glory *, when
he tacked, hove to, and filled occasionally. Finding the
French frigate disinclined to venture out from under the bat-
teries, he made sail to examine a schooner which was coming
down along shore ; she proved to be an American from Bour-
deaux, and appearing suspicious, was detained and taken in
tow, the Blanche proceeding under easy sail, first towards
Mariegalante, and afterwards stretching over for Dominica.
At Sk 30' P. M., the French frigate was seen about two
leagues astern ; upon which the schooner was cast off,
and the Blanche made sail to meet the enemy. At half
past twelve o'clock, after some manoeuvring and an ex-
change of broadsides, when passing on opposite tacks, a
most bloody and desperate action was commenced within
pistol-shot; and at one A. M., Captain Faulknor ran the
Blanche across the enemy's bows, and lashed the bowsprit
of the latter to the capstern of his own ship. A brisk fire
was now kept up from such guns as could be brought to bear,
and musketry, which the enemy returned from his quarter-
deck guns, run in a-midships and pointed fore and aft, also
from small arms in his tops and elsewhere. At this period
the main and mizen-masts of the Blanche were shot away ;
and the French made an attempt to board her, but were re-
pulsed with great loss. At a quarter past two, his antagonist
having dropped astern, Captain Faulknor ordered another
hawser to be got up, with which he lashed the French frigate
to his quarter, and whilst in the act of doing so, was shot
through the heart by a musket-ball. On his death, the com-
mand naturally devolved on Lieutenant Watkins, who conti-
nued the action in a manner that did him immortal honor.

" In our first volume, at pp. 711 and 840, mil he found an account of
the storming of Fort Fleur d'Epde, by a gallant band, headed by Captain
Faulknor, on the 12th April, 1/94.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 11

The Blanche, having only her fore-mast standing, now paid
off before the wind ; towing, and plying with incessant and
well-directed vollies of musketry, her equally determined
opponent. None of the great guns could be brought to bear,
until a part of the stern-frame was blown out ; when the ene-
my's ship was so effectually raked, that all her masts were
soon shot away. Still did the brave Frenchmen persevere in
their resistance ; and it was not until a quarter past five, that
they hailed to announce their surrender.

It was not yet day -light ; neither of the ships were able to
put a boat in the water. Under these difficulties, nothing re-
mained but to get on board the prize, by means of the haw-
ser ; this was successfully performed by Lieutenant (now Sir
David) Milne and 10 seamen, whose weight bringing the
bight of the rope into the water, obliged them to swim part
of the distance, when they gained her deck, and found her
to be la Pique of 40 guns, besides several brass swivels on
her gunwale, and 360 men, of whom 67 were killed, 1 10
wounded, and about 9 supposed to have been drowned by
falling into the sea when attempting to board the Blanche ;
whose loss, considering the length and violence of the conflict,
was but small. It consisted of 8 killed and 21 wounded *.
The fall of her commander was, however, deplored by every
friend to the service ; his courage and determined bravery
had been often tried, and always with success ; indeed the
English cause in the West Indies, at that period, could hardly
have received a deeper wound than it did by his death.

The gallantry of this action was long the theme of praise.
An Interlude, called " The Death of Captain Faulknor"
was performed at Covent Garden Theatre ; and a monument
to his memory, with a suitable inscription, was erected in St.
Paul's Cathedral, by a vote of the House of Commons.

As a reward for his distinguished bravery in the above
glorious affair, Lieutenant Watkins was promoted to the rank
of Post-Captain, by commission dated April 26, 1795 ; and
appointed to the command of the Resource, of 28 guns, in
which ship he continued about two years, on the Leeward

* The Blanche mounted 38 carriage guns, and had on board at the
commencement of the battle only 198 men ; 14 of her crew being absent
in prizes. With respect to size, she was 196 tons lea« than her opponeut.

12 SUPERANNUATED REAR-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 1/4 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 llth Sept. 1800, Captain Watkins beingon a cruise
off Curac.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, were surrendered to the Nereide.

Captain Watkins returned to England, in Feb. 1801 ; 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 1 1, 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.

. . • .-«,' :: .• :

JOHN MONKTON, ESQ.

THIS officer entered the naval service in 1765, and served
upwards of eleven years as a Midshipman and Master's-

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 13

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 was in 1771?
when, being on her return from Pensacola, and the Havannah, to
Jamaica, the ship, owing to the perverseness and ignorance of
the 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 on the Jamaica station ; from whence he returned to
England, in the Boreas, about the autumn of 1777-

On the 19th Nov. following, Mr. Monkton was promoted
to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to the Three 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.

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 appointed first Lieutenant of the Ardent 64, stationed
as a guard-ship 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 Survey or- 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 satisfaction of his Majesty's ministers.

On the 10th March, 1793, Mr. Monkton commissioned the

» See vol. 1, p. 4, and note j, at p. 33. t §ee vol. 1, p. 17-

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 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 affairs, 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 1'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 * *.

f The Marlborough had got into action ; and whilst engaged with the
Tinprtueux of 78 guns, and Mucius 74, the former of which ships she had
completely dismasted, the Montagne of 120 guns came under her stern
aud poured in a raking broadside, which 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 Monkton was nominally promoted into the Calypso
sloop of war, which vessel was lost on her return from Jamaica, and all
e« board perished.

](J SOPKKANNUATKD REAR-ADMIRALS.

North Sea station, where he served under the orders of Lojc!
Duncan, and made many captures.

His next and last appointment was at the close of 1?99>
to the Mars of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Hear- 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, Purser of the ill-fated Ardent *, and
only daughter of George Button, 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.

i, '1 .•>. \.» jioijfpyx'j '>i\l iltiw ;'

* 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
Monkton 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, in 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 nine
A. M. on the 9th Oct. 1799, 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

JOHN COOKE, ESQ.

THIS officer was born at Kirby, near Norwich, in 1/50,
and first embarked in the royal navy as a Midshipman, on
board the Raisonable 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 Raisonable 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 Medway ; 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 series of letters from a
nobleman 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 Britain ; 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 praise,
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 SUPKRANNUATKD REAR-ADMIRALS.

Chatham, where he remained but a short time. In April,
1776, Captain Suckling, then Comptroller of the Navy, pre-
sented him with a warrant appointing him Master of the
Hornet sloop, fitting at Woolwich for the Jamaica station, of
which vessel the late gallant Lord Collingwood was then
Lieutenant.

Mr. Cooke continued in the Hornet until Feb. 1, 1778,
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 Johnsfcone and M. de Suffrein, 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 ; 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 armaments, in 1787 and
1790, Lieutenant Cooke served under the flag 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 oar memoir of Admiral Sir Henry-
Darby (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,
throughout the whole of the affair she was very materially distinguished
for the power and force of her fire.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 19

activity. The following address conveys a sufficient idea of
the manner in which he acted on those occasions :

" Tortola Council Chamber, May 13, 1795-

" Sir. — It Laving been publicly announced that you are speedily to be re-
moved from your present station in order to join the Admiral, the Mem-
bers of his Majesty's Board of Council for the Virgin Islands, who enter-
tain with me every just sense of your merits as a British officer, and of the
honorable manner in which you have discharged the duties which you
were sent hither 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 with 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 attacking 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
honor and satisfaction to subscribe myself, with every consideration and
respect, Sir,

" Your most faithful, and most obedient humble Servant,

(Signed) " GEO. LEONARD, President.
" To Captain Cooke, H. M. S. Inspector."

This address was presented to Captain Cooke on the occa-
sion of his receiving a commission from the late Sir Benjamin
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 Captain Cooke's second appointment to a death vacancy ;
the first was to the Thisbe, the commander of which ship, we believe, had
been appointed to the Blanche, as successor to the gallant Faulknor, 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.

c 2

20 SUPBRANNADATEJ) 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 Virgin Islands,
taking into consideration your unremitted exertiens 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 making 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
enterprise. 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 colony 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 obedient, humble Servants,
(Signed) "W. TURN BULL, President.

" To Captain Cooke, late Commander of

" H. M. 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 was not bona fide Commander-in-Chief. By this
decision, he lost upwards of eight months rank, during which

SUPER AN NUATBD REAR- ADMIRALS. 21

period no less than forty-three officers, who would otherwise
have been his juniors, took precedence of him. He how-
ever claimed and obtained the command of the Quebec?
which 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, 15th Aug. \\
" 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 Olanger, her
commander, who is an infamous scoundrel, had been of the party.

&c. &c. &c.

(Signed) " J. T. DUCKWORTH.

« Captain Cooke, H. M. S. Quebec."

During Captain Cooke's continuance on the Jamaica sta-
tion, he captured 1'Africaine, a French corvette of 18 guns ;
and destroyed a vast number of armed 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 regret
they feel at his quitting the station, — desiring 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 just senti-
ments to Captain Cooke, the inhabitants of this town supplicate the Com-

* Captain Cooke's post commission was dated Sept. 8, 1795; bis ap-
pointment to the Thisbe, Jan. 6, 1795.

22 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

modore that he will be pleased to continue him on the station. They will
not cease to pray for the continuation of success to his Majesty's arms."

Signed by JANUABIUS DUQUESNK, 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, fyc. fyc. fyc."

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 Cal-
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 officer 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
year*.

Residence. — Tiverton, Devon.

JOHN DAWSON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Post-Captain, April 3, 1/96 ;
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,
* See vol. 1, p. 290.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 23

and was afterwards dismissed his Majesty's service, that
when presiding at a court-martial, he desired the prisoner,
who had been sentenced to be hanged, " to prepare himself for
death, without delay, — and to thank God it was no worse
with him." This may probably account for the well-known
expression among sailors, — " death, or worse punishment."
Residence. — Carrickfergus, Ireland.

SHULDHAM 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 ; 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 quelled 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. The circumstance was as
follows : — Three men, who had been sentenced to suffer
death for mutinous behaviour in another ship, 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 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRAtS.

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 following effect : — " 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, condemned to suffer death, and
executed accordingly.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 25

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. The 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 Lordships 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 4h 30' P. M., at which time they
discontinued the pursuit.

On the 9th June following, Captain 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 being 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 ; in spite of
which our brave countrymen, forty-two only in number,
most resolutely boarded and carried her, but not without
some loss, three of them being killed, Lieutenant (now Cap-

26 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

tain) Stupart, and 9 others, badly wounded. It is said
that a marine, who had his right arm broke by a grape shot,
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 le 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
same 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 had the mortification to find the enemy at day-light
close upon his larboard quarter. They immediately gave
chase j and as our officer saw it was scarcely possible to
escape, he determined to run them back to the westward,
as- it would materially retard, or might bring them in sight
of any British ships that should be in pursuit of them. At

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 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 ; 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~
tober j 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 Dodman. 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 John Bazely,
who commanded the Alfred of 74 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. 1!#.

28 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS,

23, 1795* ; soon after which event he was appointed to the
Hind of 28 guns, stationed in the Channel. Towards the
latter end of 1/97 he joined the Overyssel of 64 guns, as
Flag-Captain to Admiral Peyton ; and in that ship he assisted
at the capture of the Dutch 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.

Residence. — 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 1st June,
1794, and in the action off 1'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 ; 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 flute, 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, tt teq.
» See Vol. I. pp. 76 and 246.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALSi 29

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 born 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 1'Oiseau French frigate, Jan. 31,
1779j 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 llth Oct. in that year J, 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. HAMOND.
J See Vol. I, p. 105.

30 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

found it necessary to call them down to cut away the main-mast. Whilst
I was waiting for the men to come down, a sudden gust overset the ship ;
most of the officers, with 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 away, 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 sheet anchor cut away ; which
had ao 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 stern. This arduous task was accomplished under the
direction of Lieutenant Edward Pakenham, whose great experience and
determined perseverance, marked him out as perhaps the only individual
to whom (amidst such great exertions) a pre-eminence could be given.
The water was above the cable on the orlop-deck, with a vast quantity be-
tween decks ; and the stump of the main-mast falling out of the step, oc-
casioned 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, into the Alcide of 74 guns, Captain C. Thompson ;
in which ship he was present in Admiral Graves' action off
the Chesapeake, Sept. 5th, 1781 * ; and in the different skir-
mishes with Count de Grasse's squadron, at 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 %.

The present just rule, of promoting first Lieutenants on
such occasions, was not then established j 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 1790, Lieutenant Dacres was
appointed, first, to the Dictator 64, and afterM-ards to the

* See Vol. I. p. 133. f See retired Captain J. N. INGLEFIKLD.

\ See Vol. J., note at p. 35, et seq.

SUPERANNUATED BEAK-ADMIRALS. 31

Windsor Castle of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral
Sawyer. r^J*

The difference with Spain, it will be recollected, was ami-
cably settled ; and from that period till the commencement
of hostilities against the French republic, Mr. Dacres re-
mained unemployed. He was then appointed to command
the Union armed brig ; from 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 frigate, 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 guns.

In the spring of 1797, 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, when 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 j
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.

32 SUPERANNUATED REAR- ADMIRALS.

On the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain Dacres was
appointed to the Sea Fencible service at Dartmouth ; and 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 hi 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 Gambier 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. 315, eteq. 799, et seq. and 809.

f The Royal Naval Asylum was firsc 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.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS» 33

D'ARCY PRESTON, ESQ.

THIS officer served under Sir John Jervis at the reduction
of Martinique and St. Lucia, in 1794 ; and after the cap-
ture of the latter island, was promoted from a Lieutenancy in
the Boyne 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 1/96, 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 frigates, 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 die 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.

Residence.— Oxendon, near Market Harborough, Leices-
tershire.

• See Vol. I. p. 520.

VOL. II. D

34 SUPERANNUATED UEAR-ADMIRAL9.

THOMAS PEARSE, ESQ.

POSTED Dec. 6, 1796; superannuated Aug. 24, 1819'
resides at Bradninch, near Columpton, in Devonshire.

JOSEPH BULLEN, ESQ.

THIS officer, the second son of the late Rev. John Bullen,
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. Bullen 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 J. 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 Bullen subsequently served with the late Lord
Nelson, in the Hinchinbrooke frigate, on the Mosquito shore ;
where the 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 HAMOXD.
t See Retired Captain ROBERT FANSHAWE.

J We were led into the mistake alluded to, by Schomberg, whose errors
of this description are innumerable.

§ Early in 1780, a project was formed by General Dalling, Governor of
Jamaica, against the Spanish American colonies. This design was to take
Fort St. Juan, on theiiver of that name, which flows from the Lake Nica-
ragua, into the Atlantic ; make himself master of the lake itself, and of the
cities of Grenada and Leon ; and thus 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 effected by human power. The Secretary of State for the American
department approved the plan : and as discontents at that time were
known to prevail in the Neuvo Reyno, in Popayan, 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 Balling's plans were well-formed ; but

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 35

At the commencement of the French revolutionary war, he
again joined Captain Nelson, in the Agamemnon of 64 guns ;

the history and the nature of the country had not been studied as accurately
as its geography : the difficulties which occurred in fitting out the expedi-
tion, delayed it till the season was too far advanced ; and the men were
thus sent to adventure themselves, not so much against an enemy, whom they
would have beaten, as against a climate, which would do the enemy's work.

Five hundred men, destined for this service, were conveyed by Captain
Nelson from Port Royal to Cape Gracias a Dios, in Honduras. Not a
native was to be seen when they landed : they had been taught that the
English came with no other intent than that of enslaving them, and car-
rying them to Jamaica. After a while, however, one of them ventured
down, confiding in his knowledge of one of the party ; and by his means
the neighbouring tribes were conciliated with presents, and brought in.
The troops were encamped on a swampy and unwholesome plain, where
they were joined by a party of the 79th regiment, from Black River, who
were already in a deplorable state of sickness. Having remained here a
month, they proceeded, anchoring frequently, along the Mosquito shore,
to collect their Indian allies, who were to furnish proper boats for the en-
terprise, and to accompany them. They reached the river San Juan,
March 24th, the latter end of the dry season, and the worst time for such
an expedition, the river being consequently low. About 200 soldiers,
however, were embarked 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 with, which would have 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 accustomed to stand aloof
when any exertion of strength 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
being reflected from the white shoals, while the high woods, on both
sides of the river, were frequently so close as to prevent all refreshing
circulation of air ; and during the night all were equally exposed to the
heavy and unwholesome dews.

On the 9th April, they reached an island in the river, called St. Barto-
lomeo, which the Spaniards had fortified, as an out-post, with a small
semi-circular battery, mounting 9 or 10 swivels, and manned with 16 or
18 men. It commanded the river in a rapid and difficult part of the navi-
gation. Nelson, at the head of a few of his seamen, leaped upon the
beach, and, in his own phrase, boarded the battery. The castle of St.
Juan is situated about sixteen miles above St. Bartoloraeo, sixty-nine
from the mouth of the river, and thirty-two below the Lake of Nicaragua.

D 2

36 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

from which ship, after being engaged in a variety of active
services, he was removed into the Victory, a first rate, bear-
ing the flag of Lord Hood j by whom he was entrusted with
the command of Fort Mulgrave, during the defence of Toulon

Boats reach the sea from the castle in a day and a half ; but their navi-
gation back, even when unladen, is the labour of nine days. The British,
after marching several miles, and transporting the stores and provisions
through woods almost impassable, appeared before it two days after the
capture of St. Bartolomeo. Nelson's advice was, that it should instantly
be carried by assault : but Nelson was not the commander ; and it was
thought proper to observe all the formalities of a siege. Ten days were
wasted before this could be commenced. It was a work more of fatigue
than of danger ; but fatigue was more to be dreaded than the enemy ; the
rains set in : and, could the garrison have held out a little longer, disease
would have rid them of their invaders. Even the Indians sunk under it,
the victims of unusual exertion, and of their own excesses. The place
surrendered on the 24th; but victory procured to the conquerors none of
that relief which had been expected. The castle was worse than a prison j
and it contained nothing which could contribute to the recovery of the
sick, or the preservation of those who were yet unaffected. The huts,
which served for hospitals, were surrounded with filth and with the putri-
fying hides of slaughtered cattle — almost sufficient of themselves to have
engendered pestilence : and when, at last, orders were given to erect a
convenient hospital, the contagion had become so general that there were
none who could work at it : for, besides the few who were able to perform
garrison duty, there were not orderly men enough to attend the sick.
Added to these evils, there was the want of all needful remedies ; for
though the expedition had been amply provided with hospital stores,
river craft enough had not been procured for transporting the requisite
baggage ; and when much was to be left behind, provision for sickness
was that which of all things] men in health would be most ready to leave.
Now, when these medicines were required, the river was swoln, and so
turbulent that its upward navigation was almost impracticable. At
length even the task of burying the dead was more than the living could
perform ; and the bodies were tost into the stream, or left for beasts of
prey, and for the gallinazos — those dreadful carrion-birds, which do not
always wait for death before they begin their work. Five months the
British persisted in what may be called this war against nature ; they
then left a few men, who seemed proof against the climate, to retain the
castle till the Spaniards should choose to retake it, and make them pri-
soners. The rest abandoned their baleful conquest. Eighteen hundred
men were sent to different posts upon this wretched expedition : not more
than 380 ever returned. Of the Hinchinbrooke's crew, 87 are said to have
taken to their beds in one night. The castle when taken, contained one
brass 5$-inch mortar, and 20 pieces of brass ordnance, besides swivels,
mounted ; and 10 or 12 iron guns dismounted.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

against the republican armies *, to whose fire he was con-
stantly exposed for a period of three weeks.
. Previous to the final evacuation of Toulon, Lieutenant
Bullen was promoted to the rank of Commander ; and la
Mulette of 20 guns, the ship intended for him, being absent,
he received an order to act as Captain of the Proselyte frigate,
in which he narrowly escaped being captured, in consequence
of his having voluntarily remained after every other ship had
left the harbour, and thereby rescued 300 Spanish and Nea-
politan troops, who had been deserted by their countrymen,
and but for his humanity would inevitably have been taken
prisoners, if not massacred by the ferocious enemy.

Captain Bullen subsequently obtained permission from
Lord Hood to serve as a volunteer with his friend Captain
Serecold, who, after the retreat from Toulon, had superseded
him in the command of the Proselyte ; out of which ship they
were both burnt by the hot shot from the French batteries,
during the siege of Bastia. Our officer afterwards com-
manded an advanced battery, and continued on shore until
the surrender of that place. We find his name mentioned in
the highest terms by Nelson, when writing an official account
of the operations of the siege to Lord Hoodf.

On his return to England, Captain Bullen embarked as a
volunteer with his friend the present Sir T. Byam Martin, in
the Santa Margaritta ; and he appears to have been on board
that ship, when she captured the Tamise, French frigate J.

His last service afloat was as acting Captain of the Alex-
ander 74, stationed off Brest. He obtained post rank Nov.
24, 1796 ; and on the renewal of the war was appointed to
the command of the Lynn Regis district of Sea Fencibles.
His superannuation took place Aug. 28th, 1819.

On reference to the memoranda in our possession, we ob-
serve that Rear- Admiral Bullen has been sixty -nine times
engaged with the enemies of his country, in ships, boats, and
batteries ; and that he has repeatedly received the thanks of
his superior officers. He married, in 1801, Margaret Ann,
only daughter of the late W. Seafe, Esq. of the Leazes, co.
Durham, Barrister at Law.

Residence. — Bath.

* See Vol. I, pp. 46 and 294. f See Vol I, p. 251 . J See Vol. I, p. 492-

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS*

SAMUEL BROOKING, ESQ.

WE have not been able to trace with any degree of accu-
racy the descent of the family of Brooking, though from theif
arms, some documents in their possession, and the names of
several estates in Devonshire and Cornwall, such as Pales-
tine, Judea, &c., once belonging to them, we have reason to
believe that their ancestors were not idle during the Holy
Wars. The officer of whom we are about to speak was born
at Newton Ferrers, in the former county, about 1753 ; went
first to sea with the Hon. Captain John Leveson Gower, in
1765 j and subsequently served as a Midshipman, under the
late Sir Roger Curtis, Lord Howe, and Sir Richard Onslow ;
by the latter of whom he was placed in command of a gun-
boat belonging to the St. Albans, during the expedition up
Hudson's River, to relieve General Burgoyne. On this occa-
sion, forts Montgomery and Clinton were carried by storm ;
the enemy, on their retreat, setting fire to two new frigates
and several other vessels, which were totally destroyed. They
also abandoned and burnt fort Constitution, and Continental
village. In the last were barracks for 1500 men ; a large
boom or chain, of a curious construction, was either carried
away or sunk ; its value was estimated at 70,000/. sterling.

Previous to his quitting the gun- boat, Mr. Brooking, when
making a" diversion to favor the landing of some troops at the
mouth of a river, and with «. view of cutting off an American
galley, narrowly escaped destruction, by a shot passing
through the corner of his powder chest ; and his gun being at
the same time disabled, he was obliged to withdraw.

In 1778, Lord Howe made him a Lieutenant j in which
capacity we find him serving on board the Strombolo fire-
vessel, Galatea of 20 guns, and Prudent 64, at the relief of
Rhode Island * ; Fort M'Lean f, and St. Kitts* ; an account

* See Retired Captain, Sir A. S. HAMOND.

t About the middle of June, 1779, Colonel M'Lean sailed from Halifax
with 600 troops, escorted by three sloops of war, to the Penobscot river,
where on his arrival he established a strong post extremely well chosen
for annoying the enemy ; who, greatly alarmed at this transaction, imme-
diately equipped a formidable armament at Boston, appointing Commo-
dore Saltenstall to the command.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 39

of which latter event will be found under the head of Retired
Captain Inglefield.

The Galatea, of which ship Mr. Brooking was the only
Lieutenant, was one of the most active cruisers on the Ame-
rican station ; and in the course of a single cruise of six
weeks, was fortunate enough to capture two large letters of
marque, a formidable privateer, which had done much mis-
chief to our trade, and the Recovery, an armed ship belonging
to the United States. The latter vessel sustained a running
fight of considerable duration j and, considering the number of
men absent from the Galatea in her former prizes, and the
manner in which that ship was crowded with prisoners, it
would not, we think, have reflected any disgrace on the re-
mainder of the British officers and men had she effected her
escape : as it was, her capture must be considered highly
creditable to them.

In 1782, Captain Andrew Barclay, under whom Mr. Brooking
was then serving as first Lieutenant of the Prudent, gave him
an order to act as Commander, in the St. Lucia sloop of war ;
but he doesnot appear to have been confirmed to that rank until
1794, when he received a commission appointing him to the

On the 27th July, the American squadron, accompanied by a fleet of
transports, having on board a large body of troops, commanded by General
Lovell, arrived in the river, and began to cannonade the sloops of war and
battery ; which was so ably returned, that the enemy in their repeated at-
tempts to land were repulsed. On the third day, however, they succeeded,
under cover of a tremendous fire, which 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. 13th, 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 Raisonable 64,
with three frigates, two 20-gun ships, and a sloop of war, entering the
river, having sailed from Sandy Hook to their relief. The American Com-
modore at first drew up his squadron, and made a shew of resistance ; but
on the approach of the British frigates, his resolution soon failed, and a
most ignominious flight took place, which terminated in the capture and
destruction of the whole rebel force, consisting of one frigate, three ships
of 24 guns each, one of 22, twelve ships, brigs, &c., mounting in the
whole 194 guns, and twenty-one sail of transports, benidet two brigs of
war previously taken by the squadron.

40 SUPERANNUATED REAR. ADMIRALS.

command of the Drake, in which vessel he was afterwards
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-gun 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 1/99, was presented to him by their
agent in London.

" House of Assembly, Nov. 14, 1799.

" RESOLVED, that this House entertain a high sense of the ser.
vices derived to this island from the zeal and activity of Samuel Brooking,
Esq. Captain of his Majesty'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 entertain of his 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, April 20, 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 punished by your
activity, while the name of BROOKIN« has struck terror in our neigh-
bouring 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."

[Here follow twenty-seven signatures.]

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 41

The services more particularly alluded to in the foregoing
address, 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 information that some
French privateers were in the habit of sending their prizes 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 commencing 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 enabled 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.

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 1'Elize, a French schooner of
10 guns, in 1795 j assisted at the reduction of St. Lucia, in

42 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

May 1796 * ; and was present at the unsuccessful attack upon
Porto Rico in the following year. His post commission bears
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.

(Of tnnerquharity, Forfar shire, 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 and 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 off Cape Spartel, October 20, hi
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 74 ; 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 J. He was afterwards removed as
first Lieutenant into the Glory, a second rate, forming part of
the grand fleet under Earl Howe ; 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 •

» 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. The loss sustained by the British fleet amounted to 68 killed, and
208 wounded.

J See Vol. I. pp. 46, 60, and 294.

§ See Vol. I. note at p. 75, ft feq.

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. ^

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, where he arrived in time to render a most
essential service, for which he received the thanks of Earl
Spencer, then at the head of the Admiralty, and of the Com-
modore.

In our first volume, at pp. 169 and 1JO, we have given an
outline of the operations carried on by the British and emi-
grant forces in the summer of 1795. Our readers will remem-
ber that, owing to the misconduct and treachery of the latter,
Fort Penthievre, which, from its situation on a hill, com-
mands the peninsula of Quiberon, was retaken by the enemy
on the night of July 20th. At day-break on the following
morning it was discovered that the republicans had advanced
towards the S. E. point of the peninsula, and with some field
pieces were 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 ships 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, which had the effect of turning
the enemy's column, killing the General who 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 1100 emigrant troops.

• 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-

44 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

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 the
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 j about which period he married the eldest daughter
of the late James Morley, Esq. His superannuation as a
Rear- Admiral took place December 6, 182] .

Residence. — Dundee, Scotland.

SIR ROBERT BARLOW, KNT.

Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ;
Fellow of the Royal Society ; and late Commistioner 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 j but we know that 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 have assisted at the capture of la Minerve, a
French frigate of 32 guns and 316 men, Jan. 4, 1781, and to

SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS. 45

have accompanied the grand fleet to the relief of Gibraltar in
1782 ; on which latter occasion he was first Lieutenant of the
Courageux 74.

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
16 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 vessels 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 ; 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 15th of the following month, Captain
Barlow, being off Gravelines, captured le Patriote privateer,
the first armed vessel taken from the French republic.

Captain Barlow obtained post rank May 24, 1793 j com-

46 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

manded the Pegasus of 28 guns, 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. 1/95 ; and
on the 10th Jan. 1797? he captured 1'Atalante, a French cor-
vette of 16 guns f. On the 21st Dec. following, being on a
cruise to the westward, 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 chase : 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 manosuvre, a few minutes necessarily elapsed
before he could get fairly alongside. The action commenced
at ten P. M., and continued about three quarters of an hour,
when the 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 Phrebe had 3 men killed and 10 wounded.

Subsequent to this event, Captain Barlow captured 1'Ha-
zard, of 10 guns and 60 men, laden with spices, ivory, and
gum, from Senegal, valued at 10,000/. sterling ; three French
privateers, mounting in the whole 58 guns, and manned with
455 men; and 1'Heureux, a flush-decked ship of 22 brass
12-pounders and 220 men. The latter vessel, mistaking the
JPhcebe 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 in company with a powerful fleet,
under the orders of M. de Galles, having on board 25,000 troops, com-
manded by General Hoche, destined for the invasion of Ireland. The
outset of this expedition was attended by several disasters, and the whole
project was defeated by the elements. Many of the vessels composing
the armament were either captured or wrecked, and several foundered ;
the remainder returned to France in a wretched condition.

SUPER ANN UAT-ED REAR-ADMIRALS. 4/

This affair occurred March 5, 1800 ; 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 7h 30*
P. M., he had the good fortune to bring her to close action,
which was maintained with unremitting fury within pistol-
shot about two hours; the French commander resolutely
opposing the animated and skilful exertions of Captain
Barlow, until his ship was almost a wreck, with five feet water
in her hold, several of her guns dismounted, and her decks
encumbered with dead and dying men. At length she sur-
rendered, and proved to be 1'Africaine of 44 guns and 315
men, besides 400 troops and artificers, under the command
of General Desfourneaux, having on board 6 brass field-pieces,
several thousand stand of arms, and a great quantity of am-
munition, from Rochefort bound to Egypt.

The tremendous and well-directed fire from the Phoebe,
was productive of dreadful slaughter on board l'Africaine,
whose loss amounted to 200 men, including M. de Saunier,
Chief of Division, with many of the principal sea and land
officers slain, and 143 wounded *.

The Phosbe, although her net complement, including 18
boys, was 261, had sailed from Cork 7 men short, and had
since manned and sent to Gibraltar one recaptured vessel,
and another detained under suspicious circumstances ; so
that the total number on board was only 239. Of these
but 1 man was slain, and 12 wounded.

For his courage and excellent conduct on this occasion,
Captain Barlow was deservedly rewarded with the honor of
knighthood, June 16, 1801, and soon after appointed to the
Triumph of 74 guns ; in which ship he served on the Mediter-
ranean station until the latter end of the year 1804, when she
returned to England, and was put out of commission. In
the autumn of 1805, Sir Robert obtained the command of
the London, a second rate, from whence he was removed
into the Barfleur, a ship of the same class, some time previous

* A return to this effect, signed by her commander, Captain Majeadie,
whose name appears in the latter list, was presented to Captain Barlow ;
but the former officer at the same time stated, that the report probably
fell short of the actual loss sustained, especially in killed.

48 SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS.

to his being nominated First Captain of the North Sea fleet,
under Lord Keith. His next appointment was in the summer
of 1806, to be Deputy Comptroller of the Navy ; an office
which he held until Sept. 1808, when he succeeded the late
Captain Charles Hope, as Commissioner of Chatham Dock-
yard. He was created an extra K. C. B. May 20, 1820 * ; and
superannuated with the rank of Rear-Admiral, Jan. 24, 1823.

Sir Robert Barlow married, Sept. 8, 1785, Elizabeth,
daughter of William Garrett, of Worting, co. Southampton,
Esq., and by that lady, who died Sept. 17, 1817, had several
sons and daughters : of the latter, one is married to the Right
Hon. Viscount Torrington f ; another to her cousin, George
Ulric, eldest son of Sir George H. Barlow ; and a third to
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Dashwood, of the 3d regiment of
guards, second son of Sir Henry Dashwood, Bart.

Agent. — Sir Francis M. Ommanney.

PERCY FRASER, ESQ.

Late a Commissioner of the Navy Board.

THIS officer was a Lieutenant in 1789 ; commanded the
Savage sloop of war, in 1791 ; the Moselle, in 1794 ; and ob-
tained post rank March 27, 1795. In the following year we
find him commanding the Narcissus of 20 guns, on the coast
of America ; from whence he proceeded to the West Indies,
where his ship was wrecked, but fortunately her crew escaped.
His next appointment was to la Nymphe, in which frigate he
captured la Modeste, a French letter of marque, laden with
East India produce, and several other vessels. After com-
manding la Nymphe about four years, he removed into the
Narcissus of 36 guns, and continued in that ship during the
remainder of the war. We subsequently find him in the
Vanguard 74.

In 1808, Captain Fraser was appointed resident Commis-
sioner of the Dock-yard at Malta ; from whence he removed to
Gibraltar, about the summer of 1811. Towards the latter
end of 1813, he obtained a seat at the Navy Board, from which
he retired with the superannuation of a Rear -Admiral, June 12,
1823. He married, Sept. 26, 1797, Elizabeth, eldest daughter
of John, 5th Vise. Torrington, and sister of the present peer.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

* See Vol. I, iiote §, at p. 116. f See Vol. I, p. 663 *.

RETIRED CAPTAINS.
ROBERT FANSHAWE, ESQ.

Lute Commissioner of Plymouth Dock Yard.

Tins officer, a son of the late Captain Farishawe, R. N.,
was born in America, about the 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 j the recapture of Cal-
cutta ; and the taking of Chandernagor, 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 unwholesomeness of the
East India climate, Aug. 15, 1757. The East India Company, as a 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.

f On the death of Vice-Admiral Watson, his friend Pocock succeeded
to the command of the squadron in India, and three times defeated a su-
perior force under M. d'Ache*. When General Lally was brought pri-
soner to Eugland, after the reduction of Pondicherry, 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-
tive. When we first sailed out to give you battle, I had provided a num-
ber of musicians on board the Zodiac, intending to give the ladies a ball
upon our victory ; but you left me only three of my fiddlers alive, and
treated us all so roughly, that you quite spoiled us for dancing." Sir
George Pocock, as is well known, commanded the fleet employed in the
reduction of the Havannah. He died in Curzon Street, May Fair, April
3, 1792, in his 87th year.

VOL. IT. E

50 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

commission as Lieutenant bears date Sept. 11, in the latter
year.

The Tiger of 60 guns, into which ship Mr. Fanshawe had
been promoted, being found unserviceable, he returned to
England in a merchant- vessel ; and a few months after his
arrival, was made a Commander, by commission dated Aug.
23, 1762. Towards the close of that war he commanded
the Carcass bomb ; and subsequently, the Speedwell sloop
of war., in which he was employed, principally on the Ame-
rican station, for a period of three years. His advance-
ment to the rank of Post-Captain took place May 26, 1768,
one day previous to a grand promotion.

Early in 1769, 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 character as a brave,
skilful, and vigilant officer.

The Carysfort formed part of the squadron commanded
by Commodore Hotham at the reduction of New York, in
Sept. 1776 * ; and was afterwards employed in a variety of
active service under Lord Howe. From that frigate Captain
Fanshawe was removed into the Monmouth 64, which ship
greatly distinguished herself in the action between Byron
and d'Estaing, off Grenada, July 6, 1779? 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. 56.

f On the 13th April, 1778, at which period the junction of France added
strength and confidence to our revolted colonies, the Count d'Estaing sailed
from Toulon with ten ships of the line, one of 50 guns, five frigates, and a
corvette, destined for North America Although the sailing of this arma-
ment was made known to the British Government on the 27th of the same
month, no measures were taken to intercept it until the 5th June ; when
Vice-Admiral Byron, with twelve sail of the line and one frigate, was sent
in pursuit of the enemy. In consequence of a succession of heavy gales

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 51

Early in 1780, Captain Fanshawe removed into the Eg-
inont of 74 guns j 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 New
York ; from whence the Vice- Admiral proceeded to cruise off 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'Estaing 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-Admiral Byron was under the necessity of going to St. Chris-
topher's to collect them, and of proceeding to windward of the islands, for
their protection. On his 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 shipa to engage as they
came up with the enemy. At 7h 30' A. M., Rear-Admiral Barring ton, 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
them on the opposite tack, and were very much disabled. The action
ceased about noon, but was renewed at 2h P. M., and a random fire kept
up until the evening, when the hostile fleets had increased their distance
about three rnileti. The Lion and Monmouth sustained so much damage
that they were little better thun wrecks, and narrowly escaped being cut
off by the enemy. The former bore away for Jamaica, and the latter pro-
ceeded to Antigua to refit.- »»oiJiix » .

The loss sustained by the British fleet, which consisted of one 98-gun
ship and sixteen two-deckers, was 183 killed and 346 wounded; among the
latter was the gallant Barrington. The slaughter on board the French
ships, owing to the vast number of troops embarked, was prodigious.; the
lowest estimate states it at 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded.

JE 2

52 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

dreadful hurricane, 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 *; the
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 ; 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, he
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 April, 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 1783, and was afterwards

" See Vol. I, pp. 68, 105, et seq.

t Sir George B. Rodney formed a junction with Sir Samuel Hood, off
Antigua, Feb. 25, 1782; and on the 8th April following, whilst refitting
his fleet at St. Lucia, received intelligence that the enemy were coming out
of Port Royal Bay. Before day-light on the following morning, he came
up with the French fleet near the island of Dominica. A partial action en-
sued ; 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
Grasse, who was himself captured, with the Vllle de 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. 35, et seq.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 53

appointed 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-
tain 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.

L XT- • '1 'Vi »

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 Carys-
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
Durham, died in 1810. Elizabeth, married to F. Glanville,
Esq. Susan, married to Vice- Admiral Bedford. Catharine,
married to Sir T. Byam Martin, K. C. B., Comptroller of
the Navy. Cordelia, married Captain J. C. White, R. N.,

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 HAMOND, 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. ; 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*

'inaJV vtt)''oh

* A most interesting memoir of Sir Andrew Snape. Douglas appears in the

Naval Chronicle, Vol. 25, p. 363, et sea. The following is an extract
therefrom:

" On Sunday, Jane 4, 1797, after an agonizing' illness, which he bore
with a fortitude that exemplified.au unshaken confidence in bis God, died
in the 35th year of his age, Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, nephew of Sir
Andrew Snape Hamond, Bart. — He was late Captain of H. M. S. Queen
Charlotte, and Colonel of Marines. As an officer in his Majesty's navy,
few have ever equalled him ; and for activity and courage none faaW tmf-
passedhim. His career of glory was therefore brilliant, thougfc 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 1st of June.
Severely wounded on that day in the head, he scorned. .to feave his station

beyoud the moment that was necessary to stop ^he,flo\y of blood ;. but he

j i

exerted nature almost beyond her powers.

" On the victorious 23d June, 1795, when no ships were in a sitnation
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 1'Orient : and to his intrepidity and perseverance, England
stands chiefly indebted for the capture of three ships of the line.

' [TO >^}8 9il I

" 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.
1

* During Sir Apdrew'* painful illness, the mutiny in the fleet broke out.
See Vol. I. p. 548, et sea.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 55

He was bom at Greenwich in Dec. 173^ ; entered the na-
val service in 1J53 ; and was appointed a Lieutenant of the
Magnanime 74, at the particular request of her Captain, the
late Earl 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 H.otore,
in the Barfleur of 90 guns, be 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 family
and friends are now devoted ! Here, alas, words are useless. Draw then
the mournful veil, and ' LET EXPRESSIVE SILENCE MUSE HIS PRAISE'."

Sir Andrew Snape Douglas was distantly related to the Marquis
Douglas, and bore the same arms. — The regard which his 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 wqre pos-
sible for him to have a bust of Sir Andrew, his uncle carried one to the
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 to'ok it in his own hands,
and placed it over a book-case, where it ever afterwards -emained.

* The Magnanime formed part of Sir Edward Hawke's fleet, in the
action off Quiberon, Nov. 20, 1759, on which occasion the French lost sif
ships of the line : viz. le Formidable of 80 guns, captured; le Soleil Royale,
of the same force, bearing the flag of Admiral de Conflans, and 1'Heros 74,
driven on shore and burnt ; le These'e 74, and Superbe 70, iunk 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 Rear-Admiral de Verger, killed, must have
been considerable. On our side 50 were slain, and about 250 wounded.

56 RETIRKD 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 York, Com-
modore 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
Cornwallis. 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.; on 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-
big 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 Roebuck had 10 men,
including a Lieutenant, killed, and 18 wounded.

On the 23d July, 1777? Lord Howe sailed from Sandy

* The Thirteen United Provinces of America declared their independency
July 4, 1776.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 57

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 llth Sept. the Americans were de-
feated in a severe battle fought at Brandywine ; General
Washington fled to Philadelphia ; but fiitding that he could
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-fri/e, 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 secure 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 which prevented them from firing with
much effect ; 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

58 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

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 Pennsylvauia shore, and Red Bank on the

Jersey side, near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

•f In consequence of the badness of the weather, and the annoyance
which the boats employed to sound the channel sustained from the ene-
mies' gallics, 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 determined
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 CAPTAINS. 59

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
en._ "ked 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 Hampnd was
created a Baronet of Great Britain, as a ?eward 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 Meclway 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 ; 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 against 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 up 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. .HOT}
This success was followed by the surrender of Charlestown itself, about
the i 1th of the same month, when the Providence and Boston, American
frigates, Ranger of 20 guns, 1'Aventure, a French ship of 26 guns, a
polacre of 16, four armed gallies, and several other small vessels, fell into
the hands of the British, whose whole loss during the siege did not ex-
ceed 23 killed and 28 wounded.

GO RKTIRED CAPTAINS.

put out of commission, in the autumn of 1791, 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
February 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 1500J. per annum.

Our officer married Anne, daughter and heiress of Henry
Graeme, 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.

LJ guana.*

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 ^Etna 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, 17^9, when their late Majesties
reviewed a squadron under Commodore Goodall, at Ply-
mouth, Captain Hartwell commanded the Bellona of 74 guns,
and was presented to the King immediately after the sham-

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 61

fight which took place on that occasion *. He continued in
the Bellona during the Spanish and Russian armaments, but
was. paid off in the autumn of 1791. Towards the close of
the following year we find him fitting out the Thetis of 38
guns, at Deptford ; and at the commencement of the war
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 Sheerness. In the course of 1799 he removed
to Chatham Yard ; and soon after obtained a seat at the Navy
Board, where he continued to sit, as a Commissioner and
Deputy Comptroller, till the summer of 1814. He has ever
since lived in retirement.

Commissioner Hartwell received the honor of knighthood
on the occasion of his acting as proxy for Lord Keith, at an
installation of Knights of the Bath. He subsequently had
a much greater mark of royal favor conferred upon him, be-
ing raised to the dignity of Baronet of Great Britain, Octo-
ber 5, 1805.

Our officer married, first, May 12, 1781, Anna Charlotte
Maria, eldest daughter of John Elphinstone, Esq. Captain
R. N., Lieutenant-General, Vice-Admiral, and Commander-
in-Chief of the Russian fleet ; and by that lady, who died

* On the 18th August, 1789, his Majesty King George III. went on
board the Southampton frigate in Plymouth Sound, and proceeded to re-
view a squadron of ten 2-deckers, then in the offing, under the command
of Commodore Goodall. On the approach of the royal standard the
squadron formed into two separate lines of battle, that representing the
enemy commanded by Captain Macbride. After manoeuvring for some
time upon different tacks, in order to bring each other to action, the en-
gagement began with a most furious cannonade between the two com-
manders, and soon became general. In about a quarter of an hour both
fleets 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 his 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, and the King returned to Plymouth, highly pleased with his ex-
cursion, under a royal salute from the ships and forts.

02 RKmiKD CAPTAINS.

June 6, 1809, had five sons and 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 Francis Hartwell married, second, in 1812, Miss Al-
dridge, sister of John Aldridge, of New Lodge, co. Sussex,
Esq.

Residence. — Laleham, Middlesex.

JOHN N. INGLEFIELD, ESQ.

THIS officer attained the rank of Lieutenant ahout the year
1768 ; and served as such in the Courageux and the Robust
74's, 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 II, 1780;
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.

On 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 affair the Barfleur had 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, two 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, notwithstanding his inferiority, attempted to cut
them off; but having failed in this resolute enterprise, he was
obliged, from the bad condition of many of his ships, to bear
away for Antigua. On the 31st July following, he assumed
the chief command 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 America, in pur-
suit of M. de Grasse. He returned to Barbadoes with the

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 63

same officer, after the surrender of Earl Cornwallis to the
combined 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 signals between the fleet and the garrison of
Brimstone Hill, by means of personal communication with the
officer commanding there f.

The Centaur formed part of the red division of Sir George

* After the partial action off the Chesapeake, September 5, 1781,
which we have already noticed in our first volume, p. 133, the British
flee.t, commanded by the Rear- Admirals Graves, Hood, and Drake, re-
turned to Sandy Hook, and took on board 7000 troops under Sir Henry
Clinton, destined for the relief of Earl Cornwallis, who was closely in-
vested at York and Gloucester, by the French and rebel armies. On the
24th October 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 being without any hopes of
relief, had entered into a capitulation for the surrender of those important
posts on the 1 7th. By this unfortunate event 6000 British troops, and
1500 seamen, fell into the hands of the enemy.

t Sir Samuel Hood, after his return from America, remained in Carlisle
Bay, with his fleet moored in order of battle, in daily expectation of a visit
from the French, till January 14, 1782, when he received intelligence
that the Count de Grasse had relinquished his plan of attacking Barba-
does, and gone to St. Christopher's ; on his arrival at which island the
Marquis de Bouille was landed with 8000 troops, and the British garrison
consisting of only 600 men, under Brigadier-General Fraser, obliged to
retire into the fort at Brimstone Hill. The Rear-Admiral, notwithstanding
the superiority of the enemy, determined on a measure of unusual bold-
ness, for the preservation of that valuable island. Instead of waiting
their approach, 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 General Prescott
and the few troops that could be spared from Antigua, and proceeded
without loss of time to attack the enemy 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 Alfred's 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. Towards the evening of the same day
the Count de Grasse quitted his anchorage and put to sea, that his ships
might have full room to act, and thus secure the advantages of their su-
periority in point of number.

64 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

15. Kndney's fleet in the glorious battle of April 12, 1782, 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-light 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-battle ships, instantly perceived the great advantages to be derived from
this movement, and carried on every appearance of an immediate and de-
termined attack, which drove the enemy farther to leeward, whilst he
himself pushed for Basseterre, and anchored his fleet in line of battle
a-head, in Frigate Bay. The Count de Grasse, astonished at this excellent
manoeuvre, and apprehensive that all communication with the army might
be cut off, made a most furious attack upon the rear of the British fleet,
commanded by Commodore Affleck ; but that gallant officer made so
noble a defence, and was so ably supported by his seconds, the Hon. Wil-
liam Cornwallis in the Canada, and Lord Robert Manners in the Resolu-
tion, who kept up an incessant fire, covering the other ships 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 stem-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 violenc e
from van to rear, without making the least visible impression on it ; they
then wore and stood to sea. Sir Samuel Hood, having observed that the
rear of his fleet was too much exposed, took this 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 no one
part of the fleet could suffer 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 shot-holes; and according to information which Sir
Samuel Hood subsequently received from the shore, upwards of 1,000
wounded Frenchmen were sent to St. Eustatius. The loss sustained by
the British, in all the attacks, amounted to 72 killed, and 244 wounded.

On the 28th, part of the 13th regiment, and the whole of the 28th and
69th, 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, General Prescott took post upon a com-
manding hill. The following morning, the Marquis de Bouille arrived
with 4,000 troops from Sandy Point ; but finding the British General's po-
sition to be too strong to venture an attack, he proceeded to the siege of

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 65

pnny 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 1'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
leaks of the Caton, another of the prizes, and the Pallas fri-
gate, had so much increased, that the Rear-Admiral was
under 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-

Brimstone Hill. As no object could be gained by General Prescott re-
maining oa shore, he re-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
returned 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.

The enemy prosecuted the siege with unabating vigour till the 13th
Feb., when a practicable breach was made in the works, and Brigadier-
General Fraser and the Governor, having given up all hope of succour,
reluctantly consented 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 dan-
gerous, not only from the vast superiority of the enemy's fleet, but that
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 1 1 P. M., the stern-
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-piece . 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-
noeuvre. The British fleet anchored at Antigua on the 19th, and a few days
after was joined by Sir George B. Rodney, with a reinforcement from,
England.

VOL. n. r

66 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

tress ; some of the ships of war had lost their masts, and were
otherwise much disabled ; many of the convoy had not only
suffered similar disasters, but had actually foundered ; and the
sea was covered with wrecks. Numbers of miserable wretches
of both sexes were seen, either lashed or clinging to 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 ropes thrown
from the ships as they approached them. When the squall
came on, the Ramillies 74 had her main-sail set, and in this
situation was taken aback. Before the clue-garnets could be
manned the main-mast went over the side, carrying with it
the mizen-mast, fore-top-mast, and fore-yard. The tiller
broke in the rudder head ; and in a short time, from the
chain pumps being choaked, 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 21st the leak had gained so consi-
derably that Rear-Admiral Graves began to despair of saving
her. Fortunately the gale abated sufficiently 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 Centaur was still more deplo-
rable. The squall had laid her so much on her beam ends,
that the water burst 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 every 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 clothes to put on in
the morning, nor receive any assistance from those who
were upon deck, they themselves having no other but what
they had on.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 67

The unshaken fortitude of the crew, under every difficulty,
and with scarcely the possibility of escape remaining, — while
it heightens the merit of the sufferers, only serves to render
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 was
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 was left to her fate. Some of the bravest
seamen, who had hitherto persevered in their sufferings and
labour, without a murmur or any expression of fear, geeing
that all was over, and being suddenly struck with a melan-
choly and tender recollection of their country, 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 lashing them-
selves to gratings and email 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. Although rafts were made, and the boats put into
the water, the bulk 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 *. Tb.e sea 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-
bert Baylis, a Midshipman, only, 15 years of age, jumped

* Mr. Renny was afterwards made a Lieutenant, and appointed to the
command of a cutter, which foundered on her passage to Gibraltar with
despatches, and all on board perished.

F 2

68 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 morning 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. Captain 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 amuse each other by relating a story, or singing a song, in
turn.

On the 16th 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'i,
Newfoundland, Sept. 1.., 1799.

RETIRED CAPfAINS. 69

jFayal, where they met with every humane attention, and
from whence they soon after proceeded to England *.

On the 25th Jan. 1783, 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. 1789.
He afterwards made three successive voyages to the same
station, in the Medusa of 50 guns.

The Medusa, coming up Channel in Sept. 1792, passed the
frigate in which our late venerable monarch was making his
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
addition to Captain Inglefield, 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 :

c Rear- Admiral T. Graves,-) Abandoned after

Ramillies .... 74 .... i /-, > . .

< Captain b. Monarty. / being set on fire.

* Ville de 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 hermizen-maat.

Centaur .... 74 „ J. N. Inglefield. Foundered, only 1 1

of her crew preserved.

* Hector 74 J. Bouchier. Foundered, crew saved

by a letter of marque.

f Jason 64 John Aylmer. Arrived in England.

t Caton 64 T. Fisher. Arrived at Halifax.

* Ardent 64 R. Lucas. Returned to Jamaica.

Pallas 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.
f Taken by Sir Samuel Hood, in the Mona Passage, April 19, 1782.

70 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

age, and on the following morning was received by the King
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 1'Aigle frigate, in which 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 1/94, our officer 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 1811, 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,
Samuel Hood Inglefield, obtained post rank in 1807 ', 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.

Late 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.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 71

On the ICth July, 1781, the Vulture, in company with
the Charles town of 28 guns, and Allegiance sloop, fell in
with and was attacked by two large French frigates, 1'Astree
of 40 guns, and 1'Hermione 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. The Vulture had 1 man 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
Tbisbe 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 Commissioner 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.

HON. MATTHEW FORTESCUE.

THE Fortescues are an ancient Devonshire family. Sir
Henry Fortescue was Lord Chief Justice of the Common
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 Angliee."

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. Pern-

^2 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

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 officer was a descendant from Ralph Milbanke, cup-
bearer to Mary, Queen of Scots, whose great-grandson was^
created a Baronet of Great Britain 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 Commissioner of tht

Victualling, 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 ; 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 riaval 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 See Nar. Cliren. Vol. 32, p. 265, et se^

RETIRED CAPTAIMS.

fnent to be Governor of Plymouth Hospital, July 15, 1/95 *.
He has a son in holy orders, married to Sarah, daughter
of the late Colonel Hotham, of York.

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.

commission dated January 16, 1783.
Bankers. — Coutts and Co.

SAMUEL ARDEN, ESQ.

Senior Captain of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, and a Director of the

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
American1 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.

MATTHEW 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
J795, Governors were appointed to each. To those at Has lar and Ply-
mouth, a Post-Captain, with a salary of 5(K)/., and 751. for house, coals,
and candles ; three Lieutenants under them, whose salaries were fixed at
130/. per annum. By a recent regulation, the office of Governor has
merged in that of a Resident Commissioner of the Victualling, in whom
are united the superintendance of the victualling department of the nary,
and the control of the hospital.

t See Vol. I. p. 173.

74 RETIRED 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 with 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 first official accounts reached India of
the war between Great Britain and Holland, a report of which had some
time before caused preparations to be made for that event. On the 1st of
Aug. a squadron consisting of the Suffolk 74, bearing the broad pendant of
Commodore Rainier, Centurion and Diomede 50's, 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 effeet, that by the 26tb, a practi-

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 75

The report made 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 1/98, 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-Yard at Chatham.

THIS officer was born in 1755, and entered the royal navy
as a Midshipman on board the ^Eolus 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 1776, the ^Eolus sailed for the West Indies, on which
station Mr. Cunningham joined the Bristol of 50 guns, bear-
ing the flag of Vice- Admiral Sir Peter Parker, by whom he

cable breach was made. A summons 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 marines were also landed, under the command of Captain Smith,
for the purpose of assisting to storm the fort, 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
hill, and garrisoned by 400 Europeans, was next summoned, 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.

76 Klh-JRED CAPTAINS.

was 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
Hinchinbroke, 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 1782, Mr.
Cunningham was then appointed second Lieutenant of the
Ajax 74. On the 4th Sept. following, he obtained the com-
mand of the Admiral Harrington, a brig of 14 guns j and was
soon after sent by Sir Joshua Rowley, with the Racehorse
schooner 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. Domingo. During his temporary absence, for the
purpose of obtaining supplies at Jamaica, the French effected
a landing and took possession of the island ; which circum-
stance being communicated to Captain Nelson, who had ar-
rived off there with a small squadron the day after Lieutenant
Cunningham'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 Harrington at-
tacked a battery of three 24-pounders ; but finding the enemy
entrenched, and far superior in numbers, the enterprise was
abandoned, and the party re-embarked. In this affair the
brigs had several men wounded *.

The Admiral Harrington was paid off at Jamaica, May 11,
1783 ; and, we believe, Lieutenant Cunningham was subse-
quently appointed to the Tremendous of 74 guns. In 1788,
he joined the Crown 64, bearing the broad pendant of Com-
modore Cornwallis, by whom he was made a Commander
into the Ariel sloop of war on the East India station in 1790.

At the commencement of the French revolutionary war,
Captain Cunningham, then commanding the Speedy of 14
guns, sailed from England with despatches for the Mediter-
ranean ; and on the arrival of the fleet under Lord Hood at
Gibraltar, 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. Cunningham's commission as a Lieutenant was not confirmed
till his appointment to the Admiral Barrington.

RETIRED CAPTAI1W. 77

a well, and forwarding any intelligence that might arrive, to
his Lordship.

In June 1793, the Speedy conveyed M. Calonne, ex-Mi-
nister of France, from Gibraltar to Naples, on a political visit ;
and after performing that service joined Lord Hood at Toulon.
She was subsequently employed in keeping up a communica-
tion between the Admiral and our Envoy at Genoa, the ten-
ders hitherto sent on that 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 Speedy accompanied
the Bedford and Captain, 74's, 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 Especia, 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 was ap-
pointed by a post commission, dated on the day of her cap-
ture *, and afterwards confirmed by the Admiralty.

In April 1794, Captain Cunningham exchanged ships with
Captain Wolseley of the Lowestoffe, 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 with infinite diligence, zeal,
and perseverance, under many difficulties, for three months past, off Calvi,
is charged with my despatches, and is competent to give any information
their lordships may wish to have. I beg to recommend him as an officer
of great merit, and highly deserving any favor that can be shewn him."

Captain Cunningham's journey across the continent appears
to have been a very rapid one, he having left Calvi on the
llth 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 Helvoetsluys, occasioned by a heavy gale
of wind, arrived in London on the 1st of the ensuing month.

His next appointment was in April, 1796, to the Clyde of
46 guns (rated at 38) and 261 men. During the remainder
of that year we find him actively employed in the North Sea,
* Oct. 12, 1793. f See Vol. I. p. 252.

78 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

and on the coast of France, having occasionally a small squa-
dron of frigates under his orders.

In May, 1797? when a most dangerous mutiny broke 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 effected in the following manner : —

On the 29th May, seventeen days after the first symptoms
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 Sheerness harbour in the
course of that night j intimating likewise that the St. Fiorenzo
frigate would make her escape at the same tune. Soon after
mid-night the cables were slipped, and by sun-rise on the
morning of the 30th, the Clyde was safely anchored in the
harbour, thus giving the first blow to a most diabolical con-
spiracy, which, while it lasted, was terrifying to the whole
country, and, but for the promptitude and activity displayed
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 Elsincur, for the purpose of con-
voying home a rich fleet of merchantmen, which, owing to
the late unhappy events, had been detained in the Sound.

* Captains Cunningham and Neale were the only officers of their rank
who remained on board, and had any influence over their ships' companies.
See Vol. I. p. 434. The notorious Parker once went on board the Clyde,
and endeavoured to prevail on her crew to take her up against Tilbury
fort ; but this Captain Cunningham had the address to prevent.

Errata, p. 79, line 10 from the bottom, for shots read shut ; p. 80, line
14 from the top, for at one of the theatres read at the ff^ey mouth theatre.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 79

Previous to his sailing he received the following letter of
thanks from the merchants, &c., &c., of London : —

" London Marine Society's Office, June 8, 1779-

" Sir. — I have the honour to convey the unanimous thanks of a very
numerous and respectable meeting of merchants, ship-ewners, insurers,
and others, held on the Royal Exchange of London, to you, as commander,
and to the officers and crew of H. M. S. the Clyde, for their spirited con-
duct in carrying your ship through the mutinous fleet.

" I beg you will accept of these thanks, and that you will also convey
the same in such manner as may be most acceptable.

" It is with great satisfaction that, as chairman of so respectable a meet-
ing, I have been directed to transmit the above resolution. I' have the
honour to be, &c. &c. &c.

(Signed) " HUGH INGLIS, Chairman.
" To Captain Cunning-ham,

ff. M. S. Clyde, Sheerness."

During the ensuing season, Captain Cunningham had the
honor of being placed in attendance upon his late Majesty at
Weymouth, from whence he was sent to join the Channel
fleet j but with the exception of his being for a length of
time employed in the fatiguing duty of watching Brest har-
bour, we find nothing particularly worthy of record until
Aug. 20, 1799j on which day, being off the Cordovan light-
house, our officer discovered two sail in the S. W., to which
he immediately gave chase, and soon perceived that they
were standing towards him, which they continued to do
till the Clyde had approached within two miles of them,
when they bore up and made sail, going large on different
tacks. Captain Cunningham pursued the largest, and soon
brought her to close action, which was maintained on both
sides with great spirit for nearly two hours ; when the enemy's
ship being totally unmanageable, with several shots between
wind and water, was obliged to strike, and proved to be La
Vestale of 36 guns and 235 men, of whom 10 were killed
and 22 wounded. Her consort, the Sagesse, of 28 guns and
175 men, availing herself of the vicinity of the Garonne, and
the start she had obtained of the Clyde, succeeded in effect-
ing her escape. The British frigate had only 2 men slain and
3 wounded.

The following is a copy of Lord Keith's letter to the Ad-
miralty on this occasion, but which was not published, in con-

80 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

sequence of Captain Cunningham's duplicate account of the
action having reached the Board before that forwarded by
his Lordship : —

" Queen Charlotte, Torbay, Aug. 29, 1799.

" Sir. — I have the honor to enclose for their Lordships' information, a
letter from Captain Cunningham, of H. M. S. Clyde, containing an ac-
count-of one of the most brilliant transactions which have occurred during
the course of the war ; he having with great gallantry pursued two French
frigates ; one of which he has captured, and driven the other into port. I
have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c.

(Signed) " KEITH.

" To Evan Nepean, Esq."

His late Majesty was at one of the theatres when an ac-
count of the above event was brought to him. He immedi-
ately stood up in his box, and commanded the news to be
communicated to the audience; when " Rule Britannia" was
loudly called for from every part of the house, and performed
with reiterated applause.

During the summer of 1800, the Clyde was employed con-
veying a Mr. Serres along the French and Spanish coasts, to
take drawings of all the headlands, harbours, &c. between
Brest and Corunna. That service being performed, she again
joined the Channel fleet, then under the orders of Earl St.
Vincent.

In May, 1801, Captain Cunningham received secret orders
from the Admiralty to assume the command of a strong
squadron of frigates, sloops, gun-brigs, cutters, &c. stationed
from Havre de Grace to the Isle of Bas, for the protection of
Guernsey, Jersey, and the adjacent islands, which were at
that time threatened with invasion.

Shortly after this appointment, the Jason frigate, forming part
of his squadron, was wrecked off St. Maloes ; upon learning
whichjCaptain Cunningham sent in a flag of truce, and succeeded
in obtaining the governor's permission for her commander, the
Hon. I. Murray, his officers and crew, to be exchanged; which
was granted on condition that they should be sent to Portsmouth
in French cartels. Finding that the enemy were preparing
to raise the Jason, he directed Lieutenant Mounsey to pro-
ceed with the boats of the squadron and attempt her destruc-
tion by fire ; which was effectually performed in the presence

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 81

of two large frigates, a corvette, and several gun-boats, ap-
parently ready for sea. Upon his return to port, Captain
Cunningham had the satisfaction of receiving the approbation
of the Admiralty for his judicious conduct. Peace soon after
taking place, he paid off the Clyde at the Great Nore, June
24, 1 802, after commanding her with great credit and good
fortune for a period of six years and two months *.

In May 1803, hostilities having re-commenced, Captain
Cunningham commissioned the Prince of Orange, a third
rate, and soon after assumed the command of a squadron sent
to watch the Dutch fleet in the Texel, on which service
he continued until relieved by Sir W. Sidney Smith, in the
Antelope. He was subsequently appointed to the Leopard
of 50 guns, intended for a particular service; but we believe
he did not go to sea in that ship.

The Hon. Captain Rodney having resigned his seat as a
Commissioner of the Victualling Board, in Sept. 1803, our
officer, without any solicitation on his part, was appointed
thereto by the Earl of St. Vincent, at whose recommendation
he was removed, in 1806, to be Resident Commissioner of his
Majesty's Dock-yards at Deptford and Woolwich. Previous
to this latter appointment, he was sent to Falmouth for the
purpose of forming a watering-place for the shipping at that
port. He remained on the spot until the present reservoir at
Milor was excavated and completed.

The establishments at Deptford and Woolwich having been
reduced about April, 1823, Commissioner Cunningham was
at that period appointed to the superintendance of Chatham
Dock-yard.

He has been twice married ; 1st, to the daughter of a cler-
gyman in Norfolk, where he possesses some paternal property ;
and, 2d, to a daughter of Commissioner Charles Probyf.

* Among the numerous privateers captured by Captain Cunningham,
was la Dorade of 12 guns, pierced for 18, and 93 men. This vessel, after
taking out the prisoners, was entrusted to the care of the Master, who, as
is supposed, being emulous to outsail the Clyde, carried too great a press
of sail, by which she was upset, and all on board, with the exception of
four men, perished. The unhappy sufferers, including the Master, were
24 in number.

t Commissioner Proby was descended from Sir Peter Proby, Knt., Lord
Mayor of London in 1622, ancestor of the present Earl of Carysfort. He

VOL. II. G

RETIRED CAPTAINS.

His eldest son, a Midshipman in the royal navy, died Nor.
11, 1822, aged 20 years.

HON. SIR GEORGE GREY, BART.

Knight Commander of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath ;
Resident Commissioner of Portsmouth Dock-Yard ; Marshal of the Vice-
Admiralty Court at Barbadots ; an Alderman of Portsmouth ; a Vice-
President of the Naval and Military Bible Society, fyc. fyc. fyc.
THIS officer is the fourth son of the late Earl Grey, K. B.,
a General in the army, Colonel of the 3d regiment of dra-
goons, and Governor of Guernsey, by Elizabeth, daughter of
George Grey, of Southwick, co. Durham, Esq. *

He was born Oct. 10, 1767 5 and at the commencement of

was a Midshipman on board the Centurion, and the first person who
discovered the rich Acapulco ship, captured by Commodore Anson in the
Southern Ocean. In 1757. he commanded the Medway of 60 guns, under
the orders of Sir Edward Hawke, in the expedition against Rochefort. On
the 17th Jnly, 1761, when Captain of the Thunderer 74, he captured, after
a severe and gallant action, 1'Achille of 64 guns 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 with his broad pendant on board the Pembroke, as Commander-
in-Ohief oa the Mediterranean station. In 1771, he was made Comp-
troller of the Victualling Board ; and, before the year elapsed, ap-
pointed Commissioner at Chatham, where he died in 1799, aged 74 years.
He was remarkable for his charitable disposition ; and among other dona-
tions, he allowed 50/. 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 Werke, by
James I., and 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 ; ami on the
plains of Abraham, as aid-de-camp to the immortal Wolfe. He next com-
manded a body of troops during the colonial war; and in 1793, was ap-
pointed to command the army sent against the French West India colonies.
He was born Oct. 23, 1729; created Baron Grey de Howick, June 23,
1801; Viscount Howick and Earl Grey, April 1, 1806. His Lordship
died Nov. 14, 1807; and was succeeded by his eldest surviving son,
Charles, the present peer.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 83

the war with France, in 1J93, we find him serving as a Lieu-
tenant on board the Quebec of 32 guns ; from which ship he
was promoted to the command of the Vesuvius bomb ; and
on the 1st Nov. in the same year, he obtained post rank iu
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 commanded a de-
tachment of 500 seamen and marines, landed to co-operate
with the army.

