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ROYAL
NAVAL BIOGRAPHY;
OR,
J$lcntoi£$» of t{)£ §3>£ttoic0$
OP ALL THE
FLAG-OFFICERS,
SUPERANNUATED REAR-ADMIRALS,
RETIRED-CAPTAINS, %"
POST-CAPTAINS,
AND COMMANDERS,
Whoso Names appeared on.the Admiralty List of Sea Officers at the commence-
ment of the year 1823, 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 1760,
TO THE PRESENT PERIOD.
WITH COPIOUS ADDENDA.
By JOHN MARSHALL (B),
LIEUTENANT IN THE ROYAL 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 I was ignorant, would have protracted
' the undertaking without end, and perhaps without improvement. I aiw 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.— PART II.
i'ttlNTJGD FOli LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,
I'ATEKNOSTER ROW.
1825.
\
OCT 1 6 1974
W. Pople, Printer,
67, Chancery Lane.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.— PART II.
POST- CAP TAINS,
(Continued) .
Page
Page
Aldham, George -
911 Durell, Thomas Philip
. 581
Allen, John (a) :
565 Edgell, Henry Folkes
- 612
Argles, George -
719 Elliot, Hon George
- 844
Aylmer, Hon. Frederick William
947 Ep worth, Farmery Predarn
- 561
Barrie, Robert ...
720 Fane, Francis William
- 838
Becher, Alexander -
581 Farquhar, Arthur
- 929
Bol ton, Sir William
936 Fitzroy, Right Hon. Lord WilKam 863
Bond, Francis Godolphin -
710 Folvil, Stephen
- 710
Bouverie, Hon. Buncombe Pleydell 550 Galwey, Edward
- 653
Brine, Augustus -
666 Goddard, Richard
- 552
Bromley, Sir Robert Howe
550 Godwin, Matthew -
- 889
Browne, Edward Walpole
685 Gordon, Henry
- 936
Browne, Thomas
705 Gordon, Sir James Alexander
- 937
Buckle, Matthew -
565 Griffiths, Anselm John
- 573
Bullen, Charles
590 Hand, Thomas
- 561
Burdett, George
576 Hatley, John
- 585
Butcher, Samuel
719 Hawker, Edward -
- 901
Butterfield, William
613 Hawkins, Richard
. 655
Byron, Richard
619 Hayes, John
- 673
Campbell, Alexander
902 Hennah, William -
- 966
Campbell, Thomas
1006 Heywood, Peter
- 747
Garden, John Surman
1007 Hillyar, James
. 849
Carter, Benjamin
699 Humphreys, Salusbury Price
- 891
Carter, Charles
700 Hunt, Peter
844
Clay, Edward Sneyd
697 Hurd, Thomas
556
Coffin, Francis Holmes -
- 586 Jackson, Robert
720
Colby, David
- 666 Inglis, Charles
699
Cole, Sir Christopher
- 501 Jones, Richard
654
Collier, Sir George Ralph
- 518 Lind, Sir James
- H73
Cowan, Thomas
- 656 Loring, John Wentworth
- 544
Crawford, James Coutts
- 667 Mackenzie, Kenneth
- 898
Cumby, William Pryce
- 966 Malcolm, Charles
- 744
Dacres, James Richard
- 972 Master, James
- 890
Daniel, William Henry -
- 656 Matson, Henry
- 743
Dick, John -
- 558 Maxwell, Sir Murray
- 797
Dickson, Archibald
- 712 Maxwell, Keith
• 884
Digby, George
Dunbar, Sir James
- 972 Michell, John Taylor
- 613 Mottley, Samuel
- 531
- 684
Duncan, Hon. Henry
- 979 Nash, John
- 560
D'Urban, William
- 845 Nash, James
- 577
CONTENTS.
Page
Nesham, Christopher John Williams 5 87
Noble, James - 565
Nourse, Joseph - 878
O'Brien, Robert - - - 881
O'Bryen, Right Hon. Lord Edward 709
Otter, Charles - - - 553
Parry, William Henry Webley 645
Pellowo, Bichard - - - 557
Pigpt, Hugh - - - 889
Pilfold,John - - - 963
Popham, Joseph Lamb - - 1006
Poulden, Richard - 553
Praed, Bulkley Mac worth - 684
Pym, Samuel - - - 715
Quilliam John - - - 962
Quinton, Cornelius - - 613
Raigersfeld, Jeffery - - 587
Rainier, Peter - - - 977
Rains, Stephen - 560
Rathborne, Wilson - . 739
Ribouleau, Peter - - - 560
Richardson, Charles - - 902
Richbell, Thomas - - 698
Ricketts, William - - 685
Ross, Charles Bayne Hodgson 735
Page
Rowley, Samuel Campbell - 683
Ryder, Charles - 587
Sanders, James - 635
Schomberg, Charles Marsh - 817
Serrel, John - - - 747
Seward, James ... 580
Skene, Alexander - - 696
Smollett, John Rouctt - - 685
Spicer, Peter - - - 577
Stuart, Right Hon. Lord George 864
Temple, Francis - - - 911
Thomas, Richard - - 953
Tobin, George - - - 629
Tower, John - - - 897
Tremlett, William Henry Brown 712
Trench, Hon. William Le Poer 697
Vaughan, Henry - - 1003
Vincent, Richard Budd - 912
Walton, Jacob - - - 666
Warren, Samuel - - 570
Wight, John - - - 600
Winne,John - - - 549
Woodriff, Daniel - - 540
Young, William - - - 628
ROYAL NAVAL BIOGRAPHY.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802— continued.
SIR CHRISTOPHER COLE,
Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order .of the Bath ;
Doctor of the Civil Law ; Member of Parliament for Glamorganshire;
«»rf Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Society in South Wales.
THIS officer is a brother of the Rev. Samuel Cole, D. D.
Chaplain of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich ; and of the
late Dr. Cole, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford,
Rector of Exeter College, and a Domestic Chaplain to
H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence. He entered the naval ser-
vice in 1780, as a Midshipman on board the Royal Oak, of
74 guns, commanded by the late Sir Digby Dent, and then
about to sail for the coast of America, as part of the squa-
dron sent thither under the orders of Rear-Admiral Thomas
Graves. In the course of the same year he was removed into
the Raisonable 64 ; and we subsequently find him serving
under the patronage of the late Rear-Admiral Sir Francis
Samuel Drake, Bart, in the Russell and Princessa third rates.
The Princessa formed part of the fleets under Sir Samuel
Hood and Rear-Admiral Graves, in the actions off Marti-
nique and the Chesapeake, April 29th and Sept. 5th, 1781,
and on the latter occasion sustained a loss of 6 men killed
and 11 wounded. She also bore a share in the memorable
transactions at St. Kitt's in Jan. 1782; and in Rodney's
battles of April 9th and 12th, 1782*.
Mr. Cole, who had not yet completed the twelfth year of
his age, was at this period the youngest of four brothers
serving on the West India station, (three in the navy and one
* See vol. II., part I., pp. 62 to 65, and notes at ditto. N. B. Rear-
Adrairal Drake led the van division of the British fleet, and highly dis-
tinguished himself, on the glorious 12th of April. He died a Lord of the
Admiralty, and M. P. for Plymouth, Oct. 19, 1789.
VOL II. 2 L
502 POST-CAPTAINS .OF 1802.
in the army) the whole of whom met together on the arrival
of the victorious fleet at Jamaica.
At the peace of 1783, he joined the Trepassey of 12 guns,
commanded by his brother, the late Captain Francis Cole,
a brave and excellent officer, and accompanied him from
the West Indies to Halifax, where he removed into the
Atalante sloop, Captain Thomas Foley, with whom he con-
tinued on that station till 1785. In the following year we find
him proceeding to Newfoundland in the Winchelsea of 32 guns,
in which frigate he served under the command of the present
Viscount Exmouth until 1789, when, in consequence of a
recommendation from Sir Francis Drake, he was received on
board the Crown, a 64-gun ship, bearing the broad pendant
of the Hon. Commodore Cornwallis, who had recently been
appointed to the chief command in India.
Unfortunately for Mr. Cole, the account of his patron's
death reached India a few months after his arrival there? and
all hopes of speedy promotion were consequently abandoned by
him ; nor did he obtain the rank he had so long sought after
until 1793, at which period he had served upwards of thirteen
years under some of the best practical seamen in the navy *.
In October, 1794, he was appointed first Lieutenant of the
Cerberus, a new 32-gun frigate, at the particular request of
Captain John Drew, on whose application two Midshipmen
were promoted into her for the purpose of securing that situa-
tion to Mr. Cole, whose character and abilities he held in
the highest estimation.
In 1795, Lieutenant Cole joined the Sans Pareil of 80 guns,
bearing the flag of Lord Hugh Seymour, to whom he was
recommended in the warmest manner by his late Captain.
After serving for four years under the eye of that distinguished
nobleman, it was left to his option, as senior Lieutenant of
the Sans Pareil, either to accept the rank of Commander,
and go on half pay, or proceed as his Lordship's Flag-Lieu-
tenant to the West Indies, where promotion might be ex-
pected, accompanied by immediate employment. Mr. Cole
very naturally chose the latter, and accompanied his noble
* Mr. Cole followed Commodore Cornwallis from the Crown, into the
Minerva frigate, and continued with that officer nearly five years.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 503
friend to the Leeward Islands in the Tamar frigate. Soon
after their arrival on that station, the Dutch colony of Surinam
surrendered without opposition to the British forces, and the
Hussar, a fine prize corvette, mounting 20 nine -pounders,
was immediately purchased into the service, named after the
island where she was captured, and the command of her
conferred upon the subject of this memoir.
The Surinam cruised with considerable activity, and Cap-
tain Cole was fortunate enough to take several of the enemy's
privateers, and make some recaptures : his exertions to pro-
mote the comforts of his men on all occasions, but particu-
larly during a season of extraordinary malignity, were also very
great, and eminently successful ; the Surinam's crew affording
a remarkable instance of good health at a time when the yel-
low fever was committing great ravages in other ships, and on
shore : the contrast was indeed so striking as to induce the
commander-in-chief to represent it officially to the Admiralty.
In 1800, Lord Hugh Seymour was removed from the
Leeward Islands to Jamaica, and with the consent of Sir
John T. Duckworth, who had succeeded him on the former
station, he despatched the Galgo from Port Royal to relieve
the Surinam ; but his wish to have Captain Cole under his
orders again was frustrated by the unhappy fate of the Galgo,
which vessel foundered with the greater part of her crew,
during a heavy squall, on the 9th Oct. in that year.
Some time after this sad event, Captain Cole had the mis-
fortune to be deprived of his noble friend, who fell a sacrifice
to the yellow ferer, and died sincerely regretted by all who
were acquainted with his claims to respect and admiration *.
Deeply as he felt the loss of such a friend, still Captain
Cole had the gratification of finding that he had gained the
* Lord Hugh Seymour died Sept. 11, 1801, in the 46th year of his age.
He was attacked by the fatal fever of the West Indies, about the middle
of the summer, from which he had but a temporary respite, as it returned
with increased violence on the 1st of Sept., and on the llth deprived the
service of a gallant and meritorious commander, and society of a most
accomplished and estimable member. The particulars of his Lordship's
professional career will be found in the Naval Chronicle. He left seven
orphan children to mourn their irreparable loss ; his amiable consort hav-
ing died on the 12th Jan. in the same year.
2L2
604 POST-CAPTAINS or 1802.
favourable opinion of Sir John T» Duckworth, by his conspi-
cuous zeal and alacrity on every occasion of public service,
and which was shortly proved by that officer promoting him
into his flag- ship, the Leviathan of 74 guns, and afterwards
appointing him to the command of the Southampton frigate.
His post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty,
April 20, 1802.
A cessation of hostilities having now taken place in Europe,
the Southampton was soon after ordered home, and paid off
in the month of September following. Captain Cole's next
appointment was, in June 1804, to the Culloden 74, fitting
for the flag of his old friend and commander, Sir Edward
Pellew, with whom he proceeded to the East India station,
where he captured 1'Emilicn, French corvette, of 18 guns and
150 men, Sept. 25, 1806. This vessel had formerly been the
Trincomalee, British sloop of war. He also assisted at the
capture and destruction of about thirty sail of Dutch shipping,
including a national frigate and several armed vessels,, in
Batavia Roads, on the 27th Nov. in the same year *.
We next find Captain Cole commanding the Doris, a new
frigate, built at Bombay, and with the Psyche, Captain Edg-
cunibe, under his orders, escorting Colonel Malcolm, Ambas-
sador to the Persian court, to Abashir, in the Gulf of Persia,
and remaining at that place for the protection of the em-
bassy. On his return from thence he received the thanks of
the Governor-General in council, accompanied by a present
of 500/. for his services on that occasion.
During the years 1808 and 1809, Captain Cole was prin-
cipally employed cruising in the Straits of Malacca, and the
China seas. Upon the arrival of intelligence respecting the
change of political affairs in Spain, he was despatched by
Rear- Admiral Drury, who had succeeded to the command in
India, with the Psyche again under his orders, to communi-
, cate with and endeavour to conciliate the government of the
Phillipine islands. Having completely succeeded in this
mission, and received information from a valuable prize (the
Japan ship from Batavia) that two French frigates had pro-
* See Vol. I., p, 223.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 505
ceeded to China, and were likely to remain there some time,
he took upon himself the responsibility of proceeding thither
in quest of them. Finding, on his arrival at Macao, that
the enemy had not made their appearance in that quarter,
he endeavoured to return through the sea of China, against
the foul-weather monsoon. His endeavours, however, proved
ineffectual, the ships being forced into the Mindoro Sea and
Pacific Ocean. A scarcity of provisions, added to the severe
weather and fatigue encountered by the crews of the Doris
and Psyche, now produced an attack of scurvy and dysentery,
by which the former frigate lost 40 men before she anchored
in Malacca Roads, and on her arrival there no less than 80
others were confined to their hammocks through sickness.
The Psyche suffered in a nearly equal degree. To enable
the reader to judge of Captain Cole's anxiety on this alarming
occasion, we need only add, that during the latter part of the
passage there remained but 1 Lieutenant, the gunner, and 56
men, who were able to keep watch on board the Doris, and
assist her commander in the arduous duties he had to perform.
In 1810, Captain Cole was removed, at his own request,
into the Caroline of 36 guns. He soon after received orders
to take the Piedmontaise frigate, Baracouta brig, and Man-
darin transport under his command, and proceed with them
to the assistance of the garrison of Amboyna, which island
had recently been taken by the British*.
Having received on board a considerable sum in specie,
large supplies of provisions, and 100 European troops, the
squadron left Madras on the 10th May, and arrived at Prince
of Wales's Island (Pulo-Penang) on the 30th of the same
month. Whilst there, he signified to the government his in-
tention to attempt the reduction of the Banda islands on his
way to Amboyna, and was furnished with 20 artillery-men,
commanded by a Lieutenant of that corps, 2 field-pieces, and
twenty scaling-ladders, to assist him in the undertaking.
After a passage of six weeks, against the S. E. monsoon,
through the Straits of Malacca, the intricate navigation on the
N. E. side of Borneo, and the Sooloo Sea, the squadron pas-
sed through Pitt's Straits, and entered the Java Sea on the
* Sec Captain SIR EDWARD TUCKER, K. C. B.
506 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
23d July. On the 7th of the following month, Captain Cole
communicated with the island of Goram, for the purpose of
obtaining information and procuring guides.
During the xvhole of this long passage, the ships' companies
had been daily exercised in the use of the pike, sword, and
small arms, and in mounting the scaling ladders placed against
the masts, preparatory to any attempt at escalade. The ex-
pertness with which they handled their weapons, and the emu-
lation displayed by them when imitating the storming of a
fortress, added to their excellent health and high spirits, con-
vinced Captain Cole that, however deficient in numbers, no.men
could have been found better calculated to ensure success to any
hazardous enterprise. The result of that in which he was then
about to embark, against a strong, and generally supposed im-
pregnable fortification, it would be difficult to describe better
than in his own words. His plain and modest narrative marks
so strongly the intrinsic merit of himself and his gallant as-
sociates, that it would be almost presumptuous were we to
offer a word of commendation ; but as official reports, how-
ever clearly written, generally require a little elucidation, we
shall avail ourselves of some well-authenticated information
respecting the capture of Banda, by introducing it in the shape
of notes, instead of incorporating it with the substance of his
public letter, of which the following is a copy :
"H. M. S. Caroline, Banda Harbour, Aug. 10, 1810.
cc Sir, — I have the honor and happiness of acquainting you
with the capture of Banda Neira, the chief of the Spice Islands,
on the 9th Aug., by a portion of the force under my orders,
in consequence of a night attack, which completely surprised
the enemy, although the approach of the ships had been un-
avoidably discovered the day before *.
* On the evening of the 8th Aug., when the Banda Islands were just
visible, all the boats were hoisted out, and every preparation made for the
attack. It was intended to run the ships into the harbour before day-light
in the morning, and a hope was entertained that they might remain undis-
covered till then ; but they were fired at by a battery when passing the small
island of Rosensgen, about 10 P. M. which island the ships had approached
rather close, not knowing that it was fortified. The weather about this
time changed suddenly from a fine clear moonlight to violent squalls, ac-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 507
w The weather proved so unfavorable for boat-Service on the
night of the 8th, that although nearly 400 officers and men
had been selected for this occasion, yet, on assembling under
Great Banda, at two o'clock in the following morning, I found
that the state of the weather would deprive us of the services
of some valuable men under Lieutenant Stephens, of the royal
marines, and the greater part of the detachment of the
Madras European regiment, from whom I had expected the
most steady support and assistance. The attempt was now
to be made with less than 200 men, consisting of the seamen
and marines, and about 40 of the Madras European regiment,
or our labors in the boats through a dark and squally night,
in the open sea, must have ended in the severest mortification.
After getting under shelter of the land, the same circumstances
of the weather which before operated against us, were now
favorable to us ; and the confidence I had in the handful of
officers and men about me, left me no hesitation : and, with a
degree of silence and firmness that Will ever command my
heartfelt acknowledgments, the boats proceeded to the point
of debarkation *.
" A dark cloud with rain covered our landing within one
hundred yards of a battery of 10 guns ; and by the prompti-
tude and activity of acting Captain Kenah, and Lieutenant
companied by thunder, lightning, and rain ; and the alarm having been
spread throughout the islands, all hopes of surprising them by the ships was
at an end.
* The men selected for shore service, 390 in number, took a nap with
their arms by their sides whilst the ships were standing towards the land.
At 11 P.-M. they were ordered into the boats, and directed to rendezvous
close under the lee of the point of Great Banda; but at 3 A. M. a few boats,
containing 180 officers and men only, had reached the place appointed,
the rest having been driven to leeward. Some large (ires denoted the ex-
act situation of Banda Neira, the seat of government, which island was
strongly fortified, having a citadel, and numerous sea batteries, two of
which, mounting ten 18-pounders each, with Fort Nassau, commanded the
harbour. As no time was to be lost in attempting something before day-
light, this small force, under the personal direction of Captain Cole, ac-
companied by the acting Commander of the Baracouta, pulled immediately
across the harbour, with the intention of surprising the two 10-gun bat-
teries and spiking the guns, that the ships might take their anchorage at
day-light with the less difficulty. /
608 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Carew, who were ordered with the pikemen to the attack,
the battery was taken in the rear, and an officer and his
guard made prisoners, without a musket being fired, although
the enemy were at their guns with matches lighted. From
the near approach of day- light, our situation became critical;
but we had procured a native guide to carry us to the walls of
the castle of Belgica ; and leaving a guard over the prisoners,
and in charge of the battery, the party made a rapid movement
round the skirts of the town, where the sound of the bugle
was spreading alarm among the enemy *. In twenty minutes
the scaling ladders were placed against the walls of the outer
pentagon of Belgica ; and the first guns were fired by the
enemy's sentries f . The gallantry and activity with which
the scaling ladders were hauled up after the outwork was
carried, and placed for the attack of the inner work, under a
sharp fire from the garrison, exceed all praise. The enemy,
after firing three guns J, and keeping up an ineffectual dis-
charge of musketry for 10 or 15 minutes, fled in all directions,
and through the gateway, leaving the Colonel-Commandant
and 10 others dead, and 2 officers and 30 men prisoners in
our hands. Captain Kenah, Lieutenants Carew, Allen, Pratt,
Walker, and Lyona, of the navy; Lieutenant Yates, and
Ensign Allen (a volunteer) of the Madras service, were among
the foremost in the escalade ; and my thanks are due to Cap-
tain-Lieutenant Nixon, of the Madras European regiment,
for the steady and officer-like conduct with which he directed
* An officer and 60 men were taken prisoners in the first battery, with-
out firing a pistol : the sentinel was killed by a pike. Fortunately, the
nature of the attack required no firing from the assailants, as the boats
grounded at some distance from the shore, and the men had to wade up to
their waists in water. Expecting an attack by sea, the enemy were fully
prepared to give the ships a warm reception. Their confusion on finding
the British in their rear, may readily be conceived. Captain Kenah had
been ordered to attack the other battery, but was recalled in consequence
of Captain Cole determining to attempt the citadel, which commanded all
the other defences, by coup-de-mam.
f Owing to the state of the weather, Captain Cole and his followers
were not discovered until within 100 yards of the ditch surrounding the
citadel.
J The great guns near which the ladders were placed fortunately burnt
priming, owing to the heavy rains.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 509
the covering party entrusted to his charge ; and to Lieutenants
Brown and Decker, of that regiment, attached to the marines.
With such examples our brave fellows swept the ramparts
like a whirlwind ; and, in addition to the providential circum-
stance of the service heing performed with scarcely a hurt or
wound, I have the satisfaction of reporting that there was no
instance of irregularity arising from success *.
" The day now beaming on the British flag, discovered to
us the fort of Nassau, and the sea defences at our feet, and
the enemy at their guns at the different posts. I dispatched
Captain Kenah with a flag of truce to the Governor, requiring
the immediate surrender of Nassau, and with a promise of
protection for private property. At sun-rise the Dutch flag
was hoisted in Nassau, and the sea-batteries opened a fire on
the Caroline (followed by the Piedmontaise and Baracouta,
then approaching the harbour f) . Having selected a detach-
ment to secure Belgica, the remainder, with their scaling lad-
ders, were ordered for the immediate storm of Nassau ; but
Captain Kenah had returned with the verbal submission of
the Governor, and I was induced to send a second flag, stating
my determination to storm Nassau that instant, and to lay the
town in ashes, if the colours were not immediately struck.
This threat, and a well-placed shot from Belgica into one of
* The ladders being found too short for the escalade of the inner walls,
a rush was made for the gateway, which had at that instant been opened
by the guard to admit the Colonel-Commandant, and three other officers,
who lived in houses at the foot of the hill. The Colonel refused to receive
quarter, and fell in the gateway, sword in hand, and covered with honor-
able wounds ; several of the guard were also slain, and many of the panic-
struck garrison threw themselves over the walls, but the greater part es-
caped. Four officers surrendered their swords to Captain Cole immedi-
ately under the flag-staff; forty artillery-men were disarmed on the same
spot, and the British colours were immediately hoisted with three hearty
cheers. At break of day the assailants found themselves in complete pos-
session of the citadel, with 52 pieces of heavy cannon mounted on its walls j
but neither the ships nor the remainder of the landing party were to be seen,
the violence of the weather during the night having prevented their ap-
proach.
t The Caroline did not return a shot ; but her first Lieutenant led into
the harbour, and anchored abreast of Fort Nassau, uncertain of the fate of
his Captain until the guns of Belgica silenced the fire of the battery.
510 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
their sea-batteries, produced an immediate and unqualified
submission, and we found ourselves in possession of the two
forts, and several batteries, mounting 120 pieces of cannon,
and defended by 700 disciplined troops, besides the militia *.
" The ships had been left with so few men to manage them,
that I had merely directed Captain Foote to lead into any
anchorage that he might be able to obtain, to make a diversion
in our favor ; but they were worked against all the unfavor-
able circumstances of a dark and squally night, in a narrow
channel, with the most determined perseverance, and with
that degree of zeal that I expected from an officer of my own
rank, whose heart and hand had always been with me on
every point of public service f.
" Captain Kenah, who led the storming party, crowned a
series of valuable services during two months' difficult and
intricate navigation through the Eastern seas, by his bravery
and activity on shore J.
" The colours of Forts Nassau and Belgica will be presented
to your Excellency by Lieutenant John Gilmour, who has
served nine years in this country as a Lieutenant, and a large
portion of that time as first Lieutenant under my command.
Although labouring under a severe illness, he took charge of
the ship on my quitting her; and his seaman-like arid zeal-
ous conduct in the discharge of his trust were most conspi-
cuous.
" I also transmit a plan of the defences of Banda Neira,
with the position of the Dutch troops, and our route from the
• The island of Banda Neira is little more than 2f miles long1, and £
a mile broad. Its shores were defended by ten batteries, in addition to the
citadel and Fort Nassau. The total number of guns mounted on the dif-
ferent works was afterwards ascertained to be 138, and no less than 1500
men piled their arms on the glacis of the fort the very day of its capture ;
yet, strange as it may appear, scarcely one of the victorious little band re-
ceived a hurt that could with propriety be called a wound.
f Captain Charles Foote, the meritorious officer alluded to in the above
passage of Captain Cole's letter, was the last surviving son of the late
J. Foote, Esq. banker, of London. He died at Madras, Sept. 5, 1811, aged
31 years.
I Captain Kenah died in command of the Etna bomb, on the coast of
America, at the latter end of the war.
POST -CAPTAINS OF 1802. 51 1
landing-place to Belgica : the enemy had advanced a strong
corps towards the place where Admiral Rainier's forces had
formerly landed; and a suspicion that this would be the case,
and that the roads would be destroyed, determined me as to
the point and method of our attack *.
e( The service performed was of such a peculiar nature,
that I could not do justice to the merits of my companions
without entering much into detail \ and I feel confident that,
in your Excellency's disposition to appreciate duly the merits
of those under your command, I shall find an excuse for
having taken up so much of your time. I am, &c,
(Signed) "CHRISTOPHER COLE."
" To His Excellency,
Rear Admiral Drury, fyc."
After making every arrangement for the security of this
valuable possession, and appointing Captain Foote Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Banda Neira and its dependencies, Captain
Cole delivered the charge of the islands to that officer, and
returned to Madras in the Caroline. The Baracouta had
previously been sent to communicate his success to Rear- Ad*
miral Dairy, and the Government of India. On the day of his
departure he received the following letters from the officers
who had served under his orders on this brilliant expedition :
" H. M. S. Piedmontaise, Banda Harbour, 15th Aug. 1810*
" My dear Cole, — Kenah and myself request your acceptance of a silver
cup (to be made in England) in commemoration of the gallant manner you
led on to and directed the attack and capture of the forts at Banda ; it may
possibly have been equalled, but can never be surpassed : we therefore
hope you will receive it as a testimony of our high esteem and friendship,
and admiration of your spirited and noble conduct on the 9th of August.
Most sincerely do we both wish that you may live long to enjoy the fruits
of your labour, and to follow up your present success. Believe us, my
dear Cole, your sincere and affectionate friends,
(Signed) " CHARLES FOOTE."
" RICHARD KENAH."
* In the year 1811, Mr. William Daniell, an eminent painter and en-
graver, published " A View of the Island of Banda Neira, with an illustra-
tive Account of its Capture by Captain Cole." This tribute to the memory
of that achievement we have used every endeavour to obtain, but without
success : should a copy of it hereafter fall in our way, we shall not fail to
make such extracts therefrom as may serve to explain the particular con-
duct of individuals employed in that enterprise.
512 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
" Banda Harbour, \ZthAug. 1810.
" Sir, — We, the undersigned officers of H. M. ships Caroline, Pied-
montaise, and Baracouta, beg leave to present you with a sword, value
100 guineas, in testimony of our approbation of the gallant and judicious
manner in which you conducted the attack on Banda Neira on the 9th of
August, and consequently the final reduction of the Spice Islands.
(Signed)
" J. GILMOUR, Lieut. " THOMAS CAREW, Lieut. " J. WHITE, Lieut.
SAMUEL ALLEN, — . ROBERT WALKER, — . EDMUND LYONS, — .
GEORGE PRATT, — . ROBERT BARKER, — . S. G.DAVIS, Surgeon.
ANDW. SMART, Master. G. CUMMINGS, Master. J. SCOTT, Purser.
T. DODS, Surgeon. A. STEVENS, Lt. R. M. of
J. SEWARD, Purser. J. LINCOLN, Surgeon. Baracouta"
F. LYNCH, Supy. JOSEPH JACOBS, Purser.
of Caroline" A. BTTCHANAN, Supy.
of Piedmontaise"
" Banda Neira, Aug. 22, 1810.
" Sir, — In addressing you upon the capture of Banda Neira and its
dependencies, which secures to the British flag a conquest of great value,
the officers of the Hon. Company's troops engaged in that enterprise have
to congratulate you and themselves upon the successful issue, under every
disadvantage of wind and weather, upon a hostile shore lined \vith nu-
merous batteries ; the enemy aware of and prepared for an attack, so
wisely planned, and so ably carried into execution under your personal
direction. The confidence you inspired all with on the approach to as-
sault Belgica, we are convinced contributed in a great measure to the
success of the escalade. Your bravery and gallant conduct was so con-
spicuous on that occasion, that it must secure to you the esteem and
admiration of all who are acquainted, as we are, with the circumstances
attending the reduction of that strong and important citadel.
" As a memorial of the high sense we entertain of the services per-
formed by you on this occasion, and as a mark of our personal esteem and
respect, we request you will do us the honor to accept of a sword of the
value of 100 guineas. We further beg leave to assure you that our
warmest wishes for your future success and happiness will always attend
you in whatever situation it may please Providence to fix your lot.
(Signed) " G. L. NIXON, Capt. Mad. Europ. Reg.
GEORGE ALEXANDER, Surgeon.
C. W. YATES, Lieut. Artillery.
WM. DAVENANT,
JAMES STUART,
P. BROWN, * Lieutenants.
WM. JONKS DECKER,
Mad. Europ. Reg.
P. HOOPER,
CHARLES ALLEN, Ensign 21st. Mad. Nat. Inf."
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 513
Finding, on his arrival at Madras, that the commander-in-
chief was absent on an expedition against the Mauritius,
Captain Cole proceeded from thence to Bombay, for the pur-
pose of refitting his frigate. The following extracts are
taken from letters which he afterwards received : the first in
answer to a letter presenting Rear-Admiral Drury with the
colours of Belgica, and 2 brass guns from the captors ; the
second in answer to the despatches sent to the Bengal
government :
" Dec. 22, 1810.
" Sir, — I have great satisfaction in the highly flattering communica-
tion you have made to me of the sentiments of yourself and of your brave
companions who so nobly and successfully carried the supposed impreg-
nable fortress of Banda Neira, the colours of which, and 2 guns taken
under your auspices, by a handful of men composed of seamen and
marines, and the intrepid officers and soldiers of the Madras European
regiment, confer on me an honor and happiness far beyond my deserts, but
most gratefully and thankfully received, as coming from a body of men so
highly and particularly distinguished. I beg you to make my acknowledg-
ments to the Banda heroes, whose heartfelt encomiums on their gallant
leader do equal honor and justice to theai selves, and place on your brow
a never-fading laurel.
(Signed) " W. O'BRIEN DRURY."
From the Secretary to the Bengal Government, dated
Nov. 23, 1810.
" The details of this brilliant achievement, and of your arrangements
for the administration and security of the islands, have been communica-
ted to his Lordship in council, who observes with just admiration the judg-
ment, ability, and foresight, manifested by you in the plan of attack, and
the zeal, intrepidity, and precision, with which it was carried into effect by
the gallant officers and men of the naval and military services under your
direction. His Lordship and council consider the rapid conquest of a
place so strongly fortified by nature and by art, in the face of a superior
force, without the loss of a man, as forming a singular event in the annals
of British enterprise, reflecting a peculiar degree of credit on your pro-
fessional skill, and affording an extraordinary instance of discipline, cou-
rage, and activity, on the part of the men under your command."
Vice-Admiral Drury having returned to India from the
Isle of France early in 181 1, Captain Cole received orders
to join his flag on the Malabar coast; and on his arrival at
Madras found that an extensive armament was about to be
fitted out for an expedition against the island of Java. The
514 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
severe illness of the commander-in-chief, which terminated in
his death, induced him to issue an order that all Captain Cole's
directions for the preparation of the armament were to be
obeyed ; and the necessary arrangements were accordingly
made by the subject of this memoir till the arrival of a senior
officer, the late Captain W. R. Broughton, some time after
the Vice-Admiral's demise, at which period the fleet was nearly
ready for sea.
In our memoir of Captain George Sayer, C.B.*, we have
already stated that the armament arrived in Chillingching
Bay (about 10 or 12 miles to the eastward of Batavia) on the
4th Aug. 1811, and that the greater part of the army was
landed the same day before dark : it now becomes our duty
to record an instance of prompt decision on the part of Cap-
tain Cole, who had previously been entrusted with the com-
mand of the frigates appointed to cover the debarkation, and
for which he afterwards received the warm personal thanks
of Lord Minto, the Governor-General of India, who had ac-
companied the expedition, and Sir Samuel Auchmuty, the
commander-in-chief of the forces.
The sloops of war and the Hon. Company's cruisers had
anchored near the beach in readiness to scour it, and the
troop-ships without them, covered by the Caroline, Modeste,
and Bucephalus. The rapid approach of the fleet had pre-
vented the enemy from ascertaining the intended place of
landing in time to send a force thither to guard it : this being
noticed by Captain Cole, he made the signal from, the Caro-
line, for the advance of the army to land immediately, then
hoisted out his boats, tripped his anchor, and dropped the
Caroline nearer to the shore. No time was occupied in
arranging the order of the boats, they being ordered to shove
off when manned and filled with troops. His example being
followed by Captains Elliot and Pelly, and the boats of the
other men of war being sent to assist in conveying the
troops, about 8000 soldiers, with their guns, ammunition,
and provisions, were landed in safety by half past six o'clock.
Soon after dark the British advanced guard had a skirmish
* Sec vol. II. part I. p. 35-4, et sey.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 515
with the enemy's patroles, who, but for Captain Cole's
alacrity and promptitude in making the above signal, without
waiting to complete the arrangement of boats, &c., as usual in
such cases, would have taken post in a wood at the back of
the beach, and might have occasioned great loss to the invad-
ing army. We should here observe, that Captain Cole had
previously volunteered to command the naval battalion ap-
pointed to serve on shore; but the presence of Captain
Sayer, who was senior in rank to himself, and equally de-
sirous of the honor, prevented Commodore Broughton from
placing him in that honorable post. He subsequently
obtained permission from Rear-Admiral Stopford to proceed
to head-quarters and make an offer of 400 additional seamen,
to be commanded by himself, to assist in storming Meester
Cornelis, or any of the enemy's positions ; but his co-opera^
tion was necessarily declined, as such an increase of force
was not wanted, and might have served to discover the
General's intention to the enemy.
The following is an extract from Rear-Admiral Stopford's
despatches relative to the reduction of Java, dated Scipion,
Batavia Roads, Aug. 28, 1811 :
" I send this despatch by the Caroline, and I am happy to have so good
an opportunity as is offered by Captain Cole who has had a large share in
every thing relating to this expedition, and from his knowledge of all the
parts of the operations, can communicate to their Lordships, the fullest ac-
count of them V
Captain Cole arrived in England towards the close of 1811,
and soon after received a letter from the Secretary to the Ad-
miralty, informing him that he was to be honored with an ap->
propriate medal for the capture of Banda, and enclosing a
copy of the letter which had been written to Vice- Admiral
Drury, in answer to his despatch announcing the conquest of
that island.
"Admiralty Office, July 3, 1811.
" Sir, — I received on the 1st inst. by Lieutenant Kenah, and laid before
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, your despatch of the 3d Jan.
* Commodore Broughton, on being succeeded in the command of the
fleet by Rear-Admiral Stopford, expressed " great pleasure in acknow-
ledging the zeal and alacrity displayed by Captains Cole, Elliot, and Pelly,'*
on the day of disembarkation.
516 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
reporting tjie capture of the valuable islands of Banda on the 9th Aug.
1810; and transmitting copies of the reports made to you by Captain
Cole, of the particulars of that gallant achievement, and especially of the
storming of the almost impregnable fortress of Belgica, by a body of lees
than 200 men, under his immediate direction, which led to the final surren-
der of the islands. Upon this occasion, so honorable to His Majesty's
arms, I have been commanded to express to you their Lordships' high ap-
probation of the judgment and gallantry displayed by Captain Cole, and
of the zeal and valour of all the officers and men under his orders, which
you will accordingly signify to them in a proper manner. I am, &c.
(Signed) " J. W. CHOKER."
The Caroline was paid off in Jan. 1812, and on that occa-
sion Captain Cole had the gratification of receiving an epistle
from his veteran crew, an exact copy of which is subjoined :
" We the crew of H. M. S. Caroline wishes to give you our most gracious
thanks for the care and favour you have shewn to this ship's company, by
making you a present of a sword amounting to 100 guineas for your noble
and brave conduct when you led us to the storm of Banda, and likewise
the zealous bravery in landing our troops at Batavia ; and by excepting of
this present you will gratify the wishes of your most obedient ship's com-
pany,
(Signed) " THE CAROLINES."
Captain Cole received the honor of knighthood, May 29,
1812 ; and on his return from the Prince Regent's levee, the
sword alluded to above was presented to him by Mr. Barker,
a cutler of Portsmouth, with an address couched in the fol-
lowing terms :
" Sir,— I am requested by James Macdowal, and others, on behalf of
the crew of H. M. frigate Caroline, to present you with this sword, as a
testimony of the high esteem and respect they entertain for you as their
late Commander, in return for the marked attention you at all times paid
to them j for the gallant manner in which you took them into action, and
for the honorable manner in which you brought them out ; for the un-
ceasing zeal you invariably have manifested for your country's cause, and
for the comforts they enjoyed whilst they served under your command, —
they humbly trust you will accept the same, as a pledge of gratitude and
token of veneration for you, which time can never efface from their me-
mory."
. A present and an address of this kind, from private men
to their late commander, must be regarded as a compliment
of the highest and most valuable description. Captain Cole
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 51J
having ceased to command these brave fellows, it is obrious
that no feelings could exist, but those of the respect, admi-
ration, and gratitude which they professed.
In the course of the same year, Sir Christopher Cole re-
ceived the degree of a D. C. L. from the University of Oxford ;
and a piece of plate, value 300 guineas, from the East India
Company : the latter was presented to him " as a testimony of
the high sense they entertained of the services rendered by
him when commanding the Caroline in the Indian seas*."
His next appointment was, early in 1813, to the Rippon,
a new 74, fitting for Channel service. On the 21st Oct. in
the same year, he intercepted le Weser, a French frigate
of 44 guns, which had already been completely crippled and
beaten by two British brigs of 18 guns each f; and in Feb.
1814, he was present at the re-capture of a Spanish treasure
ship of immense value, by the M enelaus frigate, off TOrient J.
He continued cruising with his usual activity and success
till the conclusion of the war in Europe, and was put out of
commission at the latter end of 1814, after an almost unin-
terrupted series of constant service afloat for 34 years, more
than half of which period he had passed in the East and West
Indies.
Sir Christopher Cole was nominated a K. C. B. Jan. 2, 1815 ;
elected M. P. for Glamorganshire in 1817 ; re-elected for the
same county in 1820 ; and installed Deputy Grand Master
for South Wales, July 10, 1821 §. He married, April 28,
1815, Lady Mary Talbot, relict of the late T. M. Talbot, of
Margam Park, and Penrice Castle, co. Glamorgan, Esq. and
daughter of the late Stephen Earl of Ilchester.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
* We have heard in the course of conversation, that one of his Majesty's
ministers, speaking in Parliament of Captain Cole's achievement at Banda,
described it as " heroism of a chivalrous order."
•f See Captain COLIN MAC DONALD.
\ See Captain JOHN HAYES, C. B.
§ The new Public Rooms at Swansea were first opened on the occasion
of the above ceremony.
VOL. II. 2 M
518 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
SIR GEORGE RALPH COLLIER, BART.
Knight Commander of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath ;
a Groom of the Bedchamber to H. R. H- the Duke of Gloucester ; and
u Member of the African Institution.
THIS lamented officer was the second son of the late Ralph
Collier, Esq., many years chief Clerk in the Victualling de-
partment of the Royal Navy. He was born in 1774, and being
intended for his Majesty's naval service, received a suitable
education at the Maritime Academy, Chelsea. During the
Dutch arid Spanish armaments we find him serving as a
Midshipman on board the Carysfort frigate, commanded by
Captain Matthew Smith ; and we have been told by an officer
who was his schoolfellow and messmate, that he was then not
only a good astronomer, marine- surveyor, and draftsman, but
that he was also very well acquainted with the French^ Spa-
nish, and Italian languages — a combination of qualifications
rarely to be met with in a young sea-officer at that period of
our naval history.
We have no certain information respecting Mr, Collier's
services previous to 1799? in which year he served as first
Lieutenant of the Isis, a 50-gun ship, bearing the flag of Vice-
Admiral Mitchell, at the capture of a Dutch squadron in the
Texel * $ and being sent to England with that officer's des-
patches, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and ap-
pointed to the Victor of 18 guns and 120 men, in which
vessel he greatly distinguished himself by his gallant and
persevering action with la Fleche, a French corvette of $2
guns, which had recently landed a number of banished French-
men on the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, and was pro-
ceeding to cruise against our commerce in the Bay of
Bengal. The following is a copy of his official letter on the
occasion :
" //. M. Sloop Fictor, M ah d Roads*, Sept. 19, 1801.
" SIR, — The state of the crew of life Majesty's sloop under my com-
mand, after leaving the Red Sea f, induced me to put into the island of
« See vol. I. note at p. 414. et seo.
f The Victor had been employed conveying the troops sent from India
to co-operate with the British army in Egypt : see Vol. II. part I. p. 467-
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
519
Diego Garcia. After procuring a large supply of turtle, and good water,
I left that harbour on the 27th Aug., and proceeded on the execution of
the particular service pointed out in your orders of the 22d July ; and on
the 2d instant, in sight of these islands, H. M. sloop fell in with a French
national corvette, and after a few ineffectual manoeuvres on her part,
from the superior sailing of the Victor when going large, I had the plea-
sure of bringing her to a close action at 6h 45> P. M. The disguised
state of the Victor did not long deceive the enemy. The second broadside
proved sufficient, the corvette hauling her wind and endeavouring to
escape, which, in about twenty minutes, I was sorry to observe, by having
almost solely directed her fire at our masts and sails, she had a fair pro-
spect of effecting ; for, on her tacking under our lee, I endeavoured to wear,
with the hope of boarding on her bow, when I had the mortification to
find both lower and top-sail braces shot away on the starboard side, as well
as the preventer ones and bowlines ; and before others could be rove, the
corvette was half a mile to windward. Night fast approaching, added to
the chagrin I felt on observing the enemy sail better than the Victor on a
wind. The chase continued all night, frequently within gun-shot ; and at
sunset the following day, from the wind having favoured the cdrvette, she
was four or five miles to windward. In the night of the 4th we lost sight
of her ; when, probably by tacking, she escaped. In this affair I had one
man wounded with 2 musket-balls, and Mr. Middleton, Master's Mate,
slightly ; the damage sustained in the hull was trifling, but the fore-mast
was shot through, and our sails and rigging were much cut.