At 11 A. M. on the 1st May, 1/95, 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 flames 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 lh 30' P. M. she burnt from her cables, and drifted
slowly to the eastward, till she struck on the Spit opposite
Southsea castle, where she continued to burn until near 6
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 assistance 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 to
the funnel of the ward-room stove being overheated, and
setting fire to some combustible matter in the Admiral's
cabin j but the evidence given by Lieutenant, now Rear- Ad-
miral, Winthrop, who was the commanding officer at the
time, completely contradicts 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 Vol. I. pp. 19, 710 tt seq., and 840 et *eq.
e 2

84 flETIRED CAPTAINS.

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 stern to the wind, which no doubt
greatly accelerated the progress of the fire towards her fore-
castle *.

Captain Grey subsequently commanded the Glory, another
ship of 98 guns, forming part of the Channel fleet. In the
following 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 officer 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 f, on
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-General 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, announcing his intention
of resigning the command to Lord Keith, mentions this cir-
cumstance, and adds, " In the state I am in, Captain Grey
is essentially necessary to my comfort, and I hope your
Lordship will approve of his accompanying me"

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 lived some years upon a comfortable annuity at a
small village in Staffordshire, died in 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 teq.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 85

March, 1801. He was soon after appointed to one of the
yachts in attendance on the royal family at Weymouth, 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, 1795, 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.

ROBERT GAMBIER MIDDLETON, ESQ.

One of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy.

THE name of Middleton is derived from the lands of Mid-
dletoun, in Kincardineshire, of which this family were in pos-
session for nearly four centuries and a half.

The subject of this memoir is a son of the late George
Middleton, Esq., brother of Admiral Lord Barham, and Col-
lector of the Customs at 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 evacuation of Toulon, in 1793 *.

* In the list of officers employed in the service of burning the French
ships and arsenal at Toulon, we find a Lieutenant Middleton of the Bri-
tannia. Unfortunately for the Compiler, in this, as in numerous other
instances which he has met with, the Christian names of officers were not
considered necessary to be mentioned by the writer of the official despatch :
an omission greatly to be deplored, as we know that the meritorious
actions of some individuals are occasionally, though unintentionally, as-
signed to others, in consequence thereof. Commanding 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 be found no less than 39 Lieute-

96 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

He obtained the rank of Post-Captain, Aug. 11, 1794 ; soon
after which he had an opportunity of distinguishing himself
as a brave officer.

In the month of June, 1/95, he commanded the Lowestoffe,
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 TArt£-
mise of 38 guns and 2/5 men. After some manoeuvring,
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
came 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 Commander-in-Chief, 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."

nants bearing the name of SMITH ; and, of those, DO 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'Artemise was destroyed in Aboukir Bay, Aug. 1, 1798.
t Captain Towry \va* afterwards appointed to the Diadem of 64 guns,

KET1RED CAPTAINS. 87

We are not aware of the exact loss sustained by the ene-
my, but that of the British was not so great as might have
been expected ; the Dido had 6 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 Middletoii 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, 179G, 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, 1797j soon after the battle off Cape St, Vincent,
Vice- Admiral Waldegrave 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, 1798, Captain Middleton pursued a
French brig, which he compelled to seek shelter in the har-
bour of Cerigo, an island near the Morea ; and there not being
sufficient water for his frigate to follow her, he despatched

and commanded that ship in the glorious battle with the Spanish fleet off
Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797- At the time of his death, which took
place April 9, 1809, he was Deputy Chairman of the Victualling, 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 1'Incroyable, a French priraUer, of 24 guns and 220 men.

88 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

the boats to cut her out ; which service they effected in a
most gallant manner, bringing her off in triumph, notwith-
standing 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 1'Intrepide,
of 20 guns and 160 men ; 1'Aventure, 14 guns, 132 men j
N. S. del Carmen, 2 guns, 21 men; 1'Aurore, 8 guns, 33
men ; la Legere, 14 guns, 60 men ; the Rhuiter, 14 guns,
104 men ; Comnesa, 16 guns, 90 men j 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-r
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.

* Lieutenant W. Russel, who commanded the boats on this occasion,
di«d Captain of th« Cerei frigate in 1801, aged 35.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 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.

THE 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 Lord Hood?
Vice- Admiral Hotham, Rear- Admiral Go wer, 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 declared, " 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
used at sea." This sweeping clause applies to the punishment of those
offences which were not foreseen by the senate at the time of legislation,
and which could not therefore be specifically provided against ; and, in
order that justice may not be retarded in its course, nor offences pass with
impunity, the old standing customs and usage of the service are directed
to be resorted to, in like manner as the unwritten law is made auxiliary to
the statute.

90 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

towards Mr. Leonard, the plaintiff in the above action, had been
such as to render it necessary for a court-martial to be granted,
according to the wishes of the complainant. Their report
stated that there was no just ground for a court-martial to try
Lieutenant Shield on the charges of tyranny and oppression,
alleged against him by Mr. Leonard ; but on the contrary, it
appeared from the testimony of all the Master's-Mates and
Midshipmen on board the Saturn, that the general tenor of
Lieutenant Shield's conduct had been the very reverse of ty-
rannical and oppressive ; and moreover, that the circum-
stances of the alleged tyranny and oppression originated from
Mr. Leonard's having neglected his duty, in the first in-
stance, and disobeyed the orders of his commanding officer,
subsequent thereto, in a contemptuous and seditious manner.

During this investigation, the court discovered that a com-
bination of the Mates and Midshipmen of the London and
Edgar had been formed on board these ships ; and in con-
sequence thereof, letters of a seditious nature written to
and circulated among the Midshipmen of the other ships of
the squadron, — all tending to the hindrance of the public ser-
vice, and to the subversion of good order and discipline in the
fleet. And it appearing to the court that Mr. Edward Moore,
a Midshipman belonging to the London, had been principally
concerned in those meetings, &c., they directed the said gen-
tleman to be confined, and submitted to the Admiralty the
necessity of his being tried for the same ; adding at the
same time their opinion, that the discipline and good order
of the fleet would be at an end, were such combinations to
pass* without the most exemplary punishment. Mr. Moore
was in consequence tried by a court-martial ; and the charge
preferred against him being in part proved, he was sentenced
to be imprisoned for the space of one calendar month in the
prison of the Marshalsea, and to be severely reprimanded,
and admonished to be more circumspect in future.

At the commencement of the French revolutionary war,
the Saturn was ordered to the Mediterranean, on which sta-
tion Lieutenant Shield was promoted to the rank of Com-
mander, in la Sincere of 20 guns, one of the Toulon prizes.
He subsequently commanded the Berwick 74, and Windsor
Castle, a second rate, the latter bearing the flag of Rear-

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 91

Admiral Linzee, under whom he had before served in the
Saturn. His post commission bears date Oct. 7- 1794.

Some time in the course of that year, a most alarming
mutiny broke out on board the latter ship, in St. Fiorenzo
Bay. The reason assigned by the mutineers, was a dislike to
their Admiral, Captain, first Lieutenant, and Boatswain, all
of whom they declared should be changed before they would
return to their duty. Captain Shield demanded a court-
martial on his conduct ; but there not appearing any thing
to criminate him in the least, he was acquitted ; notwith-
standing which. Admiral Hotham, the Commander-in-Chief,
to satisfy the refractory crew, sent another Captain, Lieute-
nant, and Boatswain, to the Windsor Castle ; and strange to
relate, the mutineers also received a pardon.

In the following year, Captain Shield obtained the com-
mand of the Audacious of 74 guns, and was present in that
ship at the destruction of 1'Alcide, a French 74, off Frejus,
July 13, 1795 *. A few days after that event he was ap-
pointed to the Southampton frigate, and employed under the
orders of Commodore Nelson, harrassing the enemy's coasting
trade on the western shores of the Gulf of Genoa, and in
co-operation with the Austrian army encamped at Savona.

Our officer's next appointment was to 1'Unite, another
frigate, stationed in the North Sea, the command of which he
resigned on her being ordered to the West Indies, in 1799 ;
and from that period we lose^ sight of him until the summer
of 1805, when he commanded the Illustrious of 74 guns, on
the coast of Spain. His subsequent appointments were as
follow : To be Commissioner at Malta, about May, 1807 ; —
In the following year, to superintend the payment of ships
afloat at Portsmouth ; — From thence to be Commissioner at
the Cape of Good Hope, where he remained about four
years, and then succeeded the late Captain Schomberg at the
Navy Board ; — In the summer of 1814, to be Deputy Comp-
troller of the Navy; and, finally, at the latter end of 1815,
Resident Commissioner at Plymouth f.

• See Vol. I. note at p. 264.

f Plymouth dock-yard was first established in 1691; previous to whidk
year the master shipwright and artificers were borne on board one of the
King's ships, fitted for their reception. Woolwich (called by Camden

92 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

WILLIAM BROWELL, ESQ.

Lieutenant-Governor, and a Director, of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich;

and a Trustee of the Naval Charitable Society *.
THIS officer obtained post rank Nov. 29, 1794 ; and com-
manded the Sans Pareil of 80 guns, bearing the flag of Lord
Hugh Seymour, in the action off 1'Orient, June 23, 1J95 f-
He was appointed a Captain of Greenwich Hospital in 1805,
and became Lieutenant -Governor of that establishment early
in 1809. Mrs. Browell, who was a daughter of Rear- Admiral
Faulknor, died Sept. 20, in the same year J.

the mother dock), Deptford, and Portsmouth yards, were founded in lire
reign of Henry VIII. In 1650, there was no mast-house or dry dock at
the latter, and the Commissioner resided within the garrison walls ; the
first house built for that officer was begun in 1664, and finished in 1666.
The first yard established at Chatham stood where the gun-wharf now is ;
but it being too confined a spot, and having only one small dock, was re-
moved about the year 1622, to its present situation. The fort at Sheerness
was built by Charles II. whom we must therefore consider as the founder
of the yard at that place.

* See Vol. I., note • at p. 56. f See Vol. I. p. 246.

J The Royal Hospital at Greenwich, which now stands a proud and
admirable monument of national gratitude, may be said to have originated
in private benevolence, and affection for the service, to the reception of
whose honorable and meritorious veterans it is appropriated.

Those great commanders Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, laid
the foundation of this most excellent institution, in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth (anno 1587). They also assisted in the creation of that noble
fund, the Chest at Chatham, of which mention has already been made in
our 1st Vol. p. 93.

In the year 1694, the establishment at Greenwich first assumed a regular
form. King William and Queen Mary granted the royal palace at that
place, to be converted into an hospitaljfor the reception of decayed seamen ;
and also a sum for extending the building. In 1699, an Act of Parliament
directed that sixpence per month should be deducted from the wages of all
seamen, both in the royal navy and in the merchants' service, for its sup-
port ; and on the 1st Dec. 1704, a Lieu tenant-Governor and other officers
were appointed, previous to the admission of the pensioners. The first
mention we find of the appointment of a First Master and Governor, is in
the year 1708.

In 1/35, the funds of Greenwich Hospital were considerably augmented
by the appropriation of the rents of the attainted Earl of Derwentwater
and Charles Ratcliff, which by Act of Parliament were directed to be ap-
plied, first, to the completion and beautifying of the building; after
which, to the support and maintenance of its inmates. In 1744, all un-
claimed shares of prize-money, at the expiration of three years, were or-

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 93

CHARLES PATTON, ESQ.

THIS officer was a Commander in 1/81 ; obtained the rank
of Post-Captain, May 30, 1795 ; and during the whole of the
late war superintended the transport service at Portsmouth.
He is the author of " An Attempt to establish the Basis of
Freedom on simple and unerring Principles," 8vo. published
in 1793; and of " The Effects of Property upon Society and
Government;" to which is added by his brother, the late
Admiral Philip Patton, " An Historical Review of the Mo-
narchy and Republic of Rome." 8vo. 17^7 *•

Residence. — Fareham, Hants.

WILLIAM EDGE, ESQ.

A Captain of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich.
, THIS officer was made a Commander into the Alert, a
French brig taken at Toulon, and fitted by the British as a
fire- vessel. At the evacuation of that place by the allied
forces, the important service of covering the retreat of Sir
W. Sidney Smith's party was confided to Captain Edge, who
brought off every man of the different guards and detached
parties f.

The Alert being destroyed on this occasion, Captain Edge
was after waads appointed to the Vulcan fire-ship ; and on
his return to England, removed into the Prince George of
98 guns, in which vessel he was present at the discomfiture
of the French fleet, off 1'Orient, June 23, 1795 J. On the

dered to be paid into the Royal Hospital. The following notice appeared
in the London Gazette of Feb. 9, 1802 : " A gentleman who will not per-
mit his name to be known, having by a confidential friend sent to Lord
Hood, Governor of Greenwich Hospital, the amount of the sale of 10,000/.
in the 3 per cent consols, for the use and benefit of the said hospital ; the
Governors and Directors take this method of returning their most grateful
thanks for the very generous gift. This truly benevolent gentleman has
also given the like sum to the Chest at Chatham."

* Admiral P. Patton died near Farekaiu, Hants, Dec. 31, 1815, aged
76 years. He was an officer highly esteemed and justly respected by all
who knew him. His last employment afloat was as Commander-in-Chief
in the Downs ; and when Lord Durham 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. I. p. 294. J See Vol. I. p. 246.^

94 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

29th of the same month, he obtained the rank of Post-
Captain ; from which period we lose sight of him until the
establishment of Sea Fencibles in the spring of 1798,, when
he was appointed to the command of the district between
Harwich and Yarmouth, having his residence at South wold.
Early in 1809, he succeeded the present Lientenant-Governor
of Greenwich Hospital, as one of the Captains of that esta-
blishment; and .continuing to hold that appointment, was
passed over in the general promotion that took place on the
4th June, 1814.

JAMES BOWEN, ESQ.

One of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy.
THIS officer, a native of Ilfracombe, co. Devon, is descend-
ed from the ancient and respectable family of the Bowens, of
Court House, in the seignory of Gower, in Glamorganshire.

• About the year 1776, we find him commanding a merchant
ship employed in the African, Canada, 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 as 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. 6, 1781 f-

SoWe time after this event, Mr. Bowen went into the
Texel in a Dutch fishing boat, closely reconnoitred the ene-

* Captain Richard Bowen commanded the Terpsichore frigate, and fell
covered with wounds at the attack upon Santa Cruz, in the island of Te-
ueriffe, July 24th, 1797- (See Vol. I. note f, at p. 391.) He had landed
at the Mole head, with about fifty of his crew, stormed the battery, spiked
the guns, and was proceeding towards the town, in pursuit of the fugitive
Spaniards, when a tremendous discharge of grape, from some field pieces
in his front, brought him to the ground, with his first Lieutenant, and
many brave followers, at the moment that Nelson received the wound
which caused him the loss of an arm.

Commissioner Bowen had two other brothers in the naval service :
George, a Post-Captain, died at Torquay, Oct. 31st, 1817; and Thomas,
who fell a sacrifice to the climate of the West Indies, when serving as a
Midshipman on promotion, in the Cumberland, Captain Macbride, during
the armament of 1 790.

t See Vol. I. note §, at p. 175.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 96

my's ships lying at that anchorage, and made an accurate
report of their condition to the Admiralty. The Dutch
squadron shortly after attempted to come out; but upon the
Artois making a signal to the British ships in the offing, and
the latter anchoring in the Land Deep, the enemy put back in
such confusion, that a 74 grounded on the Haak Sands, where
she was completely wrecked.

On the 3d Dec. in the same year, the Artois fell in with,
and, after a smart action, captured the Hercules and Mars,
two beautiful privateers belonging to Amsterdam, mounting
24 nine-pounders and 10 cohorns each ; the former having a
complement of 164 men, the latter 146. The Artois, on this
occasion, had 1 man killed and 6 wounded ; the enemy sus-
tained a loss of 22 killed and 35 wounded. These vessels
had been cruising off Flamborough Head, to intercept a fleet
of English merchantmen coming from the Baltic, of which
Mr. Bowen was fortunate enough to obtain information while
watching the Texel in a tender belonging to the Artois.

Early in 1782, the Artois was ordered into the Channel ;
and, in the month of April, she formed part of the fleet which
was sent out under Admiral Harrington, for the purpose of
intercepting a French squadron, then about to sail from Brest
for the East Indies. On the 20th of that month, being a-head
on the look out, she 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, TAction-
naire, a 64 armed en flute, and twelve transports, laden with
provisions and ammunition, and having on board a consider-
able number of troops *, were captured.

Mr. Bowen continued in the Artois until the peace of 1783,
when he removed with Captain Macbride into the Druid fri-
gate, on the Irish station. In 1787? we find him serving
under the same officer in the Cumberland of 74 guns, sta-
tioned as a guard-ship at Plymouth, where he remained till
1789, when he was appointed Inspecting Agent of Transports
in the river Thames.

At the commencement of the French revolutionary war,
Mr. Bowen, at the particular request of Earl Howe, joined the

* The Pegase was taken by Sir John Jervis, in the Foudroyant. See
Vol. I. p. 15 et «<v/. Fire of the transports were captured by the Artois.

96 » RETIRED CAPTAINS.

Queen Charlotte, a first-rate, bearing that nobleman's flag.
The professional skill and steady conduct displayed by him
during the arduous conflict of June 1, 1794, secured the
veteran Admiral's lasting esteem, and obtained for him the
rank of Lieutenant ; by which the door was opened for his
future advancement in the navy: whilst the different Captains,
at the suggestion of his Lordship, and to evince their high
opinion of Mr. Bowen, appointed him their agent for the
prizes taken on that memorable day *.

Our officer's first commission was for the Queen Charlotte, of
which ship we find him the first Lieutenant in Lord Bridport's
action off 1'Orient, June 23, 1795 f, on which occasion, she
had 4 men slain and 32 wounded. Mr. Bowen, for his con-
duct on that day, was shortly after made a Commander ; but
we are not aware of his having received any appointment
until Sept. 2 following, when he obtained post-rank in the
Prince George of 98 guns, fitting for the flag of Rear- Admiral
Christian, who had recently been appointed to the command
of a squadron destined to attack the French and Dutch settle-
ments in the West Indies. The late period of the season to
which this expedition had been protracted, occasioned the
most disastrous result, as already stated under the head of
Sir Charles M. Pole J. The Prince George lost her rudder,
and was otherwise much disabled; in consequence of which,
the Rear- Admiral, accompanied by Captain Bowen, removed
into the Glory, of similar force.

* At the commencement of the action, the Earl desired Mr. Bowen to
lay the Queen Charlotte close alongside of the Montague, an immense 3-
decker, bearing the flag of the French Commander-in-Chief. Mr. Bowen
kuew his duty, and performed it : he conducted the ship so close under
the stern of the enemy, that the fly of the tri-coloured ensign brushed the
main and mizen shrouds of the Queen Charlotte, as she poured her lar-
board broadside into her opponent's starboard quarter. The Montague
does not appear to have been prepared for action on that side ; her ports
were down, and it was some time before she returned a gun ; the effect
upon this unfortunate ship, as acknowledged by the republican Admiral,
was the loss of 300 men killed and wounded. Mr. Bowen, addressing
Earl Howe frequently during the battle by his title, was heard by the other
officers to receive from his Lordship this grateful and animated reply :
" Mr. Bowen, you call me, ray Lord ! and my Lord ! you yourself deserve
to be a Prince."

t See Vol. I. p. 246, et teg. j See Vol. I. note t, at p. 89, et teg.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 97

On the 9th Dec. in the same year, the squadron made
another attempt to get clear of the Channel ; but after en-
countering weather of the most dreadfully tempestuous de-
scription for a period of seven weeks, was again obliged to
return to port.

A third effort was more successful ; Rear- Admiral Sir Hugh
Christian, and Captain Bowen, in the Thunderer 74, accom-
panied by the Invincible, a third rate, Grampus of 54 guns,
and four smaller vessels of war, with such of the transports
and merchantmen as were ready, sailed from Spithead on the
20th March, and arrived at Barbadoes after a passage of 32
days. On the 22d April, they left Carlisle Bay, in company
with Sir John Laforey, who, on his arrival at Martinique,
resigned the command at the Leeward Islands to Sir Hugh
Christian, by whom preparations were immediately made for
the reduction of St. Lucia *.

After the conquest of that island, and the restoration of
tranquillity in Grenada, St. Vincent's, &c.f, Sir Hugh Chris-
tian, having been superseded by Rear-Admiral Harvey, re-
turned to England in the Beaulieu frigate, and the Thunderer
proceeded with Sir Hyde Parker to the Jamaica station, from
whence Captain Bowen returned home in the Leviathan
74, towards the close of 1^97.

His next appointment was, in 1798, to the Argo of 44
guns ; in which ship he assisted at the reduction of Minorca,
by the forces under the orders of General Stuart and Com-
modore Duckworth J, and recaptured the Peterell sloop of
war, whose officers and crew had been most shamefully
plundered and ill-used by the Spaniards who had captured
them.

On the 6th Feb., 1799* the Argo being on a cruise, hi com-
pany with the Leviathan, discovered two large frigates at
anchor, near a fortified tower on the south point of Alcudia
Bay. Immediately the enemy perceived the British ships,
they cut their cables and made sail. Chase was instantly
given, under all the canvas their pursuers could bear. It
blowing at this time a strong gale, the Leviathan unfortunate-

* See Vol. I. note f at p. 134, and further particulars under the head
of Captain G. F. Ryves, in the present volume.

+ See Vol. I. p. 505. J See Vol. I. p. 762,

VOL. II. H i

98 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

ly carried away her main-top-sail-yard ; by which accident
she dropped a-stern, and was soon lost sight of by the Argo.
The Spaniards separated at the close of the day j but Captain
Bowen, by judicious management and skilful manoeuvres,
kept sight of one of the frigates, which he got alongside of at
midnight, and compelled to surrender. She proved to be
the Santa Teresa, of 42 guns and 530 men. Her consort,
the Proserpine, of similar force, effected her escape.

Captain Bowen shortly after attacked and carried a num-
ber of merchant vessels lying at Tarragona ; but in conse-
quence of their taking the ground when coming out, he was
obliged to set them on fire. He subsequently went on a
mission to Algiers ; and whilst there, had the good fortune
to procure the freedom of six British subjects, who had been
fourteen years in a state of slavery. Previous to his depar-
ture, the Dey, as a mark of friendship, presented him with
a rich Turkish sabre and two fine Arabian horses.

In the month of July following, the Argo received the flag
of Earl St. Vincent, who had been obliged, through ill health,
to resign his command on the Mediterranean station. On
the 6th August, Captain Bowen captured the Infanta Amelia,
a Spanish packet, mounting \2 guns ; and twelve days after-
wards, landed his Lordship at Portsmouth. He was after-
wards employed in affording protection to the Portugal and
Mediterranean trade ; and in addition to several privateers,
captured the San Fernando, a Spanish letter of marque,
pierced for 22 guns, carrying 12, with a complement of 53
men and a cargo of considerable value, a French brig in
ballast, and three vessels laden with iron ore.

In the summer of 1801, Captain Bowen had the gratification
of receiving the following letter from the Secretary of the
Hon. East India Company : —

" East India House, July 3, 1801.

" Sir. — I have great pleasure in obeying the command of the Court of
Directors of the East India Company, by communicating their thanks for
your care and attention in convoying to England from St. Helena, nine of
the Company's ships, together with an extra ship laden on their account;
and in acquainting you, that the Court have presented you with the sum
of 400 guineas, for the purchase of a piece of plate, as an acknowledgment
of those services ; which sura may he received at the Company's Treasury
here. I am, &c.

(Signed) " W. RAMSAY, Sec."

RETIRED CAPTAINS; 99

Whilst abseht in the performance of the service alluded to
in the foregoing letter, Captain Bowen captured two of the
enemy's letters of marque. Early in the following year, the
British Factory at Madeira, of which island he had some time
before taken possession, requested his acceptance of a sword,
as a mark of their respect for his professional character. On
this occasion, similar resolutions concerning him were passed,
as in the case of Captain Thomas Wolley, now a Vice-
Admiral *. He was afterwards appointed to the chief com-
mand on the coast of Africa; from whence he returned to
England, and was put out of commission in 1802.

On the renewal of hostilities in 1803, Captain Bowen ob-
tained the command of the Dreadnought, a new ship of 98
guns ; and in the summer of the same year, was nominated a
Commissioner of the Transport Board. In 1805, the late
Viscount Melville directed him to prepare Falmouth harbour

for the reception of the Western squadron ; which service he
'.,-.-

* " At a General Meeting of the British Consul aud Factory, held at
the Consul's house, on the 23 Jan., 1802 — : ( f|O

".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 com-
mand on this station; and for the exemplary discipline and regularity
preserved on board the different 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 ;
who, very fortunately for the island, has, in the course of the war, had
occasion frequently 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 Wolley'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 ah opportunity of testifying his personal
attachment to the character of Captain Wolley.

" RESOLVED — That the Consul and Directors be a Committee to carry
the preceding resolve into 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

100 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

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 j 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 officer, 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 Cormvallis rendezvoused at Falmoutb several times in 1805 ;
and in the succeeding year, Commissioner Bowen conducted the fleet under
Earl St. Vincent, consisting of five 3-deckers and eight other line-of?
battle ships, into that port, where he moored them in safety.

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 101

ROBERT LARKAN, ESQ.

A Captain of the Royal 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 ; 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, 1780, after having acted for some time as a Lieutenant
in the Diana frigate, he was confirmed to that rank in the
Culloden 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. 1782, being then abreast of Cape St. Vincent, Lord
Howe sent a Lieutenant into Faro to gain intelligence ; who returned with
the news that the enemy had failed in their grand attack, and that the
combined fleets of France and Spain, consisting of forty-seven sail of the
line, three ships of 56 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 thirty-
four sail of the line, five frigates, three fire-vessels, 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 llth, it having blown hard the
preceding evening, the signal was made to close ; and at 10h 30' to form
the line of battle a-head ; the transports, under protection of the LatonaA

* See Vol. I, note * at p. 103.
f See note f at p. 50. et seq. of this volume.

102 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

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
Commauder-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, the 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 line-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 18th, Captain
Holloway 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
under1 his protection, one 'brig alone excepted *. In the evening Captain
Curtis'again went on board the Latona, charged with the final communi-
oatiqna the Governor had to make to Earl Howe. At six A. M. on the
19th, wind about east, the Crown made the signal for the enemy's fleet.
His Lordship attempted to form, but finding it impracticable, ran 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 fire- vessel ,• he also carried with him Cap-
tain Vallotton, aid-de-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 Gibraltar 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
their fire to rags and other combustibles, whilst one was
found sticking in 'a barrel of filled cartridges placed under the
cabin. The man who had been ordered to inspect that part of
the vessel, was so much alarmed, that instead of attending to

* See Vol. I. fc. 107.

RETIRED CAFfAINS. . 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 L'arkan 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
Hugh Seymour Conway in the Leviathan, with equal good 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-head, for bringing the second ship from the enemy's rear to action, as
soon as her former station could be occupied by a succeeding British ship ;
also that the 3-decker in the enemy's rear, as aforesaid, being unsustained
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 Bellerophon, her second astern, and soon after
joined by the Leviathan, passed through in action, between the fifth and
sixth ships in the rear of the enemy's line."

On the 1st June, the Leviathan engaged 1'Am^rique of 74
guns, bearing the broad pendant of a French Commodore,

104 KETIRKD CAPTAINS.

and fairly beat her out of the enemy's line j but such was the
obstinacy of her commander, that although 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 : 1'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 j and we subsequently find him commanding the
Hornet sloop of war. His advancement to the rank of Post-
Captain took place Sept. 16, 1796 j. 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 1st June, and is now a Commander on half pay.

HON. COURTENAY BOYLE.

One of the Principal Officers 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 ami Orrery, by his first Countess, Anne, daughter of
Kelland Courtenay, Esq. and niece to John, fourth Earl of
Sandwich.

He was born Sept. 3, 1769, and entered the naval service
Feb. 19, 1781, as a Midshipman, on board the Latona frigate,
commanded by the late Sir Hyde Parker, [n this ship he
witnessed the action between the squadron under the com-
mand of his Captain's veteran father, and that of Holland under
Admiral Zoutman * ; some time after which he had the mis-
fortune to fall from the booms into the orlop, and was
* See Vol. I. note § at p. 1 75,

RETIRED CAPTAINS. 105

obliged to go on shore for his recovery. He subsequently
joinedtheGoliah 74, and remained 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 50, 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 Vanguard 74, 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 officer
afterwards served in the Excellent and Saturn ships of the
line j 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 j and during the month of October fol-
lowing, obtained an appointment to the Kangaroo, a new brig
* See Vol. I, note f, at p. 757.

106 RETIRED CAPfAINS.

of 18 guns, in which he cruised with considerable success
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 Hyaena, 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 retook
an English West Indiaman. On the 20th May, 1800, the
Cormorant was wrecked ofFDamietta, on the coast ;of Egypt,
when on her way to Alexandria, with 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 the French General Menou, into whose
power he had fallen, treated him in the most savage manner,
telling him that he must consider himself as an hostage for
the safety of Bodot, who 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, Captain 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 tin
the spring of 1803, when he was appointed to the Seahorse
frigate, and ordered to the Mediterranean, where he was most

RETIRED CAPTAINS.

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 1J99, Caroline Amelia,
daughter of the late William Poyntz, of Midgham House,

co. Berks, Esq. His son is a Lieutenant R. N.

3 •

ISAAC WOLLEY, ESQ.

Deputy Chairman of the Victualling Board.

THIS officer, a brother of Vice- Admiral Thomas Wolley,
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 guns from the wharf in the Cul de sac Cohe'e 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 persevering party, on the
third day, tp the astonishment of the whole army, got the 24-pounder to

108 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

From the Santa Margaritta, Lientenant Wolley 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-poanders 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 seeuas
scarcely credible that so small a number of men should be able to have un-
dergone sueh 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 tea 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 raiu, 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. Bat
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 Garlics, now Earl of
Galloway, joined the naval detachment at Sourier, with a reinforcement
of seamen and marines.

• See Vol. I. note at p. 841.

RETIRED CAPl'AINS. 109

On the 22d June 1794, whilst the main body of the troops
were employed in erecting batteries against Fort Fleui-
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 most
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 fifteen 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 that 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
excesses; but the humane exertions of those officers soon
put a stop to their mischievous proceedings. In this attack
Hear 400 republican soldiers were killed, and one prisoner
taken : on the side of the British only one man was wounded,
b.ut 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 ; 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.

110 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

as it was loaded with a bag of musket-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 un-
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
eminence, 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 Guadeloupe, 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 near Grozier, against Fleur d'Epe'e ; at the same
time Brigadier-General Dundas kept up a smart fire on Point a Pitre,
where the enemy seemed to be making 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'Epe'e, 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 27th, the batteries at Grozier having opened as
usual on Fleur d'Epe'e, a detachment of our troops under Brigadier-Ge-
neral Fisher inarched 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, within musket-shot of the
fort. During the preceding night the light infantry at camp Berville were
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 movement, by which the main body was much

RETIRED CAPTAINS.

strengthened, was effected unperceived by the enemy, and the 39th and
43d 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 of the enemy, to the number of one thousand, marched out of
Fort Fleur d'Epee, and seemed to meditate an attack on a detachment of
light infantry under Colonel Gomm, posted to the right of the grenadiers
who were on Morne Mascot, under Brigadier-General Fisher. By this
false movement, they hoped that a detachment of the grenadiers would be
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 of round and
grape-shot from Fleur d'Epee, which prevented our grenadiers from shew-
ing themselves till the enemy were close to them ; on which General Fisher
made them prostrate themselves on the ground, and wait the approack of
the enemy in that posture. The instant the republicans came within a few
yards of them they started up, and an obstinate engagement commenced,
which terminated at length by the grenadiers advancing to the charge j 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 De Ri-
vigne of the artillery, received a ball in the side of his neck. Brigadier-
General Fisher was hit three times by grape-shot, which caused contusions
only, and his 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 being already set in, and the hurricane months now approach-
ing, determined the Commander-in-Chief to make an effort to finish the
campaign at once. From bis success in the two last engagements, and
the excellent manner in which he had planned the attack, it would nd
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 &
Pitre, whilst himself, at the head of the rest of his army, was in readiness
on the heights of Mascot to storm Fort Fleur d'Epee, on receiving a signal
from General Symes ; 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 aflair as accurately as the
confused accounts I have received will permit. Brigadier-General Symes,

112 RETIRED CAPTAINS.

having under his command the first battalion of grenadiers, commanded by
Brigadier-General Fisher, and the first and second light infantry, led by
Colonel Gotnm, with a detachment of seamen from the Boyne * and
Veteran, commanded by Captain Robertson of the Veteran, marched from
the heights of Mascot at about nine o'clock at night, on the 1st of July.
They first descended into a deep ravine thick planted with coffee bushes,
through which there was no road, the seamen bringing up the rear. The
night was uncommonly dark, which rendered their march both dangerous
and fatiguing. After proceeding about a mile they halted on a road, and
were joined by two small field-pieces, which were put under the charge
of Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, to be dragged by their seamen.
During the halt some people, who were heard to speak French, were seen
near the rear ; Lieutenant Wolley endeavoured to secure them, but they
escaped through the bushes, and no further notice was taken of this. The
army moved forward about two miles further, on a road leading through
deep ravines, and made a second hall for about an hour ; the march was
then re-commenced, but no orders ever passed during the time : they now
proceeded for some miles without meeting with any obstruction, when an
order came for the seamen in the rear to advance to the attack, which they
did by running as fast as they could for upwards of a mile. The parties
they passed were not in the best order, owing to the quickness of the
march, until they came to the grenadiers, who were drawn up as a corps de
reserve. About this time the bugle horn sounded to advance, and soon
after a heavy firing of round and grape-shot from Morne Government, and
also from several other batteries of the enemy, commenced, as also from
some twelve-pounders, landed from the shipping in the harbour, which
were placed in tiers, and entirely enfiladed the road along which the troops
were advancing. After passing the grenadiers, the seamen were halted for
a few minutes to form, they being perfectly out of order from running ;
but scarce thirty of them were got together, when Lieutenant Wolley was
ordered to advance with them, and Captain Robertson remained to form
and bring up the rest. The cannonading from the enemy's guns was the
most severe the oldest soldier ever witnessed, especially from the guns
which were on the road ; two or three tiers of which were planted behind
each other, from which the enemy were driven by the bayonets of our
gallant fellows, who no sooner had taken one battery, but another opened
on them from behind. The whole now became a scene of confusion im-
possible to describe. Instead of any of the heights being attempted, the
greater part of the troops and the seamen were got into the town, where
they were mowed down by the grape-shot, which played upon them in
every direction f, as well as musketry from the windows of the houses.

* Lieutenant Wolley of the Boyne, was appointed acting major of bri-
gade ; and Lieutenants Thomson and Maitland, and Mr. Oswald, com-
manded the three companies of seamen.

f One of the frigates in the harbour did great execution ; by a single

RK1IRED CAPTAINS. 113

Wherever our men perceived this, they broke open the doors, putting all
they found in them to death ; and those who could not stand the bayonet
were shot as they leaped from the windows. General Symes was by this
time badly wounded, and his horse killed under him. Colonel Gomm
(who led the light infantry), with several other officers, was killed, and a
great many more desperately wounded ; and Captain Robertson, who
commanded the seamen, was blown up. At length General Fisher (the
second in command, who, as well as every other officer on this service, was
ignorant of General Syme's plans) sounded a retreat, and the miserable
remains of this gallant party marched off, the enemy harassing them in
their retreat, though kept at bay by the gallant exertions of the Honour-
able Captain Stewart with a party of Grenadiers, assisted by Lieutenant
Wolley and the seamen of the Boyne, who covered the retreat ; till at
length the latter fell by a musket-ball through his leg, and was brought
off by his men. When the remains of this unfortunate detachment got
back to Mascot, General Grey found it in vain to attempt any thing against
Fleur d'Epde, being obliged to detach the second battalion of grenadiers to
cover the retreat, and his troops being all so much reduced and exhausted,
yet from the effect of the batteries he had erected to cover his attack of
Fleur d'Epe*e, which opened on that fort in the evening, there could have
been no doubt of success had not the above-related misfortune taken
place *. It being totally impossible to attempt any thing further at this
season, the General that night began to re-imbark his cannon and mortars,
and in two days had got off* the whole of his troops without loss ; he then
strengthened the posts on Basse Terre, and having made the best arrange-
ments possible to maintain them, and to enable him to renew his attacks
on Point a Pitre and Fleur d'Epe"e after the hurricane months, in case any
reinforcements should arrive (without which it would be totally impossible),
he embarked on board the Boyne, leaving Brigadier-General Colin Graham
to command on Basse Terre, and then repaired to St. Pierre in the island
of Martinique, where he established his head-quarters. The Boyne pro-
ceeded to Fort Royal Bay, where she was laid up for the hurricane months
in a snug harbour, called Trois Islet Bay, and the sick and wounded were
landed for the benefit of fresh air, and every attention paid to them that
could alleviate their sufferings.

" During the whole time of this latter campaign the fever, which had
been so destructive the preceding year, continued to rage in our navy and
army with unabated violence. General Grey lost all the servants he brought
from England by it, including two who had lived with him for many years.
It first broke out with violence when the former campaign ended."

discharge of grape-shot, killing three officers and thirty-six privates of the
light infantry, who were unfortunately drawn up in a street effectually
commanded by her guns.

* Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to thirty-eight
officers, forty-three Serjeants, and six hundred and eleven privates.

VOL. Ik I

114 RETIRED CAPTAINS,

The exact period at which Mr. Wolley was prompted to
the rank of Commander we are not acquainted with. His
commission as a Post- Captain bears date Sept. 1, 1797 j and
we soon after find him commanding the Nonsuch of 64 guns,
stationed in the river Humber. In 1800, he was removed to
the Circe frigate, and sent to the West Indies ; from whence
he returned in the autumn of 1802. During the late war, he
commanded in succession the Gelykheid and Africa, 64 's,
and Captain, a third rate ; in the latter ship he accompanied
the expedition under Admiral Gambier and Lord Cathcart,
against Copenhagen, in 1807 *.

Towards the close of 1813, Captain Wolley, who had for
some time before superintended the Naval Yard at Jamaica,
was appointed Resident Commissioner at Gibraltar, from
whence he removed to Malta in 1818. He has recently re-
turned to England, and entered on the duties of his new ap-
pointment as Deputy Chairman of the Victualling Board.
The Commissioner enjoys a pension of 25Ql.per annum, for
the severe wound he received at Guadaloupe in 1795.

POST-COMMISSION dated Sept. 11, 1/97; placed on tke
retired list in 1821 ; resides at New Park, Axminster, Devon,

• See Vol. I. p. 79, et *>q.

115

POST-CAPTAINS.

AISKEW PAFFARD HOLLIS> ESQ.

A Colonel of the Royal Marines *.

THIS officer entered the naval service at au early age un-
der the protection of Captain (afterward Vice-AdmiraJ}

* At a period when the commerce of this country bere no proportion
to its present extent, the supplies of seamen, under a system of impress,
were extremely precarious, and often inadequate to the public emergen-
cies. Experience had also shewn, that raw landsmen were most improper
substitutes, as the sudden change of life rendered them subject to imme-
diate disease and sea-sickness, at a tim6 when their active serrices were
required.

These united causes originally suggested the expediency of forming an
establishment of marines, who were raised and embodied with the sole
view of being a nursery to man our fleets. They were always quartered in
the vicinity of our principal sea -ports, where they were regularly trained to
the different methods of ship-fighting, and to those various manoeuvres of a
vessel, in which numbers were necessary. Being thus locally placed, their
value was early felt by their exertions in equipping the squadrons fitted
out, when but little confidence could be placed in the sailor, recently
impressed into the service.

The first authentic instance of any regiment of this description appears in
the Army List of 1684, and from the return of the general review on
Putney Heath, upon the 1st October in that yean It was then styled,
" The Lord High Admiral of England, H. R. H. the Duke of York and
Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot," commanded by the Hon. Sir
Charles Littleton, and called also the Admiral Regiment. It consisted of
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 legisla-
ture had long teemed with grateful memorials of their merits upon the
shores, and the ocean of every clime, but w'rth scarcely one solid mark of
recompenee for all their brilliant services. 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 wilt no doubt rally
to the latest period of their existence. The title of Royal was aot the ar-

i 2

116 POST- CAPTAIN* OF 1798.

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, 1778.

Mr. Hollis'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

quirement of influence. No ! it was the reward for more than 100 years
of undiminished zeal ; a monarch'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-
motion in the navy :

" Admiralty-Office, April 29, 1802.

" Sir — The Earl of St. Vincent having signified to my Lords Commis-
sioners .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 testimony of the opinion his Majesty entertains of
the very distinguished services of that part of his forces to which you be-
long. I am, Sir, &c. &c.

(Signed) " EVAN NEPBAN."

" 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, Lieutenant-General ; Vice- Ad-
miral Sir George Cockburn, Major-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 of
colonel commandant in their own corps ; but they attain the rank of ge-
neral officer in the army. No commissions are bought or soW, but each
officer rises according to his seniority. For further particular! see Vol. I
not* f at p. 132.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 117

Gardner into his flag ship, the Queen, 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 powerful fleet, man-
ned with the flower of their marine, and commanded by an
officer of acknowledged bravery and long experience. On
board the Admiral's ship were two Commissioners, 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 exertions on board the first-named ship of the three, that, before dark,
new sails were bent fore and aft ; a main-top-sail-yard had been got up for a
fore-yard, a fore-top-gallant-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 James's Nav. Hist. Part I. Pol. I. p. 201.

" The Queen, in bearing down to engage, (June 1,) 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
down, was running fast a-head. She therefore closed with the seventh
French 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-
noyed her much. The Scipion, having had her colours twice shot away,
re-hoisted them at the mizen-top-gallant-mast-head. At three quarters
past ten, her mizen-mast came by the board. At eleven, the Queen's main-
mast went over the lee-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 quarter 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 upon deck, and waved submission
with their hats. But the Queen was in too disabled a state to take possession

* Queen, mizen-top-mast and fore-yard shot away ; main-mast, bow-
sprit, and fore- top-mast shot through, 22 men killed, and 27 wounded.

118 HOST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

HIM mi/cii-top mast bad been shot away since the fall of her main-mast ;
tier fore-mast and bowsprit had beeu shot through in several places ; and
her mizeu-mast, from its wounds, was expected every instant to fell. Her
rigging had been cut to pieces, and her sails all rendered useless.

" After about an hour's exertions hi repairing sotne ef the principal
damages, the Queen had got ker head-toA'ards her own fleet, and was stem-
Ming along to teevvard of it ; when, at about half-past twelve, she disco-
vered through the smoko, twelve sail of French ships standing towards her.
The leading ship, the Montagne, 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 ythich 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-
Ifer, however, soon convinced them that her guns were not so disabled as
her masts : and 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 Montagne 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 Scipioa, towed her off, as well
as two other dismasted 2-deckers, lying close to her. The damages which
the Queen had sustained have already appeared : her loss amounted this
dwy, 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 seg.

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 statements, but in the list of
^pwftded presents us with the name of Captain Hutt, who
kJst 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 28d June in the ensuing year, the Queen formed part
of Lord Bridport's fleet in the affair oflTOrient, 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.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 119

Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Gardner into the Royal Sovereign, a
first rafce j 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 y 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 wasmetby 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-Admirars flag j 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 es-
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 Saumarez in the Gut on the preceding
night, had unfortunately grounded, and lost all his masts *.

Sir James Saumarez, in his official despatch relative to the

* See Vol. I. p. 191 ; and at p. 187, line 9 from the bottom, for Wi{-
ilum Lttftft substitute Aithe vt Pa/arti Hellit.

120 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

above action, makes particular mention of Captain Hollis ; 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 Venerable 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 j
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 was
paid off Jan. 15,1803.

In the ensuing autumn, our officer commissioned the Mer-
maid of 32 guns j 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 T. Duckworth, the
command er-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
Spanish 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 authorities were deliberating on the
propriety of detaining her, she warped out clear of the bat-
teries.

There being at this time some valuable English merchant
vessels in the Havannah, Captain 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 in that

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 121

time her boats brought out several vessels which 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 Hollis'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 value, 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 days after the performance of the above-important service,
certain intelligence was received in the West Indies of a British squadron
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 Hollis's departure from the Havannah.
See Vol. I, p. 536.

f Standard 64, Captain Hollis ; Owen Glendower frigate, Captain
Selby; Ranger, Rose, and Avenger sloops, Captains Acklom, Mansel,
and White ; and Snipe gun-brig, Lieutenant Champion.

122 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

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 fleet blockading Toulon. He
subsequently visited Malta, from thence 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 Hollis escorted home the Mediter-
rancan trade.

After refitting his ship, and commanding the blockade of
Cherbourgh far some time, our officer, in the month of May
1814, wae 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 bis 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. 17, 1816, when he ob-
tained the command of the Ilivoli 74, stationed at Portsmouth,
in which ship he continued till Feb. 18, 1817, when she was
also paid off, in consequence of a farther reduction of the
naval force taking place at that period. On the llth Sept.
1818, he commissioned the Ramillies, another third rate,
which he commanded nearly three years, occasionally hoist-
hig 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.

Otir officer's youngest sister is married to Captain George
M'Kmley, of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich.

Agent. — John Chippendale, Esq.

POST-CAPTAfNS OF 1/98. 123

SIR HENRY HEATHCOTE, KNT.

THIS officer, a younger son of Sir William Heathcote, Baft.,
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.

•

Ml-. Henry Heathcote was born in 1777; 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 5 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 frigate. In Feb., 1804, he escorted a fleet of mer-
chantmen to the West Indies ; and on the 14th Aug. fol-
lowing, made an unsuccessful attempt to cut out the General
Ernouf, 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. Charles Hay-
man, first Lieutenant of the Galatea.

Captain Heathcote was subsequently appointed in succes-
sion to la Desrree 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, o'r negligently perform his
duty, or forsake his station, upon pain of death, or such punishment as a
court-martial shall think fit to inflict.

124 POrfT-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

of orders given by the late Vice- Admiral Drury *, and sub-
sequently confirmed by Commodore Broughton ; also,, for
neglecting his duty, in not attending to the request of the
Bombay government, to afford 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's 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, that 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 that 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 the 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 William O'Bryen Drury died at Madras,.March 6, 181 L

POST- C APTAINS X>F 1798. 125

thereupon, being dissatisfied with Captain Heathcote's pro-
ceedings, requested Rear-Admiral Stopford would cause an
enquiry to be made into his conduct. The Court, having
heard what Captain Heathcote had to offer in justification of
his conduct, agreed, that the two first charges were proved ;
but that in consideration of the motives, which 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
OUT readers with the excellent defence made by Captain
Heathcote. It will be found at length in the Nav. Chron.
vol. 27, p. 492, et seg*

In the following year, Captain 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.
THIS officer 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 Hah" fax 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 1817.

Agent. — John Chippendale, Esq.

126 POST-CAPTAINS o» 1/98.

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 memoramla, 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 74, in the Chanael and Medi-
terranean ; and in 1801, the Nemesis of 28 guns, on the North
Sea station. His next appointment wa& ta I'lmmortalite fri-
gate, about May, 1802 ; and, soon after the renewal of the
war, we find that ship, in company with the Julousc and
Cruiser sloops of war, driving le Commode and 1'Inabordable,
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, hut 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 this 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-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1793.

tide making strong, and the town having taken fire badly in one place, and
slightly in two others, I caused the bombs to weigh, and proceeded with
them off St. Valery en Caux, where they are constructing six vessels ; and
nt 3 P. M. opened our fire on that place for an hour. The enemy was for
the most part driven from their batteries, the inhabitants flying to the
country, and judging from the direction in which many of the shells burst,
they must have suffered much.

" On a service of this nature, we eaquot expect to escape unhurt : I have,
however, pleasure in reporting, that, although the enemy's fire, espe-
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 wounded.
The boatswain of this ship and three seamen were bruised by splinters, but
did not leave their quarters : the other damage, but that not material, is
confined chiefly to the rigging.

« The manner of executing my instructions, and the judgment shewn in
placing and managing the bomb-vessels, entitle Captains Methuist and Paul
to my best and warmest thanks; their conduct has been every thing I
could wish : and they speak highly of the officers and detachments of the
royal artillery embarked with them, as well as of the officers and men of
their respective crews. My opinion of the first Lieutenant of this ship,
C. F. Payne, is already known to your Lordship j and his conduct this day,
as well as that of the other Lieutenants, officers, and men, without excep-
tion, has fully justified the reports I hare made to your Lordship concern-
ing them on former occasions."

From this period, Captain Owen kept the French coast in
a continual state of alarm j and 1'Immortalite was well
known to the inhabitants for the daring manner in which, in
spite of banks and batteries, she approached their shores.
The next official report we find of his proceedings, was made
to Rear-Admiral Louis, July 20, 1804, and couched in the
following terms : —

" The wind yesterday set in strong from the N. E. by N., and made so
much sea that the enemy's vessels hi the road of Boulogne became very un-
easy ; and about 8 P. M. the leewardmost brigs began to get under weigh,
and work to windward ; whilst some of the luggers ran down apparently
for Staples : their force was then forty-five brigs and forty-three luggers.
I made a signal to look out. OB these vessels, which was immediately
ol>eyed by the Harpy, Bloodhound, and Archer, who closed with them,
giving their fire to such as attempted to stand off from the land. The
Autumn was at this time getting under weigh, and lost no time in giving
her suppoF t to the vessels- already on this service, and continued1 with them
during the whole weather tide, firing from time to time on such of the
enemy's vessels as gave them opportunity. At day-light thiki morning,
there were nineteen brigs ajud eight luggers only remaining in the bay ; and
about six o'clock these began to slip single, and run to the southward for

128 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

Etaples, or the river Soraine, the Autumn and brigs being then too far to
leeward to give them any interruption. As soon as the tide permitted
this ship and the Leda to weigh, we stood in for Boulogne, when I per-
ceived that a brig, a lugger, and several large boats, were stranded on the
beach west of the harbour : the enemy were shipping and endeavouring to
save from them what they could, but I have not a doubt the running tide
would complete their destruction. Three other brigs and a lugger were on
the rocks near the village of Porte"e, totally destroyed. A brig and two
luggers remained at anchor close to the rocks, with wafts up, and the people
huddled together abaft; the brig had lost her top-masts and lower yards,
and one of the luggers the head of her main-mast ; the sea was making a
perfect breach over them, and if the gale continues her situation is hope-
less.

" The merits of Captains Jackson and Heywood, as well as those of
Lieutenants Richardson and Price, are so well known to you, that I need
only say, they acted with the same decisive promptness they have always
shewn ; and though the night prevented my seeing all that passed, there
cannot be a doubt but their well-timed attack caused the enemy's confusion,
and occasioned much of their loss, which, taking every circumstance into
consideration, is I doubt not, far beyond what fell within our observation.
I have not yet been able to collect the reports of these officers, but will
forward them the moment they join me."

In the French version of this affair,, no mention is made of
the presence of the British. All is ascribed to the fury of the
gale, which did, indeed, play havoc among the enemy's flotilla.
The exact number of gun-vessels that foundered, or were
stranded, is not stated j but the account admits, that upwards
of 400 soldiers went down in the former, and that a great many
perished with the latter. Napoleon Buonaparte was a spec-
tator of the scene, and, if we are to credit the French writers,
evinced much sensibility on the occasion. He, no doubt,
was taught a lesson by the disaster : seeing that the British
cruisers were not all he had to fear, in his attempt to invade
Great Britain.

Boulogne being the head-quarters of the grand armament
preparing for that purpose, occupied a due share of our at-
tention. The British squadron that cruised off that place in
August, 1804, was under the orders of Rear-Admiral Louis,
whose flag was flying on board the Leopard of 50 guns.
The main body usually lay at anchor, in fifteen fathoms water,
about ten miles N. W. of the port ; and a division of five or
six vessels, commanded by Captain Owen, generally cruised
just out of the range of the enemy's shells, which were fired

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1J98. 129

from mortars brought down to the beach during the ebbing of
the tide. On the 25th of that month, an unusual degree of
bustle prevailed in the road of Boulogne, which then con-
tained no less than one hundred and forty- six armed vessels
of different descriptions. At lh 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 ; who, at about 2h 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 the 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 towards 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 no withstand-
ing the temptation ; and Captain 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 crew, all of
whom were picked up by the boats 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. The Im-

VOL. II. K

130 POST-CAPTAINS OF

mortalite was twice struck by shot in the hull, and had 4
men slightly wounded. The British squadron now hauled off,
whilst some of the French vessels were compelled to run on
shore on account of the shot-holes 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 3h 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 Bane 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 Nez, the Orestes sloop and Basilisk gun-brig
joining in 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
Bane de Laine, where the falling tide prevented him from foj-
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 Rear- 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 Immortalite captured El Entre-
preda Conine, a Spanish privateer, of 14 guns and 66 men.
The following letter, which never appeared in the London

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 131

Gazette, records the particulars of an action with a part of
the Boulogne flotilla on the 18th July 1805.

" Sir, — In consequence of the information brought me 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 readi-
ness 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
4h 30' P. M. abreast of Cape Blanc Nez. The force of the enemy con-
sisted of three praam ships under French, and twenty-two large schooners
under Dutch colours. These latter had drawn themselves into a line, and
were about half-a-mile a-hcad 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, Pincher,
Sparkler, and 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
\vith them ; and the other brigs of my detachment pushed in as they came
up from to leeward.

"The junction of the Calais squadron fibout this time brought our ships,
of which a great number had collected, very close together; and as we had
already a force fully sufficient engaged with the enemy, I hauled out,
making the signal for open order, and calling off the Hebe, Utile, and Di-
Kgence; at the same time directing the brigs to chase and engage the
enemy close. In consequence of this signal, the Arab and gun-brigs
pressed close upon the enemy's schooners. In passing Cape Grisnez,
three of them had already grounded, and struck on the Bane de Laine.
Two others ran ashore between Cape Grisnez and St. John, to keep them-
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 Bane. I stood for them, 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-stern with them, till half-past seven,
when we were abreast of Ambleteuse, where the praams anchored with
the schooners already arrived. We were followed in this attack by the
Hebe and Diligence, who availed themselves of every opportunity to join
in h. I cannot particularize the number of ships which joined and occa-
sionally fired upon the enemy ; but the commander of that squadron will
of course make his report to Vice-Admiral Holloway.

" Of the detachment under me, I feel it my duty to report my most per-
fect satisfaction : all were anxious and eager to seize every opportunity
which presented itself for closing with the enemy. The situation of Cap-
tain Maxwell of the Arab, and Lieutenants Marshall and Aberdour, of the

K 2

132 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1/98.

Watchful and Pincher, enabled them to do this most conspicuously ; and
I am sure with the greatest effect. Nothing could excel the Arab, whose
draught of water made her closing with thetn 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 officer. It was his fate to fall ; and no one could fall more ad-
iuired, 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 be, Sir,
" Your most obedient humble Servant,

(Signed) " E. W. C. R. OWEN."
" To Billy Douglas, Esq.

Rear-admiral of the White."

The Immortalite on this occasion had her fore-mast, main-
top-mast, spanker-boom, and three boats shot through ; her
rigging and sails much cut ; her hull struck in several places ;
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 employed 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 act 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 journies of
messengers ; till at length, on the 8th Oct., the Earl of Lau-
derdale being then known to have quitted Paris re infecta,
Captain Owen, who had some time before hoisted a broad

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 133

pendant in the Clyde frigate *, was tempted 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 ; and it is certain that a consider-
able range of buildings, apparently barracks or store-houses,
were burnt — the fire could not, fr/>m 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 ; 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 he worn by officers commanding
squadrons as Commodores, in the year 1674.

t In order to relieve the compunctious visiting-s 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
that project, nor was it wantonly attempted : but the precise 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, rather too much to the east-
ward.

134 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1798.

more remote from the boats than the basin, the range of the
rockets was also demonstrated beyond a doubt ; and lastly,
the facility of using this weapon in small craft afloat was
satisfactorily proved. The effect produced by it at Copen-
hagen in the following year, produced a general conviction
of its powers.

From this period we find no particular mention of our
officer until the month of August 1809, when he assisted at
the siege of Flushing. The following are extracts from Sir
Richard Strachan's despatches to the Admiralty, announcing
the capture and evacuation of that place :

" St. Domingo, Flushing Roads, Aug. \7th.

** The bombs and gun-vessels, under the direction of Captain Cockburn
of the Belleisle, were moat judiciously placed at the S. E. end of the town j
and 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 witnessing the fire that was kept up by the squadrons
under the commands of these two officers, and the precision with which
the shells were thrown from the bombs.

" This squadron was led in by the St. Domingo, bearing my flag, and
I was followed by the Blake, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Lord
Gardner ; the other ships advanced in succession. Soon after we had
opened our fire, the wind came more southerly, and the St. Domingo
grounded inside of the Dog Sand. Lord Gardner not knowing our situa-
tion, passed inside of us, by which the Biake also grounded. The other
ships were immediately directed to haul off, and anchor as previously in-
tended.

" After being some time in this situation, during which the enemy's
fire slackened, by the active and zealous exertions of Captain Owen of the
Clyde, who came to our assistance, and anchored close to the St. Do-
mingo, she was got off, and soon after I had the satisfaction of seeing the
Blake also afloat, and come to anchor with the rest of the squadron."

" Blake, in Flushing Roads, 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 officer, I have fresh cause
to admire- his conduct.

" I propose, as soon as I have made my final arrangements at Flushing, to
leave this command with Rear- Admiral Otway, and proceed to the Vere
Gat, to communicate with Commodore Owen."

" St. Domingo, in the Downs, Dec. 28.

'* It is with great pleasure I inform you of the arrival of Commodore
Owen iu the Clyde, who gives me the pleasing intelligence of the divisions
under his command and that of Captain Mason, having sailed from the

(

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 135

East and West Scheldt, and are by this time at the mouth of the Thames,
if not at the places .of their respective destination : I enclose the Commo-
dore's report of his proceedings. It is my duty to draw their Lordships'
attention to the excellent conduct of Commodore 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 orders *."

We next find Commodore Owen with his broad pendant on
board the Inconstant frigate, in the Gulf of Mexico, where
that dreadful scourge the yellow fever appears to have carried
off many of his officers and crew, about the month of April
1811. He subsequently commanded the Cornwall of 74 guns,
employed in the North Sea ; and at the close 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. B. 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 guns, in which
ship he proceeded to the West Indies, where he still conti-
nues. The House of Assembly at Jamaica, has recently
passed a vote of thanks to him for his prompt attention to
the commercial and naval interests, charing the period of his,
command on that station.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

GEORGE JAMES SHIRLEY, ESQ.

THIS officer was a Lieutenant of the Royal George, a first
rate, during the mutiny at Spithead, in 1797 1 5 commanded
the Megafera fire-vessel, in the same year; and was posted into

* Commodore Owen's report, alluded to in the foregoing letter, will be
found at length in the Nav. Chron. v. 23, pp. 78, 79, 82, et seq. For a
great variety of naval state papers relating to the expedition, see id. pp.
113 to 135 j 200 to 241 ; 301 to 308 ; and 423 to 428. The preceding
vol. abounds with Gazette letters written by the different naval and military
commanders during its progress.

t See Vol. |. p. 548, et seq.

136 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

the Mars of 74 guns, April 26, 1798. We find no mention of
him since the latter period.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

RICHARD RUNWA BOWYER, ESQ.
WAS posted May 2, 1798 j and died at Titchfield, Hants,
Feb. 11, 1823.

GEORGE FREDERICK RYVES, ESQ.

THIS officer is the representative of a very ancient and re-
spectable family in Dorsetshire, descended from John Ryvesr
of Damory Court, near Blandford, Esq., one of whose grand-
sons, Bruno, was Chaplain to King Charles I. in 1628 ; and
at the restoration became Chaplain in Ordinary to his son, by
whom he was successively made Dean of Windsor, Secretary
of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and Rector of Hase-
ley, in Oxfordshire, as a compensation for the losses he had
sustained during the great rebellion, at the commencement
of which he had been deprived of the livings of Stairwell, co.
Middlesex, and St. Martin's in the Vintry, London; his
house was plundered ; and himself obliged to fly from place
to place, for refuge from the fury of the Presbyterians *„

* The above mentioned John Ryves, of Damory Court, had eight sons
and three daughters. Three of the former received the honor of knight-
hood, viz. John, William, and Thomas. William was presented by hi*
father with 24,000/. for his fortune, part of which he laid out near Oxford ;
he then married and settled in Ireland, where he purchased Rathsallow,
Crunmore, and Cayamoie, in the county of Down ; Ballyferinott, near
Dublin ; and the rectory of the Naas. He was one of the Judges in Ireland,
Speaker to the House of Lords, and the King's Attorney-General.

Thomas, eighth son of John Ryves, an eminent advocate in Doctors'
Commons and the Court of Admiralty, was elected a Fellow of New
College, Oxford, in 1598; and made a D. C. L. in 1610. He was
also one of the Masters in Chancery, and Judge of the Faculty and Pre-
rogative Court in Ireland. Ha received the honor of knighthood from
Charles I. who appointed him his Advocate, and assistant to the Warden
of the Cinque Ports and Castle of Dover. When the rebellion broke out,
Sir Thomas gave good evidence of his loyalty and valor ; and, notwith-
standing his advanced age, received several wounds in fights and skirmishes
for his royal master's cause, and suffered much in his estate on that ac-
count. He was the author of many books, among which were " Historta
Navalis ^ntiqua," lib. 4. Lond. 1633, 8vo. ; and " Wisteria Navalis Me-
dia," Load. 1640, 8vo. He left the advowson of Abbot's Stoke, 1007. a
year, td New College, Oxford.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 13/

Mr, G. F. Ryves was born Sept. 8, 1758 ; educated at
Harrow school ; and entered the naval service as a Midship-
man on board the Kent of 74 guns, commanded by the Hon.
Charles Fielding, and stationed as a guard-ship at Plymouth,
Feb. 15, 1774. In the month of July following, the Kent
was ordered on a six weeks' cruise ; and when working out
of the Sound to join the other ships of the squadron, had 1 1
men killed and 45 wounded, by the explosion of nearly 400
Ibs. of gunpowder, which had been placed in a chest on the
larboard side of the poop. This melancholy accident took
place at a moment when the Kent was saluting the Admiral's
flag, and Mr. Ryves walking on the opposite side of the
same deck; his preservation may therefore be justly deemed
miraculous — but that of a marine drummer still more extraor-
dinary. The latter was sitting upon the chest in question
when its contents ignited, and blown into the sea, from
whence he was taken on board without having received the
slightest injury !

In 1775, our officer was removed into the Portland of 50
guns, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral James Young, father
of the late Vice-Admiral of Great Britain, who was then the
junior Lieutenant of that ship *. At the commencement of
the American war we find Mr. Ryves in the West Indies,
where he was selected from a numerous quarter-deck, to com-
mand one of the Portland's tenders, the Tartar of 8 guns, and
33 men, including himself, another Midshipman, and a Sur-
geon's Mate. In this small vessel he had the good fortune
to capture upwards of fifty prizes, some of which were pri-
vateers of force superior to his own ; and it once happened,
that with his crew reduced to 12 men, he had no less than 40
prisoners on board.

Mr. Ryves returned to England in the Portland ; and on
the 1st May 1779, sailed for New York in the Europe 64,
bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, by whom he
was made a Lieutenant during the passage, into the Pacific
store-ship. In this vessel he saw much hard service, and had

* Sir William Young1, G. C. B. Admiral of the Red, and Vice-Admiral
of Great Britain, died in Queen Anne Street, London, Oct, 25, 1821, in the
71st year of his age. For a memoir of that distinguished officer, see " An-
nual Biography and Obituary for 1823," p. 315, et seq.

138 VOST- CAPTAIN'S OV 1J98.

nearly suffered shipwreck when passing through Hell Gates,
on her way to Huntingdon Bay, Long Island, for the purpose
of affording protection to the troops employed cutting wood
foe the use of the army. The Pacific was thus employed for
a period of nineteen months, and during that time experienced
one of the severest winters ever known; the glass being fre-
quently \y below 0, and the ice so solid that the Ame-
ricans meditated her capture by marching a body of troops
over it to attack her : their scheme, however, was providen-
tially frustrated by the intervention of a snow-storm, which
completely dispersed them.

Previous to her departure from Huntingdon Bay, the cook
of the Pacific, a man with only one arm, fell overboard, and
would inevitably have perished but for the generous exertions
of Lieutenant Ryves, who leaped after, and succeeded in res-
cuing him. A similar act of humanity had been performed
by our officer when commanding tke Portland's tender : a
seaman having lost his hat overboard, jumped after and
reached its, but not before his strength 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 continued in the Pacific, 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 capacity we find him serving on the Jamaica station,
from whence he returned to England with the Hon. Captain
Windsor, in the Lowestoffe of 28 guns, towards the conclu-
sion of thd waf . Whilst at Jamaica, Lieutenant Ryves was
the happy instrument of saving a marine centinel, who fell
overboard from his post on the fore-castle, and having struck
against the anchor, was completely stunned thereby. This
happened on the evening of a Christmas day, and when all
the crew were below regaling themselves. Providentially,
Lieutenant Ryves happened to be on deck, and hearing the
noise occasioned by the man's musket striking against the
anchor, immediately suspected the cause, flew to the poor
fellow's relief, and jumping off the gunwale with a rope in his
hands, caught him by the head with his feet, when in the act
of sinking. In performing this generous act, our officer's

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 139

hands were very much burnt, owing to the shortness of the
rope, which brought him up before his body reached the
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
Luxembourg, and Flanders. In 1/88 he was 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 ; 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 Ryves 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 nothing but the bare earth to lie on.

* The disasters of the fleet under Rear*Admiral Christian are well
known, aud have already been noticed by us. See Vol. I, note t, at p. 89 j
and Vol. II. p. 96, et «ey.

140 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

The skill, alacrity, and unremitting exertions of the navy,
during the siege of St. Lucia, were 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.
] 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 prepress of the siege great difficulties were to be surmounted,
and much service of fatigue undertaken. The more effectually 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 Ry ves 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. * * * *

" Captain 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, 1/96.

" 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 the West Indies ; he was then perfectly well, and proceeding-
to the island ef 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 hare 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. 17975 when he convoyed the
trade to England, and on his arrival was put out of commis-
sion. In April 1798, he was again appointed to the Bull-
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

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 141

6f Sir Charles Morice Pole, with whom he had before sailed
in the Colossus. The Agincourt was at Newfoundland during
the ensuing summer ; and on her return from thence at the
close of the season, Captain Ryves received orders to join the
armament preparing for the Baltic. These, however, were
countermanded ; and after serving for some time in the North
Sea under Admiral Dickson, we find him conveying General
Graham, (now Lord Lynedocb) and the 25th regiment, to
Egypt.

The harmony that prevailed between the Agiucourt'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. The same corps was
subsequently 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 compensatiori
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 Ryves entrusted with the command
of a small squadron, consisting of the Agincourt, Solebay,
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 board the vessel
you command, but on a very different occasion. We then came to re-
joice at your arrival, and to beg your continuance of those favors by which
the English army had already so greatly benefited us. To-day it is to
mourn your 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 lasliug acknowledgment, it would have
been our pleasure to have added, had not the state of our circumstances,
and the ungrateful times in which we live, prevented the fulfilment of our
washes. At the same time, sincere gratitude indelibly engraven on the

142 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1J98.

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 aid of sovereigns appears to conduct us to j 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 j 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 ? 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, notwithstanding 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
survey 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 mutiny, 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-
tain 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 were frequently
allowed to go on shore at one time, without ever giving cause
for the least 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 with a superb dia-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 143

uiond ring; whilst from the King of Sardinia he received a
handsome gold snuff-box, in return for the attention he had
paid to his royal brother, when on board the Gibraltar for a
passage to Cagliari.

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 the following letter, dated Victory, Nov.
1, 1803 :

" My dear Sir, — We anchored in Agincourt Sound yesterday evening,
and I assure you that I individually feel a.11 the obligation due to you for
ypur most correct chart and directions for these islands. We worked the
Victory every foot of the way from Asinana 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 feel obliged to your very
great skill and attention in making this survey. This is absolutely one of
the finest harbours I have ever seen." The gallant Admiral, alluding to
the state of Naples, &c. &c. thus proceeds in his usual kind and cqmmuni-
cative manner :

" Although I forgot to mention to you when the 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 by way
of Palermo on the subject : but I am sure you would dp it if the parti-
cular service you are employed upon would admit it, without any directions
from me. We are all in high health, and 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 perfectly 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 her all
the assistance in your power and send her off, for we 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 Gaetano OH board
the Raven."

In June 1804, the Gibraltar having been upwards of
twelve years hi commission, and in great want of repair, was
ordered to proceed home, calling at Cadiz for the trade bound
to England, with which she arrived at the Motherbank on
the 14th of the following month; and two days after, the

144 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1798.

following letter was sent to Captain Ryves, by the masters
of the vessels who had accompanied him :

" Ship Mountroyal, \Gth July, 1804.

" Sir. — We the undersigned Masters of vessels under your convoy from
Cadiz, 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 same, and to efier our best
\vishes 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
Ryves 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 wind, without
the loss of a single vessel. The manner in which this latter
service was conducted, excited the surprise of officers who
had been several years on the station, one of whom addressed
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 ; 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
Ryves'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
have avoided the melancholy fate which befel them about
that time.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 145

- 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 j 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 consolation 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 SCOTT, 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 J 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 in the Vengeance 74, which ship formed part of
the squadron under Rear-Admiral Gardner, when that officer

VOL. II. I,

)46 POST*CAPTAINS or 1798.

made an 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 must refer the reader to our first volume, p. 75, et seq*
An account of the Bellerophon's conspicuous behaviour on
those memorable days will be found at pp. 509 and 510
of the same.

Lieutenant Scott's next appointment was, Aug. 1, 1794,
to the 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, July 31, 1797.
" At a meeting of the Committee of Merchants, &c. &<:., held here this
day —

" RESOLVED, — That the thanks of this Committee be transmitted to Cap-
tain Scott, 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
the ships in a mutinous state,, in order to prevent the contagion becoming
more general on board the Albatross.

(Signed) " HUGH INGLIB, 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 ; de Braave of 12 guns, and 1'Einouchet
of 8 guns and 55 men. His post commission bears date
June 15, J798.

From this period, Captain Scott remained on half-pay till
July 10, 1799, when he obtained the command of the Stately,
a 64 gun ship, armed en flute. In April 1800, he sailed with
troops for the Mediterranean ; and after his arrival on that

:sxi '-* See Vol. I. p. 40 ». t See Vol. I. p. 559.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 147

station, was employed in the respective blockades of Genoa
and Malta*. Early in the following year, he accompanied
Lord Keith to Aboukir Bay, where he commanded the left
wing of the boats employed to land the army under Sir Ralph
Abercromby f. For his conduct on this occasion, and during
the subsequent operations in that quarter, the gold medal of
the Turkish Order of the Crescent was presented to him by
order of the Grand Seignior J.

Captain Scott continued in the Mediterranean during the
suspension of hostilities, occasioned by the treaty of Amiens ;
and retained the command of the Stately till Aug. 1804, when
Jie joined the Success of 32 guns. From the latter he removed
March 13, 1806, into the Malabar 54 ; which ship he left on
the 31st July following.

His next appointment was, June 1 1, 1807, to the Horatio,
a 38-gun frigate, built of fir. On the 10th Feb. 1809, being
in the neighbourhood of the Virgin Islands, he fell in with,
and at three-quarters of an hour past noon brought la Junon,
a French frigate of the largest class, to close action, which
was maintained with the greatest skill and bravery on both
sides till 3- 2ol P. M. when the Latona frigate, which had
previously chased the enemy, arrived within pistol-shot ; and
in a few minutes afterwards la Junon, having lost her fore
and mizen-masts, was compelled to surrender.

In this gallant action the Horatio had 7 men killed and 26
wounded 5 among the latter was Captain Scott, who, after
being deprived of the services of his 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 effort in his
power 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 teiv
ruination of the affair, but does not appear to have been of

» See Vol. I. pp. 53 and 281.

f See Vol. I., note |, at p. 259 ; and note *, at p. 313.
J See Vol. I. note at p. 129.

148 POST-CX-PTAINS OF 1/98.

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° KX N. and long. 29° 30' W. he captured,
after along chase, and running action of one hour, la Neces-
site, 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 Sup^rieure, 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 OP 1798. 149

THOMAS DUNDAS, ESQ.

THIS officer, after commanding the Merlin sloop of war for a
considerable period in the North Sea and British Channel, was
promoted to the rank of Post-Captain July 9, 1798 j 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
frigate, 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 Belleille 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, <e 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 j 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; pre-

* La Prowpte was the first ship launched by the French Republic,
f See Nav. Chron. v. 30. p. 487.

150 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798.

vious to which he commanded the Swallow sloop of waf
in the West Indies, where he captured several of the enemy's
privateers. He assisted at the capture of the neutral islands
in 1801 ; and soon after had the misfortune to be wrecked
in the Proselyte frigate, off St. Martin's. During the late
war he commanded in succession the division of prison ships
stationed in the river Medway; the Royal William*, and
Prince, three-deckers, bearing the flag of the commander-in-
chief at Portsmouth ; and the depdt for prisoners of war at
Stapleton. Since the peace, he had the superintendence of the
ordinary at Sheerness, for the established period of three years*

-
JAMES KEITH SHEPHARD, ESQ.

THIS omcerwas made a Lieutenant Sept. 19, 1777 > obtained
post rank July 12, 1798 ; and during the remainder of the
war commanded the Redoubt of 20 guns, stationed as a float-
ing battery in the river Humber. He was appointed to
superintend the impress service at Gravesend about July
1810 ; and is at present employed in the preventive service.

Agent* —

RICHARD HARRISON PEARSON, ESQ.

THIS officer, a descendant from the elder branch of the
Pearsons of Kippencross, in Scotland, is the eldest son of the
late Sir Richard Pearson, Knt., who died Lieutenant-Gover-
nor of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, in Jan. 1806, by
Margaret, third daughter of Francis Harrison, of Appleby,
Westmoreland, Esq.f

* The long services of the Royal William (alias "OLD BILLY"), pro-
tracted beyond those of any other ship ever built, ended in 1813, at which
period she was examined, and her timbers found so defective, that she was
ordered to be broken up. It is not known when this memorable ship was
first built ; but it is recorded of her, that she came into harbour to be
laid up in ordinary, on the 2d Oct. 1679 ; went out March 16, 1 700 ; came
in again on the 26th July 1702 ; was ordered, July 31, 1714, to be taken
to pieces, for the purpose of being rebuilt ; and was undocked on the 3d
September 1719.

f Sir Richard Pearson was the officer who, in Sept. 1779, with hU own
ship, the Serapis, and the Countess of Scarborough, an armed vessel, whose

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1796. 151

He was made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; commanded the Stork
sloop of war in 1797, and in that vessel captured the Lynx,
a French privatee^ of 14 guns and 50 men. His post com-
mission bears date Aug. 7, 1798.

On the 18th May 1803, the very day on which the decla-
ration of renewed hostilities against France issued from St.
James's, Captain Pearson, in the Doris frigate, being off
Ushant, fell in with and captured I'Affronteur, a French lug-
ger of 14 guns, long 9-pounders, and 92 men. This vessel
kept up a running fight with the Doris till the instant Captain
Pearson laid her alongside ; nor did she then give up a con-
test so fraught with temerity, until 9 men, including her cap-
tain, were killed, and 14 wounded. Luckily only 1 man
was wounded on board the frigate. From this period Cap-
tain Pearson cruised, with very great success, against the
enemy's trade, until the month of September following, when
he was obliged to come on shore through ill health. He
subsequently commanded the Dictator of 64 guns, and Ben-
bo W, a third-rate. The latter ship received the flag of the
Lord High Admiral of Great Britain^ when the Lords Com-
missioners, attended by the Navy, Transport, and Victualling
Boards, visited Portsmouth, in September 1818.'

Captain Pearson married, in 1799, Miss Maria Holmes, of
Westcombe Park, near Greenwich.

Agent. — — —

SAMUEL PETER FORSTER, ESQ.

THIS officer commanded the Albicore sloop, on the West
India station, in 1797 j and was promoted into the Abergavenny
of 54 guns, 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 defended him-
self against four of the enemy's ships, carrying 126 guns and 1 100 men, com-
manded by that notorious trailer and freebooter, Paul Jones, a naturalized
subject of the United States, and by his gallant exertions prevented a fleet
under his convoy, valued at upwards of 600,OOOJ. sterling, from being cap-
tured. A portrait and memoir of Sir Richard \vill be found in the Nav.
Chron v. 24. p. 353, et aeq. . .1 ., '

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 j 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 Cornwallis : 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 France ; 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. — Sir Francis M. Ommanney, M.P.

JOHN BAKER HAY, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 j obtained post
rank Sept. 7, 1798 ; and subsequently commanded the Sen-
• See Vol. I. p. 84.

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 j and died at Portsmouth, May 13, 1823, in his
63d year.

SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, BART.

Knight 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-Dlvision 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 for
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, which
was soon after taken in tow, but cast off 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 officers on board the prize,
purposely to draw the attention of the enemy from what, on more than one
account, wouUf 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
€ommodore Nelson's return from Porto Ferrajo to Gibraltar, they bad
the gratification of being allowed to rejoin la Minerve, having been pre-
viously exchanged by the Spaniards. ' •

154 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

the 28th Mny, 1797> Captains Hallo well and Cockburh,
of the Lively and Minerve, having discovered a French
brig of war lying close 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. Accordingly, about 2h 30' P. M., our officer proceed-
ed on this service j 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 fire 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 was so desperate an
enterprise, that I should certainly have promoted Lieutenant Hardy, so
that neither you, HaUowell, nor Cockburn, have any debtor account to ine
upon this occasion. He has got it by his own bat, and I hope will
prosper."

We next find Captain Hardy accompanying Nelson in pur-
suit of the powerful armament which had sailed from Toulon,
and proceeded 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,
bearing 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 was confirmed by the Admiralty, Oct. 2, 1798.

* Sec Vol. I p. 777.

t>OST-CAPTAiNS OF 1798* 155

Towards the latter end of the same year King Ferdi-
nand of Naples, and his Court, embarked in the Vanguard,
for a passage to Palermo, where that persecuted monarch
presented Captain Hardy with his miniature on a box set
round with a double row of diamonds. Nelson soon after-
wards shifted his flag into the Foudroyant of 80 guns, to
which ship Captain Hardy also removed. In the ensuing
Bummer the Rear- Admiral went to Naples ; and, as his royal
guest was pleased to say, " reconquered his kingdom, and
placed him upon his throne."

Captain Hardy continued to command the Foudroyant till
Oct. 12, 1799; When Captain Berry having joined from Eng-
land, he was appointed, 'pro tempore, to the Princess Char-
lotte frigate. On his return from the Mediterranean, he was
introduced by letter to Nelson's august friend, the Duke of
Clarence, and recommended to the notice of His Royal High*
ness, " as an officer of the most distinguished merit"

Our officer subsequently served as Flag-Captain to Lord
Nelson, in the Namur, San Josef, and St. George, the latter
forming part of the fleet destined to dissolve the Northern
Confederacy. The particulars of the sanguinary battle off
Copenhagen, April 2, 1801, have already been given, under
the head of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Foley * j to which we
have only to add, that during the preceding night, Captain
Hardy was employed sounding the channel, and ascertaining
the bearing of the eastern end of the Middle Ground, the
greatest obstacle, as it afterwards proved, that the British
had to contend with in their approach towards the Danish
line of defence. On this occasion he rowed in his boat to the
enemy's leading ship, sounding round her, and using a pole
when he was apprehensive of being heard. On his return to
the Elephant, into which ship Lord Nelson had removed, for
the purpose of more immediately superintending the opera-
tions of his division, Captain Hardy reported the practicabi-
lity of the channel, and the depth of water up to the Danish
line : had his report been abided by, instead of confiding in
the masters and pilots, the latter of whom were in general
mates of vessels trading from the ports of Scotland and north

* See Vol. 1. note at p, 365, et seq.

156 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. y

of England to the Baltic, there can be no doubt that those
ships which unfortunately took the ground would have reached
the several stations assigned to them, and thus been spared
the mortification of remaining exposed to the fire from the
Crown-batteries, without being able to render that effectual
support to their companions which they wished.

On the 4th of April Lord Nelson landed at Copenhagen,
accompanied by Captains Freemantle and Hardy, and received
all possible attention from the Crown Prince. A strong guard
secured his Lordship's safety, and appeared necessary to keep
off the mob, whose rage, although mixed with admiration at
his thus trusting himself amongst them, was naturally to be
expected. The events of the 2d, had plunged the whole town
into a state of terror, astonishment, and mourning : the oldest
inhabitant had never before seen a shot fired in anger at his
native country. The battle of that day, and the return of the
wounded to the care of their friends on the 3d, were certainly
not events that could induce the Danish nation to receive
their conqueror with much cordiality. It perhaps savoured
of rashness in Lord Nelson thus early to risk himself amongst
them ; but with him his country's cause was paramount to
all personal consideration. .

Sir Hyde Parker, having left those ships which were the
most disabled in the late conflict, under the care of Lord
Nelson, whose flag was again flying on board the St. George,
proceeded with the rest of his fleet up the Baltic, for the
purpose of chastising the Russians and Swedes. The sudden
death of the Emperor Paul, however, which was immediately
followed by pacific overtures from his successor, the present
Czar, prevented the farther effusion of blood ; and early in
the month of May, Sir Hyde resigned the command to Nel-
son, who subsequently visited Revel and Rostock, at which
latter place he received a visit from the Duke of Mecklenburgh
Strelitz, brother to the consort of his late Majesty. The bad
state of his Lordship's health, however, compelled him to apply
for leave to return to England ; and, about the middle of
June, he was succeeded in the command of the Baltic fleet by
his worthy friend Sir C. M. Pole, who remained on that sta-
tion till the latter end of July j when, there being no longer

POST-CAPTArNS OP 1798. 157

any occasion for so powerful a force there, he returned from
thence in the St. George *.

Soon after Captain Hardy's arrival in England he was ap-
pointed to the Isis of 50 guns ; and in the spring of the fol-
lowing year he conveyed H. R. H. the late Duke of Kent to
Gibraltar. He next commanded the Amphion of 32 guns,
and carried out Lord R. Fitzgerald on an embassy to the
Court of Portugal. The Amphion returned to Spithead from
Lisbon, Dec. 10, 1802.

It was on the 16th May, 1803, that a royal message to
both Houses of Parliament announced a fresh rupture with
France. The eyes of the British public were instantly di-
rected toward their invincible Admiral; and, agreeably to the
national wish, Lord Nelson was immediately appointed to
the chief command of the Mediterranean fleet. His Lordship
sailed for that station in the Victory of 100 guns, accompa-
nied by Captain Hardy in the Amphion ; and on his arrival
off Brest shifted his flag to that frigate, where it remained
till he was rejoined by the Victory off Toulon at the latter
end of July f. From this period till the termination of that
hero's glorious career, Captain Hardy was his constant com-
panion.

The particulars of Lord Nelson's memorable excursion to
the West Indies, will be found under the head of Sir Pulteney
Malcolm, in a note at p. 589, et seq. of our first volume; at
the conclusion of which we left his Lordship returning to
Spithead, filled with mortification on account of the combined
squadrons of France arid Spain having eluded his vigilance^.

* Previous to Lord Nelson's departure from the Baltic, he received in-
structions to invest Rear-Admiral Graves, who had so ably seconded him
in the late battle, with the Order of the Bath. This ceremony was per-
formed with all possible dignity, June 14th, on the quarter-deck of the
St. George,
t See Vol. I. p. 833.

J The reader is requested to make the following corrections in the note
alluded to above : p. 590, lines 24 and 25, for William Gordon Rutherford,
read Mark Robinson : p. 591, line 20 /ram bottom, for tee, read he; tine
14 from bottom, after 1 9th, insert June.

N. B. Rear Admiral George Murray was Lord Nelson's first captain .
The Northumberland and Spartiate were the two ships which joined his
Lordship at Barbadoes ; the former was left on her station when he re-
turned to Europe.

158 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

Towards the end of August 1805, Captain Blackwood of the
Euryalus arrived at the Admiralty, with intelligence of the
enemy having put into Cadiz, where they were watched by
Vice- Admiral Collingwood ; and on the 14th of the following
month, Lord Nelson again embarked on board the Victory,
The scene is described as having been singularly affecting-
He was followed to the beach by numbers of the inhabitants
of Portsmouth in tears, many of whom knelt down before
him and blessed the beloved hero of the British nation. The
affectionate heart of Nelson could not but sympathise with
the general interest that his countrymen took in his welfiare,
and turning round to Captain Hardy, he said, " I had their
huzzas before — / have now their hearts." The Victory
weighed on the 15th, at day-break, and, accompanied by the
Euryalus, worked down Channel against contrary and strong
gales.

After encountering much blowing weather, his Lordship
arrived off Cadiz on the 29th Sept. j and from that day till the
21st Oct. never came in sight of land, in order that the enemy
might be kept in ignorance of his force : the wisdom of this
plan was strongly proved by subsequent events. The French
commander-in-chief, M. Villeneuve, repeatedly declared his
belief that Nelson, by detaching six sail of the line to the
Mediterranean, had reduced the British fleet so much as
to render it one-third weaker than those of France and
Spain*1.

We now come to the great and terrible day of the battle,
When, as it has been well expressed, " God gave us victory,
but Nelson died." The two columns of the British fleet, led
on by the commander-in-chief and his worthy second, the
gallant Collingwood, advanced with light airs and all sail set,
towards the van and centre of the enemy ; the former steering
for the bow of the huge Santissima Trinidada, the latter
cutting through their line astern of another Spanish first-rate.
The succeeding ships of each column vied with each other in
following their leaders' example. The enemy at first dis-
played considerable coolness j and, as the Victory approached,
such of their ships as were a-head of her, and on her bows,

•

• For the respective force of the hostile fleets, see Vol. I, pp. 205^-6.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 159

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
afterwards informed his chief that it would be impossible to
break through 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 know
which he would prefer. t( 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
aterns of those ships ; after which, and being raked herself by
the Neptune, a French 74, the Victory, in the act of coming
to the wind, fell on board the Redoubtable 74 ; which ship,
after discharging a broadside, let down her lower-deck ports,
probably that she might not be boarded through them ; nor
were they again opened. Some time after this the Fougueux,
another French 74, ran foul of the Temeraire, which ship had
been previously lashed to the Redoubtable on her starboard
side: so that the extraordinary and unprecedented circumstance
occurred, of four ships of the line being on board of each
other in the heat of battle, forming almost as compact a tier
as if they had been moored together, their heads all lying
nearly in the same direction,

In the first heat of the action, Mr. Scott, the Admiral's
Secretary, was killed by a cannon-shot, whilst in conversa-
tion with Captain Hardy. A few minutes afterwards a shot
struck the fore-brace bits, and passing between Lord Nelson
and Captain Hardy, drove some splinters about them, one of
which bruised the foot of the latter officer, and tore the
buckle from his shoe. They mutually looked at each other,
when Nelson smiled and said, " This is too ivarm work to
last, Hardy." His Lordship also at this time noticed the
coolness displayed by his crew, and declared, that in all his
battles he had seen nothing that could surpass it.

The Redoubtable, in lieu of her great guns, kept up a heavy
fire of musketry from her decks and tops, by which alone

160 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

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
some necessary directions j and his Lordship was in the act of
turning near the hatchway, with his face towards the stern,
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" 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 Lordship 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 on

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 161

the great 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 j 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 ; 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 j I 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 to suppress 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 3-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. II. M

102 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1796.

some ropes and canvas on the Victory's booms, the Redoubt-
able, having lost her bowsprit, main and mizen-masts, and
rbre-top-mast, and being, as we may readily imagine, in a
dreadfully shattered 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; " 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 then kneeling dbwn, again kissed his forehead :
" Who is that ? " said the dying warrior: " It is Hardy, my
Lord." "God bless you, Hardy," replied Nelson feebly, and
shortly after added, " I wish I had not left the deck, I shall
soon be gone; " his voice then gradually became inarticu-
late, with an evident increase of pain : when, after a feeble
struggle, these last words were distinctly heard, — " I HAVE

* Rear-Admiral George Murray, who had formerly filled the honorable
post of Captaia of the Fleet, having occasion to remain in England to settle
some family affairs, left his Lordship on his return from the West Indies.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 163

DONE MY DUTY, I PRAISE GOD tfOR 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 off
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 arriving 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 commencement of the battle, Captains
Blackwood and Hardy witnessed Lord Nelson's will. To the latter officer
his Lordship bequeathed a small legacy, and all his telescopes.

f It is said to have been the intention of Vice-Admiral Collingwood, to
have sent the body of Lord Nelson home in the Euryalus frigate, until a
very strong reluctance was manifested by the crew of the Victory to part
with so valuable a 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 j that if, by being put ou
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 with it themselves."

M 2

164 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

she now brought 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 llth Dec. Captain Hardy sailed from Spithead for
the Nore, but did not reach the Downs till the 17th. On the
22d the Victory was met by a yatch sent from Sheerness 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 depo'sited in 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 the same tune 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

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1798. 165

the fleet 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
Ramillies 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.
The officer of the boat brought the prize near the Ramillies,
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
a trading sloop which had been captured a few days before ;
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 Ramillies ; 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
hundred persons as were on board the Ramillies into eternity ;
every friend of humanity rejoiced at its failure.

Towards 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
war stationed off New London^

166 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

At the enlargement of the Order of the Bath, Jan. 2,
Sir Thomas M. Hardy was nominated a K. C. B. ; audio
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 ;
from 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-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 167

ed by seizures, confiscations, and a long train of appeals. The
governments too, were 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 manner in which those complicated
duties were conducted by Sir Thomas Hardy.

It will be easily understood why services of this nature 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 their requiring
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 ; 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 siderthat 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

168 .POST-CAPTAINS OP 1796.

having Spanish property on board — British sailors reported
that they had been forcibly detained, and made to fight
against 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 wej:e 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 destruction 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 tune 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 then* being totally pure and disinterested personally hi 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. 169

amongst the strangers, who from motives of gain had sought
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 moat worthy of 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 Richmond, 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 j and obtained the rank of Post-Captain Nov. 8,
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 Goalan, a French brig of 18 guns, and an armed

170 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

cutter, at, the evacuation of Aux Cayes, St. Domingo, in Oct.
1803 ; the Leyden formed part of Admiral Gambier's fleet at
the capture of the Danish navy in 1807- Towards the latter
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 Hurt, Esq., of Albemarle Street, London.

GRAHAM EDEN HAMOND, ESQ.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and a
Deputy-Lieutenant of the Isle of flight.

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, 1779 j 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 Snape 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 Phaeton during that
year, were le General Dumourier, a French privateer of 22
guns and 196 men, having on board 2,040,000 dollars ; her
prize the St. Jago, laden with bark, copper, and bides, worth
nearly 300,000/. sterling * ; la Prompte, a small French fri-
gate of 28 guns and 180 men; a privateer of 16 guns and
60 men j and the Blonde, a national ship mounting 24 guns.

In April 1794, Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, who had pre-
viously worn a distinguishing pendant, and commanded all the
frigates of Earl Howe's fleet, formed into a separate squadron,
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 this period,

• See Vol. I. note f, at p. 757. N. B. Le General Dumourier and the
St. Jago were first discovered from the Phaeton's raain-top-gallanUnast-
head, by Mr. Hamond. The remainder of Rear-Admiral GelPs squadron
joined in the pursuit ; but &ey were both overtaken and captured by the
Phaeton.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 1/1

he says, " That I will take care of my friend Graham us long-
as I live, you may rest assured; and I flatter myself his
going into the Queen Charlotte with me will be no disadvan-
tage to him in point of education. He is vastly well, and
nobody can conduct himself better than he does in every
respect."

In the Queen Charlotte Mr. Hamond witnessed the recap-
ture of his Majesty's ship Castor, and part of the Lisbon
fleet, which had been taken whilst under her protection; the
destruction of a French national cutter ; and the capture
of a corvette and a brig of war. He also had the honor of
sharing in the glorious battle of June 1, 1794, on which
occasion his gallant relative received a severe wound, from
the effects of which he never recovered*.

On the 30th Dec. in the same year, Mr. Hamond was re-
moved into the Princess Augusta yacht, then fitting at Dept-
ford, for the purpose of conveying the Princess Caroline of
Brunswick to England ; and about a month afterwards, from
that vessel to the Jupiter of 50 guns, bearing the broad pen-
dant of Commodore Payne, who commanded the ships se-
lected to escort H. S. H. from Cuxhavenf. Previous,
however, to the final departure of the squadron from the
Nore, Mr. Hamond was ordered back to the Queen Charlotte,
and very soon after appointed to act as a Lieutenant in the
Aquilon frigate, where he continued about three months.
He subsequently joined the Zealous 74, bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Dickson, and about to sail for the Mediter-
ranean ; but being detained *by contrary winds, he obtained
permission to proceed thither across the continent, by which
means he was enabled to join the British fleet just after the
partial action off Frejus, July 13, 1795, and time enough to
witness the blowing up of 1'Alcide, a French 74 £. On the
23d of the same month he was appointed junior Lieutenant
of Vice-Admiral Hotham's flag-ship, the Britannia of 100
guns. His commission was confirmed by the Admiralty,
Oct. 19th following.

Lieutenant Hamond remained in the Britannia until July

* See note at p. 54. f See Vol. I. note J at p. 353, et scy.
I See Vol. I. jiote at p. 254.

172 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

1796, when he was sent in the Flora frigate to join 1'Aigle off
Tunis. 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 l()th 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 was made a Com-
mander, and appointed to the Echo, a new sloop of 18 guns,
fitting at Deptford.

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 then* 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 Cape
Clear. After performing this service he went to Marcou with
reinforcements for the garrison, and then proceeded to join
the squadron blockading Havre ; off which port he remained
till the beginning of December, when he returned to Spithead,
and found himself promoted to the command of the Champion,
a post-ship, by commission dated Nov. 3, 1798.

During the ensuing year, Captain Hamond was succes-
sively employed convoying a fleet of merchant vessels to the
Elbe ; guarding the mouths of that river and the Weser, to
prevent the enemy's gun-boats from entering ; cruising off
Norway ; carrying money from the Thames to the British
army in Holland ; and watching the return of the trade from
Archangel, This latter, owing to the advanced season of the
year, proved a very severe service, the Champion's station

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 173

being from 66° to 70° North latitude. 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 j but it was not until the evening of the 28th,
with the assistance of a fresh breeze, that this could be ef-
fected. She proved to be the famous French privateer Ana-
creon of 16 guns, a vessel which bad done incalculable mis-
chief to our commercial interests.

In March 1800 the Champion convoyed a fleet to Gibraltar,
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 shewed 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, whosre 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, Upon 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-shot they 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 vessels,
Captain Hamond was fully prepared to give them a warm
reception ; but, considering their immense superiority, it is

174 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

more than probable his resistance would have been unavailing;
and had they discovered such a booty of ordnance stores, it
is not to be imagined that any moral reasoning on his part,
would 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 subsequently employed conveying
the officers and crew of the Guillaume Tell, a French 80-gun
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 heat
of the climate, he was obliged to return home ; 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, 180fr; 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 Baltic.

On the 19th March, 1801, Captain Hamond was sent on to
Elsineur with a flag of truce, and despatches for Mr. Drum-
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, and car-
ried to the fleet afi the entrance of the Sound.

In the ensuing battle with the Danish line of defence
before Copenhagen f , the Blanche was anchored by the stern
between the Amazon and Alcmene frigates, abreast of the
Great Crown battery, under the fire of which formidable
work she continued nearly two hours. Her loss consisted of
7 men killed and 9 severely wounded. Her hull and rigging
were also ranch cut up £.

* S«e VoL I. p. 3/8. t See Vol. I. note * at p. 365, et seq.
\ From the circumstance of her grounding the preceding evening, near

POST- CAPTAINS OF IJ98.

Lord Nelson behaved very kindly to Captain Hamond
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 smuggling; and in the
summer'of 1802, attending upon his late Majesty and the royal
family, at Wey mouth. She was paid off at Sheerness,
Sept. 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 Hamond waa»appointed to
the Plantagenet of 74 guns*, in which ship he captured the
Courier de Terre Neu\re, a French brig privateer of 16 guns
and 54 men, July 24, 1803, and three days afterwards 1'A-
talante, a beautiful corvette of 22 guns and 120 men. The
latter chased the Plantagenet, under the impression that she
was an [ndiaman, being without a poop. Captain Hamond
was obliged to resign the conuaand of this fine ship, through
ill-health, in November of the same year ; and he remained
without any other appointment until the change of Ministry
in 1804, when he obtained the command of the Lively, a
fine 38-gun frigate, recently launched at Woolwich.

The Lively joined Admiral CoirnwaMis off Brest, Sept. 23,
1804, and was immediately detached with secret orders to
intercept two Spanish frigates expected from Lima with trea-
sure, for which purpose Captain Graham Moore had received
similar directions the same day. On the 3d Oct. the Imle-

the island of Amak, not an officer or a man tad been oflf the Blanche's
deck from the time of her first getting under weigh, whereas erery
other ship's company had had their regular meals and usual night's
rest.

* See Vol. I. p. 84.

176 POST-CAPTAINS OF

fatigable, Lively, Medusa, and Amphion, formed a junction
off Cadiz j when Captain Sutton of the latter frigate gave in-
telligence, that the ships Captains Moore and Hamond were
sent to look after had already arrived, but that four others
were hourly expected, and that they would probably make
the high land of Monte Figo, near Cape St. Mary's, in Por-
tugal, for which neighbourhood the British squadron imme-
diately steered. The result of their rencontre with the Span-
ish ships, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Bustainente,
has already been noticed at p. 536 of our first volume. The
Lively, on that occasion, having compelled the Clara of 36 guns
and 300 men to surrender, after half an hour's close action, was
ordered to pursue the Fama, which ship had made sail from
her opponent, the Medusa. At half an hour past noon Cap-
tain Hamond succeeded in bringing her to action, which
continued until lh 15' P. M. when she surrendered, and was
taken possession of by the Lively, whose superior sailing
alone prevented the Spanish Commodore, Zapiain, from ef-
fecting his purpose, of running the Fama on shore to avoid
being captured. The total loss sustained by the Lively was
2 men killed and 5 wounded. She arrived at Spithead, ac-
companied by the Fama, on the 17th Oct. exactly one month
after leaving the Nore.

Captain Hamond was subsequently sent with secret orders
to the squadron stationed off Cadiz, under the orders of Sir
John Orde, by whom he was despatched in Nov. 1804, to
reconnoitre Carthagena j and after the performance of that
service, to cruise off Cape St Vincent, where he captured the
San Miguel, a Spanish merchant ship, from Ornoa to Cadiz,
having on board 196,639 dollars, four cases of wrought plate,
2,064 bales of indigo, and other valuable articles. The same
day (Dec. 7th) he observed Captain Lawford, of the Polyphe-
mus 64, capture the Santa Gertruyda, a frigate of 36 guns,
laden with a cargo of very great value *. It is necessary to
observe in this place, that all these treasure-ships were dis-
posed of as droits of the Crown, and only one-fourth of their
proceeds given to the captors.

Towards the latter end of Mar. 1805, the Lively received

;; i us. 6<V :;: icVj ;. r.

• See Vol. I. p. 498.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 177

on board all the specie and bullion that had been captured
from the Spaniards, amounting to near 5,000,000 dollars,
with which she arrived at Spithead on the 15th April. This
was probably the largest sum ever embarked on board one ship;
and Captain Hamond's anxiety for its safety was no doubt very
great. A recent arrangement, however, by which the pay-
ment of freight-money had been suspended, precluded him
from obtaining any remuneration for the immense responsi-
bility he had been subjected to, and which, according to for-
mer regulations, would have amounted to at least 10,000/.
sterling for the bare conveyance of such a sum from Gibral-
tar to Cadiz. The regulation alluded to was shortly after
rescinded.

On the 29th May, Captain Hamond being off Cadiz, with
the Surinam and Halcyon sloops of war under his orders,
observed the Glorioso, a Spanish 74, get under weigh, and
stand out towards him. About 4 P. M. when nearly five
miles distant from the land, the enemy hauled to the wind,
which at that time blew so strong as barely to allow him to
carry his whole top-sails with top-gallant-sails furled. Cap-
tain Hamond, notwithstanding his consorts were hull down
to leeward, immediately gave chase, and soon got within
gun-shot, firing repeatedly, when passing on opposite tacks,
for the space of two hours, and receiving the enemy's broad-
sides in return, but without any damage to the Lively. At
length the Spaniard's main-tack and jib-stay being shot away,
he appeared angry, and bore upsetting his top-gallant-sails.
Captain Hamond not deeming it prudent to close with so
superior a force, did the same, hoping to draw him down to
the English sloops, both of which carried heavy metal. The
enemy soon perceived his intentions, and at dark hauled up
under all sail. The Lively followed his example, intending to
keep sight of him during the night ; thinking it probable that
some other cruiser might have appeared to assist her at day-
light. Unfortunately the night proved thick and squally, and
the Spaniard was not seen again. Captain Hamond after-
wards learned that the Glorioso was bound to the Havannah,
with a new Governor and his suite on board as passengers,
and that she was obliged to put into Teneriffe to secure her

VOL. II. N

178 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

masts, and repair other damages occasioned by the Lively's
fire. In this rencontre the crew of the British frigate particu-
larly exerted themselves, and actually reefed the top-sails
twice with the yards only half lowered, working their guns
at the same time.

In June 1805, Captain Hamond took charge of a fleet of
transports at Gibraltar bound to Malta ; and on the 26th of
that month, having received on board General Sir James Craig
and suite, for a passage, made sail to the eastward, accom-
panied by four sail of the line under Sir Richard Bickerton,
who escorted him past Carthagena. The troops embarked in
these transports were intended to act in conjunction with a
Russian army, expected from Corfu to assist in the defence of
Naples. The squadron attached to ,the expedition consisted
of the Lively, Sea-horse, and Ambuscade frigates, and Merlin
sloop of war.

Every necessary arrangement having been made by Sir
James Craig and Captain Hamond, the latter of whom had
already visited Naples for that purpose, the armament left
Malta on the 3d Nov., formed a junction with the Russians
at sea, and arrived at Castel-a-Mare on the 20th. From
thence the combined troops were immediately marched to
the frontiers ; but the French entering the kingdom with a
far superior force, they were soon after obliged to retreat ;
and by the 19th Jan. 1806, the whole were again embarked,
and on their way to Messina ; the citadel and forts of which
place were garrisoned by them, jointly with the Sicilians, in
the course of the succeeding month.

During the time the Lively remained off Naples, her main-
mast was damaged by lightning, which also knocked down
several men, but did no further mischief. After landing the
troops at Messina, Captain Hamond refitted his ship at Malta,
and then returned to the Faro, where his launch captured a
Spanish merchantman. On the 7th April, Sir James Craig,
being obliged to return home on account of ill-health, once
more embarked with Captain Hamond, who landed him at
Plymouth on the 12th of the following month.

From this period we find no mention of Captain Hamond
till Dec. 27, 1808, when he assumed the command of the Vic-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

torious 74, fitting for the North Sea station, in which ship
he assisted at the capture of Flushing, in Aug. 1809*. By
this time his health had again become so much impaired,
that he was under the necessity of applying for permission to
go to England j and his request being complied with by the
commander-in-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 the
following day. During the last year of the war he commanded
the Rivoli, a third rate, forming part of the Mediterranean
fleet. He was nominated a C. B. in June 1815; and ga-
zetted as a Deputy-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Nov. 3,
1821.

Captain Hamond married, in Dec. 1806, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John Kimber, of Fowey, co. Cornwall, Esq.

dgent. — Sir Francis M. Ommanney, M. P.

ROBERT HONYMAN, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; commanded
the Tisiphone sloop of war, and captured the French priva-
teers le Prospere of 14 guns and 73 men, and le Cerf Volant
of 14 guns and 63 men, on the North Sea station, in 1797 j
and obtained the rank of Post-Captain Dec. 10, 1798. 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 shires of Orkney and
Shetland.

Early in 1803, Captain Honyman obtained the command
of the Leda frigate ; and at the renewal of the war was sta-
tioned on the coast of France, with 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 Vol. I. p. 290 j and note * at p. 135, of the present volume,
N 2

180 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1798.

shell fell on board the Leda and exploded in her hold, doing
but little injury to the ship, and without hurting a man.

At the latter end of July 1804, the boats of the Leda, com-
manded by Lieutenant M'Lean, 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 Leda.
The gallant commander of the party was among the slain.

On the 24th April, 1805, Captain Honyman discovered
twenty-six of the enemy's vessels rounding Cape Grisnez :
he immediately 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-
itzer, 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 Indiaman,
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 same 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.
1807. Towards the conclusion of that year, Captain Hony-
man captured 1'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. 1809, but her
commander was fully acquitted by a court-martial of all
blame on the occasion.

Captain Honyman has since commanded the Ardent of
64 guns, Sceptre 74, and Marlborough of the same force.
In the autumn of 1814, we find him superintending the pay-
ment of ships afloat at Portsmouth.

Agent.— •

* See Vol. I, note \, at p. 622, et seq.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 181

BARTHOLOMEW JAMES, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant May 6, 1779 ; com-
manded a letter of marque 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 1794;
after which he joined the Boyne, a second rate, bearing the
flag of Sir John Jervis. In 1797? we find him commanding
El Corso of 18 guns, on the Mediterranean station ; and in
the following 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, R. N.
C.B.

Agent.— John 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 -Earl of Kingston. He
entered the naval service in March 1786, as a Midshipman, on
board the Winchelsea frigate, commanded by the present
Viscount Exmouth, with whom tie served on the Newfound-
land station for a period of three years. He afterwards joined
the Centurion 50, bearing the flag of Rear-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-battle ships off 1'Orient,

* See Vol. I. note f, at p. 568.

182 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

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 guns, 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. Hig post commission bears date Dec. 24, 1798. During
the l^feter part of the war, he commanded the Triton of 32
guns, in which ship he captured a French vessel from Gna-
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 afterwards con-
sidered not to rest with the Commissioners, the appointment
did not take place.

Captain Fitzgerald married, in Aug. 1 800, 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 five sons and four daughters remain-
ing, of eleven children. His only brother, an officer in the 3d
regiment of Guards, aide-de-camp and equerry to H. R. H.
the Duke of York, died in 1802.

Agent. — Hugh Stanger, Esq.

* See Vol. I. p. 246. N. B. The London was commanded by Captain
Griffith, nephew of Rear- Admiral Colpoys. See id. p. '648.
f See Vol. I. p. 448.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98. 183

RIGHT HONORABLE

CHARLES HERBERT EARL MANVERS,

(VISCOUNT NEWARK.)

A Vice-President of the Bath Literary Society ; a Visitor of the British
Institution ; and a Vice-President of the Society for promoting' the
building of Churches and Chapels.

THIS nobleman's ancestors came into England with Wil-
liam the Conqueror, and were possessed of considerable es-
tates in Suffolk. Sir Simon Pierrepont was summoned to
Parliament in the 9th year of Edw. II. Robert, his descend-
ant, was created Baron Pierrepont, Viscount Newark and
Earl of Kingston, by Charles I. He had also the titles of
Baron Manvers and Herriz. Henry, his son, was created
Marquis of Dorchester in 1645 ; but dying without issue in
1680, the marquisate became -extinct; it was, however, re-
vived in the person of his younger brother Evelyn, who was
afterwards advanced to the dukedom of Kingston. His
Grace was the father of the celebrated Lady Mary Wortley
Montagu, and grandfather of Evelyn the last Duke, who
died without issue in 1773, leaving the whole of his property
to the Duchess, for her life, with reversion to his nephew,
Charles Medows, Esq., formerly a Captain, R. ,N., upon con-
dition of his assuming the family name of Pierrepont.

Mr. Medows married Anne Orton, youngest daughter and

co-heiress of Mills, of Richmond, co. Surrey, Esq. ;

and by that lady had five children. He succeeded to his
uncle's estates on the demise of the Duchess in 1789; was
created Viscount Newark and Baron Pierrepont, July 23,
1796; and Earl Manvers, April 1, 1806 *.

* Earl Manvers was the son of Lady Frances Pierrepont, sister to Eve-
lyn, Duke of Kingston, and the. wife of Philip Medows, Esq., youngest
son of Sir Philip Medows, Knight Marshal. He obtained the rank of
Post-Captain Aug. 17, 1757, and resigned his commission in 1763. His
Lordship \vas much attached to the pursuit of agriculture ; and in 1803
received a gold medal from the Society for the Encouragement of Arts,
Manufactures, and Commerce, for his spirited exertions in sowing acorns
and planting 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 to his country, not only in war, but during his rural

184 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

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; 1'Avantivia Ferolina, of 1 gun and 26
men ; and 1'Espoir 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 1. 9s. 6«?., 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. (xi. 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.

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, 1816.

* The Kiugsfisher was wrecked on the bar of Lisbon, when proceeding
to sea from the Tagus, under the command of her first Lieutenant, a few
days after Captain Pierrepont had joined the Spartiate.

f See Vol. I. note * at p. 66, and ditto at p. 504.

POST-CAPfAIKS OF 1798. 185

Woolward, uiece 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 always 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.1'
With these feelings he engaged in the war of 1793, Mr.
Josiah Nisbet accompanying 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 ; 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 we both fall, Josiah," said he, " what would
become of your poor mother ! The care of the Theseus falls
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 I never go again,"

In the act of stepping out of the boat, Nelson received a

186 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

shot through the right elbow, and fell ; 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 ; 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 his son-in-law, Nelson must have perish-
ed. Lieutenant Nisbet 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 whicli 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-in-law, Josiah Nisbet. * * * * * *. If from poor Bo wen's
loss t 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 :

* In a letter addressed to the coininander-in-chief, a few hours before
he set out upou tte enterprise, he recommended Lieutenant Nisbet to
the protection of Sir John, and of the nation ; addiug, " the Duke of
Clarence, should I fall, will, I am confident, take a lively interest for my
sou-in-law, on his name being mentioned."

t Captain Bowen, of the Terpsichore, killed in the attack, brother of
the present Com misssoner James Bowen, see p. 94; and Vol. 1, note t,
at p. 391, ft seq.

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1798. 187

Earl St. Vincent, to Sir Horatio Nelson.

" My dear Admiral. — I do assure you, the Captain of the Dolphin has
acquitted himself marvellously well in three instances : In getting his ship
out and joining us off Cadiz soon after we arrived ; in conducting a convoy
of transports with troops from Gibraltar to Lisbon ; and lately, in pushing-
out to protect the stragglers of the convoy from England in very bad
weather ; and he also improves in manners and conversation, and is amply
stored with abilities, which only want cultivation to render him a very
good character."

Dec. 11, 1798. Nelson to his wife, from Naples. " The improve-
ment made in Josiah by Lady Hamilton is wonderful ; your obligations
and mine are infinite on that score ; not but Josiab/s heart is as good and
as humane as ever was covered by a human breast. God bless him, I
love him dearly with all his roughness."

Captain Nisbet's post commission bears date Dec. 24,
1798. He was promoted to that rank in the Thalia of 36
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 with 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.

Agent. — 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 Ca-
rysfort of 28 guns. He subsequently commanded the Jason
frigate, De Ruyter of 68 guns, Berschermer 50, and Blonde
38. Among the captures made by him in the latter ship,
we find the following French privateers :

188 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/98.

Guns. Men.

La Dame Villaret .... 5 69 Aug. 15, N

L'Hortense 8 90 16, |

L'Hirondclle 8 84 Sept. K, ^ 1807.

Le Duquesne 17 123 23,

L'Alert 20 149 Oct. 14, J

Total .... 58 515

Towards the close of 1809, we find Captain Bullard em-
ployed in the blockade of Guadaloupe, 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 j 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 Islands, 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 announcing
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, 1J98.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

HUGH DOWNMAtf, 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 1J65 j and
entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the

* See Vol. I, p. 8/8 and 879.

POST-CAPTAINS OF J798. 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 j 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.

* See p. 101, el seq ; 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, sought the aid of the British, as-
suring Lord Hood, that even the appearance of a few ships of force off the
island, would be of the most essential service to the popular cause. Ac-
cordingly, in the mouth of Sept. 1793, tlie Alcide and Courageux /4's,
Ardent 64, Lowestoffe and Nemesis frigates, commanded by Captains
Woodley, Matthews, Sutton, Wolseley, and Lord Amelius Beauclerk, were
sent thither, under the orders of Commodore Linzee, who entered the Gulf
of St, Fiorenzo on the 21st. ; and having been led to believe 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
formidable 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-

190 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

On the llth 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
that 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 :

" Speedy, Tagus, Feb. 16, 1798.

" My Lord. — I have the honor to acquaint you, that on the 3rd instant,
at day-light, being seventeen leagues west of Vigo, we discovered a brig
bearing down on us with all sail set. At three P. M. being within 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 vesseb separating, against all our efforts

Las t

casion consisted of one 4, two 8, and thirteen 24-pounders, 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.

with the sweeps, I had the mortification, about twelve o'clock, to see her
fire several guns at our prize that we had taken the day before. Owing to
the good conduct of the master, 12 men who were on board the prize
battened down 26 Spaniards, and made their escape in a small boat. 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 flag flying at the main-top-gallant-mast 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 board ; but at that
instant she wore, and came to the wind on the starboard tack : finding us
close upon her starboard quarter, 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 Button, and
Mr. Johnson, Boatswain, amongst the killed. I beg leave to recommend
to your Lordship's notice Mr. Marshall, Master, 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 be, &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, 1798.

Amongst the captures made by Captain Dowmnan while
commanding the jSanta Dorothea, we find the San Leon, a
Spanish brig of 1 6 long six-poundera and 88 men * ; a brig
laden with wheat, and the Santa Anna of 10 guns : the two

* The Strorabolo, Perseus, and Bull Dog, assisted at this capture.

192 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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-m-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 Spezzia; 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 zee-bins, 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 j and you also entertained me while on
board, with unexampled politeness and urbanity. For the present, be

* See Vol. I. p. 53.

t Cameleon sloop of war, commanded by Lieutenant Jackson; and
Strombolo a Neapolitan brig, Captain Settimo.

,w»«slJ ,ul<

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1J98. 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-

mstcrs *

"Vienna, March 3, 1801.

" The assiduous attention with 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 by 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 Giovanr.o del Bava, as a testimony of the
high sense which H. R. H. has of the delicate attention with which Cap-
tain Downman executed this commission. « * • •

" Mr. tPyndham. (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 friend so hono-
rable a testimony of H. R. H.'s approbation. I shall not fail 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 with 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 Naples. For his very sedulous and oblig-
ing attentions during the passage, that Prince sent him the
following letter, and the Duchess a diamond ring :

VOL. If. Q

194 POST-CAPTAINS OF

" 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, durtog 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 hare 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 confewed 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 respects 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 land 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 50j 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 delivering
this despatch to their Lordships ; and from the intelligent manner in which
I am satisfied lie will explain every movement, and the causes by which
I have been actuated, I trust he will require 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 thront 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 f, at p. 622,

POST-CAPTAINS 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, 1 803, 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 the eminent men of this family, whose founder was Sir William
Capel, Lord Mayor of London, we find a Giles Capel, who was knighted by
Hen. VIII. for his valour in different battles. Arthur, first Lord Capel,
who, during the civil wars, took part with Charles I., 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 him self under valued, when he shall hear that his
courage, vktue, and fidelity, is laid 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 found with his
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-
lowing mention will be found of him among the " Anecdotes of the Court
of Queen Anne" — " He is a good companion ; loves the interests of his
country ; hath no genius for business, nor will ever apply himself that way.
He married my Lord Portland's daughter. The Queen continues him in
her regiment, and has made him Brigadier-General. He is a well-bred
gentleman, brown compkxioned, and well-shaped ; but his mouth is al-
ways open."

Hampton Court, ff splendid building in Herefordshire, with a consider-

o 2

196 POST-CAPTAINS OF J798.

of William, fourth Earl of Essex, by his second Countess,
Harriett, daughter of Colonel Thomas Bladen. He was born
Aug. 25, 1776.

We are not aware of the manner in which Mr. Capel passed
his time as a Midshipman ; but early in 1798, 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. Blanquet, 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 afterwards 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 command of the Phoebe
frigate, and proceeded to the Mediterranean, where he con-
tinued to serve until after the death of his noble friend, the
lamented Nelson.

In the month of April 1805, when that gallant hero pro-
able estate annexed, was knocked down by Squibb, at Garraways, in 1808,
for 64,000/. The grand junction canal passes through Cashiobury Park,
Herts., the present residence of the Earl of Essex, and which is said to
have been the seat of the Kings of Mercia, till Offagaveitto the monastery
of St. Albans. The proprietors at first intended to make a tunnel under
Crossley Hill, but were spared the enormous expence which would have
att"Med such a measure, by the liberality of his Lordship.
* See Captain WILLIAM HENRY DILLON.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798. 197

ceeded down the Mediterranean in pursuit of the French fleet
from Toulon *, Captain Capel was left with five frigates and
two bombs to cover Sardinia, Sicily, and the route to Egypt,
from any troops that might be sent to land in those places.
For some time previous to the battle of Trafalgar, the Phoebe
was employed under the directions of Sir Henry Blackwood,
watching the combined fleets in Cadiz harbour ; and after
that memorable event, Captain Capel, by his extraordinary
exertions, saved one of the prizes, the Swiftsure of 74 guns ;
and, together with Captain Malcolm, of the Donegal, subse-
quently brought out the Bahama, a ship of the same force.

In December following, Captain Capel sat as a Member of
the Court Martial assembled at Portsmouth, to try Sir Ro-
bert Calder, for his conduct after the action with Villeneuve
on the 22d of the preceding July. At the latter end of 1806,
he assumed the command of the Endymion frigate, on the
Mediterranean station ; and in the succeeding year, accom-
panied the expedition to the Dardanelles, and conveyed the
British Ambassador to and from Constantinople f. During
the operations carried on between Feb. 19, and March 3, the
Endymion received two shot, each weighing upwards of 700
pounds, and had 3 men killed and 10 wounded. Sir John
Duckworth, in his letter to Lord Collingwood, dated March
6th, makes particular mention of Captain Capel's " zealous
attention and assiduity" during the time he was placed in the
stream of the Bosphorus, for the purpose of ascertaining when
the squadron could stem the current, and for a watchful ob-
servation of the movements of the Turks, as well as to faci-
litate communication with the Porte.

Our officer continued to command the Endymion until the
summer of 1810, and was then appointed to the Elizabeth
of 74 guns. About the month of July 1811, he removed into
the Barham ; and at the latter end of that year, to the Hogue
of the same force. In the latter he was employed in North
America during the whole period of the war with the United
States ; and for a considerable portion thereof, was senior
officer upon the northern part of the coast, where the ships

V : . . 1* . h

* See Vol. I, note at p. 589, et seq.
t See Vol. 1. pp. 316, etseq. ; 799, et fey. ; and 808, et seq.

196 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1798.

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 ; 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 ; 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, HYDE PARKER,
and H. PYNE.

-f The Naval Instructions, established by an order in council, Jan. 25,
1806, appear to abrogate this regulation, so far as concerns post rank ; see
•ect. iv. chap. 2. art. viii.

POST-CAPTAINS Off 1799. 199

latter part of the war superintended the depot for prisoners, of
war at Norman Grogs.

Captain Hamvell married, in 1800, Miss Hanwell of Mix-
bury, near Brackley, Northamptonshire.

in -. — , - -^ - - — io

THOMAS MANBY, ESQ.

THIS officer is descended from a family whose existence
we can trace to the reign of Henry III, 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 yesign it,
and embark as a Midshipman on board the Hyaena of 34 guns,
in which ship he served on the Irish station from 1783 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, an$ af-
terwards removed into the Amphion frigate.

After visiting the whole of the,- West India and Bahama
islands, the Mosquito $hore, Bay of Honduras, Carthagena,
and the Spanish Main, he returned to England in the Amphion,
and soon after joined the Illustrious pf 74 guns, bearing his
patron's flag. Towards the clpse of 179Q* he embraced an
offer made him by Captain George Vancouver, to accompany
him ap 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, was owner of the Wood Hall estate, and Lord
of the Manor. He served several years in the Welch Fuzileers ; but
being severely wounded during the siege of Bellelsle in 176 If, he was
compelled to withdraw from service in the field. He subsequently acted
as an aide-de-camp to George Viscount Townshend, Viceroy of Ireland.

f See Schombei'g?s Naval Chronology, Vol. I. p. 354, et seq.

200 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 ; 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 Ulte-
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.

* See Vol. I. note *, at p. 165.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 201

From Cook's river, the Chatham proceeded to Nootka
Sound, where she again joined the Discovery ; with which
ship 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
sent 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
Cocoa, the Gallapagos, and Valparaiso ; rounded Cape Honi,
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

202 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99.

promoted to the rank of Commander in the Charon 44, armed
en jlute, 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 duriqg the rebellion in that country.
On one occasion she received a regiment of 1 000 men ; the
whole of whom were landed at Guernsey twenty-four hqurs
after leaving PorUmouth. Before sun-set, the ship was again
under weigh, with the Glengarry and Nottingham Fencibles,
1000 strong, embarked ; 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 Hugh 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 3 and on his return to
England, he had the honor of presenting to his late Majesty at
Weymouth, several pikes taken from his rebellious sub-
jects.

The exemplary conduct of the Charon's officers and men
during the disgraceful mutiny in the British navy, wa* so
much approved by Sir John Qrde, the Port-Admiral at Ply-
mouth, that a considerable part of the petty officers were re-
warded with warrants by order of the Admiralty, and Captain
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, 1J98. 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. 1J98, the Charon was ordered to prepare at Wool-
wich for foreign service, Captain Manby to be posted, and the
late Lord Camelford to succeed him in the command of

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

that ship. Unfortunately, his Lordship soon entered into so
many altercations 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 j 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 road 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 Httle 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 Minister Barras, to unfold important
information that would prove of essential service to the re-
public." In an instant Bompard embraced him, called 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 thus 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

* See Vol. I. p. 171.

204 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1799.

inn to take refreshments. 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 Captain 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 Oamelford was one of Captain Manby's messmates iu the Dis-
covery. The barony became extinct by his demise in 1804. See Vol. I
note at p. 716.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 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 f ; 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 Bourdelois had formerly been a French privateer, belonging 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 coffin. Sir Edward Pellew, now
Viscount Exinouth, viewing heV one day as she lay alongside the Jetty
at Plymouth dock-yard, gave this advice to her commander : " Whenever
you are in a gale of wind, stanchion up yojir main-deck fore and aft; for
should 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
Raillenr and Trompeuse, of the same build, but smaller, both went to the
bottom in a gale off Brest, May 16, 1807, a»d 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 time 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 chased, 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.

206 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99.

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 both sides at once, behaved very shy on this occasion,
and made off when they saw the fate of their commodore ; 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 Radelet, 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 BO 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. Spence and Auckland, two promising young
gentlemen, with five of Captain Manby's gallant and humane
crew, unfortunately perished, 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 \ which was done, however, with all alacrity, but
•without success, as the night favored their escape. They
were la Mutine of 300 tons, sixteen long 6-pounders, and
156 men ; and 1'Esperance of six 4-pounders and 52 men. La
Bourdelois at this time mounted twenty-two 32-pr. carron-
ades, and two long 9-pounders, 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, Barbadoes, Feb. 6, 1801.

" Sir.— Enclosed are two letters from Captain Thomas Manby to me,
from which the service he baa rendered to the different islands, by destroy-
ing a squadron Sent out by Victor Hugues, for the interception of the out-
ward bound convoy, speaks for itself.

(Signed) " J. BRADBY."

" To Rear^dmiral Duckworth, $c. fyc."

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1799. 207

Le Bourdelois having landed her prisoners at Barbadoes,
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 he
had just murdered his officer. 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 which the following is a copy :

" Sir. — The British colours disdain to protect a murderer. I send you
one, and hope he will meet the fate he merits. I arn, &c. 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 Bourdelois' crew*

Some time after this event, Captain Manby chased a large
privateer schooner, mounting 18 guns, into Aquadilla bays
where she anchored under a battery. An effort was made to
destroy her, but did not succeed ; and le Bourdelois having
received much damage in her masts, yards, 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 watch the motions of a con-
siderable fleet and army sent from France to recover St. Do-
mingo from 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
sum of money for him to carry home, and which yielded him
a welcome freight. He wa« put out of commission at Wool-
wich, in Aug. 1802.

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 j

208 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1J99.

I therefore give you the Africaine, one of the finest frigates in
the British navy." This ship was soon after commissioned at
Deptford, 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 Rainham Hall, Norfolk, the re-
sidence of his friend and patron, the Marquis Towiishend, 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 this irksome service he continued about two years, during
which the Africaine 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 five
years, notwithstanding many appeals were made by the Bri-

POST-CAFfAINS 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's jolly boat, in 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
hi the fishery, most of which were sent to Yarmouth, and then
addressed the followirig brief letter to the French myrmi-
don :

" Monsieur le General. — As you have prevented iny having 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 j 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 Sheernees, 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 charge of the homeward
bound trade, and to receive on board some invalids from the
VOL. n. p

210 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99.

naval and military hospitals, for a passage to England. In
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 ; bufe Captain Manby 's
anxiety for the safety of his valuable charge, added to feelings
of the most 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 Sheerness, 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 off and taken to pieces. The next frigate that be-
came vacant was the Thalia, to which he was appointed by
Lord Mulgrave ; who 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 Straits for the purpose of destroying our1
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 j

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 211

and the dangers by which they were surrounded could only
be avoided by listening for the breakers as 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 this inhos-
pitable station, the Thalia and Medusa found an excellent
anchorage on the coast of Labrador, affording an abundant
supply 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 Manby's health was so much impaired by this
northern cruise, (having nearly lost the use of his 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 Northwold 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, zeal, 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-

* See note at p. 183..

p 2

212 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

phical characters are known from one extreme of that sea to
the other.

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

RIGHT HON. LORD JAMES O'BRYEN.

THIS officer is the second son of the late Edward O'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 hi 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 off the bar, to carry this service, in concert
with the Brigadier, into execution : 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 on 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 was
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 feet
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 f." * * » *

* The O'Bryens are one of the aboriginal families of Ireland, and des-
cended from the kings of Thomond and Muuster ; their pedigree is traced
with peculiar exactness by the Editor of a Biographical Peerage of Ireland,
published in 1817.

f An account of the reduction of Surinam will be found under the head
of Sir Murray Maxwell, in this volume.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 213

Some time preceding this event, Captain O< Bryen captured
1'Enfaut 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.
v 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 the Marquisate
of Thomond, now enjoyed by his brother.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford and Son.

RICHARD MATSON, ESQ.
POST commission dated March 22, 1799.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

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 Gambier in the

* See Vol. I. note at p. 713, et seq.
t Gustavus, King of Sweden, after a most heroic defence, was obliged

214 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1/99.

Sound, with a fleet destined to attack Copenhagen, he pro-
ceeded with the same nobleman to join the expedition ; and
after the surrender of the Danish navy, had the charge of
fitting out one of the captured frigates, which was conducted
safely to the river Medway, by part of the Africaine's crew.
Towards the close of the same year, he accompanied a small
armament under Sir Samuel Hood, sent to obtain possession
of Madeira ; the garrison of which island surrendered with-
out resistance on the 26th Dec. He has since commanded
the Defiance, Conqueror, Spencer, and Albion, third rates.
The latter ship was put out of commission, May 31, 1822.
Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq.

JOHN MACKELLAR, ESQ.

THIS officer, a descendant from an old and highly respec-
table family in Argyleshire, is the eldest son of the late Gene-
ral Patrick Mackellar, a Colonel of the Royal Engineers, by Miss
Elizabeth Basaline, of Minorca, on which island he was born
about 1768 *. He entered the naval service as a Midship-

to evacuate Stralsund and retire to the island of Rugenj from whence he
proceeded to Carlscrona in a Swedish ship of war, accompanied by the
British sloop Rosamond, commanded by the present Captain J. W. Deans
Dundas, who had been for some time stationed in Pert Bay, for the pur-
pose of receiving his Majesty, in the event of his being obliged to- abandon
the capital of Pomerania

* General Mackellar was descended from the Lairds of Main and Dale,
where the family possessed considerable landed property. His eminent
services at the reduction of Quebec, the Havannah, and other places, are
thus alluded to by General Mercer, of the same corps, in a letter addressed
to Captain John Mackellar, dated at Plymouth, Jan. 29, 1803 :

" Dear Sir. — As I had the happiness of serving under your late father,
for upwards of eleven years, it gives me much pleasure to comply with
your wish, and to state my real sentiments of his character in public and
private life. The late Colonel Mackellar, of the corps of Royal Engineers,
was, in all respects, a most excellent and moral man. He was an accom-
plished gentleman and scholar, and a most excellent officer. He had seen
much, and to him, most honorable service ; and, as a professional man,
we had not then, nor do I now believe we can produce, his equal in point
of general knowledge. He was Chief Engineer, under General Wolfe, at
Quebec ; and his professional ability, and unremitted exertions, were, in a
great measure, the means of preventing that place from falling into the

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. ^ 215

man on board the Romney, a 50-gun ship, bearing the broad
pendant of Commodore Johnstone, Jan. 6, 1781 ; and was
badly wounded in the leg during the action with M. de Suf-
frein, in Porto Praya bay f. He subsequently served under
Captains J. W. Payne Carnegie (now Earl of Northesk),
Adam (afterwards Viscount) Duncan, Benjamin Caldwell,
John Knight, and William Domett; in the Enterprise of 28
guns, on the West India and American stations ; Edgar 74 ;
Phoenix frigate ; Alcide a third rate, and Barfleur of 98 guns,
fitted for home service ; Salisbury 50, at Newfoundland ; and
Victory, a first rate, in the Channel.

During a cruise off the Havannah, the Enterprize assisted
at the capture of two valuable Spanish polacres ; a privateer
of 16 guns and 70 men, under American colours ; and six
other armed vessels : also at the destruction of the Count de
Grasse, carrying 20 guns and 110 men. She subsequently
sent her boats, one of which was commanded by Mr. Mac-
kellar, up a river, to destroy the store-houses belonging to two
plantations ; a service which was effectually performed, after
defeating a party of native militia, who opposed their landing.
They returned to the ship in safety, bringing with them a
considerable quantity of sugar. Whilst on the coast of Ame-
rica, she drove on shore a brig privateer, of 16 guns ; and
captured the Mohawk of 22 guns and 125 men. Mr.
Mackellar was employed in one of the two boats sent to des-

bands of the French, when they afterwards attacked it ; when, by the ad-
vice of your father, battle was given by General Murray, and the enemy
were completely defeated, and put to the rout. In this engagement
Mackellar was dangerously wounded, being shot through the body *.
He served as Chief Engineer at the taking of Martinique, Guadaloupe, and
at the siege of the Havannah ; and closed a most honorable life when Chief
Engineer at Minorca, (in 17/9)' Jt 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. MERCER."