" Judging from the course the corvette was steering when first seen,
she must be bound to these islands, I pushed for them, and towards sunset
on the 5th she was again seen, running in for this anchorage. I kept
under easy sail till dark, when the Victor was anchored ; and at day-light
I had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy moored with springs in the
basin, or inner harbour, with a red flag at the fore (as a signal of defiance).
Being unacquainted with the channel, and having no pilot, Mr. Crawford,
the Master, though ill of a fever, and Mr. Middleton, being volunteers,
were sent to sound, which service they completely performed ; nor did the
latter gentleman desist, till repeatedly fired at by a boat from the corvette.
" The extreme narrowness of the channel, added to the wind not being
very favourable, compelled me to use warps and the stay-sails only, which
exposed the ship to a raking fire for some minutes, till shoaling our water,
I was obliged to bring up. Having two springs on the cable, our broad-
side was soon brought to bear; and at llh 45' A. M. a well-directed fire
was opened, which was kept up incessantly from both vessels till 2h 20*
P. M. when I plainly perceived the enemy was going down ; in a few
minutes her cable was cut, she cast round, and her bow grounded on a
coral-reef.
" Mr. M'Lean, the first Lieutenant, with a party of officers and men,
were sent on board j though scarce had they put off, ere we discovered
2M2
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the Leopard of 50 guns, in which ship he returned
to Knglaud on the 24th Feb. 1808.
Captain Collier subsequently commanded the Champion lM,
and Leopard 5<X Hb ne*t appointment wa^ about Feb, 18Utf.
to k Mtnem frigate, employed on the coaM of Spun, where
be captured several of the enemy's armed vessels, privateers,
and merchantmen. In 180J he removed into the Surveillante,
and accompanied the expedition sent against Copenhagen,
from whence he returned to Eugland with Admiral Garnbier's
despatches, announcing the surrender of the I Vanish c:ipit.il
and fleet. Oft his arrival with this important intelligence he
vedthe honor of knighthood from his late Majesty.
From this period Sir George Collier was principally em-
i cruising on the French coast and in the Bay of Biscay,
where he captured, among other vessels, le Milan, national
corvette, of IS sjuns and llo men ; la Comtesse Uvure, aiul
k Creole French privateers, of 14 guns each, the former
having a complement of 55, the latter 115 men; the Tom,
American letter of marque, of 6 guns and 36 men ; and the
Orders in Council, a schooner of similar description and force.
On the 7th Sept. 1810, a party belonging to the Surveillante
destroyed a battery and guard- house, which had recently been
erected for the protection of the entrance into Crach river ; and
although opposed by nearly double their force, and exposed
to a fire from the opposite bank, returned to their ship with-
out having a man hurt.
Sir George Collier's active co-operation with the patriots
on the north coast of Spain has already been alluded to in the
course of this work ; we shall now present our readers with
his account of the recapture of Bertneo, a sea-port town near
Btlboa, and a sketch of the subsequent transactions in which
he was engajfed.
"£br*«*tt*»*m*JtM*»Ocft.9Qi isu.
N :<, — I proceeded off Auchove on the ISth instant, where I was joined
by AX) guerillas, under the command of their chief. Pastor, by whose
exertion, in conjunction with tny pilot, a sufficient number of fishing-boats
were impressed to receive an e^ual number of guerillas I had previously
embarked from the coast.
Soon afrcrwanb the Iris joined to leeward, when the whole party,
accompanied by the rnariaes of the two frigates, under the command of
522 POST-CAPTAINS t>F 1802.
Lieutenant Cupples, pushed off for the river Mundaca, where a landing
was effected ab'out two miles from Bermeo, the object of our attack.
The French guard, stationed in the town of Mundaca, evacuated it
immediately.
" The frigates advancing with a light breeze towards Bermeo, while
the party which had landed appeared on the hills turning the enemy's right,
gave him but little time to hesitate ; and Mons. Dedier, the commandant,
took the short, though rugged road, over the mountains for Bilboa. The
next morning at day-break Mr. Kingdom, Masters-Mate, was despatched
to blow up the guard-house, and destroy the signal-station on the heights
of Machichaco, which service he executed perfectly.
" In the course of the day every thing that could be ascertained to be
public property belonging to the French was either brought off or de-
stroyed ; the guard-house, store-house, and stabling on the hill, blown up
and burnt ; and its battery, consisting of four IS-pounders, destroyed, the
guns broken, the gunpowder given to Pastor, and the shot thrown into
the sea. *T\vo other small batteries, commanding the high road and mole-
head, sharing the same fate.
" The utmost possible annoyance having been given to the enemy, and
all the vessels brought out from the mole, the marines and guerillas were
.re-embarked-; -and this morning I despatched the latter, under protection,
of the Iris, to land at a spot agreed upon with Pastor, remaining here
myself until I have adjusted the claims of several Spaniards respecting
'their vessels. I have the satisfaction to state, that yesterday a small di-
vision of 50 men, despatched from Bilboa to succour the garrison, ap-
proached the town, and were met by the advanced guerilla guard, of
trifling numerical superiority, and immediately put to flight. Some few
of the enemy were killed, though only one prisoner was brought in, who
owes his life to his having fallen into the hands of a Guerilla recruit.
" I have only to add, that the most perfect cordiality prevailed among
our men and the Spaniards ; that no loss whatever was sustained by us ;
and that the steady conduct of Lieutenant Cupples, the officers, and
royal marines, would have decided the business of the day had the enemy
given them the meeting ; and I feel considerable obligation to my first
Lieutenant, O'Reilly, and the officers and crews of both ships. I have
the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " GEORGE R. COLLXI&."
" To Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Bart."
" Surveill<mte,at Corunna,Nov. 16, 1811.
" I have the honor to enclose Captain Christian's report of his pro-
ceedings since my parting with him off Bermeo j by which you will per-
ceive how seriously the guerillas annoy the enemy in the province of
Biscay and Guipuscoa. It appears that, with the assistance of the Iris,
Don Caspar, after effecting his landing, completely blocked up the gar-
rison of Deba in their fortified house, which, not being able to resist the
fire from the launch, surrendered, amounting to 54 men. From hence
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 523
Gaspar immediately .proceeded to the neighbouring town of Motrieo,
where, by the united exertions of Captain Christian, the same number of
the enemy were obliged to an unconditional surrender. In this service
two of the enemy's launches were taken, and whatever French public
property could be found was taken and destroyed.
" In the Iris have also arrived upwards of 300 French prisoners, with
a proportion of officers ; among1 which number it is said is an aide-de-camp
of Buonaparte, Colonel Cenopieri. They form a part of the remains of
the hist, corps, which was so entirely defeated by the indefatigable gue-
rilla,, Mina ; 500 of the enemy were killed or wounded, and the remainder,
600, made prisoners. Captain Christian speaks in very favourable terms
of the activity and zeal of his first Lieutenant, Mr. Collingwood, on the
late service ; and I have pleasure in adding my testimony to the same on
former occasions."
In June 1812, the Surveillaute formed part of the squadron
under Sir Home Popham at the reduction of Lequitio, on
which occasion Sir George Collier commanded a battery on
Shore : the particulars of that service are thus detailed by the
former officer :
" The enemy had possession of a hill-fort commanding the town, calcu-
lated to resist any body of infantry, and also 200 men posted in a fortified
convent within the town, the walls of which vvere impervious to any thing
less than an 18-pounder.
" The convent might have been destroyed by the ships; but as the
town would have materially suffered, and as the gun,s of .tjre Venerable /4
made no visible impression on the fort, it was determined to erect a bat-
tery on a hill opposite to the latter, which the enemy considered as quite
inaccessible to cannon, and -in that confidence rested his security. A gun
was accordingly landed in the forenoon of the 20th, (chiefly by the exer-
tions of lieutenant Groves, of the Venerable), notwithstanding the sea ^ya8
breaking with such violence against the rocks at the foot of the hill, that
it was doubtful whether a boat could get near enough for that purpose.
It was then hove up a short distance by a moveable capstern ; but this
was found so tedious that men and bullocks were sent for to draw it ; and
it was at length dragged to the .summit of the hill by thirty-six pair of
bullocks, 400 guerillas, and 100 seamen, headed by the Hon. Captain
Bouverie. It was immediately mounted, and fired its ftrst shot at 4 P. M,
" The gun was so admirably served, that at sunset a practicable breach
was made in the wall of the fort, and the guerillas volunteered to storm it.
The. first party was repulsed, but the second gained possession without
any considerable loss. Several of the enemy escaped on the opposite side,
and got into the convent.
" In the course of the evening the sea abated a little, and a landing,
upon the island of St. Nicholas \vas effected, though with some difficulty,
524 POST-CAPTAINS OF J802.
by Lieutenant O'Reilly, of the Surveillante ; marines were also landed
from that frigate, the Medusa, and Rliin, with a carronade from each
ahip ; and Captain Malcolm took the command of the island during the
night, whilst Sir George Collier was in the Venerable's battery on the hill.
" At dawn of day (21st) a 24-pounder was brought to the east side of
the town, within two hundred yards of the convent, and another was in
the act of being landed upon St. Nicholas to bombard it, when the.French
commandant beat a parley, and surrendered with the remainder of his
party, consisting of 290 men of the 119th regiment. The enemy's loss
was supposed to be considerable, as the guerillas, who were better posted,
and fired with more celerity, had 56 men killed or wounded. Not a man
was hurt in the British squadron, either by the surf or the enemy, There
were two 18-pounders mounted on the fort, and 3 smaller guns in the
barracks ; [the latter, with the muskets, were given to the guerillas, who
were also supplied with every description of military stores of which they
stood in need. The 18-pounders were rendered useless, the fort destroyed,
and the convent blown up •."
The enemy had by this time collected about 1100 men in
the neighbourhood of Lequitio; but on hearing from the
peasantry that 2000 men had been landed from the English
squadron they retired ; and intercepted letters were trans-
mitted to Sir Home Popham, by which the commandant of
Guernico was instructed to prepare rations for a French
General and 2600 of the Imperial Guards.
On the 23d in the afternoon, the squadron being on its way
to co-operate in an attack intended to be made by a Spanish
General upon Bilboa, and the wind being unfavourable for
getting round Machichaco, part of the ships anchored off
Bermeo, and parties were prepared to land by 6 P. M. The
enemy having retired, a small magazine of provisions left by
them in a fortified convent was taken possession of and dis-
tributed to the poor, and the ships in want of water were
completed. The battery on the hill of Bermeo, consisting of
five 18-pounders, and all the fortified places of which the
enemy had had possession, were at the same time blown up,
iind the guns rendered useless.
* Sir Home Pophain commended in high terms the conduct of all the
officers and men employed on this occasion ; and expressed his sense of the
assistance rendered by Sir Howard Douglas and General Carrol, who had
embarked in the Venerable, and volunteered their services wherever they
could be employed.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 525
On the 24th the Venerable arrived off Plencia, where Cap-
tains Bouverie and Malcolm were destroying the works ; and
some vessels were immediately despatched to dismantle the
batteries and destroy the guns on each side of the inlet below
the bar of the Bilboa river.
In the afternoon of the same day Sir Home Popham, the
Captains of the squadron, General Carrol, and Sir Howard
Douglas, landed at Algorta with a detachment of royal ma-
rines ; but as the country was particularly close, and calcu-
lated for a surprise, they re-embarked before night. The
castle of Galea, and the batteries of Algorta, Begona, El Cam-
pillo las Quersas, and Xebiles, mounting in the whole twenty-
eight 18 and 24-pounders, were destroyed by parties under
the orders of Captain Bloye, and Lieutenants Groves, O'Reilly,
Coleman, and Arbuthnot, the guard-house of the castle burnt,
and the trunnions knocked off all the guns.
On the 25th, at dawn, parties of the enemy were seen ad-
vancing, and at five o'clock they entered the ruins of Algorta,
but soon retired from thence on observing the squadron
about to stand up the inlet. They afterwards formed on the
plain, and were found to consist of 2400 men, 400 of whom
were sent to Puerta Galetta. Three sloops of war closed
with the fort at the latter place, silenced it, and drove the
enemy out. This corps was the one for which rations had
been ordered at Guernico, and which was therefore com-
pletely diverted from its original destination.
On the 2d July, the squadron being off Guateria, an attack
was intended to be made upon that place, and two companies
of royal marines were landed under Major Williams, accom-
panied by General Carrol, for the purpose of reconnoitring j
but some parties of the enemy being discovered crossing the
hills, and the guerillas, whose co-operation had been expected,
being engaged with the enemy in a different quarter, the plan
of attack was relinquished, and the marines re-embarked, but
without loss *.
* The guerillas had been em^'.oyed in an action with a detachment of
the enemy conducting 80 prisoners from Asturias ; 130 of the French
were killed, and 50 left on the field of battle wounded. The Spanish
prisoners were liberated.
526 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
On the 6th Sir Home Popham arrived off Castro, where a
24-pounder, and a company of marines had been landed by
Sir George Collier to assist Colonel Longa in an attack on the
place. Information was, however, received of the approach
of 2500 French troops, whose arrival obliged the Spanish com-
mander to retire, and the parties landed from the squadron
were reimbarked. In the evening the enemy were seen
marching into the town.
On the 7th the enemy were driven out of Castro by the fire
of the squadron, and preparations were made for a landing
and an attack on the castle, which accordingly took p}ace on
the 8th, when the commandant surrendered with 150 men,
the remainder of the enemy's force having marched towards
Larido. Twenty-six guns of different sizes were found in the
town and castle of Castro ; those in the former were with-
drawn, and the latter was put into a state of defence, and
garrisoned by the marines and Spanish artillerymen of the
Iris. The further proceedings of the allied forces are thus
described in the London Gazette:
" ON the 10th the squadron proceeded off Puerta Galetta, to co-ope-
rate in an attack upon it with the Spanish troops under Longa, and on
the llth ranch firing1 was kept up against the batteries j but the enemy
being found stronger than the Spaniards had expected, the attack was
abandoned. During the morning1, Captain Bloye of the Lyra, landed with
a party of marines, and ^knocked off the trunnions >of the guns in the
Bftgona -battery, and destroyed one mounted on a height. On the 12th the
Venerable anchored .off Castro, which had been, feebly attacked by the
enemy the evening before. One of the Imperial guards was -wounded and
brought in a prisoner.
" On the 15th, the enemy's moveable column having been drawn by a
feint to Santona, from whence it could not reach Guetaria in -less than
four days, another attack was intended to be made upon the latter place,
in concert with the guerillas under Don Caspar, and with the:promised
aid of one of the battalions under General Mina. Early in the morning
of the 13th, one 24-pounder under Lieutenant Groves, and a howitzer
under Lieutenant 'Lawrence, of the marine-artillery, were landed from
the Venerable, and mounted on a hill to the westward of Guetaria, under
the directions of Captain Malcolm, while the Hon. Captain Bouverie
landed with 2 guns from the Medusa, and after many difficulties in draw-
ing them up, mounted them on the top of a hill to the eastward. The
Venerable's guns began firing at noon, and continued till sunset, when
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 527
those of the enemy on that side were silenced, and the Medusa's were put
in readiness to open on the following morning. During the night, how-
ever, intelligence was received of the approach of a body of French troops,
which afterwards proved to he a division of between 2000 and 3000 men,
that had just arrived at St. Sebastian's from France, and was immediately
sent forward by forced marches to Guetaria.
" The uncertainty with respect to the enemy's force, and the disposi-
tion of the guerillas to oppose their advance, prevented the re-embark-
ation of the guns and men landed from the squadron, until the retreat of
the Spaniards, after skirmishing with the superior numbers of the French,
in which the latter are stated to riave suffered severely. Captain Bouverie
then destroyed the 2 guns from the Medusa, and re-embarked with all his
men, and every thing belonging to the guns- Captain Malcolm was
detained longer, by a message brought to him by one of Don Caspar's
akle-de-camps, stating that the enemy had been beaten back, and urging
him to remain in his battery. Finding, however, that the enemy was ad-
vancing fast, he gave orders to re-embark, and brought off his party, with
the exception of 3 Midshipmen and 29 men, who were taken prisoners,
but fortunately without having a man killed or wounded. The Spaniards
lost a Captain of artillery, and had a serjeant and 10 men badly wounded.
The detachment expected from General Mina's army arrived the morning
after the action, and joined Don Gaspar, -having marched eighteen Spanish
leagues in two days."
Subsequent to the affair of Guetaria, Sir George Collier
served on shore with a detachment of seamen and marines
landed to co-operate with a guerilla regiment in an attack
upon the castle of St. Ano, and received a wound when pur-
suing the French garrison from thence towards Santander*.
In the following year he was appointed Commodore of the
squadron employed in that quarter, where he contributed iii
no small degree to the success of Lord Wellington's army,
then approaching the French frontier.
By a letter addressed to Lord Keith, June 25, 1813, we
are informed that the whole line of coast, from Guetaria to
Santona, had already been evacuated by the enemy ; and on
the 1st of the following month Sir George Collier reports
the retreat of the French from Guetaria in the following
terms :
" Guetaria was evacuated by the enemy this morning at day-break, and
* See Vol. I, p. 708.
528 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
soon afterwards occupied by a division under Baron de Mcnglana. The
enemy appears to have been so pressed by the appearance of the shipping,
after his determination had been taken, that most of the^cannon were left
serviceable, and all his provisions, calculated for some months ; but it is
with regret I mention, that about three P. M. we witnessed a most awful
explosion, which, by a refinement in cruelty, appears to have been intend-
ed to destroy all the poor inhabitants at a blow. The magazine, con-
taining near 200 barrels of gunpowder, and dug in the solid rock con-
nected with the mole where the fishing-boats lay, had been prepared, and
a lighted match left within it. Two casks of wine, previously broached,
were also left by the wall, offering a temptation to the lower classes ot
the inhabitants, but this circumstance most providentially proved their
great preservation. The Spanish commandant on entering, observing the
confusion likely to ensue, ordered the inhabitants from the mole into the
town ; and while means were taken to force the door, the explosion took
place, and destroyed about 20 of the garrison and fishermen, as well as all
the boats in or near the mole.
" I have the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship that the castle, town,
and port of Passages, were recovered from the enemy yesterday, and its
garrison of 136 men, cut off from St. Sebastian's, were taken by a part of
the Spanish brigade of Longa, under the immediate order* of Don Gaspar,
attached to Sir Thomas Graham's division. The Spaniards' loss on this
occasion was very trifling."
During the warfare in the Pyrenees, between Lord Wel-
lington and Marshal Soult, the siege of St. Sebastian was
undertaken and prosecuted by Lieutenant-General Sir Tho-
mas Graham, who received the most effectual assistance from
the naval force under Sir George Collier, whose official letters
Furnish us with the following information :
"My 22, 1813.
" The breaching batteries raised on the Chofra sand-hills, were opened
against the walls of St. Sebastian oa the 20th at ten A. M., under most
unfavourable circumstances of weather, and this evening there is a con-
siderable breach ; but a second will, I understand from General Graham,
be made before the storm is attempted. A gun has been thought neces-
sary at the light-house hill. Captain Tayler, of the Sparrow, has prepared
a battery ; and had the weather permitted, a 24-pounder would have been
dragged up, and mounted ere this *. I have the pleasure to say, the good
conduct of the detachment landed under Lieutenant O'Reilly, has been
the admiration of the artillery officers in command of the batteries f."
* See Captain JOSEPH NBEDHAM TAYLER, C. B.
t On the 25th July three breaches were effected in the walls, two of
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 529
" July 27 and 28.
" A successful attack was made upon the island of Santa Clara, at the
mouth of the harbour of St. Sebastian, at three o'clock on the morning of
the 27th, by the boats of the squadron under the command of Lieutenant
the Hon. James Arbuthnot, of H. M. S. Surveillante. The boats were
manned by the seamen and marines, and by a party of soldiers under the
command of Captain Cameron, of the 9th regiment. The only landing
place was under a flight of steps, commanded by a small entrenchment
thrown up on the west point, and completely exposed to the fire from
grape of the whole range of works on the west side of the rock and walls
of St. Sebastian. These local circumstances enabled a very small garrison,
of an officer and 24 men, to make a serious resistance, by which 2 of our
men were killed, and 1 officer of the army, another of the marines, one
Midshipman, and 14 seamen and marines were wounded."
" Sept. 1st.
" Arrangements being made, as agreed upon by Lord Wellington, for a
demonstration on the back of the rock of St. Sebastian, the two divisions
of ships' boats were placed under the command of Captain Gallwey, of
the Dispatch, and Captain Bloye, of the Lyra ; and I understand their ap-
pearance had the complete effect intended, by diverting a large proportion
of the garrison from the defence of the breach ; the boats were warmly
fired on from the batteries at the back of St. Sebastian, but no lives were
lost. The sloops of war weighed with a light breeze, and the Dispatch
suffered in a trifling degree in her sails ; the gun-boats, Nos. 14 and 16,
were equipped in time to offer annoyance to the enemy, and to attract his
attention.
"At 11 A. M., the tide having ebbed sufficiently, the assault by the
breach took place ; and if the resistance made by the enemy, considering
the natural defences, as well as the artificial ones thrown up by him, is to
be considered gallant and obstinate, the attack must be ranked still
higher. Never perhaps was an affair more obstinately maintained, but
British courage and perseverance ultimately succeeded; and. after & lodg-
ment had been effected on the breach, the town was entered and possessed
about I1* SO7 P. M. in defiance of mines and every obstacle which the
ingenuity of the governor could invent. A heavy firing was maintained till
which being practicable, the order was given for an assault. This was
executed with great gallantry, and some of the troops penetrated into
the town , but the defences raised by the enemy were so strong and nu-
merous, and the fire of musketry and grape was so destructive, that the
assailants were obliged to retreat with a heavy loss, especially in officers.
Lord Wellington was upon the spot during part of the assault ; but was
soon called away in consequence of the advance of Marshal Soult, which
gave occasion to the battles of Roncesvalles (or St. Jean Pied de Port)
and the Pyrenees.
530 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
late in the evening; but the rock still holds out, and may probably- for
some days. A large part of the town has been unavoidably destroyed, and
more must inevitably suffer from the means still in possession of the. enemy.
" The opportunity afforded to the navy for evincing the zeal and good
will of British seamen, has been necessarily confined to a few individuals :
but I know of no officer more indefatigable in the various duties which
have fallen to him, than Captain Bloye of the Lyra : he has- endeavoured
to anticipate every wish of the army. Lieutenant O'Reilly, with his
former companions in the batteries, was conspicuously active ; every ship
in the squadron sent a proportion of seamen, under their respective officers,
and they behaved uniformly well. The loss on both sides during the as-
sault, must have been considerable, as artillery of all descriptions was
playing on the enemy while disputing the breach and walls. Captain John
•Smith, of the Beagle, who was slightly wounded on the island, has the
command of the seamen there landed."
On this occasion the appearance of the breach proved fal-
lacious ; for when the combined column of British and Por-
tuguese troops ordered to the assault, after being exposed to
a heavy fire of shot and shells, arrived at the foot of the wall,
it proved a perpendicular scarp of twenty feet to the level of
the streets, with only one accessible point, which merely ad-
mitted an entrance by single files. In this situation, the
assailants made repeated, but fruitless exertions, to gain an
entrance ; no man surviving the attempt to mount the nar-
row ridge. In this desperate state, Sir Thomas Graham
adopted the venturous expedient of ordering the guns to be
turned against the curtain, the shot of which passed only a
few feet over the heads of the men at the foot of the breach.
In the mean time a Portuguese brigade forded the river, near
its mouth, and made a successful attack upon a small breach,
to the right of the great one. This latter manoeuvre, joined
to the effect of the batteries upon the curtain, at length gave
an opportunity for the troops to establish themselves upon the
narrow pass, and in an hour more the defenders, driven from
all their complicated works, retired to the castle, leaving the
town in full possession of the allies, whose loss amounted to
2,300 men, killed and wounded. The success in this quarter
was rendered complete by the surrender of the castle on the
8th September, as will be seen by the following letter from the
Commodore to Lord Keith :
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 531
" Surveillante, of Passages, St. Sebastian, Sept. 9, 1813.
" My Lord, — It is with sincere pleasure that I do myself the honor to
report to your Lordship the fall of St. Sebastian, the northern Gibraltar of
Spain. Yesterday at 10 A. M. the breaching and mortar-batteries opened
a most ruinous fire against the castle of La Motte, situated on the crown
of the hill, and the adjoining works. In a very short time General Key,
the governor, sent out a flag of truce to propose terms of capitulation,
which were concluded at 5 P. M. when the battery du Gouverneur and the
Mirador were immediately taken possession of by our troops. The garri-
son, still upwards of 1700, became prisoners of war, and are to be conveyed
to England from Passages. At this season of the year the possession of
St. Sebastian becomes doubly valuable ; it may be considered the western
key of the Pyrenees, and its importance as to the future operations of the
allied army is incalculable. The town and works have suffered consider-
ably, and it must be a long time before the former can .recover its original
splendour j 1 cannot, however, avoid congratulating your Lordship on its
fall on any terms, as the gales now blow home, und the sea is prodigious ;
all the squadron were yesterday forced to sea, with the exception of the
Surveillante and President. The former good conduct and gallantry of the
seamen lauded from the squadron, under Lieutenant O'Reilly, and serving
in the breaching batteries, have been most conspicuously maintained.
Lieutenant Dunlop, as well as Mr. Marsh, (having sufficiently recovered
from his wounds*), were also at their former post. The Surveillante's
24-pounders, mounted on Santa Clara, and dragged up by Captain Smith,
of the Beagle, were admirably served by a party landed from the Revo-
lutionaire, Magicienne, and Challenger ; their fire had totally silenced, the
enemy's guns opposed to them. Captain Smith speaks in high terms of
the general zeal evinced by all under his orders. The most perfect cerdi-
ality was maintained between the officers and seamen under Captain Smith,
and the party of the 9th regiment, under Captain Cameron, The Captains
and Commanders of the ships, &c. named in the margin f, have all been
usefully employed, and the situation many of them have been unavoidably
placed in, has called forth proofs of professional skill and perseverance sel-
dom surpassed E and I have the highest satisfaction in being able to report*
that in no instance has it been more tryingly evinced, than in the conduct of
Lieutenant the Hon, James Arbuthnot, of the Surveillante, which he has
proved himself fully equal to. Messrs. Marsh, Harvey, Bloye, and I/awson
* Lieutenant Robert Graham Dunlop was wounded on shore, previous
to July 21.
f Andromache, President, Revolutionaire, and Magicienne, at anchor off
St. Sebastian ; Sparrow and Challenger off the Bidassoa; Constant gun-
brig, and Nimble cutter, in that river ; Juniper and Holly, stationed west
of Cape Higuera.
532 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
(wounded), have been constantly on shore. There are others of the squadron,
who, though not wounded, are no less deserving. Captain Bloye's services
have been repeatedly noticed by me to your Lordship j and as he has been
employed from the very commencement of our operations on this coast, and
has a perfect knowledge of the localities of this harbour, as well as that of
St. Sebastian, I have felt it important to send him to England, as he will,
from his having been particularly attached to the duties connected with this
port and the army, be able to give your Lordship much useful information.
Lieutenant Stokes, in the Constant, has scarcely ever quitted the mouth of
the Bidassoa ; the utility of his position is, I believe, felt by the army : it
1ms been a station of considerable anxiety. 1 have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " GEORGE R. COLLIER."
" To the Right Hon. Admiral Lord Keith, SfC.»
The great event of Lord Wellington's entry into France
took place on the 7th Oct., by his troops crossing the Bidas-
soa, at different fords, after a series of spirited actions, which
cost the allies between 1500 and 1700 men killed, wounded,
and missing. The surrender of Pamplona to Don Carlos
d'Espana, on the 31st of the same month, having disengaged
the right of the allied army from the service of blockading
that strong fortress, his Lordship resolved to put in execution
a meditated operation against the French troops posted near
St. Jean deLuz, the object of which was to force their centre,
and establish his own troops in the rear of their right. Heavy
rains obliged him to defer this attempt till the 10th Nov. on
which day it was made in columns of divisions, each led by a
General Officer, and having its own reserve ; a detachment
from Sir George Collier's squadron at the same time making
a naval demonstration in the rear of Socoa, and keeping the
enemy employed in the batteries, from the fire of which the
Sparrow, Captain Lock, received some slight damage in her
hull and sails. After a variety of actions, which occupied the
whole day, the allies obtained the desired position, and the
enemy were obliged to retreat to an entrenched camp near
Bayonne. The result of this operation was the ejectment of
the French from positions they had been fortifying with great
labour for three months, and taking from them 51 pieces of
cannon, and 1400 prisoners.
Soon after this important event, Sir George Collier was
appointed in succession to the Newcastle, and Leander, ships
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 533
built of pitch pine, mounting 58 guns each, and intended to
cope with the large American frigates. During his first
cruise on the Halifax station, he captured the United States'
brig^Rattlesnake? pierced for 20 guns, with a complement of
131 men *.
For several months from this period, Sir George Collier was
employed off Boston, watching the Constitution of 56 guns,
and using every endeavour to induce her to come out and
fight the Leander. His anxiety to engage the enemy, is proved
by the following authentic anecdote :
One day a fishing boat came off with several Americans,
who asked permission to visit the Leander, which was imme-
diately granted. Sir George Collier and his first Lieutenant
accompanied them round the decks, when one of them ob-
served, " You are a larger ship, but I do not think your men
are so stout as ours on board the Constitution." To which
Sir George replied, " They may be very little, but their hearts
are in the right place ; and I will thank you to inform the
American Captain, that if he will come out and meet the
Leander, I will pledge my word and honor that no British
ship shall be within twenty leagues ; and further, if my ship
mounts more guns than the Constitution, I will throw the ad-
ditional guns overboard." This challenge the American
visitor, who we have no doubt was an officer belonging to the
Constitution, promised to convey ; but we do not venture to
assert that the Captain of that ship actually received it.
The Leander was at length obliged to return to Halifax
for the purpose of completing her stores, provisions, and
water, and Sir George Collier, when returning to his station,
had the mortification to. hear that the Constitution had suc-
ceeded in putting to sea unobserved. This information was
communicated to him by Lord George Stuart and Captain
Alexander R. Kerr, of the Newcastle and Acasta, who at the
same time expressed their belief that the ship which he had
long been so eager to get alongside of, was gone on a cruise
in company with two other heavy fiigates, arid that they were
to be joined on a certain rendezvous by the Hornet sloop of
* The enemy had thrown their guns overboard during the chase.
VOL. II. 2 N
534 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
war. Sir George Collier at this time hud orders from Rear
Admiral Griffith to send the Acasta into port, she being
much in want of a refit ; but yielding to the entreaties of her
commander, he determined to deviate from his instructions,
and allow her to accompany the Leander and Newcastle in
pursuit of the ertemy, whom he expected to fall in with near
the Western Islands, imagining that their first object would
be to intercept our homeward bound trade. He shortly after
captured the Prince de Neufchatel, a remarkably fine Ameri-
can privateer schooner, mounting 18, and pierced for 22 guns ;
which vessel, instead of being sent to Bermuda or Halifax,
where she would have sold for a very handsome sum, and
from whence it is very probable she would have passed again
into the hUnds of her original owners, was immediately des-
patched to England with the intelligence of an enemy's squad-
ron being at sea, by which means ;the Admiralty were en-
abled to make timely arrangements for the protection of the
valuable fleets then on their passage home*.
Continuing his search for the enemy, Sir George Collier
discovered a large brig, which he approached under easy sail^
so as not to show any particular anxiety, suspecting from cir-
cumstances that she was a British vessel in the possession of
the enemy, and being desirous of obtaining information from
the prize-master by imposing the Leander upon him as an
American ship. Nothing could have happened better : the
brig proved to be the John, of Liverpool, lately captured by
the Perry privateer; and the person in charge of her went on
board the Leander, in his own boat, without the slightest hesi-
tation. The moment he got upon deck, he congratulated the
officers on the squadron being at sea, and in a situation where
they would do " a tarnation share of mischief to the d d
English sarpentSy and play the devil's game with their rag of
a flag." He then observed, that he knew the Leander the
moment he saw her, by her black painted masts and sides,
and the cut of her sails, to be the President, as he was in
* So highly was the Prince de Neufdialel admired, that orders were
given for her model to be taken and preserved in Deptford dock-yard ; but
owing to some accident or other her back was broken whilst there, and she
was afterwards sold for a mere trifle.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 536
New York just before she sailed : after these observations he
walked up to Sir George Collier, and making his bow, ad-
dressed him as Commodore Decatur, reminding him at the
same time of having once seen him at New York. He then
presented the John's papers, and complained of his men,
whom he described as a mutinous set of fellows, in whose
hands his life was not safe, at the same time requesting that
some of them might be changed for so many of the President's
crew, and that one in particular might have a sound flogging.
All this Sir George Collier promised, with great gravity, should
be done, and the first Lieutenant was ordered to have as many
men ready in exchange as those complained of. Jonathan
was then asked into the cabin, and Sir George, after retiring
for a moment, returned with a chart, in which the Leander's
track was marked, over which was written, " President, from
New York, on a cruise ;" and placing his finger upon these
words, as if by accident, they immediately caught the eye of
the American, who repeated that he knew the President the
moment he saw her, and " Nick " himself could not deceive
him. He was then asked by Sir George, pointing to the
Acasta, if he knew her ; his reply was, " she is the Mace-
donian" ; but when asked what the Newcastle was, he said
he did not know her ; on which Sir George told him she was
the Constitution : he replied, he recollected she was, though
not painted as she used to be. After pumping him as much
as possible, his papers were returned to him in great form,
and Sir George Collier, wishing him a good voyage, desired
he would not forget to let it be known that he left Commodore
Decatur and his squadron in good health and spirits. The
Yankee took his leave with great apparent satisfaction ; but
when about to quit the Leander her first Lieutenant apprised
him of his real situation, and on seeing the British Captain
come up in his uniform, he became almost frantic.
Sir George Collier, convinced that there was no probability
of meeting with the Constitution and her supposed consorts
so far to the northward, now resolved to search for them in
the neighbourhood of the Cape de Verds. The following ac-
count of his conduct in presence of the enemy on the 1 1th
Mar. 1815, written by his first Lieutenant, and corroborated
536 POST-CAPTAINS OF- 1802.
by the logs of the Leander, Newcastle, and Acasta, copies of
which are in our possession, will effectually rescue his me-
mory from any illiberal reflections that an incorrect passage
in a late publication may have given rise to *.
" P. M. Moderate and hazy weather. At 12h 20' saw the
land of St. Jago from E. N. E. to N. W. by N. At 12b 25'
observed three ships, apparently frigates, getting under weigh
in Porto Prayaf: the Newcastle and Acasta about half a
mile on the weather quarter. On the strangers being reported
to Sir George Collier, who was then coining out of his cabin,
he immediately called, ' down with the main tack.'— I sub-
mitted, as they appeared very close to us, from the haziness
of the weather, and we laying up for them, to beat to quarters
first : he said, * No, no, make sail, I will lay him on board !'
Shortly afterwards we fell off, and on bringing them abeam,
tacked J. Weather very thick and hazy — took the two stern-
most ships for frigates, the headmost, from appearance, a much
larger ship, for the Guerriere, who we understood had long
32-pounders on her main-deck. Made private signal, which
was not answered — hoisted our colours and fired a shot to
windward. Shortly afterwards the sternmost ship tacked,
and Sir George directed the Acasta's signal to be made to
tack after her ; but countermanded the order on observing
that she would gain the anchorage before the Acasta could
close with her. At this time Sir George called me aft, took
hold of my arm, and desired I would see every thing properly
cleared for action ; adding, ' We shall, I dare say, have sharp
work, but I would not give a fig for our fellows unless they
knock them up in half an hour— we must secure them all, or
John Bull will not be satisfied, although they have Guerriere
with them §. I am seldom under fire without getting a lick ;
* See James's Naval History, vol. 5. p. 547, el seq.
t The British squadron was at this lime standing in for the land with
starboard tacks on board. The enemy, it appear?, cut their cables, fearing
they should be attacked at anchor, although in a neutral port.
t The Newcastle was now two miles a- head of the Leander, and one
mile on the lee-bow of the Acasta. The enemy standing to the east-
ward.
§ The Guerriere, rated as a 44-gun frigate, was a new ship, mounting
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1802. 537
if 1 am so unfortunate this time as to be hit hard, recollect
the charge that devolves upon you, and in God's name don't
think of striking, let the consequences be what they will.— I
have now every confidence in the crew, and they handle their
guns to my satisfaction, but I should like to take the enemy
by boarding* !'
" Shortly after this conversation, the other ship tacked,
and Sir George Collier ordered the Acasta' s signal to be
made to tack after her f . In making the signal the Acasta's
distinguishing pendants got foul, and before they could be
cleared the Newcastle mistook it for a general signal. Fear-
ing the consequences of such a mistake, Sir George desired
the optional signal to be hoisted with the Newcastle's pen-
dants, and I am positive that he never intended her to tack J.
" When the Acasta had filled on the starboard tack, I ob-
served to Sir George, that if the ships standing in shore were
really frigates, which it was impossible to ascertain, owing to
56 guns, 28 of which were 32-pounders, called Columbians, resembling
those used in the British navy under the names of their inventors, Govcr
and Congreve.
* Mr. James tells us that the Leander possessed one of the worst crews
in the service; and adds, " Well was it^ indeed, that she never fell in with
one of the American 44's." The Morning Chronicle of March 30, 1824,
contains a letter from Captain Francis Fead, asserting that the Leander
had as fine a ship's company as ever he would wish to command.
t The enemy's second ship, hove in stays on the Leander's weather
beam. The Acasta then bore N. E. and Newcastle S. E. by E. The
headmost American, then 5 or 6 miles to windward of the Newcastle, was
forereaching on the squadron, and nearly out of sight from the Laander's
deck; the Newcastle was dropping fast to leeward, and the Acasta wea-
thering on the Commodore.
J Sir George Collier, confiding in the zeal and judgment of the Captains
under his orders, had previously informed them that whenever a certain
flag was hoisted with any signal addressed to either of them, they were at
liberty to disregard the signal, if they considered that by following the
order conveyed thereby the object in view was not so likely to be at-
tained, as by acting in contrariety thereto. The flag alluded to was en-
tered pro tempore in the signal books, under the designation of the " op-
tionalflag." On its being hoisted with the Newcastle's pendants, as above
stated, that ship made answer by signal, "the flags are not distinguishable."
538 posT-eAPTAiNS OF 1802.
the haziness of the weather, they would be more than a match
for the Acasta. He replied, " It is true, Kerr can do wonders,
but not impossibilities ; and I believe I must go round, as
when the ship that tacked first hears the Acasta engaged,
she will naturally come to her consort's assistance*." Sir
George then asked me if I saw the headmost ship and the New-
castle. I went with my glass to look, and observed the latter
but could not see the former f. He then, after looking
through his glass, ordered the helm to be put down; and
shortly after we had filled the Newcastle was observed to
tack, which circumstance displeased him very much ; but he
remarked that he was satisfied if she had been gaining upon
the enemy's ship and keeping her in sight, Lord George
would never have discontinued the chace : shortly afterwards
we opened our fire upon the ship we had tacked after, and to
our great mortification observed she was a corvette or 20-gun
ship. She ran in shore and let go her anchor, and the Acasta's
signal was made to take possession of her. We were obliged
to anchor to communicate with the Governor, in consequence
of several of our shot having gone on shore amongst the
houses. About 9 or 10 P. M. it fell calm, and continued so
during most of the night. On leaving the anchorage Sir
George Collier displayed the greatest zeal and anxiety to
• The Acasta's log informs us that the enemy's force was discovered to
consist of one large frigate and two sloops, so early as 1 P. M. the time
when the British squadron first tacked to the eastward. If so, we are
sorry that a signal to that effect was not made, by which Sir George Col-
lier's mind would have been set at ease as to the capability of the Acasta
to cope with the two ships which had put back; and the Leander, having
nothing else to engage her attention, would of course have continued in
pursuit of the other. It is very natural for junior Captains to feel a de-
licacy in addressing signals to their commanding officer when in presence
of an enemy; but as Sir George Collier had formed his opinion of the Ame-
ricans' force from the report of Captain Kerr and Lord George Stuart, he
certainly could not have taken offence had he been informed that the
Acasta alone was more than capable of annihilating the two ships which
she had tacked after.
t The Newcastle, according to her log, lost sight of the headmost Ame-
rican, in thick hazy weather, at 2h 5(X P. M.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 539
meet the Constitution ; and if we had not fallen in with an
American vessel that gave us authentic information of the
peace, there is little doubt but the Leander would have met
her singly, having taken up the exact position that would
have ensured a junction.
(Signed) " I. M'DOUGALL, Commander, R. N. and late
first Lieutenant of the Leander"
The ship taken on this occasion proved to be the Levant
of 20 guns, captured, in company with the Cyane 32, by the
Constitution, off Porto Santo, on the 20th of the preceding
month*.
From St. Jago the British squadron made all sail for the
West Indies, still hoping to intercept the fugitives on their
return to America. Leaving the Newcastle and Acasta to
windward of Barbadoes, Sir George Collier took up a cruising
ground off the north end of Cayenne, with the intention of
remaining there ten days ; but only four had elapsed when he
fell in with an American schooner, the master of which gave
him an authentic account of the peace between Great Britain
and the United States. It afterwards appeared by the Con-
stitut ion's log, that she made the north end of Cayenne,
only two days after the Leander had left that spot to rejoin
the other ships ; so that had she not met with the above
schooner, her crew would have had an excellent oppor-
tunity of shewing, under their gallant commander, whe-
ther they were not capable of taking an American forty-
four single-handed. . Captains M'Dougall and Fead, have
done Sir George Collier and his men such ample justice as
renders any further comment unnecessary.
The Leander returned to England with 52 transports, and
12,000 troops under her convoy, from Canada, in July 1815.
Sir George Collier had previously been raised to the dignity
of a Baronet of Great Britain f, and honored with the in-
signia of a K. C. BJ., as a reward for his long am} meritorious
services. In May 1818, he was appointed Commodore on
* See Captains HON. GEORGE DOUGLAS, and GORDON TPOMAS FALCON .
f July 30, 1814.
: Jan. 2, 1815.
540' POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
the coast of Africa; and he continued to hold that command,
with his broad pendant on board the Tartar frigate till
Sept. 21, 1819, during which period he did all that it was
possible for humanity, zeal, and superior intelligence to effect,
under the existing national treaties, with a view to the sup-
pression or mitigation of that abominable traffic, the Slave
Trade. The country at large duly appreciate his excellent
conduct in this respect, and regret, as we most sincerely do,
his melancholy and untimely death, the particulars of which
are too well known to require repetition t. No officer of his
standing in the service was Vnore generally known or higher
in estimation, as a brave, experienced, clever seaman, and
most generous, warm-hearted, friendly man. " As well,"
said an officer of high rank, on a late painful occasion,
" might fear be attributed to Lord Nelson, as to Sir George
Collier." It is certainly as impossible to impute to his con-
duct the want of personal courage, as to deny the natural
urbanity and courteousness of his manners. No British sailor
was ever more anxious to fight the enemies of his country —
in private life, no individual was ever more universally
esteemed.
The subject of this memoir married, May 18, 1805, Maria,
daughter of John Lyon, M. D. of Liverpool ; but he has left
no issue by that amiable lady, who still survives to deplore
his loss.
DANIEL WOODRIFF, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant April 1, 1783 : and
obtained the rank of Post-Captain, April 28, 1802. Towards
the close of the latter year he was appointed to the Calcutta,
a 50-gun ship armed en flute, and fitting for the conveyance
f Sir George Collier was elected an honorary Life Member of the Afri-
can Institution, May 17, 1820. His Annual Reports to the Admiralty on
the state of the Slave Trade were printed by order of the House of Com-
mons, and laid before Parliament. It is almost superfluous to say that
they are very much valued. He died 24th March, 1824.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 541
of convicts, to establish a new settlement at Port Philip, in
Bass's Straits, on the southern extremity of New Holland.
Captain Woodriffe sailed from Spithead, April 28, 1803,
and arrived at the place of his destination on the 12th Oct.
following ; but on surveying that port and the adjacent coast,
it was found totally ineligible for the purpose intended, the
difficulty of egress, on account of the prevailing winds, being
very great, fresh water remarkably scarce, and the soil un-
commonly poor. He therefore removed to the river Derwent,
on the south coast of Van Dieman's Land, where u settle-
ment, named Hobart, was established, and from whence he
proceeded to Port Jackson, for the purpose of taking on board
800 tons of large timber, with which he arrived at Spithead
July 23, 1804*.
After her return from New South Wales, the Calcutta was
fitted for sea as an effective 50-gun ship, and then sent to
St. Helena to bring home such merchantmen as might be
waiting there for the protection of a man of war. Whilst in
the performance of this service, she fell in with and waa cap-
tured, after a gallant defence, by a French squadron, consist-
ing of one 3-decker, four ships of 74 guns each, three 40-
gun frigates, and two brigs of war. The circumstances of
the action are thus related by Captain Woodriffe, in his letter
to the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated on board the Majes-
tueux, at Teneriffe, Nov. 7, 1805 :
" In obedience to the orders of the Right Hon. the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty, I waited at St. Helena until the 3d Aug.
collecting such of the Hon. Company's and other ships as might arrive,
and were willing to take the protection of H. M. ship. On that morning
1 sailed, having under my convoy the extra ship Indus from Madras ;
the African, whaler, from Desolation ; Fox, whaler, from the Mosambique
Channel ; and Grand Sachem from the coast of Peru, all full ships ; the
Wilhelmina, under Prussian colours, detained by the Calcutta on her pas-
sage out j and the Carolina, a large Swedish ship from China, which
claimed my protection. Nothing material happened during the passage
* The Calcutta left Rio Janeiro on her passage out, July 19 ; touched at
the Cape of Good Hope, Aug. 16, 1803 ; sailed from Port Jackson, on her
return home, Mar. 17, 1804; doubled Cape Horn, and arrived at Rio
Janeiro on the 22d May ; thus accomplishing a voyage round the world,
besides discharging and receiving a cargo, in ten months and three days.
542 PQST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
until the 14th Sept., when I fell in with the ship Brothers, of London,
from Tobago, being one of a very large fleet from the Leeward Islands,
under convoy of H. M. S. Illustrious, from which she had separated in a
gale of wind, with many others. This ship being very leaky, and much in
want of provisions, the master requested my protection and assistance.
I accordingly gave him instructions, and sent two men to assist at the
pumps ; but she was so ill found, and sailed so heavy, that she detained us
at least one-third of our daily distance.
*' On the evening of the 24th, the Grand Sachem requested permission
to part company, being bound to Mil ford, which she did accordingly the
next morning. We were then to the northward, in the stream of Scilly,
and in long. 12° W. At noon we saw several ships to the W. N. W., but
too distant to form any positive idea of their being either friends or ene-
mies. It was then nearly calm ; but a light breeze springing up from the
westward enabled them to near us fast, and night coining on, I kept be-
tween them and the convoy.
" At day-light on the 26th they had neared us considerably ; and the
Brothers sailing so much worse than the rest of the convoy, kept me con-
siderably astern. Had I not been unfortunately detained by this ship, all
would have been well. At six A. M. observing the number of strange
ships increased to thirteen, apparently large vessels, closely connected,
and evidently in chase of us, I made the necessary arrangements for the
escape of my convoy, should they prove an enemy's squadron. At 11, I
made the private signal, and waited until noon for its being answered,
which did not take place. I then hailed the Indus, informed the Cap-
tain that it was an enemy's squadron in chase of us, and ordered him
to make all possible sail ahead with the convoy, ami at the same time the
signal was made to them that an enemy was in sight
" The squadron Hearing us fast, I soon perceived a three-decker, and
four other ships of the line, with frigates and smaller vessels j and as I
saw it was next to impossible for both H. M. ship and the convoy to
escape, I determined to protect the latter, and favour their escape at all
events. My own convoy having made all sail ahead, 1 again dropped
astern to speak the Brothers, and recommended him to haul upon a wind
to the northward, which he immediately did. I then made sail to inter-
cept a large frigate, which was drawing up fast with the convoy. At three
P. M. this frigate being on our starboard bow, having passed me out of
gun-shot, began firing her stern-chase guns, which we returned with a
bow chase. This continued until, by the frigate's shortening sail, we got
abreast of her, when both ships opened their fire, but without any ma-
terial effect, in consequence of the distance the frigate preserved by her
superior sailing, and my leading off to the southward to favor the convoy
escaping. The distant cannonade continued upwards of an hour, when
the frigate hauled entirely out of gun-shot. During all this time I kept
running to the southward, in hopes of drawing the enemy's squadron after
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1902. 543
me, and am happy to find it had the desired effect ; for tins partial action
brought the whole of the squadron down, except the Sylph brig, which
was detached after the Brothers. At five the headmost liue-of-battle ship
began firing her bow-chase guns, which was returned by the Calcutta's
stern-chasers, still running to the southward under all possible sail,
but with very little wind. As the iine-of-battle ship was close upon our
starboard quarter, and the Thetis about a quarter of a mile on our lar-
board quarter, I was of opinion the sooner I attacked the line-of-battle
ship the better, as disabling her was the only chance remaining of escape.
I immediately put the helm aport, and when within pistol shot commenced
the action ; which was instantly returned by the enemy, and continued
without intermission for fifty minutes.
" As I was under the necessity of bringing the ship to action under all
possible sail, she was soon completely unrigged by the enemy's fire,
Finding the ship totally unmanageable, and our escape rendered impos-
sible, by the near approach of the rest of the enemy's squadron, I saw
that it would be only sacrificing the lives of my people to contend any
longer, and I was therefore under the painful necessity of ordering his
Majesty's colours to be hauled down. At day-light next morning I had
much satisfaction in finding that His Majesty's ship had not been uselessly
sacrificed; for the ships of the convoy being all out of sight (except the
Brothers, which was brought in by the Sylph), I trust they will arrive in
safety. I am further gratified, that in consequence of their escape, in-
formation will be given of this powerful squadron cruising immediately in
the tract of our homeward bound trade ; and the certainty, if my convoy
arrived safe, of a superior squadron being immediately sent after them,
determined the Commodore to quit that latitude, and run to the S. W.,
but not till he had captured seven sail of the Illustrious's convoy, and
destroyed twenty-four neutrals in the course of the cruise, to prevent in-
formation of his situation.
" During the action, both with 1'ArmHe frigate and la Magnanime line-
of-battle ship, though in the face of the squadron, the officers and men I
had the honor to command did their duty like men, so truly courageous,
that no superior force had power to depress them. Much praise is due to
Mr. J. Tuckey, my first Lieutenant, Lieutenant R. Donovan, and acting
Lieutenant, J. Collas, for their spirited conduct and active exertions during
the pursuit by the enemy and subsequent action ; and though His Ma-
jesty's ship has been captured, I trust the country has been materially
benefited by the escape of the convoy, and its subsequent consequences."
Captain Woodriffe, his officers, and crew, after being three
months on board the French squadron, and experiencing very
bad treatment, were landed at Rochelle, and marched from
thence to Verdun, a distance of 600 miles, in the inclement
f,44 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
months of Jan. and Feb. 1806. Whilst at that depot, Cap-
tain Woodriffe made several applications to Talleyrand to
procure his release, but without success. About June, 1807,
however, he received an order, signed by Buonaparte, then in
Poland, directing him to proceed immediately to England,
and to take the route of St. Maloes, a town which no English-
man was at that time permitted to enter. On his arrival
there he found that all his letters, directed to him at Verdun,
had been forwarded from the latter place by order of the
French government; and on his proceeding to engage a
vessel to convey him to England, for which he expected to
pay 40 or 50 guineas, he was told that one was already pro-
vided for him, free of every expence. The British govern-
ment, not to be outdone in generosity, immediately released
a French officer of the same rank as Captain Woodriffe, and
sent him to France on terms of equal liberality. It is almost
needless to say, that the sentence of the court-martial, sub-
sequently assembled to try Captain Woodriffe for the loss of
his ship, contained a most honorable acquittal of all on bo.'ird
of her in the action, and pronounced his conduct to have been
that of " a brave, cool, and intrepid officer."
At the close of 1808, Captain Woodriffe was appointed
agent for prisoners of war at Forton, near Gosport. Towards
the latter end^of the war we find him residing as Commissioner
at Jamaica. One of his sons is a Commander, and another a
Lieutenant, R. N. His eldest daughter married the late
Lieutenant -Colonel Tomkins of the 58th regiment, and died
in 1820.
Agent. — Messrs. Maude.
JOHN WENTVYORTH LORING, ESQ.
A Companion of the mott honorable Military Order of the Bath; and
Lieutenant-Governor of the Royal Naval College.
THIS officer is a son of the late Joshua Loring, Esq., who
was permanent High Sheriff of the province of Massachusetts,
previous to the American revolution; but having followed
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
545
the fortunes of his mother country, settled in Berkshire at the
peace of 1783*.
He was born in America, Oct. 13, 1775 > entered the naval
service of his Sovereign, as a Midshipman on board the Salis-
bury of 50 guns, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Milbank,
on the Newfoundland station, in June 1J89 ; and continued in
that ship, under the command of Captain, (now Sir William)
Domett, and his successor, the present Viscount Exmouth
till the conclusion of the Russian armament, when he was
removed into the Alcide, a third rate, commanded by Sir An-
drew Snape Douglas, and employed as a guard-ship at Ports-
mouth. We subsequently find him serving under Captains
Domett, Lord Augustus Fitzroy, Edward Brown, and John
Knight ; in the Romney 50, Orestes sloop of war, Conflagra-
tion fire-ship, and Victory of 100 guns ; the former bearing
the flag of Rear-Admiral Goodall, the latter that of Lord
Hood on the Mediterranean station.
During the occupation of Toulon by the British forces and
their allies, Mr. Loring served as a volunteer at Fort Mul-
grave ; and on the night of Dec. 17, 17^3, when that place
was stormed and carried by the republican troops f, he ap-
pears to have been severely wounded by a musket-ball
just below his knee, which obliged him to proceed in the
Dolphin hospital-ship to Gibraltar, for his recovery. From
thence, when scarcely convalescent, he took a passage
in the Inconstant frigate ; and having rejoined the Victory
at Corsica, again served as a volunteer at the reduction of
Bastia, commanding on that occasion a gun-boat, in which
he went every night at dusk to watch at the mole-head, and
kept his station till day -light in the ensuing morning.
On the surrender of Bastia, after a siege of thirty-seven
days, besides four spent in negociation J, Mr. Loring was
* Mr. Joshua Loring's father was a Commodore in the British navy,
and commanded on the Lakes during the war with the colonies. His bro-
ther, Captain John Loring, R. N., distinguished himself as a brave, intel-
ligent, and active officer, in the late wars with France, and died at Fart-
ham, Hants, Nov. !J, 1808.
t See Vol. I. pp. 4fi, f>0, and 293.
* See Vol. I. p. 251.
546 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in la Fleche, a prize
corvette, but soon after removed into the St. George of 90
guns, at the particular request of Sir Hyde Parker, whose flag
was then flying on board that ship. On the 14th March,
1705, he assisted at the capture of the Ca Ira and Censeur,
French two-deckers ; and in July following, witnessed the des-
truction of 1'Alcide 74, by the fleet under Vice-Admiral
Hotham *. At the commencement of 1796, he accompanied
Sir Hyde Parker and the whole of the St. George's officers,
into the Britannia of 110 guns; and at the conclusion of the
same year, we find him proceeding to Jamaica, as a passenger
in the Comet fire-ship, for the purpose of re-joining his pa-
tron, who had recently been appointed to the chief command
on that station, and gone thither in the Queen, a second
rate.
Lieutenant Loring was advanced to the rank of Commander
in the Rattler sloop of war, about June 1798, and shortly
after ordered to superintend the evacuation of the Caymites
Islands, near St. Domingo, in conjunction with Brigadier (now
Lieutenant-General) Sir Brett Spencer, G. C. B. The man-
ner in which this service was executed being reported as very
creditable to Captain Loring, he was, in September following,
gratified with an appointment to the Lark, a vessel superior
to any other of her class on that station.
Captain Loring continued in the Lark, cruizing with con-
siderable success against the enemy (capturing eight of
their privateers, and twenty- seven merchant vessels), till May,
1801 ; when in consequence of the expedition with which he
had re-equipped her at Port Royal, after being dismasted in
a hurricane, Lord Hugh Seymour, who had succeeded Sir
Hyde Parker in the chief command, was pleased to remove
him into the Abergavenny of 54 guns, and he was subse-
quently appointed to the Syren, an active frigate, from which
he was paid off at Plymouth in October, 1802. His post
commission bears date April 28th of the aame year.
In 1803 and 1804, he commanded the Utrecht of 64 guns,
bearing the flags successively of Rear-Admirals Robert Mon-
* Sec Vol. I. p. 3C4.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 54J
tagii, Philip Patton, and John Hollo way, on the Downs sta-
tion. In 1805 lie was appointed in succession to the Aurora,
Thames j and Santa Margaritta frigates ; but did not join the
two latter, there being an unexpected delay in launching the
Thames, and the generosity of his disposition preventing him
from using his commission for the other, when he found that
it would be unpleasant to the feelings of the gallant officer
then in command of her, were he obliged to remove into a
ship of the line, as at that time intended by the Admiralty *.
Captain Loring appears not to have been a loser by his for-
bearance on this occasion, as he was soon after appointed to
the Niobe of 40 guns ; in which fine frigate he was despatched
to reconnoitre the enemy's ports. On his arrival off 1'Orient,
March 28, 1806, he observed three large French frigates and
a corvette, standing out to sea ; and, notwithstanding their
great superiorlty,he immediately made sail in pursuit, succeeded
in coining up with the sternmost during the night, which for-
tunately was very dark with drizzling rain, and silently took
possession of her by running close alongside and dropping
two boats from the quarters full of men. The success of this
undertaking depended upon the promptitude of the boarding
officer, Lieutenant Barrington Reynolds, who in the most
skilful and resolute manner secured her without being ob-
served by the remainder of the squadron. The prize proved
to be le Nearque of 16 guns and 97 men, victualled and stored
for five months. This transaction was thus noticed by Earl
St. Vincent, in a letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
dated on the 5th of the following month :
" Sir,— I have great pleasure in forwarding' to you for the information
of the Admiralty, the very modest relation of a neat action performed by
Captain Loring of the Niobe, who has just joined with the corvette his
prize, and as the Crescent has many defects, which require looking into,
I have directed Captain Carthew to receive the prisoners on board that
ship, and to proceed with the prise to Plymouth Sound. I am, &c. &c.
(Signed) " St. VINCENT."
" To William Marsdcn, E&j"
On the 20th Oct. 1810, Captain Loring captured THiron-
delle French privateer, of 4 guns and 30 men ; and in the
* See Captain WILSON RATHBORNE, C, B.
548 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
course of the following month, he received the approbation of
the Admiralty, for the zeal and gallantry displayed by him in
an action with two frigates under the batteries of la Hogue,
the particulars of which have already been given under the
head of Captain Charles Grant, C. B.*
The Niobe was subsequently employed watching the port
of Havre, and on the 4th March, 1811, captured le Loup
Marin privateer of 16 guns and 64 men. On the 24th of the
same month, she assisted at the destruction of one of her
above mentioned antagonists, near Cape Barfleur, by a squa-
dron under the orders of Captain (now Rear- Admiral) Mac -
namara f, of whose official letter the following is a copy.
" H. M. S. Berwick, off Cherbourg-h, March 25, 1811.
" Sir, — Having sailed from St. Helen's in H. M. S. under my command,
in the afternoon of the 23d inst., I stood over to the French coast under
easy sail all night ; and at day-light the next morning, Barfleur light bear-
ing S. £ E. distant about twelve or thirteen miles, 1 observed a large sail
S. by E. running along the shore. I immediately gave chase, and obliged
her to haul in for a small rocky bay, about one mile to the westward of
Barfleur light-house, where she anchored with the loss of her rudder ; at
eight, the lee tide making strong, I was under the necessity, to avoid the
rocks and shoals which surrounded us, to anchor H. M. S. about two
miles to the northward of the enemy, which proved a frigate of the largest
class. 1 had previously called in the Amelia frigate, the Goshawk and
Hawke sloops, and ordered them to anchor, thinking an attack by boats
practicable when the weather tide should make.
" At noon, the Niobe joined from the eastward : the flood making at
four P. M. the squadron weighed, and having relinquished the plan of at-
tack by boats, on account of the rapidity of the tides, I ordered the Niobe,
by oignal, to lead as close to the enemy as the safety of the ships would
admit ; which was performed with great judgment, the Amelia and Berwick
following in succession.
" Surrounded by rocks and shoals, our fire could only be partial in the
act of wearing; at six P. M. I hauled off ; and on standing in this morning
with the intention of renewing the attack, the enemy set fire to the frigate,
and I had the satisfaction of seeing her burnt to the water's edge * * *
" I am, &c. &c.
(Signed) " J. MACNAMARA."
" Sir Roger Curtis, Bart., Admiral of the
" Red, %€ SfC. Portsmouth."
See Vol. II. Part. I. p. 30
t See Vol. I. p. 691.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 549
Soon after this event, Captain Loring was obliged to come
on shore for the recovery of his health ; and it was not until
September following, that he found himself able to resume
the command of the Niobe, which ship had been kept vacant
for him by the appointment of a Captain to act in her during
his absence. During the latter part of the war, he commanded
the Impregnable, a second rate, bearing the flag of Admiral
William Young, commander-in-chief on the North Sea station.
Captain Loring was nominated a C. B. in 1815. He suc-
ceeded the late Captain Wainwright as Lieutenant-Governor
of the Royal Naval College, Nov. 4, 1819; and has since
received a diamond ring, value one hundred guineas, from the
Empress of Russia, for his attention to a young protege of
her Imperial Majesty, who completed his education at that
excellent school, and afterwards embarked as a Midshipman
in the British service on board the Active frigate.
The subject of this memoir married, July 18, 1804, Anna?
second daughter of Vice- Admiral Patton, who then held a
seat at the Board of Admiralty * ; and by that lady has three
sons and three daughters.
The Lieutenant-Governor's eldest brother, Dr. Henry
Lloyd Loring, died Archdeacon of Calcutta, in 1822. The
character of this excellent clergyman is correctly drawn in
the Gentleman's Magazine for April 1323. Another brother,
Captain William Loring, of the Horse Artillery, served under
Sir John Moore during his celebrated retreat, from the fa-
tigues of which he never recovered, and died at Madeira in
1809. A third brother, Major R. R. Loring, still living, was
Military Secretary to Lieutenant- General Sir Gordon Drum-
mond, G. C. B., Governor of the Canadas, during the late war
with America.
JOHN WINNE, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1J90 ; commanded
the Rambler cutter, attached to Lord Howe's fleet, and ren-
dered essential service to the crew of the distressed Vengeur,
* See Vol. II Part I., note », at p. 93.
VOL. II. 2 O
550 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
on the memorable 1st June, 1794 ; served as first Lieutenant
of the Monarch 74, in the battle off Camperdown, Oct^ 11,
1797; obtained the rank of Commander, April 21, 1799;
and PoBt-Captain, April 28, 1802. He subsequently com-
manded a district of Sea Fencibles on the western coast of
England.
Agent— John Hinxman, Esq.
Sir ROBERT HOWE BROMLEY, BART.
This officer is the only son of the late Sir George Bromley,
Bart., representative of the very ancient family of Pauncefote,
of whom mention is made in Doomsday Book, by Esther,
eldest daughter of Asheton, First Viscount Curzon, grand-
father of the present Earl Howe.
He was born Nov. 28, 1778 ; commanded the Inspector
sloop of war in 1801 ; and obtained post rank April 28, 1802.
During the late war he commanded the Champion of 24 guns,
and Solebay and Statira frigates. On the 23d July, 1805, we
find him distinguishing himself in an action with the French
flotilla, on which occasion the Champion was much cut up
in her hull, masts, sails, and rigging, and sustained a loss of
2 men killed and 3 wounded. He succeeded to the Baronetcy
on the demise of his father, Aug. 17, 1808 ; and married,
June 8> 1812, the youngest daughter of Daniel Wilson, of
Dalham Tower, co. Westmoreland, Esq.
Agents— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
HON. BUNCOMBE PLEYDELL BOUVERIE.
THIS officer is the second son of Jacob, present Earl of
Radnor, by Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Anthony Dun-
combe, Baron Faversham (a title now extinct). He was born
June 28, 1780 ; entered at the Royal Academy at Portsmouth,
in January 1793 ; and removed from thence to the Latona
frigate in April 1795.
Mr. Bouverie having completed the established period of
service as a Midshipman on board the Latona and Cambrian,
under the command of Captain the Hon. A. K. Legge, was
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
551
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the 16th Feb. 1799 :
he subsequently accompanied Vice-Admiral Sir Roger Curtis
to the Cape of Good Hope, in the Lancaster of 64 guns, from
which ship he was made a Commander into the Penguin
sloop of war, by commission dated in Feb. 1801. His promo-
tion to the rank of Post-Captain took place April 28, 1802,
on which occasion he was appointed to the Braave of 40 guns.
At the renewal of the war, in 1803, we find Captain Bou-
verie commanding the Mercury, a 28 -gun frigate, fitted as a
floating battery for the defence of Guernsey. In Dec. 1804
he sailed from Portsmouth as convoy to the outward-bound
Mediterranean trade : and on the 4th Feb. following, he cap-
tured El Fuerte de Gibraltar, a Spanish vessel of 4 guns and
59 men, from Cadiz bound to Algeziras. His next appointment
was about Aug. 1805, to 1'Aimable 32, in which ship he fell in
with and was chased by a French squadron under M. Richery,
when proceeding to join Lord Nelson's fleet off Cadiz. Early
in 1806 he was removed to the Medusa frigate, then under
orders for the East Indies, but afterwards sent to the Rio de
la Plata, where he joined the squadron under Sir Home Pop-
ham, Oct. J, 1806, and continued to serve till the final evacu-
ation of Spanish America, Sept. 9, 1807. The Medusa re-
turned to Spithead with Lieutenant-General Whitelocke and
his staff on the 7th Nov. in the same year *.
On the 4th April 1808, Captain Bouverie captured 1'Actif
French privateer of 14 guns, near Dunnose. He was sub-
sequently ordered to the coast of Labrador, where he remained
three months under the orders of Captain Thomas Manby
of the Thalia frigate f. On his return from that inhospitable
station, we find him employed as a cruiser in the British
Channel, and Bay of Biscay, where he captured the French
privateers T A venture, of 14 guns and 82 men, 1'Hirondelle, of
* The Medusa assisted at the capture of the town of Maldonado, and
the island of Gorrite, in Oct. 1806. The operations of the British from
that period till the final evacuation of Spanish America, have already been
detailed in our memoirs of Sir Josias Rowley, and other officers. See vol.
I, note at p. 624, et seq.
t See vol. II. part I. p. 210, et seq.
2o2
552 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
14 guns and 75 men, and several other of the enemy's vessels :
and about the same period he appears to have been elected
M. P. for Downton, in Wiltshire.
In the night of June 4, 1812, the boats of the Medusa,
under the directions of Lieutenant Josiah Thompson, were
sent by Captain Bouverie to attack a French store-ship lying
in the harbour of Arcasson ; and notwithstanding the rapidity
of the tide and the intricacy of the navigation, succeeded in
getting alongside, although discovered and hailed by the ene-
my before they arrived within musket-shot. The Frenchmen
it appears were at their quarters, and perfectly prepared to
resist the attack ; but nothing could baffle the impetuosity of
Lieutenant Thompson.who rushed on board at the head of his
gallant party, and carried the ship after a desperate struggle,
in which the whole of her crew, excepting 23 men, were either
killed or compelled to jump overboard : among the latter was
her commander, a Lieutenant de vaisseau, severely wounded.
The prize proved to be la Dorade, mounting 14 guns, with a
complement of 86 men, and a full cargo of ship timber. At
day-light she was got under weigh ; but after proceeding about
a league down the harbour she grounded on a sand-bank,
and the tide then running out with great violence, the captors
were obliged to set her on fire, by which means she was soon
completely destroyed. In the execution of this spirited enter-
prise the Medusa had none killed, and only 5 men wounded.
From this period Captain Bouverie was employed in a
series of active operations on the north coast of Spain, and his
zeal and exertions were repeatedly noticed in Sir Home
Popham's despatches, extracts from which will be found
under the head of Sir George Collier, Bart, at p. 523, et seq,
He left the Medusa in June 1813, and has not since been
afloat.
Captain Bouverie married, Dec. 27, 1808, Louisa, second
daughter of the late Joseph May, of Hale House, co. Wilts,
Esq., and by that lady has one daughter.
RICHARD GODDARD, ESQ.
Post commission dated April 29, 1802.
I>OST*CAPTAINS OF 18O2,
553
RICHARD POULDEN, ESQ.
This officer was made a Lieutenant, Feb. 12, 1783, and ob-
tained post rank, April 29, 1802. He has been principally
employed in the Transport and Impress services.
CHARLES OTTER, ESQ.
THIS officer entered the naval service as a Midshipman on
board the Monarca of 70 guns, commanded by Captain John
Gell, in 1780, and bore a part in the battles between Sir Ed-
ward Hughes and M. de Suffrein, Feb. 17, April 12, July 6,
and Sept. 3, 1782, as also in the action off Cuddalore, June
20, 1J83*. The Monarca's total loss on those occasions
amounted to 28 men killed and 106 wounded. He subse-
quently served in the Nautilus sloop of war, and Stately of
64 guns, under the respective commands of Captains Thomas
Boulden Thompson and Robert Calder, the former employed
on the coast of Africa and at Newfoundland, the latter
forming part of the grand fleet during the Spanish armament.
Mr. Otter received his first commission in 1790, and we
find him serving as second Lieutenant of the Crescent frigate
at the capture of le Reunion of 36 guns, near Cherbourgh,
Oct. 20, 1793f. He was first Lieutenant of the same ship
when she encountered a French squadron off Guernsey,
June 8, 1794J ; and also of the Orion 74, in Lord JBridport's
action off 1'Orient, June 23, 1795 § ; on which latter occasion
he was advanced to the rank of Commander.
Captain Otter commanded the Morgiana sloop of war
during the Egyptian expedition, and brought home the du-
plicate despatches announcing the fall of Alexandria in 1801.
He afterwards accompanied a squadron under Rear- Admiral
George Campbell to the West Indies, from whence he returned
* See Vol. I. note f at p. 421, et seq.
t See Vol. I. p. 178. J See id. ib.
§ See id. p. 17^ ami 2J6, et seq.
554 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
to Portsmouth, May 17, 1802. His promotion to post rank
took place on the 29th of the preceding month.
From this period we lose sight of Captain Otter till the
autumn of 1807, when he obtained the command of the Pro-
serpine, mounting 40 guns, with a complement of 250 men,
in which ship he shortly after conveyed Lord Leveson Gower,
the British Ambassador to the court of St. Petersburgh, from
Gottenburgh to England. His capture by a French squadron,
off Toulon, is thus described by one of the officers then under
his command :
" On the evening of the 27 Feb. 1809, the Proserpine was at her station
off Cape Side, and had in the day reconnoitred the French fleet in the
roads and inner harbour; two frigates had been making a short excursion,
but went in again towards dusk and anchored. Several sail of small coast-
ing vessels were out, and running down alongshore towards Marseilles,
which induced Captain Otter to run in and endeavour to cut some of them off;
failing, however, in that attempt, and having little wind, we stood off
again for the night, and strict orders were given to keep a very sharp look
out, and to stand in again in time to catch some of them in the morning.
Having the middle watch to keep, I went early to bed ; the ship was nearly
becalmed, at about 5 or 6 miles from the Cape, and on my relieving the
deck, I found her, as near as I could guess, in the very same place, and
not a breath of wind ; it was as fine a moonlight morning as I ever saw ;
but the moon being to seaward, prevented us from seeing vessels that then
might be running along shore, and our ship being between them and the
moon, gave them a decided advantage. Mr. Brown, the Master, who
died afterwards in France, was the officer of the watch, and kept a con-
stant good look out. Mr. Carslake, first Lieutenant, had left orders for
the men to scrub their hammocks on the main-deck, and that the mate of
the watch should occasionally attend to the same ; this caused me some-
times to quit the deck for a few minutes. At 4 o'clock, I asked Mr. Brown
how I should mark the log ; he answered, ' head round the compass/ I
then called Mr. Rigby, second Lieutenant, to relieve Mr. Brown, and on
coming up again I heard a man, at the look-out on the larboard gangway,
sing out, ' I think I see a vessel, Sir/ Mr. Brown took a glass, and on
looking, told me he thought she looked like a man of war : he ran down
to the Captain, and I went and called all the officers : when I got on deck
again I looked through my glass, and plainly discovered two ships, with
all sail set, very close to us, yet I could scarce make them out with the
naked eye. All hands were immediately called, and we in vain (il being
calm) attempted to escape the enemy, who were coming up fast, with a
fine land breeze : we made the private night signal, but they returned
no answer.
" At length we got a little breeze, and ab Captain Otter knew the ship
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 555
sailed best by the stern, he ordered the two bow-guns into the cabin, to
answer the double purpose, I suppose, of steru-chasers and ballast. At
about 20 minutes past 4, one of the ships ranged up on the larboard side,
looking very large — her ports all up, lights on the main-deck fore and aft :
she had shortened sail, and was perfectly ready for commencing the action ;
the other ship was coming up on our starboard side, when the wind en-
tirely died away, leaving the poor little Proserpine in a very hopeless situa-
tion; as by this time we discovered two 74's coming down to assist in the
unequal combat. Captain Otter hailed one of the ships, and was answered
by a single gun. He took the hint and beat to quarters. When the enemy
heard our drum they gave us a whole broadside, which salute we returned
in as polite a manner as we could : the ship yawed a little, and left her
consort in a safe position astern, where she continued raking us all the ac-
tion, without our being able to fire a shot at her, as the two bow-guns
had been left by those who were getting them aft, when we beat to quar-
ters, and were no small nuisance, as on our larboard side two guns were
disabled for 20 minutes by them, till they were got to their places : very
fortunately they fired high in the ship astern, to prevent our escape by
flight, as they had before witnessed that we could sail very fast. At -A
little after 5 o'clock the ship alongside piped a la bordage! and the cry of
Vive VEmpereur ! a la bordage ! rent the air ; a light breeze which sprung
up would have favored them in this design, had not Captain Otter called
all the officers, and consulted with them ; the result of which was, that as
the Proserpine was almost a wreck, her rigging, masts, and sails cut to
pieces, 41 hands short of complement, with no chance of being able to save
the ship, and the two 74's coming up fast, it was necessary to surrender, to
save the lives of the crew. The colours were then ordered to be struck,
after which they fired two broadsides at us, then took possession, and
carried us into Toulon. The (wo ships that took u? were the Penelope
and Pauline, of 44 guns and 360 men each; the Proserpine had one
seaman killed outright, one marine mortally, and eleven men slightly
wounded. The French officers said they had none killed or wounded, but
several of the crew secretly told us that they had several killed, and that
many wounded men were sent at night to the hospital*."
* The squadron sent out to cut off the Proserpine, consisted of the fol-
lowing ships : the Suffrein and Ajax 74's, and Penelope, Pauline, and Po-
mone frigates, each mounting 44 guns, and carrying from 360 to 330
men. The writer of the above narrative, when below superintending the
men scrubbing their hammocks, heard one of them scold another who had
twin sons on board, for breaking his own rest to wash for them, as he
said they were big enough to do it themselves. The poor fellow replied,
" Oh ! they will grow up men soon, and then will not forget my doing this
for them ; and provided that a shot does not take my head off, they will
treat me to many a glass for washing for them now." In less than two
556 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
Captain Otter continued in France as a prisoner till the
conclusion of the war. On the 30th May, 1814, he was tried
by a court-martial for the loss of the Proserpine, and honor-
ably acquitted of all blame on that occasion, the court agree-
ing that the ship was defended in the most gallant and
determined manner, and that her colours were not struck
until resistance was of no avail.
.— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
THOMAS KURD, ESQ.
Late Hydrographer to the Board of Admiralty ; Superiniendant of Chro-
nometers; and a Commissioner for the Discovery of Longitude.
PREVIOUS to the first American war we find this officer
assisting in a survey of Newfoundland, and afterwards com-
pleting his time as a Midshipman on board the flag-ships of
the late Admiral Gambier and Earl Howe, by the latter of
whom he was made a Lieutenant into the Unicorn frigate,
commanded by Captain J. Ford, in 1777-
The Unicorn being coppered, was enabled to come up with
and capture an unusually large number of American priva-
teers and merchantmen, and Lieutenant Hurd, in conse-
quence, realized a considerable sum, as had been predicted
hours after he said the words, a shot actually took his head clean off; and
the heart-rending scene that ensued, on the boys finding out that it was
their father, beggars all description. He was the only man killed outright.
The marine who was mortally wounded, knew his end was very fast ap-
proaching, and begged to be allowed to die on board the Proserpine ; but
he was sent on shore to the hospital at Toulon, and although he could
scarcely speak from his wounds, when he passed under the stern of the
French Admiral's flag-ship, seeing numbers on her poop looking at the boat,
which was the Proserpine's cutter, he made an effort to raise himself up in
his cot, and exclaimed,
" You Frenchmen, don't talk of your fighting,
" Nor boast of this deed you have done :
" Don't think that Old England you'll frighten,
" So easy as Holland and Spain."
He then attempted to sing " God save the King," but could not, being
faint from loss of blood and exertions ; this gallant man was firm and col-
lected to his last moments, and afforded a proof of that sterling and truly
British heroism for which our seamen and marines have ever been noted.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 557
by the above nobleman, who, on presenting him with his
commission, had advised him to purchase an iron chest to
secure his prize-money in *. In May 1779, she formed part of
the squadron under Sir James Wallace, at the capture of la
Danae French frigate, and the destruction of several other
national vessels in Concale bay, on the coast of France -}-.
Mr. Hurd was appointed to the Hercules in 1781 ; and
commanded her main-deck guns, as second Lieutenant, on
the glorious 12th April in the following year £. He was
subsequently removed, as first Lieutenant, into the Ardent, a
64-gun ship, recaptured from the French on that memorable
occasion, and afterwards attached to the ill-fated convoy that
sailed from Jamaica under Rear-Admiral Graves, and suffered
so dreadfully in the hurricane of Sept. 1 7, 1782 §.
During the ensuing peace he was employed on various
services ; and it is to his scientific knowledge and sedulous
exertions that we are indebted for our present knowledge of
Murray's anchorage, on the north side of the Bermudas. The
geographical situation of those islands, as well as of the many
banks and reefs, which on the north, east, and west sides,
extend to the distance of three, four, and five leagues, was
also first determined by him, and with the same fidelity as the
channels leading to Castle Harbour and other places of an-
chorage. He afterwards commanded the Lily sloop of war ;
and in the summer of 1804, we find him engaged in a survey
off Brest, the result of which was the production of an accu-
rate chart denoting the soundings, and pointing out the exact
position of the sunken rocks in the neighbourhood of that
port. He succeeded Mr. Dalrymple as Hydrographer to the
Admiralty in 1808, and died April 30, 1823.
RICHARD PELLOWE, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790, and served as
third of the Nymphe at the capture of la Cleopatra, French
* The experiment of covering ships' bottoms with copper was first
tried on the Alarm frigate in 1/61 ; but the plan was not generally adopt-
ed tor many years afterwards.
t See Vol. I. p. 68. J See id. p. 602. § See Vol. I. p. 679
558 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
frigate, June 18, 1793*. He afterwards commanded the
Otter fire-ship. During the late contest with France he was
principally employed as an agent for prisoners of war.
Captain Pellowe married, Sept. 7, 1805, Miss Sparg, of
Penryn, in Cornwall. That lady died April 29, 1812.
JOHN DICK, ESQ.
Knight of the Imperial Ottoman Order of the Crescent.
THIS officer is a son of the late James Dick, Esq. who
passed his life in the civil department of the navy, and a
cousin of Colonel Sir William Dick, Bart., representative of
the ancient family of that name, long settled at Braid, in
Mid-Lothian, N. B.
He is a native of Rochester, and entered the naval service
under the patronage of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond in 1789.
His time as a Midshipman was completed under the respective
commands of that excellent officer, and Captains John Drew,
Francis Laforey, and Andrew Snape Douglas. In 1795 he
obtained the rank of Lieutenant in the Victorious of 74 guns ;
and he subsequently served as such in 1'Aimable frigate and
the Majestic 74, bearing the flag of Sir John Laforey, in the
West Indies. His promotion to the rank of Commander took
place in 1796, and on that occasion he was appointed to the
Bull Dog sloop of war, in which vessel he returned to England
at the period when our seamen were unhappily engaged in
acts of open treason, the expected disastrous effects of which
were prevented by the exertions of himself and those of his
brother officers selected to direct the operations of a flotilla
equipped for the express purpose of reducing the mutineers
at the Nore to obedience.
Captain Dick was soon after appointed to the Discovery
bomb, on the North Sea station. In 1799, he accompanied
the expedition sent against the Helder, covered the landing
of the troops, and served on shore with the army till the
final evacuation of Holland f. Early in 1800 he removed into
the Cynthia of 18 guns, and proceeded to the Mediterranean,
where he was most actively employed during the remainder
* Sec Vol. I, p. 212. f Sec Vol. I, note at p. 414, ctseq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
559
of the war. His vigilance as senior officer of the sloops, and
other vessels composing the in-shore squadron employed in the
blockade of Alexandria, and co-operating with the Turks at
the capture of Damietta, was highly meritorious, and pro-
cured him the esteem of Sultan Selim, by whose command he
was knighted, and invested with the insignia of a K. C. of the
third class, on the 8th Oct. 1801*. His post commission
bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Dick's next appointment was to the Jamaica, of
24 guns, in which ship he was employed on the Channel and
Newfoundland stations from 1803 till 1807- He then re-
moved into the Penelope frigate ; and after serving for some
time in the Channel, was ordered to join the squadron in
America, under the orders of Sir John B. Warren, by whom
he was selected to convey Major-General Sir George Prevost
to Barbadoes, and escort thither four chosen regiments des-
tined to assist at the reduction of Martinique f. The landing
of the main body of the army employed on that occasion is
thus described by the officer to whom the superintendence of
the debarkation had been committed :
" H. M. S. Acastn, Bay Robert, Jan. 31, 1809.
*' Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, that at day-dawn of yesterday,
the division of transports carrying the army under the command of Lieu-
tenant-General Beck with, were four leagues to windward of the Carvel
rock. I immediately bore up for Bay Robert, being joined in my way
thither by the Ethalion, Forester, Ringdove, Haughty, and Eclair, the
Eurydice having joined me the preceding evening.
" The weather was uncommonly windy and squally, and there was a
very considerable swell as far out as Loup Garou. Neither of the small
frigates (the Cleopatra or Circe) had joined to go in with the transports ;
and not knowing what opposition might be made to a landing, I deter-
mined to enter the Cul de Sac with all the men of war, that I might
effectually protect the troops, if occasion required, which I could not
possibly have done had I anchored as far out as Loup Garou. Having
therefore placed boats with flags on the edges of the shoals, I led in
with the Acasta, followed by the Penelope and transports, and anchored
the whole of them about noon.
" This decision, I trust Sir, you will approve, as it enabled me to land
the first and second brigades, amounting to 4500 men, with a certain pro-
portion of artillery and horses before sunset, which I could not otherwise
have done ; and this morning by 7 o'clock all the reserve were landed.
* See Vol. I, note at p. 129,r/w?. f See Vol. I, p. 264.
560 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
" To Captains Cochrane of the Ethalion, and Bradshaw of the Eury-
dice, I am indebted for arranging the boats for the first landing ; and more
particularly to Captain Dick of the Penelope, for superintending that
arrangement, and leading in the transports, which he did with great judg-
ment. * * * *. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " P. BEAVKR."
" To the Hon Sir Alexander Cochrane, K. B.
%c. q-c. $c."
After performing the services mentioned in the above letter,
Captain Dick landed with a party of seamen, and succeeded
in securing Fort Trinite, and other works on the windward
side of the island. He subsequently returned to the Halifax
station, and continued there till the latter end of 1811 or
early in 1812, since which time he has been on half pay.
He married a daughter of B. Goodrich, of Saling Hall,
Essex, Esq., and has several children.
Agents. — Messrs Goode and Clarke.
PETER RIBOULEAU, ESQ.
THIS officer commanded the Astrea troop-ship, and greatly
distinguished himself during the Egyptian campaign in 1801.
His post commission bears date April 29, 1802; and we
subsequently find him holding a command in the Sea Fen-
cibles. He is at present serving as Flag-Captain to Lord
Colville on the Irish station.
Agent* — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
JOHN NASH, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Richard Nash, Esq., Pur-
ser, R. N., and a brother of Captain James Nash, who ob-
tained post rank the same day as himself, April 29, 1802.
STEPHEN RAINS, ESQ.
THIS officer commanded the King George cutter, attached
to Admiral Duncan's fleet in the battle off Camperdown,
Oct. 11, 1797. He. obtained the rank of Post-Captain April
29, 1802 5 and was employed during the late war as a resident
agent of transports. He died Feb. 1, 1824, in his 59th year.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 561
THOMAS HAND, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant Nov. 6, 1778 ; and
commanded the Tartarus bomb during the expeditions to
Ostend and Egypt, in 1798 and 1801. He obtained post
rank April 29, 1802 ; and subsequently held an appointment
in the Sea Fencible service.
Agent* — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
FARMERY PREDAM EPWORTH, ESQ.
Is the eldest son of the late Rear-Admiral Epworth, by
Jane, daughter of William Cuming, Esq. an Alderman of
Totness.
The Epworths can boast a very respectable ancestry, as
will appear from the following genealogical particulars : —
Lieutenant William Thompson, who fled from the battle of
Worcester, Sept. 3, 1651, with Charles II., and continued
abroad until the restoration, was the first man that jumped
on shore to challenge any person to single combat who should
oppose the King's landing. He married the daughter of
Sir Thomas Lowther, a member of the family from which is
descended the present Earl of Lonsdale.
Lieutenant Thompson's daughter married a Yorkshire
gentleman named Willis, whose ancestor accompanied King
Edward the First into Scotland, in the year 1296. His
daughter married John Gillson, great grandson of Manson-
Harrison, Esq., Envoy at the Hague, who was united to a
Dutch lady named Breaderord, a niece to the Earls of Eg-
mont and Horn *.
Mr. Gillson's daughter married Farmery, father of the late
Rear- Admiral Epworth f, and grandson of Christopher Ep-
worth, owner of the royalty of Keelby in Yorkshire, Vicar of
the same place, and Rector of Croxton.