*' P. 8. I forgot to mention, that he was of very great service in General
Braddock's unfortunate engagement ; and that lie was wounded at Oi-
wego."

* General Mackellar was badly wounded iu six placei.; aijt ;
t See Vol. I. note at p. 268, et seq.

216 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. I

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, 17&4; 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 1'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 his arrival in England, he was confirmed as
a Commander, by commission dated July 5, 1797 J and in
November following, he was appointed to the Minerva fri-
gate, armed en flute.

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 flag of the late Viscount Hood ;
and the Salisbury that of Admiral Milbanke.

f See Vol. I. note at p. 713, et seq.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 217

The following is an extract from the general order, issued
by the military commander-in-chief, dated Sand Hills, near
Ostend, May 20, 1798 :

" To Captains Winthrop of the Circe, and Mackellar of the Minerva,
Major-General 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 afterwards, I joined you in the citadel of Lisle, and found that
the French Commandant, with much liberality, but at his own risk, 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 brought 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 his men, together with his anxiety
about those who fell sick, the Major-Geueral 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
above six months, where I had leisure, and surely opportunity enough to

218 POST-CAFfAJNS OF 1/99.

collect these observations \vitb correctness. I shall only add, that to your
firmness I consider we owed much of that lenity \ve continued to ex-
perience ; for had it not been for those exertions, and the support you
gave your officers, the 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 Mackellar was appointed to the Charon,
a 44-gun ship, fitting for the Mediterranean station * ; arid
on his arrival at Gibraltar, April 27, 1799? he received a post
commission dated 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 M ajor-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 Mackellar 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 number, 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

• See p. 204.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 219

Bombay, the Governor of that Presidency received informa-
tion that the Portuguese authorities on the coast of Malabar,
expected a French squadron, with a body of troops, to take
possession of their settlements ; and feeling the importance of
preventing the enemy establishing themselves at Dematm
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 refuse 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 :
i

" Political Department, Bombay Castle, Jan. 18, 1802.

" Sir. — I am directed by the Governor in 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 the
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 theGuzzeret 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

220 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1799.

thence to Surat. Captain Mackellar instantly sailed in the
Terpsichore, accompanied by the Trident 64, Betsy 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, 3000 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 Mackellar was again hon-
ored with the thanks of the Bombay Government. We
subsequently find him employed in the blockade of Goa.

In May 1804, the subject of this memoir was, after a 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 fleet, from whence he returned to England
in 1812.

On the 2d Aug. 1815, our officer was nominated Flag-
Captain to Rear-Admiral J. £. Douglas, with whom he pro-
ceeded to Jamaica in the Salisbury of 58 guns ; from which
ship he exchanged into the Pique frigate, Mar. 17, 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 :

" Kingston, Sept. 21, 1818.

" Sir. — We the undersigned merchants of this city, 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 the
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.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 221

" We hope your services will be duly appreciated on your return to the
mother country ; and with a tender of our sincere wishes for your health
and prosperity, we remain, with the highest respect, &c. &c. &c."

Signed by GEORGE KINGHORN, Mayor, and the
principals of forty-nine commercial firms.

The Pique, on her passage home, encountered a dreadful
hurricane, and nearly foundered : she was paid off at Dept-
ford, in Dec. 1818; since which Captain Mackellar has twice
visited 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.- Me. Inerheny, Esq.

JAMES OUGHTON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant, Sept. 30, 1783 ; served
as such on board the Queen of 98 guns, bearing the flag of
Rear- Admiral Gardner, in the memorable battle 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 late Sir
Andrew Mitchell, with whom he served at the capture of the
Helder, in Aug. 1799, off Brest, and on the Halifax station.
His post commission bears date May 15, 1799.

Agent. — Me. Inerheny, Esq.

' ,7 .T

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-CAFFAINS OF 1J99.

Jan. 8, 17^7, 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 Elphin stone'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 India 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 Mahe 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 10h 257 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 neighbouring shore, from whence hot shot were frequently

* See Vol. I. p. 47. et seq. f See Vol. I. p. 771-

POST-CAPTAINS OF l~99. 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
grab ketch, under French colours ; the former he gave over to Lieutenant
Campbell, late of the Spitfire schooner, who had been wrecked on the
Slierhome Duboplam, an African island hitherto unknown to the English,
and recently discovered by the inhabitants of the Seydhelle islands. Lieu-
tenant Campbell having charge of despatches from Bombay, bound to the
Red Sea, was thus enabled to proceed on his voyage.

224 POST-CAPfAINS OF 1799.

On the 10th June, 1805 *at 7 A. M. a division 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,
bound 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 9h 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 ; bm in a quarter of an hour, shoaling her
water, was compelled to haul farther off. At about 10h 30',
by which time the Falcon and Clinker had closed, she recom-
menced firing ; and shortly afterwards one of the French
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 Chiffonne again hauled out into
deeper water. Two hours afterwards the attack was renewed,
and at 3h 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 Chiffonne 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
suffered 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 wounded, 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 1'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 schooner, and a chasse maree,
in the port of Archove, 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 squadron under Captain
(now Sir Edward) Codrington, assisting in 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 their lot, have been carried far be-
yond the mere dictates of duty. The Invincible and Centaur
have remained with me the whole time, immediately 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 impossible 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 *."

* The French army under Marshal Suchet inarched upon Tarragona
about the end of April, 1811, and the investment of that city was completed
to the sea, on the 4th May. Its defence became more obstinate as the
siege advanced ; for being open by sea, it was able to receive succours of
every kind, by means of the English squadron on the coast. On the 21st
June, the enemy made a furious assault, and after much bloodshed on both
sides, obtained possession of the lower town and its dependencies, by which
event 80 pieces of cannon fell into their hands. Although scarcely any
hopes now remained of an effectual resistance, the garrison in the body of
the place still held out, and determined to await a final assault. This took

VOL. II. Q

226 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

In April 1813, a party from the Invincible, in c6njunction
with some Spanish troops, surprised and obtained possession

place on the afternoon of the 28th ; when, a practicable breach being1 made,
the assailants rushed in, and almost immediately carried the town. Suchet,
who, in a former despatch, had expressed his apprehension of being
obliged " to set a terrible example, and intimidate for ever Catalonia
and Spain, by the destruction of a whole city" too well verified his me-
nace. He thus relates the catastrophe :

" The fury of the soldiers was increased by the resistance of the garrison,
who every moment expected their deliverance, and thought to secure suo-
cess by a general sortie. The fifth assault, still more vigorous than the
preceding, made yesterday in broad day on the fortification, has occasioned
a horrible massacre, with but little loss on our side. The terrible example
I foresaw with regret, in my last report to your highness, has taken place,
and will for a long time be recollected in Spain. Four thousand men have
been killed in the city ; from 10 to 12,000 endeavoured to make their
escape over the walls into the country ; 1000 have been sabred or drowned ;
nearly 10,000, of whom 500 are officers, have been made prisoners, and
are setting off for France ; nearly 1000 wounded are in the hospitals of
the city, where their lives were respected in the midst of the carnage.
Three Field- Marshals and the Governor are among the prisoners : many
others among the slain! !"

Further particulars of this day of horror are given in Captain Codring-
ton's letter, from which we have just quoted. He described the panic
that prevailed on the entrance of the French, in the following words :

" Those already without the walls stripped, and endeavoured to swim off
to the shipping, while those within were seen sliding down the face of the
batteries ; each party thus equally endangering their lives more than they
would have done by a firm resistance to the enemy- A large mass of
people, some with muskets and some without, then pressed forward along
the road, suffering themselves to be fired upon by about 20 French, who
continued running beside them at only a few yards distance. At length
they were stopped entirely by a volley from one small part of the enemy,
who had entrenched themselves at a turn of the road, supported by a second
a little higher up, who opened a masked battery of two field-pieces. A
horrible butchery then ensued ; and shortly afterwards the remainder of
these poor wretches, amounting to above 0,000, tamely submitted to be
led away prisoners by less than as many hundred French. The launches
and gun-boats went from the ships the instant the enemy were observed by
the Invincible (which lay to the westward) to be collecting in their trenches ;
and yet, so rapid was their success, that the whole was over before we
could open our fire with effect. All the boats of the squadron and trans-
ports, were sent to assist those who were swimming, or concealed under the
rocks ; and, notwithstanding a heavy fire of musketry and field-pieces,
which was warmly and successfully returned by the launches and gun-
boats, from 5 to 600 were then brought off to the shipping, many of them

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1J99. 227

of a French battery at Ampolla, and carried the town of
Perello by storm ; by which means two of the enemy's pri-
vateers, employed in maintaining a correspondence with Tar-
ragona, and intercepting the trade passing the mouth of the
Ebro, were taken ; and the communication between Tortosa
and the Col de Balaguer was much straightened *.

Early in June following, the fort of the Col de Balaguer,
situated in a most difficult pass, through which the high road
from Tortosa to Tarragona winds, armed with 12 pieces of
ordnance, including 2 ten-inch mortars, and 2 howitzers,
with a garrison of 101 officers and men-, was taken after a
siege of five days, by a naval and military force under the
command of Captain Adam and Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost,
of the 6/th regiment f. On the following morning, those

badly wounded. * * * * Our own ships, as well as the transports,
have been the receptacles of the miserable objects which saw no shelter
but in the English squadron ; and you will see by the orders which I have
found it necessary to give, that we have been called upon to clothe the
naked, and feed the starving, beyond the regular rules of our service."

Captain Codrington further stated, " that General Contreras, the Com-
mandant of the garrison, (to whose exposition of the siege we have already
alluded at p. 873, of our first volume,) was reported to have been wounded
and taken prisoner, but not before he had particularly distinguished him-
self; that the Governor of Tarragona (Gorizales) with a handful of men,
defended himself to the last, and was bayoneted to death in the square, near
his own house ; that man, woman, and child, were put to the sword upon
the French first entering the town ; and afterwards, all those found in uni-
form, or with arms in their houses ; and that the females of all ages un-
derwent the most brutal violation ; after which many of them were said to
have been thrown into the names, together with the badly wounded Spa-
niards. A thousand men were left by the ferocious Sachet to destroy the
works, and the whole city was set on fire."

Thus fell Tarragona ; and thus, through treachery, or if we may be
allowed to use a softer term, through heinous neglect on the part of Spanish
officers holding the most responsible situations, who omitted to have ammu-
nition forwarded in sufikieut quantity to the troops stationed on the walls,
the French were afforded an opportunity of carrying on their designs
against the southern provinces of Spain, without apprehension of any con-
siderable force remaining behind to check their movements. " Had I
been assisted by the army on shore" says General Contreras, " asj teas
assisted by the squadron of Commodore Codrington, Tarragona certainly
would not have fallen"

* See Commander JOSEPH CORBYN, in our next; volume,
t See Captain W. F. CARROLL, C. B.
ft 2

228 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

officers, accompanied by four others, and the same number of
dragoons, set off to reconnoitre in the direction of Tortosa.
After riding about sixteen miles, and when turning the corner
of a road, they suddenly fell in with Suchet's advance guard
of cavalry, who immediately charged them, and took one of
the dragoons prisoner. Finding they had got into a scrape,
Captain Adam and his companions retreated with all speed
towards the Col de Balaguer, and fortunately succeeded in
reaching Fort St. Phillipe, which they blew up a few days
afterwards, in consequence of Sir John Murray abandoning
the siege of Tarragona.

Captain Adam at present commands the Royal Sovereign
yacht. He married, Oct. 4, 1822, Elizabeth, daughter of the
late Patrick Brydone, Esq.

Agent. Muspratt, Esq.

JOHN STILES, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant, Sept. 12, 1781 ; and
served as such in the boats of the Windsor Castle, a second
rate, at the destruction of the French ships and arsenal at
Toulon, Oct. 18, 1793 *. In the following year, we find him
assisting at the reduction of Bastia f. He obtained the rank
of Commander in 1797 ; and was posted from the Camelion
sloop of war into the Theseus 74, on the Mediterranean sta-
tion, June 14, 1799.

During part of the late war, Captain Stiles commanded the
Alcmene frigate, and Adamant of 50 guns. In the latter ship
he captured the Nostra Senora de los Dolores, of 30 guns
and 315 men, May 6, 1806. Previous to his quitting the
Adamant, he received a piece of plate, value 500 guineas, as
a present from the Hon. East India Company, for his care
and attention to two of their fleets which had been put under
his protection. Mrs. Stiles died March 31, 1816.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

MICHAEL HALLIDAY, ESQ.

THIS officer was born in Dec. 1765, at St. Petersburg!* ;
where his father, a native of Dumfriesshire, N. B., practised

• S« Vol. I. p. 294, et seq. t See id. p. 251.

POST- CAPTAINS OF

as a Physician, and an inoculator of the small pox, after the
introduction of that system into the Russian empire, by Baron
Dimsdale. He entered the British naval service in Feb.
1 782, as a Midshipman, on board the Africa of 64 guns ; which
ship formed part of the fleet under Sir Edward Hughes, in
his last battle with M. de Suffrein, June 20, 1783 * ; on which
occasion Mr. Halliday received a slight wound in the arm.
The total loss sustained by the Africa, was 5 killed and 25
wounded.

Mr. Halliday, after serving for a short time in a merchant
vessel, completed his time as a Midshipman in the Crown
64, Fairy sloop of war, and Sprightly cutter. He then ac-
cepted a Lieutenancy on board the Twelve Apostles, a Rus-
sian first rate, and served under several Admirals ; one of
whom, Povalishin, was killed in a general battle with the
Swedes f. At the commencement of the war between Eng-
land and the French republic, he embarked as a Master's-
mate in the Nymphe frigate, commanded by the present Vis-
count Exmouth ; his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in
the British navy took place about Oct. 1793.

Mr. Halliday was first Lieutenant of the Inspector sloop of
war, during the West India campaign in 1794 ; and subse-
quently served in the Stag frigate, St. George, a second rate,
and Phoebe of 44 guns, the latter commanded by Captain (now
Sir Robert) Barlow, whom he gallantly seconded in the action
with la Nereide, a French frigate, .which surrendered after a
running fight of some duration, and close action of forty-five
minutes J.

In July 1798, Lieutenant Halliday was made a Commander,
and appointed to the Woolwich 44, armed en flute. On the
29th June in the following year, he obtained post rank in the
Leander, a 50-gun ship, which had been re-captured from the
French at Corfu, and restored to England by the Russians §.
During the greater part of the late war, Captain Halliday
commanded the Sea Fencibles at Penzance.

* See Vol. I, note at p. 425. f See id. note §, at p. 292, et teq.
I See Vol. II. p. 45, et seq. § See Vol. I, p. 397.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

: ^/J.^oiuo^JKu: t<>r.f9i8v-4%«e>;

WILLIAM GRANGER, ESQ.

THIS officer was a Lieutenant of the Fortitude, a third
rate, at the reduction of Corsica,, in 1794. He afterwards
commanded the Hope and Rattlesnake sloops of war, and Jupi-
ter 50, stationed at the Cape of Good Hope ; Hyaena, a 20-gun
ship, during the expedition to the Baltic, in 1801 ; Semiramis
frigate, and Cffisar of 80 guns. His post commission bears
date July 22, 1799.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

JOHN CHAMBERS WHITE, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant about 1790; appointed
to the command of the Sylph sloop of war in 1795 ; and cap-
tured the Mercury, a Dutch brig of 16 guns, off the Texel,
May 12, 1796. In September following, he took the Phoenix
French privateer of 4 guns, and 32 men.

On the 27th July 1797, the Sylph being on a cruise to the
southward of Ushant, in company with the Pomone, Artois,
and Anson frigate, and the Dolly cutter, discovered fourteen
sail of vessels, escorted by la Calliope of 36 guns, a corvette,
and an armed brig, standing into Hodierne bay. The two
latter escaped round the Penmarks ; but the frigate, not being
able to follow them, cut away her masts and ran ashore.
Captain White, with great promptitude stood in, and by a
well-directed fire, prevented her crew from using any means
to save the ship or stores. The next day she went to pieces.
Eight of the vessels under her convoy, laden with naval stores,
provisions, and clothing, were captured ; and two others des-
troyed. In this affair the Sylph had 6 men wounded.

On the 1 1th Aug. following, Captain White joined in an
attack made upon a French convoy at the entrance of the
Sable d'Olonne, on which occasion 2 of his crew were killed,
and 4 others wounded. A few days afterwards, he assisted
at the capture of five coasting vessels, and destruction of le
Petit Diable, a French cutter of 18 guns and 100 men *.

In Feb. 1798, the Sylph formed part of a squadron under

» See Vol. I. p. 403.

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1J99. 231

the orders of the Hon. Captain Stopford, when that officer
captured la Legere a French ship privateer of 18 guns and 130
men. She subsequently intercepted the Eliza, an American
ship, with a valuable cargo, from Batavia, via Boston, bound
to Amsterdam ; la Fouine, a French national lugger of #
guns ; two Spanish letters of marque, richly laden ; le Debut,
.a French brig of 8 guns, pierced for 16, bound to Cayenne
with merchandise ; and £1 Golondina, a Spanish packet,
pierced for 20 guns, but with only 4 mounted.

Captain White was promoted to post rank, Aug. 2, 1 799 ;
and in Nov. 1800, obtained the command of the Renown, a
third rate, bearing the flag of Sir John Borlase rWarren,
then on the point of sailing for the Cadiz station.

Early in 1801, an armament under Rear- Admiral Gan-
theaume sailed from Brest, during the temporary absence of
our fleet, and after capturing the Success frigate, Incendiary
fire-vessel, and Sprightly cutter, arrived in safety at Toulon,
on the 19th Feb. Sir John Warren, on receiving information
that the enemy had been seen in the Straits of Gibraltar, lost
no time in proceeding up the Mediterranean, with the inten-
tion of following them, should they make a push for their
supposed destination, the coast of Egypt. Having refitted
his squadron at Minorca, he sailed from that island on the
24th Feb. ; but during the ensuing night, experienced a
heavy gale of wind, with much thunder and lightning, which
killed 3 men and wounded 2 others^ on board the Renown,
and did much damage to the other ships, thereby obliging
him to put back.

On the 4th March, the squadron being again fit for service,
'Sir John Warren quitted Port Mahon and steered for Palermo,
from whence he went to the Bay of Naples. On the 25th of
the same month, being then on his way to reconnoitre Tou-
lon, he was joined by the Salamine brig, whose commander
informed him Rear- Admiral Gantheaume had left that port
with seven sail of the line and three frigates, six days before.
Sir John immediately altered his course to the eastward, and
at day-break on the 26th, fell in with the enemy between
Sardinia and Maritime. All sail was instantly made in chase,
and towards the evening the British appeared to be gaining
upon them j but unfortunately the night proved very foggy,

232 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

of which the French Admiral is supposed to have availed
himself, by hauling to the northward, as they were not to
be seen the next morning *.

It being reported that the enemy's squadron had embarked
upwards of 4000 troops at Toulon, Sir John Warren lost no
time in proceeding towards Alexandria, hoping to prevent
such a reinforcement from joining the French army in Egypt.
On his forming a junction with Lord Keith on the 20th April,
he received the melancholy tidings of the death of his only
son, an officer in the guards, who had recently been killed in
battle.

From Alexandria, Sir John was sent with a squadron to
Coron bay, in the Morea, where he procured supplies of fresh
meat, wine, and vegetables, of which the ships were much in
want, their crews being sickly, and symptoms of scurvy ap-
pearing amongst them, in consequence of their having been
nearly six months upon salt provisions and bad water. He
subsequently touched at Corfu, Malta, and Minorca j looked
into Toulon, and ultimately proceeded off Porto Ferrajo,
which place had long been besieged by a French army, and
gallantly defended by the Tuscan troops composing its gar-
rison. It is almost needless for us to observe, that his en-
deavours to deliver a suffering, brave, and faithful people,
from the state of privation to which they were reduced, had
the desired effect ; and, that owing to the measures adopted
by him, Buonaparte, who then presided over the con-
sular government of France, was baffled in his designs upon
that post, until his attempts were totally frustrated by the
treaty of Amiens f. Sir John Warren's private affairs now
rendering it absolutely necessary for him to return home, he

• Sir John B. Warren's squadron consisted of the Renown, Dragon,
Gibraltar, Hector, and Alexander 74's ; Athenienne 64 ; Haarlem, a
2-decker, armed en flute ; and Mercury frigate. The French squadron
subsequently captured the Swiftsure, a British 74. See Vol. I, p. 479.

f On the 14th Sept. 1801, Captain White superintended the landing and
re-embarkation of 689 seamen and marines, sent from the squadron to as-
sist the garrison of Porto Ferrajo in a sortie, made for the purpose of des-
troying the enemy's batteries ; a service which he performed in a very cre-
ditable manner, under a heavy fire from the French, and for which Sir
John Warren acknowledged him to be " entitled to his warmest thanks."

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799. 233

shifted his flag into la Minerve frigate, leaving the subject of
this memoir in the Renown, as a private ship, at Minorca.

At the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain White pro-
ceeded with the squadron under Sir Richard Bickerton from
Malta, to blockade Toulon, where he continued tilljuly 1804,
when the Renown was ordered to relieve the Kent 74, at
Naples ; in which latter ship he returned to England with
1,060,000 dollars, received on board at Cadiz. We next find
him serving as Flag-Captain to Sir John B. Warren in the
Foudroyant of 80 guns, at the capture of the French Rear-
Admiral Linois, March 13, 1806*.

In Nov. 1810, Captain White took the Hibernia, a first
rate, fitted for the flag of Sir Samuel Hood, to the Mediter-
ranean ; and on his arrival at Port Mahon, removed into the
Centaur 74. After serving for some time with the in-shore
squadron off Toulon, he was sent to co-operate in the defence
of Tarragona ; on which service he continued under the orders
of Captain (now Sir Edward) Codrington, till the fall of that
unfortunate city, June 28, 1811 f. In April 1814, Captain
White witnessed the destruction of a French 74, three brigs
of war, and several smaller vessels, in the neighbourhood of
Bourdeaux J.

Our officer married, May — , 1816, Charlotte Elizabeth,
daughter of General Sir Hew Dalrymple, Bart.

Agents. Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

CHARLES CAMPBELL, E^Q.

POST commission dated Aug. 2, 1799.
Agent. — — :

GEORGE WHITE, ESQ.

POST commission dated Aug. 30, 1799.
Agent. —

* See Vol. I. p. 435, et seq. f See Vol. II. p. 225.

\ See Vol. I. p.57!>.

234 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1799.

ADAM MACKENZIE, ESQ.

THIS officer was present, when a Midshipman, in most of
the actions fought between the British and French fleets,
from 1778 till the peace of 1783; particularly in those of
Keppel, Byron, and Rodney. He was at the relief of Gibral-
tar by Earl Howe; obtained his first commission in 1790 ;
and served as senior Lieutenant of the Southampton frigate,
on the glorious 1st June, 1794. In 1797, we find him com-
manding the Pylades sloop of war, and employed by the Port-
Admiral at Sheemess, 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 10th
July, 1799, he directed a boat attack on some of the enemy's
vessels near the island of Ameiand, 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 Espiegle
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 carronades, 32, 24, and 18-poun;lers.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1/99. 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 70 men,
lying with a large row-boat, and several merchant vessels,
near that island. ,

On the 13th 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 ; 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 an
explosion took place on board the Vengeance, by which she
was blown to atoms '*.

~* The Dutchmen are supposed 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

236 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

The remainder of this small flotilla had in the interim suc-
ceeded in driving the enemy from their battery on the island,
the guns of which were soon turned upon the fugitives, and
afterwards 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 ; but the
Dutch are said to have suffered considerably.

Captain Mackenzie subsequently assisted at the 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 f ; 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 direct 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 Admiral
Gambier, at the capture of the Danish navy. On his return
from Copenhagen, 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 explosion.

* See Vol. I. note at p. 414, et seg. t See Vol. I. note at p. 262.

J Admiral Gambier in his letter to the Hon. W. W. Pole, dated Oct. 20,
1807, says : " I should not do justice to the diligent attention and arduous

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1799.

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 (Linieres) 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 78, 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 1793 ; commanded
1'Amaranthe of 14 guns, at the Leeward Islands in 1797 ;
and captured le Vengeur, a French schooner letter of marque,
mounting six 4-pounders, and laden, with flour, near Jamaica,
April 13, 1799. This vessel, notwithstanding her vast infe-
riority, maintained a close action with 1'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. 16, 1799 ; and
during the remainder of the war, commanded the Volage, on

endeavours of Captain Mackenzie to fulfil the civil duties of the arsenal,
which were committed to his management and superintendence, if I did
not on this occasion express my warm approbation of his exertions $ and I
beg leave to recommend him to their Lordships' favorable notice."

* Whilst at Brazil, Captain Mackenzie was removed from his frigate
to the Bedford 74 ; but he came home in the President.

238 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

the Jamaica station. In 1804, we find him serving iu the
Brilliant of 28 guns ; and previous to the peace of 1814,
superintending the payment of ships at Portsmouth.
Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq.

HENRY GARRETT, ESQ.

Commissioner of the Victualling at Portsmouth.
(Residetit tit 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 born in
1774 ; 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. 1796 ; captured le Courier de la Mer, a
French brig privateer of 12 guns, near Portland, July 25,
1797 ; and assisted at the destruction of la Confiante frigate,
and a republican cutter, off Havre, May 1, 1798 f- Towards
the close of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of
Commander, in the Alecto fire-ship j 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 find 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

• See Vol. I. p. 236. f 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.
1819. His sister (also deceased) married Captain (now
Admiral) Purvis.

WALTER BATHURST, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790; and 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 fiag 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 guns ; 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 ; andaDanish East Indiaman, about April 1801.
On the 20th Oct. following, he sailed for 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 former of
which captured a Dutch East Indiaman early in 1805 ; the
latter was employed blockading Port Louis, and took several
prizes in Jan. 1806. On the 20th of that month she had 1
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, under the orders of Sir
James Saumarez. On the 23d June 1808, Captain Bathurst
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
a marine killed by the cutter's fire.

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, hi 1808, Miss Marianne Wood,
of Manchester Street, Manchester Square, London.

Agent. M'Inerheney, Esq.

ADAM DRUMMOND, ESQ.

THIS officer obtained post rank Oct. 30, 1799. 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 96 men, on the Irish station, March 22, 1808.

Captain Drummoad married, May 28, 1801, Lady Char-
lotte Menzies, eldest daughter of the Duke of Atholl, and
widow of Sir John Menzies, Bart., by whom he has several
children.

Agents. — Messrs. Brine, Chords, 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
Bom-master and Hartwell, till Feb. 1793, when he joined his

* See Vol L pp. 519 and 520. f See Vol. H. note at p. 191.

POST-CAPTAIX3 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 1/94, 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, Lieutenant Hall was appointed by bis
patron to command the Lynx sloop of war, but his commis-
sion does not appear to have been confirmed by the Admiralty
till Jan. 1/96; 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. 3340;

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, aod 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, 1/99.

In Aug. 1803, our officer was appointed pro tempare, to the
Revolutionnaire frigate, and ordered to take the 25th 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

* La Solide was taken in the bay of Fundy, where she had been harboured
by the Americans.

VOL. II.

242 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1/99.

large French privateers, which service was performed with
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. 1808>
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 Viee-Admiral Domett, cOmmander-in-chief at Plymouth,
on whose retirement, in July 1815, he was superseded from
the Impregnable, and placed ort half-pay f. ' He has since
commanded the ships in ordinary at Portsmouth, during the
customary period of three years.

t.— Sir F. M. Ommanney, M. P.

4i :

to TVU, •-!.••••/• -Jiii : — Tr-Vtri"") r."f

,,,, ROBERT LLOYD, ESQ. .M!i

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant- about the year 1790 ;
and, commanded the Racoon sloop of war on the North Sea
Station, m 1,797- On the llth Jan. 1798, he captured, after a
shorfymnning figjit, le Policrate, French privateer of 16, guns,
and 72 men ; th,e Racoon on this occasion had 1 killed -and 4
wounded. Eleven, days iafter, Captain Lloyd also intercepted
la Peruke 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 Juty 1799, during a dark and foggy night, the
Benjamin and Elizabeth, West Indiamanj being about twelve
miles from Dungeness, was suddenly boarded on the quarter

, * See Captain GEORGE CHARLES MACKENZIE.

f Vice-Admiral Domett had his flag1 in the Salvador del Mundo, previous

to its being hoisted on board the Impregnable.
a . f a

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1799.

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 off. 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 much 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 1'Intrepide 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, 1799 ;
and in 1801, commanded the Mars, a* third rate, bearing the
flag of Rear-Admiral Thornbrough, 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.

Agent.— Harry 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 remainder of the West Indiaman's crew consisted of 8 foreigners,
who did not feel themselves bound to fight, and consequently kept aloof.

R 2

244 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800

raanded the Plover sloop of war, and captured TErin-go-
Brah, French privateer, of 10 guns and 45 men, in 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 1/90 ; commanded
the Echo sloop of war at the Cape of Good Hope in 1/96 j
and the Expedition, a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, 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's ; 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 a 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 the
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, et seq.
t See Memoir of Captain J. C. WHITE.

J A party from the Nautilus sloop of war assisted on this occasion j see
Memoir of Captain SIR WILLIAM PARKER, Bart.

POST-CAPFAINS OF 1800. 245

Torre de Estacio, on the coast of Murcia j 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 off, 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 Renommee'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.

Agent. — Isaac Clementson, Esq.

LUCIUS HARDYMAN, 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 , 1799 ; 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-Adniiral
Rainier *. His post commission bears date Jan. 27, 1800.

* The Sybille, commanded by Captain Edward Cooke, whilst at Madras,
received intelligence that la Forte was cruising in the bay of Bengal, and
capturing with impunity every vessel that cauie in her way. The Sybille,
though of much inferior force, immediately proceeded in search of the
enemy ; had the good fortune to meet her in Balasore 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 Captain James Kingston Tuckey, who fell a victim to the

246 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

La Forte was wrecked in the Red Sea about June 1801;
but fortunately her crew were saved. Captain Hardyman

climate of Africa, whilst employed in exploring the river Congo, in Sept.
1816, was a volunteer on board the Sybille ; 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 52 guns, and 420 men. The Sybille 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
wounded, 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
Sybille had only 3 men killed and 19 wounded, 2 of whom afterwards
died." ., bru; V.UH

The Sybille's complement having 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 ; a 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 a weaker crew than she actually had on
board at the commencement of the battle. Schornberg, whose errors are
very numerous, gives her 700 men. The Sybille 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 Sybille, after a painful and
lingering illness, in the course 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 Freni-h 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 whose premature death in the defence of the interests of the
British nation in general, aud of the East India Company in particular, our
gracious Sovereign has lost a zealous, brave, and active officer, whose in-
trepid 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-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 247

subsequently commanded the Unicorn frigate, on the West
India station, and at the reduction of Monte Video, by Rear-
Admiral Stirling, and Brigadier-General Auchmuty. He
also assisted at the destruction of a French squadron in Aix
Roads, April 11, 1809. His next appointment was to the
Armicle of 38 guns, employed cruising off the French coast.

On the 4th May, 1801, Captain Hardyman sent .the boats
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 under 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, Esq., of Bedford Place, London*

Agent.— Sir F. M, Ommanney, M. P» . .
.eld i>rjs .litKti. ..... _ -

CHRISTOPHER LAROGHE, ESQ.
POST commission dated Jan. 29, 1800.

Agent.-— Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
«_• 7-1

JOSHUA SYDNEY HORTON, ESQ.

THIS officer entered the naval service about 1781; was first

valour of the British navy, of which, had Providence spared his life, he
would have, become one of the brightest ornaments. : ;ii qe> <t03 ifootu

" His Majesty's /6th regiment will form the funeral party, and attend
the remains of Captain Cooke, with every mark of solemnity and. respect
that is in their power to shew, from the house of Mr. Mnir, at Chouringhee,
to the place of interment, at six o'clock this evening ; and as there is no
officer of the rank of Colonel with that corps, Colonel Greene is directed
to parade with it on this occasion.

" During the procession, miuute guns are to be fired from Fort William,
and the colours to be hoisted half staff high."

Captain Cooke was the officer who undertook the hazardous negociatiou
between Lord Hood and the Magistrates of Toulon, previous to the allied
(brces taking possession of that place in 1793. An account of his pro-
ceedings in the neighbourhood 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 subsequently erected at Calcutta, by order of the Honorable
Court of Directors.

* See Captain SAMUEL ROBERTS.

248 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

Lieutenant of the Lowestoffe 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 Seaflower, 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 ; 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 mano3uvre 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 rigging, 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 11" 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-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

posed to the 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 Bazely, for the exertions they used to
come up with la Pallas, but took no notice of their having
shared in the night action ; and since his unfortunate death *,
an officer of the Loire has even gone so far 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 carronades* The Fairy, we believe,
owing to her dull sailing, was not able to do more than ex-
change a few broadsides with la Pallas, when passing on op-
posite tacks f. Captain Horton's spirited conduct, however,
first, in volunteering to seek an encounter with a ship of
such superior force to the small vessels under his command ;
secondly, in attacking la Pallas, and lastly, in renewing the
chase for the purpose of bringing her again to action, added
to the skill with which he directed the manoeuvres of the
Fairy and Harpy, in order to cut the enemy off from the land,
sufficiently established his character as a zealous, brave, and
skilful officer, and fully entitled him to the promotion which
he soon after obtained. His post commission bears date
Feb. 18, 1800 J. .-> _

* Captain Newman perished in the Hero 74> with all his crew, during
the disastrous winter of 1811.

t The Fairy was a ship-sloop, and mounted sixteen long 6's on her
main-deck, and two carronades, 24-pounders, on the quarter-deck.

t Captain Newman's silence is thus accounted for by a gentleman who
enjoyed his friendship (in a note to the author) : " With regard to the little
controversy carried o» respecting the share of the Fairy and Harpy in ac-
tion with the Pallas, and the complaint, that Captain Newman of the
Loire, did not mention it in his despatches, I can state most clearly and
positively, from Captain Newman's own relation to me, that his only rea-
son for not speaking of that event was, that he saw nothing of it, and
could know nothing of it, but from Captains Horton and Bazely : the for-
mer of whom, 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,

250 POST-CAPTAINS 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 :

" H. M. S. Bravo, Jersey, Feb. 14, 1 800.

" Sir. — I have a very lively satisfaction in transmitting1, for their Lord-
ships' information, Captain Horton's report to me, 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 and Captain Bazely, in the
Harpy, and their officers and crews, sustained and persevered in the un-
equal contest with so superior a force. The distinguished conduct of those
officers needs no comment from me 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 weight and 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-
derstand, succeeded, in that fine new frigate having been conducted to an
English port. I have the honor to be, &c. &c.

(Signed) . " P. IVAUVERGNE, Prince of Botiifon."
11 To Evan Nepean, Esq."

Captain Horton commanded several ships during the late
war; but does not appear to hare had any opportunity af-
forded him of adding to his well-earned reputation. He mar-
ried, in Jan. 1808, the widow of Henry Worwood, of Head-
ington House, co. Oxford, Esq.

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

HENRY BAZELY, ESQ.

Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Sardinian Military Order of St. Mau-
rice, and St. Lazarus.

THIS officer is a son of the late Admiral John Bazely, and
a brother of the present Rear- Admiral of that name *. He
was horn at Dover Oct. 4, 1/68 ; served upwards of ten years
as a Midshipman, the last five under H. R. H. Prince Wil-

Captain Newman naturally said, ' Very well, then do so ; and I can have
nothing to do with it ! ' Those who knew Captain Newman's disposition,
will neter suppose that he invidiously designed to keep in the back ground
the merit of any brother officer."

• See p. 27.
.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 251

Ham Henry, now Duke of Clarence ; was made a Lieutenant
in Nov. 1/90 ; and a Commander, April 4, 1796.

In May 1797, Captain Bazely, at that time commanding
the Harpy of 18 guns, fell in with, and after a close action of
fifty minutes, compelled a French national brig of eighteen
long 9-pounders, and a lugger mounting 14 guns, to run on
shore near Dieppe ; the buildings at which place, particularly
the Custom House, were much damaged by his fire. The
Harpy, whilst performing this service, was exposed to several
batteries ; and in consequence of the wind dying away, a con-
siderable time elapsed before she could obtain a clear offing.
Captain Bazely subsequently captured two of the enemy's pri-
vateers, one mounting 4 guns, the other armed with swivels,
muskets, &c., and rowing thirty-two oars. He also re-cap-
tured two British coasting vessels.

The Harpy formed part of the squadron sent against Ostend
in May 1798 * 5 and Captain Bazely's exertions during that dis-
astrous expedition, were duly noticed by Sir Home Popham
in his official despatches to the Admiralty.

From this period we find no particular mention of Captain
Bazely till Feb. 5, 1800; on which day, in conjunction with
the subject of the preceding memoir, he acquired great repu-
tation by his gallant behaviour in action with la Pallas j during
which the Harpy was for some time on board the French
frigate, her bower anchor having hooked the enemy's fore-
rigging. At the close of the contest,»Captain Bazely received
a severe contusion in his side, occasioned by the recoil of a
gun, the breeching of which had given way.

After repairing the damages sustained by his brig, Captain
Bazely succeeded in getting between la Pallas and the French
coast; thereby preventing her from escaping into St. Maloes,
and obliging her to close with the British squadron, which
had just hove in sight to leeward.

Having already alluded to an erroneous statement in the
Naval Chronicle, said to have been written by an officer of
the Loire, we shall content ourselves with observing in this
place, that the surrender of la Pallas was announced to the
Harpy by an exclamation which neither of her consorts were

-,- :;,l >on i-!y.' .

* See Vol. I, note at p. 713, ft seq.

•

252 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

near enough to hear, " Ne tirez pas encore. Messieurs, nous
sommes a vous ;'* 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 following 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 ; 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 ambiguous terms in which Captain Newman's letter to the Ad-
miralty was penned, operated very much against the interests of Captain
Bazely ; but at length, through the praise-worthy exertions of Captain
Horton, who laid a copy of the Fairy's log before the Admiralty, and
amply stated what bis superior had omitted, Earl Spencer became fully
satisfied that the Harpy's commander had, by his meritorious exertions,
entitled himself to promotion, and accordingly signed a commission, ad-
vancing him to the rank of Post-Captain, April 8, 1800. We may here
be permitted to add, that the French Captain was conveyed to the Loire
by Lieutenant Watson of the Harpy — a convincing proof, if one were
wanting, that " the little black brig " could not have been at too great a
distance from la Pallas, to assist in subduing her.

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 Barbary States. His Lordship, on this
occasion, succeeded in releasing 1/92 persons from their
chains.

Previous to Captain Bazely 's return from the 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 1/96, Miss Stringer of
Canterbury, Kent ; second, Miss Ruddle, of Queen's Square,
Bloomsbury, London. He has six children living.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son,

_ _
•1 s»rfl m ymffto

EDWARD BRACE, ESQ.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the B<tth ; and
a Knight of the Royal Orders of Charles HI. of Spain ; St. Maurice
and St. Lazarus, of Sardinia ; and Wilhelm of the Netherlands.

THIS officer is a son of Francis Brace, of Stagbatch, co.
Hereford, Esq. He entered the navy when 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 returned as
a Lieutenant of the Ariel sloop, in the autumn of 1792, after
an absence of nearly four years.

On the 13th May, 1793, the Iris, a 32-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 mizen-lower-masts, and main-top-mast, had
the mortification to see the enemy escape. The Iris on this
occasion had 5 men killed and about 30 wounded.

254 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

Mr. Brace subsequently removed with Captain Lumsdaine
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, 1J97* 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 French squadron, which 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 English frigate of far
inferior force, previous to her capture : but having 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,
and eight 24-pr. carronades, with a complement of 208 men,
being on his way towards Black Cod Bay, in company with the
Revohitionnaire 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 the 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. I. p. 171.

f See Vol. I. pp. 171, 452, 493, and 535. The other two frigates, a
schooner, and a brig, effected their escape. Napper Tandy, a celebrated
Irish rebel, was supposed to have bf en on board the latter vessel.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 255

followed, though at a great distance astern, 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
up withy and engaged the enemy, in a most gallant manner ;
but unfortunately her fore-top-mast ivas 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 & 45' till 9h 30
A. M. ; when the Mermaid, having lost her mizen-mast and
main-top-mast, and being in other respects so much da*
magedas to be a mere wreck, was compelled to haul off, and
her opponent thus obtained a few hours' respite from her des-
tined fate f.

The Anson, a cut down 64, mounting 46 guns, and com-
manded by Cnptain Philip Charles1 Durham, having lost her
mizen-mast, and main-lower and top-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 during 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 others in a re-captured vessel |, on
the morning of the 18th she discovered a large frigate to

* See Captain. Newman's letter to Vice-Admiral Kiugsmill, in the Nav.
Chron. vol. Hi. p., 43.

f For a memoir of Captain Newman, see Nav. Chron. vol. xxx. p. 361,
et seq. At pp. 369 and 370, will be found a full account of his action with
la Loire, and the very distressed state in which his little frigate reached
Lough Swilly.

1 See Nav. Chron. vol. iii. note f at p. 396.

256 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800*

leeward, without her fore and main-top-masts. This was
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 remain 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 up her top-gallant-masts, and made sail in
chase.

The Anson, being far to leeward of the Kangaroo, was, of
course, first up with the enemy ; and, at about 10h 30' A. M.,
a spirited action took place between the two ships. At
llh 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
rnizen-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 18-
pounders, twelve long French 8'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's, 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 an
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; 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 Gambier, 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 Cornwallis, 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 Castor and Iris fri-
gates, rated at 32 guns ; and la Virginie, mounting 46 guns,
with 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 iu which this service has been
performed, is as strongly exemplified in the modest terms in which it is
related, as by the result ; 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 off 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 that ship he was employed on the Cadiz sta-

* The Castor was stationed as a temporary guard-ship at Liverpool ;
the other three were employed as cruisers.

VOL. II. S

258 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

tion, under Sir Richard G. Keats, who entrusted 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 proceeded
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. The
famous battle of Barrossa 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, first Lieutenant of the
former ship. Upwards of twenty vessels collected in Cavu-
larie bay, to the eastward of Toulon, under the protection
of several land batteries, and la Fortune, a 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 Sweedland carried it into execution
with that calm intrepidity which, while it leaves an enemy
nothing to hope from protracted resistance, foresees and pro-
vides all that is requisite to ensure success.

* The British and Spanish armies formed a junction at Tariffa, Feb. 28,
18 11, and five days afterwards obtained a most brilliant victory over two
divisions of Marshal Victor's army. The loss of the French, who left be-
hind them two generals, an eagle, and six pieces of cannon, was computed
at 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- CAPTA INS OF 1800.

In December following, the boats of the Berwick made anight
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 now 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 conv
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. Mr. Whitshed was the eldest son of the present Admiral of that
name ; he served under Lieutenant Sweedland in the affair at Cavalarie,
and by his conduct as a youth, he gave high promise of possessing those
virtues so eminently conspicuous in the officer whose fate he shared. His
last words were, " Carry her if you can -. I am no more."
t See Vol. I. p. 718.
s 2

260 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

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 part
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 wkh

« See Vol. I. pp. 227 and 682.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 261

tile commander-in-chief 's despatches to England ; but owing
to adverse winds, the duplicates brought overland by Captain
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-
vice : it having some time previously been determined, not
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 31st May,
1823, to the Ganges of 84 guns ; in which ship he is now
absent on foreign service, with the Superb JS 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.

Knight Commander of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath :
and a Knight Grand Cross of the Neapolitan Order of St. Ferdinand
and of Merit.

THIS officer is a son of the late Rear- Admiral Jahleel Bren-

262 FOST-CAPFAINS 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 f.

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 j but
finding the enemy had much the advantage, from her constant
change of position, Captain Brentou 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.

292' /\itK\. Its.

t See Vol. I. pp. 21 and 61.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 263

only 22 men on board, was obliged to stand out for the pur-
pose of procuring assistance from a boat she had in the of-
fing, and could not reach the anchorage 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 Gut
of Gibraltar, in sight of a British convoy, Captain Brenton
observed a number of small vessels coming out of Algeziras ;
and concluding they were Spanish gun-boats endeavouring to
cut off some of the merchantmen, 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
armed cutter and schooner. All sail was now made in
chase, and the two sternmost were soon separated from the
others, but took shelter under the guns of a castle, which
opened a heavy fire upon the Speedy as she approached,
and prevented her bringing them off. Captain Brenton
now pursued the main body, passing within gun-shot of
the castle at Tariffa ; and at length came up with and des-
troyed four of them in a bay to the eastward of Cape Trafal-
gar, without any loss on the part of the Speedy, although her
boats were exposed to the fire from a fortification under
which the enemy had sought refuge, and some musketry on the
beach ; as also to a heavy surf, which rendered their ap-
proach dangerous. Rear-Admiral Duckworth, in reporting
this affair to the Admiralty, said, " It is but justice to Cap-
tain Brenton to observe, that his exertions and gallantry at
all opportunities, do him the highest honor.''

Captain Brenton's next encounter with the enemy was on
his entering the Gut, with a transport , ship and a merchant
brig under his protection from JUsbon, Nov. 9, 1799. On
that day two Spanish schooners, each carrying .two long 24-
pounders and 50 men ; ten other vessels of one 24-pounder,
and 40 men each ; and a French xebec privateer of 8 guns,
pushed out from Algeziras, and directed their first assault
against the transport, but without effect. They then at-
tempted to get possession of the brig, in which they were
also foiled by the skill and bravery of Captain Brenton, who
passed through the midst of them, and poured in such re-
peated broadsides of round and grape, that they fled in con-

264 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800.

fusion, taking shelter under Fort Barbary. The Speedy on
this occasion had only 3 men killed and wounded ; but she
was very much cut up in her hull, masts, and rigging. The
Spaniards, according to their own account, lost 1 1 men.

To Captain Brenton, it appeared very singular that, al-
though this brush with the enemy's flotilla took place close
to the rock, a single shot fired from Europa point was the
only effort made by the garrison of Gibraltar to assist him.
He consequently anchored in the bay, much out of humour
with the Governor, General OHara ; but was soon informed
of the cause by his Excellency, who addressed him on his
appearing at the convent *, in the following terms :

" I conclude, Sir, you think I have treated you very ill, in not affording
you assistance ; but I have made arrangements with the Governor of Al-
geziras, to prevent this town being kept in a state of constant alarm and
annoyance by the Spanish gun-boats, which in consequence are never to
be fired on from the rock : there is the copy of a letter which I have written
to the Admiralty, and I most sincerely wish you may obtain your pro-
motion f."

The letter alluded to was so handsomely worded, that
Captain Brenton could say nothing about the preceding trans-
action j and he was soon after rewarded for his gallantry by a
post commission, appointing him to the command of the
Caesar ; in which ship, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Sir
James Saumarez, the inhabitants of Algeziras again witnessed
his exertions, on that memorable day, July 6, 1801, when
our intrepid tars were unhappily thwarted by calms and cur-
rents in their attempt to cut off a French squadron, and
obliged to haul off from the formidable batteries under which
they had drifted, with the additional mortification of leaving
the enemy to exult in the capture of a British 74 |.

Nothing daunted by this failure, Sir James Saumarez, with
astonishing celerity, refitted part of his shattered squadron;
and, reinforced by Captains Keats and Hollis, of the Superb
and Thames, pursued his vain-glorious enemy ; who, notwith-
standing their immense superiority, sought for safety in an

• The Governor's residence.

t See Naval History of Great Britain, by Captain EDWARD PELHAM
BRENTON, Vol. II. p. 490.

J See Vol. I. p- 187.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 265

ignominious flight, during which two first rates were burnt,
and a 74-gun ship borne off in triumph, by their determined
opponents *.

As the exertions that were made on board the squadron in
general, and the Caesar in particular, after the battle off Alge-
bras, have been considered the most extraordinary in the
history of naval affairs, and a lasting standard for imitation,
it may be proper to detail the damages she repaired between
the evening of the 6th and forenoon of the 12th. In that
short space of time, she shifted her main-mast, fished and
secured her fore-mast, which had been shot through in se-
veral places, knotted and spliced the rigging, plugged the
shot-holes between wind and water, completed with stores
of all kinds, and provisions for four months. Such was the
ardour manifested by her crew, that they volunteered their
services to Captain Brenton, not only to continue their exer-
tions from dawn till dark, but to work, watch and watch,
during the night. By efforts such as these, the Caesar was
enabled to commence warping out of Gibraltar Mole at noon
onthe 12th, swaying up her top-gallant-masts, and bending
sails at the same time ; and by 3 P. M ., she was actually
under sail, and ready to pursue the enemy, who were then
turning out of the bay. It is also worthy of remark, that
several of her wounded men, on hearing the ship was moving
out of the Mole, escaped from the hospital, determined, if
possible, to share in the new danger that awaited them.
They were accordingly received on board, and went to their
quarters. Sir James Saumarez, in his official despatches,
makes ample mention of Captain Brenton's able and zealous
exertions on this trying and memorable occasion f.

* See Vol. I. p. 344.

f In the action of the 6th July, the Caesar had 9 men killed, 25 wounded,
and 8 missing. The latter are supposed to have been taken prisoners when
assisting the Hannibal. " When, in the hottest part of the action, the
Caesar broke her sheer, and could not get her guns to bear on the enemy,
Captain Brenton ordered a cutter to be lowered down from the stern, to
convey a warp to the Audacious ; but the boat was found to be knocked to
pieces by the enemy's shot. Before other means could be resorted to,
Michael Collins, a young sailor belonging to the Caesar's mizen-top, seized
the end of a lead-line, and exclaiming, ' You shall soon have a warp,' darted

266 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

Captain Brenton returned to England in the Santa Do-
rothea, April 7, 1802, and was appointed to la Minerve fri-
gate in November following. On the 2d July, 1803, as the
latter ship, under the charge of a pilot, and during a fog, was
pursuing some French vessels, she unfortunately struck upon
the western point of the Cones, near Cherbourgh. Two
strong forts in the neighbourhood immediately opened their
fire upon her, and were soon assisted by a division of gun-
vessels from the road, including two heavy brigs. Every
thing that men could do, both to extricate their ship from her
perilous situation, and to employ effectively the few guns
that could be brought to bear, was done by Captain Brenton,
his officers and crew. At length, after sustaining a fire of
several hours' duration, by which la Minerve was greatly
damaged in her hull and masts, 12 men killed, and 14 or 15
badly wounded, she was obliged to strike her colours.

Captain Jurieu, of la Franchise, a French frigate, captured
by the Minotaur, Thunderer, and Albion, on the 28th May
preceding, was allowed to go to France, on his parole to
return to England in three months, if he could not obtain
the liberation of Captain Brenton. His efforts proved inef-
fectual; the consular government proposing to substitute
three individuals, two of whom were resident in France at
the renewal of the war; the other, although denominated a
Colonel, was not known to belong to the navy or army of
Great Britain. Captain Brenton therefore continued a prison-
er at Verdun till about the commencement of 1807, when he
was exchanged for M. Infernet, who had commanded 1'Intre-
pide 74, in the battle of Trafalgar. It need hardly be stated,
that on his return from captivity, Captain Brenton was not
only most honorably acquitted by a court martial, of all
blame on account of the loss of la Minerve, but most highly
praised for his gallant defence of her *.

from the taffrail, and- swam with the line to the Audacious, where it was
received, and by that means a hawser ran out, which answered the intended
purpose," See Brenton's Naval History, vol. iii. p. 36, et seq.

* A very interesting account of Captain Brenton's capture, imprison-
ment, and treatment, will be found in the third volume of his brother's
" Naval History," published since this sheet was put in the press. See
pp. 209 &c. to 234.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 267

Captain Brenton's trial took place Feb./, 1807- In the
course of the same month he was appointed to the Spartan
of 46 guns ; and on the 23d April, 1809, we find him, with
the Amphion and Mercury frigates under his orders, driving
the French garrison out of Pesaro, destroying the castle at
the entrance of that port, and capturing thirteen merchant
vessels, deeply laden with oil, hides, hemp, almonds, &c.

On the 2d of the following month, the Spartan and Mer-
cury blew up the castle of Ceseratico, destroyed a battery of
two 4-pounders, burnt a large vessel laden with iron, captured
twelve others, partly laden with grain, and brought off a great
quantity of hemp and iron, which had been collected in the
magazines. This service, as well as the preceding, was ac-
complished without the loss of a man, although at Ceseratico,
the ships and their boats were much exposed to the fire from
the battery and musketry on shore.

Eight days after this affair, Captain JBrenton, in concert with
Baron Ocharnick, commanding a detachment of Austrian
troops, compelled the garrison of the island of Lussin, on the
coast of Croatia, consisting of I/O men, to surrender at dis-
cretion, after some opposition from the citadel and batteries.
The allies on this occasion had only 3 men wounded.

Early in October following, Captain Brenton assisted at
the capture of Zante and Cephalonia, by the naval and mili-
tary forces under Captain Spranger of the Warrior, and Bri-
gadier-General Oswald. On the 9th "of the same month, he
commanded at the reduction of Cerigo, an island near the
Morea, defended by three forts, with a garrison of 104 men.
" At Cerigo," says Lord Colling wood, when reporting the
capture of those islands, " the greatest resistance was made ;
but Captain Brenton's skill and resources are such as would
surmount much greater difficulties than they could present."
Captain Spranger, in his letter to the commander-in-chief, ob-
served, that Cerigo had long been used as a place of refuge
by privateers of the worst description ; and duly acknow-
ledged the advantage he had derived from Captain Brenton's
" judgment, gallantry, and activity," during the expedition,
which terminated with the fall of that island.

On the 1st May, 1810, the Spartan and Success fell in with
and pursued a French squadron, consisting of the Ceres fri-

268 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800.

gate, of 42 guns and 350 men ; Fame corvette, 28 guns, 260
men ; Sparviere brig, 8 guns, 98 men j and Achilles cutter,
10 guns, 80 men. These vessels, favored by light and par-
tial breezes, succeeded in reaching the mole of Naples ; and
as Captain Brenton was sensible they would never leave that
place of shelter whilst menaced by two British frigates, he
directed the Success to cruise from five to ten leagues S. W.
of Capri, himself continuing in the bay.

At day- light on the 3d, he had the pleasure of seeing the
enemy's squadron, accompanied by eight Neapolitan gun-
boats, each carrying one 24-pounder and 40 men, standing
towards the Spartan in a close line. At 7h 56' A. M., he ex-
changed broadsides with the Ceres, then within pistol-shot,
and soon after, passing along their line, cut off the Achilles
and gun-boats from the main body. This obliged the enemy's
frigate, corvette, and brig, to wear for the purpose of renew-
ing their junction ; in which attempt they were foiled by the
Spartan taking her station on their weather beam. A close
and obstinate contest ensued : light and variable winds led
them near the batteries of Baia, under which the Ceres sought
protection. The crippled state of the Spartan not allowing
her to follow, she bore up, and after raking the frigate and
corvette, succeeded in cutting off and boarding the Sparviere.

The Fame having lost her fore-top-mast, effected her es-
cape with the assistance of the gun boats, by whose fire the
Spartan had been severely galled.

For a considerable time during the battle, Captain Brenton
stood upon the capstern, cheering his crew, and watching the
enemy's manoeuvres. Whilst thus employed, one of his of-
ficers requested him not to expose himself in such a manner :
his reply was, " I am in no more danger here, than I should
be any where else." Soon after a grape shot struck him
on the left hip, and shattered the ilium : the wound was
for some time considered to be mortal. Numerous were
the instances of patriotism and individual fortitude dis-
played by our heroic countrymen, during this unequal con-
flict. One of the wounded sailors, upon being told that he
must lose the whole of his arm, exclaimed, " Well, take it
whenever you like ; it is not mine, but my king's." The
Spartan's total loss on this glorious occasion, amounted to

POST CAPTAINS OF 1800. 269

10 men killed and 22 wounded ; among the latter was Mr.
Willis, her first Lieutenant, whom Captain Brenton describes
as " one of the best and most gallant officers he ever met
with." The enemy, according to a French account, had 30
killed and 90 wounded, exclusive of the loss sustained by
the captured brig ; but we have reason to believe it was much
more severe *.

Captain Brenton's distinguished conduct in the Bay of
Naples, did not pass unrewarded. The Patriotic Fund at
Lloyd's, voted him a sword, value 100 guineas ; the King
of the two Sicilies presented him with the Grand Cross of the
Order of St. Ferdinand, and of Merit ; he was raised to the
dignity of a Baronet of Great Britain, Nov. 3, 1812 ; and no-
minated a K. C. B. Jan. 2, 1815. Towards the conclusion
of the war, we find him commanding the Stirling Castle 74.
His subsequent appointments were, early in Jan. 1814, to su-
perintend the naval arsenal at Port Mahon ; about June fol-
lowing, to command the Dorset yacht ; and in the autumn of
the same year, to be Resident Commissioner at the Cape of
Good Hope. The establishment at the latter place being
reduced, he returned from thence in the Vigo, a third rate,
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Lambert, and arrived at
Portsmouth Jan. 1, 1822.

Sir Jahleel Brenton is at present commander of the Royal
Charlotte yacht ; the amount of a pension granted him for
the severe wound he received off Naples, is, we believe, 300/.
per annum f. He married, first, April 10, 1802, Isabella,
daughter of Anthony Stewart, Esq., late of Maryland ; se-
cond, Oct. 9, 1822, Harriet, daughter of the late James Bren-
ton, Esq., of Halifax. His first lady died at the Cape of
Good Hope, July 29, 1817 ; and his eldest son, at Winches-
ter School, Aug. 27, in the same year.

* The Spartan had only 258 men and boys on board at the commence-
ment of the action, 19 being absent in a prize. The enemy, as we have
already shewn, mustered in the whole 1108. Captain Ayscough, who
commanded the Success, had the mortification to be becalmed outside the
islands, whilst his brother officer was adding to his well-earned fame in the
Bay of Naples.

f It was many years before Captain Brenton was pronounced out of
danger from the effects of his wound, but which is now considered to be
cured, though he will never regain the complete use of his limb.

270 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, R. N., is a brother of
the subject of this memoir : another brother held the rank of
Lieutenant, and was mortally wounded when commanding an
attack made by the boats of the Peterell sloop of war, upon
an enemy's armed vessel near Barcelona, in 1799.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

;fi.l : •' n r.OtfttlH

SIR ROBERT MENDS, KNT.

Knight of the Royal Spanish Order of Charles HI.; and late Commodore
of the Squadron employed on the African Station.

THIS officer, we have reason to believe, entered the naval
service without any thing in the shape of interest whereby to
procure advancement. He lost an arm during the American
war, previous to the completion of his 14th year, and suf-
fered amputation twice before his recovery could be hoped
for*. In 1786, we find him serving on the coast of Africa,
in the Grampus, a 50- gun ship, bearing the broad pendant of
Commodore Edward Thompson, by whom himself and four
other young gentlemen were directed to do duty as Lieute-
nants, wear a peculiar dress to distinguish them from the
other Midshipmen, and form a separate mess in a cabin al-
lotted them for that purpose.

Soon after his return to England, Mr. Mends presented a
petition on his knees to our late monarch at Windsor ; and
in consequence thereof, was most graciously recommended
by his Majesty to Earl Howe for promotion. Previous, how-
ever, to his obtaining a commission, in 1789, he served as
an Admiralty Midshipman on board the Colossus 74, where
he was allowed the sole use of a cabin in order that his si-
tuation might be more comfortable to him than it could
possibly have been in a cockpit berth.

Mr. Mends' first appointment as a Lieutenant was to the
Childers sloop of war, commanded by Captain (now Sir
Robert) Barlow, and stationed on the coast of Cornwall for
the suppression of smuggling. Whilst thus employed, he

t . * Mr. Mends, on being asked after his recovery how he felt whilst the
surgeon was performing the painful operation of removing his shattered
limb, replied, " Very well until I saw my arm lying on a table beside me
I then became sick."

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 271

gave repeated earnests of that zeal, activity, and spirit of
enterprise, by which he afterwards distinguished himself.

In the action off 1'Orient, June 23, 1795, Mr. Mends was a
Lieutenant of the Colossus 74, and narrowly escaped death
in consequence of applying the match to a gun which hung
fire ; on which occasion he was so dreadfully burnt by the
explosion that took place, as scarcely to have preserved any
skin on his body*.

On the 3d March 1797, our officer, then commanding the
Diligence of 16 guns, on the Jamaica station, fell in with, and
after an action of forty -five minutes, captured la Nativetas, a
Spanish ship of 500 tons, 16 guns, and 50 men. He subse-
quently assisted at the capture of a Spanish armed packet.
His post commission bears date May 2, 1800; 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 Ireland ; 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
men. In the following year, we find him co-operating with
the Spanish patriots.

On the 15th March 1809, a party of seamen and marines
belonging to the Arethusa, were landed under the command
of Lieutenant Hugh Pearson, and 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 with brandy, was
found in the harbour and brought away.

Captain Mends having received information 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

:i.i^»;i£Y fJi-.\ -.0 if.'-
* See Hants Telegraph, Jan. 19, 1824, p. 2, col. 3.

272 VOBT-CAPTAIXS OF 1800.

to their proper owners, from whom they had been forcibly
taken.

On the 20th, a party under Lieutenant Elms Steele, des-
troyed the guns 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 large 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 Amethyst 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 command
of a squadron 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 Porlier'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
squadron in westerly gales were secured, until the French
could re-mount heavy cannon on the various eminences near

* See Hants Telegraph, Jan. 19, 1824.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 273

Santona and Bermeo, which necessarily occupied much time
and required great labour, the country being so extremely
mountainous, and the roads so bad, as to render carriage by
land almost impracticable ; the whole of which was happily
accomplished without the loss of a man on the part of the
British, and only 7 Spaniards wounded. The proceedings
of the seamen and marines landed from the squadron, will be
detailed in our memoir of the Hon. Captain Aylmer, who
commanded the brigade on shore.

Towards the latter end of July, Captain Mends received
the following letter from the Junta of Gallicia, dated on the
22d of that month :

" Sir. — This Junta have the satisfaction of acknowledging the receipt
of your letter of yesterday, in which you have the goodness to communi-
cate the particulars of the expedition to Cantabria, undertaken by yourself
and General Porlier, combining with his operations the activity and force
of the squadron under your command. He has also made a report to this
Junta, of the great attention you have been pleased to shew to his officers
and people ; thus giving fresh and undeniable proofs of a generous pro-
tection and support to the just cause we defend, correspondent with the
noble sentiments of your nation, and magnanimity of your Sovereign.

" The Junta of Gallicia, in the name of their government and country,
to which they shall make known your distinguished services, offer you in
return their warmest acknowledgments, and are anxiously desirous of an
opportunity of being able to give you irrefragable proofs of their gratitude,
high consideration, and of that respect which you merit.

" Notwithstanding every object of this glorious expedition which was
wished, could not at the time be accomplished* still the great advantages
of which it has been productive are very evident, by the annoyance it has
occasioned to the enemy throughout the whole of these coastSj'in opening
the port of Santona, and compelling him to withdraw from other points,
where his progress would have occasioned greater evils.

" The threatened situation in which this kingdom of Gallicia stands in
all its frontiers, does not allow the Junta, at present, completely to avaij
themselves of all the advantages which you and General Porlier have
opened, but of which more favorable circumstances will put them in full
possession. But notwithstanding the present delicate state of affairs, the
Junta had determined on sending some aid and succours to Santona, which
the success of the expedition has rendered unnecessary.

" The Junta particularly congratulate themselves on the prophetic eu-
logy which you bestow on General Porlier, and boast of having a son in
him so worthy of his country, enjoying the greatest satisfaction that his
achievements and military conduct have met with your approbation.

" The particular recommendation which you make of the Captain Oslara,
is very strong in every sense of the word ; and should he have occasion to

VOL. II. T

2/4 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

solicit any thing which this Junta have the power of bestowing, they will
not fail of giving you a further proof of the respect they bear to your re-
commendation, in attending to your wishes.

" Finally, Commodore, this Junta entreat that you would, in their
name, and in that of the whole Spanish nation, make known to the cap-
tains, officers, seamen, and marines of the squadron, the satisfaction and
obligation which is felt by -them for their great services, and the valour
with which they have accomplished a glorious and a useful enterprise ;
desiring, at the same time, to acknowledge the gratitude they feel for such
distinguished actions.

"DoN RAYMOND DE CASTRES,?,, .

(Signed) ,, > becretaries."

JOSE ANTONIO REWADENGRAA

On the 14th Oct. following, Captain Mends effected a
partial landing of troops, &c. at Gijon, when the enemy were
driven out of the town, all the stores destroyed, and the can-
non thrown into the sea. Early in the following year, he
was appointed to the command of the prison ships stationed
at Portsmouth ; where he continued till the conclusion of the
war. On the 25th May, 1815, the honor of knighthood was
conferred upon him on his obtaining permission to wear the
Cross of the Spanish Order of Charles III. In April, 1816,
the pension granted him for the loss of his arm (originally
seven pounds) was encreased to 300/. per annum.

Sir Robert Mends obtained the chief command on the
coast of Africa, in June 1821 ; and died on board the Owen
Glendower frigate at Cape Coast, Sept. 4, 1823. An attack
of cholera morbus had for the two preceding days slightly
incapacitated him from his usual active attention to his duty;
and on his partial recovery, he was proceeding from his
cabin to the quarter-deck, in conversation with his eldest son,
when he was seized with an apoplectic fit, from which he
never recovered.

This lamented officer married, Sept. 29, 1802, a daughter
of the late James Butler, Esq., of Bagshot, Surrey. His
brother, W. Bowen Mends, Esq., is a Captain, R. N.
Another brother holds a situation under government in North
America. _

FRANCIS WILLIAM AUSTEN, ESQ.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is a son of the late Rev. George Austen, Rec-
tor of Steventon in Hampshire, by Cassandra, youngest

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800; 275

daughter of the Rev. Thomas Leigh, formerly Rector of
Harpsden, or Harden, near Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire *.
He was born at Steventon, April 23, 1774 ; and admitted
a student at the Royal Naval Academy, April 15, 1786.
Whilst there, he applied so closely to his studies, and behaved
in so exemplary a manner, as to obtain from the Lords of the
Admiralty, (to whom his good conduct had been officially re-
ported) a recommendation to the Hon. Commodore Corn-
wallis for promotion, as soon as his time should be com-
pleted, -ciijfrjskl .ti

Mr. Austen embarked as a Midshipman on board the Per-
severance frigate, about the latter end of 1788 ; and served
in that ship, the Crown 64, and Minerva of 38 guns, on the
East India station, till Dec. 28, 1792, when he was advanced
to the rank of Lieutenant. From that period we find him
serving successively in the Dispatch armed brig ; Minerva ;
Lark sloop ; Andromeda of 32 guns ; Prince George and
Glory, second rates ; Shannon, Triton, and Seahorse frigates j
and London of 98 guns; under the respective commands of
Captain John Whitby, Commodore Cornwallis, Captains
Josias Rowley, Thomas Sotheby, William Taylor, James
Bowen, Alexander Fraser, John Gore, Edward J. Foote, and
J. Child Purvis f.

* Captain Austen is descended by his father's side, from an old and res-
pectable family long settled in Kent, at present represented by Thomas
Austen, Esq., of Kippington, near Seven Oaks, late a Colonel in the army.
His mother was a descendant from the noble family of Leigh, proprietors
of Stoneleigh Abbey, Staffordshire.

t-Mr. Austen was first Lieutenant of all the above vessels except the
Minerva, Prince George, and Glory. The Lark formed part of the squa-
dron sent to escort H. S. H. the Princess Caroline of Brunswick from
Cuxhavcn to England ; she also assisted at the evacuation of Ostend and
Nieuport by the British troops. The Andromeda was employed convoy-
ing the trade to and from Elsineur. The Prince George bore Rear-Ad-
miral Christian's flag, which was afterwards removed to the Glory, in con-
sequence of the damages sustained by the former ship when attempting to
clear the Channel, in Nov. 1 795 J. The Triton, whose commander had
been a Lieutenant of the Perseverance when Mr. Austen belonged to that
ship, was concerned in the capture of five French privateers, and destroyed
several of the enemy's coasting vessels. The London formed part of the
fleet under Earl St. Vincent, employed in the blockade of Cadiz.

J See p. 96, et teq.

T 2

276 POST-CAPTAINS OP 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-poundersy 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 four24-pounders ; and fortunately, without the loss of a inau
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 stern touched a rock, where she stopped

* The officer alluded to was Lieutenant Brenton, brother of the present
Captains Sir Jahleel and Edward Pelham Breuton. He was unfortunately
shot through the breast in a daring attempt to capture an armed vessel near
Barcelona, see p. 270.

"t The French squadron consisted of three frigates 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's, 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.

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 Austen,
his officers, and ship's company, on this occasion, 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 attempting to enter the port. 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 f, 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
the ordnance of a Turkish 80-gun ship, which had grounded
bn 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

* According to JAMES, the Peterel mounted sixteen long 6-pounders,
and eight 12-pr. carronades, with a complement of 120 men. Captain
Austen, in his report of the action, noticed the previous capture of two
vessels laden with wheat, which had sailed from Cette that morning under
protection of le Cerf and her consorts j and the absence of his first Lieu-
tenant, gunner, and 30 men, in prizes. He also described laLigurienne as
a very fine brig, built on a peculiar plan, being fastened throughout with
screw bolts, so as to be taken to pieces and set up again with ease,
f See Vol. I. p. 53.

POST-CAFFAINS OF 1800.

she was soon consumed to the water's edge. For his conduct
on this 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 Gambier 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 ; 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, bearing the flag of Rear- Admiral Louis, with whom he
served during the remainder of that year, off Boulogne ; 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 Captain Austen.
I hope to see him alongside a French 80-gun ship, and he cannot be better
placed than in the Canopus, which was once a French Admiral's ship, and
struck 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.

•f The Neptune was paid off at the peace in April 1802, and re-com*
missioned as a guard-ship at Portsmouth by Captain Austen.

POST- CAFf AIMS O? 1800. 279

in 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 Collingwood near Cadiz, re-
mained at the head of the advanced squadron, watching that
port till Nelson arrived from England and resumed the chief
command of the Mediterranean fleet, when Rear-Admiral
Louis was detached to Tetuan and Gibraltar with the Gano-
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
gOj saying, " I 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." jvfiw'h

We have related the substance of the last conversation that
ever took place between Nelson and Rear-Admiral Louis,
lest our account of the battle of Trafalgar should be 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^, 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 j and Rear-Admiaal Louis

* See Vol. I. note at p. 589, ft seq.
''••' 'f 'See VoJ. I. line 14 of note at p. 202.

280 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

only waited for a wind to carry him back through 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 reach-
ing Gibraltar without being seen by the Spaniards at Alge-
ziras ; 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
pursue 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 ; 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 Barbadoes, where he arrived on the 10th Jan. 1806 f.

* See Vol. I. line 15 of note at p. 202.

f Having stated in our first volume, page 345, that Sir John T. Duck-
worth had been sent by Lord Colliugwood 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 Island?, 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 heard 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 St!
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's,
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, from 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 Vimieraj
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 with seven of the

£82 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

East India Company's ships tinder 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
Powns 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 Gambier, 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 74, attached to the North Sea fleet, commanded by
Admiral Young. During the winter of 1812, he was sent
with the Phcebe and Hermes under his orders, to cruise off
the Western Islands ; 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 folio wing,
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,

POST-CAPTAINS 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 sirname 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 j 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 Indies f, where Mr.
Littlehales removed into the Royal Oak 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, 1779J- 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 195, et teg.

t Captain Kingsmill having resigned his command, was superseded by
the late Sir Digby Deut, who died in 181 7.

I See p. 50 et seq., of the present volume.

284 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

after which he joined his friend Captain Kingsmill in the
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 batteries on Point Carriere, and assisted
at the storming of Fort Louis, against which they had been
erected £.

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 there, she cruised
for some time with considerable success on the coast of Vir-

• In 1784, Mr. Littlehales, then belonging to the Salisbury of 50 guns,
stationed at 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,
\ve 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 imminent peril, expecting
every moment either to be washed off 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 the ballast 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
belonging 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.

f The same officer who commanded and saved the Guardian in 1789.
He fell in the battle of Copenhagen, April 2, 1801. He was a most clear-
headed, skilful, and brave officer.

I See Vol. I. note at p. 859.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 285

ghria ; and then returned to the Leeward Islands, where
Lieutenant Littlehales again distinguished himself by volun-
teering to board and destroy a French store-ship, lying aground
under the protection of a land battery : the circumstance is
thus alluded to in a letter from the late Captain Westcott, of
the Majestic 74, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral Caldwell,
(then commander-in-chief pro tempore at the Caribbees) to
Captain Riou's sister :

" Your brother sent me the enclosed letter to wait for the first packet'
since which we have been cruising offPoint aPitre, Guadaloupe; and the
day after our arrival there, I had the pleasure to see the Beaulicu anchor
against a battery at St. Franqois, and a large French ordnance store-ship
of 18 guns, that had run there a few hours before for protection. Your
brother with the guns cleared the way, and Littlehales boarded the ship
with a hawser from the Beaulieu, and tried to heave her off; but finding her
aground and iramoveable, he took out the prisoners and set her on fire.
He went on this service himself, being about two leagues to windward of
the squadron, and performed it in a way that was the admiration of all
those who could only look on. * * * *

(Signed) " G. B. WESTCOTT."

For this service, performed immediately under the eye of
the commander-in-chief, Mr. Littlehales was removed into
the Majestic on promotion ; but unfortunately no vacancy
occurred previous to Vice-Admiral Caldwell being superseded
by Sir John Laforey. He therefore returned to England with
the former officer as his flag Lieutenant, in the Blanche fri-
gate, and arrived at Spithead July 29, 1/95.

Shortly after his return, the subject of this memoir was ap-
pointed first Lieutenant of the Amazon frigate, at the parti-
cular request of Captain (afterwards Rear-Admiral) R. C.
Reynolds, with whom he was most actively and successfully
employed cruising with the squadrons under Sir W. Sidney
Smith and Sir Edward Pellew, till Jan. 14, 1797 ; on which
day the Amazon was wrecked in Hodierne bay, after a gallant
action with les Droits de I'Homme, a French 80-gun ship *.
As Captain Reynolds's official letter on this occasion was
never published in the London Gazette, we here present our

readers with a copy thereof:

" Quimper, Jan. 20, 1797.

" Sir. — It is with inexpressible concern that I have to acquaint you, for
the information of their Lordships, of the fate of his Majesty's ship Aaia-

* See Vol. I, p. 217, ct seq.

286 posT-cApTAfNs OF 1800;

zon, wrecked on the French coast in Hodierne bay, on the 14th instant.
Their Lordships are already acquainted, by Sir E. Pellew, of our shattered
condition towards the end of our united action with les Droits de 1'Homme,
a French man-of-war, commanded 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 unquestionably done it in a better man-
ner than I am able. The Amazon began to engage about seven o'clock in
the evening on the 13th, an hour after Sir Edward had gallantly com-
menced the action, and continued a running fight until live the next morn-
ing, which brought us forty leagues from where we 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
off shore. Our mizen-top-mast, gaff, spanker-boom, and main-top-sail-
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 j our shrouds, stays, and back-stays, 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 bad ceased
firing. Les Droits de 1'Homme 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 and officers quitted not the ship till with great care and
pains we got the wounded and every man out of her. We ware 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
Dournancy 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 officers 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 j but Mr. Littlehales, the first Lieutenant, being constantly on the
quarter-deck with me throughout the whole of the action, it would be unjust
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 bis 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 Thomas,
who were 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 them by their own animated and gallant example.
Mangled as we were in our hull, as well as in our masts, yards, and rigging,

POST-CAPTAINS 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
humbly 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.

(Signed) " R. C. REYNOLDS."

A circumstance occurred in the course of the action with
les Droits de I'Homme, which 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. «is<

After the ship struck the ground, Mr. Littlehales, as first
Lieutenant, was too much occupied to think of his wardrobe
and other private pi operty ; 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. fortheir conductronthatoccasion. 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 1'Homme, during which she had suffered materially in her
masts and rigging ; 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 that 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 acquit-
ted of all blame, and with every sentiment of the Court's
highest approbation.

Lieutenant Littlehales was made a Commander immedi-

288 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1800.

ately after the trial ; and in Jan. 1798, appointed 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 run 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 re-
pairing her damages, the Centaur rejoined the Channel 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 j 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, on 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,

* See Vol. I, p. 6/0.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1900. 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.

Captain 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 returned to England in the Morne
Fortunee, 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.

Our 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 auspices
of Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Neale.

Agent.

ROBERT PHILPOT, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790, 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 Aguadilla bay ;
and the following day his boats captured a Spanish brig of
2 guns and 20 men, 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 18-pounder, and several
smaller 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.

* See Vol.1, p. 481.

VOL. II. U

'290 POST-CAPTATNS OF 1800.

Captain Philpot was posted into the Prompte, a 20-gun
whip, July I, 1800; and convoyed a fleet of merchantmen
from Jamaica to England in the spring of 1801. He subse-
quently commanded the Brighton district of Sea Fencibles,
and regulated the impress service at Deal.

Agent.— Messrs. Atkins and Son.

PATRICK CAMPBELL, ESQ.

A Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath.

THIS officer commanded the Dart sloop of war, aJnd assisted
a£ 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 pr three smaller v,essels>
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 2/th 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. OCJHS bin

Captain Inman had directed the Dart, if possible, to run
alongside of the easternmost frigate ; calculating that the
first fire-ship would about the same time have hooked the
westernmost frigate. Captain Campbell stood in according
to his orders, and with determined bravery boarded and
carried his opponent. The fire-vessels followed ; but the

moment they were discovered to be in flames, the remainder

* .im .' <r.rn /

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

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»-
gun 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 the

'if i \'i ;^j/:i') * y<r rbiifw ilirflr p'ia*^
* " The Dart was a curiously constructed sloop of war, after the plan of
General Bentham, mounting1 30 guns. Her bow and stern were of the
same shape, and she could anchor by either 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 wedge: she had
two top-masts on the same lower-mast, parallel to each other, and ker
gangways were outside of the lower rigging : she had no stability in the
water, and was found in blowing weather to be a very unsafe vessel. Cap •
tarn Campbell made the only use of her for which she was calculated, vis.
that of laying an enemy on board." See BRENTON'S Naval History of
Great Britain, vol. ii, p. 425.

u 2

292 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

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 astern : 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 1807, we find Captain Campbell commanding 1'Unite, a
fine frigate, stationed off Corfu. 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 1' 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 Languillaf.
On the 27th 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
3 1 wounded j amongst the latter was Lieutenant William
Walpole, R. N., of the Imperieuse frigate.

* El Rorico, Nettuno, and Teuhe". The former, although alone, had
the temerity to fire several broadsides at I'Unite*, and succeeded in doing
considerable damage to her sails 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'Unite" had not a man hurt ; 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 slain and 16 wounded,
f See Vol. I. p. 633.

294 • POST-CAPTAINS OF Ij800.

The subject of this memoir has not been employed since
the peace. He was nominated a C. B. in June 1815.
Agent. — Thomas Collier, Esq.

NORBORNE THOMPSON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; commanded
the Zebra sloop of war in 1795 ; and subsequently the Savage
of 16 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. 11, 1800. During the late war, we find
him successively commanding the Foudroyant 80 ; Minotaur
74 j Perlen frigate ; Bombay and Aboukir, third rates. The
former ship was employed blockading the coast of Portugal,
in 1807 * ; the Perlen assisted at the reduction of Flushing,
in 1809 f ; and the Aboukir at the capture of Genoa, in
1814 \.

Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq.

iiiuw /.- ;' . <, • svafr «y*aiW

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.

He 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. 1780. 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 ; the result of which was the cap-
ture of le Menagere, a frigate armed en flute, and 1'Alex-
andre of 24 guns.

]VIr. Seymour left the Ganges in 1783 j and from that pe-

• See Vol. I. p. 320. f See id. p. 290. \ See id. p. 634.

PQSl -CAPTAINS OF 1800. 295

riod was almost constantly employed in different ships tUl
Nov. 1/90, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant,
in the Magnificent 74. His next appointment was to the
Marlboroughj 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 prices, captured I'Allegree, a French ves-
sel laden with ammunition and other warlike stores ; six pri-
vateers, carrying in the whole, £7 guns and 301 men j and a
transport armed with 14 guns. His post commission bears
date Aug. 11, 1800.

At length, after acting as Captain of several line-pf-battlu
ships and frigates, our officer obtained the permanent com-
mand of the Amethyst, rated at 36, but mounting 42 guns,
with a complement of 261 men and boys ; in which ship,
whilst cruising) near 1'Orient, 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 (including soldiers) ; of whom, according to Captain
Seymour's account, 136. were killed and 102 wounded. The
Amethyst had 19 slain and 51 wounded. This 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
oak, and ornamented with gold. He also received a piece
of plate, value 100 guineas, from the Patriotic Fund at
Lloyd's f.

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

• See note f, at p. 15.

f La Thetis was bound to Martinique, and had on board 1000 barrels
of flour, together with a quantity of other stores. A painting by Dodd,
representing the action between her and the Amethyst, was exhibited at
the Royal Academy, in 1809.

296 POST-CAPTA1N6 OF 1800.

and 37 men were absent in prizes, 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 *.

During 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 j 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 1 806.

Agent* — — — — M'Inerheney, Esq.

EDWARD STIRLING 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 j and was present at
the capture of Trinidad, in Feb. 1797 f-

On the 7th May, 1798, Captain 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 hi their attempt ; and

* The French Captain's bombastic account of this action appears at full
length in the Nav. Chron. v. 22, p. 93, et seq. We should here observe
that the Amethyst, after beating her opponent, but previous to the enemy's
surrender, was joined by the Arcthusa frigate, commanded by the late Sir
Robert Mends. Of this circumstance M. du Potet avails 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 ! !

f See Vol. I. note at p. 112.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 297

the smallest, a sloop of 6 guns and 50 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 ; 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 Marguerittaj two others at Gu-
rupano, and a small Dutch privateer; and captured la Cou-
leuvre of 6 guns and 80 men. The enemy's force at the latter
place was at least 300 men ; notwithstanding which, their
fire was silenced in fifteen minutes. The assailants had only
4 men killed and wounded. Captain Dickson had previously
captured two small French privateers, and destroyed another
of 12 guns and 80 men.

In July 1799, 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. Pickforcf, his first Lieutenant,
on shore to ascertain the 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. Runcimau 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

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1800.

the British Captain's intentions, agreed to surrender by capi-
itulation 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
Sikerrett 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*omcers
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.

From the Stately, Captain Dickson removed into the Swift-
sur,e 74, on the Mediterranean station ; where his boats cap-
tured the Charlemagne, a French privateer of 8 guns and 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 French 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
wounded, had thus the honor to receive the submission of
thje last tri-colored flag struck in action at sea *.

.^g-entf.-mlsaac Clementson, Esq.

• ; : >—

» t*itDo<EBWARD ROTHERAM, ESQ.

A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is a son of the late John Rotheram, M. D., of
* See James's Nav. Hist. v. 5, p. £61.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 299

Newcastle upon Tyne ; 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 Linnaeus, at Upsal, and died Professor of Natural
Philosophy, in the University of St. Andrews, N.B., about
the year 1805.

Mr. Edward Rotheratn 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 j obtained a Lieutenant's commission April 19, 1783 ;
and was the senior officer of that, rank on board the Culloden
74, in the battle of June 1, 1794; an event that led to his
further promotion.

In 1795, we find him commanding the Camel store-shijj,
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 officers, 2 midshipmen, and
42 men killed ; and 4 officers, 5 petty officers, and 85 men
wounded — total 141. At the close of the battle, not a spar
was left standing, except the tottering fore-mast, and it went
overboard in the 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 Captain WILLIAM PRYSE CUMBY ; and Vol. I. note at p. 205.

300 I'OUT-CAPTAINS OF 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 J he replied, ' / 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.

Agent. — William Marsh, Esq.

CHARLES GRANT, ESQ.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Hath ; and
Commodore of the Squadron employed in the East Indies.

THIS 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. E.
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 Hogue. On the
following morning the Niobe was sent to inform the senior
officer off Cherbourgh, how the Frenchmen were situated ;
and Captain Grant had soon after the satisfaction to see one
of them run 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 of la Hogue and Tatilion.
Captain Grant, notwithstanding the formidable force opposed

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 301

to him, stood in twice close alongside of her, sustaining each
time a very heavy fire, by which the Diana suffered 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 ; but being at length drifted to leeward, they were obliged
to desist and anchor out of gun-shot. In this affair, 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 Wil-
liam, Spithead, Nov. 22, 1810:

" Sir. — Having 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, which escaped from Havre in the night of the
12th, 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 yon, and by all the officers and men
of the ships under your orders on that occasion. I am, Sir, &c. &c.

(Signed) " ROGEU 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. This 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 WENTWORTH LORING, C. B. . V "••-%

302 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1900.

guns, fitting for the Mediterranean station, where he served
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. fallowing, 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, Curagoa,
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, of West Henning-
ton, co. Durham, was made a Commander Dec. 24, 1J98 ;
and obtained post rank Sept. 6, 1800. During the late war,
he commanded the Diana and Undaunted frigates, and Mul-
graveof74 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 San Josephe of 14 guns
and 96 men.

In 1817, a Chapel capable of containing about 500 persons,
and built at Captain Maling's expense, near Hylton Ferry,
in the county of Durham, was opened for divine service by
the Rector of Bishops wearmouth.

Captain Maling was appointed to the Northumberland of

• See Vol. I. p. G33. f See id. p. 634.

POST CAPTAINS OF 1800.

•

78 guns, lying in the Medway, July 31, 1821 ; and at pre-
sent commands the Cambridge 82, on the South American
station. He married, Dec. 2, 181 lj 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 Mul-
grave ; another was married to Lieutenant- Col on el 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.

THIS officer is the eldest son of the late Rear- Admiral
Cornthwaite Ommanney*. He entered the naval service in
1/83, and during the ensuing eleven years, served successively
on board the Powerful 74 ; Rose frigate ; Leander 50 ; Aquir
Ion 28; Zebra 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 our 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

* Rear-Admiral Ommanney had seven Children, six of whom are now
living, viz. John Acworth, the subject of this memoir; Sir Francis Moly-
neux, a Navy Agent, and M. P. for Barnstaple ; Henry Manaton, a Post-
Captain ; Edward Symons, a Merchant at North Yarmouth ; Cornthwaite,
a Captain in the 24th Light Dragoons, now on half pay ; and Ann Symons,
who married, in 1815, Captain Pipon of the 7th Hussars. His other child,
Montagu, was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, and died on service in
the West Indies, in 1?9G. The Rear-Admiral died in 1801, sincerely
lamented by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

304 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

Erasmus entertaining a great friendship for Mr. Ommanney,
availed himself of so favourable an opportunity to promote
his interests by applying for and obtaining permission to ap-
point him a supernumerary 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 Admiralty 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
1'Orient, on the 23d of the following month *.

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 against the refractory seamen, until the spirit of rebellion
had subsided in that quarter j 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. 1797j 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. Oramanney was
sent at the close of the action to assist Lieutenant Alexander Wilson, now
a superannuated Rear-Admiral, in conducting one of the prizes to an
English port.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 305

her 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, 1'Orient, and Cadiz. Upon receiving the report of
Lieutenant Reddie, who commanded the Speedwell, Captain
Ommanney wrote the following laconic letter on the Busy's
cap stern head, and immediately forwarded it to the Swedish
Commodore :

" H. B. M. Sloop Busy, at Sea, Aug. 8, 1/99.

" 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 Captain 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 English 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 seq.

VOL. II. X

306 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

the Busy, was running along the Dutch coast on her return to
Dunkirk 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
only two succeeded ; the remainder perished.

In Jan. 1800, the Busy was ordered to the Leeward
Islands, and Captain Ornmanney received a letter from Earl
Spencer, who then presided at the Admiralty, recommending
him to Lord Hugh Seymour, the Commander-in- Chief on
that 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
sickness, 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 Collingwood, was paid off in May 1802. From
June 1804 till March 1806, he served as Flag-Captain to his
early friend Sir Erasmus Gower, 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.

HENRY STUART, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; Commander
Oct. 7, 1799 ; and Post-Captain Oct. 16, 1800.
Agent. — Sir Francis M. Ommanney, M. P.

.11

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800. 307

ZACHARY MUDGE, ESQ.

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
an 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 Kent. 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 Viana, 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 £1 Dduides, a Spanish national cutter of 8 guns
and 69 men ; a lugger privateer of 2 guns and 27 men ; 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,
f See p. 200.
x 2

308 POST-CAPTAINS 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 £1 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 2/th 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
his brother officer 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 thejnsults of the soldiers. As soon as H, R. H.
the Duke of Sussex, who happened to be at Lisbon, was 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 and 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
Trigate.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 ; 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

• We shall have occasion hereafter to enter into the particulars of more
/than one gallant exploit performed by the Blanche's boats at this period.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 309

eighteen months, she cruised with great activity, and among
other prizes, took two French national vessels of 14 guns
each ; a Dutch schooner of 4 guns j another laden with hoi-
lands ; a Spanish sloop, with a cargo of horses and Nicara-
gua wood ; 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. 6G° 44* W. fell in with a French
squadron, consisting of la Topaze frigate of 44 guns and 410
men ; one ship of 22 guns and 236 men ; a corvette of 18
guns and 213 men ; and a brig of 16 guns and 123 men. To*
escape by sailing was out of the question, the greater
part of the copper having been off 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
Blanche's 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 the greatest satisfaction and pleasure in the discharge of this

* 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 Legion,
du Midi. Their exact loss we have not been able to ascertain-

310 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1800.

part of my duty, having to convey to you the just sentiments \vhich the
members of this Court entertain of your very able and gallant conduct in
the defence made by you of his Majesty's late ship the Blanche, against a
very superior force of the enemy's ships ; and likewise of the spirited sup-
port afforded you by the officers 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 Phoenix
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,
Bart., 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."

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

GEORGE WOLFE, ESQ.

4. Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.

THIS officer was born Aug. 3, 1/66, and had the misfor-
tune to lose his father when only eight years of age. His
mother (a daughter of Colonel Sharpless, who served with
credit under Charles, second l)uke of Marlborough), after
repeated attempts to divert him from his early intentions of
becoming a sailor, at length yielded to the persuasions of the
late Lady Spencer, under whose patronage he entered the
naval service as a Midshipman on board the Ocean of 90
guns, commanded by Captain George Ourry, April 2, 1780*.

• So determined was the subject of this memoir to go to sea, that he
twice decamped from his maternal residence for that purpose. The first
time he succeeded in reaching the metropolis, and getting on board an In-
diaman ; but to his great disappointment, was delivered up to his mother
and brother on the morning after his entry. His second trip from North-
amptonshire towards London, was interrupted by an unexpected meeting

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 311

The Ocean formed part of the Channel fleet under Admiral
Geary, at the capture of twelve French West Indiamen, va~
lued at91,000/., July 3, 1/80. 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 1/81 ; as also at the capture of twelve others,
April 20, 1782 *.

Mr. Wolfe continued in the Ocean, which ship was suc-
cessively commanded by Captains Ourry, Edgar, Cleland, and
Phipps, till May 1/82, 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
sharing 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 5 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,
under the orders of Admiral Pigot. She was put out of com-
mission June 30, 1783. •

with some friends of the family, by whom he 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. 58, and 15.

t During the whiter of 1780, while the Ocean was lying with the grand
fleet in Torbay, her launch was sent to Torquay for water j and Mr.
Wolfe having been engaged to 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 small boat, and was carried by the tide to the mouth of the har-
bour, before he could be rescued from his perilous situation.

312 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

During the ensuing peace, Mr. Wolfe served in the various
ships commanded by Captains Herbert Sawyer, Charles
Chamberlayne, 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

* See an account of the sect calling themselves atheists, in Evans's Sketch
of all Religions, p. 2, et seq.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 fire 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 his 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 officer he was introduced to Lord
Hood, who received him very kindly, and ordered him to be

314 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

removed to the Victory ; in which ship he returned to England
as Master's Mate, towards the close of 1794.

On his arrival at Portsmouth, Mr. Wolfe was advanced to
the rank of Lieutenant in the Phaeton frigate, commanded by
the Hon. Robert Stopford, with whom he continued about
two years and nine months *. In Sept. 1797j 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 to a French ship, which afterwards proved to be le
Republicain of 36 guns and 360 men. The Sally, originally a
collier, mounted 14 old fashioned carronades (24-pounders),and
had a complement of 45 men. Onthefogbeginning 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 escape : 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 Phaeton was one of the squadron that escorted the Princess Caro-
line of Brunswick from Cuxhaven to England, in April 1795. She after-
wards resumed her station in the Channel ; and among other services, des-
troyed I'Echoue" of 28 guns j captured la Bonne Citoyenne of 20 guns ;
three large privateers, and a number of merchant vessels j 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 Cormvallis,
during his masterly retreat ; an account of which will be found in Vol. I.
note *, at p. 354.

t The Cruiser, Captain Charles Wollaston, was in company at thi*
latter capture.

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1800. 315

Captain Wolfe obtained pest 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 constables to assist him and preserve order, Cap-
tain Wolfe landed, at 4 P. M. on the 1st April, at the head of
50 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 scuffle 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 coast in 1/95 *. This formidable body,
urged on by two constables, lost no time in attacking their
unwelcome 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 j 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-master belonging to the Aigle, bad his cut-
lass broken whilst warding off a blow aimed at his Captain's head. Nine
of the wounded men were discharged from the service, in consequence of
the injuries they received.

316 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 j
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, Lieute-
nant Jefferies of the marines, and Mr. John Fortescue Morgan,
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 circumstances connected with, this unfortunate affray,
will serve to shew how deeply the principle of self-love is implanted in the
heart 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 same town, having an eye
to numler one, also waited upon Captain Wolfe, and solicited him to en-
trust the Aigle's 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 ^Esculapius made his appearance in
court, and stated that a young girl who had received a wound in the late
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
<lescribed as the only support of 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's bill. On the latter being asked

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800. 3I/

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, 1' Alert privateer of 16 guns 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 75 men. The greater part of their crews escaped to the
shore ; 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 taken prisoners.

In Sept. 1805, Captain Wolfe, being off Vigo, was attacked
during a calm, by nine Spanish gun -boats. After an hour'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 1'Orient, under a
press 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 Aigle's men, which was several days after she
had been wounded, he replied, that she did not make the declaration till
three weeks after. We should here state, though not without cautioning1
the young officer against acting precipitately in such a case, that the Court
acquainted Captain Wolfe he had done wrong in communicating with the
Mayor of Weymouth, when acting under an order from the King in Council.

318 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1800.

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 Lamb. 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
Gambier'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-deckers, 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
up that river, after throwing overboard all their guns and
stores. On this anxious and fatiguing service, he continued
as 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 frigates, under the
orders of Lord William Stuart *.

In Sept. 1810, Captain 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-
decks, to the bread room, where it burst. The splinters, in their ascent
through the decks, occasioned the loss we have stated-

POST-CAPTAINS OP 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 Phoenix 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 Bally-
patam river, to the foot of the Ghauts ; and in the action with

la Resolu French frigate, Nov. 19, 1791 f. On one occasion,

ii.

* 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 beautiful 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
four 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. B. Since the publication of our first
volume, we have received the following remarks on the action between
the Phoenix and Resolu, 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 searching mer-
chant vsssels ; and the latter, in order to try whether the threats of the
English Commodore would be put in force, got under way from Mahe*
roads with two merchant ships under his convoy, and passed close to the
British squadron of three frigates in Tellicherry roads. The Phoenix and
Perseverance were both ordered by signal to ' examine the strange sails
passing near,' and both in consequence weighed and went in chase ; both

. /

320 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

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. II ill
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 tbe 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 :

" Captain Faulknor of the Zebra, who commanded in the battery, being
provoked by the interference of an artillery officer, and one of the seamen
not obeying him with alacrity, was provoked to strike him with his sword ;
which unfortunately wounded him mortally, and he died in a few minutes.
Captain Faulknor was acquitted by the court-martial that was instantly
summoned 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 Pho3-
nix." — It will be remembered by our readers, that the Hon. East India
Company was at this time engaged in a war 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.
* See Vol. I. note at p. 859.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 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 period
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) tc 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 vain,
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 have the whole of the
people on shore with you, officers and all, to attend me at the court-mar-
tial. If that be 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 the coast of America in company with a
squadron of frigates, under the orders of Commodore Josias

* Mr. Fahie (now a Rear- Admiral), was at that time first Lieutenant of
the Zebra.

VOL. II. Y

322 POST-CAPTAINS OF J801.

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 1J95, 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 effect, Captain Skynner
lost no time in leaving his cruising 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. Aft 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 j 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 fought 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 having previously been posted, the Zebra was now
commanded by Captain Skynner.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 323

and House of Assembly, together with the most marked at-
tention, and expressions of gratitude from all classes of the
inhabitants. Soon after his arrival in England, he received
the following letter from Drewry Ottley, Esq., second in
Council of the above island :

" Dear Sir. — It is with great; pleasure that I hear 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 surgeons, 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 an early opportunity of rewarding your services. I am, dear Sir,
" Your faithful and obedient Servant,

(Sigried) " DREWRY OTTLEY."

Lieutenant Hill was advanced to the rank of Commander,
July 24, 1795 ; and in Feb. 1797, had 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 we 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 en flute,
on the Mediterranean station ; and Megaera 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 ; 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, viz :

324 POST-CAFFAINS OF 1801.

" First, for making, or attempting to make, a mutinous assembly, for thff
purpose of inducing the ship's company to desire to be drafted ; second,
for knowing of such assemblies without acquainting their captain ; third,
for having endeavoured to excite the ship's company to mutiny ; and
lastly, for having written, or caused to be written, an anonymous letter to
the Secretary of the Admiralty, wherein they stated their full determina-
tion not to go to sea under the command of Captain Hill."

The charges being all proved, with the exception of the
last, three of the prisoners were sentenced to death, and the
remainder to be flogged round the fleet. The condemned men
were afterwards reprieved, and we believe the greater part, if not
the whole of the others, were pardoned. In the following year,
Captain Hill left the Naiad, having arrived at that standing
on the list which precluded his continuing any longer in the
command of a frigate. He has not since been afloat.

Our officer married, first, Anne, a daughter of the late Rev.
James Worsley, of Gatcombe, in the Isle of Wight ; and se-
condly, Caroline, a daughter of the late Joseph Bettesworth,
of Ryde, in the same island, Esq. By these marriages, he has
six sons and four daughters. His brother, Lieutenant-Co-
lonel Charles Fitzmaurice Hill, commanded the 10th regi-
ment of foot, and died in 1811. Another brother, the Rev.
Jutley Hill, is Rector of Tinge wick, Bucks, and of Bonchurch
and Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

JOHN MASON LEWIS, ESQ.

Resident Commissioner of the Navy at Malta.
THIS officer was educated at the maritime school, Chelsea ;
received his first commission in 1790 ; served as a Lieutenant
on board the Queen of 98 guns, in Earl Howe's action, June
1, 1794 ; commanded the Snake sloop of war, and assisted
at the capture of 1'Hirondelle, a French privateer of 14 guns
and 50 men, Nov. 10, 1799 ; and obtained post rank, Jan. 1,
1801. During the last thirteen or fourteen years he has re-
sided as Commissioner, successively at Antigua, Bermuda,
and Malta.

.— -Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

POST-CAFF AINS OP 1801. 325

CHARLES WOLLASTON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; and obtained
post rank Jan. 1, 1801. He had previously commanded the
Cruiser of 18 guns on the North Sea station, where he cap-
tured six French privateers, carrying in the whole 68 guns
and 282 men. At the renewal of the war in 1803, he was ap-
pointed to a command in the Sea Fencible service, between
Blackwater and the Stour.

Agent. — Sir F. M. Ommanney, M. P.

ALEXANDER WILMOT SCHOMBERG, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793 j and obtained
post rank Jan. 1, 1801.

Agent. — William Marsh, Esq.

EDWARD DURNFORD KING, ESQ.

THIS officer is a son of the late William King, of South-
ampton, Esq., and a brother of Captain Andrew King, R. N.
He first went to sea in the Director of 64 guns, commanded
by Captain Thomas West, in June 1789 ; and from that pe-
riod served in various ships till 1794, when he was promoted
to the rank of Lieutenant, for his good conduct as a Midship-
man on board the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of
Rear-Adiniral Bowyer, in the memorable actions between
Earl Howe and M. Villaret de Joyeuse, an account of which
will be found in our first volume.

After serving for some time with the present Sir Edward
Thornbrough, in the Robust 74, Mr. King joined the Dryad
of 44 guns and 25 1 men : and he was the senior Lieutenant
of that ship when she captured, after a spirited action, la
Proserpine, a French frigate of 42 guns and 348 men. His
behaviour on that occasion procured him the official commen-
dations of his Captain, Lord Amelius Beauclerk, and he was
in consequence advanced to the rank of Commander*, but we

- * Mr. James, in his Naval History, makes the following observations on
the action between the Dryad and Proserpine • " Were it not for the pre-

326 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

have reason to believe, did not obtain an appointment as
such till June 1708, when he was commissioned to the Gaite
sloop of war ; in which vessel he cruised with considerable
success against the enemy's privateers and trade on the Lee-
ward Islands station, until Sept. 28, 1800, when he was
promoted into the Leviathan 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Ad-
miral Duckworth, whom he served under at the reduction of
the Swedish and Danish West India colonies, in March,
1801*. He subsequently removed into the Andromeda fri-
gate, and continued to command her till the end of the war,
when he was obliged through ill health to return to Eng-
land.

In April, 1805, our officer was appointed acting Captain of
the Endymion, during the absence ef the Hon. Charles Paget ;
and in that fine frigate, we find him employed off Cadiz under
the gallant Collingvvood.

A few days previous to the arrival of the combined French
and Spanish fleets, Captain King was detached on a particular
service : and when off Cape St. Mary fell in with the enemy,
whose force consisted of twenty-six sail of the line, and nine
frigates. Finding it impracticable to pass a-head of their
line for the purpose of communicating with his Admiral,
whom he had left in shore with only four line-of-battle ships,
and after being chased by two sail of the line and a frigate,
he took up a position in their rear, and by repeated signals

ponderance given by the Dryad's carronades, the British would have been
inferior in guns, aa well as in men and size, to the French frigate. But,
as what the latter wanted in weight of metal was amply made up to her in
number of men, this may be pronounced a tplerably equal match. It
was, without doubt, a well-contested battle j and it was, also, the first
genuine single-ship action of the year (1796) ; no intruding vessel of either
nation having made her appearance during the combat. The Proserpine,
under the name of the Amelia, was admitted into the British navy as a
cruising 38 ; and, from her size and sailing properties, became a valuable
acquisition to her class."

• See Vol. I. note f, at p. 798. N.B. Captain King, in conjunction
with Brigadier-Generals Maitland and Fuller, settled the terms of capitula-
tion. Rear-Adrniral Duckworth, in his last despatch, announcing the
surrender of the islands, says : " I should feel very remiss were I to close
this without mentioning to their Lordships the aid I have received from
my Captain, E. D. King-, in this harrassing service."

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 327

led them to suppose that he was in communication with a
fleet astern. This ruse de guerreh&d the-desired effect ; and
M. Villeneuve, who commanded the combined force, put into
Cadiz, where he was closely reconnoitred by Captain King,
who lost no time in reporting what had occurred to his chief,
whom h.6 joined at the entrance of the Straits. The ability
and zeal which Captain King had thus displayed, were fully
testified by Vice-Admiral Collingwood in his public" des-
patches.

Captain King continued in the Enclymion till the latter end
of 1806. In the following spring he was appointed to the
Monmouth of 64 guris, and ordered to the East Indies ; from
whence he convoyed home a valuable fleet of Indiamen. He
subsequently commanded the Rodney 74, on the Mediter-
ranean station; and in Nov. 1814, was appointed to the
Cornwallis, another third rate, fitting for the flag of Rear-
Admiral Burlton ; buUthe bad state of his health at that pe-
riod preventing him from undertaking a voyage to India, he
resigned the command of that ship previous to her quitting
port ; since which he has been on half pay.

Agents. — Messrs. Barnett and King.

WILLIAM WALLER, ESQ.

THIS officer is a son of the late Captain Jacob Waller,
R. N. * He was made a Lieutenant into the Asia of 64 guns,
soon after the commencement of the French revolutionary
war, and served on shore at the reduction of Martinique
in 1794. On his return to England he joined the Victorious
74, which ship formed part of the squadron under the orders
of Sir George Keith Elphinstone, at the capture of the Cape
of Good Hope, Sept. 16, 1795 t ; and afterwards proceeded
to the East India station.

* At the time of his death (1798), Captain Waller commanded the
Saturn 74, with a squadron under his orders, on the Irish station. He
was taken in a fit whilst at dinner on board his ship, then lying in the
Cove of Cork, and survived only five days. t

f See Vol. I. p. 47, et seq. N. B. Lieutenant Waller on this occasion
was also landed with a party of seamen to co-operate with the army. Pas-
sing through the village of Constantia during the march from Simon's

328 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

On the 9th Sept. 1796, 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 Sercey 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.

Jn 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 j 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 1'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 so much importance, that the Madras Insurance Compa-
nies presented Captain Waller with a sword and a piece of

town, one of the sailors swore, that for once in his life he would

swim in wine; and jumping in the head of a vat, was almost immediately
satiated with that enticing' beverage.

* The first Lieutenant of the Victorious was absent in a prize. For a
detailed account of the action, see James's Nav. Hist. v. 5. p. 432, et seq.

POST-CAPTAINS 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 Daedalus of 32 guns ; which
ship returned to England and was paid off 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 pro tern-
pore, 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 the Serpent sloop of war, and was lost
with all his crew on the West India station, in 1807.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

HENRY VANSITTART, 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.

He was born at Bisham Abbey, near Marlow, co. Berks ;
entered the naval service under the protection of the late
Admiral Sir George Bowyer f J 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; 1'Aigle frigate, Captain Samuel Hoodj
and Victory of 100 guns, the flag ship of Lord Hood ; 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'Adele 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. During her cruise, she took six
British merchantmen, and sunk several others. Seven of her crew were
killed and 15 wounded, before she surrendered to the Albatross,
f See Vol. I. note * at p. 720.

POST-CAPTAINS OV 1801.

he received a very severe wound 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 1' 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
tenta 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
Lieutenant of the Maidstone frigate, commanded by Captain
(now Rear- Admiral) Donnelly. r;-*.t1

» The floating battery mounted four heavy guns and two brass mor-
tars, the latter of which were worked by Spanish bombardiers. She was
commanded by Lieutenant Moriencourt of the Princess Royal, who had
2 midshipman and 48 men under his orders. The first of the enemy's
batteries to which she was opposed, was soon effectually silenced ; but the
fire from a second, erected on a rising ground, proved so destructive that
only 9 men were left fit for duty ou board the float.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 331

Lieutenant Vansittart was promoted to the rank of Com-
mander in the Hermes sloop of Avar, 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, [n 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 Magicienne
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 Lyrnington and Jersey, to. the Texel and Helvoetsluys,
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 Fortune e 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 ; 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 for England,
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 J4-gun ship and two gun-boats. The
Fortune e 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 Fortune*e,
Captain Vansittart was about to return to Jamaica from a cruise off 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,
\vhich being uninhabited was humanely lent to him 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.

332 POST-CAPTAIXS OF 1801.

The line-of-battle ship being close in with the Havannali,
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 In<Jies, we find le Vautour, French
privateer ; a Spanish brig laden with cocoa ; le Grand Juge
Bertolio, French schooner, of 7 guns and 51 men ; and two
Spanish feluccas laden with beef and flour : the latter were
destroyed.

In 180J, and the three succeeding years, Captain Vansittart
was employed on Channel service, and the Irish station.
Towards the latter end of 1810 he conveyed Rear- 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, and ever value as a mark of
the honor conferred on him by his Highness.

On the llth Oct. 1811, Captain Vansittart, being on a
cruise to the westward, with the Saldanha frigate under his
orders, fell in with and captured the famous French ship pri-
vateer le Vice-Amiral Martin, of 18 guns and 140 men; 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 appears to
havebeen employed blockading the Texel, Brest, and Rochefort.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 333

We cannot close this memoir without remarking that the
subject of it, with the exception of a very few months in
1802-3, was never a day out of commission from the summer
of 1791, when he first Avent 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 has 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 private character, has recently been
created a peer, by the title of Baron Bexleyr

Agent. — Thomas Stillwell, Esq.

GEORGE MUNDY, ESQ.

A Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and

M. P. for Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire.

THIS officer is a son of the late Edwfird 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 are an ancient and most respectable
family, branches of which resided at Mocketon and Quardon. Their
estates were considerable, and they still flourish at Mackworth, near
Derby, and at Marton. Edward Mundy, Esq. was M. P. for the town of
Derby in 1710 and 1713j W. Mundy, Esq. represented Leicestershire
in 1741.

The late Edward Miller Mundy, Esq. 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
regiment; 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, Frederick, Rector of Winston upon Tees,
in the county of Durham. Sixth, Henry, in the service of the Hon. East
India Company. Mr. Mundy's second lady was Georgiana, widow of
Thomas, fourth Lord Middleton, by whom he had a daughter, who married,
in 1807, Henry, the present Duke of Newcastle. By his third marriage
(with Catherine, relict of Richard Barwell, Esq. of Stanstead, co. Sussex),
he left an infant son. Mr. Mundy died in 1822, breathing his last on the
evening of his natal day, aged 72 years.

334 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

He was born Mar. 3, 1777 5 a"d after completing his studies
at the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, embarked as a
Midshipman on board the Blanche frigate, commanded by
the late Vice-Admiral Christopher Parker, whom he accom-
panied to the West Indies ; from whence he was obliged to
return home without loss of time, in consequence of a severe
illness, occasioned by fatigue and wet during an excursion in
the island of Teneriffe. We subsequently find him serving
on board the Victory, a first rate, and Juno of 32 guns.

On the llth Jan. 1794, the Juno had a very singular es-
cape from capture at Toulon, the particulars of which will be
found in our memoir of Captain W. H. Webley Parry, C. B.
She afterwards assisted at the reduction of. St. Fiorenzo in
Corsica, and Mr. Mundy appears to have borne a constant
share in all the laborious operations carried on during the
siege of that place.

After the capture of St. Fiorenzo Mr. Mundy removed with
his Captain, the late Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, into
1'Aigle frigate, and was present in her at the reduction of Bastia
and Calvi. He then proceeded to the Archipelago, and on
that station completed his time as a Midshipman. His first
commission bears date Jan. 27, 1796.

As a Lieutenant, Mr. Mundy was successively appointed to
the St. George and Blenheim second rates ; Victory of 100
guns ; and Goliah 74, on the Mediterranean station.

The Blenheim formed part of the fleet under Sir John Jer-
vis in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1/97 5 on which
memorable occasion she had 12 men killed and 45 wounded.
The Goliah had the distinguished honor of leading Sir Hora-
tio Nelson's squadron into action on the glorious 1st Aug.
1798; and during the conflict sustained a loss of 21 killed
and 41 wounded*. On the 24th Dec. following Lieutenant
Mundy was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Trans-
fer brig of 14 guns.

Early in March 1799, the Transfer was detached from the
fleet off Cadiz, to cruise in company with the Majestic 74,
between Malaga and Cape de Gatt. A few days after they fell
in with a French privateer of the same force as the Transfer,
and chased her into a small bay, where she obtained shelter

» See vol. I. p. 364 and 365.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 335

under a circular fort mounting three 24 pounders. The boats
of the Majestic were sent in to destroy her, but failed in the
attempt. The next day, however, the Transfer having an-
chored abreast of the fort to cover them, they succeeded in
boarding and setting her on fire.

From this period Captain Mundy was constantly engaged
in operations of no small difficulty and hazard, till the autumn
of 1800, when he was appointed to the Swan sloop of war on
the home station ; in which vessel he remained until promoted
to post rank, Feb. 10, 1801. His subsequent appointments
were to the Vengeance /4, Carysfort 28, and Hydra of 38 guns.

Captain Mundy obtained the command of the Hydra at a
time when Napoleon Buonaparte was meditating the invasion
of Great Britain ; and that frigate was one of those selected
to watch the French coast, on which anxious and fatiguing
service she continued from July 1803, until the summer of
1804, but without any thing remarkable occurring except the
capture of two or three small privateers. Captain Mundy
afterwards convoyed a fleet of merchantmen to Malta, and
then proceeded to join Lord Nelson off Cape St. Sebastian,
on the coast of Spain.

In April 1805, when Nelson went down the Mediterranean
in pursuit of the French squadron which had escaped from
Toulon, the Hydra was left under the orders of the Hon.
Captain Capel, to assist in protecting* Sardinia, Sicily, &c.
from the designs of the enemy. On Nelson's return from the
West Indies, his Lordship received a letter from Vice- Admiral
Collingwood, in which we find the following mention made
of the subject of this memoir — " / am exceedingly pleased
with Captain Mundy of the Hydra. His vigilance and
activity are exemplary ; he is a clever young man."

To the great mortification of Captain Mundy, who had
been employed for some time blockading the port of Cadiz,
he was detached to procure water, stores, and provisions, at
Tetuan and Gibraltar, but a very few days before the sailing
of the combined fleets, and thus prevented being present at a
battle which gave the death blow to Buonaparte's favourite
scheme of obtaining the empire of the sea.

After this great event, Captain Mundy was directed by
Nelson's gallant successor to take a station off Cadiz light-

336 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

house, with the Moselle of 18 guns under his orders, for the
purpose of closely watching four French frigates, then lying
ready for sea in that harbour. His vigilance in the execution
of this duty was soon rewarded by the capture of a fine French
brig mounting 18 guns, with a complement of 132 men. The
following is a copy of his official letter on the subject, dated
Feb. 27, 180G:—

" My Lord, — I have the honor to represent, that last evening at a
quarter after nine o'clock, Cadiz light-house bearing East three miles, while
standing in shore with a strong easterly wind, we discovered the enemy's
squadron of frigates already outside of us, the Moselle making the signal
for them at the same moment. I instantly bore up, intending to steer on a
parallel with the enemy, in order to watch their movements . We had the sa-
tisfaction to find that we gained upon them. At eleven, seeing they steered
a steady course, I commenced firing alarm guns, and throwing up rockets,
and ordered Captain Carden (whose attention and assistance has been very
great during the short time be has been under my orders) to steer W. by
N. in order to give your Lordship the intelligence. At thirty minutes
after two I found we had closed the squadron considerably, in consequence
of their having altered their course a point to the westward ; and on ob-
serving one of them to be much astern of the others, I thought it very
possible to cut her off; therefore hauled up, and after a chase of two
hours, succeeded in coming up with her, when she fired a broadside at our
rigging, and surrendered. I find her to be le Furet, French man of war
brig, commanded by Monsieur Demay, (Lieutenant de Vaisscau) mount-
ing 18 long 9-pounders, but pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of
132 men, only four years old, and of the largest dimensions, stored and
victualled for five months, of all species. The remaining part of the
squadron, at the time we chased the above vessel, bore about S. E. by S. by
compass, and were steering W. N. W. Cape St. Mary distant forty miles.
From the prisoners we learn that the squadron consisted of PHortense,
la Themis, la Rhin, and 1'Hermione frigates, and le Furet, captured by H.
M. S. Hydra. The frigates are provisioned and stored for six months,
and have each 700 men on board, the greater part soldiers. I have the
honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " G. MUNDY."

" The Right Honourable Lord Collingwood,
$c. $c. 8fc."

On the 28th April following. Captain Mundy, after a chase
of two hundred and thirty miles, captured the Spanish King's
schooner Argonauta, pierced for 12 guns, but having only 4
mounted, bound to Buenos Ayres with despatches. He sub-
sequently escorted a fleet of transports to Sicily ; conveyed
the British Consul to Algiers ; attacked and dispersed a
division of gun- boats on the coast of Grenada, taking one and

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 337

driving another on shore ; and captured the Tigre, a Spanish
schooner letter of marque. On the 6th Aug. 1807, he chased
three armed polacres into the harbour of Begu, on the coast
of Catalonia, and having reconnoitred them on the following
morning, deemed an attempt on them practicable, although
they were under the protection of a battery, mounting four
26-pounders, and a tower on one side of the anchorage, and
of rocks and bushes admirably calculated for musketry on the
other. At fifty minutes past noon the Hydra was anchored,
with springs on her cables, at the entrance of the port, and
began the attack. A smart fire was returned by the enemy,
which however considerably slackened after somewhat more
than an hour's action ; on perceiving which, Captain Mundy
ordered 50 seamen and marines, under the command of
Lieutenant Edward O'Brien Drury, to land on the flank of
the enemy, and drive them from their guns, whilst the frigate
kept up a heavy fire to cover the boats as they approached
the shore. Disregarding the heavy fire to which they were
exposed from the shipping and fort, as well as musketry from
the rocks, the detachment mounted the cliff which was most
.difficult of access, and attacked the fort with such intrepidity,
that the enemy did not think proper to await their closing,
but spiking the guns, rushed out on the one side as the as-
sailants entered on the other. The bravery and success of
his men on shore gave Captain Mundy an opportunity of em-
ploying the Hydra's broadside solely on the polacres, from
which a constant fire was still kept up on the land party.
On gaining the battery, Lieutenant Drury advanced with the
seamen and a few marines to the town, leaving the remainder
of his people to retain possession of the guns, and to occupy
the heights that commanded the decks of the vessels. As soon
as the town was cleared of the enemy, the crews of the po-
lacres landed and formed in groups among the rocks and
bushes, firing on the British seamen, who had now seized the
boats on the beach, and were boarding the vessels, while
another part of the enemy had gained a height above the
marines, and kept them engaged, notwithstanding some guns
were continually playing on them from the Hydra. At half-
past three, observing Lieutenant Drury in full possession of
the polacres, Captain Mundy sent the rest of the boats under

VOL. II. Z

338 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Lieutenant James Little, to assist in towing them out ; and
soon after had the satisfaction of seeing them rounding the
point ; when the marines, commanded by Lieutenants Hayes
and Pengelly, re-embarked under a heavy discharge of mus-
ketry, the enemy having collected a considerable force to
harrass them in their retreat. The following is an extract
from Captain Mundy's unassuming narration of this dashing
enterprise, in a letter to Lord Collingwood.

" When I review the circumstances attending the embarkation of this
handful of men, and reflect on the many difficulties they had to surmount
in an attack on a fort strongly defended by nature as well as art, then op-
posed to more than three times their own force for two hours, succeeding
in possessing themselves of the vessels, and deliberately laying out hawsers
to the very rocks that were occupied by the enemy, and warping them out
against a fresh breeze, exposed to a galling fire of musketry ; I feel per-
fectly incapable of writing a panegyric equal to their merits : but it has
not required this exploit to stamp these officers with the character of cool
judgment and determined bravery. During the term of four years, I have
witnessed frequent instances of the gallantry of Lieutenants Drury and
Hayes ; and Lieutenant Pengelly (though not of so long a standing in the
Hydra) has ever been a volunteer on such services. I have also the great-
est pleasure in adding, that the above mentioned officers speak in enthusi-
astic terms of the behaviour of all employed under them. To your Lord-
ship's notice and protection, therefore, I beg most strongly to recommend
them. The conduct of the rest of the officers and ship's company fully
equalled my utmost wishes : to the tremendous fire they kept up I attri-
bute the smallness of our loss and damage, namely, 1 killed and 2 wounded
ou board, and 4 wounded of the detachment ; the fore and mizt-n- top-
masts, and fore-top-sail-yard shot through, a few shot in the hull, and the
rigging triflingly cut*."

The following are copies of Lord Collingwood'a reply, and
a letter from Rear-Admiral Purvis, expressive of the appro-
bation of the board of Admiralty : —

" Ocean, off Sicily, \3th Oct. 1807.

" Sir. — I received with infinite satisfaction your letter of the /th Aug.,
relating your proceedings on that day, when you attacked and captured
three of the enemy's armed ships in the port of Begu, where they were
securely moored in a narrow harbour, and defended by a battery of consi-
derable force. The gallantry with which this service was achieved in all its
parts, both on board the Hydra, and by the party which lauded under
Lieutenant Drury's command, was worthy of the judicious arrangement

* The prizes proved to be the Prince Eugene of 16 twelve-pounders,
and 130 men ; Belle Caroline 10 nine-pounders, 40 men ; and Rosario
4 six-pounders, 20 men.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 339

which was made at the commencement ; and will doubtless be as highly
satisfactory to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, as it is gratify-
ing to me, to lay the high merits of the officers and ship's company of the
Hydra before their Lordships. I am, Sir, with great esteem, &c. &c. &c-
" Captain Mundy, Hydra.'1 (Signed) " COLLINGWOOD."

"Atlas, off Cadiz, 30th Oct. 1807.

" Sir. — Having transmitted to iny Lords Commissioners of the Admi-
ralty a copy of your letter to Lord Collingwood, dated the 7th of Aug.
last, giving his Lordship an account of the very gallant attack made by
you in his Majesty's ship Hydra, on three of the enemy's privateers, which
had been chased into the Spanish port of Begu, and by a party of the
seamen and marines under the direction of Lieutenant Drury, who after
having gained possession of the battery which defended the harbour, and
driven the enemy from the town, succeeded in capturing and bringing
away the above privateers, with a trifling loss on the part of the captors ; 1
have their Lordships directions to express to you their satisfaction at the
successful manner in which this enterprising attempt was planned and ex-
ecuted ; and their approbation of the good conduct and gallantry displayed
by you and the officers and men of the Hydra, and particularly by
Lieutenant Drury, and the other officers, seamen, and marines, who were
engaged with him on this occasion ; to all of whom you will be pleased to
make known their Lordships' high approbation. I have the honor to be,
&c. &c. &c.

" Captain Mundy, Hydra-" (Signed) " J. C. PURVIS."

On the 2/th Feb. in the following year, Captain Mundy
being on a cruise off Carthagena, discovered six ships of the
line coming out of that harbour. Awarje of the importance of
ascertaining the enemy's destination, he diligently observed
their movements ; and although from foggy and blowing
weather, and other untoward circumstances, he frequently
lost sight of them, yet by dint of perseverance and good
judgment, he succeeded in dogging them until they anchored
off Palma, the capital of Majorca, from whence, after watch-
ing them for several days without perceiving any disposition
on their part to stir, he sailed to Gibraltar, to refit his frigate
and complete her stores.

The Hydra, however, had by this time become scarcely
sea-worthy, and a temporary repair being considered insuffi-
cient, the commander-in-chief found it expedient to send her
home with upwards of 100 sail of merchant vessels under her
protection, the whole of which arrived safely in England
about the middle of July.

Towards the latter end of November 1808, the Hydr

340 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

having undergone a complete repair, Captain Mundy was
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
courage in resisting the aggressions of the French forces in
that province. 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 : —

" MY LORD. — According to the orders of Vice-Admiral Thornbrough,
I have sent 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 the 30th inst. that the French
troops under the Governor of Barcelona, General Lecchi, had taken pos-
session of Mataro but two days before, I immediately shaped a course for
that place ; but observing a party of French erecting a battery on Mongat,
I anchored the ships, and drove them from their woflc ; 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 are in 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 difficulty to Barcelona. The same evening I received
in ion 11 at ion that forty waggons, laden with the plunder of the King's
store at Mataro, containing flour, corn, &e. &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 Masnan and Prenria, to look out
for them, those of the Leonidas being to the westward of Mongat, to pre-
vent artillery or cavalry from passing from Barcelona. At about 9 P. M.
the cavalry and waggons were heard, and the boats had the good fortune
to get within twenty yards of them before they were discovered; and
having given them several rounds of carronades, the people landed, drove
away the escort, consisting of near two hundred men, and seized some
waggons laden with flour, killed two cuirassiers and their horses, and
wounded forty men and all the draught horses, I am happy to state, without
loss or hurt on our side. The rest of the waggons returned to Mataro.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 341

Every night since, the boats have been in the same station, under the direc-
tion of Mr. Hawkins, and have each night killed some of the patroles,
generally 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, wounded, and deserters, and
20 horses ; and had I had at first a disposable force of 500 men, with the as-
sistance of the Simotines, 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 General to attack Mataro,
in order to provide his troops with bread. However, if the weather con-
tinues moderate, I trust we shall be able to prevent his getting much of
the plunder to Barcelona. Captain Staines has been employed in embark-
ing, and conveying the artillery of the Marquis de Lagoses, com ing- from
St. Fiton to Tarragona. By the deserters we learn that General Lecchi
certainly intends to evacuate Mataro, as soon as he can get the plunder
from it.

" I 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 Simotines,
whom he constantly supplied with such arms and ammu-
nition as he could obtain for them, which was the means of
prolonging the obstinate resistance which was made by the
irregulars of that province ; and as he conceived that the
Spanish authorities did not do sufficient justice to the exer<-
tions made by that spirited people, his humanity was ever
at work to advocate their cause, as will appear by one of the
following letters addressed to the Junta of Mataro :

" H. B. M. Ship Hydra, off Mongat, March 25, 1809.
" Excellent Sirs. — I have the honour to send such ammunition as
can be spared from his Majesty's ship under my command, and wish it
was more equal to the grateful service it will be employed upon, that of
harrassing 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 country, that country which
has shewn an unalterable attachment and zeal for your welfare, to exert
the utmost of your power in raising the whole population of Catalonia to
harrass the retreat of the army of Napoleon ; indeed not only to harass,

* General Lecchi had evacuated Mataro, burning and ravaging all be-
fore him in his retreat.

342 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

but to prevent their return to France : for it would be an everlasting stain
on Catalonia, were she to permit those monsters who have plundered and
ravaged her cities and cottages for more than two years, to repass in tran-
quillity the Pyrennean mountains, that barrier given by the Almighty to
Spain. It remains now for me to congratulate your Excellencies on the
present promising and happy change in affairs, and I have the honor to
be, &c. &c. (Signed) " GEORGE MUNDY."

" To the Junta of Mataro."

" Hydra, off Badalona, Aug. 6, 1809.

" Sir. — I have long refrained from making any remarks on the treatment
of the people of Badalona, trusting that the just representations of those
appointed by law as the heads of the village, had been listened to by the
Junta of Mataro, and their sufferings alleviated. However, observing no
symptom of change in their favour, but on the contrary, that every day
brings forth some fresh mark of severity towards that unfortunate people,
I am inclined to suspect that this must arise from wrong and invidious re-
presentations having been made of their conduct. Under such conviction,
therefore, I take upon me to address you on this interesting subject ; and
first, will state, that my opinion of the zeal and conduct of the people of
Badalona is even better than when I last had the honor to address you re-
specting them and the then officiating Baillic. When you appointed the
present heads of the village, you promised that the people should have a
sufficiency to live upon, the Baillie being ordered to give permits according
to the necessities of the inhabitants. This has not been the case, for the
guard at Mongat have generally scrupled to allow what was granted by the
permit to pass, and have actually refused more than sixty-four loaves to
go in a day. I shall ask, Sir, whether any man can put his hand upon his
heart, and declare upon his honor, that he considers that quantity a suffi-
ciency for the families contained in the village of Badalona, consisting of
near six hundred houses ? You require the Badalonians to furnish boats
for letters, despatches, or any thing that may occur for the public service,
and this, without allowing sufficient to eat. I only ask, is it justice to
starve them ? You require the Simotines of Badalona to leave the ad-
vanced post on the river Besos, where they are stationed between the
enemy and their own houses, families, and every thing that is dear to
them, and order them to serve two miles in the rear, without placing others
to occupy a post one foot in advance towards the enemy from Badalona.
Yes, I know that for a few days a picquet was placed in open day on this
side of the river; and one of those picquets, composed of the inhabi-
tants of Mataro, left that post, made use of their arms to force the
people of Badalona to embark and convey them on board his Britannic
Majesty's ship under my command, under the impudent pretence of having
business with me. A becoming substitute for the hardy and vigilant Bada-
lonians, who, night and day watched on the other side of the river, and
under the very walls of the citadel of St. Carlos. Had I acted with half the
military severity towards them that the unfortunate Badalonians have met
with, for wishing to remain the advanced guard, I should have sent the

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

343

whole picquet under a guard to Mataro, as soldiers who had deserted
their post.

" You have now disarmed the Simotines of Badalona, part of whom had
been furnished with arms by Captain Taylor, my predecessor, who had the
intelligence to see through the dark clouds of clamour and accusation
against that unfortunate people, and to discover that they were not sur-
passed in zeal and patriotism by any of their neighbours*. By so doing
you have deprived me of the only aid 1 possessed in the arduous task of
blockading Barcelona, and defending the coast against the advances of the
enemy, as you must be well aware that I have no assistance from the
Spanish navy. Having stated these few instances of what appears to me to
be bad policy ; and having made these representations under a conviction that
they are just and true, and for the good of the cause in which our two
nations are mutually embarked ; I beg to assure you, that there is nothing
meant personally by ine, but that this letter is addressed to you as Supreme
of the Junta of the district ; and I have the honor to be, &c. &c.

(Signed) " G. MUNDV."
*' 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, there is little
doubt that the French army would have been driven, ou.t 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
thwarted, 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 indefatigable
in his exertions j and by a spirited proclamation addressed to

* Captain Bridges Watkinson Taylor, of the Apollo frigate, was
drowned in 1814, by the upsetting of his boat off Brindisi, in the Adriatic,
where he had previously caused the destruction of the French frigate
Uranie, by threatening to enter the harbour and attack her. His exem-
plary conduct and amiable character obtained him universal respect.
He was the youngest brother of Major-General Sir Herbert Taylor, the
present Military Secretary to H. R. H. the Duke of York.

344 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

the Italian and German troops in the French army, promising
them protection on board the British squadron, many were
induced to desert.

On the 9th May, 1809, a proposition was made to Captain
Mundy, by the commander of the Spanish forces, to co-ope-
rate with him in an attack on Barcelona : the following extract
from his report to Lord Collingwood on the subject will suffi-
ciently explain why the attack did not take place ; and will
serve to demonstrate with what description of allies he had to
unite his services ; how little reliance could be placed on their
exertions, and how hopeless were all his views and efforts,
under such circumstances, to effect any thing substantially fa-
vorable to the general cause. The Simotines, indeed, had
always displayed much spirit and activity, and seldom neg-
lected an opportunity of attacking the enemy ; but without
the aid of regular troops, and without discipline, they could
accomplish no very essential service :

" Hydra, off Barcelona, May 13, 1809.

" My Lord, — On the day of the Apollo and Minstrel joining me, and of
the fleet appearing off, I endeavoured to communicate with your Lordship,
to explain a plan of attack on Barcelona, which had been submitted to my
consideration ; the outline of which was, that the officer in Montjui being
bought over, three or four hundred Spaniards were to proceed by night
up to that fortress and take possession, being provided however against
any treachery on the part of the French. On getting footing, the Spaniards
were to commence a fire on the Tarrosana, and gate of St. Antonio, on
which the inhabitants were to rise, and seizing the various gates looking
towards the land, were to let in Lieutenant-Colonel Claros, with 500 ca-
valry, a strong force of Miquelets *, and other troops. At the same moment
the ships were to commence an attack on the citadel, to keep that garrison
from lending their aid to those troops who were in the town.