Farmery Predam Epworth, the subject of this memoir, was
* There are large possessions in Holland to which Captain Epworth has
a legal claim.
f Rear- Admiral Epworth died at Totness, Mar. 18, 1804.
562 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
born at Totness, co. Devon, Nov. 30, 1766, and entered the
naval service in 1779, on board the Squirrel a 20-gun ship,
commanded by his father, with whom he appears to have con-
tinued but a few months. In the following year he joined the
Foudroyant of 80 guns, Captain John Jervis, under whom he
served at the relief of Gibraltar by Vice-Admiral Darby and
Earl Howe, and at the capture of le Pegase, a French 74,
April 21, 1782*.
Towards the conclusion of the American war, Mr. Epworth
removed with Sir John Jervis into the Salisbury of 50 guns.
In Dec. 1782, he was made a Lieutenant, and appointed to
the Wasp sloop, Captain John Hills. The activity of this
vessel in suppressing smuggling was such as to call forth the
thanks of the Commissioners of the Customs, who sent a
sum of money to be distributed amongst the officers and
crew, as a reward for their exertions f.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war
Lieutenant Ep worth- proceeded to the West Indies, on which
station he was frequently employed in boats, capturing the
enemy's vessels, and cutting them out of their harbours.
We next find him serving in the Alexander of 74 guns, com-
manded by the late Sir Richard Rodney Bligh, whose memo-
rable defence of that ship against a French squadron of five
sail of the line and three frigates, can never be forgotten J. In
his official letter respecting the capture of the Alexander, that
excellent commander recommended Lieutenant Epworth, and
the other officers who were his supporters on the arduous
occasion, to the favor and protection of the Admiralty. The
following is a translation of the French commander-in-chief s
reply to a memorial presented by them on their arrival at
Brest:
" On board the Montagne, in Brest Road, 22d Germinal, In the third
year of the Republic, one and indivisible.
" Gentlemen,— I have received the letter you did me the honor to
* See Vol. L p. 15.
t In our memoir of Admiral Sir John Wells we have erroneously described
that officer as the commander of the Wasp at the period alluded to above.
J An account of the action will be given under the head of Commander
JAMES GODENCH.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 563
write to me for the purpose of procuring' for you either permission to
return to England on your parole of honor, not to serve till after being
exchanged, or to ameliorate your condition by placing you in security *.
" You are riot ignorant, doubtless, of the arrival of an English com-
missary a few days since, in one of our ports in the Channel, sent by your
government to treat for the exchange of prisoners of war. The represen-
tatives of the people immediately sent a courier extraordinary to the
Committee of Public Safety, to ascertain if they would enter upon nego-
ciations on the subject. We await with impatience the answer of this
despatch, which I hope will be favorable to you ; but if my hopes should
be disappointed, lean assure you, gentlemen, on the part of the represen-
tatives, that you will, in a very few days, be sent to Quimper, where you
will enjoy your liberty, and that respect which is due to your rank, and to
your distinguished conduct in the Alexander — conduct which gives you a
claim to the esteem of all Frenchmen, and to mine in particular. I have
the honor to be, very sincerely, Gentlemen, your very humble and obe-
dient servant,
(Signed) " VILLAHET JOYEUSE, Vice-Admiral ancf Commander
of the naval forces of the Republic."
" To the officers composing' the etat major
of the late English ship Alexander?'
On his return to England Lieutenant Ep worth was ap-
pointed to command the Pilote brig, and employed conveying
despatches to the West Indies and Channel fleet. He ob-
tained the rank of Commander in the Wasp sloop of war in
Dec. 1796; and was posted into the Portland, a 50 gun ship,
April 29, 1802.
In 1804, we find him acting as Captain of the Prince George
98, in the Channel fleet, and subsequently commanding the
Goliah 74, pro tempore, off the Black Rocks. His next ap-
pointment was to the Sea Fencible service ; and he does not ap-
pear to have been called again into active employment till June
181 1, when he received a commission for theNijadenof 36 guns.
On the 14th Mar. 1812, being on his passage from Lisbon
to England with despatches and the post-office mail, Captain
Epfworth fell in with five French line-of-battle ships which
had escaped out of 1'Orient a few days before. This squad-
ron chased the Nijaden the whole day, and was at one time so
near as to exchange shot with her. Three large ships, which
afterwards proved to be the Northampton, Monarch, and
* " En vous envoyant en cautionnement."
564 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Euphrates, homeward bound Indiamen, were then in sight,
standing directly for the enemy ; and had it not been for the
signals made by Captain Epworth, and his masterly manoeu-
vres, they must inevitably have been captured.
Soon after this event the Nijaden was ordered to be broken
up, and Captain Epworth received an appointment to the
Nymphe frigate, rated at 38 guns, in which he was employed
blockading the port of Boston in North America for a period
of two years ; and so great was his vigilance that he com-
pletely stopped the coasting trade between the southern and
northern ports, and compelled the enemy to have recourse
to land carriage for the supply of flour and corn.
In Sept. 1814, the boats of the Nymphe took possession of
a fort in Sandy Bay, near Cape Ann, spiked and threw the
guns, four in number, into the sea, and brought off the guard,
and all the vessels at the anchorage, without the loss of a man.
Towards the conclusion of the war with the United States,
Captain Epworth was appointed to the Bulwark 74, stationed
off Boston to watch the American line-of-battle ship Indepen-
dence, then lying in that harbour ready for sea. During his con-
tinuance on that station, in the Nymphe and Bulwark, he cap-
tured six privateers, carrying in the whole 41 guns and 309 men;
took and destroyed sixty-three sail of the enemy's coasting
and other traders; and recaptured eight British merchantmen
with valuable cargoes.
Hostilities having at length ceased, the Bulwark was or-
dered to Bermuda, from whence she conveyed Rear- Admiral
Griffith, now Colpoys, to Halifax. Captain Epworth was
then sent to Quebec, to superintend the embarkation of 7000
troops, and found on his arrival there, that the transports were
in a very deficient state as to their equipment. This, however,
was remedied through his exertions, and the whole were
escorted by him, with great dispatch to Portsmouth, where
they arrived soon after the renewal of the war in Europe,
occasioned by Buonaparte's return from Elba, and conse-
quently in time to render essential service to their country by
joining the British army in the Netherlands. The Bulwark
was paid off at Chatham in June 1815.
Agent.— J. Copland, Esq.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
565
MATTHEW BUCKLE, ESQ.
THIS officer, a son of the late Admiral Buckle, was made a
Lieutenant in 1791 ; commanded the Camel store-ship in
1801 : and obtained post rank April 29, 1802. During the
late war he was employed in the Sea Fencible service, and
as Captain of the Adamant, a 50 gun ship, and Latona
frigate.
Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
JOHN ALLEN (a), ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant April 21, 1783; and a
Post-Captain, April 29, 1802.
Agent. — William Marsh, Esq.
JAMES NOBLE, ESQ.
THIS officer is the second and only surviving son of a
patriotic gentleman, descended from a respectable mercantile
family settled at Bristol, co. Somerset, who after sacrificing
considerable property in the royal cause, was killed by a
party of American rebels, when proceeding to New York
on public service *.
He entered the navy in 1 788, and served his time as a
Midshipman on board the Impregnable, a second rate; Ter-
* During the war with the colonies, Captain Noble's father raised an
independent corps, consisting chiefly of Germans employed at the iron
works on his estate in the Bergen county, East Jersey j and was nomi-
nated a Major in Colonel Buskirk's regiment, attached to General Skin-
ner's brigade ; but having received a bayonet wound in his right eye, and
his skull being fractured in an affair with the republicans, he was thereby
deprived of his reason for upwards of eighteen months, during which time
the majority was bestowed on another. Having at length recovered, he
obtained an appointment as Assistant Commissary from Sir Henry Clinton,
in which situation he died, leaving three sons to lament his loss ; viz.
Richard, who was drowned in la Dorade, a French privateer, prize to the
Clyde frigate f; James, the subject of this memoir; and Dejoncourt,
who fell a victim to the yellow fever when serving as a Midshipman on
board the Vanguard of 74 guns, in the West Indies. "
t See Vol. II, Part I, note * at p. 81.
VOL. II. 2 P
post -CAPTAINS OF 1802.
magant, and Ferret, sloops ; Bedford, 74 ', and Britannia of
100 guns. During the occupation of Toulon by the allied
forces, in 1793, he was engaged with a party of small arm
men in the various services on shore : he also bore a part in
the actions between the British and French fleets, March 14,
and July 13,1795*.
In October of the same year Mr. Noble was appointed
to act as a Lieutenant on board the Agamemnon of 64
guns, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Nelson,
and in the following month he fell into the enemy's hands
when employed carrying despatches from that officer to the
Austrian camp nelar Savona. A few days after his enlarge-
ment, he received a very dangerous wound in an affair with
the enemy at Loano, as will be seen by the following letter
from Nelson to Sir John Jervis, dated April 25, 1796:
" This morning, having received information that a convoy laden with
stores for the French army had anchored at Loano, I lost no time in pro-
ceeding off that place with the Meleager, Diadem, and Peterell. On ray
approach, I was sorry to observe that instead of a convoy, only four ves-
sels were lying finder the batteries ; which opened on our nearing them,
and the fire was returned as our ships got up, under cover of which our
boats boarded the vessels, and brought them off: but these vessels lying
very near the shore, a Tieavy fire of musketry was kept up on the boats,
tfrtA rt is with tne greatest grief I have to mention, that Lieutenant James
Noble, a most worthy and gallant officer, is, I fear, mortally wounded.
From our ship's keeping under the fire of their batteries, we sustained no
loss ; the Agamemnon was, I believe, the only ship struck by shot. The
principal part of this service fell on our boats, whose conduct and gallantry
0NM not on any occasion have been exceeded ; and I wish fully to express
the se-hse I entertain of the gallantry of every officer and man employed on
this occasion f."
In July following, Lieutenant Noble, having recovered
from fee wound which had caused such apprehensions for his
life, was appointed to the temporary command of la Genie,
* See Vol. I. notes at pp. 340, and 254.
The officers employed in the boats dftiie squadron were Lieutenants
i-klms, NdHle, Compton, Culverhouse, and Ryder. Not a man was
le<i, and only three persons wounded, including Mr. Noble. The prizes
consisted of a sfMp, a ketch, and two galleys, laden with corn, rice, wine,
powder, 8 brass guns, and 1 COO stand of arms
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
567
a ketch recently taken at St. Pier d' Arena*, armed with
three IS-pounders, and employed in the blockade of Leg-
horn. A short time previous to this appointment he had
been transferred with the Commodore's broad pendant, and
most of his brother officers, from the worn out Agamemnon
to the Captain of 74 guns f.
During the remainder of the year 1796, Mr. Noble was
employed on a variety of important services as flag Lieuten-
ant to the enterprising Nelson, in the Captain and la Minerve,
particularly at the capture of Porto Ferrajo, and the island of
Capraja, the evacuation of Corsica, and the capture of the
Santa Sabina, a Spanish frigate of 40 guns, commanded by a
descendant of King James II J.
On the latter occasion Lieutenant Noble received several
bad wounds from splinters. A repetition of Nelson's own
words will in themselves afford the praise best adapted to his
general conduct. Writing an account of the action to Sir
John Jervis, he says, — " You will observe, Sir, I am sure,
with regret, amongst the wounded, Lieutenant James Noble,
who quitted the Captain to serve with me, and whose merit,
and repeated wounds received in fighting the enemies of our
country, entitle him to every reward which a grateful nation
can bestow/'
On the memorable 14 Feb. 1797? the subject of this me-
moir was one of the officers who, under the heroic Nelson,
boarded and carried two Spanish ships of the line, one of
which was a first rate, mounting 112 guns ! The particulars
of this almost incredible exploit have already been given in
our memoir of Rear- Admiral Sir Edward Berry §. Tp that
account we shall now add some extracts from the Captain's log-
book, which in the plainest and most unadorned, though not
on that account less interesting style, sets forth not only the
* See Vol. I. p. 519.
t When the Agamemnon was docked in Oct. 1796, she had not a mast,
yard, or sail fit for service. Her hull had been for a long time secured
and kept together by cables passed under her bottom.
J See Vol. I., p. 520; and Vol. II. part I. note at p. 153.
§ See Vol. I. p. 774 et seq.
2p2
568 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
leading events of the action itself, but those also which im-
mediately preceded it :
" P. M. wind variable, moderate breezes and hazy ; <rnt cutter and
arge, and sent them on board the Victory ; joined company H. M. S.
Bonne Citoyenne. At 2 the cutter returned with Lieutenant Noble,
Hoisted Commodore Nelson's pendant. 4h 30y mustered at quarters ; one
division exercised great guns. 6h 30' Commodore Nelson came on board
from la Minerve. ******** Midnight, tacked per signal.
" A. M, ditto weather — between 2 and 3 o'clock, heard the report of
several gnns to the southward. * * * At day-light made the signal for a
strange sail to the northward. 5h 30' heard the report of two guns S. W. ;
at 10 moderate and foggy, 10h 30' saw the Spanish fleet, bearing .S. S. E.
4 or 5 miles — answered signal to form the line, and chase the enemy. At
llh 40' the headmost of our ships began to engage the enemy as they
passed us on the other tack ; Cape St. Vincent bearing North 10 leagues.
A few minutes before noon, we opened our fire on their leading ship, and
passed nineteen sail of the line, exchanging broadsides as we passed J.
" P. M. wind variable, at 18 minutes before one, the Captain having
passed, on the starboard tack, the last of the enemy's line of nineteen sail,
which were on the larboard tack, the Spanish Admiral, in the Santissima
Trinidada, bore up, evidently with a design to join a division of his fleet, of
eight sail of the line, which were on the Captain's lee-bow. Seeing this the
Commodore ordered the ship to be wore; and passing between the Diadem
and Excellent, she was immediately engaged by the Santissima Trinidada,
a four-decked ship, two three-deckers, and several two-deckers ; so that at
one time we were engaged by 9 line-of-battle ships, in which we were most
nobly supported by Captain Trowbridge, of the Culloden. The Spanish
Admiral desisted from his attempt, and hauled to the wind on the larboard
tack. About 2, the Culloden having got between us and the enemy, we
ceased firing for 10 minutes, till we got a head of her, and became engaged
as before. * * » 2h 30' our sails and rigging being almost cut to pieces,
the 'Blenheim passed between us and the enemy. At 3, we engaged several
of the enemy's line, particularly the San Josef and San Nicholas. Saw a
Spanish two-decker strike to the Excellent, and soon after we shot away
the San Josefs mizen-mast *#***»** «e
At 3h 30' the Excellent passed us to windward, engaged the San Josef
within pistol shot, and caused her to fall on board the San Nicholas.
The Captain, whose fore-top-mast was at this time shot away, immedi-
ately luffed alongside the latter ship, prepared for boarding, and, having
engaged very sharply for a few minutes, in which we had 15 men
killed and wounded, the Commodore ordered her to be laid on board ; when
himself/Lieutenants Berry, Noble, and Pearson, and Messrs. SamweH,
Nelson in his account says 17 sail.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
569
Withers, and Williams, Midshipmen, at the head of the boarders and
troops, entered the San Nicholas on the larboard quarter, and from her
boarded the San Josef, whose colours they hauled down at 5 minutes before
4 o'clock; the latter mounting 112 guns, Rear-Admiral Winthuysen;
and the former 84 guns, Commodore Gerraldelmo *. Pound the San
Nicholas on fire, but extinguished it. At 5, all firing ceased. While we
were entangled with both ships, discovered the San Nicholas to be on fire
again in the fore hold, but it was happily extinguished by our firemen.
Commodore went on board the Irresistible. At six got clear of the prizes.
Wore to join the fleet, having been between them and the enemy, who
stood^towards us with a fresh breeze, but hauled their wind again. Em-
ployed cutting away the remnant of the fore-sail, and clearing the wreck
of the fore-top-mast. At 7, la Minerve took us in tow ; our standing and
running rigging, with all the bending sails, being cut to pieces ; our wheel,
fore-top-mast, and fore-top, shot away, and our masts severely wounded ;
the main-mast having three shot through the heart. Employed filling
powder, getting up shot, knotting and splicing the rigging, and preparing
to renew the battle. *****
«****. Found we had 24 men killed, and 56 wouaded. In the
Spaniards we took, the slaughter must have been very great, as there
were people employed all night throwing the dead overboard."
The document just given is more peculiarly valuable,, inas-
much as it is a plain relation of facts, given in the most
summary way, on the instant of their taking place ; and
serves to establish beyond controversy a point, which those
who are sceptically inclined, might otherwise demur to f.
Lieutenant Noble was promoted to the rank of Commander
immediately after this brilliant action ;. but his health being
very much impaired, he was under the necessity of returning
to England, and accepting a command in the Sea Fencible
service on the coast of Sussex, where he continued from
March 1798 till the conclusion of the war. His post com-
mission bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Noble married, in 1801, Sarah, daughter of James
Lamb, of Rye, Sussex, Esq. and by that lady, who died in
* Those~officers were both mortally wounded, and died soon after the
action.
•f A Flag-Officer, to whom the author is indebted for many acts of
kindness, doubts the possibility of Commodore Nelson's ship and her
prizes falling into the hands of the enemy ; and speaking of the passage to
that effect in Vol. I, p. 26, says, " it is a hardy assertion, and not borne
out by the position of the fleets as there stated."
570 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
1818, he had seven sons and three daughters, the whole of
whom, we believe, are still living. He married, secondly, in
1820, Dorothy, daughter of the late Halliday, M.D.by
whom he has no issue.
SAMUEL WARREN, Esq.
A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer was born at Sandwich, co. Kent, Jan. 9, 1769 ;
entered the naval service in Jan. J782 ; and served his time
as a Midshipman on board the Sampson 64, Busy cutter,
Druid frigate, Colossus 74, London 98, and Royal Sovereign
of 100 guns. The former ship was commanded by the late
gallant Captain John Harvey *, and formed part of the fleet
under Lord Howe at the relief of Gibraltar, and in the subse-
quent action with the combined forces off Cape Spartel, on
which occasion she had two men killed.
Mr. Warren obtained the rank of Lieutenant, Nov. 3, 1790;
and served as such successively in the Argo of 44 guns, Ra-
millies 74, and Royal George, a first rate.
The Ramillies, commanded by Captain Henry Harvey,
brother of Lieutenant Warren's former commander, bore a part
in the battles of May 29, and June 1, 1794, and was much cut
up in her sails and rigging ; fortunately, however, she only
sustained a loss of 5 men killed and 7 wounded. The Royal
George bore the flag of Lord Bridport in the action off TOrient,
June 23, 1795 f.
Lieutenant Warren was promoted to the rank of Comman-
der' in March, 1797 ; and from that period till July 1800, he
commanded the Scourge sloop of war at the Leeward Islands,
on which station he captured several large privateers and mer-
chantmen. Among the latter were a letter of marque and a
brig, bound to laGuirawith wine, brandy, and merchandise.
Previous to his return home he received the thanks of the
Counsel and Assembly of Tobago, for the great attention he
had paid to their interest, whilst employed in the protection of
the trade of that island. The Scourge arrived in England
Aug. 22, 1800.
• See Vol. I. note at p. 613.
f See Vol. I. pp. 75, and 246, et seg.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 5/1
Captain Warren's next appointment was to the Vesuvius
bomb, fitting at Portsmouth. His post commission bears date
April 29, 1802.
In the summer of 1805, he was selected by Rear-Admiral
Domett to serve as his Flag-Captain in the Channel fleet ; but
ill health obliging that officer to give up the idea of going to
sea at that period, the Glory of 98 guns, which had been fitted
for his reception, was ordered to receive the flag of Rear- Ad-
miral Stirling, under whom Captain Warren served in the action
between Sir Robert Calder and M.Villeneuve, on the 22d July
in the same year. The following are extracts from the Rear-
Admiral's letter to the commander-in-chief, dated July 24.
" The great object I had in view was to obey your orders, by keeping in
a compact line, whilst the signal for that purpose remained in force ; and
therefore, as the Raisonable closed with you, my Captain took care that
nothing could pass between her and this ship. * * * * We had only 1
man killed and 4 wounded; * * * *. I have great pleasure in bearing tes-
timony to the zeal of Captain Warren and his officers, and feel much confi-
dence from the good conduct of the crew belonging to the ship where my
flag is flying, if our good fortune should again lead us against the foes of
our country."
In the ensuing year, Captain Warren accompanied Rear-
Admiral Stirling to the Rio de la Plata, as a passenger, on
board the Sampson 64 ; and on his arrival off Maldonado, he
assumed the command of that officer's flag-ship, the Diadem,
of similar force. His services during the siege of Monte
Video, on which occasion the Diadem was frequently left with
only 30 men on board, were duly acknowledged in the naval
and military dispatches announcing the capture of that for-
tress, an account of which will be found in our first volume, at
p. 406, et seq.
Some time after his return from South America, Captain
Warren was appointed to the Bellerophon 74» bearing the
flag of Rear-Admiral Lord Gardner, in the North Sea. We
subsequently find him on the Baltic station, where he was
very actively employed under the orders of Sir James Sauma-
rez, Bart. *
* An account of the destruction of a Russian battery by the Bellero-
phon's boats, will be found under the head of Commander ROBERT
572 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
His next appointment was, about Sept. 1810, to the Presi-
dent frigate, in which he assisted at the reduction of Java
and its dependencies by the military and naval forces under
Sir Samuel Auchmuty and Rear-Admiral Stopford. Whilst
on that service he was sent to Cheribon with a flag of truce,
to demand the surrender of that place ; and after hoisting the
English colours on the fort, succeeded in securing the per-
sons of General Jamelle, commander-in-chief of the enemy's
troops, M. Knotze aid-de-camp to the Governor of Java, and
M.Rigaud, an officer of infantry, who had stopped at the Land-
roost's, some distance from Cheribon, for the purpose of
changing their horses, and who would have effected their
escape to the eastward but for his promptitude in running thi-
ther with only a few marines, to arrest them in their flight.
The fort of Cheribon mounted 12 guns and 4 brass swivels,
and had a garrison of 133 men. This and other services
performed by a squadron of frigates, to which the President
was attached, were of great importance to the ultimate re-
sult of the campaign f.
Captain Warren has since commanded in succession the
Blenheim and Bulwark, third rates, and Seringapatam of 46
guns. The latter ship conveyed Sir Benjamin Bloomfield, Am-
bassador to the Court of Sweden, to Stockholm, in the sum-
mer of 1823 ; and was paid off at Portsmouth, Feb. 5, 1824.
Previous to their separation her officers gave Captain Warren
a sumptuous farewell dinner, and presented him with a gold
snuff-box, value thirty guineas, as a small token of their
warm attachment and sincere respect.
Captain Warren married, in Dec. 1800, a daughter of —
Barton, Esq. Clerk of the Cheque at Chatham, and by that
lady has had seven children, five of whom are now living.
He was nominated a C. B. in 1815.
Agents.— Messrs. Brine, Chards, and Co.
PILCH ; and the capture of a convoy on the coast of Finland will be noticed
in our memoir of Commander CHARLES ALLEN, the senior surviving
officer employed oa that occasion.
t See Captain JAMES HILLYAR, C. B.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
573
ANSELM JOHN GRIFFITHS, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Rev. John Griffiths, of
Kingston-upon-Thames. He entered the naval service as a
Midshipman on board the Juno frigate, commanded by Cap-
tain James Montagu, in Jan. 1781 ; obtained his first commis-
sion Nov. 22, 1790 ; and after serving for some time as first
Lieutenant of the Fly sloop, on the Newfoundland station,
was appointed, in Nov. 1792, to the Culloden of 74 guns, in
which ship he continued, under the respective commands of
Captains Sir Thomas Rich, R. R. Burgess, Isaac Schom-
berg, and Thomas Troubridge, till his promotion to the rank
of Commander, March 8, 1797*
The Culloden formed part of Earl Howe's fleet in the battle
of June 1, 1794; and bore a principal part in Vice- Admiral
Hotham's action, July 13, 1795. Her loss on each of those
days was 2 men killed and 5 wounded. The services she
performed on the memorable 14th Feb. 1/97, have already
been alluded to in the course of this work *, and were thus
noticed by Sir John Jervis, in a private letter to Earl Spencer,
respecting the conduct of certain officers concerned in the
engagement :
" MY LORD, — The correct conduct of every officer and man in the squa-
dron on the 14th inst., made it improper to distinguish one more than
another in my public letter, because I am confident that had those who
were least in action been in the situation of the fortunate few, their beha-
viour would not have been less meritorious. Yet to your Lordship it be-
comes me to state, that Captain Troubridge, in the Culloden, led the
squadron through the enemy in a masterly style, and tacked the instant the
signal flew ; and was gallantly supported by the Blenheim, Prince George,
Orion, Irresistible, and Colossus. The latter had her fore and fore-top-sail
yards wounded, and they unfortunately broke in the slings in stays, which
threw her out and impeded the tacking of the Victory. Commodore Nel-
son, who was in the rear on the starboard tack, took the lead on the lar-
board, and contributed very much to the fortune of the day, as did Captain
Collingwood ; and, in the close, the San Josef and San Nicholas having
fallen foul of each other, the Captain laid them on board, and Captain
Berry, who served as a volunteer, entered at the head of the boarders, and
Commodore Nelson, who followed immediately, took possession of them
both."
* See Vol. I. pp. 24, 25, and 775 ; also memoir of Captain JAMES
NOBLE, at p. 567 et, seq. of this part.
5/4 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
We have inserted the above document from two motives :
that of shewing the estimation in which the Culloden's ser-
vices were held by the commander-in-chief ; and that of en-
deavouring to do away a misconception which has prevailed,,
respecting the veteran Admiral himself, in consequence of
his having omitted specifically to notice the exertions of such
officers as most effectually contributed to the success of the
action *. It is now only necessary to add, that the Captain
and Culloden alone, turned the whole van of the Spanish fleet,
consisting of three first rates, and several two-deckers ; and
that the latter ship, at the close of the action, was in a worse
state than any other of the British squadron, the Captain
alone excepted. Her loss consisted of 10 men killed and 47
wounded.
The subject of this memoir was promoted, at the period
we have already mentioned, for his conduct as first Lieu-
tenant of the Culloden on the above glorious occasion ; and
during the ensuing eight months we find him holding an ap-
pointment in the Sea Fencible service, in the Isle of Wight.
He obtained the command of the Atalante of 1 6 guns, in
Nov. 1798 ; and was posted from that vessel, after cruising
with considerable activity against the enemy's privateers, in
the Channel and North Sea, April 29, 1802 f.
* Charnock, in his " Biographical Memoirs of Lord Nelson," at p. 74,
says, " No particular observation is made on the conduct of Lord Nelson
{in the official or Gazette account] : and that circumstance, perhaps, para-
doxical as it may appear, is in itself a matter of the highest praise ; for it is
the natural infirmity of the human mind, to be silent as to the promulgation
of that worth, which it feels itself shrink as it were from the task of paying
sufficient tribute to."
f On the 10th Aug. 1801, a gallant little exploit was performed by Mr.
Francis Smith, a Midshipman of the Atalante, who with eight men, in a
six-oared cutter, captured a French national lugger mounting two
4-pounders and four swivels ; the cool intrepidity with which he rowed up
in face of a brisk discharge of cannister and grape from the vessel, and a
cross fire from two small land batteries, excited his commander's admi-
ration. The lugger was lying about mukset shot from the French shore ;
notwithstanding which she was boarded and brought off without any body
being hurt on the part of the British, who jumped on board at the moment
her crew were deserting her.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
575
In Sept. following, Captain Griffiths was appointed to the
Constance of 24 guns, which ship appears to have been suc-
cessively employed in the blockade of the Elbe, and as a
cruiser on the coast of Portugal, and in the Channel. In July,
1806, he removed into the Topaze frigate, on the Irish station,
from whence he proceeded to Davis's Straits, for the pro-
tection of the whale fishery, in company with Captain, now
Rear- Admiral, Maitland, of the Boadicea. He was subse-
quently ordered to the Mediterranean, where he left the To-
paze and joined the Leonidas frigate in the month of July,
1809 ; a short time previous to which his boats, commanded
by Lieutenant Charles Hammond, made an attack on nine of
the enemy's vessels lying at anchor in the road of Demata, on
the coast of Albania ; and, notwithstanding the opposition of
a very superior force, five of them being regularly armed for
war, and in complete preparation for resistance, succeeded in
bringing them all out, with the loss of only one man killed
and another wounded *.
The Leonidas formed part of the squadron under Captain
Spranger, at the capture of Cephalonia, Oct. 4, 1809 f, and
assisted at the reduction of St. Maura, by the military and
naval forces under Brigadier- General Oswald, and Captain
George Eyre, in March and April, 1810. The particulars of
that service are detailed in the latter officer's public letter, a
copy of which will be found at p. 404, et seq. of Vol. II. part I.
Captain Griffiths left the Leonidas, in 1813, and has not
since been afloat. He married, June 7, 1802, Miss Parker,
of Arundel.
Agent* — Harry Cook, Esq.
* The vessels captured on this occasion were loaded with timber and
brandy on government account, and were bound to Corfu, where their
cargoes were much needed. They consisted of three armed vessels carry-
ing in the whole 15 guns, 6 swivels, and 93 men ; two gun-boats ; and
four trabaccolas. Lieutenant Hammond had previously received a severe
wound, whereby his right hand was rendered nearly useless, when cutting
out two vessels on the same coast ; he subsequently distinguished himself
at the destruction of a French convoy in the bay of Rosas, an account of
which will be given in our memoir of Captain JOHN TAILOUR.
t See Vol. J, p. 719.
5/6 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
GEORGE BURDETT, ESQ.
THIS officer was first Lieutenant of the Egmont 74, com-
manded by the present Admiral Sir John Sutton, in the action
off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797 ; and commanded la
Sophie sloop of war, on the Newfoundland station, during the
last three years of the French revolutionary war. He was
nominated to a command in the Irish Sea Fencibles about
Dec. 1803 ; and appointed to the Maidstone frigate towards
the latter end of 1811. From that period he was principally
employed on the Halifax station, till the close of the contest
between Great Britain and the United States.
On the 1st of Aug. 1812, the boats of the Maidstone and
Spartan destroyed two American privateers in the bay of
Fundy ; and two days afterwards attacked and brought out a
revenue cutter of 6 guns, pierced for 10, and three schooners
mounting 2 guns each. On the 17th Oct. following, the same
ships captured the Rapid, a fine privateer brig, of 14 guns and
84 men.
In Feb. 1813, we find Captain Burdett employed in the
Chesapeake, with a squadron of frigates under his orders, the
activity of which, in annoying the enemy, may be inferred
from the following copy of a general memorandum issued by
Rear- Admiral Cockburn :
" H. M. S. Marlborough, Lyn -haven Bay, Chesapeake, Mar. 4, 1813.
" Gen. Mem.— Captain Burdett having transmitted to me the copy of a
letter, dated Feb. 9, 1813, which he has written to the commander-in-chief,
giving an account of the capture of the Lottery (a schooner of 12 guns) in a
most gallant style, by a division of boats under the command of Lieutenant
Nazer ; and the copy of another letter, dated the 14th Feb., stating the in-
variably gallant, active, and zealous conduct of every officer and man of
the small squadron of frigates lately employed in this bay under his orders,
I cannot resist anticipating the Commander-in-chief in taking public notice
thereof, and in requesting the respective Captains of the said frigates to
make known to their officers and crews, the high sense I entertain of their
good conduct— the honor such behaviour does to themselves and their
country-and to assure them how highly satisfied the Commander-in-chief
will be when he receives these accounts, and that I am sure he will not fail
to mform the Admiralty and their Country thereof, with due encomiums,
also to request the respective Captains will transmit immediately to
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 577
the Secretary of the Patriotic Fund, the necessary certificates to obtain,
with the least possible delay, for those who have been wounded, the usual
necessary rewards.
(Signed) " GEO. COCKBURN, Rear- Admiral."
" To the Captains of the Maidstone,
Belvidertt, Jtinon, Statira, and Laurestinus" *
Captain Burdett married, first, in 1802, a daughter of
Lieutenant-General Whitelocke, at that period Lieutenant-
Go vernor of Portsmouth ; and, secondly, May 15, 1806, the
only daughter of Colonel Brown, of Glennagary, in the
county of Dublin.
Agent. — J. Copland, Esq.
JAMES NASH, ESQ.
THIS officer is a brother of Captain John Nash, R. N. His
post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
Agent. — John Chippendale, Esq.
PETER SPICER, ESQ.
OP this officer's services whilst a Lieutenant, it would be
sufficient to say that he served as such under Nelson, in his
favorite ship the Agamemnon ; but as he had the honor of
being repeatedly mentioned by that great man, in his official
accounts of the numerous actions in which the officers and
men under his orders were engaged, it may not be amiss to
introduce a few extracts from those despatches respecting him.
On the 26th Aug. 1795, the boats of the Agamemnon and
other ships, cut out of the bay of Alassio, la Resolu, French
national polacre, of 10 guns, 4 swivels, and 87 men ; la Re-
publique, of 6 guns and 49 men 5 two armed gallies ; and
* The Lottery was from Baltimore bound to Bourdeaux, with a cargo
of coffee, sugar, and logwood. So obstinate was her defence, that of a
complement of 28 men, no less than 19, including her commander, were
dangerously wounded. The British boats had only 6 wounded. Having
but an imperfect list at present of the numerous captures in which Captain
Burdett was concerned whilst on the American coast, we shall defer no-
ticing them more fully until the publication of our promised Supplement
to the Addenda contained in Vol. I.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
three transports laden with powder, shells, and wine ; two
others in ballast ; and destroyed three vessels laden with
ammunition and provisions.
This enterprise was soon succeeded by another, which did
not terminate quite so successfully. It is detailed in the
following letter from Nelson to Viee-Admiral Hotham, dated
Vado Bay, Aug. 30, 1J95 :
« Sir,— Having received information that a ship laden with provisions
was arrived at Oneglia, I yesterday afternoon manned the two small gallies
taken on the 26th, with 44 officers and men from the Agamemnon, and
10 men belonging to the Southampton, under the command of Lieutenant
George Andrews, arid Lieutenant Peter Spker of the Agamemnon ; and
ordered Lieutenant Andrews to proceed to Oneglia, and to endeavour to
take the said ship. On his passage down, about nine at night, he fell in
with three large vessels with lateen sails, which he engaged at ten o'clock.
One of these was carried by boarding ; but the men belonging to her re-
tiring to the others, cut her adrift, the three vessels being made fast to-
gether. At half past ten the attack on the other two was renewed with
the greatest spirit ; but the number of men on board was too great, united
with the height of their vessels, for our force ; and my gallant officers and
men, after a long contest, were obliged to retreat. It is with the greatest
pain I have to render so long a list of killed and wounded. The spirited
and officer-like conduct of Lieutenants Andrews and Spicer, I cannot
sufficiently applaud ; and every praise is due to each individual, for their
exemplary bravery and good conduct. The vessels had no colours hoisted,
but a Greek flag has been found on board the prize."
In this unfortunate affair the gallant party had no less than
4 men killed and 13 wounded. The following additional
information is extracted from a letter to Mrs. Nelson, dated
Sept. 1, 17%.
** We have made a small expedition with the squadron, and taken a
French corvette and some other vessels, in which affair I lost no men ;
but since, I have not been so successful. I detached Mr. Andrews * to
cutoff a ship from Oneglia. On his passage he fell in with three Turkish
vessels, as it has since turned out, who killed and wounded 1 / of my poor
fellows. Seven are already dead, and more must be lost by the badness
of their wounds. I am sorry to add that the Turks got into Genoa, with
six millions of hard cash : however, they who play at bowls must expect
rubs ; and the worse success now, the better, I hope, another time."
On the 31st May, 1J96, Nelson's squadron captured a
* Lieutenant Andrews was afterwards made a Post-Captain. He died
at Tiverton, July 23, 1810.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 5/9
valuable convoy laden with arms, ammunition, entrenching
tools, &c., sent to Buonaparte for the purpose of enabling
him to Carry on the siege of Mantua. The Commodore's
account thereof will be found at p. 519 et seq. of Vol. I. On
a subsequent day he writes thus :
" In my public letter it was impossible to enumerate every individual ;
but next to Captain Cockburn stands Captain Stuart of the Peterell.
Spicer commanded the boats which first boarded the ketch *, under a heavy
fire, and had a little skirmish when on board j and to him the commander
surrendered."
In the following month, Commodore Nelson shifted his
broad pendant into the Captain of 74 guns, on which occa-
sion the whole of the Agamemnon's officers, with the excep-
tion of one Lieutenant and the Master, were exchanged, and
followed him.
About this period the French army, under Buonaparte,
entered Leghorn, and Nelson immediately commenced a
vigorous blockade of that port. H€ soon after took posses-
sion of Porto Ferrajo, in order to prevent the island of Elba
from falling into the enemy's possession, in which case the
safety of Corsica would have been rendered extremely
doubtful.
On the 18th Sept. in the same year Capraja, an island
situated about 37 miles from Corsica, was also secured by the
squadron. On this occasion, as appears by the Commodore's
account of the operations, " a party of seamen were landed
under Lieutenant Spicer, who dragged cannon up the moun-
tain with their usual spirit and alacrity."
It was on the 13th Feb. in the eventful year 1797, that
Commodore Nelson again hoisted his pendant in the Captain,
from wliich he had occasionally removed it into other ships,
for the purpose of superintending the evacuation of Corsica,
and the removal of the naval establishment and stores from
Porto Ferrajo, measures that had become necessary in con-
sequence of the turbulent disposition of the Corsicans, the
recent declaration of war by Spain, and the want of a sufficient
* La Genie, of three 18-pounders, two 4-pounders, four swivels, and
50 men.
580 POST-CAFF A INS OF 1802.
naval force to counteract the designs of the enemy in that
quarter.
On the following day was obtained one of the most brilliant
victories ever recorded in our naval annals. It would be su-
perfluous to repeat any of the circumstances of that proud
event, in this place. A particular account thereof will be
found under the head of Earl St. Vincent ; and the conspicuous
part acted by the Captain, in our memoirs of Rear-Admiral
Sir Edward Berry and Captain James Noble.
Soon after the above glorious event, Lieutenant Spicer was
promoted to the command of the Arab, and subsequently re-
moved into le Renard of 20 guns ; the latter sloop he left in
1SOL.
On the 29th April, 1802, Captain Spicer was included in
the list of officers who were advanced to post rank, in con-
sequence of the cessation of hostilities. Soon after the re-
newal of the war we find him commanding the San Josef, a
first rate, and subsequently the Foudroyant of 80 guns. The
latter ship he appears to have quitted about June 1804, from
which period there is no further mention of him until the sum-
mer of 1810, when he was appointed to regulate the impress
service at Swansea. Captain Spicer obtained the out pension
of Greenwich Hospital, March 18, 1816. He is a burgess of
Saltash, in Cornwall, and was formerly an alderman of that
borough.
JAMES SEWARD, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant, July 30, 1779; and
commanded la Sirenne sloop of war, on the Jamaica station,
in 1796. He subsequently held an appointment in the Sea
Fencibles on the coast of Hampshire. His post commission
bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Seward married, in 1800, a daughter of Colonel,
(now Lieutenant-General) Eveleigh, of the Royal Engineers,
That lady died in 1813.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
581
JOHN TAYLOR MIGHELL, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1793 ; appointed to
a command in the Devonshire Sea Fencibles, April 3, 1798 ;
and promoted to post rank April 29, 1802.
Agent. — Sir F. M. Ommanney,, M. P.
THOMAS PHILIP DURELL, ESQ.
THIS officer's first commission as a Lieutenant bears date
April 17, 1778. He obtained post rank April 29, 1802.
Agent. — Sir F. M. Ommanney, M. P.
ALEXANDER BECHER, ESQ.
THIS officer is the fourth and only surviving son of the late
John Becher, Esq., a Commander R. N. He was born at
Sheet-End, (in Staffordshire) near Stourbridge, co. Worcester,
April 6, 1770 ; received his education at the maritime aca-
demy, Chelsea ; entered the naval service on board the La-
tona frigate about March 1783 ; and served nearly eight years
as a Midshipman in that ship, the Carysfort 28, Trusty 50, and
Pearl of 28 guns, on the West India and Mediterranean sta-
tions ; during which time he distinguished himself by his
assiduity in making astronomical observations, and surveys
of the various places visited by the different ships to which
he belonged.
In Feb. 1791 , being then at Gibraltar without the least
prospect of promotion, he introduced himself to Rear-Ad-
miral Peyton by a letter, stating that he was the son of a
deceased officer, and that he had made such observations and
surveys between that place and Constantinople as might
probably be found useful to the squadron ; mentioning at the
same time that the drawings alluded to had been forwarded
to the Admiralty by the Captains under whom he had had the
honor of serving.
The Rear-Admiral received this letter in a very kind man-
ner, and instantly ordered him to be discharged into his flag-
ship, the Leander of 50 guns, from whence he promoted
VOL. II. 2 Q
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
him to the rank of Lieutenant in the Bull Dog sloop of war,
on the llth Aug. in the same year.
As a Lieutenant, Mr. Becher employed his spare time in
studying naval tactics, composing signals, and forming plans,
many of which he has since had the pleasure of seeing adopted
by the Admiralty.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war we
find him serving on board the Proserpine frigate, and com-
manding one of her boats at the capture of a ship laden with
colonial produce, lying close to the jetty at Gonaives in St.
Domingo. This vessel he conducted to Jamaica, and she
proved to be the first prize captured on that station.
He subsequently joined the Defence of 74 guns, com-
manded by Captain (now Lord) Gambler, under whom he
served as fourth Lieutenant in the battle of June 1, 1794.
The following anecdote, with which we have been furnished
since the publication of his Lordship's memoir, will serve as
an instance of the zeal displayed by that gallant officer on
the memorable occasion alluded to :
" The Defence, by bearing up at the instant the signal was
made to that effect, became so far advanced that an officer
suggested to Captain Gambier the propriety of bringing to a
little to wait for the other ships. He smilingly replied, f No,
no, Sir, the signal is made and I shall obey it ; every man
must answer for his own conduct this day.' The Defence
continued her course, was the first ship that broke through
the enemy's line, and presently in the thickest of their fire."
The loss and damage sustained by her has been correctly de-
scribed at pp. 78 and 79 of Vol. I.
In the following month Lieutenant Becher was removed
into the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of his
god-father the late Lord Bridport, under whom he served in
the action off 1'Orient, June 23, 1795.
The Captain of the Marlborough having been deprived of
his command, and treated with great indignity by her crew,
during the general mutiny at Spithead in May 1797, Captain
Eaton, of the Medusa troop-ship, was appointed by Lord Brid-
port to succeed him ; and Mr. Becher, at that period first
POST-CAPTAINS OF 180?. 583
Lieutenant of the Royal George, to act as Commander of the
Medusa, which ship, in common with the rest of the fleet,
had yard ropes rove in order to strike terror into the minds
of the officers, and those who might feel disposed to side
with them.
Pursuing the same temperate though firm line of conduct
that he had previously done in the flag-ship, Captain Becher
succeeded in restraining the violent disposition of his crew,
and soon after rendered an essential service by conveying a
regiment to Ireland, at a moment when the presence of fresh
troops was much required, to overawe the rebellious natives
of that country. For this service he received the approbation
of the Admiralty, by whom Lord Bridport's appointment had
been confirmed on the death of Captain Eaton *.
We next find Captain Becher proceeding to Gibraltar,
where he had the misfortune to be wrecked, whilst under
orders to join Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean, where the
Medusa was to have been established as a post ship under his
command.