" This all appeared very well, provided every one acted his 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 the
ships. The answer returned was, ' that the ships would do their part,
and be at their station, provided 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 incursions, like the predatory
ones of the Scottish borderers. Of late years their depredations have been
confined to travellers.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 345

To secure a diversion on the side of the citadel in case of calm, or tie
wind not answering for the ships, 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 have 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 of
the plan was done away with ; and I understand, as if with an intention of
marring the whole affair, that General Coupigny had (at the same time)
ordered one of his aides-de-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-eamp 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 Miquelets, and the rest Simotines. But, my
Lord, the reply that was made by the officer at the head of General Cou-
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 10,000 regular troops were to rest upon their arms
and look on, while a handful of armed peasantry should attack one of the
strongest fortresses in the Spanish dominions."

On the llth July following, Captain 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 Badalona 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 Mougat, in order that he might get his
artillery towards Mataro, and 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 guns, &c. on the beach to their sup-
port. The boats returned the fire with their usual firmness. I imme-
diately weighed to cover them ; and with a few well-directed broadsides,
obliged the artillery to make a precipitate retreat into Barcelona, and with

346 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801.

some loss. The French troops now appeared in great force, and the ships
and boats kept up a constant fire on them till sun-set, while the Simotines
resisted their advances. We had the misfortune to have two men wounded
by musketry in the boats. On the 9th, the enemy still retained Badalona
and Mongat, but the greatest part of the troops had marched up the
mountains, and they shewed no guns, notwithstanding the boats kept up
a continual fire. The Simotiiies acted with great spirit. On the 10th,
General Duhesme had not adranced his head-quarters from Badalona, but
we were informed that he had moved his guns near Mongat. Yet the
firing of the boats on bis various scattered parties did not draw them out
until late in the evening, when the enemy brought them down, and opened
a fire of shot and shells behind some houses at the foot of Mongat, just at
the moment four Spanish gun-boats arrived from Tarragona, which I im-
mediately pushed in-shore, and with their assistance the fire of the enemy
was silenced by eight o'clock, and they thought it advisable to re-enter
Barcelona at midnight, with the loss of near 300 killed and wounded,
among whom are a large proportion of officers. I have to regret that one
of the launch's crew received a severe wound this evening from a musket-
ball ; and I beg leave to observe, that the spirit of enterprise and intre-
pidity of the officers and men employed in the boats during the period
detailed, has been most creditable to the service, and that the gun-boats
performed their part much to my satisfaction."

To this letter Lord Collingwood returned the following
answer :

" The activity and skill which you opposed to the enemy's progress,
when he attempted to open a communication to the eastward, renders to
the Spaniards the greatest benefit, and must reduce the enemy's force in
Barcelona very much; and were the army of Tarragona to take an active
part on the other side, would soon bring their case to extremity."

The Hydra continued on this harrassing service till the
month of October, when she was ordered off Toulon for the
purpose of watching the enemy's fleet in that harbour. In
Feb. 1810, being surveyed and found very defective, she pro-
ceeded to Gibraltar, where Captain Mundy acted as senior
officer until Aug. following, when he sailed for England with
several transports under his protection, on board of which
were embarked 1400 French prisoners, whom the humanity of
the British government had redeemed from the truly pitiable
situation in which they had been long held by the Spaniards.
They were the remnant of General Dupont's army, the greater
part of which had perished on the barren island of Cabrera*.

* General Dupont having crossed the mountains of the Sierra Morena,
with an army of 15,000 men, entered Cordova on the /th June, 1808, and
surrendered that city for three days to the unlicensed pillage of the soldiery.
Oo the 20th July, with 8,000 men, he attacked 25,000 Spaniards com-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 34/

On her arrival the Hydra was found to be totally unfit for
service, and shortly after put out of commission. Captain
Mundy's next appointment was, at the close of 1814, to the
Ajax 74; and in the spring of 1815 he joined the fleet under
Lord Exmouth on the Mediterranean station, where he was
soon employed on a service which required no small degree
of discretion and good judgment, and wherein he displayed
his accustomed ability and discernment.

Napoleon Buonaparte having returned to France from Elba,
was at the beginning of June employed making preparations
for that grand conflict, which a few days afterwards decided
his fate, and struck the last bolt off the fetters of Europe.
Captain Mundy was despatched to Marseilles, with instruc-
tions to ascertain, if possible, the sentiments of the inhabitants
of that city ; and his proceedings there were to be regulated
according to a discretionary power vested in him by the com-
mander-in-chief, by such circumstances and events as might
occur in the course of the service in which he was engaged,
and from the intelligence he might be able to obtain. On his
arrival off that port, he received information from the light-
house, as well as from some fishermen, that almost all the
forts and batteries had been dismantled, and the whole of the
troops, with the exception of 300, marched over the mountains ;
that the people were very discontented, assassinations fre-
quent, and that at the barracks, and there only, the white flag
was hoisted. This and other important intelligence he im-
mediately forwarded to the Duke d'Angouleme and Lord

manded by General Castanos ; and after a sanguinary battle, during which
he was reinforced by another French division, 6,000 strong, under General
Wedel, was obliged to surrender at discretion, with the loss of 3,000 killed
and wounded. On his return to France, Buonaparte, in whose military
code defeat and disgrace found no lenient construction, ordered him to be
tried by a court martial. He was condemned to death, and immediately
shot by torch light, though it is evident that his discomfiture and surrender
arose from no misconduct on his part, but from the positive superiority of
force opposed to him. His troops were transported by the Spaniards to
Cabrera, an island to the southward of Majorca, producing nothing but
water and a few wild goats, with no other inhabitants than the garrison of
a small fort at the entrance of the haven, and occasionally a few fishermen.
General Wedel and his division were more fortunate, they being allowed
to return home by sea.

348 I'OST-CAFFAINS OF 1801.

Ex mouth, from the former of whom he received the following1

reply :

" Barcelona, June, 30, 1815.

" Sir. — I received yesterday, by the favour of Captain Lock, your letter
of the 26th instant, and I return you all my thanks for the interesting de-
tails you give on Marseilles and Toulon. I natter myself that both these
places, and all the country, will soon be delivered from the yoke, and able
to testify their sentiments of loyalty. Believe, me, Sir, with high regard,
your most affectionate,

(Signed) " Louis ANTOINE."

" To Captain Mundy, H. B. M. Ship Ajax."

On the 29th June, Captain Mundy sent another despatch
to Lord Exmouth, which we here insert, together with a copy
of that officer's letter acknowledging the receipt thereof :

" My Lord. — I have the honor to inform you, that yesterday morn-
ing a detachment from Marseilles came alongside, acquainting me that a
great battle had been fought, in which Buonaparte's army had been de-
feated ; that he had flown to Paris, and abdicated in favour of his son, whom
the people of Marseilles refused to acknowledge, and had therefore hoisted
the white flag, driven away the troops, and organized themselves, in num-
ber effective about 2,500 men ; at the same time inviting me to an inter-
view with the Royal Committee appointed as a Provisional Government,
which I immediately attended. The enthusiasm of the multitude was
great, and they greeted the English in common with the King. On iny
appearing at the Prefecture, I was addressed by the President, who congra-
tulated me on the brilliant victory and its consequences, and begged me
to assist them as much as lay in my power to forward their intentions of
establishing the old monarchy. I offered to proceed immediately to Bar-
celona for the Duke d' Angouleme, which, however, they requested I would
not do, as the appearance of the ship would give confidence to the people,
in case Murat should send a force from Toulon against them ; and they
requested me to anchor close to the town. This I promised to do, pro-
vided they shewed such confidence in me as to place the forts of Chateau
d' Iff and Ratonneau in my hands, or allow half the garrison to be British.
This question they retired to deliberate upon ; and when they returned,
gave it as their opinion, that they did not conceive themselves authorized
to put the King's forts into the hands of foreigners ; on which I told them
that they could not expect me to remain in the situation they required,
without possessing the sea defences. They then requested I would supply
them with such arms as I could spare, which I immediately did, taking a
receipt for the same. I then asked for three avisos, one to despatch to
your Lordship, another to Sir Hudson Lowe, and a third to the Duke
d'Angoulerae, which they have promised. The white flag, I am informed,
is flying to-day at Cette and Aries. I have almost forgot to mention, that
the Committee begged for some British troops. In consequence thereof,
I have written this morning to Sir Hudson Lowe, to request such as

fOST- CAPTAINS OF 1801.

349

he can spare, and have also informed Sir James Wood of the state of
affairs here *. The Committee also requested I would press your Lord-
ship to shew yourself off here, and, if possible, to bring the troops. They
do not seem to like the idea of any other than English troops, for the
plain reason I hinted to them, 'that our Commissariat pays for every
thing,' which they candidly acknowledged. Should the Volontaire appear
off this place, I shall send her for H. R. H. the Duke d'Angouleme. I
have the honor to be, &c.
" Admiral Lord Exmouth." (Signed) " G. MUNDY."

" Boyne, off Genoa, 4th July, 1815.

" Sir. — I have received your letter of the 29th ultimo, with a full and
satisfactory account of your proceedings before Marseilles, in the execu-
tion of the service confided to you. It affords me much satisfaction in
assuring you, that I highly approve of all you have done, and that I con-
sider you to have acted with great prudence and judgment in declining to
place your ship within the command of the forts of Marseilles. I am, Sir, &c.

" Captain Mundy, Ajax" (Signed) " EXMOUTH."

During the time Captain Mundy was employed before Mar-
seilles, he captured several French vessels, which by any
other nation than the British would have been deemed legal
prizes ; for not withstanding they carried the white flag, the whole
of their papers had Louis XVIII. partially erased, and " au nom
de 1'Empereur" inserted in lieu thereof; but policy, perhaps,
dictated forbearance on the part of the English government,
and the vessels were restored to their respective owners.

In March 1816, Captain Mundy accompanied Lord Ex-
mouth to Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, at which places treaties,
having for their object the abolition of Christian slavery, were
concluded, and 1792 Europeans released from their chains.

The Ajax was paid off in the ensuing month of July, since
which period Captain Mundy has not been afloat. He was
nominated a C. B. in 1815, and elected M. P. for Borough-
bridge in 1818. During the preceding disturbances, occa-
sioned by the disaffection of the lower classes, in the eastern
part of Derbyshire, he accepted the command of a troop of
yeomanry cavalry, in which he had previously offered to serve

* Sir James Athol Wood, in the Pompe'e 74, was entrusted with the
blockade of Toulon, and the command of a squadron employed on the
coast of Provence in 1815. He also commanded a division of line-of-battle
ships stationed off Catalonia during part of the winters of 1812 and 1813.
We were not aware of those cir-cumstances when we compiled the memoir
of that officer. See Vol. I, p. 784, ft seq. The Pompe'e was paid off
Nov. 27, 18 15.1

350 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

as a volunteer. It is sufficient to say, that in three months
from the period of their enrolment, his patriotic companions
were armed, accoutred, and sufficiently disciplined to perform
any service that might be required of them.
Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

GEORGE SAYER, ESQ.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.

THIS officer is a native of Deal in Kent, where his father
resided as Collector of the Customs upwards of thirty years.
He entered the service at an early age as a Midshipman on
board the Phoenix frigate, commanded by the late Captain
George Anson Byron, with whom he proceeded to the East
Indies, in company with a squadron under Commodore Corn-
wallis.

In 1790 and 1791 , 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 Phoenix
and la Resolu, an account of which will be found under the
head of Admiral Sir Richard J. Strachan, who commanded
the Phoenix on that occasion *.

iThe Phoenix returned to England in July 1793, and Mr.
Sayer was soon after made a Lieutenant into the Carysfort, a
9- pounder frigate, rated at 28 guns, and commanded by the
present Sir Francis 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 Lace-
dtemonian 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. 285 ; and Vol. II, note t at p. 319.
t See Vol. I, p. 447. t See Vol. I, note f at p. 134.

POST CAPTAINS QV 1801. 351

Captain Sayer subsequently commanded the Albicore sloop
on the Jamaica station, where he remained but a short time,
the Admiralty having confirmed his commission for rank 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 Sayer'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 ; and being fortunate enough to
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 which frigate he assisted
at the capture of the Danish islands f, by Sir Alexander Coch-
rane and General Bowyer, in Dec. 1807. From this period
till his departure for England, we find him entrusted with

* The Rochefort squadron consisted of five sail of the line, three frigates,
and two brigs, commanded by Rear-Admiral Allemand, who having got
scent of Captain Sayer's departure from England, used every endeavour to
intercept his valuable charge. We need not remind our naval readers of
the great depredations committed by M. Allemand upon British commerce,
f See Vol. I, p. 263.

352 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801,

the command of a detached naval force, employed at the
Virgin Isles 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, Coast of Caraccas, Jan. 22, 1807.

" Sir. — Yesterday morning we discovered, from the mast-head, a sail in
the S. E., steering for la Guira, and soon compelled her to shape another
course for Barcelona. About noon it was nearly calm, when she appeared
to be a man of war, and, by her manreuvres, an enemy : she 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-sails were scarcely
above the horizon, but 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 Coombe, manned
with 5 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 hailed 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 stern 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 1 & 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 quarter 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
Coombe's report, that every man did his duty. I am satisfied they did, &c. &c.

(Signed) " GEO. SAYER."
" To Rear-admiral

Hon. Sir Alex. Coohrane, K. E."

* Lieutenants Coombe, Walker, and Gibson ; Messrs. John Green and
Barry Sarsfield, Masters-Mates.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 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 of transports 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 Chixrles Cotton f.

* 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 'in 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.

f See vol. 1, p. 241.

VOL, II. 2 A

354 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Captain Sayer subsequently escorted a fleet of Indiamen to
Bengal, and joining Vice- Admiral Drury at Madras, in Jan.
1811, was directed by that officer to assume the command
of a squadron, having on board 600 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 detachment from the squadron,
consisting of 200 seamen, marines, and soldiers, defeated 500
of the enemy's troops near the city of Bantam ; and a fort
mounting 54 guns, with a garrison of 1 80 men, besides the
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 Commodore Brough-
ton and Rear-Admiral Stopford, the latter of whom joined
the expedition and took upon himself the direction of the
naval part thereof on the 9th Aug. 1811 :

Commodore Broughton to Rear-Admiral Stopford.

On the 3d Aug., in the afternoon, we saw the coast about Murderer's
Point -, and on the following day, about 3 P. M. we anchored off the village
of Chillingchill, in five fathoms water. The greater part of the army was
landed before dark, without the smallest opposition ; and in the course
of the next day, every thing the army required was on shore. On the 6th,
the Leda and the small cruisers proceeded off the entrance of the river
Antziol, and we anchored off Panjong Priock, where the advance of the
army took post in the course of the day. On the 7th, the advance crossed
the Antziol, on a bridge of flat boats, prepared by the navy, under the
direction of Captain Sayer, and the Commanders Maunsell and Reynolds.
In the morning of the 8th, a flag of truce was sent into Batavia, and a de-
putation came out from the city, requesting to surrender at discretion,
and put themselves under our protection. The General (Sir Samuel
Auchmuty) and myself agreed to respect the private property of those in-
habitants who remained in the city ; and the advance, under the com-
mand of Colonel Gillespie, took immediate possession ; the men of war

* See Captains EDWARJ> WALLIS HOARE, and EDMUND LYONS.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 355

and transports in consequence removed from their former anchorage
towards Batavia.

I beg to acquaint you, the Captains Sayer, Testing, and Owen, had the
direction of disembarking the troops, and have since continued attached to
the army. * * * * * I have great pleasure in acknowledging the
zeul and ability displayed by all the above-named officers in the execution
of their orders, and that the most perfect harmony has subsisted between
the army and navy on all occasions.

The Hon. Robert Stopford to the Secretary of the Admir-
alty, Aug. 28, 1811.

I have to request you will acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, with the unconditional surrender of the capital city of Batavia,
on the 8th inst., and the destruction or capture of the greatest part of the
enemy's European troops, by a successful assault made upon a strongly
entrenched and fortified work, called Meester Cornelis, on the morning
of the 26th, by the army under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir
Samuel Auchmuty, who had also with him the royal marines of the
squadron.

Previous to this important and decisive advantage, the Lieutenant-
General had caused batteries to be erected, consisting of twenty 18-
pounders, which were entirely manned by 500 seamen from his Majesty's
ships, under the direction of Captain Sayer, assisted by Captains Festing,
Maunsell, Reynolds, and Stopford.

The enemy was enabled to bring 34 heavy guns, (18, 24, and 32-
pounders) to bear upon our batteries ; but from the superior and well-
directed fire kept up by the British seamen, the enemy's guns were occa-
sionally silenced, and on the evening of the 25th completely so ; their
front line of defence also appeared much damaged, and many of their
guns were dismounted. So favourable an opportunity was therefore
seized by the General, and the fortunate result of the assault, on the
morning of the 26th, followed, as before mentioned.

The fatigue of the seamen was great, and much increased by being ex-
posed to the hot sun of this climate, for three successive days, during
which time the fire was kept up with little interruption ; but it was borne
with their characteristic fortitude, Captain Sayer and the officers above
mentioned setting them noble examples *.

As a farther proof of the high estimation in which Captain
Sayer's conduct was held by the superior authorities, we here

* Meester Cornelis was an entrenched camp, situated about nine miles
from the city of Batavia, and defended by two rivers, one on the east, the
other on the west, with a number of redoubts and batteries guarding each
pass. The circumference of these fortified lines was nearly five miles, and
there were mounted in different parts of them 280 pieces of cannon.

2A2

356 POST-CAPTAINS OP 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.

" Sensible as this Government is of the value of your services in advance
of the expedition against the enemy's settlements to the eastward, his
Lordship, the Governor-General, has much pleasure in acknowledging
the exertions made by his Majesty's squadron under your command."

General Order issued by the military Cominander-in-Chief.

" Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty requests Captain Sayer, the
senior officer of the 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 in the batteries. The
eager exertions of the corps of seamen, when permitted at their earnest
request to leave the batteries and join in the pursuit of the enemy, gave
the most satisfactory proof that British sailors, though not acting on the
element particularly their own, are in every situation ready, able, and
happy, to oppose with vigour and effect the enemies of their King 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 tedious service entrusted to your charge in
landing the army stores of all descriptions from the transports at Batavia,
as well as the more arduous service you had to perform whilst in com-
mand of the seamen employed 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 Commissioners of the Admiralty
with as perfect an idea as possible of the great share you have had, in co-
operation with Captains Festing, Maunsell, and Reynolds, in effecting the
success which has already attended the British arms upon the island of
Java. Captain Stopford's early misfortune * will I hope procure him that
next step which he is so anxious to get. I have to request that you will
accept yourself, and communicate to the officers above-mentioned, my
warmest thanks for the meritorious and indefatigable exertions displayed
under many discouraging circumstances ; and believe me, when I assure
you, that in any similar enterprise I shall always feel confident of success,
with such officers to execute my orders."

* Captain Edward Stopford, a statement of whose services will appear
in its proper place, had his right arm shot off whilst actively employed in
the batteries.

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801. 35J

From the same, to the same, Sept. 7, 1812.
** I have great pleasure in fulfilling1 the commands of my Lords Com-
missioners, by expressing to you their Lordships' high approbation of the
zeal, gallantry, and good conduct, displayed by yourself and the officers
and men employed under your orders in the distinguished services at
Batavia, and at the assault of Meester Cornells."

After the subjugation of Java, Captain Sayer was left, as
senior officer of a squadron, to secure and garrison its nu-
merous valuable dependencies. The manner in which he
executed this important duty may be inferred from the fol-
lowing testimonial :

The Government of Java, to the Government of India,
June 25, 1812.

, " The Honorable the Lieutenant-Governor cannot omit expressing the
very high sense he entertains of the services rendered by Captain Sayer,
since the capture of the island, while exercising the chief naval command.
His ready compliance with every requisition, and the zealous co-operation
of his Majesty's navy under his command, on all occasions, have claimed
the particular acknowledgments 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 tne Eastern seas. In
the course of the same year it was found necessary to send
an expedition against the Sultan of Sambas, in the island of
Borneo, whose lawless depredations had become so daring
and extensive as to threaten the extinction of our commerce
in that quarter, and who had some time before repulsed a
respectable force sent to check his piracies. Captain Sayer
commanded the vessels employed on this occasion ; and, in
conjunction with Colonel James Watson, succeeded in taking
the town, and subduing the whole province of Sambas.
During this trying service, the British naval and military
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 colleague, Colonel (now
Major-General) Watson :

" The service on which we have been mutually employed, bein# so
happily terminated by the capture of the defences of Sambas, my feelings
will not allow me to depart without 6rst endeavouring to express my sen-

,S58 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

timents on the powerful and effectual assistance afforded by you from his
Majesty's squadron under your command. Allow me to express my
warmest thanks for the honor you have done me in accompanying me
during the operations, and personally affording your assistance and advice ;
as also to convey my thanks to the whole of the captains, officers, seamen,
and marines landed from the squadron under your command. I trust we
have convinced these daring pirates, as well as the enemies of our country
in all parts of the world, that his Majesty's navy and army, when acting
together heart and hand, are invincible."

The following is an extract from the general orders pub-
lished by the Supreme Government of India, on learning the
result of the expedition against Sambas :

" Although it is not within the immediate province of the Supreme
Government to bestow on the officers, seamen, and marines of his Ma-
jesty's squadron, who so cordially and zealously co-operated with the troops,
and shared with them the fatigues and dangers of the contest, those en-
comiums of exalted praise which their unanimity, perseverance, and charac-
teristic bravery so justly merit, his Lordship in Council would nevertheless
do violence to his feelings were he to refrain on the present occasion from
expressing his deep acknowledgments to Captain Sayer, who commanded
the squadron ; to Captain the Hon. George Elliot, of the Hussar, who
was entrusted with the immediate arrangement and command of the
armed boats ; to Captain Norton, of the Proeris ; to Captain Samuel
Leslie ; and to all the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, of his
Majesty's ships, who so ably seconded the troops in the attack on
Sambas."

Sir Samuel Hood, when transmitting an account of the
Borneo expedition to the Admiralty, expressed himself as
follows :

" The cordial co-operatidn with which this service has been executed,
does great honor to the officers of the ^rmy and navy employed thereon j
and more distinguished gallantry has been seldom shewn than by those
who had the good fortune to be engaged in carrying the works of the
enemy. Captain Bayer's services are well known to their Lordships, and
require no comment of mine to heighten their value ; and he appears to
have been most ably seconded on this arduous service by the Hon. Captain
Elliot, the other captains, officers, seamen, and marines under his com-
mand."

Vice- Admiral Sir Samuel Hood died at Madras, Dec. 24,
1814, after an illness of only three days j and the command
of the squadron consequently devolved on Captain Sayer, as
the officer next in seniority, at a period when the relations
of amity between Great Britain and various European powers

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 369

were scarcely re-established in India, and no reduction had
taken place in our naval force there, as war with the United
States still continued, and that station had become the ob-
ject of additional enterprise on the part of the American
Government. He accordingly hoisted a broad pendant in
the Leda, and made so judicious a disposition of the force
under his orders, that Rear- Admiral Sir George Burlton, on
his arrival from England in June 1815, to assume the chief
command, sent him from Madras to the Straits of Sunda and
China sea, for the purpose of directing the movements of the
ships he had already despatched thither to counteract the
designs of the enemy.

At Java, July 23, Captain Sayer heard officially the fate of
the American frigate President*, the ratification of peace on
the part of the United States f> and the formal cessation of
hostilities by the only American cruiser J in those seas,
whose commander, in conformity to an article of the treaty,
had restored the Hon. Company's brig Nautilus, captured
by him off Anjier Point, on the 30th of the preceding
month.

After giving the necessary directions to the ships of war in
that neighbourhood, Captain Sayer proceeded towards the
China sea ; and finding our peaceable relations with America
every where completely confirmed, was returning from thence
at the first change of the monsoon to re-join Sir George
Burlton, when he experienced a Ty-foong, in which the Leda
sustained much damage, and was nearly lost. Thus retarded
in his progress, Captain Sayer did not enter the Straits of
Malacca till the 19th Nov. 1815, when he received intelli-
gence of the Rear- Admiral's death at Madras, on the 21st
Sept., by which event he again found himself authorized to
hoist the distinguishing broad pendant, and assume the deno-
mination of a Commodore.

Great Britain being now at peace with all the world,

* See Captain HENRY HOPE, C. B.

t Feb. 17, 1815.

J The Peacock sloop of war, Captain Warrington, was the only vessel
that reached the Eastern seas ; the rest having been prevented by the
vigilance of our cruisers.

360 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1801.

several of the ships 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 Burl ton, 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 interral of Sir Samuel Hood's absence (in
1814) on a voyage to the Eastern seas, 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. I shall always be happy to have an opportunity of
making my acknowledgments for the ready attention with 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 Major-General Mansel,
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 Midshipman on board the
Sampson 64, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Milbanke in

• On the 10th Jan. 1812, the thanks of both Houses of Parliament
were unanimously voted to the naval and military commanders, officers,
&c. &c. employed at the capture of Batavia and its dependencies, for their
" skilful, gallant, and meritorious exertion*"

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 361

1784 ; sailed for the West Indies with Captain Peter Rainier
in the Astrea frigate, about Oct. 1786; removed with that
officer into the Monarch 74, 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, when our late Monarch made
an attempt to visit his fleet at the Nore *. His advancement
to the rank of Commander took place in 1798.

Captain Mansel commanded the Adventure 44, armed en
flute, during the expeditions against the Helder and Quibe-
ron f, and subsequently the Penguin of 18 guns, 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 sternmost vessel, bore up to cut her off from her consorts,
and succeeded in breaking the enemy's line and throwing them
into confusion ; but, unfortunately, at the moment 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 become 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 Teneriffe.
The Penguin's loss on this occasion was very trifling, con-
sidering the length of the contest, and the superiority of the

* See Vol. I, p. 152 and 153.
t See Vol. I, p. 414, et seq. and p. 219.

362 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1601.

enemy, whose fire appears to have been directed principally
against her rigging. She had not a man slain, and only a
few persons wounded.

In May following, Captain Mansel 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, commanded by Sir Charles H.
Knowles, Bart. Mar. 15, 1780; 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 1/82 ; 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, 1782) that he appointed the Doc de CriHon
Captain-General of the Spanish armies ; and Don R. Moreno, who coin-

•- See Vol. I. p. 114.

POST- CAPTAINS OP 1801. 363

manded the naval expedition, was advanced in rank ; these officers were
destined to command his forces against Gibraltar, where the Spaniards and
French had collected upwards of 40,000 troops, and forty-seven sail of the
line, besides iloating 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 fire 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 including 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 its
sloping position was calculated 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 terrible machines, teem-
ing with every source of outward destruction, seemed in themselves in-
vulnerable, and entirely secure from all danger.

" General Elliot having observed that the enemy's works were nearly
completed on the land side, and some of them pretty far advanced towards
the fortress, resolved to try how far a vigorous cannonade and bombard-
ment, with red hot balls, carcasses, and shells, might operate to their de-

3(j4 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

struction. Accordingly, at seven o'clock in the morning on the 8th Sep-
tember, he opened a most tremendous and admirably directed fire, the
effect of which far exceeded his expectations ; and was supported through
the day with the usual unrivalled skill and dexterity of the artillery officers.
At ten o'clock the Mahon battery, with the one adjoining to it, were ob-
served to be in flames ; and 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 destroyed. 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, must 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 64 heavy cannon,
which, 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 Hne, and two French, with some frigates
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 squadron 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 go ably discharged by himself, and
the brave fellows under his command, that they soon compelled the Spa-
nish squadron to retire oat of reach of their shot. Two of the Hne-of-
battle ships were so much disabled, that they were under 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 <le Bourbon, and many others of the most distinguished nobility
of France, were assembled in the allied camp, in order to partake in the
glory which was expected to be derived from so illustrious an enterprise

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801.

as the reduction of this fortress. Besides the combined fleet, forty gun-
boats with heavy cannon, as many bomb-vessels, with each a twelve-inch
mortar, and five large bomb-ketches on th5 usual construction, were des-
tined to second the powerful efforts of the battering ships ; 300 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 command of Rear-Admiral
Moreno, 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 yards, 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
about 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 morning those two ships 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 Ids 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 under 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 exceed the horrors 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 1500 men. The intrepidity, conduct, and ge-
nerous humanity of Captain Curtis, and the marine brigade, reflect on

366 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

them immortal honour. Exposed to the most imminent danger, they
eagerly boarded the burning ships, to rescue from inevitable destruction
that enemy to whom they had 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 qne 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 Master'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 Nicholls, 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 74, in which ship he
assisted at the defeat of the French fleet under M. Villaret
de Joyeuse on the 1st June, 1/94 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. 114.

•f We believe that Mr. Tinling 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 add,
that the Orion was much cut up by the enemy's fire, and sustained a loss
of 29 men killed and wounded.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 367

present at the capture of three French two-deckers off 1'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 and West India stations till
Nov. J800, 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.

Agent. — William Marsh, Esq.

SIR PHILIP BOWES VERE BROKE, BART.

Knight Commander of the Most Honorable 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. 9, 17/6; 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 1'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 commanded1 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 pedigree now in the possession of the family, the Brokes
appear to trace their descent from Willielinus de Doyto del Brooke, son of
Adam, Lord of Leighton, in Cheshire, previous to the reign of King
Henry III. From this Willielinus descended Thomas de la Brooke, of
Leighton, who married the heiress of John Parker, Esq. of Copenhall, and
had issue, 1st, John, ancestor of the Brookes of Leighton ; the Brookes of
Norton, co. Cheshire, created Baronets in 1662; the Brookes of Meire,
&c. : 2nd, Ralph Broke, of Namptwich : 3rd, Robert ; and 4th, Sir
Richard Broke, Knt., Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the reign of
Henry VIII., from, whom the subject of this memoir derives his descent.

368 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1801.

uiulus of 36 guns, which ship was attached to the fleet under
Vice-Adiniral Hotham in the action offGenoa,Mar. 14, 1J95*.
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 J4 f.

The Southampton's action with la Vestale French frigate,
and the capture of 1'Utile 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, 1J97. 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 ; 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, Captain 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.

J Captain Herbert, second son of the Earl of Carnarvon, was a brave
officer, 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 Torringtan.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 369

station, where she captured the Prince Murat, French ship
privateer, of 18 six-pounders and 127 men.

On the 1st May, 1806, Captain Broke fell in with le Pan-
dour, 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- Admiral Stirling, and conducted to Plymouth by
the Druid. Captain Broke also took some smaller vessels j
and about the same time 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 Spitsbergen 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. j 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

VOL. II. 2 B

370 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

the 27th Jan. 1809, he took, after a long chase, le Pomme-
renil 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 entering 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
jEolus 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 3h 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 f- 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 toeing at length exhausted,
he returned to Halifax on the 20th September, and there had
the mortification to learn that the Guerriere had been taken
by the Constitution. J.

* The Guerriere was subsequently added to Captain Broke's squadron.

t See Captains RICHARD BYRON, C. B. and JAMES R. DACRBS.

I The Guerriere, Belvidera, Africa, and ./Bolus, had successively parted

POST- CAPTAIN'S OF 1801.

Vice-Admiral Sawyer's squadron 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 assumed 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's, 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 York, and
left Captain Capel in command of the squadron before

company with the Shannon, the latter on the 28th August. Left thus by
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.

* See Captain THOMAS HUSKISSON.
2 B 2

37*2 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 sufficiently active by
the enemy's privateers and traders, several of which were

• captured*; but notwithstanding the exertions and vigilance of
Captains Broke and 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 accompany the Chesapeake, should the
latter wait in port for that purpose. Seven days afterwards
ihe addressed the following letter to the commanding officer
of the Chesapeake ;

" H. B. M. S. Shannon, of Boston, June 1, 1813

" Sir,— As the Chesapeake appears now ready for sea, I request you

will do me the favor to meet the Shannon with her, ship to ship, to try

•• the fortune of our respective flags. To an officer of your character it re-
quires some apology for proceeding to further particulars. Be assured,
Sir, that it is not from any doubt I can entertain of your wishing to close
with my proposal, but merely to provide an answer to any 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
Rodgers; 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 find
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 1'Invincible a French privateer of 16 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. EPWORTH, HYDE PARKER,
anrl ALEX. GORDON.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 3/3

therefore induced to address you more particularly, and to assure you, that
what I write I pledge my honor to perform, to the utmost of my power.

" The Shannon mounts 24 guns upon her broadside, and one light boat-
gun ; 18-pounders upon her main-deck, and 32-pr. carronades on her
quarter-deck and forecastle ; and is manned with a complement of 300
men and boys, (a large 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 in some of the Boston papers,
that we had 150 men additional lent us from la Hogue, 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 agreeable 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, be 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 are now abroad ; where all your efforts, 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 the Chesapeake ; or that I depend only upon 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 ;
and I doubt not that you, equally confident 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 that trade it can no
longer protect. Favor me with a speedy reply. We are short of provisions
and water, and cannot stay long here. I have the honor to be, Sir, your
obedient humble Servant,

(Signed) " P. B. V. BBOKE."

" N. B. For the general service of watching your coast, it is requisite
for me to keep another ship in company, to support me with her guns and
boats when employed near the 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 my consort, without an assurance on your part of
meeting me directly ; and that you will neither seek nor admit aid from any
other of 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-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

a formal challenge, you may yet oblige rae 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 be 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 confided 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, Halifax, June 6, 1813.

" Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, 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 had 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
flyingf ; 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

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

I kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze 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 locking in with our fore-
rigging. I went forward to ascertain her position ; and ob-
serving that the enemy were flinching from their guns, I 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 Ralfe's
Naval Chronology, vol.3, facing p. 210. "She had also, flying at the
fore, a large white flag, inscribed with the words : ' FREE TRADE AND
SAILORS' RIGHTS ;' upon a supposition, perhaps, that that favourite
American; motto would paralyse the efforts, or damp the energy, of the
Shannon's men. The 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 directions, 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 this been attended to and adopted before, half our long
and hard fought actions might have been finished in as little time as the
Shannon's. The Chesapeake was beaten in eleven minutes, and taken in
fifteen !" See a very useful little pamphlet written by Captain SAMUEL
JOHN PECHELL, R. N. C. B. entitled, " Observations upon the fitting of
guns on board his Majesty's ships."

376 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

" I have to lament the loss of many of iny 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 will 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 ; 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
by a grape-shot from one of that ship's foremost guns, while in the act of
hoisting the British colours over the American. Another gun was dis-
charged, unfortunately, before the officer commanding that division knew
of the Chesapeake's surrender ; and three or four of the Shannon's men
shared the lamented fate of Mr. Watt, besides several being wounded."
See James, v. 5. pp. 384 and 385.

t The list of killed annexed to this letter, contained only 24 names, in-
cluding those of Lieutenant Watt, the Purser, and Captain's Clerk. See
Naval Chronicle, vol. 30, pp. 84 and 85.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 3/7

of the prize *. I beg to recommend these officers most
strongly to the commander-in- chief s patronage, for the
gallantry they displayed during the action, and the skill and
judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which afterwards
devolved upon them.

" To Mr. Etough, the acting Master, I am much indebted
for the steadiness with which he conned the ship into action.
Lieutenants Johns and Law, of the marines, bravely boarded
at the head of their respective divisions.

" It is utterly impossible to particularize every brilliant
deed performed by my officers and men ; but I must mention,
when the ships' yard-arms were locked together, that Mr.
Cosnahan, who commanded in our main-top, finding himself
screened from the enemy by the foot of the top-sail, laid out
at the main-yard-arm to fire upon them, and shot three men
in that situation. Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-
top, stormed the enemy's fore-top from the fore-yard-arm,
and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. I particu-
larly beg leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting Master ;
and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Little-
john, Midshipmen. The latter officer is a son of Captain
Littlejohn, who was slain in the Berwick.

" The loss of the enemy was about 70 killed, and 100

* Mr. James says, " after those upon the forecastle had submitted,
Captain Broke ordered one of his men to stand sentry over them, and sent
most of the others aft, where the conflict was still going on. He was in
the act of giving them orders to answer the fire from the Chesapeake's
main-top, when the sentry called lustily out to him. On turning round,
the Captain found himself opposed by three of the Americans ; who, seeing
they were superior to the British then near them, had armed themselves
afresh. Captain Broke parried the middle fellow's pike, and wounded him
in the face ; but instantly received from the man on the pikeman's right,
a blow with the butt-end of a musket, which bared his scull, and nearly
stunned him. Determined to finish the British commander, the third man
cut him down with his broadsword, and, at that very instant, was himself
cut down by one of the Shannon's seamen. Captain Broke and his
treacherous foe now lay side by side ; each, although nearly powerless,
struggling to regain his sword, when a marine despatched the American
with his bayonet. ****** Soon after this, Captain Broke's senses
failed him from loss of blood ; and the Shannon's jolly-boat arriving with
a supply of men, (the two ships having separated, owing to the Chesa-
peake's quarter-gallery giving way,) he was carried on board his own ship."
See N<w. Hht. id. pp. 383—385.

378 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

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 quarter-
deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the
most beautiful 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. BROKE."
" To Captain the Hon. T. Bladen 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. Ludlow was also mortally wounded. Lieu-
tenant George Budd, the senior surviving officer of the Chesapeake, in his
official letter to the Secretary of the American navy, reporting that ship's
capture, only acknowledged a loss of 47 killed, and 99 wounded. The
total that reported themselves, including several slightly wounded, to the
Shannon's Surgeon, three days after the action, were 1 15. The American
Surgeon, writing from Halifax, and most probably omitting those who
were very slightly hurt, estimated the whole number of killed and wounded
at 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 391 names; and some
of the petty-officers confessed that 30 or 40 hands, principally from the
Constitution, joined her as she was getting under way; but whose names,
owing to the hurry and confusion, were not entered in the purser's books.
Even 440, the number given as the complement of the Chesapeake in 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 at
Boston for the purpose of completing her crew to 443. This, too, was in
a time of profound peace, when no Shannon was cruising, in defiance, 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 forty-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.
See irf. p. 228.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 37$

" Admiralty Office, 9th July, 1813.

"Sir, — I have had the pleasure of receiving and communicating to my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a letter from Captain the Hon.
T. B. Capel, of H. M. S. Hogue, enclosing a copy of his letter to you,
and of that of Captain Broke to him, announcing the capture, in fifteen,
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 characterized Captain Brake's
proceedings since the commencement of the war ; and they now receive
with the highest satisfaction a proof of professional skill and gallantry in
battle, which has seldom been equalled, and certainly never surpassed ;
and the decision, celerity, and effect, with which the force of H. M. S. was
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 Wallia and
Falkiuer, 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 the 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. CROKEK."

" To Admiral Sir John Borlnse Warren, Bart., fyc. Sf-c. fyc."

On the 2d 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, " Scevumque trident em servamus."

It would be endless to detail the various instances of com-
pliment and congratulation paid to Captain Broke, 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 principal mer-

380 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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
unfeigned 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 our regard for your feelings, would allow us to
offer ; but we feel peculiar pleasure in observing the manner in which the
Lords of the 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 valuable
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 them, 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 yon, 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-
man who was lately one of our number.

(Signed) " LAWRENCE HARTSHORNE, 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 730/. 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 offered 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, 1815.

Sir Philip married, Nov. 25, 1802, Sarah Louisa, daughter

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 381

of Sir William Middleton, Bart., by whom he has several
children. His second son, William, 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 Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and a
Knight Commander of the Neapolitan 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. J, 1777 > 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 command of the Hon.
Robert Forbes, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the
Andromeda of 32 guns, April 5, 1795 f.

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. Maitland had the honor of acting as a
sidesman to the royal family for a period of six weeks, during
which they made daily excursions to sea in that ship.

* The Hon. Captain Maitland was a younger son of Charles, sixth Earl
of Lauderdale, by Lady Elizabeth Ogilvy, daughter of James, fourth Earl
of Findlater and Seafield, the last Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. He
died Dec. 16, 1786, in his 57tk year. The names of several other mem-
bers of this noble family will be found at Vol. I. p. 840, and note at the
bottom.

f Captain Duff was the same officer who fell at Trafalgar, when com-
manding the Mars 74. Captain Forbes was drowned in 1795.

382 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801.

From the Andromeda, Lieutenant Maitland removed into the
Venerable 74, bearing the flag of Admiral Duncan ; with whom
he continued till April 1797, 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 flag-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 privateers 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 50L to purchase
Lieutenant Maitland a sword, in token of their respect and
esteem.

In Dec. 1798, the Kingsfisher was 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 the 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 Carmen frigate, mounting 42 guns,
* See note • at p. 184.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 383

ran down, and placing herself 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 of 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 performed, 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 at Portsmouth (Aug.
18, 1799) j he heard of a death vacancy which had occurred in
the Mediterranean previous to his quitting that station f $ and

* Admiral Gravina had his flag on board the same ship in the battle of
Trafalgar, and on that occasion received a wound, which, being improperly
treated, deprived the Spanish navy of a brave commander and an excellent
• man.

f The vacancy alluded to was occasioned by the death of Captain Ralph

Willet Miller, who lost his life by the explosion of some shells on board

i the Theseus 74, in May 1799; see Nav. Chron. v. II. p. 580, gt seq.

Captain Maitland's commission as a Commander was dated back to June

14, in the same year.

384 POST-CAPTAINS OF J801.

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 £1 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 Waassenaar64, 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 J : 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 find 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 Captain Maitland having conveyed the intelligence to Lord Keith,
then at Malta, was ordered by his Lordship to proceed home overland, in
company with Major Douglas of the marines. In the mean time General
Kleber, rendered desperate by the refusal of Lord Keith to ratify the treaty,
re-commenced hostilities, defeated the Turks, and regained many im-
portant posts which he had either evacuated or left in an unguarded state,
and from whence his troops were not expelled until the arrival of a British
army in the following year.

J See Vol. I. note f at p. 259.

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 commander-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 given 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 nay
duty, which I am particularly anxious to do at this crisis of our affairs,
when either another battle, or a happy issue to the negotiation 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 Abercromby's mortal wound was occasioned by a musket-
ball in the upper part of his thigh. See p. 88.
VOL, II. 2 C

380 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

the general orders for the attack, found on the field of battle ; which prove
that the enemy had assembled all the force they could spare 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 13th.
I cannot conclude this without expressing my approbation of the manner
in whieh Captain Maitland executed the orders I gave him, to place him-
self with |iis 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 anil 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 j
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. Ac.

(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 will be given in
another part of the present volume.

J Captain Maitland, on his return to the Mediterranean, after carrying
home the treaty of El Arisb, took out an order for his promotion ; but al-
though Lord Keith attended to it so early as Dec. 10, 1800. be was not
confirmed in his post rank until Mar. 21, 1801.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 387

hadarrived on the Egyptian coast in questof M.Gantheaume *;
and he continued to command that 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 f.

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 27, 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
commander, 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 J.

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 ; and having ascertained them to be French ships, kept

• See p. 232. t See Vol. I. p. 431.

t 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

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

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^ot 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 the same time, evince his anxiety to
do justice to the merits of his officers and crew :

" Loire, off" Cape Finisterre, 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 Caniarinas, to the eastward of Cape Finisterre. Being quite calm
after dark, I sent the launch and two cutters, under Mr. Yeo, first Lieu-
tenant, assisted by Lieutenant Mallock 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 her attack ; the fort immediately
opened a fire ; so ill-directed, however, as to do little damage. Being
still 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 6-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 OF 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
being no weapons used but the pike and sabre. When we call to mind
the inequality offeree, 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. Yeo, in coming out, took possession of three merchant vessels ;
but finding their cargoes consisted only of smuii wine for the enemy's
squadron at Ferrol, I have destroyed them. The name of the 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-Admiral Drury, fyc. $c.t Cork."

" Loire, Mttros Road, Spain, June 4, 1805.

" Sir, — Being informed that there was a French privateer of 26 guns,
fitting out at M tiros, and nearly ready for sea, it struck me, from my 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
50 men, (being all that could be spared from 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 such 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 26 ports, apparently nearly ready for sea, and a
large brig of 20 ports, in a state of fitting ; but neither of them firing, led
me 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

390 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

that, i>y standing further on, more guns would be brought to bear upon
us, 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 by such officers and men of ours as were most advanced,
and the narrowness of the gate would 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 them leap from the embrasures upon the rocks, a height
df above 25 feet: such as laid down their arms received quarter. Fora
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 j 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 Belier, French privateer brig, pierced for 20
eighteen-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
he beach. None of them having cargoes of any value, I conceive

POST-CAFfAINS OF 1801. 391

it an act of inhumanity to deprive the poorer inhabitants of the means
of gaining their livelihood, and shall not molest them. On inspecting
ihe brig, as she had only the lower rigging over head, and was not
in a state of forwardness, 1 found it impracticable 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
due to the officers and men on board the ship. They conducted them-
selves with the greatest steadiness and coolness ; and although under a
heavy fire, pointed their guns with the utmost precision, there being
hardly a shot that did not take effect. To Lieutenants Lawe and Bertram
I feel much indebted, as well as to Mr. Shea the Purser, (who volunteered
his services, and to whom J gave the charge of the quarter-deck car-
ronades in Mr. Yeo's absence,) for the precision and coolness displayed
by the men under their comtriand 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 "on 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 under 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 not
being 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 Admiral Drury."

'• >£/a

' * From the returns alluded to in the above letter, we find that Lieu-
tenant Yeo, Mr. Clinch, 3 seamen, and 1 marine were slightly wounded
on shore ; and 2 seamen dangerously, 2 very severely, and 5 slightly
wounded on board. — Total, 2 officers, 12 seamen, and 1 marine wounded.
The fort contained twelve Spanish 18-pounders, mounted on travelling car-
riages, 22 soldiers, several gentlemen and townsmen volunteers, and about
100 of the Confiance's crew. The battery on the point, two 18-pounders,
8 artillery-men, and 10 other Spaniards. The enemy's loss amounted to 12
officers and men slain, and 30 'wounded. Forty barrels of powder, 2 small
brass guns, and 50 stand of arms, were brought off by the assailants. The

392 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Three weeks after this dashing affair, Captain Maitland
captured le Vaillant, of Bourdeaux, a frigate-privateer, mount-
ing 24 eighteen-pounders, and 6 sixes, with a complement of
240 men. On the 27th of the same month, the Common
Council of the city of London voted him their thanks for his
distinguished conduct in Muros Bay. About the same period
he also received an elegant sword from the Committee of the
Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's ; and on the 18th Oct. following,
the Mayor and Corporation of Cork unanimously resolved to
present him with the freedom of that city, in a silver box, as
a reward for his zeal and gallantry displayed on many occa-
sions in the public service, and for his unremitting and suc-
cessful exertions for the protection of the Irish trade.

On the 13th Dec. 1805, the Loire, accompanied by the
Alcmene frigate, fell in with the Rochefort squadron, consist-
ing of six sail of the line, three frigates, and three corvettes.
Captain Maitland immediately sent the Alcmene to the fleet
off Brest, himself keeping company with the Frenchmen. Being
to leeward, and desirous of obtaining the weather gage, as the
safest situation for his own ship, he carried a heavy press of
sail, and in the night of the l'4th, having stretched on as he
thought sufficiently for that purpose, put the Loire on the
same tack as they were. About 2 A. M. it being then ex-
ceedingly dark, he found himself so near one of the largest
ships as to hear the officer of the watch giving his orders. As
the noise of putting about would have discovered the Loire's
situation, Captain Maitland very prudently abstained from
doing so, until by slacking the lee braces and luffing his ship
in the wind, the enemy had drawn sufficiently ahead. At
day-light he had the satisfaction to observe them 4 or 5 miles
to leeward ; and although he was chased both on that and
the following day by a detachment from the enemy's squadron,
he returned each evening and took his station on the French
Admiral's weather beam, sufficiently near to keep sight of
them till the morning. During the night between the 16th
and 17th, several large ships were seen to windward running
down, and which, on perceiving the Loire and those to lee-

Confiance was 116 feet long on the main-deck, 30 feet wide, measured
about 450 tons, and was to have sailed for India in a few days, with a
complement of 300 men.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 393

ward of her, made such signals as proved them also to be
enemies. Captain Maitland had now no alternative but to
make sail in order to get from between those two squadrons ;
the latter of which afterwards proved to be from Brest, and
was the same that Sir J. T. Duckworth encountered off St.
Domingo, on the 6th Feb. 1806 *.

The last service performed by Captain Maitland in 1805,
was that of capturing, in company with the Egyptienne
frigate, la Libre of 40 guns and 280 men, which ship sur-
rendered after an obstinate resistance of half an hour, during
which she had 20 men killed and wounded, and received so
much damage that all her masts fell soon after the British
had taken possession of her. The Loire on this occasion,
although the first in action, had not a man hurt ; but 8 of her
consort's crew were wounded, 1 of whom mortally. Captain
Maitland took the French frigate in tow, and arrived with
her at Plymouth Jan. 4, 1806, eleven days after the action.
On the 22nd April following, he captured the Princess of
Peace, Spanish privateer, pierced for 14 guns, mounting one
long 24-pounder, with a complement of 63 men.

On the 24th July, 1806, the Loire fell in with another
French squadron, consisting of four frigates, and used every
effort to close with them, but without being able to get
nearer than 8 or 9 miles, the enemy having hauled to the
wind as soon as they made her out to be a ship of war. The
night proving dark and stormy, Captain Maitland steered for
the rendezvous of Sir Richard Keats' squadron, 50 leagues
west of Belleisle, and having met with that officer on the
27th, was making his report to him on the Superb's quarter-
deck, when the enemy were discovered by the ships to wind-
ward. Chase was immediately given ; but the day being far
advanced, the Mars alone kept sight of them, and the next
evening succeeded in cutting off le Rhin, of 44 guns and 318
men f.

« See vol. I. p. 261. The French squadrons do not appear to have re-
cognized each other as friends ; if that had been the case it is more than pro-
bable they would have formed a junction ; instead of which the Rochefort
ships returned to port immediately, while those from Brest proceeded
direct to the West Indies.

t See vol. I. p. 726.

394 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

On the 28th Nov. following, Captain Maitland was ap-
pointed to the Emerald, a 36-gun frigate ; and in April 1807,
we find him capturing the Austerlitz French privateer, of 14
guns and 96 men ; and a Spanish polacre from la Guira,
laden with cocoa, bark, indigo, &c. He also recaptured
the Zulema, an American ship, which had been taken by a
French privateer. In July of the same year he took an
American brig, having on board 90 men belonging to the
French ships in the Chesapeake.

The following extracts from a letter addressed by Captain
Maitland to Admiral Lord Gardner, dated March 14, 1808,
contain an account of a gallant exploit, which reflects credit
on all concerned, for their undaunted spirit and perse-
verance : —

" My Lord, — I beg to state that, having fulfilled the first part of your
Lordship's order, bearing date the 13th ult., I was proceeding to com-
municate with the commanding officer off Ferrol, when, in running along
shore about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, a very large schooner was dis-
covered at anchor in Vivero harbour, with a French ensign and pendant
flying. Though I had never been in that port, from its appearance, and the
place laid down in Tofino's chart, it seemed to me not a very difficult mat-
ter either to bring her out or destroy her. It was late in the day for such
an undertaking ; but as we had a full moon, and alarm guns were firing
from the forts and schooner, I without hesitation decided on putting it
instantly into execution, as they would doubtless have been better pre-
pared for our reception had it been deferred till morning. At about 5'1
30' P. M. the first fort on the right going in, mounting eight 24-pounders,
opened on the ship, as did the other, containing five of the same
calibre, on the left, as soon as she was within range. As I saw 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 Messrs. Mildridge and
Saurin, Master's-Mates, to storm the outer fort, and proceeded with the
ship as 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 Emerald ; 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
Avhom fell, and their officer among the number ; but before they were
completely subdued they had ted 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 a mile from the fort, he was

. POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 395

under the necessity of returning without finding it, as it had been silenced
a considerable time by our fire ; it opened again, however, about ten
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 his
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 dead 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 up, and at day-light there was not a
vestige of her to be seen. From the papers I have in my possession, the
schooner appears to have been 1'Apropos, commanded by Mons. Lagary,
Lieutenant de Vaisseau, who had arrived with despatches from the Isle of
France, on the 24th Dec. ; she mounted twelve 8-pounder carronades, but
pierced for 16 guns, with upwards of 70 men. She had yesterday put to
sea, but returned to an anchor on a signal being made for an enemy. She
appeared to me the largest schooner I ever saw ; our officers inform me
she must have been upwards of 250 tons burthen, copper-bottomed, and
in all respects a most complete vessel. **»*«. The Emerald's
damages are trifling to what might have been expected, which I account
for by the enemy not being able to distinguish where the shot fell; and
having taken a bad elevation, most of them passed over her. When the
boats returned, after firing the schooner, we weighed, and had the good
fortune to obtain a light air of wind, that sent us just out of the reach of
the batteries, when we were obliged again to anchor, otherwise our
situation this morning would have been by no means pleasant, as the
Spaniards must by that time have unspiked the guns in the outer fort, and
at day-light six gun-boats were seen pulling from the westward. About 8
A. M. a light breeze springing up, we weighed and made sail towards
them. When within about two gun-shots of the enemy, it again fell per-
fectly calm, and they had the temerity still to row for us. Finding the
ship's broadside could not be kept towards them by the boats, I ordered
the anchor to be let go with a spring, and when within reach of grape,
opened a fire, which they received and returned with tolerable spirit for
about half an hour, when they made the best of their way into Veres Bay ;
and as several shot were seen to strike them, I have no doubt they were
considerably damaged ; the total want of wind prevented me from follow-
ing and destroying them. I cannot conclude this letter, my Lord, without
once more expressing how highly I appreciate the behaviour of every

396 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

officer and man in the ship I have the honor to command *, during a
most arduous and fatiguing service, that lasted for 18 hours, the whole
of which time they were either at their guns or expecting every instant to
he called to them. Our loss, I am extremely sorry to say, is very
great in killed and wounded, and most of them the best men in the ship.
What the enemy's may be, from the nature of the service it is impos-
sible to ascertain, though we know it to be very considerable f."

On the 21st March, 1809, Captain Maitland captured 1'En-
fant de Patria of 640 tons, 8 guns, and 60 men ; and two days
afterwards, 1'Aventurier of 4 guns and 30 men. These ves-
sels were letters of marque ; the former bound to the Isle of
France, and the latter to the relief of Guadaloupe. In the
following month, the Emerald was attached to the fleet under
Lord Gambier, and formed part of the advanced squadron at
the destruction of four French 2-deckers in Aix Roads J.

From this period, Captain Maitland continued to cruise
with his usual activity ; and previous to his quitting the Eme-
rald, he was fortunate enough to add the following vessels to
his already long list of captures :

Two French letters of marque, one of 4 guns, bound to Guadaloupe
with a small reinforcement for the garrison of that island ; the other of 4
guns and 26 men, coming from thence with a cargo of coffee and other
colonial produce. L'Incomparable, brig privateer of eight 6-pounders and
60 men ; this vessel, when discovered, was in the act of capturing an
English merchant brig. Le Fanfaron, national corvette of 16 guns and 1 13
men, commanded by a Capitaine de fregate, bound to Guadaloupe, with
a cargo of flour, salt provisions, &c. &c. Le Belle Etoile letter of mawjue
of 350 tons, 8 guns (pierced for 20) and 56 men, laden with wine, flour,
oil, and various other merchandise, bound to the Isle of France ; and
1'Auguste, a remarkably fast sailing ship privateer, of 1 8 guns and 130
men.

Captain Maitland's next appointment was, June 3, 1813,
to the Goliah, a cut down 74 § ; in which • ship he served
about twelve months, on the Halifax and West India stations.

* The eulogiuras bestowed by Captain Maitland upon his officers in a
former part of this letter, are purposely omitted. They will appear in our
memoir of Captain CHARLES BERTRAM.

t The Emerald had 9 men killed, Lieutenant Bertram, the two marine
officers, Mr. Mildridge, 1 1 men, and 1 boy wounded.
J See p. 318, and Vol. I. p. 84.

§ The Goliab, originally a /4 of the smallest class, mounted twenty-
eight long 32-pounders, the same number of 42-pr. carronades, and two
lopg twelves, making 58 guns on two flush decks.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901.

The Goliah being found very defective, was paid off at
Chatham in Oct. 1814; and on the 15th of the ensuing month,
Captain Maitland was appointed to the Boyne, a second rate,
fitting at Portsmouth for the flag of Sir Alexander Cochrane,
comniander-in-chief on the coast of America *. In Jan. 1 815,
he proceeded to Cork, and collected a large fleet of transports
and merchant vessels ; but owing to a continuance of strong
westerly winds, was detained at Cove till the return of Na-
poleon Buonaparte from Elba, when his orders were counter-
manded, and he was removed to the Bellerophon of 74 guns.

Captain Maitland sailed from Cawsand Bay. in company
with a squadron under Sir Henry Hotham, May 24, 1815 ;
and was soon after sent by that officer to watch the motions
of two French frigates and two corvettes, lying at Rochefort,
off which place he detained a transport, having on board nearly
300 soldiers from Guadaloupe.

The battle of Waterloo terminated the military career of
Buonaparte, who, it mil be remembered, fled from the scene
of carnage, leaving his unfortunate partisans to shift for them-
selves. Finding on his arrival at Paris that a speedy retreat
from the French territory was the only means of ensuring his
personal safety, the usurper proceeded from the metropolis
to Rochefort, where he formed numerous plans for bis escape
by sea ; the whole of which were happily frustrated by the
vigilance of Captain Maitlaud and the detachment under his
orders. The hopes of Napoleon being now at an end, he en-
deavoured to stipulate for his future treatment, but in vain ;
Captain Maitland informing him that he had no authority
whatever for granting terms of any sort ; and that he could
do nothing more than convey him and his suite to England,
to be received in such a manner as H. R. H. the Prince
Regent might think proper. Thus situated, the fugitive at
length resolved to throw himself on the generosity of " the
most powerful, the most constant, and the most generous of
his enemies f; " and accordingly surrendered unconditionally
to Captain Maitland, on the 15th July.

* On his arrival in America, Captain Maitland was to have been removed
into a 2-decker.

•f- See the ex-Emperor's celebrated letter to H. R. H. the Prince Recent,
wherein he compares himself to Themistocles, dated at Rochefort, July 13,
1815.

398 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

The subject of this memoir had thus the good fortune to
take captive and convey to the shores of Great Britain, a man
who had been for so many years the scourge of Europe, and
destroyer of the human race. Buonaparte's subsequent re-
moval from the Bellerophon, his transportation to St. Helena,
and dissolution, have already been recorded *. Previous to
his quitting that ship, he sent one of his attendants to her
commander, proposing to present him with a gold box, con-
taining his portrait set with diamonds, the value of which was
said to be 3000 guineas ; but the offer was declined by Captain
Maitland, who some time afterwards addressed the following
letter to the printers of the " Edinburgh Annual Register,"
correcting several mistatements contained in that publication
respecting his prisoner :

" I must state, that Buonaparte never conducted himself with arrogance
whilst he was on board the ship which I commanded. He knew the world
too well, and was aware he could not have adopted a measure more likely
to defeat any wish he might have entertained, of being considered as a
crowned head ; but, in fact, he never attempted to exact such respect ;
and so far from its being shewn to him, he had not even the honors due
to a General-Officer paid on his coming on board the Bellerophon; any
honors that could be construed into those due to the former rank he had
held, did not originate with me, and certainly were not demanded by him.
Where the other paragraph could originate I am at a loss to conceive,
as I can assert most solemnly, that at no period in my presence (and I
was the only person in the ship who had direct communication with him,
his own people excepted) did he ever threaten to commit suicide. It is
true, some of his attendants hinted that he would be guilty of that crime —
whether with his concurrence or not, I cannot pretend to say; but when
the question was put to them by me, if he had ever said he would put
himself to death, they acknowledged he had not j and the expression they
had construed into that threat was, that he had determined not to go to
St. Helena ; and if I may be allowed to judge from the sentiments he ex-
pressed on the subject, it was an act he never had in contemplation f."

* See Vol. I. p. 527, and note *, at p. 721.

f Buonaparte arrived in Torbay nine days after his surrender ; from
thence proceeded to Plymouth, off which port he was removed to the
Northumberland on the 7th August.

His fate is no doubt still deplored by the remainder of the revolutionary
factions in England and France ; but certainly not by any patriotic indi-
vidual of either country. We ourselves feel much greater regret for the
poor Bellerophon, a ship which after contributing in an eminent degree to
the defeat of our implacable enemy in the three great battles of June !;_

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 399

Early in Oct. 1818, Captain Maitland was appointed to the
Vengeur 74, intended to bear the flag of Rear-Admiral Otway
on the Leith station ; but in June, 1819, two line-of-battle
ships being required for the service in South America, she was
directed to proceed thither under the orders of Sir Thomas M.
Hardy, with whom she sailed from Spithead on the 9th Sept.
In the preceding month, Captain Maitland had the honor of
dining twice with his present Majesty, then on an aquatic
excursion.

The Vengeur being recalled in 1820, conveyed Lord Beres-
ford from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon, where she arrived on the
10th Oct. f From thence she was ordered to Naples, where
Captain Maitland received the King of the two Sicilies on
board for a passage to Leghorn, on his way to attend the
Congress at Laybach.

His Majesty arrived at Leghorn, Dec. 20, and expressed
his sense of Captain Maitland's great attention during a very
unfavorable passage of seven days, by personally investing him,
immediately after his landing, with the insignia of a Knight
Commander of the Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit 5 in
addition to which, he presented him with a very valuable gold
box, containing his portrait set round with large diamonds,
and wrote a most handsome letter, respecting the treatment
he had received, to Vice-Admiral Sir Graham Moore, com-
mander-in-chief on the Mediterranean station. The King
likewise, through Captain Maitland, presented the Hon.
Captain Pellew, of the Revolutionnaire, with a gold snuff-
box, having the initial letter F on the lid; and a similar
token of his regard to the commander of the French frigate,
Duchesse de Berri, both of which ships formed part of his
escort. He also ordered six thousand ducats to be distributed
among their respective crews, viz. three thousand to the
Vengeur, and fifteen hundred to each of the frigates.

1794, Aug. 1, 1798, and Oct. 21, 1805, (see Vol. I. p. 509, 270, and 205),
besides performing other services of importance, was at length doomed,
like the rock of St. Helena, to become a receptacle for the outcasts of
society. She is now used as a depot for convicts at Sheerness.

f The Revolution in Portugal commenced a short time previous to the
Vengeur's arrival in the Tagus ; and Lord Beresford being refused permis-
sion to land, was obliged to return to England in a packet.

400 POSt-CAPTAlNS OF 1801.

The Vengeur arrived at Spithead from the Mediterranean,
March 29, 1821 ; and being found defective, was paid off at
Sheerness May 18th following ; on which day Captain Mait-
land commissioned the Genoa 74, as a guard-ship at that
port, 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. f He was born in 17/4 ; entered the naval service
as a Midshipman on board the Culloden 74, Captain Thomas
Rich, during the Dutch armament of 1787 J and in the spring
of the following year, was removed into the Andromeda fri-
gate, commanded by H. R. H. Prince William Henry, (now
Duke of Clarence), under whom he served till that ship was
put out of commission in 1789 ^. 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.

J The Andromeda was employed on the Halifax and West India sta-
tions ; but ordered home from the latter, in consequence of our late mo-
narch's alarming indisposition, in 1789.

§ See Vol. I. note f, at p. 706. N. B. The Southampton was subse-
quently commanded by Captain (now Sir Richard G.) Keats ; see id. p.
342.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 401

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 1'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. 1797, till
early in 1801, when he was appointed to the Cruiser of 1 8
guns, on the North Sea station. He subsequently proceeded
to the Sound, in company 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

* See Vol. I, p. 47, et seq.

VOL. II. 2 D

402 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

down fresh buoys, the Danes having either removed or mis-
placed the former ones. His good conduct on this occasion
was officially reported by Lord Nelson, who in a private letter
to Earl St. Vincent, mentioned him as highly deserving of
promotion *. During the absence of Captain Robert Waller
Otway, who had been charged with the commander-in-chief s
despatches, relative to the great victory obtained over the
Danes, Captain Brisbane commanded the London, bearing
Sir Hyde Parker's flag +. He afterwards acted successively
in the Ganges 74, and Alcmene frigate ; and Lord Nelson's
recommendation being at length attended to, he was finally
confirmed as a Post-Captain to the Saturn /4, the flag-ship
of Rear- Admiral Totty, by commission dated back to the day
of the battle.

In Dec. 1801, Rear-Admiral Totty obtained the chief com-
mand at the Leeward Islands, where he fell a victim to the
yellow fever, a few months after his arrival. In consequence
of this melancholy event, the Saturn returned to England and
was paid off in the summer of 1802.

At the renewal of the war in 1803, Captain Brisbane was
appointed to the command of the Sea Fencibles on the coast
of Kent, where he continued till the autumn of 1805, when
he joined the Alcmene on the Irish station ; where he cap-
tured le Courier French privateer, formerly a British hired
cutter of 7 guns, pierced for 14, with a complement 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 Collingwood to assume the
command of the squadron employed blockading Corfu, and
watching the entrance of the Adriatic Sea.

* The Cruiser was attached to Lord Nelson's division in the battle off
Copenhagen, an account of which will be found under the head of Vice-
Admiral Sir THOMAS FOLET.

f The same ship in which he had served as a Midshipman at the com-
mencement of the war.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 403

Whilst thus employed, Captain Brisbane materially inter-
rupted the enemy's trade, cut off all the supplies sent from
Italy for the French garrison at Corfu, and amongst numerous
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 commanding the whole an-
chorage.

Light and partial winds prevented Captain Brisbane closing
with the enemy till one P. M. on the ensuing day (Feb. 15),
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 immediately 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 Magnificent ; with whom he proceeded in September
following, to join the expedition sent from Sicily to re-estab-
lish the Septinsular republic. The following are extracts
from the public letters of Captain Spranger, the senior officer
of the naval force employed on that occasion :

" H. M. S. Warrior, Oct. 3 5, 1809.

" I sailed from Messina 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 Cephalonia, where
we arrived 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

404 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

days we were joined, as had been previously arranged, by the Spartwi
from Malta ; and the Magnificent, Belle Poule, and Kingsfisher, from
Corfu ; and .anchored that night in the bay of Xante, 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 gun-boats,
who soon silenced the batteries, landed a division of the army, in the most
perfect order, about three 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 French 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-embarking the troops, and proceeding on the 4th
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 ; 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
frora 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 the
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 month.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 405

month, stated the principal reasons which induced General Oswald and
myself to determine upon attacking the enemy in the Island of St. Maura,
I have now the satisfaction 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 Leonidas
to cruise to the northward of St. IVJaura, in order to prevent any supplies
or reinforcements being sent to Corfu ; a service which was most effec-
tually performed. On the 18th March we were all assembled at Zante ;
but the Montagu, in working into the road, through the ignorance of the
pilot, got upon the shoal, and knocked her rudder off, by which unfortu-
nate accident she was 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, Imogene, 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 Imogene, to anchor as close
to the shore as possible, taking the gun-boats with him, in order to cover
the lauding 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 theJmmediate 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 Imogene ; but upon a brisk return being
made 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 end of the island ; and though nearly
surrounded by the sea, is, from its embayed position, and shallowuess 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 co-operation from the ships as
the circumstances of the moment might render necessary. When we
reached the 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

4C6 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801 .

abandon, by a detachment of troops under the command of Major Church.
The Leonidas was then only a few miles from the shore ; and the weather
being fine, 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 him to Captain Griffiths, to anchor as near the redoubt as
possible, and cannonade it ; which was executed with his usual prompti-
tude. The troops, at the same time, with the General at their head,
advanced under a heavy fire of grape and musketry to the assault, drove
the enemy from his entrenchments at the point of the bayonet, and followed
him so close, that he had not time to rally at the second redoubt, but fled
through it without stopping, and was pursued close to the walls of the
citadel. The acquisition of these posts, which from that moment we re-
tained possession of, was of the greatest importance to the future operations.

" Being myself wounded in the head, I was under the necessity, for a
few days, of giving up the naval arrangements to Captain Brisbane, to
whose zealous ardour, whatever service he is employed upon, it is im-
possible for me to do sufficient justice.

"On the 25th, finding myself able to give all such directions as could be
necessary for the service going forward, and that it was very essential to
increase the force on the north side of the island, I directed Captain Bris-
bane to proceed there in the Belle Poule, taking with him the Imogene
and gun-boats.

" Captain Stephens had been wounded in the foot at the storming of
the redoubts, but was too zealous to allow it to interfere with his personal
exertions. I am sorry to say that he still suffers from it very considerably.

" Ten of the Magnificent's guns were landed, and 150 seamen, under
the command of Lieutenant Astley, whose assiduous attention and activity
in performing every duty entrusted to him, the General speaks of in strong
terms of approbation.

" On the 30lh the Montagu joined me. Captain Moubray, by the
greatest exertions, had re-hung his rudder at Zante, and lost not a moment
afterwards in following us. On her arrival, two of her lower-deck guns
were landed, and 100 of her seamen, to do duty on shore. I at the same
time directed Captain Moubray to superintend all the operations that were
going forward, that no assistance which the ships could give might be
omitted. On the 7th April, I left the transports under the care of the
Montagu, and proceeded to the opposite side of the island, where our
batteries opened the following morning. The seamen of the Magnificent,
in consequence of the ship going to sea, were withdrawn from the shore,
and an additional number sent from the Montagu, the whole being then
under the command of Lieutenant Lyons of that ship.

" The only way the citadel could be approached with cannon being a
narrow neck of land, and which is composed principally of loose gravel
thrown up by the sea, the difficulties in erecting our batteries had been
very great ; but the ardour and energies of the soldiers and sailors, ani-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 407

mated in every danger and every fatigue by the continual presence of
General Oswald, rose in proportion as the obstacles presented themselves.
Captains Brisbane and Griffiths, with the masters of their ships, took
great pains to sound about the citadel ; but it was found impracticable to
carry the ships nearer than a mile. On the 5th, the Kingsfisher joined us
from Malta ; and information having been received that the enemy had
made great preparations at Corfu and Parga, to throw supplies into St.
Maura, I directed Captain Tritton to keep under way at a short distance
in the offing, and Captain Stephens to anchor in the Imogene, just out of
gun-shot of the enemy's works. The vigilant attention paid by these
officers to that important piece of duty, is highly creditable to them j and,
I believe, not a boat made its way. The citadel kept up a spirited fire
till the night of the 15th, when a detachment of troops, under the com-
mand of Colonel Moore, drove the enemy from an advanced entrenchment,
and lodged itself in their place. A very heavy fire of grape and musketry
continued for many hours ; but the enemy finding that the British troops
were immoveable, and that his own men were picked off in the embrasures,
he sent a flag of truce to propose terms of capitulation. Captain Mou-
bray and Colonel Lowe were authorized by the General and myself to treat
with the Governor. In a short time terms were agreed upon, and that
night the gates put into our possession.

" It is a great pleasure to me, Sir, to represent to you the flattering
terms in which the General speaks of the uninterrupted good conduct of
the seamen and marines employed on shore during this siege, and which
is so creditable to the officers who were with them ; and though the
part which the ships could take, from the peculiar situation of the place,
was very limited, yet I am sure you would readily believe, from the known
character of the Captains I had the honor to have under my command,
that the greatest zeal and anxiety were shewn by them to do every thing
that was possible. The assistance I received from Captain Moubray, and
his unremitting attention to every piece of duty that was going forward,
demand my warmest acknowledgments. To Lieutenant Elphick, the first
Lieutenant of the Magnificent, a very gallant and zealous officer, I am
much indebted, for his attention and assiduity, at a time when I was unable
to exert myself as usual ; and it would be injustice if I omitted to men-
tion the readiness and alacrity shewn by Lieutenant Bussel, agent of trans-
ports, in attending any duty which- was required of him, when the Lieute-
nants of the Magnificent were employed on shore.''

On the 1 1th Dec. in the same year, Captain Brisbane cap-
tured the Carlotta, Italian brig of war, pierced for 14 guns,
but only 10 mounted, with a complement of 100 men, from
Venice bound to Corfu. About the same period he assisted at
the capture of a French national schooner on the coast of
Dalmatia.

At 10 A. M. on the 4th May 1811, la Belle Poule, being
on a cruise off the coast of Istria, in company with the Alceste

406 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

frigate, discovered and chased a French 18-gun brig into the
small harbour of Parenza. Having received intelligence that
such a vessel might be expected conveying supplies of all
descriptions for the French frigates which had escaped into
Ragusa, after their action with a British squadron off Lissa *,
Captain Brisbane felt that no means should be left untried to
capture or destroy her. After reconnoitring her position, and
consulting the pilots and Mr. Boardman, an officer belong-
ing to the Acorn, who from his general local knowledge of
the Adriatic, had handsomely volunteered his services for the
cruise, he found it impracticable for the frigates to enter the
port, there being only fifteen feet water in it, but that the
brig might nevertheless be cannonaded with effect where she
was then lying : according at 3 P. M.both ships stood in, within a
cable's length of the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, and
opened an animated fire on her, and a battery under which
she lay. In about an hour from the commencement the brig
hauled on shore near the town completely out of the reach of
shot ; and all further efforts from the frigates being perfectly
useless, Captain Brisbane determined on taking possession of
an island in the mouth of the harbour, and within musket-shot
of the town. The ships being anchored after the close of day,
about four miles from the shore, 200 seamen and the whole
of the marines were landed, under the orders of Lieutenant
John M'Curdy, and took possession thereof about ] 1 o'clock.
With incessant labour, and the most extraordinary exertions,
a defence was thrown up, and a battery of two howitzers and
two 9-pounders erected on a commanding position, by five
A. M. A field-piece was also placed at some distance to the
left, to divide the attention of the enemy, who, aware of what
was going on, had been busily enployed during the night
planting guns in various parts of the harbour. Soon after five
o'clock the French opened a cross fire from four different po-
sitions, which was immediately returned, and kept up on
both sides with great vigour for five hours ; when the brig
being cut to pieces, the detachment, guns, ammunition, &c.
were re-embarked with the most perfect order and regularity.
This service was performed with the loss of 4 men killed and
the same number wounded. The frigates were frequently
* See Captain Sir WILLIAM HOSTE, Bart.

POST-CAPTAIN'S OF 1801. 409

hulled by the batteries, but received no other damage that
could not be instantly repaired.

La Belle Poule returned to England in August following,
and was subsequently employed cruising on the Channel sta-
tion, where she captured the General Gates, a fast sailing
privateer, and several other American vessels. About Sept.
J812, Captain Brisbane was appointed to the Pembroke of
74 guns, in which ship he served with the Channel fleet under
the command of Lord Keith till the summer of 1813, when
he was again ordered to the Mediterranean.

On the 5th Nov. in the same year, the Pembroke had 3
men wounded in a skirmish with the rear of the Toulon fleet.
Captain Brisbane was soon afterwards detached, with the Aigle
and Alcmene frigates under his orders, to cruise off Corsica
and in the Gulf of Genoa. At 10 A. M. April 1 1, 1814, being
off Cape delle Melle, he discovered twenty sail of French ves-
sels, the greater part of which, on seeing the British squadron,
ran ashore under the guns of Port Maurice. Passing close
along the line of the enemy's batteries, the Pembroke and her
companions anchored at musket-shot distance from the town,
and despatched their boats to endeavour to get the vessels off
from the beach ; but they had scarcely pulled up to them,
before they were assailed with a heavy fire of musketry from
behind the houses. The ships now opened their broadsides ;
but being unwilling to destroy the town, Captain Brisbane
sent a flag of truce to demand the vessels, but without effect.
Determined not to lose time, he ordered the ships to renew
their fire, and at the end of an hour had the satisfaction to
see the French colours hauled down, and a white flag hung
out in token of submission. In the mean time, almost all
the vessels had been stripped and scuttled ; but by great ex-
ertions during the night and following day, four of them were
got off, and the greater part of the cargoes of the others which
were destroyed. One of the latter was armed with 4 long
guns. The captors on this occasion had 2 men killed and 4
wounded.

Soon after the performance of this service, Captain Bris-
bane fell in with the squadron under Sir Edward Pellew, then
proceeding to co-operate with Lord William Bentinck's army,
in the reduction of Genoa. The Pembroke accompanied this

410 HOST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

squadron, and was consequently present at the surrender of
that place * j after which event Captain Brisbane was sent,
with a small force under his orders, accompanied by Major-
General Montressor and 1800 troops, to take provisional pos-
session of Corsica fj where he remained until a convention
was signed by his military colleague and the French General
Berthier, by which the forts of Ajaccio, Calvi, and Bonifacio,
were delivered up to the British, to be retained by them until
the ultimate disposal of the island should be decided upon by
the respective governments of Europe.

On his return to Genoa, Captain Brisbane was ordered
home with four French brigs of war, taken at that place, under
his protection. The Pembroke was paid off about Sept. 1814.

In the Spring of the ensuing year Captain Brisbane was
appointed to the Boyne, a second rate, bearing the flag of
Lord Exmouth, who had been ordered to re-assume the com-
mand on the Mediterranean station, in consequence of Buo-
naparte's return to France from Elba. After contributing to
the restoration of the King of Naples, his Lordship proceeded
to Genoa, and from thence escorted Sir Hudson Lowe and
4,000 British troops to Marseilles, for the purpose of creating
a diversion in favour of the allied armies previous to the de-
cisive battle of Waterloo. The subsequent proceedings of
the squadron have already been noticed in his Lordship's
memoir, and at pp. 253, of this volume.

During the celebrated expedition against Algiers, Captain
Brisbane commanded Lord Exmouth's flag-ship, the Queen
Charlotte of 108 guns ; and after the bloody battle of Aug.
27, 1816, was selected by the commancler-in-chief to nego-
ciate with the Dey, who it will be remembered was com-
pelled to make a public apology before his ministers, and beg
pardon of the British Consul, in terms dictated by the sub-
ject of this memoir J.

• See Vol. I. p. 634.

t An account of Major-General Montressor's proceedings in the island
of Corsica will be found in Phillipart't Royal Military Calendar, Vol. I.
p. 208. et seq.

J According to Mr. Salaiad, whose " Narrative of the Expedition to
Algiers" is well worthy of perusal, the Queen Charlotte expended no less
than 30,4241bs. of powder, and 4462 shot. The loss she sustained in the
battle has been stated in our 1st vol. at p. 227.

POST-CAPTAINS 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 came 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 has one son and two
daughters.

Agent. — 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. 1J96? 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, 1?96.

" Sir, — On the morning of the 13th hist., at day-light, we discovered a
frigate to windward, standing towards us. About eight I could perceive
her making every preparation for battle, and she was then apparently in
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 we had more than that number
Etill on board on our sick and convalescent lists, all of whom were either
dangerously ill, or extremely weak. We were scarcely out of sight of
the spot where we knew the Spanish fleet had been cruising only two

* See note * at p. 94.

412 POST-CAPTAINS OK 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 conjec-
tured to be a sort of tender, was passing us, steering towards Cartba-
gena ; so that I could hardly natter 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 but 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 iu 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 ,soou 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 heard, 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, all the standing rigging of his lower masts
shot away, and I believe every running rope cut through, and a great
number of his people killed and wounded, he still persevered, though he could
rally but few of his men, to defend his ship, almost longer than defence
was justifiable. Had there been the smallest motion in the sea, every mast
must inevitably 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, and boy, belonging to the ship I command, as well in the action as
in securing the two disabled ships, and bringing them off instantly from a

* Four men wounded.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 413

critical situation, 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 unctitnmon 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, aiid 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 275 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 1 1 14£ 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 off Copenhagen. The Dart on that occasion had 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 1817. See note * at p. 94.

414 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

does not appear to have had any opportunity of further dis-
tinguishing himself.

Agents. — 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 1775 J and entered the
naval service in March 1/89. After serving for three years
as a Midshipman on board the Adamant of 50 guns, bearing
the flag of Sir Richard Hughes, on the Halifax station, he
joined the Lion 64, commanded by Sir Erasmus Gower, by
whom he was appointed to act as a Lieutenant of that ship,
during Lord Macartney's embassy to China in 1793.

The Lion 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> when 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 war, 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 a 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 to post rank, May 12, 1801.
About Oct. following he joined the Amphitrite frigate, lying
as a guard-ship at the Needles j 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 Daeda-
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.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 415

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 10h 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 Martin 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.

416 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Early in 1811, the Argo was 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 Algerine 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.

He married in 1804, Mary, only daughter of the late Rear-
Admiral Laird, by whom he has two sons and one daughter.
His eldest son is a student at the Royal Naval College f.

Captain Warren has four brothers now living, viz. 1,
Charles, Chief Justice of Chester ; 2, John, Dean of Bangor ;
3, Henry, Rector of Farnham, and Prebendary of Bangor ;
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, Martha
Louisa, fourth daughter of the late George Dacre, Esq*., of
Marwell House, Hants.

Agents. — Messrs. Maude.

JAMES CARTHEW, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; served as
such on board the Mercury frigate, in 1796; commanded
the Rosario sloop of war during the expedition against the
Helder ; and assisted at the destruction of two Dutch frigates,
and the dock-yard at Medenblick, Oct. 12, 1799 J. The
Rosario, previously fitted as a fire-vessel, was burnt in an

* See vol. I. p. 439.

f Rear-Admiral Laird of Strathmartine House, near Dundee, died in
Sept. 1812.

t See Captain RICHARD CURRY.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 417

attempt made to destroy a French squadron in Dunkirk
Roads, July 7, 1800*.

Captain Carthew was subsequently appointed to the Shark
sloop of war, on the West India station. His post commission
bears date July 11, 1801. He afterwards commanded the
Garland, Astrea, Crescent, and Gloire frigates; the latter
formed part of the squadron under Sir Alexander Cochrane,
at the reduction of Martinique in 1809.

Agent. — Isaac Clementson, Esq.

THOMAS BRIGGS, ESQ.

Resident Commissioner of the Navy at Bermuda.

THIS officer is a son of Stephen Briggs, Esq., late chief
Surgeon at Madras, by Magdalen, sister of the late Admiral
Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart, f He was made a Commander into
the Salamine brig 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 J :

" The commander of the forces feels it his particular duty to offer Ms
most sincere thanks to Captain Beaver, for the able and judicious manner
in which he conducted the disembarkation, as well as for the indefatigable
exertions he has since used in discharging the duty confided to him by the
Vice-Admiral, in supplying the wants of the army ; and Major-General
Abercromby is equally indebted to Captains Briggs, Lye, and Street, and
to the officers 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

* See p. 290, et seq. t See vol. I. note * at p. 583.

| See Vol. 1. note •, at p. 632.

VOL. II. 2 E

418 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Queen Charlotte, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir George
Campbell, at Portsmouth.
Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

JOHN BROUGHTON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1789 ; and during
the latter part of the French revolutionary war, he commanded
the Strombolo bomb, and Florentina 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 marque, laden with dry goods, brandy, and wine.
His subsequent appointmente were to the Indefatigable of
46 guns, and Cornwall 74.

Agent. M4 Inerheny, Esq.

HONORABLE

GEORGE HENEAGE LAWRENCE DUNDAS.

A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.

THIS officer is the fourth son of the late Lord Dundas, by
Lady Charlotte Wentworth, sister of Earl FitzwiUiam f.

On the 17th March, 1800, a most melancholy accident hap-
pened to the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, in which ship Mr.
Dundas was then serving as a Lieutenant. Proceeding from
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. The carpenter, who was one of

• See p. 369.
f Thomas Lord Dundas died June 14, 1820.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 419

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 heard throughout the ship a general cry of " fire ! " on
which he immediately ascended from the cockpit, and found the half-deck,
the front bulk-head of the Admiral's cabin, the coat of the main-mast, and
the covering of the boats on the booms, all in flames ; which from
every report, and in all probability, was occasioned by some hay, lying
under the half-deck, having been set on fire by a match, 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 flames. He immediately went to
the forecastle, and there found Lieutenant Dundas and the boatswain
encouraging the people to get water to extinguish the fire. He applied
to Lieutenant Dundas, seeing no other officer in the fore part of the
ship (and being unable to see any on the quarter-deck, owing to the smoke
and flames 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
150 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
all efforts 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 Stewart, who
had come off from Leghorn to the assistance of the ship, and of 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, the major part of those who escaped, owe their 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 JSneas. The ship was in one blaze from stem

* Lieutenant Stewart was afterwards promoted to post rank. He died
Oct. 26, 1811. A long memoir of him appears in the Naval Chronicle,
vol. 28, pp. 1—47.

2 E 2

420 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

to stern, with her guns going off in all directions. His heroic conduct was
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
the 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 stem ; 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 burnished 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 I 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-
cular 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 effect on a
few. Could the activity, energy, and humanity, possessed by British 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 Bainbridge), who
remained upon deck to the last moment, giving such orders as appeared
most likely to prove beneficial to the crew, without providing, or ap-
parently caring for their own safety ; Lieutenants Erskine and Kolecken,
the latter a Russian officer ; Captain Joseph Breedon, of the marines ; the

POST-CAPTAINS OP 1801. 421

In the course of the same year, Lieutenant Dundas was
promoted to the rank of Command'er ; and at the commence-
ment of 1801, we find him in the Calpe, a polacre-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 official letters :

" Ceesur, Gibraltar, 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."

" Cottar, off Cape Trafalgar, July 13.

" My thanks are also due to Captain Hollis, of the Thames, and to the
lion. Captain Dundas, of the Calpe, whose assistance was particularly
useful to Captain Keats in securing 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 74 guns, in which ship Captain Dundas soon after
returned to England. His post commission bears date
Aug. 3, 1801. He subsequently commanded the Quebec and
Euryalus frigates.

Early in 1806, the 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 Clerks, Schoolmaster, and three Sur-
geon's Mates. The total loss of lives on this disastrous occasion, according
to Schomlerg, was 673, 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 officers, men, and
boys. The Queen Charlotte was one of the finest ships in the British
navy. She was launched in 1/90, and her first cruise was with the fleet
fitted out against Spain in consequence of the dispute respecting Nootka
Sound. Earl Howe, who was commander-in-chief of that fleet, was then
on board of her ; and she also bore his Lordship's flag on the glorious
1st June, 1794. She was rated at 100 guns, but mounted more than that
number.

422 POST-CAPTAINS OF J801.

her joining Lord Collingwood off Cadiz, she was ordered to
cruise between Capes St. Vincent and St. Mary ; and after-
wards sent to watch the port of Carthagena ; 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
] 807, 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 llth
June, 1808, 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 men killed, 12 wounded, and several drowned, ex-
clusive of casualties on shore. This gallant exploit was per-
formed under the directions of Lieutenant Michael Head, of
the EuryaluB.

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 XVIII. the Duke de Berri, and other mem-
bers of the French royal family, the whole of whom he landed
at Carlscrona, received on board again at Gottenburg, 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 from that service, was placed under the orders of Sir
Richard King, off Cherbourgh, where she captured 1'Etoile,
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 remainder of that year he was attached
to the in-shore squadron off Toulon* ; and early in 1811 ap-

* See Vol. I. p. 650.

POST-CAPfAINS OF 1801. 423

pointed to the Achille 74, in which bbip he continued \intil
superseded by Captain Hollis *, when he resumed the com-
mand of his frigate. On the 7th June following, the boats of
the Euryalus assisted at the capture of 1'Intrepide French
privateer, of 2 guns and 58 men, near Corsica.

In the autumn of 1812, Captain Dundas, 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. He shortly
after conveyed the late Sir Thomas Maitland from Port Mahon
to Palermo, on his way to assume the government of Malta.
From this period till the peace of 1814, we find him actively
employed on the coasts of Sicily, Naples, Tuscany, and Genoa.
The following is a copy of his official letter to Captain Josias
Rowley, communicating 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 £ this
morning1, off d'Anzo, where he had been watching a convoy for some days,
with the intention of attacking them the first favorable opportunity. The
necessary arrangements having been made by that officer for the attack,
I added the force of this ship to it, and made the signal that those arrange-
ments would be 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, at lh 30' P. M. the ships
bore up and took their stations ; the Imperieuse and Resistance to the
mole batteries ; the Swallow to the tower ; the Eclair and Pylades to the
southern battery; the Edinburgh supported the last-named ships.

" Shortly after the ships opened their fire, which they did by signal
together, the storming party, under Lieutenant Travers, of the Imperieuse,
and marines, under Captain. Mitchell, landed in the best order close under
the battery to the southward, which Lieutenant Travers carried instantly,
the enemy flying in all directions. Lieutenant Mapleton having taken
possession of the mole-head, the convoy, consisting of twenty-nine vessels,
was brought out without any loss, twenty of which are laden with timber
for the arsenal at Toulon. On leaving the place all the works were blown

« See Vol. II. p. 122.

t Captain Kent died Aug. 29, 1811, and was buried in the Bay of Rosas
on the following day.

I Resistance, Swallow, Eclair, and Pylades.

424 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

tip, and most completely destroyed. I feel the destruction of the defences
of this place to be of consequence, as it was a convenient port for shipping
the very large quantity of timber the enemy now have on the adjacent
coast. The Captains, officers, and ships' companies, deserve my warm
acknowledgments for their exertions on this occasion. A few shot in the
hulls and rigging of the ships is the only damage done.

" Captain Duncan informs me, that he gained very material and neces-
sary information respecting this place, by a very gallant exploit performed
a few nights ago by Lieutenant Travers *, who stormed, with a boat's crew,
a tower of 1 gun, destroying it, and bringing the guard away. I am, &c.

(Signed) " G. H. L. DUNDAS."

The following letters contain the details of a gallant enter-
prise, very ably directed by Sir Josias Rowley, and most zea-
lously executed by the force under his command, in co-oper-
ation with the Italian Levy, commanded by Colonel Catanelli :

" H. M. S. America, off Leghorn, Dec. 15, 1813.
" Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, that in pursuance of my pre-
ceding communication to you from Palermo, I sailed thence on the 29th
ult., iu company with the Termagant, and anchored at Melazzo on the
following night, where, having joined the ships named in the margin f, and
embarked on board them on the following day the troops of the Italian
Levy, amounting to about 1,000 men, under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Catanelli, we sailed the same evening, and arrived on the coast of
Italy, off Via Reggio, on the 9th inst. Having fallen in with the Armada
and Imperieuse off the north of Corsica, I detained them to assist us in
getting the troops on shore. Having anchored with the squadron off the
town, the troops and field-pieces were immediately landed, a small party
of the enemy having evacuated the place, on a summons that had been
sent in, and possession was taken of two 18 and one 12-pounder guns,
which defended the entrance of the river. The Lieutenant-Colonel pro-
ceeded immediately to Lucca, which place was surrendered to him at
twelve the same night.

" The following day a detachment of 40 royal marines from this ship,
under Captain Rea, was sent to a signal station to the northward, which,
on his threatening to storm, surrendered to him, and 1 1 men who defended
it were made prisoners. He found it to be a castle of considerable size
and strength, walled and ditched, and capable of containing near 1,000
men. On receiving this report, I sent Mr. Bazelgette, senior Lieutenant
of the America, who, with a few barrels of powder, completely destroyed
it, bringing off a brass 9-pounder gun, which was mounted in the castle.
Parties from the Imperieuse and Furieuse also brought off two other brass
guns from the beach to the northward and southward of the town, those at
the landing place having also been embarked.

" The Lieutenant-Colonel not judging it advisable to continue at Lucca,

* See Commander EATON TRAVERS.
t Edinburgh, Furieuse, and Mermaid.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 425

had given me notice of his intended return to Via Reggio, where he arrived
on the morning of the 12th, and signified his intention to proceed in ano-
ther direction. Not conceiving my stay with this ship any longer neces-
sary, I had made arrangements for leaving the Edinburgh, Furieuse, and
Termagant, under the orders of Captain Dundas, to keep up (if practi-
cable) a communication with the troops, and purposed sailing to rejoin
your flag as soon as it was dark ; when, towards sunset, we perceived a
firing at the town, and found that the troops were attacked by a force of
about 600 cavalry and infantry, with a howitzer and 2 field pieces.

" They consisted of a detachment from the garrison of Leghorn, which
had been joined on its march by some troops at Pisa. The Lieutenant-
Colonel completely routed them, with the loss of their guns and howitzer,
and a considerable number of killed, wounded, and prisoners j the re-
mainder retreated in much confusion towards Pisa. Information having
been obtained from the prisoners of the weak state of the garrison at Leg-
horn, the Lieutenant-Colonel proposed to me to intercept the return of
the routed troops, by proceeding immediately off Leghorn, in the hopes
that by shewing ourselves in as much force as possible, the inhabitants,
who it was supposed were inclined to receive us, might make some move-
ment in our favour, and that we might avail ourselves of any practicable
opening to force our way into the place.

" I acceded to this proposal, and the troops were immediately embarked
in a number of country vessels, which were towsd off by the boats of the
squadron; and the whole being taken in tow by the ships, we proceeded
the same night for Leghorn Roads, where we anchored about three o'clock
on the following day, to the northward of the town. The Imperieuse
having previously reconnoitred the best spot for landing, the vessels were
immediately towed in-shore, and the troops and field-pieces landed without
opposition. The boats then proceeded to land the marines ; but the wea-
ther, which had been hitherto favourable, in the course of the evening
became so bad, that only a part could be got on shore ; and I regret to
state, that the pinnace of the America was swamped, and Lieutenant
Moody (a most valuable officer) and two seamen were drowned. Early in
the morning the remainder were landed, and proceeded to the positions
assigned them. The corps of the enemy which had been defeated at Via
Reggio, was a second time reinforced at Pisa, and at this period made an
attack on our marines without the town. I beg to refer you to Captain
Dundas's report for the particulars of their defeat. The Lieutenant-
Colonel suggested, as a proper time after this advantage, to summon the
commandant, which was accordingly done, but an answer returned that he
would defend himself.

The gates of the town had been closely examined during this day and
the preceding night, to ascertain the practicability of forcing an en-
trance ; but that, or any other means of immediate attack, not being
considered practicable against a place, so strong and regularly fortified,
and there not appearing any movement of the inhabitants in our favour,
the precarious and threatening state of the weather, a change of which

426 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1801.

would have prevented all communication with the ships, rendered it ex-
pedient to reimhark the whole without delay : by very great exertions
this was effected in the best order during the night, and early the fol-
lowing morning, in very severe weather, without any molestation from
the enemy.

" On returning from the shore to the America at sunset, I found a de-
putation from the mayor and inhabitants of the town, who had been per-
mitted by the commandant to come off with a flag of truce, to petition us
to cease our fire from the houses, he having threatened to dislodge us by
setting fire to the suburbs. As arrangements were already made for em-
barking, I consented to a cessation of firing on both sides till eight the
next morning ; a favourable circumstance for us, the troops on their march
to the boats being exposed to a fire from the ramparts.

" I have very great satisfaction in reporting to you the zeal and good
conduct of all the officers, seamen, and marines, employed on the above-
mentioned service.

" To Lieutenant-Colonel Catanelli every praise is due, for his able and
indefatigable exertions ; and I feel thankful for his cordial co-operation.
The conduct of the troops of the Italian Levy, both for bravery and dis-
cipline in the field, and the cheerfulness with which they endured the
constant exposure in boats in the most severe weather, excited our ad-
miration. I am much indebted to Captain Grant, for his able advice and
assistance ; to the Honorable Captain Dundas, who undertook the direc-
tion of the marines and seamen ; and to Captain Hamilton, who volun-
teered his services on shore, my thanks are particularly due, for the gallant
manner in which they conducted them ; and I feel much indebted to the
Honorable Captain Duncan, for the ready and useful assistance he afforded
me on every occasion. Captain Mounsey, when the fending was effected,
had moved with the Furieuse and Termagant, to watch the motions of three
brigs of war lying in the outer mole, but which afterwards moved into the
inner one, the crews having landed to assist in the defence of the place.

" Captain Dunn was indefatigable in his exertions at the landing place ;
and I feel tailed upon to notice the good conduct of the officers and crews
of the boats, through a continued and most fatiguing service.

" I beg that I may be permitted to mention the assistance I received
from Lieutenant Bazelgette, senior of this ship, a most deserving officer ;
and to notice the conduct of Mr. Bromley, the Surgeon, who volunteered
his services on shore with the troops.

" I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded, and am happy to
say our loss is much smaller than might have been expected. I have no
account of that of the Italian Levy, but I believe it is not considerable.
There have been no correct returns of prisoners j but Captain Dundas
informs me, that above three hundred have been taken in the two affairs.
I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " Jos. ROWLEY, Captain."

" ff ice-admiral Sir Edward Pdletc, Bart"

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 427

" H. M. S. Edinburgh, off Leghorn, Dec. 15, 18 J3.
" Sir, — In obedience to your direction, Captain Hamilton aud myself
landed on the evening of the 13th, with the marines of his Majesty's ships
named in the margin *, to co-operate with Lieutenant-Colonel Catanelli.
We pushed on that evening with the advance of the marines and Italian
Levy, and got possession of the suburbs of the town of Leghorn. The
extreme darkness of the night, and the road being nearly impassable, pre-
vented the body of the troops joining until the morning. The moment a
sufficient number had come up, in compliance with the Lieutenant-Colonel's
arrangements, the Italians occupied the suburbs and buildings close to the
ramparts : the marines occupied a position on the Pisa road. As soon after
day-light as possible, we reconnoitred the town. Just as we had finished,
and were returning from the southern part of the town, a firing was heard
in the direction of the Pisa road, where we proceeded instantly, and found
the marines were at that moment attacked by a considerable body of the
enemy's troops, consisting of at least 700 men, cavalry and infantry, sup-
ported by two field-pieces. The charge of the cavalry was received with
great coolness by the marines ; they opened and allowed them to pass,
kii ling all but about 14, who, with two officers, succeeded in getting through,
but who were all killed or wounded, excepting 1 officer, by a small de-
tachment of the Italian Levy, that was formed at the entrance of the suburbs
of the town.

" After the charge of the cavalry, the marines instantly closed and
charged the enemy's infantry, and put them entirely to the rout. They
lost in this affair the officers commanding their cavalry and infantry, with
about from 250 to 300 killed, wounded, and prisoners ; the remainder re-
treated in the greatest disorder to Pisa.

" In this affair my most particular thanks are due fo Captain Hamilton,
who, I am sorry to say, is slightly wounded ; as well as to Captain Beale,
of the Armada, who commanded the marines ; as also to Captains Rea and
Mitchell, of the America and Edinburgh ; to the other officers, non-com-
missioned officers, and privates, all possible credit is due for repelling the
attack, and putting to rout the enemy, who were certainly double their
force. The marines lost on this occasion, 1 killed and 7 wounded.

" The Italian Levy, who were on the houses close round the ramparts,
as well as those in the advance, were indefatigable in their exertions;
and their bravery was truly conspicuous On all occasions- The enemy
suffered by the destructive fire they kept up on the ramparts, killing or
wounding those who attempted to come near the guns.

" It being arranged between yon and the Lieuteftaftt-Coloflel that we
should re-embark, the wounded and prisoners, with our two field guns and
ammunition, were embarked at twelve o'clock last m'ght, matched off in
the best possible order, through bad roads and incessant rain.

" I beg to offer my thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel CataneHi, far his at-
tention in pointing out what he wished to be done by us to forward hw

* America, Armada, Edinburgh, Iraperieuse, Furieuse, Rainbow, Ter-
magant, and Mermaid.

428 rOST-CAPTAIN.S OP 1801.

plan. My thanks are due to Captain Dunn, of the Mermaid, for forward-
ing every tiling from the beach to us in advance ; as well as to Lieutenants
Mason, of the America, Mapleton and Leach of this ship, and Travers, of
the Irnperieuse ; and to the Midshipmen and smajl-arin men, and those
stationed to a howitzer, for their steady good conduct. I have the honor
to be, &c. (Signed) " G. H L. DUN DAS."

" To Sir Josia* Rowley, Bart."

The subsequent operations against Genoa and its dependen-
cies, in which Captain Dundas bore a principal share, are thus
related by Sir Josias Rowley, who commanded the naval force
acting in conjunction with Lord William Bentinck :

" H. M. $. America, March 31, 1814.

" Sir, — I have much satisfaction in informing you, that the fortress of
Santa Maria, with the forts and defences on the Gulf of Spezia, are in the
occupation of his Majesty's arms. On the 25th instant I anchored with
the squardron as per margin (America, Edinburgh, Furieuse, Swallow, Ce-
phalus, and Aurora, the latter a Sicilian Corvette,) off Lerici, the Hon.
Captain Dundas having preceded us with the Edinburgh and Swallow, to
accompany the movements of the troops under Major-General Montressor,
dismantling the batteries as the enemy retired on their advance ; a party of
them endeavoured to re-occupy the castle of Lerici, but Captain Dundas,
with the marines, was beforehand with them, and the enemy, after some
firing from the boats of the squadron, retreated from the town. On the
following morning, a deputation from the inhabitants of Spezia came on
board, when I learned that the French had, during the night, evacuated that
town and all the defences of the gulf, except the fortress of Santa Maria,
which I sent an officer to summons, but found they were prepared to de-
fend it. We immediately weighed, and anchored the ships in a position
between Spezia and the fortress, which, in the evening, on the arrival of
the troops, was invested. Strong parties of seamen were landed from the
ships, and six 18-poundersfrom the Edinburgh, by the active exertions of
the Hon. Captain Dundas, were got up the heights, through the most diffi-
cult places, and three batteries constructed, on which they were mounted.
A 36 and 24-pounder, and two 13-inch mortars, were remounted on one of
the dismantled forts, with two additional howitzers, under the direction of
Lieutenant Bazelgette, of this ship, and a battery of two 36-pouaders, un-
der similar circumstances, by Lieutenant Mapleton, of the Edinburgh ; and
at 5 P. M. on the 29th, on a refusal from the enemy to capitulate, the fire
from the whole opened on the fortress. It was kept up occasionally during
the night ; and renewed at .day-light the following morning with such vigor
and effect as completely to silence that of the enemy. Preparations were
making to storm ; but at 11 the enemy shewed a flag of truce, and capitu-
lated. I feel much pleasure in having to report the zealous, able, and in-
defatigable exertions of the officers and men employed on the above ser-
vice ; to the Hon. Captain Dundas, who undertook the general direction of
the seamen on shore, I am particularly indebted; and to Captains Moun-
sey and Stow, and Captain Staite. of his Sicilian Majesty's corvette Auro-

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901. 429

ra, my thanks are due for their assistance : to Captain Flin, Lieutenant sBa-
zelgette, Mapleton, Croker, and Molesworth, Mr. Glen, Master of the
America, and Mr. Breary, Mate of the Edinburgh, who had the direction
of the guns in the batteries, much credit is due ; the condition of the fort
ou its surrender plainly evinced the effect of their fire.

" A division of the Sicilian flotilla of gun-boats was conducted in a gallant
and able manner by Lieutenant Le Hunte, and much distinguished them-
selves. A detachment of royal marines, under Captain Rea, has been
landed, to act with the advance of Lieutenant-Colonel Travers, who makes
favourable mention of their conduct. I am much indebted to Lieutenant-
Colonel Travers, who commanded the troops, for his cordial co-operation,
and to Major Pym, of the royal artillery, and Captain Tylden, of the engi-
neers, for their assistance in directing our people at the batteries. I am
happy to add that our loss is trifling, considering the means of annoyance
possessed by the enemy *. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) " JOSJAS ROWLEY."

" To ^Ice- Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Dart."

" April 18, 1814.

" Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, that in pursuance of my com-
munication of the 31st ultimo from Leghorn Roads, I sailed from thence on
the 7th instant, with his Excellency Lieutenant-General Lord William
Bentinck on board. After various communications with the troops, at
Spezia and other parts of the coast, we anchored off Reece, in the Gulf of
Genoa, on the 1 Ith. The Hon. Captain Dundas had, with the Edinburgh,
Rainbow, and some of the flotilla, during raj absence, co-operated with the
advance of the army, with his usual activity and zeal. On the 13th, the
transports having arrived from Sicily, the troops were immediately landed,
and the ships and gun-boats moved in advance with the army. On the 17th,
every preparation having been made for the attack, at day-light the army
moved forwards to drive the enemy from their positions, without the town
of Genoa. The gun and mortar-vessels, with the ships' boats, armed with
carronades, were advanced along the sea line to attack the batteries ; the
greater part of the marines, under the command of Captain Rea, were
also embarked in the transports' boats, ready to land as occasion might re-
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 1801.

enemy ; by which I regret to state that Lieutenant Bewick, of the Pylades,
an officer of much promise, was killed. My wannest 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 hi* 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 ready assistance. Captain Fliu had volunteered to head
a party of seamen, landed with scaling ladders, to storm one of the hill-
forts, had it been necessary. Captain Thompson, in the Aboukir, who,
assisted by the ships and vessels as per margin *, blockaded the fort, and
conducted with much effect a false attack to the westward of the town,
whjch drew off a considerable number of the enemy's troops. I have again
occasion to notice the good conduct of the Sicilian flotilla, which were led
by Lieutenant Pengelly. I beg that I may be permitted to bring to your
notice Lieutenant Bazelgette, senior of this ship, whose services I have
long had reason to appreciate. That active officer, Lieutenant Mapleton,
of the Edinburgh, I am sorry to say, has been wounded, while on service
with the army. I «« indebted to Lieutenant Bailey, principal agent of the
transports, for the zeal and ability with which he has conducted the ser-
vice of that department. I beg leave to enclose a return of killed and
wounded of the squadron, and have the honor to be, &c. f

(Signed) " JOSIAS ROWLEY.
" To Vw&Admiral Sir E. Pel\ew, Bart."

The war in Europe being now at an end, Captain Dundas
quitted the Edinburgh at Genoa, and crossed the continent on
his return to England. He was nominated a C. B. in 1815,
and has since represented the shires of Orkney and Shetland,
in Parliament.

,~- Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

NICHOLAS TOMLINSON, ESQ.

THIS officer is the third son of the late Captain Robert
Tomlinson, R. N. by Sarah, only daughter of the late Dr. Ro-
binson, President of the College of Physicians, and grand-
daughter of Dr. Robinson, Bishop of Carlisle. By the patenial

* Aboukir, Iphigenia, Furieuse, Swallow, and Cephalus.
t Total, English 2 killed, 8 wounded, and 1 missing. Sicilian flotilla,
2 wounded. The Berwick and Rainbow, commanded by Captains Brace
and Hamilton, had 2 men killed, and 5, including Lieutenant Lyon of the
former ship, wounded, when forcing the enemy's posts near the pass of
Rona.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 431

side, he is descended from Colonel John Tomlinson, of Burnt-
cliffe Thorn, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, who bore
a conspicuous part in the civil wars, during the reign of
Charles I.

Mr. Tomlinson's earliest patrons were the late Earl of
Carhampton and Captain (afterwards Lord) Hotham, with
the latter of whom he first went to sea, about 1772, in the
Resolution 74, of which ship his father was, at that time,
senior Lieutenant. He subsequently served as a Midship-
man on board the Thetis frigate and Charon of 44 guns, on
the American and West India stations.

In 1779, Mr. Tomlinson acted as aid-de-camp to the Hon.
Captain Luttrell, at the siege of St. Fernando de Omoa, and
was one of those who scaled the walls of that fortress * ; he
also assisted at the capture of le Compte d'Artois French
privateer, of 64 guns and 644 men, Aug. 13, 1780f. Early
in 1781 we find him commanding a gun-boat, and accom-
panying Brigadier- General Arnold on an expedition up the
rivers of Virginia. Whilst thus employed, he was almost
daily engaged with the enemy, and frequently two or three
times in the same day, for upwards of two months.

The Charon was burnt by hot shot from the enemy's bat-

* See VoL I. p. 97. N. B. A singular circumstance is officially related
of a sailor, named Peter Finley, who singly scrambled over the wall of
Fort Omoa, with a cutlass in each hand. Thus equipped, he fell in with
a Spanish officer just roused from sleep ; and who, in the hurry and con-
fusion, had forgotten his sword. The tar disdaining to take advantage of
an unarmed foe, and willing to display his courage in single combat, pre-
sented the officer with one of the cutlasses, telling him he scorned any
advantage, and adding that they were now on an equal footing. The
astonishment of the officer at such an act of generosity, and the facility
with which a friendly parley took place, when he expected nothing else
but to be cut in pieces, could only be rivalled by the admiration of his
countrymen when he related the affair. Upon this circumstance being
mentioned to the commander-in-chief (Sir Peter Parker), he appointed
this intrepid fellow to be Boatswain of a sloop-of-war. We are sorry to
add, that Fialey's subsequent conduct brought him to an ignominious end.
On the 22d Feb. 1791, he was mulcted of all his pay, and adjudged to
serve before the mast, for attempting to embezzle the stores in his charge ;
and on the 23d of the following month, was sentenced to be hanged at the
yard-arm, for stabbing Mr. Brutou, Master's-Mate of the Ferret, the ship
from which he had so recently been dismissed,
f See Vol. I. p. 501.

432 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1S01.

teries when assisting in the defence of York Town, Oct. 10,
1781 ; and from that period, till the surrender of Earl Corn-
wallis and his army to the American and French forces, Mr.
Tomlinson commanded one of the British advanced batteries,
where he conducted himself in such a manner as to obtain his
Lordship's personal thanks*. He returned to England in
Jan. 1782, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the
Bristol, a 50-gun ship, commanded by Captain James Burney,
on the 23d March in the same year.

The Bristol sailed from England with a fleet of Indiamen
under her convoy in Sept. 1782; and on the 19th April fol-
lowing lost 19 of her crew by the blowing up of the Hon.
Company's ship Duke of Athol, in Madras Road. The total
number of lives lost on this melancholy occasion exceeded
200, including 6 Lieutenants, 5 warrant officers, and 127 of
the best men belonging to the squadron under Sir Edward
Hughes. Lieutenant Tomlinson, who had volunteered to go
to the Duke of Athol's assistance, in the room of another
officer who was ordered on that service, received a severe con-
tusion in his breast and left side, and his whole body a dread-
ful shock f. He subsequently bore a part in the hist action
fought between Sir Edward Hughes and M. de Suffrein J, on
which occasion the Bristol had 13 men wounded.

Lieutenant Tomlinson removed into the Juno frigate, com-

* We have already stated (at p. 63) that Earl Cornwallis had entered"
into a capitulation for the surrender of York and Gloucester on the 1 7th
Oct. 1781. Two days afterwards those important posts, together with
the Guadaloupe frigate, Bonetta sloop of war, many transports, a numerous
artillery, and a large quantity of military stores, were given up to the com-
bined armies. About twenty transports had been sunk or burnt during
the siege. Earl Cornwallis, with all the military and naval officers, except
such as were necessary for the care of the soldiers and seamen, were set at
liberty on their parole. The American commissioner who drew up the
articles of capitulation, was the son of Mr. Laurens, the late President of
Congress, whose capture by the British we have already noticed (see p,
14), and who was still a close prisoner in the Tower of London, under a
charge of high treason.

t Mr. Tomlinson was first Lieutenant of the Bristol at this period j a
junior officer had beeu ordered to assist the Indiaman, but, as appears by
Captain Bumey's certificate, teas not immediately ready to do so.

I See Vol. I. note at p. 425.

POST-CAPTAINS Of 1801. 433

inanded by the late Captain James Montagu *, Sept. 14, 1784,
and returned to England with that gallant officer in the spring
of 1785. His next appointment was, July 10, 1786, to the
Savage sloop of war, in which vessel he continued till Aug. 12,
1789.

During this latter period of service, nothing very particular
occurred, it being a time of peace ; but Lieutenant Tomlinson
enjoyed the unspeakable felicity of preserving the lives of two
of his fellow creatures : one, Mr. Campbell, a young gentle-
man who could not swim, and whom he rescued by jumping
overboard after him ; the other, a poor fisherman who had
been overset, and to whose assistance he repaired in a small
boat during a heavy gale of wind, at the evident peril of his
own existence f- During the Spanish armament in 1790, he
was sent to Greenock upon the impress service, and while
there displayed his usual activity ; but as no rupture ensued,
he was recommended by Lord Hawke to Count Woronzow,
the Russian Ambassador, through whose interference he ob-
tained the command of a ship of the line belonging to the
Imperial navy. No sooner, however, did a war between
England and France appear inevitable, than relinquishing the
most flattering prospects, he returned to his native country,
made an offer of his services, and was appointed first Lieu-
tenant of the Regulus 44, in which ship he served for eight
months, and then left her to take the command of the Pelter
gun-brig, at the particular request of Sir W. Sidney Smith.

To whatever extent boarding and cutting out the enemies'
vessels from under forts, &c. may have since been carried, we
have reason to believe Lieutenant Tomlinson had the honor
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 within pistol-shot
of a battery, with the adjacent sand-hills lined with troops.

The Pelter appears to have been engaged in a variety of
operations on the coast of France ; and on one occasion had
an encounter with three armed vessels, two of which were of
equal force with herself, lying in the road of Staples, pro-

* See Vol. I. note at p. 41*.

t Mr. Campbell was related to Mrs. Carter, wife of the Duke of Port'
land's private secretary.

VOL. II. 2 F

434 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

tected by a battery. In June 1795, 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, of the Thunderer J4,
who had the direction of the gun-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
running 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,
when their situation became desperate, afforded 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 chasse marees, which he did
with great promptitude, and took one of them, although she
had anchored under a battery 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
alone by the officers and seamen of the squadron. The
Pelter, in company with three other gun-vessels,, had pre-
viously destroyed a corvette of 24 guns, and a national cutter,
in the Morbihan river.

At length, in consequence of incessant fatigue, nearly 30
of the Pelter's crew were confined to their hammocks f ; and
the rest, with Lieutenant Tomlinson at their head, in so re-
duced a state, that the vessel was obliged to be towed home
by the Robust 74.

lit Oct. 1795, the Pelter being paid off, the subject of this
memoir joined the Glory, of 98 guns, as first Lieutenant, from

• See Vol. I. note at p. 169 et seq.
f Her complement was 50 officers and men.

• POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 435

which ship he soon after removed into the Vesuve gun-vessel.
Oh 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, 1796, Captain Tomlinson, after a chase
of eleven hours, and an action of thirty minutes, captured la
Revanche French national brig, 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, when reporting this
capture, expressed himself as follows :

" From all the accounts I hear, Captain Tomlinson's conduct upon this
occasion was highly honorable to himself as an officer and a seaman, as
more danger was attached to la Suffisante, from the risk of shipwreck
upon the enemy's coast, in the passage le Fore, than from the force of
the enemy, from which difficulty he very ably extricated himself."

In the following month Captain Tomlinson captured la Pa-
triote and le Morgan French privateers, the latter mounting
16 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 the 1st Aug. in the same year he attacked a French
convoy, consisting of a brig mounting 16 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 with rice and wine, and two other
French vessels ; a Dutch vessel laden with wine, and a ship
with masts and 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, 1796 ; nor was this the
only reward he received for his zealous exertions, as will ap-
pear by the following documents :

" Meeting of the Committee for encouraging the capture of French Pri-
vateers, Armed Vessels, fyc. July 14, 1796.

" RESOLVED,— That Captain Tomlinson, of H. M. S. la Suffisante, be
requested by this Committee to accept of a piece of plate, value 50 gui-
neas, in acknowledgment of his gallant behaviour in the capture of la
Revanche French brig, in the action on the 27th May ; and also in the
action on the 2/th June last, when he captured the Morgan French pri-
vateer, and re-captured six British merchant ships, her prizes, and in tes«

2F2

436 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

timony of the sense this Committee entertain of the protection he has
thereby afforded to the commerce of Great Britain."

" At a Court of Directors of the Royal Exchange Assurance, July 20, 1 796.

" The Committee of Averages of the 14th inst. having recommended a
piece of plate, of the value of 50 guineas, to be presented to Captain Tom-
linson, of his Majesty's sloop la Suffisante, in consideration of his spirited
and active conduct in the capture of the Morgan French privateer, and the
re-capture of six merchant ships, her prizes, on the 2/th June last, off the
French coast :

" RESOLVED,— That the Court do approve thereof; that the secretary do
acquaint Captain Tomlinson with the resolution of the Court ; and that the
Company's silversmith be directed to prepare a piece of plate accordingly,
with a suitable inscription thereon."

Unfortunately for Captain Tomlinson, his post commission
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 Raleighs, the Cavendishes, and the
Drakes 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 that 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 three months, he embarked in the Lord Hawke pri-
vateer, belonging to himself, for the purpose of establishing
a correspondence for her at Oporto. In the course of the
voyage seven of the enemy's merchant vessels, and a Spanish
packet returning from the West Indies, worth about 12,000/.,
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, but it was re-
covered by one of the Lord Hawke's men, who jumped into
the sea after it.

The displeasure of the Lords of the Admiralty, alluded to
above, proved of very serious consequence to Captain Tom-
linson ; as we find by their Secretary's letter of Nov. 20, 1J98,
that his name was struck off the list of Captains in the royal
navy, in consequence of a complaint made against him by
two of his brother officers, for having used the private signals

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 437

when on board the Lord Hawke, and chased by the frigates
they commanded.

In the hope that, on a due explanation of his motives, and
a statement of his past services, he might be reinstated in his
rank, the subject of this memoir petitioned the Board to re-
scind their resolution ; but he was informed in answer, that
their Lordships saw no grounds for altering it. Thus disap-
pointed, he presented a Memorial to the King, which was
also rejected.

In March 1801, he accompanied Sir Hyde Parker as a
volunteer to the Baltic, and was so highly spoken of by that
Admiral for his distinguished conduct in the battle off Copen-
hagen, that on a second memorial being presented to the
Sovereign, his Majesty was most graciously pleased to restore
him to the rank of Post-Captain, with seniority from the
22d Sept. of that year. He was afterwards appointed to the
command of the Sea Fencibles at Southend, in Essex.

Some time before the attack on the French squadron in
Aix Roads, Captain Tomlinson transmitted a plan to the Se-
cretary of the Admiralty, for conducting fire-ships w hen lead-
ing down to attack the enemy, which was afterwards adopted ;
and in June following, he was appointed to fit out and com-
mand all the vessels of that description intended to accom-
pany the expedition under Earl Chatham and Sir Richard J.
Strachan to the Scheldt. In Dec. following, when the island
of Walcheren was evacuated, he assisted in destroying the
basin, arsenal, and sea defences of Flushing ; and his exertions
on that occasion were mentioned in highly satisfactory terms
by Captain Graham Moore, who commanded the detachment
of seamen and artificers employed in that undertaking. On
his return to England he resumed the command of the Sea
Fencibles in Essex.

We are indebted to a pamphlet long since out of print, for
the bulk of our information respecting Captain Tomlhison's
services. Other subjects alluded to by the writer thereof are
of too delicate a nature for us to attempt handling them, dur-
ing the existence of the parties to whom they refer.

Captain Tomlinson married, in 1794, Elizabeth, youngest
daughter and co-heiress of Ralph Ward, Esq. of Forburrows,
near Colchester, by whom he has four sons and four daugh-

438 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

ters. One of his sons is a Midshipman, R. N., and another
an officer in the army.

Agents. — Messrs. Goode and Clarke.

WILLIAM PARKER, ESQ.

A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.

THIS officer, a nephew of the late Earl of St. Vincent, served
as a Midshipman on board the Orion 74, commanded by
Captain John Thomas Duckworth, in the actions of May 28
and 29, and June 1, 1/94. He was made a Commander, Oct.
10, 1799, and during the remainder of the war commanded
the Stork of 18 guns ; in which vessel he captured la Legere
French packet of 14 guns and 50 men, laden with West India
produce ; and assisted at the capture of El Cantara Spanish
privateer of 22 guns and 1 10 men, and a lugger mounting 10
guns *.

Captain Parker obtained post rank Oct. 9, 1801 ; and in
Nov. 1802, was appointed to the Amazon frigate. On the
16th July, 1803, he captured le Felix French privateer, of 16
guns and 96 men j and soon after joined the fleet under Lord
Nelson, on the Mediterranean station.

On the 12th Feb. 1804, Captain Parker, when in the act of
reconnoitring Toulon, saw a French frigate coming round the
island of Porquerolle. At first the enemy seemed inclined to
fight ; but on the approach of the Amazon, she ran under a
press of sail through the Grande Passe, and took shelter under
fort Breganson. Several of the ships in Toulon now swayed
up their top-sail-yards, and had Captain Parker overtaken the
frigate, would no doubt have come out, and thereby endan-
gered the Amazon's safety. Lord Nelson, in relating this af-
fair to Earl St. Vincent says, " Your nephew has very much
pleased me, as indeed he always does. * * * I admire
his spirit and resolution to attack her under all the disadvan-
tages of situation : such conduct will some happy day meet
its reward." In a subsequent letter we find the following
passage : " I have sent your nephew this morning (March 17,
1804,) to see if he can lay salt upon the tail of a French fri-
gate ; I every day see new and excellent traits in him". To-

• See pp. 307 and 308.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801 . 439

wards the end of August in the same year, his Lordship, anx-
ious lest the Amazon should miss being present in the event
of an action, wrote to her commander in the following terms :
" I hope, my dear Parker, you are making haste to join me, for the day
of battle cannot be far off, when I shall want every frigate ; for the French
have nearly one for every ship, and we may as well have a battle royal,
line-of-battle ships opposed to ships of the line, and frigates to frigates.
But I am satisfied with your exertions, and be assured that I am ever faith-
fully yours."

The Amazon formed part of the squadron under Nelson,
when that hero pursued the combined fleets of France and
Spain to the West Indies * ; and on the 12th Sept. 1805, she
captured the Principe de la Paz Spanish privateer, mounting
twenty-four 9-pounders and 4 brass swivels, with a comple-
ment of 160 men. A considerable sum in specie was found on
board this prize, and her capture must have been regarded as
a fortunate event by the mercantile community ; Captain
Parker having fallen in with her eighty leagues to the west-
ward of Scilly, at a time when many of the homeward bound
Jamaica fleet were beating about the chops of the Channel,
without any armed vessel to protect them, they having se-
parated from their convoy in a heavy gale of wind.

On the 13th March, 1806, Captain Parker assisted at the
capture of Rear- Admiral L*inois in the Marengo of 80 guns,
accompanied by la Belle Poule frigate, as appears by the fol-
lowing letter from Sir John Borlase Warren to the Secretary
of the Admiralty :

" I request you will communicate to their Lordships, that at 3h 30;
A. M. on the 13th iust., H. M. S. London, which I had stationed to wind-
ward of the squadron, having wore, and made the signal for some strange
sail, I directed the squadron to be put upou the larboard tack, and as day-
light appeared, made the signal for a general chase. Soon afterwards the
London was observed in action with a large ship and a frigate, and conti-
nued supporting a running fire with those ships, which were endeavouring
to escape, until 7h 30', when the Amazon, being the advanced ship, en-
gaged the frigate, which was attempting to bear away. The remainder of
the squadron approaching fast upon the enemy, (and the action having
continued from before day-light, until 9h43'A. M.) the line-of-battle ship,
bearing the flag of a Rear-Admiral, struck ; and at 9h 5S7 the frigate also
followed her example, when an officer came on board the Foudroyant with
M. Linois' sword, and informed me, that the ships which had surrendered

* See Vol. I. note at p. 589, et seq.

440 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

to his Miyesty's colours were the Marefigo of 80 guns, 740 men ; and la
Belle Poule of 40 guns, 1 8-pouiiders, and 320 men, returning to France
from the East Indies ; these ships being the remainder of the French squa-
dron which had committed so 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 did
not afford to the officers and men of the other ships ~of the gquadron, who
shewed the most earnest desire to have closed with the enemy, 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 summer of 1809, we find Captain Parker actively
employed in co-operation with the patriots of Galicia f. On
the 23d March, 1811, he captured le Cupidon French priva-
teer of 14 guns 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.

Agents. — Messrs. 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 stated in
our memoir of Sir Harry Neale. See vol. I. p. 436.
t See Vol. I. p. 617, et teq.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 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 FortBoyer; and Sir Alexander Cochrane, in his of-
ficial letter on that subject, acknowledges himself indebted to
Captain Ricketts, " for his zeal and exertions in landing and
transporting the cannon and supplies, by which the fort was
so speedily reduced f ".

Captain Ricketts married in 1802, the daughter of the late
R. Gumbleton, Esq. of Castle Richard, co. Waterford.

Agent. — Hugh Stanger, Esq.

GEORGE M'KJNLEY, ESQ.

A Captain of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, and Superintending Cap-
tain of the Royal Naval Asylum.

THIS officer was born at Plymouth Dock (now Devonport),
and left an orphan at a very early age J. 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
Iphigenie French frigate, off St. Lucia.

After his liberation, Mr. M'Kinley served under Captain

* See Vol. I. p. 638.

f Fort Boyer surrendered to the British Feb. II, 1815. It was found
to be in a complete state of repair, with 22 guns mounted, and a garrison
of about 366 men.

J Captain M'Kinley's father was a Lieutenant R. N.

442 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Jaines Brine, successively in the Surprise sloop of war *,
Alcmene frigate, and Belliqueux, of 64 guns, till December
1J81, 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 Demeruru
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 Grasse, April 9 and 12, 1782. 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 1' 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 j 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 Downman.

On the llth April, 1794, Commodore Linzee was advanced
to the rank of Rear- Admiral ; and when, in consequence of
his promotion, he hoisted his flag in the Windsor Castle of
98 guns, Lieutenant M'Kinley 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
13 guns. Being taken by the British about the same time that the Ceres
fell into the hands of the enemy, she was commissioned in her room, by
Admiral Barrington'a first Lieutenant, Mr. James Brine, who died a nag
officer in 1814.

t See p. 91.

POST-CAPTAINS 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 by
the Prince of Bouillon had 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 roe to attack them in 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 farther on our ap-
pearance. Lieutenant M'Kinley, of the Liberty brig, and Lieutenant Gos-
sett, of the Aristocrat lugger, joined me off the Cape ; and though not
"under my orders, very handsomely offered their services, which I accepted,
as small vessels were essentially necessary in such an operation. The per-
manent fortifications for the defence of the bay are two batteries on a high
rocky promontory. We observed the enemy to be busily employed in
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 passed ;
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 a ship in 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 in the
rear. As the boats approached the beach, they met with a warm recep-
tion, and a temporary check, from a body of troops drawn up to oppose
their landing. 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 in 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 troops could regain the
heights. The fire from the ship was directed to cover our men in this
operation : it checked the enemy in their advancement ; and the re-embark-
ation was effected as soon as the gun& were spiked, without the loss of a
man, though we have to regret Lieutenant Carter, of the marines, being
dangerously wounded on this occasion. The enemy's guns, three 24-prs.
being silenced, and rendered useless for the time, we proceeded to attack
the corvette and the other armed vessels, which had by this time opened
their fire on us, to cover the operation of hauling themselves on shore. The
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 cannot omit to mention the very gallant and judicious manner in
which Lieutenant M'Kinley brought his vessel into action, profiting by

444 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1901.

her light draught of water to follow the corvette close. The enemy's fire
soon slackened ; and the crew being 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 them.
This service was executed by the party from the shore, under the direction
of Lieutenant Pine, in a manner that does 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, (1'Etourdie of 16 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 board, 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, bis 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, hi 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 aud
tide suiting at 10 P. M. to come out of the harbour again, we weighed aud
repaesed the point of Herqui, from which we 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 Suffice 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 1/98, 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 j 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 of the expedition to Holland see Vol. I. note at p. 414
ft seq.

POST- CAPTAINS 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 tempore, 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, 1803 f.

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 Aveeks.

The Roebuck continued as a guard-ship at Leith from the
summer of 1803 till June 1805, when she received the flag
of Rear-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 by the
following gratifying letter :

" Sir, — We the undersigned British merchants, formerly residing in
Lisbon, beg leave to present you with a piece of plate, for your unwearied

» See id. note * at p. 365, et teq.
f Captain APKinley's post commission bears date Oct. 20, 1801.

445 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1901.

exertions in protecting our trade during the time you were on that station,
and for jour uncommon attention to a rich fleet of merchantmen, during
a protracted and boisterous passage, being the last which sailed from thence,
previous to the shutting the ports of Portugal against the shipping of
Great Britain*. We flatter ourselves, Sir, that you will receive this
trifling mark of our esteem, which we offer as a tribute to your public
conduct and private merit. We have the honor to be, Sir, your most
faithful humble servants,

(Signed) " IV. OXENFORD, T. COPPENDALE, J. C. DUFF,
G. ROACH, J. M. BUCKELE r, R. SBALLY, R. LUCAS,
J. MARCH, J. EDWARDS, T. F. DYON, E. MAYNE,
J. LEIGH, W. MARSH, W. OXENFORD."

In January 1 808, the Lively conveyed Rear- Admiral W. A.
Otway to the squadron employed in the blockade of Lisbon ;
and then went on a cruise off the Western Islands. After the
convention of Cintra f, Captain M'Kinley was sent into the
Tagus, with orders to take charge of the naval arsenal, where
he continued until it was delivered up to the Portuguese au-
thorities. He subsequently cruised off Oporto, and received
the thanks of the merchants there for his exertions in clearing
the Douro of all the British shipping previous to the French
entering that city. In March 1809, his assistance being
solicited by the inhabitants of Galicia, he proceeded to the
coast of that province, and took an active part in the opera-
tions which led to the capture of Vigo and Santiago J.

In July following, Captain M'Kinley convoyed a fleet from
Lisbon to England; and on the 18th Sept. in the same year
he assisted at the capture of 1'Aurore French lugger privateer,
of 16 guns and 69 men.

After lying for some time in the Downs as flag-ship to the
late Sir George Campbell, the Lively refitted at Portsmouth ;
and in April 1810, conveyed Sir Charles Cotton to Cadiz §.
On her return from thence she was ordered to escort the
outward bound trade to Portugal and the Mediterranean.
After executing that service she was unfortunately wrecked
on a reef of rocks near Point Coura, in the Island of Malta.

« See Vol. I. p. 319.
t See Vol. I. note at p. 432.

J See Captain JAMES COUTTS CRAWFORD, and Naval Chronicle, v. 22,
pp. 79, 80, and 83.

§ See Vol. I. p. 240.

POST-CAVTA1NS OF 1801. 447

This accident took place at two A. M. Aug. 10; and on the
2/th Nov. following, Captain M'Kinley was tried by a court-
martial, and fully acquitted of all blame on the occasion. His
unremitting endeavours to get the Lively afloat during a period
of eight weeks, were also duly noticed by the Court ; but one
of his Lieutenants, the Hon. A. F. Berkeley, was censured
for not acquainting him when the ship was discovered to be
in danger; and Mr. Richards, the Master, dismissed from
that station, and sentenced to serve for two years in an in-
ferior capacity, for having brought the frigate to, with her
head in-shore *.

Captain M*Kinley's next appointment was, in April 1811,
to the San Josef, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir Charles
Cotton, with whom he served on the Mediterranean station
and in the Channel fleet, till the death of that worthy officer,
Feb. 23, 1812 f.