After this disaster, he appears to have been very usefully
employed in equipping the expedition destined against Mi-
norca, and superintending the conduct of his officers and men
during their occasional services in gun-boats, under the im-
mediate command and observation of Earl St. Vincent. He
subsequently held a command in the Sea Fencibles at Fe-
versham, Kent. His post commission bears date April 29,
1802; a sufficient proof that the nobleman then presiding at
the Admiralty, and who had witnessed the Medusa's fate, did
not attach any blame to her Commander, whatever he might
have laid to his own charge, on account of her loss f.
Captain Becher's last appointment afloat was in Sept. 1802,
* The untimely death of Captain Eaton is described by Captain
Brentqn in his Naval History, Vol. I, p. 456.
t The Medusa was lost through the interference of Earl St. Vincent,
occasioned by his Lordship's impatience to get her out of Gibraltar mole.
We have been told by an old Post-Captain, (not the subject of this memoir)
that had her Commander been allowed to proceed in his own way, no
accident of the kind would have happened. The Admiral dictated to him
from the shore by means of a speaking trumpet.
584 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
to la Determinee, a frigate armed en flute, in which he was
again unfortunate. On the 24th Mar. 1803, having received
on board a detachment of the 81st regiment, he sailed for
Jersey, in company with the Aurora, but without a pilot. In
the afternoon of the 26th the ships passed through the pas-
sage of the Great Kussel. The weather being fine and wind
moderate, Captain Becher resolved to follow in his consort's
wake. At 4b 15^ P. M., being close hauled, and nearing the
harbour, the Aurora was observed to be in stays: every thing
was of course prepared, and in momentary readiness for
tacking. In about five minutes after the helm was put a-lee,
the ship came instantly to the wind, and the after yards were
swung 5. but the main-brace was scarcely belayed when she
struck on a rock, and in less than three minutes the water
inside of her was of equal height with the surface of the sea,
Being apprehensive, from the strength of the tider that the
ship might fall into deep water, Captain Becher ordered both
anchors to be let go, which was done, and the cables batted
and stoppered. The panic that prevailed among the soldiers'
wives and children occasioned indescribable confusion, and
every effort to suppress it proved ineffectual. The sails were
by this time clewed up, and the top-gallant-sails handed ;
but Captain Becher fearing that the weight of the men on the
top- sail-yards might tend to upset the ship, ordered them
down to hoist the boats out. The large cutter was soon over
the side ; but the anxiety of the people who crowded into her
plainly foretold their fate. In vain did Captain Becher re-
monstrate on the folly and impropriety of their conduct, and
solicit them to let the women and children only go in the
boat : both reason and persuasion had lost their influence.
The ship now fell on her broadside, and Captain Becher with
many others were thrown into the sea, where they remained
ten minutes before they could regain the wreck ; but at
length, having reached the mizen-top, he had once more an
opportunity of advising those left with him how to save theie
lives, though still unable to prevent many from jumping into
the water. Too much praise cannot be given to the officers
and men sent to his assistance : by their exertions, although;
POST -CAPTAINS OP 1802. 585
the tide was running near six knots per hour, in the course
of three hours and a half every person was removed, and then
only did Captain Becher quit his post.
On'the 5th April following a court-martial, assembled at
Portsmouth, determined that no blame was imputable to
Captain Becher for his conduct on the occasion of la Deter-
minee's loss ; that he used every means in his power to ob-
tain a pilot for Jersey, both before he sailed from Spithead,
and during the voyage, without effect ; that he was actuated
by commendable zeal for the service in attempting to enter
the harbour by endeavouring to follow the Aurora's track ;
and that his cool and officer-like conduct, after she struck,
was highly meritorious, especially in ordering the anchors to
be let go, to prevent her drifting into deep water, by which
means many lives were in all probability saved ; the court
did therefore adjudge him to be acquitted of all blame *.
Captain Becher subsequently commanded the Sea Fencibles
at Alnwick, in the county of Northumberland. He married,
in/ 1793, Frances, daughter of the Rev. Scott, of
Queen's College, Oxford, Rector of Kingston and Port Royal
in Jamaica (and brother of the present Countess of Oxford),
by whom he has issue Alexander Bridport -f-, a Lieutenant
R. N., and acting pro tempore as Hydrographer to the Ad-
miralty ; Elizabeth Emma Maria, married to Captain Wood,
son of General Wood ; Ann, married to Lieutenant Charles
W. Nepean, son of General Nepeau, and nephew of the late
Right Hon. Sir Evan Nepean, Bart., Governor of Bombay ;
two other sons, and three daughters. Four of his children
died in their infancy. His eldest brother, the Rev. Michael
Thomas Becher, of King's College, Cambridge, was Head
Master of the Royal Foundation School at Bury St. Edmunds,
during a period of 21 years.
Agent. — J. Woodhead, Esq.
JOHN HATLEY, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant by Sir Robert Harland,
* La Determines crew and passengers were all saved, with the ex-
ception of 19 persons.
t It is rather a singular circumstance that Lord Bridport should have
stood sponsor both for father and son ; but such was the case.
586 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
and appointed to the Active frigate, on the East India station,
in 1782. His exemplary conduct as first Lieutenant of the
St. George, when a mutiny existed on board that ship, off
Cadiz, in July 1797, and for Which he was deservedly pro-
moted to the rank of Commander, has already been noticed in
the first part of this volume, at p. 23, et seq. He subse-
quently commanded the Winchelsea, a 32-gun frigate, armed
en flute, and employed in the conveyance of troops to Ja-
maica and the Mediterranean ; on which latter station his
services obtained him the gold medal of the Turkish Order of
the Crescent. He formed part of the procession at the funeral
of Britain's idol, the immortal Nelson ; and afterwards served
as Captain of the Boadicea frigate, and Raisonable 64, in the
Indian seas.
Agent. M'Inerheny, Esq.
FRANCIS HOLMES COFFIN, ESQ.
THIS officer obtained a Lieutenant's commission in 1791 ,
and distinguished himself when serving on shore with a de-
tachment of seamen at the reduction of the Cape of Good
Hope, by the naval and military forces under the orders of
Sir George Keith Elphinstone, and Major-General Craig, but
more particularly on the 8th Aug. 1795, when the Dutch
Commandant, endeavouring to regain a position wrested from
him on the preceding day, drew out his whole force from
Cape town, together with eight pieces of cannon. On that
occasion, says the Major-General, "Captain Hardy and
Lieutenant Coffin crossed the water with the seamen and
marines under their command, received the enemy's fire with-
out returning a shot, and manoauvred with a regularity that
would not have discredited veteran troops."
Lieutenant Coffin, at that time belonging to the Rattlesnake
sloop of war, was afterwards removed to the Monarch, of
74 guns, bearing the flag of the commander-in-chief, by whom
he was employed as thi bearer of the correspondence between
himself and the Dutch Rear- Admiral, Lucas, relative to the
surrender of a squadron belonging to the Batavian republic,
in Saldanda Bay *.
* See Vol, I, pp, 47-51, N.B. Since the publication of Lord Keith's
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 587
Captain Coffin's post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
He had previously commanded the Sphynx sloop of war, on
the Cape station ; and held an appointment in the Sea Fen-
cible service. During the late war he was appointed to com-
mand a portion of the same corps at Tralee, in Ireland ; and
after its dissolution we find him serving in the Arethusa fri-
gate, on the Jamaica station.
Agents.—- Messrs. Maude.
JEFFERY RAIGERSFELD, ESQ.
THIS officer is descended from a noble German family. He
obtained post rank April 29, 1802; and married, about the
same period, a daughter of the Rev. Peter Hawker, Rector of
Woodchester, and of Hampnett, co. Gloucester.
CHARLES RYDER, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1789 : his post com-
mission bears date April 29, 1802.
CHRISTOPHER JOHN WILLIAMS NE-
SHAM, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Christopher Nesham, Esq.,
who served as Aid-de-camp to Colonel Monson, at the cap-
ture of Manilla, in 1762, by Mary Williams, sister of the
present Admiral Freeman, and a relative of the late Lord
North *.
He was born in 1771 j entered the naval service under the
patronage of his maternal uncle in 1782; and served as a Mid-
memoir, we have ascertained that the intelligence of a Dutch squadron being
on its way from the Texel to the Cape of Good Hope, was forwarded to
that officer by George Baldwin, Esq., H. M. Consul-Gerieral in Egypt.
* Captain Nesham 's grand-father, John Nesham, of Houghton-le-spring,
co. Durham, Esq., was possessed of considerable coal mines and landed
property. His youngest son, Christopher, was a Captain in the 63d re-
giment, but left the army on being presented with a civil appointment by
Lord North.
588 POST-C4PTAINS OF 1802.
shipman on board the Juno frigate, Captain James Montagu,
in the action between Sir Edward Hughes and M. de Sunrein,
off Cuddalore, June 20, 1783 *.
On his return from the East Indies, in 1785, Mr. Nesham
joined the Druid of 32 guns, in which ship he continued un-
til qualified for, the rank of Lieutenant, when he was sent to
a college in France, where he had the gratification of saving
an honest man from the fury of a blood-thirsty mob.
The person alluded to was Mons. Planter, a government
agent, in charge of a large corn depot at Vernon-sur-Seine,
whom the revolutionists were hurrying through the streets
a la lanterne. Thoughtless of his own danger, Mr. Nesham
rushed among the sanguinary multitude, and throwing his
arms round their prisoner, declared that if they destroyed one
innocent man they should the other. The extraordinary
generosity of this heroic action was not lost on the surround-
ing spectators j and those very people, who but for him would
have exulted in the destruction of their victim, now carried
M. Planter and his deliverer before the municipality, from
whom Mr. Nesham received the freedom of the town. A na-
tional sword, dedicated to such purposes, was also presented
to him, and a civic crown placed on his head, at Paris.
Mr. Nesham returned from France, and joined the Salis-
bury, a 60-gun ship, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Mil-
banke, and commanded by the present Viscount Exmouth, in
1790. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant at the
latter end of the same year.
In 1791 and 1792, we find him serving on board the Drake
sloop of war and Niger frigate, in the British Channel ; and
subsequently in the Adamant of 50 guns, on the West India,
Newfoundland, Lisbon, and North Sea stations. He was first
Lieutenant of the latter ship during the mutiny in Admiral
Duncan's fleet, and in the battte off Camperdown, Oct. 11,
1797 f. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place
in Jan. 1798 ; and on that occasion he was appointed to la
Suffisante sloop of war, in which vessel he continued, on
Channel service, till posted, April 29, 1802.
* See Vol. I, note at p. 425. f See Vol. I, pp. 160, 580, and 581.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 589.
In 1804 and the following year, Captain Nesham com-
manded the Foudroyant of 80 guns, bearing the flag of Sir
Thomas Graves, in the grand fleet. His next appointment
was to the Ulysses 44 ; and in the autumn of 1807 we find him
convoying a fleet of merchantmen from England to the West
Indies, where he was most actively employed in that ship,
the Intrepid 64, and Captain 74, for a period of three years,
during which he assisted at the capture of Mariegalante, and
served on .shore at the reduction of Martinique *. The fol-
lowing are extracts from Sir Alexander Cochrane's official
account of the latter event, dated Feb. 25, 1809 :
" While the batteries were kept constantly firing on the enemy from
the western side, Captains Barton and Nesham, of the York and Intrepid,
with about 400 seamen and marines, continued to be employed in getting
the heavy cannon, mortars, and howitzers up to Mount Sourier, from the
eastern side of the fort (Edward), which was a service of the utmost labour
and difficulty, owing to the rains and deepness of the roads ; but notwith-
standing which, a battery of four 24-pounders, and four mortars, was
finished by the 22d, and the guns mounted ready for service.
" On the following day some more guns were got up, and ready to be
placed in an advanced battery, intended to consist of eight 24-pounders ;
* * * * The fire kept up by the batteries was irresistible ; the enemy
was driven from his defences, his cannon dismounted, and the whole of the
interior of the work ploughed up by the shot and shells, within five days
after the batteries opened. * * * *
" I have already informed their lordships, that I entrusted the whole of
the naval arrangements on shore to Commodore Cockburn * * *. He
speaks in terms of high approbation of the able support and assistance he
received from Captains Barton, Nesham, and Brenton, whom I had se-
lected to act with him. To all these officers, and the Lieutenants and
other officers, seamen and marines, immediately under their commands, I
feel truly obliged, for performing the arduous duties imposed upon them.
The 7-gun battery at Folville was entirely fought by seamen, from which
the enemy suffered severely."
The Captain 74, being found unfit for service, was paid off
in 1810; and the subject of this memoir has not since been
employed. He married, in 1802, Margaret, youngest daugh-
ter of the late Admiral Lord Graves, by whom he has one
son and a daughter. Mrs. Nesham died in 1808.
* See Vol. I, p. 264.
590 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
CHARLES BULLEN, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and
Commodore on the coast of Africa.
THIS officer is a son of the late John Bullen, Esq. (Sur-
geon-General of the naval force employed on the coast of
America, under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, in 1779, 1/80,, and
1781), by Ruth, daughter of Charles Liddell, of Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, Esq., and second cousin of the present Lord High
Chancellor of Great Britain *.
He was born at the above place, Sept. 10, 1769; and em-
barked, when little more than ten years of age, as a Midship-
man on board the Europe 64, bearing the flag of Vice-Ad-
miral Arbuthnot, under whose patronage, and the immediate
protection of his father, he proceeded to New York, where he
was removed, at his own request, into the Renown of 50 guns,
for the purpose of seeing more active service than the flag-
ship was likely to be engaged in.
On her passage to Quebec with a large fleet under her pro-
tection, the Renown encountered a heavy gale of wind, during
which she was totally dismasted, and only saved from
destruction by the active exertions of her first Lieutenant,
the present Rear-Admiral Sir James Athol Wood. The
greater part of the merchantmen having either foundered or
dispersed, she returned to New York, where Mr. Bullen
joined the Loyalist sloop of war, commanded by Captain
Ardesoif, with whom he continued on the American station
till 1781, during which period he was present at the reduction
of Charlestown, in South Carolina, and other services of
importance f.
The Loyalist being paid off on her return to England, and
a general peace approaching, Mr. Bullen availed himself of
the opportunity afforded him, by prosecuting nautical and
other necessary studies, till 1786, when he again embarked,
* The Earl of Eldon's mother and Captain Bullen's grandmother were
first cousins.
t See Vol. II, part I, note f at p. 58.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 591
on board the Culloden 74, Captain Sir Thomas Rich, Bart.,
under whom he served upwards of three years. In Dec. 1789,
he joined the Leander of 50 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-
Admiral Peyton, by whom he was appointed to act as a Lieu-
tenant on board the Mercury frigate, in 1791. He was soon
after confirmed by the Admiralty to the Eurydice of 24 guns,
on the Mediterranean station.
In Dec. 1792, the Culloden, having undergone a complete
repair, was again commissioned by Sir Thomas Rich, and
Lieutenant Bullen appointed to her at the particular request
of his old commander. In Mar. 1793, she formed part of the
squadron sent to Martinique, under the orders of Rear- Ad-
miral Gardner ; and after the failure of the attack made upon
that island, she appears to have afforded shelter to more than
1000 French royalists, men, women, and children, of all ages,
who were embarked in St. Ann's Bay under the most distress-
ing circumstances, the brigands having literally driven them
into the water ; and conveyed them in safety to Barbadoes *.
Lieutenant Bullen's next appointment was to the Ramillies
74, which ship bore a part in Lord Howe's actions of May
28 and 29, and the memorable battle of June 1, 1794f;
and was subsequently employed on the West India, New-
foundland, and North Sea stations. From her he removed
into the Monmouth 64, as first Lieutenant to the Earl of
Northesk, under whom he was serving when the mutiny broke
out in Admiral Duncan's fleet J, on which occasion he was
brought to trial by the rebellious crew, one of whom, a man
who had received many favors from him, went so far as ac-
tually to throw a noose over his head. He, however, had
the good fortune not only to escape with his life, but also to
see the deluded part of the ship's company return to obe-
dience, and redeem their character by conduct more natural
to British seamen, in the glorious battle off Camperdown,
Oct. 11, 1797.
The Monmouth on that day compelled the Alkmaar and
Delft, two Dutch ships of 50 guns each, to surrender ; the
* See Vol. I, p. 40 «. f See p. 570. J See Vol. I, p. 200.
592 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
former she conducted to Yarmouth Roads *, the latter was
taken possession of by Lieutenant Bullen, who found her in
very shoal water, and so dreadfully cut up, that it was with
great difficulty he could get her clear of the shore. She sunk
under him, when in tow of the Veteran 64, two days after the
action, and took down with her 180 Dutchmen, together with
5 British seamen and marines. The remainder of the persons
on board were saved by boats sent from the Veteran to their
assistance, on observing "the ship is sinking," chalked on a
board, and exhibited by them. A frigate, which had likewise
been engaged by the Monmouth, but finally captured by the
Beaulieu, was wrecked near West Capel. The loss sus-
tained by the Delft in killed and wounded has never been
ascertained; but according to the Dutch accounts, the Mon-
mouth's other opponents had no less than 76 men killed, and
102 wounded, whilst she herself had but 5 slain and 22
wounded.
For his bravery and exertions in and after the above battle,
Lieutenant Bullen was deservedly promoted to the rank of
Commander at the commencement of 1798, and from that
period he enjoyed the pleasures of his domestic circle till
June 1801, when he obtained an appointment to the Wasp
sloop of war, fitting at Plymouth.
After accompanying the Newfoundland convoy to a certain
latitude, he received orders to proceed, without loss of time,
to Madeira and the coast of Guinea ; and he appears by the
following documents to have reached Sierra Leone at a very
critical period :
" Fort Thornton, Dec. 2, 1801.
" Sir,— We, the governor and council of this colony, to whose care the
lives and property of H. M. subjects, as well as the interests of the Sierra
Leone company are entrusted, feel it to be our duty, at this critical junc-
ture, to represent to you that the presence and aid of H. M. sloop Wasp,
under your command, may materially contribute to the preservation and
secunty of the colony, by co-operating with our force by land against a
formidable confederacy of the Timmany chiefs 5 who, though repulsed in
their attack on Fort Thornton, in the morning of the 18th ult., still per-
* See Vol. I, p. 850.
POBT-CAPTA1NS OF 1802. 593
sist in their design of plunder and extermination ; and, according to the
intelligence we have lately received, are now collecting a numerous force
to the eastward, as well as endeavouring to maintain and recruit their num-
bers at Cape Sierra Leone, with a view to attack us as soon as we are
deprived of the aid of H. M. sloop.
" The object we have at heart is, without loss of time, to reduce the
enemy to such terms and conditions of peace, as will afford us a reason-
able satisfaction for the past, and entire security for the time to come.
" We expect an answer in the course of this or the following day to a
proposition we have made to King Firarna, the Sovereign of the Thninauy
nation, through Smart and Moribundoo, our allies, to enter into a treaty ;
that answer will, in u great measure, determine our future operations.
" We shall be happy at all times to receive the benefit of your counsel
and advice, upon the best means of attaining the end we have in view.
AVe have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c.
(Signed) " WM. DAVVES, Governor.
" J. GRAY, 1st in Council.
" RD. BRIGHT, 2d Ditto.
" T. LUDLAM, Counsellor, pro tempore"
" To Charles Bullen, Esq. Com-
manding PI. M. sloop Wasp."
" Fort Thornton, Jan. 24, 1802.
" Sir, — We enclose a copy, which we have just received, of a represen-
tation from the principal private merchants in the colony.
" When vve had the honor of addressing you in an official manner, to
request that you would sail direct for England with our despatches, we did
not attach that degree of credit to the advices received from different
quarters, ' that the enemy were determined to renew their attack in a very
few days,' which subsequent information has now convinced us they me-
rited. More, than once their forces have been in motion to execute the
design of plundering and destroying this colony; but they have been
stopped by their leaders, who thought it advisable to postpone offensive
operations till the departure of the Wasp. In addition to the above, in-
telligence from a respectable quarter, and of a nature highly probable in
itself, has been received by the governor, announcing the accession of a
very powerful and enterprising chief to the confederacy already formed
against us. A detail of the grounds upon which our apprehensions are
founded shall be communicated to you as soon as possible. With such
strong and just impressions of the public danger upon our minds, it would
be inconsistent with our duty to be silent. We intreat you therefore to
remain upon this station, till circumstances have taken a more favorable
turn, which we shall use our utmost exertions to effect. A compliance
with this entreaty will (humanly speaking) prove the means of preserving
from imminent risk, the lives of 1200 of his Majesty's subjects, together
with property to the amount of upwards of 70,000^. sterling.
594 POST-CAPTAINS OF 18Q2.
" We conclude with assuring you, that we are unanimous in thinking
that the departure of the Wasp at this most critical juncture, would in all
probability occasion the total ruin of the colony, by exposing the craft,
stores, provisions, and other valuable property, afloat and on shore, along
the water line, to the irresistible force which the enemy, in a night attack,
by means of their numerous canoes, might bring against that defenceless
quarter. We have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed) " WM. DAWES,
" To Charles Sullen, Esq. %c. fyc. %c." " R. BRIGHT,
" T. LUDLAM."
In consequence of the receipt of those letters Captain
Bullen remained in the Sierra Leone river till April 1802;
when the rainy season being about to commence, and having
the inward satisfaction of knowing the colony to be safe, he
landed such ordnance stores as could be spared by his sloop,
and proceeded to the West Indies on his way to England.
Previous to his departure from Africa, he received a letter
from Governor Dawes and Counsellor Bright, of which the
following is a copy :
" Fort Thornton, March 31, 1802.
" Sir, — The letter of the 27th inst., which we had the honor to receive
from you, engaged our immediate attention, and would have been duly
answered if, according to the intimation given by the Governor, we had
not entertained a hope of receiving despatches of a very important nature
from England in the course of a few days. Being, however, disappointed
in this respect, and unwilling to add to the long detention of H. M. sloop
Wasp in her present ill-provided state, though we think that the presence
of a ship of war in this port is still very desirable, we are happy to state
to you our opinion that the original purposes of her detention, which were
to assist in preventing or repelling an attack ; to afford time to strengthen
the works at Fort Thornton by intimidating the enemy ; and to enable us
to negotiate under more favorable circumstances, have been fully answered.
We trust the motives which influenced you, upon our solicitation, to depart
from the letter of your instructions, will receive the sanction and approba-
tion of the Lords of the Admiralty. It will be our duty to represent them
in a proper light to our superiors. With grateful acknowledgments for
the important services rendered to this government by yourself, and by the
oflicers and men under your command, upon every public occasion, and
with the most friendly wishes for your and their prosperity, we have the
honor to be, &c. &c,
(Signed) " WM. DAWES,
"Ro. BRIGHT."
" To Charles Bullen, Esq. Commander
H M. sloop Wasp."
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 595
On his arrival in England, Captain Bullen found that he
had been promoted to post rank for his services in Africa,
by commission dated April 29, 1802. The Wasp was paid
off at Portsmouth in July following.
On the renewal of hostilities, in May 1803, he was ap-
pointed pro tempore to la Minerve frigate, Captain Jahleel
Brenton, her proper commander, having met with an accident
which compelled him to remain for some time on shore. In
that ship he had the good fortune to fall in with twenty-three
sail of French vessels laden with timber and other valuable
stores, bound to Brest, the whole of which were either cap-
tured or totally destroyed. He shortly after detained a fri-
gate of the largest class, but she was ultimately released by
the British government, in consequence of her having been
employed on a voyage of discovery.
Captain Bullen subsequently commanded a district of Sea
Fencibles, and the flotilla equipped in the Thames and Med-
way, for the purpose of repelling an invasion threatened by our
late implacable enemy Napoleon Buonaparte. In June 1804,
being applied for by the Earl of Northesk, he assumed the
command of his lordship's flag-ship, the Britannia, a first
rate, forming part of the Channel fleet, but afterwards de-
tached under the orders of Sir Robert Calder to reinforce
Vice- Admiral Collingwood's squadron off Cadiz. The part
borne by her in the celebrated battle of Trafalgar has been
described in our first volume; but in justice to Captain
Bullen we must add, that although from her heavy sailing,
which was remarkable on all occasions, she could not get into
action as soon as some other ships, no effort was wanting on
his part to place her in the most conspicuous situation. For
his gallantry on that eventful day, he was rewarded with a
gold medal commemorative of an event, the recital of which
will ever excite admiration in the breast of Britons *.
Lord Northesk being obliged to resign his command on
account of ill health, Captain Bullen, after refitting the Bri-
* The battle of Trafalgar was fought on the very day that General Mack
and the Austrian garrison of Ulm passed under the yoke of the claimant
to an unlimited command of " ships, colonies, and commerce."
596 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
tannia at Gibraltar, returned with her as a private ship, and
three of the prizes under his protection to England. He was
put out of commission at Plymouth, in June 1806.
His next appointment was, in 1807, to the Volontaire, a
38-gun frigate, in which he conveyed the Duke of Orleans
and his brother, Count Beaujolois, to Malta. He was after-
wards actively employed under the orders of Lord Colling-
wood, occasionally commanding the in-shore squadron off
Toulon, and cruising on the coast of Catalonia. At the com-
mencement of the war between France and Spain, we find
him charged with a mission to the court of Morocco, and
travelling by land from Fez to Tangier, in consequence of
not finding the Emperor in his capital. The result of his
embassy, which had for its object the procuring of supplies
for the European peninsula, proved highly satisfactory to the
commander-in-chief, and very advantageous to the common
cause ; the minister, Abdallah Slouey, with whom alone he
had an opportunity of conferring, having granted permission
for the necessary articles to be exported from his master's do-
minions for the support of the oppressed patriots.
In 1809, the island of Pomigue, near Marseilles, was taken
possession of, after a desperate resistance on the part of the
enemy; and Fort Rioux, near Cape Croisette, with 14 guns,
destroyed by detachments landed from the Volontaire, under
the orders of Lieutenant Shaw. Pomigue was afterwards
evacuated, for want of men to defend it. Several French
officers were made prisoners, and a code of signals found in
Fort Rioux. On the latter occasion the enemy had 5 men
killed and 8 wounded ; the English only 2 wounded.
On the 23d Oct. 1809, Captain Bullen being off Cape St.
Sebastian, in company with the fleet under Lord Collingwood,
and on the look out to windward, at 8 P. M., discovered a
French squadron, and about twenty sail of transports, coming
down from the eastward, and gave immediate notice, by
signal, of their approach. The manner in which the ships of
war were disposed of has been described in our memoir of the
officer who commanded the division sent in pursuit of them *.
* Sec Vol. I, pp. 282 and 283.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 597
The capture and destruction of the transports will be fully
detailed under the head of Captain John Tailour. In the
execution of the latter service the Volontaire had a Lieute-
nant * and 1 seaman killed ; 2 supernumerary officers, and 13
of her own crew wounded. The assistance rendered by
Captain Bullen in the preparation of fire materials, and pro-
viding his boats with every implement that contingency
could require, was officially noticed by the commander-in-
chief.
In 1810 and 1811, Captain Bullen commanded a small
squadron employed in active co-operation with the Spanish
troops on the coast of Catalonia, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing letters, reporting his proceedings to Collingwood's
successor, the late Sir Charles Cotton :
" H. M. S. Volontaire, off Cape St. Sebastian, Sept. 28, 1810.
" Sir, — Fearful ray letter of the 22d inst. may not come to your hands
so soon as this, I beg to repeat, that on the 5th inst. the Spanisli army,
under General O'Donnel, left Tarragona, and on the 13th got to Arens
del Mar, at which place he divided his forces, himself taking the road to
Besbal ; and so rapid were his movements, the enemy was not apprised of
his arrival till within a quarter of an hour of his entering the town. This
happened on the 14th, when a smart action took place, but of very short
duration ; when the French General, Swartz, with 500 men, were taken
prisoners. On the same day St. Felice, Palamos, and Begu, were seve-
rally attacked, and all surrendered ; the total of French taken being about
1400 men, besides cannon, &c. &c. ; so that this coast from Rosas, with
the exception of the Modas islands, is again in the possession of the
Spaniards.
" General O'Donnell, I am sorry to say, is badly wounded in the leg f,
but there are hopes of his doing well. The whole of the prisoners are at
Tarragona, where the General now is, with only the inhabitants doing the
duty of the garrison, which makes him anxious about their being removed.
" Upon the whole, there is every prospect of the enemy being soon
driven out of this province. I was yesterday at Escala, in the bay of
Rosas, where the French had a depot of corn, &c., all of which I have
got on board this ship. 1 was gratified to hear that, on Monday last, the
French were defeated at Bascarra, where they were attacked by 500
Spaniards, who took from them an immense convoy of provisions, (which
* Lieutenant Dalhousie Tait, an excellent young officer, who had dis-
tinguished himself on many occasions.
f See Captain FRANCIS WILLIAM FANE.
VOL. JI, 2 R
598 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
was on iu way from Perpignan to relieve Gerona,) besides 400 prisoners.
General Macdonald was at Severa a few days since, but so reduced in his
army, having now only fiOOO men, that it is generally thought he will not
get back to Barcelona. Cadaque*s, and all the small holds the French had
near Rosas are abandoned, and the whole are gone to that garrison. The
French are also in a bad way before Tortosa, as all the forts which they
had thrown up have been washed down by the heavy rains. * * * *."
" Cambrian *, off Rosas, April 16, 1811.
" Sir, — I have great pleasure in sending to you, by the Blossom, the
important intelligence of the surrender of Figueras to the Spaniards, on
the 10th instant, and that St. Philon and Palamos were taken possession of
by the Cambrian and Volontaire on the 12th and 14th, the guns all em-
barked, and the batteries destroyed. I am now on my way to Rosas and
Cadaqu&, and I have reason to hope the latter place, with Selva, will also
shortly be ours.
" The fall of Figueras has roused the Spaniards, who are arming in all
directions, and Hostalrich and Gerona are at this moment garrisoned by
Spanish troops. The only correct account I can learn is, that 400 Italians,
with 200 French troops, were left to protect Figueras; and that the former,
disgusted with the treatment they daily received from the French, and
being also half starved, opened the gates of the fortress to a body of
Spaniards, apprised of their intention, who rushed into the castle, and put
every Frenchman to the sword. About 2000 effective Spanish troops are
in full possession of this important place ; and General Sarsfield is on his
way with more, as well as supplies of every kind.
" The French General, d'Hilliers, who has the command in Catalonia,
on hearing of the fall of Figueras, has abandoned all his holds in Spain,
except Barcelona, and is collecting the whole of his force to attack it, as
well as to prevent supplies from getting in ; but I am told a quantity of
provisions was concealed in the town, unknown to the French, which has
been given up to the Spanish troops in the castle, who are in the highest
spirits possible. The Termagant continues to watch Barcelona ; and I
purpose remaining off here with the Volontaire, ready for any thing that
may offer, as under all the existing circumstances, I think it likely Rosas
may give in.
" I also beg leave to inform you, that a large settee, deeply laden with
grain for Barcelona, was, the night before last, most handsomely cut out
from under the Medas islands and batteries, by the boats of this ship, led on
by Lieutenant C'onoHy, without a man being hurt. I beg leave to offer you
* Captain Fane being taken prisoner at Palamos in Dec. 1810, Sir
Charles Cotton very handsomely appointed Captain Bullen to the Cam-
brian, she being a much larger and finer frigate than the Volontaire. He
however left the lattev with i»ucl» reluctance.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
599
my congratulations on the fall of Figueras, and the fair prospect it opens.
1 have the honor to he, &c. &c.
(Signed) " CHARLES BULLEN."
" P. S. Since writing the above, I have spoke a small boat from Begu,
which tells me the French General had made a rash attempt to recover Fi-
gueras two days since, and lost 700 men."
At Cadaqu£s, one of the places alluded to above, Captain
Bullen succeeded in capturing nineteen merchant vessels ; six
of which, being laden with grain and wine, were sent to
Tarragona for the use of the garrison. At Selva, he received
a severe wound whilst in a battery on shore, the effects of
which he still labours under.
On the receipt of the foregoing letter, Sir Charles Cotton
increased the naval force stationed on the coast of Catalonia,
in order to afford a more effectual co-operation with the pa-
triots, and ensure supplies reaching Figueras, and other
places in their possession. The squadron thus augmented
was placed under the orders of Captain (now Sir Edward)
Codrington, with whom Captain Bullen served till the fall of
Tarragona in June 1811 *, when he was sent to the command-
er-in-chief with an account of that unfortunate turn of affairs.
The Cambrian subsequently refitted at Gibraltar, and then
proceeded to Malta, from whence she convoyed home a con-
siderable number of French prisoners. She was paid off at
Plymouth in Dec. 1811.
Captain Bullen 's health being now very much impaired, he
remained on shore from this period till Nov. 18 J 4, when he
was appointed to the Akbar of 60 guns, a ship fitted pur-
posely to cope with the heavy American frigates, and intended
for the East India station ; to which, however, she did not
proceed, the war between Great Britain and the United States
being soon after terminated by the treaty of Ghent.
The Akbar's next orders were to receive the flag of Sir
T. Byam Martin, whom she conveyed from Plymouth to the
Scheldt, on a particular service, we believe that of superin-
tending the partition of the fleet and naval stores at Antwerp,
for which purpose the Rear- Admiral had been ^nominated a
Commissioner, in conjunction with Sir George Wood, of the
* See Vol. II, Part I, note at p. 225 et set).
2R2
600 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Royal Engineers, and Joseph Tucker, 'Esq., a Surveyor of
the Navy. That service being soon terminated, Captain
Bullen was sent to the Halifax station, where he remained as
second in command till Nov. 1816. He was put out of com-
mission at Portsmouth, in Jan. 1817 5 and having no induce-
ment to leave a happy home during a time of profound peace,
remained on half-pay till Dec. 1823, when he was appointed
to succeed his old friend and messmate, the late Sir Robert
Mends, as Commodore on the coast of Africa, the arduous
duties of which command he is now performing, with his
broad pendant on board the Maidstone frigate. He was no-
minated a C. 13. for his general services in 1815.
Commodore Bullen married,, about 1791, Miss Wood, a
distant relation. He had previously become possessed of
some property at Weymouth, in Dorset, by the demise of his,
father ; and when on shore, has ever since resided there.
Agents. — Messrs. Evans and Eyton.
JOHN WIGHT, ESQ.
THIS officer was born at Eyemouth,a sea- port town in Ber-
wickshire ; and having lost the protection of his father, who
changed his name to White, and died a Purser, R. N., was
destined by his mother for the medical profession ; but feeling
a predilection for the naval service, he embarked at a very
early age as a Midshipman on board the Culloden 74, undei-
the patronage of his worthy relative, and future father-in-law,
the late Admiral Schanck, of whom a memoir will be found at
p. 324 et seq. of our first volume *„
In 1791, after serving about a year in the Culloden, Mr.
Wight joined the Trial, a cutter built with sliding keels, ac-
cording to a plan proposed by Captain Schanck ; and in the
following year he removed into the Orion 74, commanded by
•^ Captain Wight's mother was a member of the ancient and respectable
family of Greive, well known in Berwickshire, and a first cousin of Ad-
miral Schanck, of whom farther mention will be made in the Supplement
to the Addenda, already promised at p. 883 of Vol. I. His half-brother,.
George White, is a Lieutenant, R. N.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 601
the late Sir John T. Duckworth, under whom he served on
the Channel, West India, and North American stations, till
the latter end of 1793, when he was received by the lamented
Captain Riou * on board the Rose frigate, attached to the ex-
pedition about to sail for the reduction of Martinique, Gua-
daloupe, &c.
During the operations carried on in the former island, he
landed with his gallant commander, and was entrusted by him
with the charge of a 3-gun battery, constructed by the Rose's
crew on Point Carriere, at the distance of between two
and three hundred yards from the walls of Fort Louis, on the
opposite side of the Carenage. Whilst thus employed he had
two remarkable escapes; a sailor, named John Williams,
being killed by a splinter of a shell, when in the act of re-
ceiving a biscuit from his hand, on which occasion he was
covered with the blood of the unfortunate man ; and another
of his party, James Wamsley, being slain by a shot whilst in
close conversation with him f.
From this battery he accompanied Captain Faulknor, of
the Zebra, to a spot close in the enemy's front, where that
heroic officer made such observations as afterwards enabled
him to lay his little sloop alongside the walls of Fort Louis ;
the result of which enterprise has been already stated under
the head of Rear- Admiral Williams t«
Mr. Wight's conduct during the six days he held the above
command, was so exemplary as to induce Captain Riou to
place him at the head of a division of men to be employed
in the grand attack upon Fort Louis ; and although but a lad,
* Captain Riou was killed at Copenhagen in April 1801 ; he will be
more particularly spoken of in a subsequent part of this work.
f Mr. Wight, when a boy at school, had a very narrow escape, his coat
tails being accidentally shot through by a Mr. John Planta ; and when
serving as a Midshipman of the Trial cutter, he was twice cast away in
her boats, and each time obliged to swim for his life. In addition to these
instances of the miraculous interposition of Providence, it appears that,
although twenty times in action with the enemy during his professional
career, and frequently knocked down by the wind of shot, &c., he never
received a wound !
I See Vol. I, note * at p. 859 ; and for other particulars respecting
Captain Faulknor, see Vol. II, part T, p. 320, at scfj.
602 J-OST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
he had the good fortune to be among the foremost of those
who so bravely stormed the enemy's works ; thus setting a
noble example Jo the party under his orders.
His juvenile gallantry being duly reported to Sir John Jer-
vis, the commander-in-chief, Mr. Wight was taken by that
officer into his own flag-ship, the Boyne, a second rate, where
he had a very severe attack of the yellow fever, and nearly
fell a victim thereto. On his recovery he was landed with a
party of seamen attached to the army under Sir Charles Grey,
and was frequently engaged with the republican troops com-
manded by Victor Hugues, who, during his illness, had suc-
ceeded in recovering possession of fort Fleur d'Epee, and
other posts, in the island of Guadaloupe *.
After the evacuation of Grand Terre, the Boyne proceeded
to the relief of Fort Matilda, then closely invested by the
enemy ; and Mr. Wight was sent in the jolly-boat with an
officer, bearing despatches from Sir Charles Grey to General
Prescott, who commanded there. On his arrival opposite
the sea front of that fortification, he hailed the garrison, in
order to obtain an escort from the beach to the sally-port ;
but receiving no reply, and the night being dark, he deter-
mined on landing in the town of Basse Terre, and proceeding
through the main street, which was the only road by which
he could approach the draw-bridge. Taking with him one
man belonging to his boat's crew, he passed through the town
without molestation, although many soldiers were distinctly
seen by the reflection of the lights, sitting at the doors with
muskets in their hands, and arrived at the ditch surrounding
the works at a moment when the republicans were firing in all
directions. After a considerable pause on the part of General
Prescott, the draw-bridge was lowered, and the gate of the
fort was fortunately opened at the moment when a French
dragoon, who had rode up to Mr. Wight, was in the act of
taking out his pistol to fire at him. Having informed the
General of the object of his visit, and that the enemy were
in possession of the town, a suitable force was sent to guard
* See Vol. I, note at p. 841 j and Vol. II, part I, p. 108 et seq.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 603
the officer charged with Sir Charles Grey's despatches, who
was thus enabled to execute his mission in safety*.
In Nov. 1794, Sir John Jervis presented Mr. Wight with
an appointment to act as a Lieutenant on board the Beaulieu
frigate, commanded by his friend Captain Riou j from which
ship he was afterwards removed into 1'Aimable of 32 guns,
on the same station. This promotion was conferred upon
him as a token of the Admiral's approbation of his very dis-
tinguished conduct during the preceding campaign.
The Beaulieu was engaged in a variety of active services,
and on one occasion destroyed a French troop-ship, mount-
ing 24 guns, and laden with military stores, after an action
of two hours with the battery of St. Frangois, Guadaloupe.
Previous to her being set on fire, a shot struck her fore-mast,
against which Mr. Wight was leaning, and passed through it
about twelve inches above his right arm. L'Aimable, com-
manded by Captain Mainwaring, had a very sharp contest
with the Pensee, a French frigate, mounting 44 guns, with
a complement of 400 men, 28 of whom were killed, and 36
wounded, whilst, strange to say, she herself had not a man
slain, and only two or three persons wounded. During this
conflict Captain Mainwaring and Mr. Wight were knocked
down by the hammocks, &c., set in motion by the enemy's
shot, but sustained no material injury f. The following par-
ticulars of the action have been furnished us by a gentleman
who bore a part therein. We give them at length, in con-
sequence of no other correct account ever having appeared in
print :
" At sun-set on the 22d July, 1796, 1'Aimable being on a cruise off
Guadaloupe, discovered the Pense*e rounding Englishman's Head, and in-
* Fort Matilda (formerly Fort St. Charles) had a very high wall next
the sea, and was completely commanded on the other three sides by land ;
so that, although impregnable against an attack by ships, it was not capa-
ble of maintaining a long defence against a vigorous enemy on shore.
It was taken by the British, April 22, 1794, and evacuated Dec. 10, in the
same year.
t Captain Jeminct Mainwaring was lost in la Babct, oa his passage to
the West Indies, in 1801.
604 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
stantly made sail to prevent her getting into Anse-la-Barque. Whilst
stretching inshore, Captain Mainwaring assembled his officers and ship's
company, consisting altogether of 192 men and boys, pointed out to them
the superior force of the enemy, and assured them that if they did not
despair of coping successfully with their republican foe, he would lead
them into action with sincere pleasure. " To glory or death !" was the
enthusiastic response, and in less than 30 minutes the ships were closely
engaged. The battle continued an hour and three quarters, during which
time there was little or no wind, and the sea perfectly smooth. The com-
batants being greatly cut up in their sails and rigging, and Captain Main-
waring seeing no likelihood of terminating the action speedily, except by
boarding, availed himself of a light breeze that now sprung up, and being
a little to windward of his opponent, kept away for that purpose ; but in
attempting to cross the PenseVs stern, was thrown on his back as above
stated, and before he could recover himself from the shock sufficiently to
give the necessary orders the enemy had put his helm up, and run athwart
1'Aimable's bows. He soon after made sail before the wind, and by day-
light next morning had increased his distance about six miles, although no
effort was wanting on the part of Captain Mainwaring to overtake him, all
possible sail having been set in pursuit, the stays slackened, the wedges of
the masts loosened, and the ship brought to her best sailing trim by the
shifting of guns, &c., to bring her to her proper bearings. About 8 A. M.,
on the 23d, the French commander, observing the inferiority of the frigate
opposed to him, hove to, with the seeming determination of renewing the
action. Preparations were now made for lashing the PenseVs bowsprit
to 1'Aimable's main-mast; but on Captain Mainwaring arriving within
pistol shot of the enemy's weather quarter, the latter filled and set his
courses, having first greeted the British frigate by pulling off his hat to
her commander and waving it over the hammocks, his officers following
his example. This apparently chivalrous salutation was very naturally
returned ; and our countrymen's feelings may readily be conceived when
they found it a mere ruse de guerre. L'Aimable, however, immediately
bore up ; and her flying-jib-boom passing close to the PenseVs taffrail, she
had an opportunity of pouring in a broadside through the enemy's cabin
windows. A very close action now commenced, both ships running before
the wind under their top-sails alone, and was kept up for nearly half an
hour; when the Pense'e having fore-reached on 1'Aimable sheered off, and
succeeded in effecting her escape. The trivial loss sustained by the latter
must be attributed to her antagonist having fired high. The slaughter on
board the former is easily accounted for, she being much loftier than
1'Aimable, whose guns had but little elevation given them."
Three days after this gallant affair, TAimable arrived at the
island of St. Thomas, where she found the Pensee with her
main-mast out, and obtained correct information of her loss.
POST-CAPTAINS QF 1802.
605
Whilst there, the British and French commanders dined
, together at the Danish Governor's table.
The Pensee being at length refitted, Captain Mainwaring
took under his protection a number of English merchantmen,
and sailed from thence to the northward ; but not before he
had given the enemy an opportunity of again meeting him in
battle, by laying to for twelve hours as near the shore as the
laws of neutrality would allow, which Mons. Valto, the French
Captain, did not think proper to avail himself of.
Mr. Wight subsequently removed into the Ariadne of 28
guns, and returned to England at the latter end of 1796. On
the passage home his ship experienced very tempestuous
weather, parted company with the greater part of a fleet under
her convoy, and was obliged to throw all her guns overboard.
His commission as a Lieutenant was confirmed by the Ad-
miralty on the 5th Sept. in the same year. ,
Lieutenant Wight's health being at this period much im-
paired by the West India climate, he solicited and obtained
permission to come on half pay ; but an invitation from Cap-
tain Riou, who, although a young officer, had recently been
appointed to the command of the Augusta yacht, induced
him to join that vessel, from which he was promoted in con-
sequence of her bearing the Admiralty flag, and forming part
of the royal squadron when his late Majesty proposed visiting
the victorious fleet under Lord Duncan at the Nore*.
Early in J 798, Captain Wight was appointed to the Ad-
miral Devries, a Dutch 68-gun ship, armed en flute, and
placed under the orders of the Transport Board, for the pur-
pose of being employed in the conveyance of the prisoners
taken in Ireland during the unhappy rebellion in that kingdom.
After encountering much bad weather, and springing her
main-mast, the Admiral Devries reached Cork and Waterford,
at which places she received on board 400 of those deluded
men, with a detachment of the 60th regiment, and proceeded
with them to Martinique. On the passage out two dread-
ful explosions took place in the gun-room, owing to the
carelessness of the gunner and his crew when fumigating the
* See Vol. I, p. 152.
P ;>•, S-
(K)6 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
bhip ; but by the exertions and cool intrepidity of her com-
mander, the fire was each time subdued, and the lives of 900
men, women, and children, preserved. She subsequently
sprung a leak off St. Domingo, whilst on her way to Jamaica;
and being surveyed at the latter island, was found utterly
unfit again to cross the seas,
Captain Wight now removed his pendant into the London
transport, and embarked a detachment of troops ordered to
Savanna la Mer, at which place he received on board a party
of the York hussars, for a passage to England. Whilst thus
employed he was attacked by the yellow fever, from which he
had scarcely recovered when the London sprung a leak under
the chesstree, about four feet beneath her water line, and was
with great difficulty kept afloat until her return to Port
Royal, where she was discharged from the service, and her
passengers removed into other vessels.
Having at length returned home in safety, he received an
offer of further employment in the same line of service ; but
it not being his wish to avail himself thereof, he declined an
appointment to a frigate under the Transport Board, and re-
mained on half-pay till July 1800, when he obtained the
command of the Wolverene, a brig fitted according to a plan
proposed by Commissioner Schanck, with guns on the inclined
plane, and grooves in her deck, by which she could fight them
all on one side *.
On the 19th of the following month, Captain Wight, being
at anchor near the islands of St. Marcou, on the coast of Nor-
mandy, discovered two large French sloops attempting to
make their escape from the river Isigny, and lost no time in
pursuing them, with the Wolverene, two gun-brigs, and a
cutter. The enemy finding themselves hard pressed, ran into
the bay of Grand Camp, and anchored under cover of two
batteries, which Captain Wight immediately attacked and
kept in play, while his boats, under Lieutenant John Gre-
gory, boarded and set fire to the largest vessel, lying aground
within half pistol-shot of the beach, on which 200 men with
muskets and three field-pieces were posted. The other sloop
* See Vol. I, note * at p. 332.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 007
was at the same time so much cut up by the Wolverene's
shot as to render it impossible for her to proceed.
Captain Wight's abilities as a seaman were no less con-
spicuous than his zeal and bravery as an officer on this occa-
sion, he having taken charge of the Wolverene upon her pilot
declining to conduct her within gun-shot of the heavy battery
to which she was about to be opposed, and laid her within
pistol-shot of the enemy's works, where her keel was only
a few inches free of the ground. His spirited example was
followed by the officers under his orders, their pilots having
likewise disclaimed all responsibility. This gallant exploit
being performed in sight of tire garrison at Marcou, he re-
ceived the most hearty congratulations on his return to that
anchorage, and afterwards had the satisfaction to hear that
the Admiralty highly approved of his conduct. The enemy,
it appears, had 4 men killed on the beach ; but although
their troops came down to the margin of the water, the
British had not a man slain or wounded by their fire. The
Wolverene, however, had three of her crew dreadfully shat-
tered by an explosion on board one of the sloops, and suffered
some damage in her sails and rigging.
In the following month Captain Wight captured a vessel
laden with naval stores, near Havre ; and on the 4th Nov. in
the same year he drove a French cutter on shore to the west-
ward of Cape Barfleur, where it is supposed she went to
pieces during a gale of wind from the southward, which ob-
liged him to haul off and leave her surrounded by breakers.
Five days after this event he encountered a tremendous
storm, the disastrous effects of which among the shipping in
the Channel have seldom if ever been exceeded. The Wol-
verene's escape, indeed, may be considered miraculous, as
she actually struck on the Goodwin Sands, bu^ providentially
forced her way into the North Sea, and arrived at Yar-
mouth in safety. The anxiety experienced by his family at
this critical period may be inferred from the following pas-
sage contained in a letter written to him by Commissioner
Schanck, on hearing of his arrival at that port :
" My dearest John, — I never knew how much I loved and valued you
till I thought I had lost you for ever. I most sincerely return God thanks
608 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
for your preservation. I have only time to say, every moment of my life
shall be employed in being useful to you in all manner of ways. * *
* * *"
In a preceding letter, alluding to the affair in Grand Camp
bay, the worthy Commissioner says :
" Go on and trust in God. * * *. I will try and find out an acting
Master for you. You may think as you please, but your being able to
take charge of the ship is a strong recommendation to you, and will please
Admiral — , as it does me. • • • *. You are much talked of at
all the Boards j and indeed it makes me a most happy man. Take care
of your health ; and I am sure you will do your duty."
Captain Wight subsequently received a note from Earl St.
Vincent's private secretary, acquainting him that his Lordship
was very glad to find he had, through his meritorious conduct,
procured the rank then enjoyed by him ; and recommend-
ing him to persevere in his exertions, as the only path to
obtain promotion. That this advice was not disregarded we
shall soon have the pleasure of shewing.
On the 5th May, 1801, Captain Wight, being off Havre,
discovered a large sloop coming down the Seine, and made
sail towards her. The enemy having anchored just before
dark, the Wolverene was brought up in an advantageous po-
sition to the eastward of the Trouville bank, and a boat under
Lieutenant Gregory sent to attack the French vessel, which
he boarded without resistance, her crew retreating to the
shore as he advanced. She proved to be laden with mer-
chandise ; and strange as it may appear, although considerably
up the river, the captors were allowed to bring her out un-
molested. On the 15th of the following month, Captain
Wight drove a similar vessel on shore, under the cover of
three batteries at St. Vallery, where she was cannonaded by
him ; but owing to the strength of the tide, and a heavy sea,
it was found impracticable to bring her off. A few days
after, whilst cruising off the Seine, he discovered a division
of the enemy's flotilla on the southern shore, coming from the
westward, and notwithstanding the great inferiority of his
force, lost no time in offering them battle. They, however,
crowded sail, and pushed into Havre, closely pursued by the
Wolverene.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 60q
Captain Wight was now placed under the orders of the late
Captain Newman, who was employed with a small squadron
watching the port of Havre, where a considerable force had
been collected for the purpose of assisting in the meditated
invasion of Great Britain. Thirty-six sail of brigs, luggers,
and other armed vessels, being moored in the form of a half
moon between the heads of the piers, and Captain Wight
feeling confident that the Wolverene's easy draught of water
and peculiar armament would enable him to annoy them con-
siderably, he prevailed upon his commanding officer to sanc-
tion an attack by her alone, although the appearance of the
flotilla lying in shoal water, close to the shore, and under the
protection of a formidable citadel and several land batteries,
afforded but little probability of her being able to dislodge the
enemy without the aid of other small vessels.
Captain Wight's first attempt proved ineffectual ; and after
maintaining a close action with the flotilla and batteries for
nearly an hour, he was obliged to haul out without making
any apparent impression on them. He, however, had tlie
gratification of being saluted on his return by three hearty
cheers from Captain Newman, and all the officers and men
who had witnessed his gallant conduct. The next day it was
agreed upon that he should lead the Loire and Maidstone
frigates as close as possible along the southernmost side of
the bank de la Jambe, and denote the soundings by signal
as he proceeded. His second attack was commenced with
great spirit, the Wolverene approaching close to the enemy's
centre, and sustaining a very heavy fire for about an hour, in
little more than twelve feet water. Captain Wight at length
determined upon boarding some of the outermost vessels, but
had scarcely filled his main-top-sail for that purpose, and
directed the whole of his fire against six of them, when they
cut their cables, and were drifted by the flood tide into the
harbour. The wind now dying away, the Wolverene was
unavoidably driven so near the piers that the French troops
began to engage her with musketry ; and it is said that the
present American Commodore Rodgers, then at Havre, per-
sonally directed the fire of a heavy piece of artillery against
her. Her situation had indeed become rather alarming ; but
610 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
fortunately a light breeze from the land enabled Captain
Wight again to close with the British squadron, where he was
again received in the most gratifying manner. The next
morning he had the additional pleasure of finding that the
whole of the enemy's Vessels, dreading a renewal of the at-
tack, had moved into the harbour during the night, nor were
they ever afterwards seen outside of the pier-heads. Napo-
leon Buonaparte, then First Consul of the French republic?
expressed his displeasure at their conduct, but at the same
time stated that they were not in an efficient state to combat.
What then had become of all his celebrated artillerists, a
portion of whom had been ordered for the service of each di-
vision of the flotilla on which he had rested his fondest hopes ?
but such excuses from his mouth were by no means un-
common.
The Wolverene being ordered into port for the purpose of
repairing her damages, was applied for by Lord Nelson, as*
a desirable vessel to be employed in his intended attack on the
Boulogne flotilla, but he was told by the Admiralty that she
could not be spared from the Havre station, where Captain
Wight continued to serve with his usual activity and zeal, re-
peatedly receiving the public approval of his superiors, during
the continuance of the war. Among other vessels taken by
him were a number of neutrals, the whole of which were con-
demned as lawful prizes. He was put out of commission
April 15, 1802, and promoted to post rank on the 29th of the
same month, the first Lord of the Admiralty at the same time
passing some high encomiums on his professional character.
On paying off the Wolverene he made a favorable report of
that vessel's qualities, and spoke of the utility of the shell
shot invented by the late General Melville, and used by her
in common with solid 24-pound shot, in her different actions
on the French coast. The General's own ideas on the latter
subject will be gathered from the following document :
" Brewer Street, London, Aug. 31, 1801.
' General Melville, who for many years past has been disqualified from
writing letters with his signature, must take the pleasure of acknowledging
m tins, las usual mode, Captain Wight's very obliging favor of the 13th
•nsta.it, with a P. S. relative to General Melville's friend Captain Walker
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 611
of the Tartar, and a sketch made by Captain Wight himself of the late
operations against the enemy at Havre-de-Grace ; for all which trouble
General M. begs leave to assure Captain Wight of his best thanks. As
General Melville was the first proposer very long since, of that species of
artillery between the howitzer and cannon, with a view to unite as far as
might be the advantages of both, without the peculiar disadvantages of
either, and which were afterwards called earromides, from the first place
of their construction in 1779, he has always been a zealous advocate for
their use, especially of those of the largest sort ; being fully persuaded
that these pieces with shell or carcase shot, as might best suit the case,
might be a permanent advantage to the British, if the boldest and closest
fighters, as he trusts they are and always will be. General Melville has
already given, and will continue to give, communications to proper per-
sons, of what Captain Wight has so clearly and satisfactorily stated to
General M. on the success of the shell shot, and of the best manner of
putting them either into the carronades or long guns ; but whether any
means will be found to impress these ideas sufficiently upon the mind of
the present first Lord of the Admiralty *, with whom General M. has not
the honor to be personally acquainted, if averse to them, is very doubtful.
General M. however should think that if Captain Walker and others would
join in an application for a proportion of the shell shot, it might be useful,
and that the late adoption of howitzers by Lord Nelson, on his second
expedition against Boulogne, may be considered as a favorable omen of
a growing opinion for the more general use of the shell shot from large
carronades, or guns, as being often fit to produce either alarm or execu-
tion, in cases when neither could be the effects of solid shot of the same
calibre. And were the shell shot in some proportion once established,
General Melville would not doubt but that some fit number also of carcase
shot would be added ; for there are certainly cases when these last might
be also used to good purpose.
" General Melville's very ingenious friend, Commissioner Schanck, is
now with Mrs. S. in Devonshire ; but on his return he and General M.
will have conversation on the contents of Captain Wight's communications,
which, with his successful practice against the enemy, do not only much
honor to his zeal, judgment, and exertions, but furnish very instructive,
as well as strong grounds, for the farther prosecution of such methods of
practice on fit occasions."
Captain Wight's next appointment was, in 1805, to the
Cleopatra of 32 guns, in which frigate he served for a con-
siderable time on the North American station, where he
made many valuable captures, but from whence he was ob-
liged to return through ill-health, arising from a disorgan-
* Earl St. Vincent.
612 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
ized liver, and the powerful medicines he had been compelled
to take in order to subdue that disorder.
In May 1824, Captain Wight invented a rudder " for the
more easy and safe conducting all classes of H. M. ships, and
those in the'merehants' service/' by the use of which he is
of opinion they will be enabled to perform the evolutions of
tacking and wearing with less helm, and require less manual
force on the wheel or tiller. From the description we have
seen of this invention, we have no doubt that it will be found
to possess many advantages over the rudder now in use, par-
ticularly in cases where it may be necessary suddenly to alter
the vessel's course ; and on the other hand to prevent her
broaching to when scudding in a heavy gale of wind, a dis-
aster which has too often caused the loss of ship and lives.
We regret our inability to attempt a philosophical descrip-
tion of it.
Captain Wight is at present very actively employed as a
Commissioner of Roads and Bridges at Teignmouth, in De-
vonshire. His lady died there in May, 1812, leaving issue
three sons and one daughter, the survivors of whom are, by
their late grandfather's will, to take the name and arms of
Schanck, on the demise of his respected widow *. The Admi-
ral's property is, we believe, left to Admiral Viscount Ex-
mouth, in trust for those children, one of whom is now
serving as a Midshipman under Commodore Grant, in the
East Indies, and another studying the law. His daughter
is also living; but the other child, a god-son of Lord
Prudhoe, and intended for the naval profession, was drowned
in the river Teign at twelve years of age.
dgent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
HENRY FOLKES EDGELL, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790 ; commanded
the Pluto sloop of war, principally employed on the New-
foundland station, from 1J98 till his promotion to the rank
* Mrs. Schanck is the rnother-in-law of the late Mrs. Wight, who was
iho Admiral's only child by his first wife.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 613
of Post-Captain, April 29, 1802 ; and subsequently held an
appointment in the Sea Fencible service, between Dungeness
and Sandgate. He was afterwards appointed in succession
to the Cornelia frigate, and Cornwallis of 74 guns : the former
ship assisted at the capture of the Isles of France and Java,
in the years 1810 and 1811.
Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq.
CORNELIUS QUINTON, ESQ.
THIS officer was a Lieutenant of the Leviathan 74,
commanded by the late Lord Hugh Seymour, in Earl
Howe's battle, June 1, 1794*. He obtained post-rank, April
29, 1802.
Agent, — Hugh Stanger, Esq.
SIR JAMES DUNBAR, BART.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1790; and a Post-
Captain April 29, 1802. He received the honor of knight-
hood in 1809 ; and was created a Baronet of Great Britain,
July 30, 1814. His lady Is a daughter of James Coull, of
Ashgrove, in Elginshire, Esq.; a niece to Sir Archibald
Dunbar, Bart., of Northfield, in the same county; and %
cousin of Viscount Arbuthnot, Lord Lieutenant of Kin*
eardineshire.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD, ESQ.
THIS officer is related by his mother's side to the late
William Masterman, of Restormel Park, near Lostwithiel,
Cornwall, Esq. M. P. for the borough of Bodmin, in the same
county ; under whose patronage he entered the naval service
as a Midshipman on board the Buffalo of 60 guns, commanded
by Captain William Truscott, in Mar. 1781. He afterwards
* See Vol.11, Part I, p. 103,
VOL. II. 2 S
614 PaSTT-€AFTAWS OF
removed with that officer into the Nonsuch 64, and continued
to serve with him till the peace of 1783. The former ship
bore a part in the Dogger Bank action, Aug. 5, 1781 *, on
which occasion she sustained a loss of 20 men killed and 64
wounded. The Nonsuch formed part of Sir George Rodney's
fleet in the battles of April 9th and 12th, 1782 f 5 and sub-
sequently proceeded to New York, for the purpose of bringing
home a body of Hessian troops, in British pay. She was
paid off at Chatham in Aug. 1783.
From this period Mr. Butterfield served successively in the
Grampus 50, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Ed-
ward Thompson, on the African station ; Winchelsea frigate,
commanded by the present Viscount Exmoutb, employed
at Newfoundland ; Culloden 74, and Melampus of 36 guns,
on Channel service. He passed his examination for a Lieu-
tenant in 1788 ; a circumstance which we are induced to men-
tion in consequence of an opinion being prevalent that he was
originally impressed iato the navy.
la 1790, an *wifortunate fracas between Mr. Hancorn, junior
Lieutenant of the Melampus, and some of her Midshipmen, at
a well-known tavern on Portsmouth Point, led to a trial at
Winchester ; but the latter party consenting to apologize for
their intemperate conduct, the business was allowed to ter-
minate without the infliction of any punishment, it being veiy
clearly seen that the assault complained of by the Lieutenant
had been produced by his own tyrannical conduct, particularly
towards the subject of this memoir, whom he had on one
occasion caused to be lashed to a grating and triced up to the
mizen-peak, where he was exposed to the gaze of all the ships
at the anchorage, and this for no greater offence than that of
coming on deck fully equipped, before he acquainted him
that the first Lieutenant, then absent, had just before con-
sented to his dining out of the ship ; or to use Mr. Han-
corn's own expression, for " getting imder way before he
had received his sailing vrders."
* See Vol. I, note § at p. 175 et seq.
t See Vol. II. Part I, note f at p. 52 ; and Vol. I, note * at p. 35
et seq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 615
Disgusted at this treatment, Mr. Butterfield quitted the
navy., arid made several voyages in the merchants' service.
At the commencement of the French war in 1793, he was
impressed from the Anna, an American vessel lying in the
Thames, and sent with a draft of men from the Enterprise
tender to complete the complement of the Majestic 74, com-
manded by the late Sir Charles Cotton, who soon restored
him to his former station on the quarter-deck ; and by the
exertion of his interest obtained him a commission, appointing
him junior Lieutenant of the same ship, April llth, 1794.
On the memorable first of June, when Earl Howe defeated
the republican fleet under M. Villaret de Joyeuse, the Ma-
jestic was stationed a-stern of the Royal George, bearing the
flag of Sir Alexander Hood, who publicly acknowledged the
support she afforded him during the battle. Her loss amounted
to 3 men killed, and 18 wounded.
In Sept. following, the Majestic was ordered to convey
Vice-Admiral Caldwell to the Leeward Islands, where Lieu-
tenant Butterfield was allowed to exchange into the An-
dromache frigate, for the purpose of re-joining Sir Charles
Cotton, who had been suddenly removed into the Impreg-
nable 98.
Proceeding from the West Indies to Halifax, on her way
to England, the Andromache was totally dismasted in a hur-
ricane. After sailing from the latter place she detained an
American brig, supposed to be laden with French property,
which was put in charge of Mr. Butterfield, who ultimately
returned home as a passenger on board TOiseau of 36 guns,
and on his arrival was appointed to the Mars, a third rate,
commanded by his patron Sir Charles Cotton, in which ship
he continued under the command of that officer, and his suc-
cessor, Captain Alexander Hood, till his promotion to the
rank of Commander, in consequence of his being senior
Lieutenant in the action between the Mars and 1'Hercule,
which is thus described by Schomberg, in his Naval Chrono-
logy, Vol. Ill, p. 98 et seq.
" On the 21st April, 1798, Captain Hood, in the Mars, was directed, by
signal from Lord Bridport, to chase a strange sail seen inshore, which, on
his approach, he observed to be an enemy's ship of the line, and that she
2s2
61(5 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
was endeavouring to escape through the Passage du Raz ; but the tide
proving contrary, and the wind easterly, obliged her to anchor at the mouth
of the passage. This afforded Captain Hood an opportunity of attacking
her, which he performed in a most noble and gallant manner, laying the
Mars so close alongside the enemy, as to unhinge several of the lower-
deck ports. In this situation a most bloody conflict commenced, and
continued an hour and a half, when she surrendered. Towards the close
of the battle Captain Hood received a wound in the thigh, which proved
mortal ; he lived to receive the joyful news of the enemy's submission,
and expired covered with immortal glory *. She proved to be 1'Hercule,
of 74 guns and 700 men, the first time of her being at sea, from 1'Orient,
going to join the Brest fleet. The carnage on board the enemy's ship
must have been dreadful ; upwards of 400 men were killed and wounded ;
her hull on the larboard side was shockingly burnt and torn to pieces.
The loss sustained by the Mars amounted to 17 killed, 5 died of their
wounds, 60 wounded t, and 8 missing, in all 90 J."
The subject of this memoir was soon after appointed to
the Hazard sloop of war, employed on the Irish station,
where he captured le Neptune French national ship, formerly
the Laurel English East Indiaman, of 10 guns and 53 men,
having on board 270 soldiers, from the Isle of France, bound
to Brest. The enemy having brought all his guns on one
side, made an obstinate defence of an hour and fifty minutes,
and had upwards of 20 men killed and wounded. The Hazard
had only 6 men wounded.
From this period Captain Butterfield was employed in
keeping up a communication between the flag at Cork and
the different squadrons cruising off Ireland. In Nov. 1798,
he assumed the temporary command of the Foudroyant, an
80-gun ship, vacant by the death of Sir Thomas Byard, on the
30th of the preceding month ; and after conducting her from
* Captain Hood was a nephew to Lords Bridport and Hood. He re-
ceived a musket-ball in the faemoral artery.
.t Among the wounded were Messrs. George Argles and George Arnold
Ford, third and fifth Lieutenants of the Mars. The former officer, however,
remained at his post, and acquired as much credit for his bravery in the
action as for his local knowledge and professional skill, which enabled
him to pilot the Mars alongside the enemy. The conduct of Mr. John
Bovvker, the second Lieutenant, was also very exemplary. Both these
gentleman have since attained post rank.
I The cost of simply making good the damages 1'Hercule had sus-
tained by the fire of the Mars, was estimated at 12,500/.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 180'2. 617
Lough S willy to Plymouth, rejoined the Hazard, in which
vessel we find him affording protection to the trade between
Ireland and the Downs, during the remainder of the war.
There is no service more arduous and unprofitable than that
of convoying merchantmen. Most of those placed under
Captain Butterfield's care were heavy sailers, deeply laden,
weakly manned, badly found, and sometimes leaky ; demand-
ing the greatest skill, perseverance, and patience, to keep
them together. Privateers were continually on the watch,
waiting only for a gale of wind, or a fog, to separate the un-
skilful from the rest ; yet, with all these difficulties to con-
tend with, Captain Butterfield had the good fortune never to
lose a single vessel confided to his charge.
In addition to the above services, Captain Butterfield, whilst
in the Hazard, on one occasion fell in with a transport-ship,
totally dismasted, and in a miserably shattered state, she
having been twice run foul of by other vessels at sea. By great
exertions on his part this ship was brought safely into port, and
her valuable cargo, intended for the use of the army serving
against the rebels in Ireland, forwarded to its destination.
For his meritorious conduct in this instance he received the
public thanks of Sir Robert KingsmilL, commander-in-chief at
Cork. Returning to port with his prize, le Neptune, he dis-
covered a large French privateer, with the Britannia, an
English extra India ship in tow. Being crowded with pri-
soners, and short of complement, several of the Hazard's
crew having been sent away in a recaptured vessel previous
to the action, any attempt to secure the enemy or his prize
must have proved abortive. He, however, gave such correct
information of their position and course to a British frigate
which he afterwards met with, as enabled the latter to retake
the Britannia. On another occasion he rescued the Triton
Indiaman from imminent danger on the coast of Ireland, her
crew, principally Lascars, being completely done up by the
seventy of the weather, and several privateers hovering about
her, when first seen by the Hazard. For this service, and
conducting her safe to Portsmouth, the house of David Scott,
and Co., of London, presented him with a piece of plate value
150 guineas.
618 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802-
Captaiu Butterfield was promoted to post rank, April 29,
1802 3 and appointed principal agent to the transports at-
tached to Sir Home Popham's expedition against the Cape of
Good Hope, in June 1805. On the passage out the fleet
touched at Madeira, for the purpose of refreshing the troops,
and completing the water of the ships of war, transports, and
Indiamen under convoy, which was performed under the ahle
superintendence of Captain Butterfield, who never quitted the
beach for four days. His services at the reduction of the
Cape were officially acknowledged by the Commodore *.
After the conquest of that colony, Captain Butterfield re-
ceived part of the Dutch garrison on board a division of the
transports, and proceeded to St. Helena, where he rendered
great assistance to the Hon. Captain Percy, of the Volontaire,
by manning that frigate with part of the crews under his com-
mand, and supplying their place with prisoners, whom he
prevailed upon to assist in working the different vessels in
which they were embarked.
Captain Butterfield subsequently served in the Sea Fen-
cibles at Tralee ; and on the breaking up of that corps, in
1810, he was appointed pro tempore to the Courageux of 74
guns. At the latter end of the same year he removed into
the Malacca, a new frigate, and sailed for the Cape station ;
from whence, after cruising for some time off the Isle of
France, he was ordered to the East Indies, where he had the
mortification to be dismissed his ship by the sentence of a
court-martial, held at Madras, in Aug. 1812. The circum-
stance that led to his trial was briefly as follows :-—Ou his
arrival in India, finding himself senior officer there, in conse-
quence of the recent demise of Vice- Admiral Drury, as stated
at p. 514, and the absence of Commodore Broughton, he pro-
ceeded to Calcutta, and despatched the Minden, 74, to England
with the October convoy, at the urgent request of the mer-
chants, but without sufficient authority for so doing. His
* It is worthy of remark, that Captain Butterfield and the other agents
transports, Lieutenants Cochrane and Patey, did not receive any prize-
money for the capture of the Cape, although the commanders and' mates
of the Hon. East India Company's ships did ; the former receiving 1000/.,
and the latter 500/. each.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
2eal for the public service gave offence to Commodore Braugh-
ton, who, on his return from Java, where he had been joined
by the Malacca, applied to Sir Samuel Hood, the new com-
mander-in- chief, for a court-martial, which terminated in
Captain Butterfield's dismissal from that frigate, to the great
regret of her crew, from whom he received a warm and affec-
tionate address previous to his return to England, as a pas-
senger on board the Modeste, an address alike gratifying to
his feelings, and honorable to his character *.
At the general promotion in June 1814, Captain Butterfieid
was appointed to succeed Sir Home Popham in the command
of the Stirling Castle 74 ; but peace with France having pre-
viously taken place, the only service he had an opportunity of
performing in her was that of bringing the guards from Bour-
deaux to England. We are sorry it is not in our power to insert
a copy of a very handsome letter which we know he received
from the officers of that distinguished corps, acknowledging
the attention he paid to their comforts during the passage.
The Stirling Castle was paid off at Plymouth about Nov. 1814.
Captain Butterfield has been more than once married, and
is the father of a large family. One of his sons is a Midship-
man in the R. N.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
RICHARD BYRON, ESQ.
A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
IT being our intention to present the reader with some very
curious and interesting particulars of the Byron family, under
the head of their representative, the present Captain Lord
Byron, we shall merely state in this place that the officer
now before us is the eldest son of the late Hon. and Rev.
Richard Byron, by Mary, daughter of Richard Farmer, of
Leicester, Esq., and sister of Dr. Richard Farmer, Master of
Emanuel College, Cambridge, a Canon residentiary of St.
• Captain Butterfield, previous to his leaving the Mars, was presented
by that ship's company with a very elegant sword, as a token of their gra-
titude for his constant humane attentions to the sick.
620 PbST-CAPtAINS OF 1802.
Paul's, and the celebrated commentator on Shakespeare, stf
frequently mentioned by Malone and Steevens *.
Mr. Richard Byron was born in 1769 ; and entered the
naval service at the commencement of 1782, as a Midship-
man, on board the Andromache frigate, commanded by his
first cousin, the late Captain George Anson Byron, then about
to sail for the West India station, where he arrived in time to
witness the defeat and capture of Count de Grasse, by the
fleet under Sir George B. Rodney f. He was also present at
the relief of Gibraltar by Earl Howe, at the latter end of the
same year^.
• The Hon. and Rev. Richard Byron, third son of William, fourth
Lord Byron, by Frances, second daughter of William, Lord Berkeley, of
Stratton, was born at Newstead Abbey, Oct. 24, 1724. His brother, the
late Hon. Vice- Admiral John Byron> served as a Midshipman under Com-
modore Anson, during his celebrated voyage round the world j and having
had the misfortune to be cast away in the Wager, on a desolate island off
the coast of Chili, suffered great hardships for more than five years. He
was an able and gallant 'seaman ; but, on the whole, an unfortunate com-
mander, having always the elements to contend with rather than the enemy.
His action with M. d'Estaing, July 6, 1 779> though indecisive, was highly
honorable to the British fleet ; for it is evident that the French Admiral
declined coming to a close engagement, though the force under his com-
mand was vastly superior to his opponents. Vice-Admiral Byron died
April 10, 1786.
t Captain G. A. Byron was instrumental in bringing on the battles of
April 9 and 12, 1782 ; for, being stationed off the Diamond Rock, he kept
the strictest watch upon the enemy, by sailing into the mouth of the har-
bour where de Grasse lay, and gave Rodney such immediate notice of the
French Admiral's motions, that the British ships, by slipping their cables,
were enabled to intercept and bring him to action. He also rendered an
essential service in the midst of the conflict on the 12th, by putting fifty
barrels of gunpowder on board the Monarch 74, without causing that ship
to lose her station in the line for a moment. The Andromache was after-
wards selected to carry home Lords Cranston and Robert Manners ; the
former charged with Rodney's despatches relative to the victory, the latter
returning to England on account of his wounds; and Captain Byron's
conduct was reported in the most honorable terras to the Admiralty.
Unfortunately for his country, Lord Robert Manners only survived about
a week after his removal from the ship he had so gallantly commanded,
during which period he was closely attended by Mr. Richard Byron. When
hia Lordship's death was announced at Court, the King told the Duke of
Portland, he would rather have lost three of the best ships in his service.
I See Vol. I, pp. 17 and 106.
1POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
621
•Mr. Byron subsequently served for several years in the
JDruid frigate ; and early in 1789, we find him accompanying
his cousin to the East Indies, in the Phoenix of 36 guns, form-
ing part of the squadron sent thither under the orders of
Commodore Cornwallis. Ever active, Captain Byron sought
the first occasion of assisting in the war against Tippoo Saib ;
and, at the very outset, performed a signal service, by inter-
cepting the Sultan's transports, loaded with military stores.
After this he distinguished himself by landing some of his
guns, and leading a party of his men to assist the Bombay
army in reducing the fortress of Cannanore, and other strong
holds on the Malabar coast, and in re-establishing the Rajah
of Travancore, whose dominions had been over-run and occu-
pied by Tippoo. For these services he was publicly praised
in the official accounts that were sent home ; but, unfor-
tunately, he fell a victim to his alacrity and zeal ; for, on
crossing the bar of Billiapatnam river, near Cannanore, in
order to communicate with Major-General Abercromby, who
was then marching towards Seringapatam, his boat was over-
set by a heavy sea ; and when endeavouring to extricate him-
self, her gunwale struck him twice upon the breast with so
much violence, that on being taken up it. was not supposed
he could survive the shock his frame had sustained. He how-
ever lingered about a year after his return to England, and
survived his wife several months. He died at Dawleish,
in Devonshire, June 11, 1793.
The subject of this memoir was made a Lieutenant into the
Perseverance frigate at Trincomalee, about Oct. 1792 ; and serv-
ed as such on board the Impregnable, a second rate, bearing the
flag of Rear- Admiral Caldwell, in the battle of June 1, 1794.
From her he removed into the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns,
which ship formed part of Lord Bridport's fleet in the action
t>ff I'Orient, June 23, 1795 *. We subsequently find him
* See Vol. J, note at p. 75 et seq. and Vol. II, Part I, note at p, 54.
Lieutenant Byron on the latter occasion was placed in a very honorable
post, his Captain, Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, having directed that his division
of guns, the seven foremost on the lower deck, should alone commence
*he action ; the remainder to consider his firing as a signal for them to
begin with effect. He accordingly waked until his guns pointed directly
622 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
serving as first Lieutenant of the Doris frigate, commanded by
Lord Ranelagh, and employed as a cruiser in the Channel.
hi 1797, Mr. Byron was appointed flag Lieutenant to Sir
Hugh C. Christian, K. B., whom he accompanied to the Cape
of Good Hope in la Virginie, of 44 guns. He there joined
the Tremendous 74, from which ship he was promoted to the
command of the Cornwallis brig in Mar. 1798 *. His next
appointment was to the Rosario sloop of war, fitting at Ply-
mouth for the Jamaica station, where he was employed during
the peace of Amiens, watching the motions of a fleet sent
from France to co-operate with General le Clerc, in his at-
tempt to recover possession of St. Domingo. Captain Byron's
post commission bears date April 29, 1802. He fitted out
the Inconstant frigate in 1804 5 and obtained the command
of the Belvidera, rated at 36, but mounting 42 guns, Feb. 11,
1810. On the 22d July following, the boats of that ship, in
company with those of the Nemesis 28, captured, after a smart
action, the Danish schooners Balder and Thor, each carrying
two long 24-pounders, 6 howitzers, and 45 men ; they also
destroyed a sloop, mounting one 24-pounder, with a comple-
ment of 25 men. Of this gallant affair, which took place on
the coast of Norway, an account will be found under the head
of Captain William Henry Bruce, who served as a Lieutenant
on that occasion.
The Belvidera was afterwards ordered to the Halifax sta-
tion, where she had a rencontre with an American squadron,
the particulars of which are thus related by Captain Byron in his
official letter to Vice- Admiral Sawyer, dated June 27, 1812 f :
(f Sir, — I beg leave to inform you, that in pursuance of the
for the FVench Formidable's broadside, when he let fly, and every
shot from the Queen Charlotte was thus expended to good purpose.
It should be remarked, that the enemy's three sternmost shipa had pre-
viously opened a heavy fire upon her, but without shaking the determina-
tion of her commander, not to throw away a shot in vain.
* La Virginie conveyed Lord Mornington (now Marquis Wellesley),
from England to the Cape of Good Hope, from whence the Cornwallis
returned home with despatches.
t The United States had declared war against Great Britain nine days
previous to the date of thia letter.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 623
orders I had the honor to receive from you at Bermuda,, the
Belvidera was on the 23d instant in lat, 39° 26' N., long. 71°
10' W., in expectation of the French privateer Marengo
coming out of New London. At break of day, the officer of
the watch informed me the upper sails of five vessels were
seen in the S. W. I stood towards them to reconnoitre ;
and when about six miles from us they hauled to the wind
by signal in chase of the Belvidera *. I tacked from them,
and made sail in consequence of their not answering the
private signal f. At ] lh 30' A. M. we hoisted our colours,
and the strange squadron shewed the American flag. The
breeze falling light with me, but still favouring them, brought
their van ship, which I believe to have been the President J,
within point blank distance on our weather quarter. At
4h 20' P. M. she opened her fire from her foremost guns. I
had given the most positive orders to my Lieutenants to prick
the cartridges, but not to prime the guns §. Although ig-
norant of the war, we were of course prepared ; and about five
minutes afterwards opened ours, with two 32-pounder ear-
ronades, and two long 18-pounders from the stern |j. In light
winds the President sailed better than the Belvidera ; and as
her second, a very heavy frigate ^[, sailed as well, I acknow-
* The enemy when first seen were steering to the eastward, with the
wind blowing a moderate breeze from W. N. W.
•f This was at about 811 15' A. M. The Belvidera kept away between
four and five points.
| Captain Byron's conjectures were right. His nearest opponent was
the President, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Rodgers, and
mounting thirty-two long 24 pounders, and 22 carronades, (42-pounders,)
exclusive of top guns ; with a complement of 475 men. The Belvidera
mounted twenty-six long 18-pounders, and 16 carronades, 14 of which
were 32-pounders, the other 2 only nines. She had on board only 230
officers* men, and boys.
§ This was done to prevent the possibility of any such charge being laid
against the Belvidera, as had been made so much of in the case of the
Little Belt. See Captain ARTHUR BATT BINGHAM.
|i The wind had by this time shifted to W. S. W. ; the Belvidera and her
pursuers continuing their course to the N. E. was consequently running
nearly before it.
^[ The President's second was the Congress, of twenty-eight long
18-pounders, twenty 32-pr. carronades, and two long nines. Her coin-
plemelit was 440 men.
624 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. •
ledge I was much surprised at the nearest ship yawing re-
peatedly, and giving starboard and larboard broadsides, when
it was fully in her power to have run up alongside the Belvi-
dera *. I thought it my duty to make a firm retreat from
three frigates of the largest class, accompanied by a small
frigate or sloop, and a brig of war, tw6 of which bore broad
pendants f. The cannonading continued on both sides until
seven o'clock. About half an hour previous to the close, the
President's second began an ineffective fire. At 10h SO7, by
the good advice of the Master, I shifted the course at once
six points to starboard : the enemy hauled up after us, but with
less decision, evidently apprehensive of losing some of her
consorts ; and at llh 30', there being a fine moon, we saw her
wear, and heave to on the opposite tack ; also her second
and the other frigate ; and I conclude the two stermnost did
the same as th'ey came up. The necessity of retreat was
painful to every one on board the Belvidera. The stem and
quarters are damaged, main-top-mast shot through, and cross-
jack-yard cut away in the slings ; the sails are also damaged,
With some standing and running rigging. The President must
have suffered considerably from the excellent direction of the
two quarter-deck guns by Lieutenant John Sykes, first of this
ship, an officer of seventeen years standing ; and the firing of
the two 18-pounders was very quick arid well-directed by
Lieutenants William Henry Bruce, and the Hon. George Pryse
Campbell J. To the Lieutenants I am much indebted, and
equally so to Mr. James Ker, the Master, for his speedy re-
* One of the President's 24-pounders burst ten minutes after1 she had
opened her fire. By this accident 16 persons were killed and wounded,
including among the latter Commodore Rodgers himself severely in the
thigh ; and the main and forecastle-decks near the gun were so much
shattered, as to prevent the use of a bow-chaser on that side for some
time.
t The third American ship was the United States, Commodore De-
catur, armed precisely the same as the President, with the addition of an
18-pounder travelling carronade, used through a port at the gang-way.
She also carried a howitzer in each top. The other vessels were the
Hornet and Argus sloops of war.
t No less than 300 round shot were discharged from the main-deck
stern-chasers.
POST-CAPTAINS OF J802.
625
fitment of the rigging, as it was shot away, and his spirited
activity in resetting the studding sails, as their haliards were
cut. Much praise is due to Lieutenant James Campbell of
the royal marines, for the determined example he shewed to
his party. I am infinitely satisfied with the valorous and
steady conduct of the warrant and petty officers, seamen, and
marines, of the Belvidera. Herewith I enclose the small list
of killed and wounded, which in some measure is to be attri-
buted to the endeavour of the enemy to dismantle us. John
Hill the armourer, and William Gould of the fore-castle,
were very good men *. I feel obliged to account for not
waiting on you personally, having received a contusion above
my knee, by one of the carronades breaking loose in firing,
but which will very soon be well. The bearer of this, Lieu-
tenant John Sykes, is an excellent officer, and will give you
every information. I hope my conduct will meet your ap~
probation. 1 have the honor to be, &c, &c. &c.
(Signed) " R. BYROF f-"
" To Herbert Sawyer, Esq.
Vice- Admiral of the Blue,
fyc. fyc. fyc."
The conduct of Captain Byron on this occasion was highly
applauded both by government and the public. Had it not
* It is related of John Hill, that after having both arms amputated he
wanted to go on deck to have another shot at the enemy. He died the day
after the action, two of his ribs having been fractured and driven into his
lungs.
The Belvidera had only the above men killed, and 22 wounded, in-
cluding among the latter her Captain and second Lieutenant. The Pre-
sident, according to the American official account, had 2 Midshipmen and
1 marine killed ; Commodore Rodgers, 1 Lieutenant, 1 marine officer, 3
Midshipmen, and 12 seamen wounded j 1 of whom mortally, and several
severely.
t The long bolts and breechings of the Belvidera's carronades gave way
repeatedly during the action. Captain Byron was in the act of pointing
and firing one of them when the bolt drew, and the carriage slide turning
suddenly round, the corner of it came in contact with his groin. The
wound inflicted was very severe, although he treated it so lightly in his
public letter. Such instances of modesty, although by no means rare, are
always praise- worthy. It is something singular that Commodore Rodgers
should also have been wounded iu the thigh.
$26 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
been for his discretion and promptitude on first falling in with
the American squadron ; his perseverance in leading Com-
modore Rodgers out of the track of a valuable Jamaica fleet,
which both parties knew was then on its passage to England
under a very trivial escort * ; and his bravery in defending
the Belvidera, during a long and arduous chase, while en-
gaged with a force so greatly superior ; the country would
have sustained a much greater loss than that resulting from
the capture of six or seven insignificant merchantmen, which,
with one solitary recapture, were the only trophies of Com-
modore Rodgers' prowess, obtained by him during a cruise of
two months and eight days, although he had sailed from New
York with the singular advantage of his hostile intentions
being unknown to any British cruiser.
On the 5th of the following month, Captain Byron sailed
from Halifax in company with a squadron sent to cruise off
the enemy's coast> under the orders of Captain (now Sir Philip)
Broke ; and eleven days after assisted at the capture of the
Nautilus of 14 guns and 106 men, off Sandy Hook f. At 3
P. M. on the same day, a strange sail was seen in the wind's
eye, which afterwards proved to be the Constitution of 56
guns, on her way from Chesapeake Bay to New York. A
general chase ensued, and was continued during the night.