In May 1812, Captain M'Kinley was appointed to the
Bellona 74, forming part of the North Sea fleet, under the
orders of Admiral William Young. After cruising for some
time off the Scheldt, he was ordered to St. Helena, from
whence he returned in May, 1813. During the remainder of
the war we find him employed in the blockade of Cherbourg,
and on other services pertaining to the Channel fleet. He
subsequently commanded the Namur and Bulwark third
rates, bearing the flag of Sir Charles Rowley, commander-in-

* Rear- Admiral Boyles was a passenger on board the Lively at the
time of the above disaster.

f Nothing could well furnish a stronger testimony of the sincere and
cordial respect generally entertained for the character of Sir Charles Cot-
ton, than the subjoined affectionate address of condolence presented to his
amiable relict, from the officers of the San Josef:

" The officers of H. M. S. San Josef, deeply lamenting the loss of their
very highly esteemed commander and patron, beg leave to offer their most
sincere sentiments of condolence to Lady Cotton, on an occasion so truly
mournful and afflicting. After a long and uniform experience of every
indulgent favour, and the most humane and generous attention to their
several comforts and washes, they cannot but conceive it a duty peculiarly
incumbent on them, at this melancholy crisis, to entreat that Lady Cotton
would condescend to accept this tribute of unfeigned respect and affection-
ate regard for the memory of their late exemplary and honorable Admiral,
the faithful friend of his Sovereign, and warm supporter of the first rights
and most essential interests of his Country."

448 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

chief in the river Medway. He was appointed a Captain of
the Royal Hospital at Greenwich in Nov. 1817; and selected
to superintend the Naval Asylum at the period of its incor-
poration with the former establishment (April 1821).

Captain M'Kinley married the youngest daughter of
. Hollis, Esq. of Gosport, in Hampshire, and sister
of 'Captain A. P. Hollis, R. N. His two brothers, Samuel
and John, like himself, entered early into the naval service of
their country. The former commanded the Comet galley, and
died on the American station in 1780; the latter was a Lieu-
tenant with the present Admiral Sir Charles M. Pole, at the
capture of the Santa Catalina Spanish frigate *, and died off
St. Domingo in 1782.

JAMES KATON, ESQ.

. v> ''• '- •:'•*'•.•'''••*. -Lvtf •;.

THIS officer is descended from an ancient family in Ire-
land f. He entered the naval service under the patronage of
Admiral Lord Hood in 1783 j and from that period served in
various ships till Jan. 1793, when he joined the Alcide 74,
commanded by Captain Robert Linzee, under whom he
was actively employed on the Mediterranean station, par-
ticularly at the occupation of Toulon and siege of St. Fiorenzo ;
on which latter occasion he was landed with a detachment of
seamen under the directions of Captain Edward Cooke, and
assisted at the storming of Convention Hill, an event which
led to the evacuation of the town by the enemy's troops §.

In Mar. 1794, Mr. Katon received a Lieutenant's com-
mission from Lord Hood, dated on the 18th of the preceding
month, and appointing him to the Courageux of 74 guns,
which ship bore a conspicuous part, and sustained consider-
able damage, in the action off Genoa, Mar. 14, 1795 J. He

« See Vol. 1. p.8&

f Captain Katon's father died a Lieutenant, R. N.

§ See Vol. I. p, 250, and note J at the bottom of the page.

I See Vol I. note at p. 340. N. B. The Courageux had her main and

mizen-masts shot away, 16 men killed, and 36 wounded. The main-mast

fell in-board with its head towards the stern, carried away several of the

poop beams, and crushed the wheel to pieces. In this disabled state, with

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 449

subsequently served under Rear- Admiral Linzee, in the Wind-
sor Castle, Victory, and Princess Royal, three-deckers, and
was paid off from the latter in the autumn of 1 796.

Lieutenant Katon's next appointment was to the Prince 98,
bearing the flag of Sir Roger Curtis, with whom he continued
about two years. In 1798 he joined the Earl of St. Vincent
in the Ville de Paris, a first rate, then off Cadiz ; and on the
6th Jan. 1801 was appointed by that officer to act as Captain
of the Princess Royal, whose late commander had recently
been promoted to a flag*. In the course of the same month
he assumed the command of the Cumberland 74, (pro tempore,)
and accompanied Sir Robert Calder to the West Indies, in
search of a French squadron that had escaped from Brest
under Rear-Admiral Gantheaume. On his arrival at Jamaica
in April he was appointed by Lord Hugh Seymour to the
Lark sloop of war, then off the Havannah ; and on the 24th
July, removed by the same nobleman to the Carnatic of 7^
guns, in which ship Rear-Admiral Robert Montagu soon
after hoisted his flag, and proceeded on a cruise off Cuba.

Captain Katon's post commission was confirmed by the
Admiralty Oct. 23, 1801 ; and on the 26th of the following
month, Rear-Admiral Montagu, who had succeeded to the
chief command on the Jamaica station, appointed him to the
command of his flag-ship, the Sans Pareil of 84 guns. Pre-
vious to that officer's departure for England in the Melampus
frigate, he presented Captain Katon with a sword, as a token
of his regard, and approbation of the manner in which he had
conducted himself during the period of their serving together t.

her hull shot through in many places, and several shot between wind and
water, she was obliged to be towed into Leghorn Roads by the Inconstant
frigate. Mr. Katon was third Lieutenant of the Courageux on this oc-
casion.

* The Channel fleet, under Earl St. Vincent, was lying in Torbay when
the grand promotion in honor of the Union between Great Britain and
Ireland was made known, and found to include five Captains then com-
manding ships under his Lordship's orders. On the 6th Jan. the wind
having become fair for sailing from that anchorage, the Earl sent Mr. Katon
and four other Lieutenants of the Ville de Paris, to command the vacant
ships, until the Captains appointed to them by the Admiralty could join.

f In 1801, Captain Katon was presented with a medal by the Earl of
St. Vincent, as a testimony of his approbation.

VOL, II. 2 G

450 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

On the 5th April 1802, Captain Katon removed into the
Trent frigate, in which ship he returned home about May
1803. Being then put out of commission, he remained on
half pay till Jan. 1809, when he was appointed acting Captain
of the Mars 74, and during the ensuing fifteen months em-
ployed in arduous service on the Baltic and North Sea sta-
tions. The following letter contains an acknowledgment of
his exertions for the protection of the East country trade :

" Ruby, offSproe, Nov. 14, 1809.

" Sir, — Having received a letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty,
expressive of the approbation of the Lords Commissioners at the zeal
which has been manifested by the Captains of the squadron under my
orders for the protection of the trade, as likewise the active conduct of the
officers and crews of the respective ships, I have the honor to acquaint you
therewith, and request you will make the same known to the officers and
crew of his Majesty's ship under your command. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " MANLEY DIXON, Rear- Admiral."

" To James Katon, Esq. Captain H. M. S. Mars"

In April, 1811, the subject of this memoir was appointed to
command the Niobe frigate, during the indisposition of Capr
tain Loring; and on the llth of the following month he sailed
for the coasts of Spitzbergen and Greenland, to protect the
whale fishery ; on his return from which service, in the ensuing
autumn, he was superseded and placed on half pay.

Captain Katon married, in Feb. 1804, Adeliza Arabella,
sepond daughter of George Moubray, Esq. of Cockairny, in
Fifeshire, by whom he has one son, now a student at the
Royal Naval College, and five daughters *. Two of his
brothers were officers of the marines, and fell victims to the
yellow fever in the West Indies. Another brother died a
Captain of that corps, and Barrack-Master of the Portsmouth
division. His eldest sister is the lady of Captain Henry
Vaughan, R. N.

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

CHARLES DASHWOOD, ESQ.

THIS officer was born at Vallon Wood, in Somersetshire,

where the family of which he is a member have resided up-

* Mrs. Katon is a sister of Captain George Moubray, R. N., and a first
cousin of Rear-Admiral Moubray.

POST-CAPTAINS OP 180K 451

wards of three hundred years, and from whence sprang all of
the same name now in existence. He entered the navy at a
very early age, under the patronage of the late Earl of Sand-
wich, as a Midshipman, on board the Courageux 74, com-
manded by Lord Mulgrave * ; and after serving for some
time with the Channel fleet, was removed into the South-
ampton frigate, for the purpose of being more actively em-
ployed.

On the 9th Aug. 1/80, Mr. Dashwood witnessed the cap-
ture of five East Indiamen, eighteen transports, and about
sixty sail of merchant vessels, bound to the West Indies, by
the combined fleets of France and Spain. The Southampton
and two other ships of war f, under whose escort they were
proceeding to their different destinations, narrowly escaped
sharing the same fate. The number of prisoners taken by
the enemy on this unfortunate occasion amounted to 2,865.
Only five sail out of the whole fleet were saved j the remainder
were carried in great triumph into Cadiz.

Mr. Dashwood returned from Jamaica to England with
Captain Gamier, in the Grafton of 74 guns, and subsequently
joined the Formidable, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir
George B. Rodney, to whom he acted as an aid-de-camp in
the memorable battles of April 9 and 12, 1/82 J.

The Formidable being paid off in 1783, Mr. Dashwood pro-
ceeded to the East Indies, in the Cygnet sloop of war ; and
finding on his arrival that Sir Edward Hughes, to whom he
had been recommended, had left that station on his return to
Europe, he removed into the Bristol of 50 guns, bearing the
broad pendant of Commodore Charles Hughes, and served in
that ship till she was put out of commission in 1786.

* Mr. Dashwood's noble patron was at this period, Jan. 1779, First
Lord of the Admiralty, and his commander a member of that Board.

f Ramillies /4, Captain John Moutray; and Thetis frigate, Captain
Robert Linzee. The Southampton was commanded by Captain Gamier.

J Among the numerous anecdotes related of the gallant Rodney, the
following may be depended upon as authentic :— During the heat of the
battle he desired his young aid-de-camp to make him a glass of lemonade, the
ingredients for which were at hand. Not having any thing to stir it with
but a knife, already discoloured by the cutting of the lemon, Sir George
coolly said, on Mr. Dashwood presenting it to him, " Child, that may do
for a Midshipman, but not for an Admiral — take it yourself, and send my
servant to me."

2c2

462 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

Mr. Dashwood's conduct as a Midshipman of the Impreg-
nable 98, on the glorious 1st June, 1794, we have already
noticed in our first volume *. For his spirited exertions on
that day he was immediately after promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant ; and at the particular request of Rear- Admiral
Caldwell, appointed to a vacancy in the same ship, occasioned
by the death of an officer t who had been mortally wounded
in the action.

The Impregnable was paid off, and Mr. Dashwood ap-
pointed to the Defiance 74, in 1796. From her he removed
into the Magnanime of 48 guns, as first Lieutenant, during
the alarming mutiny in 1797 j on which occasion the crew of
the Defiance, offended at the resolute manner in which he
opposed their rebellious and blood-thirsty designs, insisted on
his leaving the ship ; which was perseveringly resisted by
their captain and officers, until he was directed to do so by
Lord Bridport, commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet ;£.

On the 24th Aug. 1 798, the Magnanime, commanded by
the Hon. Michael de Courcy, assisted at the capture of la
Decade French frigate, off Cape Finisterre ; and in October
following she bore a distinguished part in the action between
Sir John B. Warren and M. Bompart, the result of which we
have already stated §. On the latter occasion Lieutenant
Dashwood took possession of the Hoche, and had the honor
of receiving the French Commodore's sword ; but was shortly
after superseded by an officer of the Canada, bearing Sir John
B. Warren's broad pendant, and then placed in charge of la
Coquille frigate. After encountering various difficulties, oc-
casioned by the damaged state of the prize, and a continuance
of tempestuous weather, he put into Belfast to refit, and from
thence proceeded to Plymouth, where la Coquille was burnt
by accident on the 14th Dec., and several of her crew, with
three women, unfortunately perished.

* See Vol. I. p. 692.

t Lieutenant Duller ; see Vol. I. note at p. 655.
J Under the head of Admiral Theophilus Jones, at that time Captain of
the Defiance, Vol. I. p. 242, will be found a copy of the horrible oath by
which the Roman Catholics on board that ship bound themselves to mur-
der every Protestant among her crew, and then proceed into an enemy's
port.

§ See Vol. I. pp. 1/1, 452, 493, and 534 ; also Vol. II. p. 254 et seq.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 453

Lieutenant Dash wood having rejoined the Magnanime,
continued to be actively employed in that ship (and assisted
at the capture of several privateers) 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, — I have the honor of acquainting you, that being off St. Andero
with his Majesty's brig under my command, I last evening gave chase to
an armed schooner, then standing to the N. E. ; but before there was a
possibility of arriving up with her, a large frigate was discovered close
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
them ; but as the night approached, and observing them to be undismayed
by the appearance of the Sylph, with no probability of gaining the wind, at
a little after sun-set I shortened sail, hove to, and prepared for battle. At
this time the hull of the frigate was clearly discernible. The light airs
from the southward did not permit her to arrive up till eleven o'clock $ at
which period, from her not answering the private signal, and being within
half gun-shot, I gave directions to commence the action ; the enemy bear-
ing down in a silent and most masterly manner, soon came within hail. At
this distance, and precisely abreast of each other, the battle continued with
equal vigour for one hour and twenty minutes ; when finding the sails,
standing, and almost all the running rigging cut to pieces, one gun dis-
mounted, several shot between wind and water, and the brig in an un-
manageable state, I conceived it most advisable to edge away a little to
repair the damages we had sustained. I was the more inclined to act thus,
not from any advantage the enemy had gained over us, but from her
position, which was admirably calculated for boarding, and which I was
naturally 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 the night we were busily employed putting the Sylph in a situation
to maintain her station. At day-light the enemy was seen six or seven
miles to windward, with her fore-yard on deck, and apparently otherwise
damaged. Seeing her in this situation, I conceived it my duty to en-
deavour to renew the action, and therefore made all sail possible, wearing
occasionally (as I dared not venture to tack) for that purpose ; but before
I could accomplish it, the enemy's ship swayed up her fore-yard, wore, and
made all sail for the land. The wind having changed in a violent squall
during the night to N. W,, with every appearance of blowing, and a rising
sea, and finding the main-mast severely wounded, with the momentary
expectation of its going over the side, the brig making a foot and a half
water in an hour, together with the enemy's great superiority, she having
14 ports on each side of her main-deck, exclusive of the bridle, and evi-

454 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

dently carrying 44 or 46 guns, I found it impossible to follow her with the
most distant hope of success, and accordingly wore and stood to the north-
ward, which I trust will meet your approbation. 1 beg permission to
remark, that although the British 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
1 man killed and 9 wounded, 3 of whom I fear are dangerously so, yet it 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."

" The Hon. Admiral Cornwallis."

Captain Dashwood, on rejoining the fleet off Brest, was
most warmly congratulated by Admiral Cornwallis, 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 official letter with all the attention such a recital
merits ; but until the Board receive olficial 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 beaten, after a severe conflict of two hours and five
minutes ; that one of the Sylph's Midshipmen should be
wounded 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

* The Sylph's main-mast was shot through in several places. Upwards
of 250 large shot passed through her boom-mainsail alone.

POST- CAPTAINS OF 1801. 455

gave chase to a sail in the N. W., Cape Pinas bearing South, distance 42
leagues. Although before sun-set I clearly discovered her to be 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 of support from
the well-known bravery of my officers and crew, I determined to engage
the enemy, notwithstanding her superior force ; I therefore made the ne-
cessary arrangements for bringing her to close action. After various ma-
noeuvres, in which each endeavoured to gain the wind, and which were
executed under a press of sail, and some heavy broadsides were given and
received on thrice passing each other, within a little more than the length
of the Sylph ; yet by the silent attention to, and prompt execution of my
orders, I was enabled, at half-past seven o'clock, to place the brig within
pistol-shot on her weather-bow, when being reduced to commanding can-
vas, a severe conflict took place, which continued without intermission,
and with increased vigour on the part of his Majesty's seamen, for two
hours and five minutes, when the enemy wore and made sail on the oppo-
site tack. I was most assiduously anxious to maintain the position I had
laboured to obtain, conceiving it best calculated for annoying the enemy,
with the least risk to ourselves, and had the good fortune to succeed to
the very last moment : the enemy, appearing appalled at the astonishing
fire we kept up, never dared to advance ; and on his frequently edging
away to bring his broadside to bear, so was the Sylph edged away accord-
ingly ; by which means, and their unceasing endeavours to disable us, I
attributed our extreme good fortune in having only Mr. Lionel Carey,
Midshipman, slightly wounded f.

" Having thus evidently the advantage, and most effectually beaten her
off, I would have followed up the blow, had there been even a distant
chance of succeeding ; but the sails, standing and running rigging, being
cut to pieces, the main-top-mast very badly wounded, and by an unfortu-
nate shot, completely unrigged, without the possibility of setting any sail
on it, rendered a pursuit impracticable. I therefore got up another mast,
and having repaired the various damages we had sustained, I have great
pleasure in stating, that at day-light his Majesty's sloop was in a situation
to renew the contest, had the enemy been in sight.

" Having received certain information since my return to this station,
that the ship which the Sylph was engaged with some time since, was the
French frigate I'Artdmise, of 44 guns and 350 men ; so I can with equal
truth pronounce this to be the same, from the many corresponding
observations which I made. She had then 20 men killed and 40 wounded,
and was obliged to return to St. Andero to refit + ; and from the disordered

* The enemy's ship on this occasion displayed her colours.

f The gentleman alluded to above. The other officers mentioned by
Captain Dashwood in those letters, were Mr. Burgess, the first Lieutenant ;
Messrs. Watts (acting Lieutenant), Allward (the Master), and John
Mitchell (Master's Mate) ; the whole of whom he highly commended.

J The French journals of that period also stated, that the Captain of her

456 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.

state which she was in when making off, I have the strongest reason to
suppose she has now met with a similar fate, particularly as a number 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-
bility of some of his Majesty's frigates falling in with her, as I unluckily
parted with the Immortalite a few hours before f. * * * •

" I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " CHARLES DASHWOOD."

" Hon. Admiral Cornteallis."

Captain Dash wood was advanced to post rank, Nov. 2,
1801, and received an official notification from the com-
mander-in -chief, that the Admiralty had promoted him for
his meritorious conduct in the above actions.

Towards the latter end of 1803, he 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 Havannali,
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-pounders, with loop-holes round its circumference
for musketry, and defended by a captain and 30 soldiers.
The 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'Arte'mise was destroyed, after having been chased on shore near
Brest, by a part of the British blockading squadron, in 1808.

t Captain Dash wood's letter respecting this exploit will appear in an-
other place. His brother-in-law, the Hon. Almericus De Courcy, served
as Midshipman under Lieutenant Oliver.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801. 457

le Felix, a remarkably fast-sailing 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 "Jb,
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 were 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 Indiameu. 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£. Inconsequence
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.

* The Captain of El Raposa, his first Lieutenant, the civil officers, and a
boat's crew, were on shore at the time their vessel was attacked and
carried.

t See Commander JOHN FLEMING, in Vol. III.

t The Magicienne was commanded by the late Captain Adam Macken-
zie. See p. 236.

458 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801*

We next find Captain Dash wood serving under the orders
of Admiral Gambler, 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 Trench were in the act of erecting bat-
teries for their permanent establishment, which, had they
been completed, would, from their position, have made 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 1 8 guns, laden with naval stores and various mer-
chandise, from Bayonne bound to Guadaloupe. 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 Pyramus, 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 swivels,
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 Rear- 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.

* The Aurora, Daedalus, Reindeer, and Pert, were in company with la
Franchise at the capture of Samana.

t An account of the melancholy disaster which befel the St. George and
Defence, will be found in the Act-. 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 the latter end of that year,
he was appointed to the Cressy of 74 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 of 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 j re-commissioned that ship Jan. 4, 1822, and still
continues to command her.

Captain Dashwood married, Nov. 7, 1799? 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.

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 most
active, attentive, and zealous magistrates for more than twenty

* See Vol. I. p. 637, et seq.

t The Hon. Admiral De Courcy died at his seat, Stoketon House, near
Saltash, in Devonshire, Feb. 22, 1824.

460 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

years. He was born in 1772, and placed on the books of the
Amphitrite frigate, Mar. 22, 1780, but did not go afloat till
Aug. 12, 1786, when he joined the Goliah 74, stationed as a
guard-ship at Portsmouth. On the 21st Nov. following, he
was removed into the Phaeton frigate, commanded by Capt.
George Dawson (the officer alluded to at p. 22), with whom
he served about two years on the Mediterranean station.

Mr. Curry rejoined the late Admiral Sir Archibald Dick-
son in the Goliah, Dec. 3, 1788 ; and subsequently accom-
panied Lieutenant (now Vice-Admiral) Han well, to Cork,
Halifax, and Jamaica, in the Actaeon troop-ship. During
the Spanish and Russian armaments, we find him serving on
board the Royal George and Barfleur, three-deckers, bearing
the flags of the Hon. Samuel Barrington and Rear-Admiral
Jonathan Faulknor, the latter of whom had married his father's
sister. In July 1792, he joined the Iphigenia frigate, Cap-
tain Patrick Sinclair, employed on the Milford and Irish
stations.

Towards the close of 1792? the French having opened the
Scheldt, and declared the navigation of that river free, in vio-
lation of the treaties of Munster and Westphalia, which had
been guaranteed by the British monarch, the Stadtholder of
Holland claimed the assistance of England ; and a small squa-
dron, of which the Iphigenia formed a part, was accordingly
sent thither, under the orders of Commodore Murray, to as-
sist the Dutch in repelling their invaders ; but soon obliged to
return, in consequence of the rapid accumulation of ice. The
Iphigenia afterwards cruised off Cherbourgh, and on the 16th
Feb. 1793, captured 1'Elizabeth French privateer, which
proved to be the second armed vessel taken by the British in
the revolutionary war. She was conducted to Portsmouth by
the subject of this memoir.

On the 18th May following, Mr. Curry was removed into
the Venus of 32 guns, commanded by his cousin, Captain
Jonathan Faulknor, with whom he served as Midshipman,
Master's-Mate, and Lieutenant in that frigate and the Diana,
till May 1795, during which period he assisted at the capture
of the Sans Culottes French privateer, of 22 guns and 90
men j bore a part hi the third action fought with the repub-

POST-C.VPTAINS OP 1802. 461

licane at sea * ; and was present at the destruction of several
ships of war by the squadrons under Sir John B. Warren and
Sir Edward Pellew. His first commission bears date March
19, 1794 f.

Lieutenant Curry's next appointment was to the Sans Pareil,
an 80-gun ship, bearing the flag of Lord Hugh Seymour, and
commanded by Captain William Browell £, under whom he
served on the Channel station and cruising off the Western
Islands till Nov. 1798, when he obtained the rank of Com-
mander in the Fury bomb.

On the 26th Aug. 1799? the Fury bombarded a military
post near the Helder point, and on the following morning as-
sisted in covering the debarkation of the army under Sir
Ralph Abercromby on the coast of Holland §. After the sur-
render of the Dutch squadron lying in the Texel, she ac-
companied Vice-Admiral Mitchell's flotilla to the Zuyder
Zee ; on which occasion, the whole of her shot, shells,
iron-ballast, guns, and spare stores, were put into schuyts in
order to. lighten her ; but such was the intricacy of the na-
vigation, that she repeatedly got aground during her conti-
nuance on that harrassing service.

Previous to his return from the Zuyder Zee, Captain Curry
assisted in removing a large quantity of naval stores from
Medenblik ; the dock-yard at which place, and two frigates,
were destroyed by fire. This service was performed by Cap-
tains Carthew and Curry, who had barely time to retreat
before the town was entered by a body of Dutch cavalry [| .

* On the 27th May, 1793, the Venus fell in with and engaged la Semil-
lante of 44 guns, which ship was on the point of surrendering when ano-
ther under French colours appeared in sight to leeward, and enabled her
to escape. She returned to Brest in a dreadfully shattered state, and eu-
tered that harbour with five feet water in her hold. A British military
officer, who happened to be there at the time, reported her to have lost 12
men, including the first and second Captains, killed, and 20 wounded.
The Venus also suffered very considerably in her hull, masts, sails, and
rigging ; and sustained a loss of 2 men slain, and 20, including Mr. Wolfe,
the Master, wounded.

f He removed from the Venus to the Diana, April 10, 1794.

I Captain Browell married one of his cousins, see p. 92.

§ See Vol. I. p. 415.

|| The Fury was the last ship of war but one that left the Texel on its
evacuation.

462 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

Captain Curry was subsequently employed in affording
protection to the trade passing down Channel, and on se-
cret service, under the orders of Captain d'Auvergne, Prince
of Bouillion, the senior officer on the Guernsey and Jersey
stations*. In the autumn of 1800, he accompanied a de-
tachment of troop-ships to Quiberon Bay and Vigo ; from
whence he proceeded to Gibraltar, and joined the grand ex-
pedition assembled there under Lord Keith and Sir Ralph
Abercromby, an account of whose movements will be found
under the head of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane f.

The debarkation of the British army on the coast of Egypt,
having been effected under cover of the Fury, Tartarus, &c.
&c. Captain Curry took a position for bombarding the castle of
Aboukir, which at length surrendered on the 18th March
1801. In it were found 12 guns, abundance of ammunition,
and a garrison of 190 men.

Anxious to maintain the character which the army had ac-
quired in the battles of March 8, 13, and 21 £, Major-General
Hutchinson, who had succeeded to the chief command on the
death of Sir Ralph Abercromby, resolved on some offensive
operations, which should harrass the enemy, and ameliorate
the condition of his troops. A detachment under Colonel
Spencer, with eight pieces of cannon and 4000 Turks, were
accordingly sent to attack Rosetta ; and after a distressing
march across the desert, succeeded in obtaining possession of
that place without much opposition. About the same period,
Captain Curry received orders to join the combined flotilla on
the Nile, where he was engaged in most active service till
the surrender of Grand Cairo.

The castle of St. Julian, to which the French had retired
from Rosetta, was defended by fifteen pieces of cannon, and
four armed djerms were anchored under the walls. On the
16th April, it was attacked by a division of British and Turkish
gun-boats, under the directions of Captain Curry in the Fury's
cutter. The firing commenced at Ilh30' A.M., and was
immediately returned by the enemy on shore and afloat. At

* The celebrated General Georges, and a number of emigrants, were
landed on the French coast from the Fury.

t See Vol. I, note t at 259, et seq. and note * at p. 313.
* See p. 384, et seq.

POST-CAPTAIN'S OF 1802. 463

lh 10' P. M. Captain Curry observing a French gun- vessel 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 their knives 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 struck
to the Capitan Pacha, that chieftain expressed the strongest
admiration of his conduct, and presented the cutter's crew
with a purse of forty sequins. At 6h A. M. on the 19th the
castle surrendered, after an honorable defence. The prisoners
taken on 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 siege. 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 arid
runs into the lake. At Berimbal they 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 26th April, Sir Sidney Smith, accompanied by

464 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

Captains Morrison, 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, iu 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 Etphine', 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 El 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 friendly 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 Etphine', but even to do so without uncovering their feet. Re-
freshments were brought to them at the former, and the enterprising Com-
modore displayed his vane on the top of the latter.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 465

ployed in removing this obstacle. On the 8th, he conveyed
Colonel Stewart, Lord Blaney, the 89th regiment, and a
party of dragoons, to the vicinity of Shurafi a, 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 Rahmanie, 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 East. 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.

* Captain Morrison, of the Thisbe, walking by himself on the morning
of the 8th, was seized by half a dozen Arabs, who, mistaking him for a
Frenchman, stripped off his cloaths, and were on the point of putting
him to death, when fortunately some Turks coming that way claimed him
as an ally, and obtained restitution of his apparel, watch, and other
property.

f 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 carronade
upsetting on the tenth discharge. Captain Stevenson died on his passage
from Leith to Aberdeen, May 10, 1818.

J At 9 P. M. on the 9th May, Captain Curry, with two flats and four
launches, pushed past the French batteries, and anchored on the Delta
side, four miles above Rahmanid. About four o'clock the next morning,
observing the fugitives on the banks of the river, he placed his division
about mid channel, arid by a well-directed fire compelled them to file off
towards the desert with considerable loss. They were subsequently at-

VOL. II. 2 H

46(> POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

Continuing their march towards Grand Cairo, the armies
fell in with a French armed vessel and sixteen djerms, con-
veying wine, spirits, clothing-, specie, and a reinforcement of
troops to Rahmanie. Finding themselves thus unexpectedly
opposed, the French soldiers instantly landed and fought
with the Turkish advanced guard, till the arrival of an English
detachment; when the survivors, 133 in number, surrendered.
The transports and their escort were in the meantime taken
by a part of the British flotilla. A number of females accom-
panying this convoy were immediately claimed by the Capi-
tan Pacha, but 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
1/th General Doyle's brigade intercepted 550 camels, escorted
by 560 troops, the whole of whom were made prisoners.

At ten A. M. «n 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 burning hot ; the poultry exposed to the
air, and several camels died ; respiration was difficult, and
general lassitude prevailed. Happily, as night drew on, the
sirocco ceased ; for had the heat continued forty-eight hours, the
effects 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 much ceremony
were each presented by him with several pieces of rich silk
stuff, embroidered with gold in various patterns. On the
5th of the following month the latter officer 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 advanced beyond Menouf, and were so sickly as
to render the establishment of a hospital camp necessary.

tacked and defeated by the Grand Vizier, whose troops exulted greatly in
having tor the first time obtained a victory without the aid of Christian
dugs.

* Thermometer under cover 115° to 120".

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 467

The British marched again on the 7th June, and encamped
near Chybrachahabeha, where intelligence was received that
two regiments of infantry and 3000 seapoys had landed at
Suez from India, and were crossing the desert in the direction
of Grand Cairo. The flotilla arrived in sight of the pyramids,
and anchored above Ucksaus on the morning of the 9th. At
this place about 2000 Mamelukes formed part of the great
camp, and for the first time pitched tents with regularity,
agreeably to the wish and direction of the English com-
mander-in-chief. The same day Captains Stevenson and
Curry proceeded up the river to station the flats and launches
as an advanced guard, after which they reconnoitred the
Egyptian capital.

The llth June was devoted to the construction of a bridge
of boats, under the directions of Mr. Bray, carpenter of the
Tigre. Whilst thus employed, 300 of the 86th regiment
arrived from Suez, after one of the most painful marches ever
accomplished ; and during which 3 officers and 20 privates
had perished with thirst.

June 19th, 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,
someof the guns were passed across j but ateight P.M. counter
orders were issued, the possession of Giza being considered
indispensable. This change of movement rendering the delay
of a day necessary, the Grand Vizier 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 they thought 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.

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 commendation.

2n2

463 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1902.

Early on the 22d a flag of truce arrived from the French
General Belliard, with proposals for a conference ; and the
next morning officers duly appointed by the different chiefs
met under the trees near Giza, each attended by a guard of
honor. On the 24th the outline of a capitulation was settled,
and on the 26th the definitive articles were agreed to.

The surrender of Grand Cairo terminated the daring march
which General Hutchinson had planned, and in which he
had so resolutely persevered. By its conquest the fall of
Alexandria was greatly accelerated, and the possession of
Egypt secured. The intelligence of this important event
was conveyed to Lord Keith, in Aboukir Bay, 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 so
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 assurance 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 be observed that Captain Curry, in common with his brother
officers, was twice honored with the thanks of Parliament during the re-
volutionary war, viz. for his services during the campaigns in Holland and
Egypt.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 469

flag of Admiral George Montagu for about three weeks. She
afterwards proceeded to Plymouth, and there received orders
to join the Channel fleet.

Captain Curry's first cruise lasted twenty-five weeks ; and
the following order from the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis will
serve to shew how a first rate ship of war was employed by
that gallant veteran during his rigid, we may say unparalleled
blockade of Brest, and how much the system of naval war-
fare had changed since the days of Hawke and Keppel :

" JVIera0. — While Rear-Admiral Collingwood and the ships with him
are at an anchor off the Black Rocks, the Royal Sovereign is to cruise, as
nearly as possible, in the passage de 1'Iroise, without those ships ; and
when the Rear-Admiral, upon a change of wind, comes out, the Royal
Sovereign is to join, and be considered attached to that squadron, taking
care at all times to keep clear of any danger from the shore.

" Given on board the Ville de Paris, off Ushant, the 19th Aug. 1803.

(Signed) " W. CORNWALLIS *."

Captain Curry continued to serve under the orders of Ad-
miral Cornwallis till Jan. 1804, when the Royal Sovereign
having returned to Plymouth with the loss of her main-top-
mast and main-yard, was selected to carry a flag, and he in
consequence came on shore for a longer period than he had
yet been since August 1786. In April 1805 he was appointed
pro tempore to the Tribune frigate, stationed off Cherbourg,
where he remained watching la Minerve f till the month of
July following.

His next appointment was, in Jan. 1806, to the Roebuck
of 44 guns, in which ship and the Solebay frigate he served as
Flag-Captain to Admirals Billy Douglas, Lord Gardner, and
Robert Murray, successively commanders-in-chief at North
Yarmouth, till the cessation of hostilities in 1814. During
the occasional absence of Lord Gardner, owing to the ill
health of his lady, and the necessity of attending his par-
liamentary duties, the whole of the port duty, together with
the direction of the squadron, devolved upon Captain Curry,

* Hawke 's greatest glory was the pursuit of an enemy upon their own
coast. In his time it was an almost invariable custom to tack and stand
off the moment the French land was discovered. Keppel, in a letter dated
twenty-seven leagues from Ushant, assigns as a reason for his not following
the foe, that he did not like to chase on a lee-shore. He would hardly
have given such an order as the above to a cutter, much lesa toa3-decker.

f See p. 266.

470 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1902.

who, during a residence of more than eight years at that
place, was universally esteemed and respected. He has ever
since been on half pay.

Captain Curry married, Jan. 18, 1804, Eliza, youngest
daughter of Daniel Blachford, Esq., of Lower Tooting, in the
county of Surrey, by whom he has eleven children now living.

Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

SIR WILLIAM HOSTE, BART.

Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath;
and a Knight of the Austrian Order of Maria Theresa.

THIS officer is descended from Jaques Hoste, Governor of
Bruges, in Flanders, whose son Jaques was driven from Zea-
land by the persecution of the Duke of Alva against the
Protestants, and came to England in the year 1569,

He entered the naval service as a Midshipman under the
protection of the late Lord Nelson, at the commencement of
the French revolutionary war, and served with that great
commander in the Agamemnon and other ships, till after the
expedition against Teneriffej when his patron having lost an
arm, transferred him to the care of Captain Ralph W. MiDer,
commanding the Theseus of 74 guns *. The following are
extracts from Nelson's correspondence relative to his protege,
previous to the latter attaining his sixteenth year :

To the Rev. Dixon Hoste, of Godwick, Norfolk, Feb. 14, 1794 :— " Yon
cannot, my dear Sir, receive more pleasure in reading1 this letter than
I have in writing it, to say that your son is every thing which his
dearest friends can wish him to he ; and is a strong proof, that the greatest
gallantry may lie under the most gentle behaviour. Two days ago it was
necessary to take a small vessel from a number of people who had got on
shore to prevent us ; she was carried in a high style, and your good son
waa by my side f."

To the same, May 3d. — " The little brashes we have lately had with the
enemy only serve to convince me of the truth of what I have already said
of him ; and in his navigation you will find him equally forward. He higlriy
deserves every thing I can do to make him happy."

To Mrs. Nelson. — " Hoste is indeed a most exceeding good boy, and
•vill shine in our service."

* See note f at p. 383.

t The Rev. Dixon Hoste married Margaret, daughter of Henry Stan-
forth, Esq. of Salthouse, co. Norfolk, and by that lady had ten children, of
whom the subject of this memoir is .the eldest now living.

POST-CAPTXINSjteF 1802. 471

Iii Aug. 1798, Mr. Hoste succeeded the Hon. T. B. Capel
in the command of la Mutine, the only small vessel attached
to Nelson's squadron in the battle of the Nile. This appoint-
ment being confirmed by the Admiralty in December follbw-
ing, he continued to serve in her till the close of the war.
His post commission bears date Jan. 7> 1802. He subse-
quently commanded the Eurydice of 24 guns, 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,
and 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 Melida, 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, and of the other officers and
men, is highly honorable to them ; but the Amphion's officers and men,
following the example of their Captain, could not well be othenvise than
they are. * * * Within a month two divisions of the enemy's gun-boats
have been taken, consisting of six each."

In June 1810, another gallant enterprise was performed by
the boats of the Amphion, Active, and Cerberus, which 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.
f See Commander WILLIAM SLAUGHTER, in our next volume.

4/2 POST-CAWAINS 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:

" Amphion, off Lissa, March 14, 1811.

" Sir, — It is with much pleasure I have to acquaint you, that after an
action of six hours we have completely defeated the combined French 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 Amphion, Active, Cerberus, and Volage *. On the
morning of the 13th, 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 ; but
was so warmly received in the attempt, and rendered so totally unmanage-
able, that in the act of wearing he went on shore OH the rocks of Lissa, in
the greatest possible confusion.

" The line was then wore to renew the action, the Amphion not half a
cable's length frem the shore ; the remainder of the enemy's starboard
division passing under our stern 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

* Favorite, Flore, Danae", and Corona, of 44 guns and 350 men each ;
the latter a 24-pounder frigate; Bellona, of 36 guns and 224 men; and
Carolina of the 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 500 troops, a grand total of 284
guns and 2,655 men. The British squadron mounted 156 guns ; and being
104 short of complement, went into action with only 879 men.

POST-CAPTATNS OF 1802. 4/3

numbers, had ability to take advantage of it ; but nothing, Sir, could
withstand the brave squadron I had. the honor to command. At llh 207
A. M. the Flore struck her colours, and at noon the Bellona followed her
example. The enemy to windward now endeavoured to make off, but
were followed up as close as the disabled state of his Majesty's ships
Avould admit of; and the Active and Cerberus were enabled at 3 P. M.
to compel the sternmost of them to surrender, when the 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, the corvette making all possible sail 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 in ray power
to prevent them, having no ship in a state to follow them.

" 1 must now account for the Flore's getting away after she had struck
her colours. At the time I 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 us, 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 Danae* (now their Com-
modore), and which I enclose herewith, is convincing ; and even their own
officers, prisoners here, acknowledge the fact. Indeed, I might 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 ships to come up with him,
his rigging and sails apparently not much injured ; but by the laws of war
I shall ever maintain 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. They sailed
from Ancona the 1 1th 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 Gordon, 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
sanguine expectations j and it is a duty I owe all to express in the most

The Bellojia mounted 36 guns, see note at p. 472.

474 POST- CAP FAINS OF 1802.

public manner my grateful sense of the brave and gallant conduct ofev<?ry
captain, officer, seaman, and royal marine, employed on this occasion.
From my first Lieutenant, Mr. David Dunn, I received every assistance
that might be expected from a zealous, brave, and intelligent officer ; and
his exertions, though wounded, in repairing our damage, is as praise-
worthy as his conduct in the action, particularly as I have been unable to
assist him from a wound in my right arm, and several severe contusions.
Captain Moore of the royal marines, of this ship, received a wound, but
returned to his quarters immediately it was dressed. The Captains of the
squadron speak in the wannest terms of their officers and men, particularly
of their first Lieutenants, Dickenson, Henderson, and Wolridge-, 'and the
behaviour of my own officers and ship's company, who have been with me
so long, was every thing I expected from their tried worth ; but I must
not particularize where all are equally meritorious. The damage the ships
have sustained is very considerable, and I fear will render us totally in-
capable of keeping the sea. I enclose a statement of the enemy's force *,
together with a return of the killed and wounded in the squadron, and
deeply lament they are so great f. I have the honor to be, &c.

(.Signed) " WILLIAM HOSTE."

" George Eyre, Esq. Senior officer in the
Adriatic, fyc>"

" /Imphion, Lissn, Mar. 15, 1811.

" Sir, — On my arrival here this morning, I found the remainder of the
French Commodore's crew and troops, 200 in number, had retired to
Lissa. They were summoned to surrender by Messrs. Lew and Kingston,
two Midshipmen of the Active, who had been left in charge of prizes, and
several men belonging to privateers. The summons was acceded to ;
they laid down their arms, and were made prisoners of war. The spirited
conduct of these young men deserves every praise ; nor can I forbear men-
tioning the dastardly behaviour of a Sicilian privateer brig of 14 guns,
named the Vincitore, awl commanded by Captain Clemento Fama, who
was lying in this port, and previous to the commencement of the action
hauled down his colours to a small one-gun Venetian schooner : this was
witnessed by every man in the squadron, and I believe there was but one
opinion on the subject. Messrs. Kingston and Lew afterwards went on
board, took charge of the brig, beat off the schooner, and prevented her
from destroying the vessels in the bay.

" I omitted a circumstance in my former letter respecting the Corona,
which, from the meritorious conduct of those officers and men employed,
deserves to be mentioned. The Corona caught fire in the main-top, shortly
after her capture, and the whole of her main-mast and rigging was instantly
in flames. Lieutenants Dickenson of the Cerberus, and Haye of the Active,

* See note at p. 4/2.

f Amphion 15 killed, 47 wounded; the other ships 35 killed and 103
wounded. Total 50 slain, 150 wounded.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

with a party of men, were on board her at the time. Tire ship now pre>
sented a most awful spectacle, and I had quite given her up as lost. No
possible assistance could be afforded from the squadron, and she had to
trust alone to her own exertions ; these, however, were not wanting, and
by the extraordinary perseverance and coolness of the officers and men,
the fire was at last extinguished, with the loss of the main-mast, and the
ship of course saved to the service. I have to express my warmest
thanks to Lieutenants Dickenson and Haye, and the officers and men em-
ployed under their orders, and beg leave to recommend them to the com-
mander-in-chief. I have the honor to he, &c;

(Signed) " W. HOSTE."*
" Captain G. Eyre, <$•<?."

The following is a copy of the correspondence between
Captain Hoste and the French commodore, alluded to in the
first of the above letters :

" ff. B. M. S. Amphion, at the Island of Lissa, March 15, 181 1.
** Sir, — The frigate you commanded in the late action with the British
squadron, struck her colours to H. B. Majesty's ship Amphion, under my
command ; I was not able to take possession of you at that moment, being
engaged with the Bellona frigate, but I considered you as my own, and as
a man of honor you must have thought so yourself; I call on the officers
of your own squadron, as well as those I have the honor to command, to
witness my assertion. You know, Sir, I might have sunk you, had I not
considered you as having surrendered, and so might two of my squadron
also. By the laws of war, the Flore belongs to me ; and the purport of
my present truce is to demand her restitution, in the same state as when
she struck. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " WILLIAM HOSTE."
'* To Mons. Perldier, Cmptain-, commanding
the frigate Flore, ojf Lessina."

(TRANSLATION.)
" On board His Imperial and Royal Majesty's frig-ate

" the Danae", in the Roads of Lessina.

" Sir, — In consequence of the wounds received by M. Peridier, Com-
mandant of his Imperial and Royal Majesty's frigate la Flore, I have had
the honor to take upon me the command of his Imperial andiRoyal Majes-
ty's ships, and cannot surrender to you his Imperial Majesty's frigate under
the laws to which you refer, because she did not strike her colours, as you
are pleased to state. His Majesty's frigate had her flag cut by shot. Her
state not allowing her to continue the engagement any longer, her Cap-

* The French account of the action, written by an Italian Colonel,
forms a most ludicrous contrast to the British Captain's. It will be found
atlength in the Nav. Chron. v. xxv, p. 423, et sey.t and an analysis thereof
in James's Nav. Hist. v. 5, p. 139, et seq.

476 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

tain thought proper to withdraw from it. If you should not consider my
answer satisfactory, I request you will address yourself to my government.
1 have the honor to be, &c.

(No signature.)
" To M. the Commandant of the Amphion

frigate, at Lissa."

" H. B. M. S.Amphion, Lissa, March 19, 1811.

" Sir, — The letter I had the honor of receiving to day was neither signed
nor dated (I presume through mistake) ; I return it for its signature.

" As Captain of the Danae*, 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 j the world will judge between us. I
have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " W. HOSTE."
" To the Captain, commanding- the frigate

Danat"

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. 1811. About
Nov. in the same 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 I stria 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 lauded 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 cup-

* Captains Hoste, Gordon, Whithy, and Hornby, were presented by the
Admiralty with gold medals, descriptive of the action off 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 HENCHY O'BRIEN.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 4J7

tured two vessels laden with wine, from Tarento bound to
Corfu.

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 gun-
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 suite, going to Otranto. ,

On the 1 1th 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-shot 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 J ; 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.
t See Vol. I. p. 674.

478 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

town, disabled the guna, 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-
portant fortresses of Cattaro and Ragusa, we shall here insert
his own account of the operations which led to their sur-
render :

" Bacchante, off Castel Nuova, Oct. 16, 1813-

" Sir, — I arrived off Ragusa on the 12th instant, and joined the Saracen
and three gun-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 received from
Captain Harper, of the Saracen, together with the state of the country
about Cattaro, and the insurrection of the Bocchese, I lost no time in pro-
ceeding to this place, with the vessels under my orders. On the 13th, in
the morning, we forced the passage between Castel Nuova and the fort of
Rosa, and after some firing1, 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
enemy's armed naval force, which I understood were lying between Isle
St. George and the town of Cattaro. Captain Harper completely suc-
ceeded : the enemy had deserted their boats on his approach, and having
succeeded in manning them with the armed Bocchese in the neighbour-
hood, he most gallantly attacked and carried the island, the commandant
and his garrison surrendering at discretion. I enclose his report of the
affair, with the account of the guns, &c., captured *. This is a point of
the utmost importance to our future operations : it commands and fronts
the narrow channel to the narrow branch of the river that leads up to Cat-
taro itself; and, fortified as it is, it would have been with difficulty, if at
all, the ships of war could have passed it. The fort of Peroste was taken
by the Bocchese the same night ; and I have now the pleasure to acquaint
you, that Castel Nuova, and Fort Espagnol, surrendered by capitulation
to the British force this morning. The garrison remain prisoners of war
till exchanged ; the officers are allowed their parole. There are several
Croats amongst the garrison, who are willing to enter the Austrian ser-
vice, and I intend sending them to Fiume. I shall lose no time in getting
up to Cattaro. Fort St. John is the only place the enemy possess in the
Bocco. The French general, Gauthier, has retired into the fort, with

See Memoir of Captain JOHN HX\RPER, C. B.

POST- CAPTAINS <M? 1802. 479

about 600 men : it is about fifteen miles up the river, and is a very strong-
place. I intend proceeding there directly our affairs are arranged here. I
have left a garrison in Fort Espagnol, and enclose the return of the stores,
guns, Sec., taken in the three places *. The Montenegrins have been of
considerable service in closely blockading the country round Espagnol, and
the neighbourhood. I cannot mention in too warm terms the conduct of
Captain Harper ; he is ever ready, and most indefatigable, and the cap-
ture of Isle St. George does him, the officers and men, the highest credit.
I am much indebted to Captain Lowen for the ready advice and assistance
he at all times gives me; and the zeal that animates every -one is highly
praiseworthy. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " W. HOSTE."

" Rear-admiral Freemantle."

" Bacchante, before Cattaro, Jan^ 5, 1814.

" Sir, — I have much satisfaction in acquainting you, that, after ten days
cannonade, the fortress of Cattaro surrendered by capitulation this morn-
ing to the Bacchante and Saracen. The terms I granted to the garrison
are, to lay down their arms on the Marina, to be transported to some port
in Italy, to be considered as prisoners of war, and not to serve against Eng-
land or her allies till regularly exchanged. It is unnecessary I should enter
further into detail, than to say, that by the exertions of the officers and
crews of both ships, our batteries were enabled to open from four different
points on the castle and works at day-light on Christmas morning ; that
on the 1st Jan., two additional batteries, of 18 and 32-pounders, were
opened, and played against the castle ; and that on the 3d I had arranged
every thing with the chief of the Montenegrins, for a general assault, when
the commandant, General Gauthier, sent out, expressing his wish to ca-
pitulate.

" This morning the capitulation was signed ; a copy of which I enclose,
with the state of the garrison f. Our loss, I am happy to say, has been
trifling ; 1 seaman killed, ami Lieutenant Haig, R. M., slightly wounded.

" The mouths of the Cattaro are now freed of the enemy, Sir; and in

* Four gun-boats, mounting in the whole four long 24-pounders, and
two 12-pr. carronades ; and having on board 4 large brass 24-pounders,
carriages, &c. complete, intended to be mounted on the fortifications at
Cattaro. Found at Isle St. George, Castel Nuova, and Fort Espagnol ;
1 1 brass and 23 iron guns, 1 brass 6|-inch mortar, / iron swivels,
6000 shot, upwards of 4500 live shells, about 12,300 pounds of gun-
powder, 400 cartridges for the great guns, ready filled, 900,000 musket-
ball cartridges, 8 cases of musket-balls, 900 hand grgnades, 3 cases of
ditto, 1 furnace for heating shot, and a quantity of provisions. Total num-
ber of prisoners, 438.

f The place to be given up to the British on the 8th Jan. ; the garrison,
consisting of 295 officers and men, to be disposed of in the manner already
described.

480 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1902.

bringing this business to a successful issnc, the officers and meu have ex^
erted themselves to the utmost. We have received no assistance but from
a few Montenegrins ; \ve 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 18-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 the 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
officer. It is my duty to mention the meritorious conduct of Lieu-
tenants Milbourne and Rees, (acting) of the Bacchante; Lieutenant
Hancock, of the Saracen ; 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 thia 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 many deficiencies on our part,
and considerably tended to the speedy reduction of the place. I have the
honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " W. HOSTE."

" Rear-admiral Freemantle."

" Bacchante, lefore Ragusa t Jan. 29, 1814,

" Sir, — My letters of the 6th inst. will have acquainted you of the cap-
ture of Cattaro, 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 the place 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 Croma ;
and it became an object of importance to secure this latter post before we
could advance our batteries ; two 18-pounders were therefore landed, and
by the great exertions of the officers and seamen under Lieutenant Mil-
bourne, one gun \yas brought round the mountains at the back of Ragusa,.
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 OF 1802. 481

pendencies. The British and Austrian troops took possession the same day ;
120 pieces of cannon were mounted on the works of the town and Fort
Lorenzo, 21 in Fort Imperial, and 1 1 in the island of Croma, with a gar-
rison of 500 men, and nearly six weeks' provisions. The garrison are pri-
soners of war, not to serve against England or her allies till regularly ex-
changed. I am happy to say the best understanding has prevailed between
the allied troops ; and General Milutinovitch has expressed himaelf 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. HOSTE."

" Rear-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 Theresa, 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 obtained an hono-
rable augmentation to his family arms ; and on the 2d Jan.
1815, wag 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 ; 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.
VOL. n. 2 i

482 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

LENOX THOMPSON, ESQ.

THIS officer was made a Lieutenant, Feb. 19, 1780; and
obtained the rank of Commander, March 30, 1799. Hi&
post commission bears date Jan. 15, 1802.

Agent.

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 I. 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 Nottingham.

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 guns, which ship was wrecked on the Lemon and
Ower, whilst in chase of a'n enemy, Nov. 16, 1803. His
next appointment was to the Sea Fencibles 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 j and
sister of the Marchioness of Lansdowne.

Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.

••
THOMAS GEORGE SHORTLAND, ESQ.

THIS officer is the onty surviving son of Captain John
Shortland, R. N., who died at Lisle in 1803. He was born
at Portsea, May 10, 1771 ', 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

^GST-CAPTAIN'S OF 1802.

Motherbank, iii company with eight 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, &c. 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 John 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 Feb. 1 788, 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 was 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 10° 37' and
43° 39' S. The act 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 his thanks to the soldiers
for their steady good conduct on every occasion ; and then addressed the
convicts in a speech which 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 dinner ; and the first evening of his government was
concluded propkiously, in good order and innocent festivity, amidst the
repetition of wishes for its prosperity.

2i2

484 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

table of the route of the Alexander, the variation of the com-
pass, and meteorological observations during his voyage from
Port Jackson to Batavia ; and a detailed account, drawn up,
we believe, from his own papers, of the dreadful sufferings of
his crew. The following is an abstract of that account :

The Alexander, Friendship, Prince of Wales, and Borrewdale, were got
ready in the beginning of July, 1/83, 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 Diemeti's 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, either through Endeavour's Straits, or
round New Guinea. Unfortunately the ships were ill prepared to en-
counter the difficulties which were to be expected in every mode of return.
Their complement of men was small, only six to every 100 tons, officers
included. They were without a surgeon, and unprovided with those articles
which have been found essential to the preservation of health in long
voyages. We cannot therefore wonder that their crews should have suf-
fered dreadfully from the scurvy, in the length of time necessary for
exploring a passage through an unknown sea crowded with islands, where
they were destitute of assistance from charts, or observations of former
navigators, and were not fortunate enough to obtain a supply of salutary
refreshments. The Alexander left Port Jackson on the 14th July, in-
tending to touch at Lord Howe's Island, there to meet the other ships,
and appoint a place of rendezvous in case of separation. The Friendship
kept close to her 5 but the Prince of Wales and Borrowdale parted com-
pany on the 18th, and were not again met with. About the 10th Aug. the
scurvy began to show itself; and for want of proper remedies, it increased
so rapidly, that it was ultimately found necessary to sacrifice one of the
ships, that both of them might not be lost. Towards the latter end of
September some deaths had happened in the Alexander, and scarcely auy
of her crew were capable of exertion ; but in the Friendship, only 1 man
was disabled. . By the 20th Oct. both of the crews were in a pitiable
condition. The Alexander had lost 8 men, and was reduced to 2 in a
watch ; only 4 seamen and 2 boys being 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 augurs, and turned adrift in the neighbourhood of
Borneo. The jofnt 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 Alexander been at this time a very few days sail more distant
from Batavia, she must inevitably have been Icwt j not from any stress of

POST-CAPTAINS OF 18Q2. 485

xveather, or danger of coasts or shoals, but merely from inability to con-
duct her into port. At 6 P. M. on the 1 7th, her anchor was let go between
the islands of Leyden 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
of a dreadful and invincible disorder. From two British East Indiamen,
which lay in Batavia Roads when she arrived, and from three others which
came in a few days after, with the assistance of a few Dutch sailors, a
fresh crew was at length made up, in which only 4 of the original seamen
remained, the rest having either died in the hospital, or not being sufficiently
recovered to re-embark previous 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 rather more than two years. Lieutenant Shortland, during 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
Dalrymple 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 ; during which 1'Aventurier brig of war *, la Revanche,

* At 10 P. M. on the 3d 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 this 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 1'Aventurier of 12 guns and

486 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802;

of 18 guns and 167 nien, 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 of 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
East 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 subsequently commanded the Britannia a
first rate, and Caesar 80 ; 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, he 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 f- Notwithstanding the tremendous fire
to which she was exposed on both those days, from the for-

79 men, 16 of whom were wounded, several mortally. The batteries
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.
f See Vol. I. pp. 317, 799, and 808 et.seq.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 487

midable Turkish batteries, her total loss during 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 ivas twenty-three inches in
diameter, and weighed 5461bs.

After his retreat from the Sea of Marmora, Sir John T.
Duckworth proceeded with the squadron to Egypt, 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 Hallo well*.

Captain Shortlaiid left the Canopus in Sept. 1807 ; 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 eu-
periutended 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 Shortland's three years of service as senior super-
intending 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 Captain Shortland is the author of " A Report on Azimuths and
Amplitudes, with a Method to obtain the True Variation of the Compass,
having the true apparent Noon given by a good Watch ;" also of " A Plan
recomuiending and shewing the facility of forming a safe anchorage at the
Island of St. Michael (Azores)."

488 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 campaign in
1801. His post 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.

THIS 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
stations. The latter ship was commanded by Captain James

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 appointment 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 J. In the following
year he was appointed to the Jalouse of 18 guns, 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 Gambier'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 j but although
hulled in several places, did not lose a man. Her com-
mander's conduct may be inferred from the following letter :
" Caesar, Basque Roads, March 18, 1809.

" Sir, — I have great pleasure in communicating 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
repeaters to Admiral Duncan's fleet in the memorable battle off Cam-
perdown. See Vol. I. p. 574.

J See Vol. I. note at p. 349.

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 the 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 STOPFORD, Rear-Admiral."

" Hon. Captain F. P. My,
H. M. S. Amelia."

In May following, Captain Irby was sent by Lord Gambier
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. 1811, the Amelia had 2 men killed
and wounded in an attack made on 1'Amazon, a French
frigate of the largest class, which had been previously driven

* The frigates alluded to were the Calypso, Italienne, and Sybille, each
•mounting 44 guns. They were first discovered by Captain Irby near
Belleisle, Feb. 23, 1809, and chased by him and Captain Abdy, of the
.Dotterel brig, during the whole of |that night. By day-light, on the 24th,
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 had formed a junction with that officer, 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, either ran or drifted on shore, and having taken the ground
at the top of high water, .eouid never afterwards be got afloat. Their loss
amounted to 24 men killed and 51 wounded. The British had only 3 men
killed and 31 wounded.

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 491

into a bay, near Cape Barfleur, 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 accompanied
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 Tantumquerry, 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 affair
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
While residents in this part of the globe ; at the same time that it has

* The Berwick 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 Winnebahites had ever been a
most refractory set, and had, in many previous instances, grossly insulted
the British governors. They were constantly at war with 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 011 Papers relating to the African Forts."

.J11U3V.I I. •

492 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1802.

struck awe and terror in the surrounding natives. The good effects cannot
fail of being lasting, and of 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.

(.Signed) " 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. Irby."

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 1'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, — I 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 I had 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 Leone.

POSt-CAFTAINS OF 1802. 498

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 6th ult., towards the island of Ta-
mara, 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 TArethuse),
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 7h 45/, being
within pistol-shot on his weather-bow, both ships commenced
firing nearly at the same time, which continued (remaining
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 Daring1, 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 1'Ar^thuse of 44 guns and
330 men ; and la Rubis of 44 guns and 3/5 men. Mr. James, in his
" Naval History "only gives the former ship 340 men, including a boat's
crew from her consort. The Amelia's full complement was 265 men and
30 boys : 12 of the latter borne as supernumeraries for wages and victuals.

f The Naval Chronicle charges Captain Irby with saying that la Rubis
was in sight just before the commencement of the action. We can dis-
cover nothing like such an expression in his letter.

494 POST- CAPTAINS OP 1902.

tempted to board, but was repulsed by the marines (\vho were
commanded by Lieutenant Simpson) and tbe boarders.
Though I most sincerely lament the numerous list of killed
and wounded, which amounted to 141 ; yet it is the greatest
consolation in reflecting, that we were never once exposed to
a raking shot, or the slightest accident occurred ; all fell by
fair fighting *.

" It is with the most poignant regret I have to mention the
names of the senior and second Lieutenants, John James
Bates and John Pope, and Lieutenant Grainger, of the ma-
rines, among the slain : they fell early in the action. Having
'been more than five years in the ship, I have had ample op-
portunities of knowing their inestimable characters, and the
consequent loss the service has sustained by their falling. It
•Is with equal concern I have to mention Mr. George Wills,
the junior Lieutenant, who fell while carrying on the duty on
the quarter-deck, when I had received a wound which obliged
me to quit it ; and also that good and zealous officer, Lieute-
nant Pascoe, late of the Daring, who commanded the midship
guns on the main-deck 5 Mr. John Bogue, late Purser of the
Thais (invalided), received & mortal wound below, after having
bfcen before wounded on the quarter-deck.

(f When I have the misfortune to state such a severe loss,
I trust it will be clear, every person must have done his duty.
I feel most grateful to my gallant officers and crew, as well
as the supernumeraries late belonging to the Daring, for their
cool, steady, and persevering conduct, which was worthy the
utmost success ; but the superior force of the enemy, she car-
rying on her main-deck heavy French 24-pounders, the con-
siderable quantity of gold dust we have on board, as well as
the certainty of the other frigate coming up, would have pre-
vented me seeking a renewal of the action, if it had not been
totally impracticable f.

* Forty-six killed ; 5 mortally, 13 dangerously, 33 severely, aid 44
slightly wounded.

f Captain Irby was not aware, when he wrote hU account of the action,
that 1'Are'thuse's consort had been disabled by striking on a rock previous
to the Amelia's arrival off Tamara. Seeing la Rubis with her top-sails
hoisted at sun-set on the 6th Feb., he was fully justified in supposing she
was about to come out with the other frigate in pursuit of him. N. B.

POST-CAPTAINS Of 1802."

' "I should not omit to mention to their Lordships, the
admirable conduct of Mr. De Mayne, the Master, who placed
the ship so ably at the commencement of the action, and his
unremitting assiduity till the enemy kept away. My most
grateful thanks are due to Lieutenant Simpson, of the ma-
rines, and Mr. John Collman, the Purser, who exerted them-
selves to the utmost ; as well as Mr. Saunders, of the African
corps. Having received the greatest assistance from Lieu--
tenant Reeve, invalided from his Majesty's sloop Kangaroo,
who was wounded more than once during the action, I ap-
pointed him to act as first Lieutenant of the ship. Mr.
Samuel Umfreville, Master's-Mate, a deserving and valuable
officer, as second ; and Mr. Edward Robinson, Master's-
Mate, who received a severe wound, as third,

" The crippled state of the ship, and deplorable condition
of the wounded, having rendered the object, for which I sailed
from Sierra Leone, abortive ; and having every reason to con-
clude, that the state of the enemy must have been such, as to
have greatly foiled him in his intended operations, he being
much cut up about his hull, I thought myself justified in not
remaining on the coast, and therefore proceeded, with the
intention of touching at Madeira or the Western Islands, for
refreshments for the sick, which the badness of the weather
prevented, and I arrived here this day.

"I must not omit to report to their Lordships the high sense
I entertain of the humane and skilful attention of Mr. Wil-
liamson, Surgeon, and Mr. Burke, his Assistant ; as also that
of Mr. Stewart, late Assistant-Surgeon of the Daring, to the
wounded, since this sanguinary conflict.

" I should also state, that although our numbers were appa-
rently strong at the commencement of the action, yet from
the length of time we had been on the coast, being much re-
duced by sickness, we had barely pur complement fit for
duty, and they much enervated. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) " FREDERICK PAUL IRBY."

" John Wilson, Croker, Esq."

There appears a difference between his letter and one written by Lieate-
tenant Chads, late of the Java, respecting the Frenchman's weight off
metal ; see p. 498.

406 POST-CAPTAINS OF 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 Greenwich,
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 with people in
so 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 1'Arethuse, which ship Mr. James admits
" was not filled with conscripts and raw hands, in number
crowding each other ; 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 Vice- Admiralty Court at Sierra
Leone, to Captain My, dated London, July 23, 1813.

" When I consider 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),
7 congratulate you on your escape, and tconder at what you have done."

From Captain Edward Scobell, of H. 37. S. Thais, to Captain frby, dated
Portsmouth, Dec. 13, 1813.

" You rightly calculate that iny last months in Africa were moat tedious
and fatal, justly to be dated so from the time of our parting (in Nov. 1812j ;
for shortly after we were assailed by sickness, more 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 enervation and
lassitude, — an helplessness which does not easily wear off, nor does it yet
seem to give way to our native climate."

* " The Amelia, like the Java, had a number of supernumeraries 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 Nov. Hist. v. 5, p. 3G2

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 497

From the same to the same, dated Penzance, Cornwall, Mar. 2, 1814.

" When last I had the pleasure of writing you, I had not determined 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 *."

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. Bouvet, 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 with the surviving officers and crew
of that ship, was boarded by 1'Arethuse, in a letter dated
Mar. 20, 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
so 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. Chrou. v. 29, p. 385.

VOL, II. 2 K

498 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.

having all her lower- masts, fore and main-yards, gaff, spanker-
boom, and mizen -top-mast fished, and upwards of 30 round
shot in her hull on the starboard side below the quarter-deck.
In her cabin was the drawing of an action, 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, and 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 was
bound into portf."

Finally, Lieutenant Charles Mf Arthur, who had served with
Captain Irby as a Midshipman, previous to1 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 conscription, and was severely wounded on
board 1'Arethuse, when she encountered the Amelia. He
acknowledged that the slaughter among his countrymen was
very great, estimated their total loss at 195 men, and stated
that himself and four other marines were all that escaped out
of the whole detachment, 50 in number.

By the enemy's own account it thus appears very evident,

* Captain Olivier and the whole of la Rubis's crew were at this time on
board l'Ar£thuse, the former frigate having been burnt on the 8th Feb. in
consequence of its being found impossible to get her afloat. Query,
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; 1'Are'thuse arrived at St.
Maloes on the 19th of the following month. See Nav. Chron. v. 29
.386.

POST- CAPTAINS OP 1802. 4199

that much execution was done by the Amelia's emaciated
crew ; what then would have been the case, had not [her
powder suffered by the dampness of the magazine ? This
circumstance appears not to have struck any previous
writer on the subject, as worthy of observation ; but it is
nevertheless indisputably true, that the larger portion thereof
had become caked a considerable time previous to the action ;
and although it was sent on shore to be dried, the evil was
but partially corrected.

The Amelia was paid off 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, Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, March 31, 1813.
" Sir, — I have the honor of transmitting 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, &c.

(Signed) " THOMAS HARRISON, 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 his 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 resolution to him
upon his arrival *."

Captain Irby married, 1st, Dec. 1, 1803, Emily Ives,
youngest daughter and co-heiress of the late William Drake,
Esq. of Amersham, co. Bucks. ; 2dly,Jan. 23, 1816, Frances,

* 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
Leone — a most fortunate circumstance for the trade, as otherwise 1'Are"-
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 1802.

second daughter of Ichabod Wright, Esq. of Mapperly Hall,
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 visited and tra-
velled round the Dead Sea ; this tour he performed in company
with Captain James Mangles, R. N. Copious extracts from
their very respectable work, entitled " Travels in Egypt and
Nubia, Syria, and Asia Minor," will be found in the
" London Literary Gazette" No. 354, et seq.
Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq.

BINDING ~^»-

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CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

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v.2
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Marshall, John

Royal naval biography

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