At day-light on the 17th, it being then calm, the enemy's
ship and her pursuers hoisted out their boats to tow, and at
7h 30' the former began warping herself ahead, in 24 fathoms
water. She then bore from the Belvidera S. W. b. S. distant
four miles. At 9 o'clock a light air sprang up from the S. S. £.,
and the Belvidera trimmed sails on the larboard tack. At
10h 30' the breeze freshened, but in a few minutes died away
to a calm -, when Captain Byron, observing the benefit that
the Constitution had derived from warping, immediately
* Captain Byrou's position at day-light on the 23d June is stated in the
above letter. The West India fleet just alluded to were that day, at noon,
jn lat. 39o 35' N., long. 61- 38' W. From the course that Commodore
Dodgers was steering when first discovered by the Belvidera, and from
the circumstance of his bringing a westerly breeze from the American coast,
it is obvious that he had every chance of coming up with the convoy
t See Vol. II. Part I, p. 3/0,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 62J
commenced the same operation, bending all his hawsers to
one another, and working two kedge anchors at the same
time, by paying the warp through one hawse-hole as it
was run in through another opposite. The effect of this
was soon visible ; and at noon the American, whose booms
had just before been thrown overboard, was within gun-shot
of the Belvidera. At 2 P. M. the enemy opened a fire from
his stern- chasers, which was returned occasionally by Captain
Byron's bow-guns. At 3, a light breeze enabled the Con-
stitution to gain ground, and the firing ceased ; but the chase
continued till day-light on the 18th, by which time she was
four miles a-head, and being a clean ship she ultimately ef-
fected her escape. The pursuit was finally given up by the
British at 8 A. M. on the 19th, a little to the southward of
Delaware Bay, the wind at that time blowing very fresh, and
the enemy's hull being no longer visible *. The Belvidera's
situation when chased by Commodore Rodgers was far more
critical than that of the Constitution on this occasion, she
being ignorant of the war, and having to sustain the fire of a
ship vastly superior in force.
On the 21st Aug. in the same year, the Belvidera captured
the Bunker's Hill schooner privateer of 7 guns and 72 men ;
and on the 8th Feb. 1813, her boats assisted at the capture of
the Lottery letter of marque, mounting 10 guns, with a va-
luable cargo from Baltimore, bound to Bourdeaux. The active
manner in which Captain Byron was employed at the latter
period will be seen by reference to the copy of a memorandum
issued by Rear- Admiral Cockburn, and inserted in our me-
moir of Captain George Burdett at p. 576. The following
acknowledgment of his liberal and humane conduct towards
the wounded men of the Lottery, was made by Captain Stew-
art of the Constellation frigate, dated in Norfolk Harbour,
Feb. 15 :
" Sir, — Captain Gould has handed me a note you addressed to him on
the 1 1th inst., in which you state, * by authority of the senior Captain of
H.B. Majesty's squadron in Lyn-haven Bay, that Captain Southcomb and his
two wounded men will be delivered to any vessel that may come for them,'
* The enemy being a clean ship just out of port, sailed much better
than any of the British squadron, either in light or strong breezes.
(J28 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
I send a flag down to you for the purpose of receiving those men, and
avail myself of this opportunity to thank you for your attention and hu-
manity to the unfortunate. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
(Signed) " CHARLES STEWART, Senior Officer.
" P. S. Dr. Ray goes with the flag to attend the wounded men, should
there be any necessity."
" To Captain Richard Byron,
H. B. M. S. Belvidera."
The JBelvidera subsequently captured the United States'
schooner Vixen, pierced for 18 gnns ; and destroyed the
Mars privateer, carrying 15 guns and 70 men. She also re-
captured the Nocton, a Falmouth packet, which had been
taken by the Essex frigate on the coast of Brazil. She was
paid off at the latter end of 1814 ; and Captain Byron re-
ceived the insignia of a C. B , as a reward for his meritorious
services in 1815.
The subject of this memoir married, Sept. 23, 3801, a
daughter of the late James Sykes, Esq., Navy Agent, of
Arundel Street, Strand, London, and by that lady has four
sons, viz. Richard, a passed Midshipman, now serving on
board the Spartiate 76, bearing the flag of Sir George Eyre,
commander-in-chief in South America ; James, an Ensign in
the 8th, or King's regiment ; John, a student at Exeter
College, Oxford ; and William, at Emanuel College, Cambridge.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
WILLIAM YOUNG, ESQ.
THIS officer was a Midshipman on board the Portland, of
50 guns, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral James Young, on
the West India station \ and served in her tender under the
orders of Mr. (now Captain) George F. Ryves, at the com-
mencement of the first American war *. He obtained a
Lieutenant's commission in 1783 ; and served as principal
Agent of Transports during the Egyptian campaign, at the
close of which he received the gold medal of the Turkish
Order of the Crescent, and was presented by the Masters of
* See Vol II, Part I, p. 13/.
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1802. 629
the ships under his orders with a handsome sword, as a token
of their gratitude and esteem. His post commission bears
date April 29, 180>2. He has been for many years resident
agent of transports at Deptford.
Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq.
GEORGE TOBIN, ESQ.
A Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is the second son of the late James Tobin, Esq.,
a proprietor in Nevis, by Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the
late George Webbe, Esq., of the same island. His youngest
brother is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the royal artillery *.
He was born at Salisbury, Dec. 13, 1768 ; and entered the
naval service under the patronage of the late Admiral Herbert
Sawyer, as a Midshipman on board the Namur, a second rate,
forming part of the Channel fleet, in June 1780.
At the commencement of 1782, the Namur, then com-
manded by the late Commissioner Fanshawe, accompanied
Sir George B. Rodney to the West Indies, where she bore a
conspicuous part in the memorable actions of April 9th and
12th, in the same year f. She returned to England, and was
put out of commission in consequence of a general peace
taking place in 1783.
Mr. Tobin then joined the Bombay Castle 74, stationed as
a guard-ship at Plymouth ; where he continued till the spring
of 1785, when he proceeded with his friend Commodore
Sawyer, in the Thisbe frigate, to Nova Scotia, on which sta-
tion he completed his time as a Midshipman on board the
Leander of 50 guns. He subsequently served in the Assist-
ance, a ship of similar force. Between the autumn of 1788
and the summer of 1790* we find him making a voyage to
Madras and China in -an East Indiaman ; and soon after his
return to England he appears to have joined the Tremendous
74, fitting at Chatham as part of the armament destined to
* Captain Tobin's eldest brother, and three others junior to himself,
are deceased.
t See Vol. II, Part I, note f at p. 52; and Vol. I, note at p, 35 et .?<??,
yot. ii. 2 T
POST-C'APTAINS OF 1802.
act against Spain, in the event of a rupture with that country.
He obtained the rank of Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1/90.
In the ensuing spring Mr. Tobin was appointed third Lieu-
tenant of the Providence of 1 6 guns, commanded by Captain
William Bligh, under whom he served during the bread-fruit
expedition in 1791, 1792, and 1793*.
Previous to his return from that service he received letters
from England, informing him that Captain Horatio Nelson,
(who had a few years before married a Nevis lady, related to
his mother) had kept the third Lieutenancy of the Agamem-
non 64, open for some time, in hopes of his joining her; but
little calculating on the subsequent greatness of that officer,
Mr. Tobin was rather pleased than otherwise at being out of
the way of accepting the offer, and particularly so when, a
few months afterwards, he found himself second Lieutenant of
the Thetis, a fine frigate, commanded by the Hon. Alexander
Cochrane, who had already proved himself a very zealous and
active officer, and with whom he continued upwards of four
years f.
The Thetis, after cruising for some time, in the winter
season, on the coast of Norway, was attached to a squadron
under the orders of Rear-Admiral George Murray, with whom
she proceeded to the Halifax station in May 1794. The cap-
* The Providence sailed from Spithead in company with' her tender,
the Assistant brig of 6 guns, commanded by Lieutenant Nathaniel Portlock,
Aug. 2, 1/91 ; and proceeded to Otaheite, for the purpose of taking on
board a cargo of bread-fruit and other plants for the use of the West
India "colonies. The object of this voyage was accomplished in the most
satisfactory manner, 300 plants being landed in excellent order at the
island of St. Vincent, and the remainder at Jamaica, in Jan. and Feb. 1793.
Captain Bligh returned to England in Aug. following, bringing with him
two of the natives of Otaheite, one, of whom died soon after his arrival.
t The following extracts from Nelson's letters to his wife, will serve
to corroborate what we have said respecting the intended appointment of
Lieutenant Tobin to the Agamemnon -.—June 13, 17%, " What is be-
come of George Tobin ? he is a fine young man : it is a pity he has not
got more forward." July 12, 1797. "I am sure the time is past fordoing
any thing for George Tobin ; had he been with me he would long since
linve been a Captain, and I should have liked it, as being most exceedingly
pleased with him." See Clarke and M* Arthur's Life of Nelson, 4to edit.
Vol. I, p. 290 : and Vol. II, p. 28.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
631
ture of two French store-ships by her and the Hussar, already
noticed at p. 259 of our first volume, took place at a time
when Mr. Tobin commanded the Princess of Wales schooner,
employed as a tender to those frigates. He subsequently
became first Lieutenant of the Thetis, and continued as such
till his removal into the Resolution J4, bearing the flag of
the commander-in-chief, by whom he was promoted into the
Dasher, a new sloop of war, about Aug. 1J98*.
After commanding this vessel for twelve months on the
coast of America, Captain Tobin was ordered to convoy the
homeward bound trade : and on his arrival in England he
used every effort to have her sent to the Mediterranean,
in order to be near Lord Nelson ; but had the mortifica-
tion not to succeed, she being placed under the orders of
Sir Thomas Pasley, at Plymouth, and chiefly employed off
the Isle of Bas, in the irksome, but rarely successful service,
of endeavouring to prevent the enemy's convoys passing
along-shore. During the last two years of the war we find
her attached to the Channel fleet, successively commanded
by Earl St. Vincent, and the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis. She
was paid off at Plymouth, Oct. 10, 1801 f.
* The Dasher was built of cedar, at Bermuda.
f Lieutentint Bedford, now the senior officer of his rank on the esta-
blishment of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, lost his leg whilst serving
under the orders of Captain Tobin. As the official letter relating to his
misfortune never reached the public, it may not be amiss in this place to
give a brief statement of the circumstances that led to that very respect-
able officer's secession from active service. We do so the more readily,
in consequence of our being personally unacquainted with him, although
by no means ignorant of his private worth. The energetic manner in
which we have often heard him plead in favour of the distressed widows,
orphans, and parents of deceased officers, at the quarterly meetings of the
Naval Charitable Society, and the sight of his honorable scars, have long
caused us to view him with more than common regard.
In June 1801, the Dasher, while chasing a French convoy on the coast
of Poitou, got on shore near le Pont d'Yeu, but without receiving any
material injury. In consequence of this untoward accident, the boats
under Lieutenant Bedford, who but too readily met Captain Tobin's
wishes, (supported by Lieutenant Nicholson in the Suwarrow schooner),
were sent in pursuit. Two brigs were set on fire by the enemy to prevent
their being captured j but one of the boats was unfortunately" sunk by a
2r2
(532 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Captain Tobin obtained post rank at the general promo-
tion, April 29, 1802 ; and was appointed to the Northumber-
land 74, bearing the flag of his friend the Hon. Rear-Admiral
Cochrane, off Ferrol, in Sept. 1804. The manner in which he
was employed during the ensuing twelve months will be seen
by reference to Vol. I, p. 261 .
In Sept. 1805, he was removed by the Rear- Admiral,, then
Commander-in-chief on the Leeward Islands station, into the
Princess Charlotte, a 38-gun frigate, with a complement of
264 men ; and on the 5th of the following month, being off
Tobago, he captured the Cyane French corvette, (formerly
British) mounting 20 long sixes, 2 long fours, and six 12-
pounder -carronades, with a complement of 190 men, com-
manded .by Mons. Masnard, Lieutenant de Vaisseau; the
Naiad brig, of 16 long 12-pounders, and 170 men, was in
company with the Cyane, but by taking a more prudent, though
annoying situation, and superior sailing, effected her escape.
When first discovered, these vessels were so far distant, that
Captain Tobin saw no chance of overtaking them by an
avowed pursuit ; he therefore disguise*! his frigate as much
as possible, which had the desired effect of bringing them
down to her in the night of the 4th, when a close action took
place, and continued above an hour, during which the Princess
Charlotte was so much cut up in her sails and rigging, the
enemy firing high on purpose to disable her, as rendered the
subsequent pursuit of them a very perplexing one. The
Cyane was defended in a very gallant manner, and sustained
a loss of 3 men killed and 9 wounded. The Princess Char-
lotte had 7 wounded, 2 of whom died soon after. The Naiad
was taken by the Jason frigate on the 13th of the same
month *.
shot from the stern-chaser of a national schooner, which deprived her
gallant and persevering commander of his left leg, and at the same time
slightly wounded a seaman and three marines. Lieutenant Bedford had
once before been obliged by wounds to seek a temporary retirement} but
this last severe one closed all his hopes of ever being again actively em-
ployed ; and he reluctantly withdrew from service, by accepting an appoint-
ment to Greenwich Hospital.
* The Princess Charlotte was 30 men short of complement.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
633
In the summer of 1806, Captain Tobin was attached to
a homeward bound convoy; and soon after his arrival in
England he received orders to proceed to the Irish station;
from whence he escorted a fleet of merchantmen to Barba-
does and Jamaica, in the spring of 1809. On his return from
the West Indies he was sent to St. Helena, to bring home
the trade collected at that island ; for which service he was
presented by the Hon. East India Company with 200 gui-
neas, for the purchase of a piece of platey " as an acknow-
ledgment of his care and attention."
The Princess Charlotte having rejoined the flag at Cork,
Captain Tobin had the gratification of receiving a handsome
piece of plate from the Commercial Insurance Company of
Dublin, accompanied with a document, of which the following
is a copy :
" At a meeting of the Directors of the Commercial Insurance Company
of Dublin, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 1809,
" Alderman Nathaniel Hone in the chair.
" Resolved, — That the sum of one hundred pounds be laid out in the
purchase of a piece of plate to be presented to George Tobin, Esq.,
commander of H. M. S. Princess Charlotte, with an address and suitable
inscription, expressive of the high opinion the Directors of the Commer-
cial Insurance Company entertain of his very active services in saving the
ship Maria, John Murphy Master, on the llth day of March last, when
under his convoy, laden with a cargo of merchandise, bound from Dublin
to Madeira, after being run down by a ship in the fleet.
" Resolved, That Alderman Hone, Mr. Wilkinson, and Mr. Sparrow,
be a Committee for carrying the foregoing resolution into effect.
" Signed by order of the Directors,
" SAMUEL BRUCE, Secretary.'*
Mr. Bruce's letter accompanying the above present, was
replied to by Captain Tobin in the following terms :
" H. M. S. Princess Charlotte, Cove of Cork, June 3, 1810.
" Sir, — I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th
ult., accompanied with the very handsome piece of plate voted to me on
the 5th Oct. last, by the Directors of the Commercial Insurance Company
of Dublin.
" Be assured, Sir, that such a mark of attention was unexpected on my
part, as the affair of relieving the Maria had been passed in my m'lnd as
one of those casualties frequent in a large convoy ; but I shall appreciate
the gift the more, as the ' Resolution of the Directors of the Commercial
Insurance Company of Dublin' is the only acknowledgment I ever re-
634 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
ccived, notwithstanding it has been my good fortune, by the zeal and ex-
ertions of the officers and men I have had the happiness of commanding,
to have frequently given aid to vessels in distress.
" Jn begging your acceptance of my thanks for the polite manner in
Avhich you have communicated the * Resolution' of the Company, I am,
Sir,fcc".&c.
" To Samuel Bruce, Esq. (Signed) " GEORGE TOBIN."
SfC. $c. tyc."
During the remainder of the French war Captain Tobin
was actively employed on the Irish and Channel stations, and
in the Bay of Biscay, where he was fortunate enough to cap-
ture several of the enemy's armed vessels. In Jan. 1812, his
frigate was ordered to be called the Andromache, her former
name being transferred to a first rate, building at Portsmouth.
The Andromache formed part of the squadron under Sir
George Collier, during the siege of St. Sebastian ; and after
the fall of that strong fortress * she escorted the French gar-
rison to England. On the 23d of the following month, Oct.
1813, Captain Tobin fell in with a large frigate, under jury-
masts, which surrendered after a short action^ and proved to
be la Trave, mounting twenty-eight French 18-pounders, and
sixteen 18-pounder curronades, only nine months off the
stocks, with a complement of 321 men.
Captain Tobin, in his official letter, detailing the capture
of la Trave, says, " such was the disabled state of her masts
previously to our meeting, that any further opposition would
have been the extreme of rashness ;" and it is but an act of
justice towards a brave enemy to add, that her commander,
finding it impossible to escape by sailing, and after endea-
vouring for a considerable time to dismantle the Andro-
mache with his stern-chasers, received that ship in a manner
creditable to him as a gallant man, and sustained a close
action for fifteen minutes, until a destructive fire obliged him
to surrender. In addition to the disadvantageous circum-
stance of his being under jury-masts f, a strange ship of war
* See p. 528 ef seq.
t La Trave had been dismasted in a gale of wind on the 16th Oct. and
engaged by a British brig of war two days previous to her capture by the
Andforaachc. See Captain ISAAC HAWKINS MORRISON.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 635
was approaching from the N. E. quarter, which he had no
doubt of being an enemy, and which indeed proved to be the
Eurotas frigate, Captain John Phillimore *.
La Trave had 1 man killed ; her commander, Jacob Van
Maren, Capitaine de Vaisseau, and Member of the Imperial
Order of Reunion, the second Lieutenant, 2 Midshipman,
(one of them mortally) and 24 seamen wounded. The An-
dromache had only her first Lieutenant f severely, and 1
seaman slightly wounded.
Captain Tobin was in company with Rear-Admiral Pen-
rose on the 27th Mar. 1814, when that officer, in a most
skilful and gallant manner, forced the passage of the Gironde,
and anchored in that river with the Egmont 74, the An-
dromache, and other ships of war ; an event which will be
more particularly described in our memoir of Captain John
Coode, C. B.
The Andromache formed part of the fleet assembled at
Spithead during the visit of the allied sovereigns in June
1814 ; and was paid off at Deptford on the 23d of the follow-
ing month.
Captain Tobin was nominated a C. B. Dec. 8, 1815. He
married, in 1804, the widow of Major William Duff, of the
26th regiment, daughter of the late Captain Gordon Skelly,
R. N., by whom he has one son and a daughter. Mrs. Tobin's
only child by her first husband is married to Captain Rowland
Mainwaring, R. N.
Agents.— Messrs. Maude.
JAMES SANDERS, ESQ.
THIS officer entered the naval service as a Midshipman on
board the America, of 64 guns, commanded by his maternal
uncle, the late Rear-Admiral Samuel Thompson J, April 5,
* The Saintes at this time bore E. by S., distant 14 leagues.
t See Commander THOMAS DICKINSON, (b).
% Rear-Admiral Thompson, a brave officer and excellent seaman, died
at Titchfield, Hants, Aug. 13, 1813, on which day he had completed his
95th year, His eldest son, Norborne, is a Captain R. N.
636 POSt-CAPTAlNS OF 1802.
1780; and continued in that ship on foreign service till
the peace of 1783 ; during which period he bore a part in
the actions between Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot and Mons. de
Ternay, Mar. 16, 1781 ; Rear-Admiral Graves and the Count
de Grasse, Sept. 5, 1781 ; Sir Samuel Hood and the same
French commander, Jan. 25 and 26, 1782 ; and in Rodney's
battles of April 9 and 12 in the same year. On the latter
day the America led the centre division of the British fleet,
and sustained a loss of 12 men, including 2 Lieutenants, killed,
and 22 officers and men wounded, besides being greatly cut
up in her masts, sails, and rigging, notwithstanding which
she was far advanced in pursuit of the flying enemy when
the Ville de Paris surrendered*.
The America returned to England in July 1783 ; and from
that period Mr. Sanders was constantly employed in different
ships till May 1792, when he was removed from the Duke of
90 guns into the Lion 64, commanded by the late Sir Erasmus
Gower, who entrusted him with the command of the Jackall,
a brig of 101 tons, originally a Welch coaster, which vessel
had been purchased into the service, and fitted as a tender to
the embassy under Lord Macartney, then about to proceed to
the court of Pekin f.
* For an account of the above actions see Vol. I, pp. 40 and 133 ; Vol.
II, Part I. p. 63, et seq. : and Vol. I, note at p. 35 et seQ.
f Captain Gower was appointed to the Lion at Lord Macartney's
express desire, and gratified with the choice of his own officers, whom he
selected from a personal knowledge of their merit. The nomination of a
Captain was far from being a matter of indifference to the Ambassador ;
for, beside the proper qualifications to conduct any very long voyage,
with safety and comfort to the passengers and crew, still more might
possibly be requisite in an undertaking in which a new tract of sea was to
be explored ; as it became a part of the plan to sail directly for the harbour
next to the capital of China, through the Yellow Sea and the Gulf of Pekin,
for a space of 10® of latitude, and more than half that quantity of lon-
gitude, no part of which had ever been described by any European
navigator. To every branch of the sea service Captain Gower was known
to be fully equal. In addition to the military exertions of this spirited
and able officer, he had twice, at an early age, been round the world,
having suffered, and materially contributed to surmount, the vast variety
of evils incident to such perilous and protracted voyages, by which his
mind was inured to, and provided with resources against, the accidents
OF 1802. 637
Every arrangement having been made to ensure the suc-
cess, and add to the splendour and accommodation of an em-
bassy, which had long engaged a considerable share of the
public attention 5 all those who were to accompany the Am-
bassador, to the amount of near 100 persons, besides soldiers
and servants, joined his Excellency, at Portsmouth, in Sep-
tember, 1J92; and on the 26th of that month the Lion sailed
from Spithead, with an easterly breeze, accompanied by her
tender, and the Hindostan, a large East Indiaman, the latter
having on board the presents destined for Tchien Lung, the
Chinese Emperor ; and those persons of Lord Macartney's
suite who could not be accommodated on board the King's
ship.
The squadron had made but little progress down Channel
when the wind became adverse, and soon increased to a gale.
The Jackall, being unable to weather Portland, parted com-
pany during the night of the 28th, and was left to perform the
voyage to the Straits of Sunda by herself, with only nine
working hands on board, and those totally unprovided with
the means of defending themselves against any hostile attack.
After encountering much bad weather, Mr. Sanders succeeded
in reaching Madeira on the 22d October ; and there received
a letter from Sir Erasmus Gower, expressing great uneasiness
for his safety ; directing him to lose no time, after completing
his provisions, in following him to the Cape de Verds ; and,
in the event of his not finding him at St. Jago, to proceed
without delay to North Island, near the Straits of Banca ;
where he was to remain until joined by the Lion.
Mr. Sanders had scarcely brought up in Funchal Road before
a gale from the S. W. compelled him to slip his cable, and run
to sea ; where he remained, contending with very tempestuous
weather, for a period of seven days, at the expiration of which
the wind shifted to the eastward, and enabled him to regain
of untried routes. Numberless applications were made to serve under him
upon the present interesting occasion ; and young gentlemen of the most
respectable families, glowing with all the ardour and enterprise of youth,
were admitted oil board the Lion, considerably beyond her proper comple-
ment of Midshipmen. Three of those gentlemen were placed under Mr.
Sanders in the Jackall.
638 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
the anchorage. On the 30th October, the Jackall, after re-
covering the anchor that had been left behind, and taking on
board a supply of provisions and water, was again under way;
and eleven days after we find her anchoring in Porto Praya
Bay, where Mr. Sanders received additional instructions for
his guidance, from Sir Erasmus Gower, who had sailed from
thence only two days previous to his arrival.
The island of St. Jago was at this period in an absolute
state of famine. Little or no rain had fallen there for about
three years before. The rivers were, almost all, entirely dry.
The surface of the earth was, in general, destitute of herb-
age. The greatest part of the cattle had already perished,
not less through drought than want of food ; many of the-
inhabitants had migrated, and many died through hunger.
Under those calamitous circumstances, the license contained in
Sir Erasmus Gower's letter, to make a reasonable tarry in Porto
Praya Bay, for the purpose of refreshing his little crew, only
served to excite discontent ; and it was not without having
recourse to strong measures that Mr. Sanders could induce
them to prosecute their voyage.
From St. Jago to the Straits of Sunda, the Jackall only ex-
perienced one heavy gale of wind. It took place to the east-
ward of Madagascar, blowing violently in all directions, and
occasioning an uncommonly confused sea, attended with inces-
sant rain, loud peals of thunder, and lightning of the most
awful description. There was, however, a very great swell
from the S. W. during the whole passage, and frequently
without any apparent cause. On the 13th Feb. 1793, Mr.
Sanders made the island of St. Paul ; and on the 23d of the
following month he had the happiness of joining his com-
mander at the appointed rendezvous, after a painful separation
of nearly six months.
The following is an extract from Sir George Staunton's
"Account of the Embassy," a work to which we must refer
our readers for a detail of the subsequent proceedings of Lord
Macartney and those in his train : —
" Very soon after the Lion's return to this spot (North Island) the long-
lost Jackall came in sight. It had been conjectured that in the stormy
night, in which she lost company of the ships, or in her attempt afterwards
POST -CAPTAINS OF 1802. 639
to follow them, she had met with some severe misfortune. She had been
manned by a part of the Lion's crew ; and their former companions, who
knew not then of Great Britain being at war, could not have even the con-
solation of supposing their friends, though captive, yet alive. The joy of
seeing her was very general : she had, in fact, been damaged in the begin-
ning of the voyage, returned into port to repair, and afterwards used every
diligence to re-join the ship*. She was obliged to stop for refreshments at
Madeira, where she arrived a short time after the Lion had left it. She
pursued the latter to St. Jago, which she reached, likewise, some days too
late. From thence to North Island she did not once come to anchor. She
was what navigators call a good sea-boat, being compactly built, and little
liable to perish by jnere foul weather ; but neither did she afford much
shelter against the hardships of a rough voyage, or make her way so quickly
as larger vessels against violent waves. Her provisions were damaged by
salt water; and her crew were reduced to a very scanty pittance when she
joined the Lion. Mr. Sanders, who commanded her, got much credit for
his conduct throughout the voyage *."
On his return to England, in Sept. 1794, Mr. Sanders was
recommended for promotion by Lord Macartney j and soon
after advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in the Prince George,
of 98 guns, which ship formed part of Lord Bridport's fleet at
* The Lion, on her passage from Batavia to North Island, struck upon a
knoll in three fathoms water, with six or seven fathoms all round it. Had
the knoll risen nearer to the surface, the accident might have been attended
with serious consequences ; and the want of a tender was now much felt, as
she might have preceded the ships, and sounded the depth of water in any
unknown or suspected place The East India Company's Commissioners
at Canton had destined two small vessels for this purpose; but in their late
despatches to Lord Macartney, received by him at Batavia, they expressed
their regret that those vessels were still otherwise employed. It appeared,
that, even should the Jackall join, another vessel would still be useful ; and
his Lordship sent back to Batavia to purchase such a one as the service re-
quired ; to which, as a mark of respect to the Duke of Clarence, H. R. H.'s
name was given. The seeds of dangerous diseases had by this time taken
root on board the Lion and Hindostan ; and the evil consequences of a long-
voyage in so small a vessel, with a very limited allowance of food, and that
not of the most wholesome description, began to shew themselves among
the Jackall's crew immediately after their arrival, although no previous signs
of debility had been exhibited by them : their cases, however, soon yielded
to the kind treatment they experienced, aided by salutary refreshments;
whilst by moving to different parts of the coasts of Java and Sumatra, in
order to find out the healthiest and coolest spot, the number of persons on
the, sick-lists of the JUion and Hindostan was gradually reduce^.
640 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
the capture of three French 2-deckers, off 1'Orient, on the 23d
June, in the following year *.
In the autumn of 1/95, the Prince George received the flag
of Rear-Admiral Christian, and made an ineffectual attempt to
clear the Channel, in company with a large armament destined
to act against the enemies' colonies in the West Indies. The
Glory, another second rate, into which Lieutenant Sanders
had removed with the Rear- Admiral, being equally unsuc-
cessful f, he returned to the Prince George in July, 1796 ; and
on the 14th Feb. following, had the honour of participating in
the victory obtained by Sir John Jervis over the Spanish fleet
off Cape St. Vincent. On that memorable occasion, the Prince
George bore the flag of Rear-Admiral William Parker, and
sustained a loss of 8 men slain and 7 wounded.
Lieutenant Sanders' next appointment was in March 1797?
to the Victory of 100 guns, bearing the flag of his commander-
in-chief, whom he afterwards accompanied into the Ville de
Paris, also a first rate. During the time he belonged to the
latter ship he was twice engaged in her boats with the Cadiz
flotilla, and on one of those occasions received a severe wound.
His promotion to the rank of Commander took place about
November, 1798.
On the 22d Feb. 1/99, Captain Sanders, in TEspoir, a brig
mounting 14 long 6-pounders, with a complement of 70 men,
part of whom were absent in a detained neutral, after a sharp
conflict of an hour and fifty minutes, captured a Spanish
national xebec, of 14 long 4 -pounders, 4 swivels of the same
calibre, and 113 men. The following is a copy of his official
letter on the occasion : —
" Sir, — At a quarter past noon, the town of Marbello bearing N. N. W.
distant 3 leagues, a brig and two xebecs in the S. E. quarter appearing sus-
picious, I shewed my colours to them, when the brig and one of the xebecs
hoisted Spanish; upon which a Moorish brig in tow was cast off, and 1'Espoir
hauled to the wind in chase. It was soon perceived they were armed ves-
sels ; but not being so fortunate as to weather them, we exchanged broad-
sides with both in passing. L'Espoir, being tacked, soon brought the
xebec to close action, which continued for an hour and a half, when a
favorable opportunity of boarding her was embraced; and after a sharp
* See Vol. I. p. 246.
t See Vol. I. note t, at p. 89 et sc?. and Vol. II. Part I. p. 96
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
641
contest of about twenty minutes she surrendered, and proved to be the Af-
rica, commanded by Josepho Subjado, in the service of the King of Spain,
mounting 14 long 4-pounders and 4 brass 4-pr. swivels, having on board 75
seamen and 38 soldiers, from Algosamus bound to Malaga. Lieutenant
Richardson, in whom I have much confidence, and all the officers amd sea-
men of his Majesty's sloop I have the honor to command, behaved with
the same courage they have done on former occasions. During the action
the brig, which, I have since learned, mounted 18 guns, stood in-shore and
anchored. L'Espoir had 2 seamen killed and 2 wounded ; the Africa 1 offi-
cer and 8 seamen killed, her captain, 2 officers, and 25 men wounded."
" Captain Cuthbert, H. M. S. Majestic."
The officer to whom this letter was addressed, when trans-
mitting it to Earl St. Vincent, said, it was not in the power of
his pen sufficiently to extol the meritorious conduct of Captain
Sanders and his creiv in the action, which he had himself
ivitnessed, but at too great a distance to be able to assist
VEspoir*.
Some time previous to this gallant affair, Captain Sanders
had been sent to examine the Barbary coast for a watering
place ; and it is to him that we are indebted for the discovery
of a valuable run of fine water in Mazari Bay, 6 or 7 miles to
the eastward of Tetuan river, which has since been of infinite
service both to his Majesty's ships and the garrison of Gib-
raltar. In June following 1'Espoir formed part of Lord Keith's
fleet, and joined in the pursuit of a French squadron under
Rear- Admiral Peree,whose capture we have already recorded^.
Subsequent to this event, Captain Sanders, being at Gib-
raltar, observed several Spanish gun-boats capture a merchant
brig between Cabritta Point and Ceuta. Having obtained
permission to that effect from the senior officer then present,
* It appeared by information afterwards received, that the Spanish vessels
made sure of carrying 1'Espoir into Malaga ; also, that the brig which with-
drew from the fight and anchored in-shore, was ultimately destroyed.
f See Vol. I. p. 267, and Vol. II. Part 1, Note f, at p. 276. We should
here observe that Captain Bland, who commanded 1'Espoir before the
subject of this memoir, considered her as scarcely sea-worthy, her upper
works in particular being in a most deplorable state. Captain Sanders,
however, continued to command her for twelve months, and when off Cape
delle Melle, with Lord Keith's fleet, in June 1799, went in chase, although
her starboard-side had been stove in and nearly laid flat on the deck by the
Emerald frigate running foul of her during the preceding night
642 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
he weighed at sun-set unobserved by the enemy, succeeded
in recapturing the English vessel, sunk one of the gun-boats,
and compelled the others to make a hasty retreat. In addition
to those services, he rescued several British merchantmen at
different times from the hands of the Algeziras flotilla, and
captured and destroyed several privateers and trading vessels
on the coast of Spain; in doing which 1'Espoir was more than
once warmly engaged, though, fortunately, without sustaining
any material loss or damage.
Captain Sanders paid offl'Espoir at Sheerness in Dec. 1799;
and on that vessel being taken into dock, several feet of her
counter fell out the moment the copper was removed ; a suf-
ficient proof that his predecessor's fears were not groundless.
Towards the conclusion of the war he commanded the Raven
of 18 guns, on the West India station. His post commission
bears date April 29, 1802.
In the spring of 1805, we find him acting in the Ariadne, a 20-
gun ship, during the temporary absence of her proper Captain,
the Hon. Edward King, and stationed off the enemy's coast, with
a small squadron under his orders, for the purpose of watch-
ing the French flotilla between Dunkirk and Calais. While
thus employed he submitted a plan to Lord Keith for attack-
ing the armed vessels lying off the former place. His pro-
posal being approved, a number of fire-ships, &c. were as-
sembled in the Downs for that purpose ; but the enemy, anti-
cipating an attack from the force collected, availed himself of
the first favorable opportunity to move from Dunkirk Roads
and force his way to Boulogne and Calais, which he effected
after a sharp brush with the British cruisers, on which occa-
sion each party had several men killed and wounded *.
In Nov. 1807, Captain Sanders was appointed to the Atlas
of 74 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Purvis, on the
Cadiz station, where he was most actively employed for a
period of nearly three years.
The late war in the Peninsula will be memorable above all
* Captain King- had resumed the command of his ship, and the squadron a
few days previous to the action. He was afterwards appointed to the
Alexandria frigate, and died on the West India station in ISO?
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
643
of modern times. It stands alone for the perfidiousness with
which the French commenced it, and the atrocious system
upon which it was persevered in by an individual the most
ambitious of the human race, who was intoxicated with suc-
cess, and whose heart and conscience were equally callous.
For many months previous to its commencement, the Atlas
was employed blockading Cadiz ; but no sooner had the spirit
of patriotism burst forth in Andalusia, than the officer whose
flag she bore was seen hastening to offer every assistance in
his power to the cause of the oppressed inhabitants. We
should greatly exceed our limits were we to enter into a de-
tailed account of the transactions in that quarter during the
long protracted siege of Cadiz : an idea of the dangers to which
the British officers and seamen were constantly exposed will
be readily conceived, when we state, that the Atlas scarcely
passed a day without being under the fire of the enemy's bat-
teries, and that her loss amounted to at least 50 men killed
and wounded, including the casualties that occurred in gun-
boats manned by detachments from her crew.
In August 1810, the Council of Regency having assented to
a proposal made by Lieutenant-General Graham and Sir
Richard G. Keats, (successor to Vice-Admiral Purvis,) for
the formation of a canal, navigable for gun-boats at low water,
within the fort of Puntales, Captain Sanders was selected to
survey the spot and discuss the points connected with it, in
conjunction with several other British and Spanish officers.
The destruction of Fort Catalina was likewise effected under
his superintendance.
The Atlas being found defective, was at length ordered
home and put out of commission in Dec. 1810. Previous
to her departure from Cadiz, the Junta of that city made
arrangements by which a large sum of money was sent to
England in her, as a reward for Captain Sanders' exertions at
that place.
Captain Sanders remained on half-pay till Mar. 9, 1812, when
he was appointed to the Junon of 4(5 guns, in which ship we
find him cruising off the Chesapeake, and capturing several
prizes at the commencement of the late war with America.
He also led the squadron under Sir John B. Warren, when
644 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
that officer first entered the same bay for the purpose of estab-
lishing a strict and active blockade, which was afterwards
most rigidly enforced by the Junon and other frigates under
the orders of Captain Burdett ; to whose memoir we must
refer our readers for a copy of the general order issued by
Rear-Admiral Cockburn on the 4th Mar. 1813, acknowledg-
ing the " gallant, active, and zealous conduct of every officer
and man of the small squadron" employed on that arduous
service,
On the 20th June following, Captain Sanders being at the
entrance of Norfolk river, in company with the Narcissus and
Barrossa frigates, was attacked by fifteen American gun-boats,
several of which were disabled, and the whole compelled to
retreat, after an action of three hours, during which the Junon
had 2 men killed and 3 wounded. Fortunately for the
enemy, the shoalness of the water, and their proximity to the
shore, enabled them to effect their escape*.
In the following month Captain Sanders was entrusted with
the blockade of Delaware Bay, where the boats of the Junon
and Martin gallantly attacked and carried an American gun-
vessel, mounting one long 32-pounder and one 4-pounder,
with a complement of 35 men. Great credit is due to Cap-
tain Sanders for the promptitude with which he despatched
the boats on this service, the enemy's vessel being part of a
flotilla that had come out to attempt the destruction of the
Martin, then lying aground on the outer ridge of Crow's
Shoal, and not more than two miles and a half from the beach.
This gallant affair will be more fully spoken of in our memoirs
of Captain H. F. Senhouse and Commander Philip Westphal.
Captain Sanders continued actively and successfully em-
ployed on the American station till Sept. 30, 1813, when he
was obliged to exchange into the Sybille frigate and return to
England for the recovery of his health, which had by this time
become much impaired by a long and laborious course of ser-
vice, during which, as we have already shewn, he had assisted
at the capture and destruction of three first-rates, eleven other
* The Narcissus and Barrossa used every exertion to close with the enemy,
hut owing to the tide could not reach their stations till the gun-boats were
ahout to retire.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 645
ships of the line, four frigates, and three sloops of war, be-
sides upwards of one hundred sail of smaller armed vessels,
privateers, and merchantmen. He left the Sybille on the 15th
Mar. 1814, and has ever since been on half-pay. He married,
in May, 1801, Miss M'Adam, of Ayrshire.
WILLIAM HENRY WEBLEY PARRY, ESQ.
[LATE WEBLEY.]
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; and a
Knight Companion of the Royal Swedish Order of the Sivord.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant Sept. 21, 1790; and
was serving as such on board the Juno frigate when she made
her extraordinary escape from Toulon harbour, on the night
of Jan. 11, 1794 ; a circumstance to be attributed, in a great
measure, to his presence of mind, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing narrative of that event, sent by his gallant commander,
the late Sir Samuel Hood, to the commander-in-chief on the
Mediterranean station :
"Juno, in ffjeres Bay, Jan. 13, 1/94.
" My Lord, — I beg leave to enclose your Lordship a narrative of the
fortunate escape of H. M. S. Juno, under my command, from the port of
Toulon, after having run ashore in the inner harbour on the night of the
1 1th instant. The firm, steady, and quiet manner in which my orders were
carried into execution by Lieutenant Turner, supported by the able assist-
ance of Lieutenants Mason and Webley, in their respective stations ; the
attention of Mr. Kidd, the Master, to the steerage, &c, with the very good
conduct of every officer and man, were the means of the ship's preservation
from the enemy, and for which I must request permission to give them my
strongest recommendation. I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed) " SAMUEL HOOD."
" To the Right Hon. Admiral Lord Hood."
" On the 3d inst. I left the island of Malta, having on board 1 50 super-
numeraries, 46 of whom are the officers and private marines of H. M. S.
Romney, the remainder Maltese, intended for the fleet *. On the night of
the 7th I passed the S. W. point of Sardinia, and steered a course for Tou-
lon. On the 9th, about 1 1 A. M., made Cape Sicie, but found a current
had set us some leagues to the westward of our reckoning : hauled our
* The Juno had been sent to Malta for reinforcements previous to the
evacuation of Toulon, in Dec. 1 793.
VOL. II. 2 U
646 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
wind, but it blowing hard from the eastward, with a strong lee current, we
could but just fetch to the westward of the above Cape. The wind and
current continuing, we could not, till the evening of the llth, get as far to
windward as Cape Sepet : finding, a little before ten o'clock, that the ship
would be able to fetch into Toulon, I did not like to wait till morning, hav-
ing so many men on board, and considering it my indispensable duty to get
in as fast as possible. At ten I ordered the hands to be turned up to bring
the ship to anchor, being then abreast of (Jape Sepet, entering the outer
harbour. Not having a pilot on board, or any person acquainted with the
port, I placed two Midshipmen to look out with night glasses for the fleet ;
but not discovering any ships until we got near the entrance of the inner
harbour, I supposed they had moved up there in the eastern gale ; at the
same time seeing one vessel, with several other lights, which I imagined to
be the fleet's, I entered the inner harbour under the top-sails onry ; but
finding I could not weather a brig, which lay a little way above the point
called the Grand Tour, I ordered the fore-sail and driver to be set, to be
ready to tack when we were the other side of her. Soon after the brig
hailed us, but I could not make out in what language : I supposed they
wanted to know what ship it was, and told them it was an English frigate
called the Juno. They answered Pivu; and after asking in English and
French for some time, what brig she was, and where the British Admiral
lay, they appeared not to understand me, but called out, as we passed under
their stern, Luff I Luff I several times > which made me suppose there was
shoal water near : the helm was instantly put a-lee, but we found the ship
was on shore before she got head to wind. There being very little wind,
and perfectly smooth water, I ordered the sails to be clewed up and handed :
at this time a boat went from the brig towards the town. Before the peo-
ple were all off the yards, we found the ship went a-stern very fast by a
flaw of wind that came down the harbour: we hoisted the driver and
mizen-stay-sail, keeping the sheets to windward to give her stern way as
long as possible, that she might get further from the shoal. The instant
she lost her way we let go the best bower anchor, when she tended head
to wind ; but the after part of the keel was aground^ and we could not move
the rudder. I ordered the launch and cutler to be hoisted out, and put the
kedge anchor with two hawsers in them> to warp the ship farther off. By
the time the boats were out, a boat came alongside, after having been
hailed, and we thought answered as if an officer had been in her : the peo-
ple were all anxious to get out of her, and two of them appeared to be
officers; one of them said he came to inform me it was the regulation of
the port, and the commanding officer's orders> that I must go into another
branch of the harbour to perform ten days' quarantine. I kept asking him
where Lord Hood's ship lay; but from his not giving me any satisfactory
answer, and one of the Midshipmen having said, " they were national cock-
Mfc*» I looked at one of their hats more stedfastly, and, by the moon-
light, clearly distinguished the three colours. Perceiving they were sus-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
647
peeted, and on my questioning them again about Lord Hood, one of them
replied, " Soy ex tranquille^les Anglois sont de braves gens, nous les trait-
ons bin** ; PAm'iral Angloii est sortie il y a quelque terns *." It may be
more easily conceived than any words can express, what I felt at the mo-
ment. The circumstance of our situation, of course, was known through-
out the ship in an instant ; and saying we were all prisoners, tire officers
soon got near me to know our situation. At the same time a flaw of wind
coming down the harbour, Lieutenant Webley said to me, ' I believe, Sir,
we shall be able to fetch out, if we can get her under sail.' I immediately
perceived we should have a chance of saving the ship ; at least, if we did
not, we ought not to lose her without some contention : I therefore ordered
every person to their respective stations, and the Frenchmen to be sent
below. The latter, perceiving some bustle, began to draw their sables ;
on which I directed some of the marines to take the half-pikes and force
them below, which was soon done : I then ordered all the Maltese between
decks, that we might not have confusion with too many men. I believe, in
an instant, such a change in people was never seen ; every officer and man
was at his duty; and I do believe, within three minutes, every sail in the
ship was set, and the yards braced ready for casting. The steady and active
assistance of Lieutenant Turner, and all the officers, prevented any con-
fusion from arising in our critical situation. As soon as the cable was
taut, I ordered it to be cut, and had the good fortune to see the ship start
from the shore. The head sails were filled : a favourable flaw of wind
coming at the same time, gave her good way, and we had every prospect of
getting out, if the forts did not disable us. To prevent our being retarded
by the boats, I ordered them to be cut adrift, as also the French boat. The
moment the brig saw us begin to loose aails, we could plainly perceive she
was getting her guns ready, and we also saw lights on all the batteries.
When we had shot far enough for the brig's guns to bear on us, which was
not more than three ships' lengths, she began to fire, also a fort a little on
the starboard bow, and soon after all of them, on both sides, as they could
bring their guns to bear. As soon as the sails were well trimmed, I beat
to quarters, to get our guns ready, but not with an intention of firing till
we were sure of getting out. When abreast of the centre part of Cape
Sepet, I was afraid we should have been obliged to make a tack ; but as
we drew near the shore, and were ready, she came up two points, and just
weathered the Cape. As we passed very close along that shore, the batte-
ries kept up a» brisk a fire as the wetness of the weather would admit.
When I could afford to keep the ship a little from the wind, I ordered some
guns to be fired at a battery that had just opened abreast of us, which
quieted them a little. We then stopped firing till we could keep her away,
with the wind abaft the beam, when, for a, few minutes, we kept up a very
* Make yourself easy ; the English are good people ; we will treat them
i kindly ; the English Admiral has departed some time.
2u2
648 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
lively fire on the last battery we had to pass, and which I believe must
otherwise have done us great damage. At half-past twelve, being out of
reach of their shot, the firing ceased. Fortunately we had no person hurt.
Some shot passed through the sails, part of the standing and running rig-
ging cut away, and two French 36-pound shot, that struck the hull, was
all the damage we received «.
(Signed) "SAMUEL HOOD."
We are not exactly informed as to the manner in which
Mr. Webley was employed from this period till the memorable
battle of the Nile, when he served as first Lieutenant of the
Zealous, 74, commanded by Captain Hood t- Being pro-
moted for his conduct on that occasion, he was subse-
quently appointed to the Savage sloop of war, and continued
to command her till the peace of Amiens.
It does not appear that he was again called into service till
the latter end of 1806, when we find him commanding the
Centaur 74, bearing the broad pendant of his friend, Commo-
• Lieutenant Joseph Turner, the officer alluded to in the above narrative,
was made a Commander, October 7, 1794 ; and died about the month of
May, 1816.
f Captain Hood was the officer who first discovered the French fleet in
Aboukir Bay* On being asked by Nelson, " what he thought of attaching
the enemy that night ?" he replied, " We have now eleven fathoms water;
and, if you will give me leave, I will lead in, making known my soundings
by signal, and bring their van ship to action." Late as it was, the firmness
of this answer decided the Rear- Admiral, who said, " Go on, and I wish
you success." During this conversation the Goliah passed the Zealous, and
took the lead, which she kept; but, not bringing up alongside the first ship,
went on to engage the second. On this Captain Hood exclaimed to his
officers, " Thank God! my friend Foley has left me the van *hip." He
soen after took such a position on the bow of the Guerriere, the ship in
question, as to shoot away all her masts, and effect her capture, in twelve
minutes from the time that the Zealous commenced her fire. He after-
wards engaged the flying ships until called off by signal. The Zealous,
strange as it may appear, had only eight men killed and wounded on this
glorious occasion. After this victory, Sir Horatio Nelson proceeded to
Naples, leaving part of his squadron on the coast of Egypt, under the orders
of Captain Hood, who kept the port of Alexandria closely blockaded ; took
and destroyed upwards of thirty of the neutral transports which had been
employed in the service of the French army ; and contributed, in a mate-
rial degree, to the interests of Great Britain, by his amicable communica-
tions with the servants of the Grand Seignior.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
649
dore Hood, with whom he served during the expedition
against Copenhagen ; and whilst there we find him displaying
great promptitude in extinguishing an alarming fire which
broke out in the naval arsenal during the night of Sept. 22,
1807.
On his return from Copenhagen Sir Samuel Hood was sent,
in conjunction with the present Lord Beresford, to take pos-
session of Madeira, which was effected without resistance on
the 26th Dec. in the same year. He subsequently went to
the Baltic, as second in command of the fleet stationed there,
to act in concert with the Swedes *. On the 26th Aug. 1808,
he sailed from Oro Road, in company with the Implacable 74,
and a Swedish squadron under Rear- Admiral Nauckhoff;
and on the following day succeeded in capturing and destroy-
ing the Sewolod, a Russian 74, and compelling the rest of
the enemy's fleet to take shelter in the port of Rogerswick,
for which service the late King of Sweden presented him
(as also Captains Martin and Webiey) with the Order of the
Sword, an honor never conferred but in acknowledgment of
victory.
Sir Samuel Hood's official letter to Sir James Saumarez,
the commander-in-chief, describing the above event, has been
greatly admired for its perspicuity. It would be an act of
injustice towards the captains, officers, and men, who fought
under his orders, were we not to insert it at full length :
" Centaur, off Rogerswick, Aug. 27, 1808.
" Sir, — It is with pleasure I acquaint you that the Russian squadron,
under the command of Vice-Admiral Hanickoff, after being chased thirty-
four hours by his Swedish Majesty's squadron, under Rear-Admiral Nauck-
hoff, accompanied by this ship and the Implacable, under my orders, have
been forced to take shelter in the port of Rogerswick, with the loss of
one 74-gun ship. I shall have great satisfaction in detailing to you the
services of the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, under my com-
mand ; and have also to state, that in no instance have I seen more energy
displayed than by his Swedish Majesty's squadron, although from the in-
feriority of their sailing they were prevented from getting into action
Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff, and the captains under his command, from their
perseverance and judicious conduct, were enabled to give confidence to
* Sir Samuel Hood was made a Rear- Admiral Oct. 2, 1807.
050 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
our ships ; and could we have forced the enemy to a general action, the
whole of their squadron must have fallen to the superior bravery of the
united force of our respective Sovereigns, in so just and honorable a cause.
" My letter of the 25th will have acquainted you of the Russian squa-
dron having appeared off Oro Road op the 23d. The arrangements for
quitting that anchorage, after his Swedish Majesty's ships from Jungfur
Sound had joined Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff, were completed on the evening
of the 24th. Early the next morning the whole force put to sea ; and soon
after the Russian fleet was discovered off Hango Udd, the wind then at
N. E. Not a moment was lost in giving pursuit, and every sail pressed
by the Swedish squadron. From the superior sailing of the Centaur and
Implacable they were soon in advance ; and at the close of the evening the
enemy were noticed in the greatest disorder, apparently avoiding a general
battle. On the morning of the 26th, about five o'clock, the Implacable
was enabled to bring the leewarclmost of their line-of-battle ships to close
action, in a most brave and gallant manner j and so decideflly and judiciously
was the manoeuvre executed, that the Russian Admiral, who bore up with
the whole of his force, could not prevent that marked superiority of dis-
cipline and seamanship being eminently distinguished. Although the
enemy's ship fought with the greatest bravery, she was silenced in about
twenty minutes ; and only the near approach of the whole Russian fleet
could have prevented her then falling, her colours and pendant being both
down ; but I was obliged to make the signal for the Implacable to close
with me. Captain Martin's letter, stating the brave and gallant conduct
of Lieutenant Baldwin, his other officers and men, I send herewith ; and it
would be needless for me to add more on their meritorious conduct. If
words of mine could enhance the merit of this brave, worthy, and ex-
cellent officer, (Captain Martin) I could do it with the most heartfelt
gratification ; and the high esteem I have for him as an officer and a friend,
no language can sufficiently express *.
•' The Russian Admiral, having sent a frigate to tow the disabled ship,
again hauled his wind ; and the Implacable being ready to make sail, I
immediately gave chase, and soon obliged the frigate to cast off her tow,
when the Russian Admiral was again under the necessity to support her,
by several of his line-of-battle ships bearing down, and I had every pros-
pect of this bringing on a general action ; to avoid which he availed him-
self of a favorable slant of wind, and entered the port of Rogerswick.
" Tl*e liuerof-battle ship engaged by the Implacable having fallen to
leeward, grounded on a shoal just at the entrance of the port ; there being
then some swell, I had a hope she must have been destroyed : but the
wind moderating towards the evening, she appeared to ride at her anchor,
and exertions were made to repair her damage. At sunset, finding the swell
• Captain yj\ Byam Martin has since been created a K. C. B., and
advanced to the rank of Vicc-Admiral. See Vol. I, p. 491 et sc<j.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 651
a&ated, and boats sent from the Russian fleet to tow her into port, I di-
rected Captain Webley to stand in and endeavour to cut her off. This was
executed in a manner that must ever reflect the highest honor on Captain
Webley, the officers, and ship's company of the Centaur, for their valour
and perseverance in the support of my orders. The boats had made a
considerable progress, and the enemy's ship was just entering the port,
when we had the good fortune to lay her on board j her bowsprit taking
the Centaur's fore-rigging, she swept along with her bow grazing the
muzzles of our guns, which was the only signal for their discharge, and
the enemy's bows were drove in by this raking fire. When her bowsprit
came to our mizen-rigging, I ordered it to be lashed, which was performed
in a most steady manner by the exertions of Captain Webley, Lieutenant
Lawless, Mr. Strode, the Master, and other brave men, under a very heavy
fire from the enemy's musketry, by which, I am sorry to add, Lieutenant
Lawless is severely wounded. The ship being in six fathoms water, I had
a hope I should have been able to have towed her out in that position ;
but an anchor had been let go from her unknown to us, which rendered
it impossible. At this period much valour was displayed on both sides,
and several attempts made to board by her bowsprit ; but nothing could
withstand the cool and determined fire of the marines under Captain
Bayley and the other officers, as well as the fire from our stern-chase guns ;
and in less than half an hour she was obliged to surrender. On this occa-
sion I again received the greatest aid from Captain Martin, who anchored
his ship in a position to heave the Centaur off, after she and the prize had
grounded, which was fortunately effected at a moment when two of the
enemy's ships were seen under sail standing towards us, but who retreated
when they saw us extricated from this difficulty.
" The prize proved to be the Sewolod, of 74 guns, Captain Ruodneff.
She had so much water in her, and being fast on shore, that after taking out
the prisoners and wounded men, I was obliged to give orders for her being
burnt ; which service was completely effected under the direction of Lieu-
tenant Biddulph of this ship, by seven o'clock in the morning,
" I cannot speak too highly of the brave and gallant conduct of Captain
Webley, and every officer and man under his command ; and I beg leave to
recommend to you, for the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty, Lieutenant Lawless, for his exertions and gallant conduct, and
who has severely suffered on this occasion : I also must beg leave
to recommend Lieutenant William Case, the senior officer of this ship *.
" Herewith you will receive a list of the killed and wounded on board
this ship and the Implacable ; and from every information that it was
* Lieutenant Paul Lawless was made a Commander on the 19th of
the ensuing month. Lieutenant Case did not obtain promotion till
Aug. 7, 1812.
652 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
possible to collect, thut of the enemy's ship captured*. I have the
honor to be, &c.,
(Signed) " SAMUEL HOOD."
" To Sir James Saumarez, Bart. ]
SfC. $c. 8fC."
Captain Martin's letter, alluded to by Sir Samuel Hood,
was couched in the following modest terms :
" Sir, — The action this morning between the Implacable and the rear
ship of the Russian line, was so immediately under your own observation,
that it would be superfluous to trouble you with any statement upon that
point ; but in transmitting a list of killed and wounded, I trust I may be
allowed the opportunity to express my thankfulness to the officers and
ship's company of the Implacable, for their eager and active exertions to
close with the enemy, and the truly noble and splendid conduct which they
displayed during the engagement ; but it is my duty to acknowledge, hi a
more particular manner, the great assistance I derived from Mr. Baldwin,
the first Lieutenant, and Mr. Moore, the Master ; and if the fact of our
opponent being completely silenced, and his colours (both ensign and
pendant) down, when the approach of the whole Russian fleet occasioned
your recalling me, can tend to make the affair worthy of being distinguished
by any mark of approval from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
it is impossible that patronage can be bestowed upon a more thoroughly
deserving officer than Mr. Baldwin. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " T. B. MARTIN."
" To Sir Samuel Hood, K. B.
Rear- Admiral of the White •+."
Early in 1809, we find Sir Samuel Hood and Captain Web-
ley employed at Corunna, under the orders of Rear-Admiral
de Courcy ; and subsequently receiving the thanks of Par-
* Centaur 3 killed, 27 wounded; Implacable 6 killed, 26 wounded;
Sewolod 303 killed, wounded, and missing ; 43 of this number were slain,
and 80 wounded, in her action with the Implacable ; but 108 fresh sailors
and soldiers were brought to her by the boats from Rogerswick.
t The allied force on the above occasion consisted of twelve two-deckers,
mounting in the whole 882 guns ; five frigates, mounting 208 guns ; and
one brig. The enemy had only nine sail of the line, but two of them were
three-deckers, and they carried altogether 756 guns ; three of their frigates
mounted 50, and two others 44 guns each; besides which they had six
other vessels mounting 124 guns, and four whose armament could not be
ascertained. Allowing the latter as a set off against the Swedish brig, the
numbers will be found to be as follow :— British and Swedes, seventeen
sail and 1090 guns; Russians, twenty sail and 1118 guns. Upwards of a
third of the Swedish sailors were either ill in bed with the scurvy, or had
previously been sent to sick quarters at Carlscrona.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 653
liament for the prompt and effectual assistance rendered by
them during the embarkation of the army lately commanded by
the lamented Sir John Moore*. In 1810 and 181 1, they served
together in the Centaur, on the Mediterranean station ; and on
Sir Samuel's appointment to the chief command in India,
vacant by the death of Vice- Admiral Drury, we believe that
the subject of this memoir was again selected to be his Flag-
Captain.
Captain Webley assumed the name of Parry about 1815,
in which year he commanded the Swiftsure 74, at the Lee-
ward Islands. He was appointed to the Prince Regent of
120 guns, bearing the flag of Sir Benjamin Hallowell at
Chatham, Dec. 6, 1822 ; and is now completing the usual
period of service under that officer's successor.
EDWARD GALWEY, ESQ.
TOWARDS the close of \7&J, when the Vanguard of 74
guns was commissioned for the flag of Sir Horatio Nelson,
Mr. Galwey was selected by that officer to act as his first
Lieutenant, from which circumstance we conclude that he
had already served under that celebrated commander, and
shared in some of his battles. Be that as it may, we find the
following short account of him in a letter from Nelson to
Earl St. Vincent, dated May 8, 1798 :
" My first Lieutenant, Galwey, has no friends, and is one of the best
officers in my ship."
During the dreadful conflict in Aboukir Bay, Aug. 1, 1798,
Lieutenant Galwey was sent in the only boat which had not
been cut to pieces by the enemy's shot, to assist the distressed
crew of TOrient ; and subsequently to take possession of le
Spartiate. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in
consequence of that ever memorable victory ; and during the
latter part of the war we find him commanding the Plover, an
18-gun sloop, employed on Channel service. His post com-
mission bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Galwey commanded the Dryad frigate during the
* See Vol. I, p. 335.
654 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
expedition against Walcheren in 1809; and subsequently on
the north coast of Spain, under the orders of the late Sir
Robert Mends*. On the 23d Dec. 1812, he drove a French
national brig of 22 guns, on the rocks near Isle Dieu, where
she was completely wrecked : the Dryad on this occasion was
hulled several times by shot from the shore, and had her fore-
mast badly wounded, but not a man hurt.
Returning from Newfoundland, Mar. 26, 1814, Captain
Galwey fell in with the Clorinde. a French frigate, endeavour-
ing to escape from the Eurotas of 46 guns, with which ship she
had had a very severe action on the preceding day, an account
of which will be found in our memoir of Sir John Phillimore,
Knt., C. B. The enemy, having only his fore-mast standing,
and more than one third of his crew already killed and
wounded, struck his colours on receiving one shot from the
Dryad, after an absurd attempt to obtain terms previous to
his surrender; a proposition that would not have been acceded
to even by a British brig of 18 guns, then in sight to lee-
ward. Captain Galwey, after towing the captured frigate
into port, was put out of commission. He has not since
been employed.
Agent. — Thomas Collier, Esq.
RICHARD JONES, ESQ.
THIS officer was first Lieutenant of the Defence 74, com-
manded by the late Rear-Admiral John Peyton, in the me-
morable battle off the Nile f, and obtained the rank of Com-
mander for his conduct on that occasion. We subsequently
find him commanding the Diligence sloop of war; the Chep-
stow district of Sea Fencibles ; and the flag-ships of the late
Vice- Admiral Thomas Wells {, and the present Sir Manley
Pixon. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
» See Vol. II, Part I, pp. 272 and 273,
t See Vol. I, p. 181. The Defence had 4 men killed a»id 11 xvounded.
Rear-Admiral Peyton died at Priestlaiid, near Lymington, Hants, Aug. 2,
J Vice-Admiral Wells died at Holme, in Huntingdonshire, Oct. 31, 1811.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
655
RICHARD HAWKINS, ESQ.
THIS officer was born at Saltash in 1768 ; and served as a
Midshipman in the boats of the Windsor Castle, a second
rate, at the evacuation of Toulon in 1793. He also distin-
guished himself in an affair with the French republicans near
Hieres Bay, the particulars of which will be found at p. 313
of this volume.
On the 1st Aug. 1798, when Sir Horatio Nelson defeated
the enemy's fleet under Admiral Brueys in Aboukir bay, we
find Mr. Hawkins serving as first Lieutenant of the Theseus
74, commanded by the late Captain R. W. Miller, and his
name returned among those wounded in that engagement*.
At the close of the war he commanded the Galgo of 14 guns,
from which vessel he was posted April 29, 1802.
In 1807 Captain Hawkins obtained the command of la Mi-
nerve frigate ; and on the 6th May, 1808, his boats attacked
and carried a battery mounting one 18-pounder, which was
immediately turned against a blockhouse commanding a
small bay near 1'Orient ; but a large party of soldiers therein
having opened a heavy fire through their loop-holes, and
killed Lieutenant Cook who directed the attack, the assailants
were obliged to content themselves with spiking the gun and
bringing off the body of their leader. On the 23d Sept.
following, Captain Hawkins fell in with a brig, which overset
just as he had arrived within gun-shot of her, after a chase of
seventy-five miles. La Minerve being instantly brought to,
succeeded in saving 16 of the unfortunate vessel's crew ; but
her commander and 33 men were drowned. From the ac-
count of the survivors it appeared that she was the Josephina,
a French letter of marque, mounting 8 guns, pierced for 18,
from St. Sebastian, bound to Guadaloupe, with a cargo of
flour, brandy, wine, and clothing, and intended to cruise
against our trade in the West Indies, she having already done
much mischief to British commerce as a privateer.
* The Theseus, although hulled in more than seventy places, had only
5 men killed and ,30 wounded. Captain Miller lost his life by an explo-
sion of shells, in May 1799 ; see Vol. II, Part I, note t at p. 383.
656 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Captain Hawkins continued to command la Minerve till
1814, but does not appear to have had any opportunity of
distinguishing himself whilst in her. He has ever since been
on half-pay.
Agent. — J. Copland, Esq.
THOMAS COWAN, ESQ.
THIS officer was first Lieutenant of the Swiftsure 74, com-
manded by the present Vice- Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell,
K. C. B. in the battle of Aug. 1, 1798; and, if we mistake
not, he received the Turkish gold medal for his subsequent
services in Egypt. He obtained post rank, April 29, 1802.
WILLIAM HENRY DANIEL, ESQ.
THIS officer is the eldest son of the late Captain William
Daniel, R. N. by Miss M. Dawson, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
and a brother of Lieutenant Robert Savage Daniel, who was
mortally wounded on board the Bellerophon 74, in the battle
off the Nile, Aug. 1, 1798*.
He was born in London in 1763 ; and his name first en-
tered on a ship's books Dec. 20, 1766 ; but his actual entry
into the naval service did not take place till 1773, when he
joined the Dublin 74 at -Plymouth. On the 31st March, in
the following year, he was received into the Royal Academy
at Portsmouth, where he continued upwards of four years.
Whilst there he was frequently employed to drill the other
scholars at small arms ; and on one of those occasions was
twice stabbed with a sword by a lad named Marmaduke Price,
who insisted on having the command. One of the wounds
was at first considered mortal ; but fortunately the sword had
* Mr. R. S. Daniel was first Lieutenant of the Bellerophon, and fought
her with great bravery, after Captain Darby was wounded, till one of his
legs was carried off' by a cannon ball. On his way to the cockpit, a grape-
shot passed through the body of the man who was carrying him down, and
grazed his own back ; but this latter wound, although it caused his death,
was not discovered by the Surgeon until after he had expired.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 657
been prevented from entering the abdomen, in consequence
of its striking one of the short ribs on the left side.
On the 7th Dec. 1776, the rope-houses in Portsmouth
dock-yard were wilfully set on fire, by a miscreant commonly
called " Jack the Painter/' and considerable damage was
done before the flames could be extinguished. Shortly after
this diabolical act, whilst Mr. Daniel was looking at the men
employed clearing the camber of the pitch, tar, and other
combustible articles that had been thrown into it for security,
the sheers erected for that purpose gave way, struck him on
the back of the head, and knocked him down apparently
lifeless. The effects of this accident are still felt by him on
all occasions of exertion.
Mr. Daniel removed from the Royal Academy to the Prince
of Wales, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral
Barrington, April 16, 1778 ; and shortly after proceeded to
the Leeward Islands, where he was placed under the care of
the late Sir Charles Thompson, who at that period com-
manded the Boreas of 28 guns ; in which ship Mr. Daniel saw
much active service, and was twice engaged with the enemy*.
On the 7th May 1780, he joined the Sandwich of 90 guns,
* On the 18th Dec. 1778, the Boreas made a gallant attack upon a
French convoy from Marseilles, bound to Martinique ; and after an action
of more than six hours, during which she was successively exposed to the
fire of two 74's, two frigates, many armed merchantmen, and the Diamond
Rock, Pigeon Island, and other land-batteries, succeeded in capturing a
ship and a polacre with valuable cargoes, driving several others on shore
at the entrance of Port Royal, and compelling six or seven sail to bear
up and surrender to part of the British fleet which had by this time arrived
from St. Kitts. In the following year she captured, after a short but
spirited action, le Compass, a large ship, armed en flute, laden with
colonial produce from Martinique, bound to Europe, with a complement
of 200 men, and having on board about the same number of invalids, &c.,
from the French army and shipping. The Boreas had 4 men killed and
several wounded during the action, and about 20 others much burnt, by an
explosion of gunpowder on board le Compass after her surrender. The
enemy's loss was likewise very severe.
About this latter period Mr. Daniel was nearly drowned whilst em-
ployed 6n a watering party, and had a narrow escape from assassination
whilst lying in an exhausted state in a hut to which he had been taken in
a state of suspended animation.
658 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
bearing the flag of Sir George B. Rodney ; and a few days
afterwards witnessed two partial actions between that officer
and M. de Guichen, whose shyness alone prevented a general
battle *.
In July following, Mr. Daniel received an appointment to
act as a Lieutenant on board the Magnificent 74, which ship
was soon after ordered to convoy a valuable fleet from Ja-
maica to England, where she arrived in a sinking state, after
a tempestuous passage of thirteen weeks, during which she
was obliged to be frequently fathered, and her crew became
so completely exhausted as to fall down at the pumps f.
Having passed his examination at the Navy Office, Mr.
Daniel was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Jan. 22, 1781 ;
but he does not appear to have been employed on any service
worthy of notice during the remainder of the American war,
In Mar. 1783, he obtained an appointment to the Iphigenia
frigate, commanded by Captain James Cornwallis ; which
ship, after conveying Lord K orthington to his Vice-royalty
in Ireland, was sent to the Jamaica station, and employed
principally on the Spanish Main for a period of three years.
She was paid off at Sheerness in Oct. 1786 J.
During the Dutch armament, in 1/87? Lieutenant Daniel
was employed in raising men for the fleet at a rendezvous in
London ; after which he remained on half-pay till 1790, when
he served for a short time on board the Illustrious 74, com-
manded by Sir C. M. Pole. His next appointment was in
* See Vol. I, note at p. 104 et seq.
t The Thunderer and Stirling Castle, of 74 guns each, part of the squa-
dron sent to escort the Magnificent and her charge through the Gulf of
Florida, were totally lost, and several of the other ships much damaged.
The disastrous effects of the hurricane by which they suffered, were also
felt throughout the Leeward Islands, as we have already mentioned in our
memoir of Admiral John Holloway. See Vol. I, p. 105.
% Whilst Lord Northington was on board the Iphio-enia he fell on the
sky-light over the gun-room, and it being uncovered, he would in all pro-
bability have sustained considerable injury, had not Lieutenant Daniel
fortunately caught hold of his coat, and held him fast till others carne to
his assistance. For this service his Lordship made him a public offer of
any sinecure situation that he might find vacant on his arrival at Dublin,
but which was declined by Lieutenant Daniel, as he considered he had
done no more than his duty on that occasion.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
659
Mar. 1793, to the Courageux of similar force, in which ship
he assisted at the occupation of Toulon by the forces under
Lord Hood*, and had his left leg broken, besides receiving
three severe contusions in the head, breast, and left foot,
whilst engaging the batteries and towers near St. Fiorerizo f.
Mr. Daniel at this latter period became first Lieutenant of
the Courageux on the death of Mr. Shield, who fell in the
action ; and finding that his Captain was also seriously hurt by
the poop-ladder being shot from under him, he neglected his
own wounds in order to attend to the refitment of the ship,
she having suffered very considerably in her hull, masts, sails,
and rigging. This arduous duty he performed on crutches ;
and so great was his zeal for the service, that on one occa-
sion he sat up all night, keeping only a quarter-master on deck
with him, in order that the crew might be refreshed for their
labour on the following day.
Previous to her return to Toulon, the Courageux struck on
a reef of rocks near Cape Corse, unhung her rudder, and made
upwards of seven feet water per hour. To add to her mis-
fortunes, the carpenter and nearly all of his crew were most
severely burnt by an accidental explosion of some powder-horns,
whilst employed fixing the tiller, and before they had finished
plugging the numerous shot-holes in her bends and other
parts.
The Couragenx being afterwards hove down at Toulon, her
shattered state excited universal surprise, every one wonder-
ing how she could have been kept afloat. Her false keel was
entirely gone, and not two inches of the main one remained
under the fore-hatchway, amidships, and under the raizen-
mast ; the lower part of the gripe was carried away, the bolts
of the main-keel were driven upwards, the trunnels and plank
of the garboard-streak started in several places, as also many
higher up ; one of the gudgeons of the rudder was broken,
the dead wood so bent as to start the copper nails half way
up the stern-posts, and for sixteen feet forward ; the rudder
exceedingly battered, and only two pintles remained service-
able. She was; however, repaired in time to quit that port
previous to its falling into the hands of the republicans, her
* See Vol. I, p. (JO. f See Vol II, Part I, note t at p. 189.
660 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
rudder being hung, sails bent, and rigging set up, by the
light of the fire that had been made for the destruction of the
French arsenal and shipping.
Captain Matthews, who had been appointed to act in the
Courageux during the absence of her proper commander, the
present Lord Radstock, was employed on shore at the evacu-
ation of Toulon ; and finding on his return to the ship that she
was not only ready for sea but actually clear of danger, he
declared that it was the happiest moment of his life : what
then must have been the sensations of Lieutenant Daniel,
through whose devoted zeal the Courageux had been thus pre-
served, first from destruction, and lastly from the ignominy
of wearing a tri-coloured flag.
It cannot, however, be supposed, that such exertions could
have been made with impunity ; the stimulus to energetic
efforts having ceased, his strength soon gave way, and on his
arrival at Gibraltar, in company with the fleet and the French
ships brought from Toulon, he found it absolutely necessary
to retire for a time from duty. Whilst there he became seri-
ously ill, and a survey being held on him by the proper offi-
cers, they strenuously advised him to seek the benefit of his
native air. To this recommendation he reluctantly yielded ;
and a passage being ordered him in the Colossus, he returned
home as an invalid on the 17th Mar. JJ94.
A vacancy at this time occurring in the Impress service at
Gravesend, Lieutenant Daniel was induced to accept an ap-
pointment under his father, who was then employed as Regu-
lating Captain at that place. He shortly after had the grati-
fication of receiving the following letter from his former
commander, dated on board the Courageux, off Cape Corse,
June 22, 1794 :
" Dear Sir, — Among the many unpleasant changes I found in the Cou-
rageux, on my return from England, that of your absence was not the
least. 1 should hope that your native air, and the comforts you meet with
at home, may soon restore your health j after which, when opportunity
offers, I shall be very happy to have again the pleasure of seeing you on
board the Courageux, or any other ship I may command. I am, dear Sir,
very faithfully your*s,
(Signed) » WM. WALDEGRAVE."
During the mutiny in the North Sea fleet, a merchant
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 661
vessel that had been boarded and plundered by the ships at
the Nore, arrived off Gravesend with information that the
delegates, although in the habit of searching and stripping
every vessel attempting to pass them, not being able to pro-
cure a sufficient supply of provisions, had determined to take
the fleet over to an enemy's port, and had already commenced
getting up their yards and top -masts in preparation for sailing.
On the receipt of this intelligence, Captain Daniel and the
commanding officer of the military determined to send a des-
patch to the Board of Admiralty ; but Lieutenant Daniel
seeing that much time would thus be lost, suggested the pro-
priety of sending letters, by horsemen, to Margate and Mai-
den, desiring the revenue cutters to cut away the buoys of
the different channels before day-light the next morning.
This suggestion was acted upon, and the cutters, although
discovered, succeeded in their object, to the great annoyance
of the mutineers, among whom symptoms of disunion soon
after began to appear.
Subsequent to this event, Lieutenant Daniel, acting as atd-
de-camp, pro tempore, to Colonel Nisbett, the military com-
mandant, succeeded, at the imminent peril of his life, in seizing
several of the delegates who were proceeding up the Thames
to bring the Lancaster, of 64 guns, from Purfleet to the Nore,
and who were directed by Parker, the ringleader, to fire upon
the town of Gravesend, in case the inhabitants did not prevent
the batteries from molesting them.
For these and other important services performed by Lieu-
tenant Daniel at this alarming epoch, the court-martial as-
sembled to try the mutineers strongly recommended him for
superior rank ; but it was refused on the ground that his ap-
pointment at Gravesend rendered him ineligible, although his
predecessor had been promoted from that situation to the
rank of Commander. The following is an extract of a letter
from the Duke of York's Secretary to Colonel Nisbett, dated
"Horse Guards, June 7, 1797."
" His Royal Highness desires that you will express his thanks to Captain
Daniel and his Son, and assure them that H. R. H. will not fail to communi-
cate your favourable report of their zeal and activity to Lord Spencer *."
* The Society of Merchants, established in London for the purpose of
VOL. II, 2 X
(J(5'2 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Disgusted with a situation which precluded him from ad-
vancement, Lieutenant Daniel immediately applied for em-
ployment afloat, although his health was then far from being
re-established. He accordingly received a commission, ap-
pointing him to the Glory of 98 guns, on board which ship
the spirit of disaffection, though apparently quelled, was by
no means eradicated.
On the 12th March, 1798, about 8 P. M. whilst walking on
the quarter-deck with his Captain, he heard a great noise
below, and on going down to ascertain the cause, perceived
about 40 or 50 men endeavouring to remove the officers' beer
cask from the wardroom door, in which attempt they were re-
sisted by the centinel and servants. Assisted by a few of the pet-
ty-officers, he immediately endeavoured to secure some of the
rioters ; but in doing so he received a severe wound on the
joint of his fore-finger, which after remaining in a state of
violent inflammation for several weeks, became rigid, and has
ever since prevented him from using his right hand with full
effect, particularly in cold weather, when it is of but little use
to him.
Some time subsequent to this tumult, the particulars of a
diabolical plan, formed by about 150 of the crew, to throw all
the officers overboard, and take the Glory into Brest har-
bour, was communicated to Lieutenant Daniel by the senior
officer of Marines, one of whose party had been implicated
in the conspiracy, but who had taken offence at their
refusing to spare the Captain's son, a young gentleman
about 14 years of age, from whom he had received frequent
acts of kindness *.
Rising from his cot, to which he had but just retired, Lieu-
tenant Daniel, without waiting to consult with his Captain,
who had likewise gone to bed, immediately adopted measures
devising means to counteract the designs of the mutinous seamen, presented
handsome swords to Lieutenant Daniel and his Father, as a reward for their
meritorious conduct.
1 The Glory was commanded by the late Admiral James Brine, who
died at Blandford, in 1814 ; see Vol. II. Part I. p. 442. The youth alluded
to is now a Post-Captain.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 063
for securing the promoters of this plot ; in which he happily
succeeded without experiencing any opposition, so completely
were they taken by surprise. The Glory was at this time
within three leagues of Ushant, and two miles inshore of the
commander-in-chief 's light ; the wind at West, weather mo-
derate and hazy, and the moment fixed for carrying their nefa-
rious design into execution fast approaching ; added to which
circumstances in their favour, two Frenchmen belonging to
the after-guard, who were formerly fishermen at Brest, had
agreed to pilot the ship into that port ; and so determined
were the mutineers to persevere in their object, that they had
unanimously resolved to fire two of the lower-deck guns, on
each side, down the main-hatchway, in an oblique direction,
and thereby sink the ship, rather than yield, should they be
pursued and overtaken by any other of the fleet. It is but
justice to the remainder of the crew to say, that they were
always favourable to good order and discipline, but that the
ringleaders of the mutiny had intimidated them by magnifying
the number of their own adherents.
For his meritorious conduct on this occasion, Lieutenant
Daniel was again recommended, by a court-martial, to the
favorable consideration of the Admiralty, and he at length
obtained the rank of Commander in October, 1J98. Several
of the Glory's men were about the same time executed, and
others punished in various ways, according to the degree of
their criminality.
In June following, Sir Home Pophain being ordered on a
particular service, applied to Earl Spencer for the subject of
this memoir to accompany him ; which being granted, they
took a passage in the Inflexible troop-ship from North Yar-
mouth to Revel, where they found a Russian squadron assem-
bled, with 8000 troops of that nation on board, bound to
Holland.
From Revel, Sir Home Popham proceeded on a mission to
the Emperor Paul, then at Cronstadt, leaving Captain Daniel
to superintend the embarkation of other troops, furnished by
the Czar in conformity to a treaty between his Imperial Ma-
jesty and Great Britain. This service being completed on the
the 28th August, Captain Daniel, after arranging his accounts
2x2
664 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1802.
' with the different authorities, embarked on board the Blonde
frigate, and proceeded, in company with the troop-ships, to
the Texel, where the whole arrived in safety, after a passage
of three weeks.
During the ensuing two months Captain Daniel served on
shore as naval aid-de-camp to Lieutenant- General Sir Ralph
Abercromby, and was employed in a variety of services, such
as gaining information respecting the sluices ; making obser-
vations on the tides, so as to enable a brigade to advance
along the sands during the absence of the sea; directing a
party of seamen in the erection and destruction of bridges as
occasion required ; removing wounded men from the field of
battle ; burying the slain ; arming fishing-boats to cover the
advance of the army along the coast, and others to carry des-
patches, and assisting in the final evacuation of Holland ; on
which occasion he was the last person that left the shore.
The following is an extract from the General Orders issued at
Alkmaar,Oct. 5, 1799:
" The service rendered by the gun-boats, directed by Sir Home Popham,
and commanded by Captain Goddard, Captain Turquand, Lieutenant Rowed,
Messrs. Stoddard, Lord, Baker, and Caldwell, and the seamen under their
command ; as also by Captain Daniel, and the seamen attached to Sir Ralph
Abercromby's column ; have been no less honorable to themselves than
highly advantageous to the public cause : and H. R. H. begs those gallant
officers, and the officers and men under their orders, will rest assured how
fully sensible he is of their merit.
(Signed) "J. KIRK MAX, Atst.-Adjt.-GeneraL"
On the 29th Nov. 1799, just seven days after his arrival in
England, Captain Daniel received orders to place himself once
more under the directions of the Transport Board, and follow
those of Sir Home Popham for his future proceedings. In
compliance with those instructions he proceeded to North
Yarmouth, and from thence to Berkstoff, near Blyntsund, in
Norway ; the Elbe, his original destination, being found totally
inaccessible, on account of the immense quantity of ice accu-
mulated in that river.
Prom Berkstoff he cut his way, in the Swift cutter, to Moss
harbour, and there hired a sledge for his conveyance to Stock-
holm, where he arrived on the Uth Feb. 1800, after travelling
through ice and snow at the average rate of forty-five miles per
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 665
day. On his arrival in the Swedish capital he found Sir
Home Popham preparing to set out for St. Petersburgh, but
owing to the want of carriages they were detained in that city
till the 25th. At seven A. M. on the 28th they commenced
their journey across the Gulph of Bothnia, which had been
frozen over in one night ; and after encountering many perils,
in consequence of the ice not being sufficiently firm in all
parts to bear the weight of their sledges, conductors, baggage,
&c., arrived in twelve hours on a part of the Finnish shore
seventy-seven miles distant from the spot whence they had
started. That this journey was an undertaking of no little
hazard, may be inferred from the circumstance of the ice break-
ing up on the following day sufficiently to enable passengers
to cross over in boats to Sweden.
Passing through Abo, the capital of Finland, and Helsing-
fors, a town near which many of the galley fleet are laid up in
time of peace, Captain Daniel reached Borgo in the evening
of Mar. 13, and continued at that place till May 21, when he
received a letter from Sir Home Popham, then at St. Peter s-
burgh, directing him to return without delay to England. In
consequence of this order he embarked on board a Swedish
brig, bound to Gottenburgh, and sailed down the Baltic to
Elsineur. After visiting the Danish capital, and communicat-
ing with the British Consul resident there, he crossed the
Great and Little Belts, passed through the canal of Kiel and
the city of Hamburgh, and embarked at Cuxhaven for Yar-
mouth, where he landed on the 24th June, 1800 -t since which,
we believe, he has never been employed. His promotion to
post-rank took place April 29, 1802 j and he obtained the
Out Pension of Greenwich Hospital Feb. 1, 1815.
Captain Daniel married, in Sept. 1800, Miss A. Edge,
daughter of the late Captain Edge, of the 53d regiment, who
was severely wounded at the battle of Bunker's Hill, in North
America ; by whom he has three sons and three daughters.
His eldest son is studying at the University of Cambridge ; and
another has recently embarked as a Midshipman in the
Royal Navy.
Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq.
666 POSTP-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
JACOB WALTON, ESQ.
THIS officer received his first commission, as a Lieutenant,
in 1793 ; served as a Commander, on the Halifax station, at
the close of the French revolutionary war ; and was advanced
to post rank, April 29, 1802. He obtained the command of
the Amethyst frigate about Sept. 1809 ; and on the 20th Mar.
1811, was severely reprimanded by the sentence of a court-
martial, for the loss of that ship in Plymouth Sound during
the night of Feb. 16 preceding. He has not since been
employed.
Captain Walton married, Nov. 24, 1809, Sarah, second
daughter of Major-General Gabriel Johnstone, formerly of the
Hon. East India Company's service. He has resided for
some time past at New York, North America.
4gent.—Siv F. M Ommauney, M. P.
DAVID COLBY, ESQ.
THIS officer lost an arm when serving as first Lieutenant
of the Robust 74, commanded by Captain (now Sir Edward)
Thonibrough, in the action between Sir John B. Warren
and Mons. Bompart, Oct. 12, 1798 *. He subsequently com-
manded the Dido, a small frigate armed- en-flute, and em-
ployed as a troop- ship on the Mediterranean station. His
promotion to post rank took place April 29, 1802 5 previous
to which he had received the Turkish gold medal, for his
services on the coast of Egypt. During the late war we find
him serving as Flag Captain to his former commander, on the
North Sea and Mediterranean stations. He married,, May
22, 1806, Mrs. Costin, formerly of Bedford.
AUGUSTUS BRINE, ESQ.
THIS officer, a son of the late Admiral James Brine f, was
made a Lieutenant in 1790; and a Commander Dec. 6, 1798.
* See Vol. I, p. 171.
t See note * at p. 662.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 667
His post commission bears date April 29, 1802. During the
late war he held an appointment in the Sea Fencible service ;
and commanded the Medway, a third rate. In July, 1814, he
captured the United States' brig of war Syren, pierced for 18
guns, with a complement of 137 men.
A 'gent. — John Hinxman, Esq.
JAMES COUTTS CRAWFORD, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late James Crawford, Esq. by
Helen Coutts, first cousin of the late wealthy London banker
of that name.
He was born at his father's residence in Dundee, July 20,
1760 ; and after making several voyages in the Carolina and
Virginia trade, entered the naval service, in April, 1777? as
a Midshipman, under the protection of the present venerable
Admiral John Henry, who at that period commanded the
Vigilant, a ship on the establishment of a sloop of war, but
armed with heavy cannon for the purpose of battering forts,
and covering the operations of the King's troops serving
against the rebels in North America.
Towards the latter end of the same year Mr. Crawford
removed with his friend, Captain Henry, into the Fowey, of
20 guns ; and on the 24th Oct. 1778, he was appointed to act
as a Lieutenant on board the same ship, an officer of that rank
being obliged to invalid in consequence of bis having been
severely wounded during a recent expedition against the enemy
near Boston.
Among the many services in which Mr. Crawford partici-
pated whilst on the American station, the defence of Savannah
and reduction of Charlestown * appear the most conspicuous.
On the former occasion he was entrusted with the command
of the Fowey's guns, mounted in a battery on shore ; and we
find his meritorious conduct particularly mentioned in the
public letters of General Prevost and Captain Henry, the latter
of whom commanded the small squadron which so materially
contributed to the preservation of that important post.
* See Vol. I, p. 65, et seq. and Vol. II, Part I, Note f at p. 58, gt seq.
POST-CAPTAINS ofr 1802.
After the surrender of Charlestown, Mr. Crawford, who
still continued to act as Lieutenant, accompanied Captain
Henry into the Providence, a prize frigate of 32 guns, which
ship was shortly after ordered home with despatches, and on
her arrival put out of commission. He subsequently served
about two months as a Midshipman on board the Britannia,
of 100 guns, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral Darby ; from
whom he received another acting order, appointing him to
the command of the Repulse, a vessel mounting five Spanish
26-pounders, stationed at Gibraltar, in April 1781.
It was about this period that the memorable siege of Gib-
raltar began to wear a most serious aspect, the enemy having
brought no less than fifty 13-inch mortars and sixty-four heavy
guns to bear upon the garrison from the land side, whilst their
vast superiority by sea enabled them to annoy the southern part
of the rock with impunity, and rendered it extremely difficult
for any supplies to reach that fortress, unless thrown in under
cover of a powerful fleet. The zeal, gallantry, and indefa-
tigable exertions of the few British officers on the spot, how-
ever, were such, as induced the Governor to repose the utmost
confidence in their abilities — a confidence which, as the re-
sult proved, was not misplaced.
About five A. M. on the 7th Aug. 1781, a signal for an
enemy was made by the Spaniards at Cabritta Point ; and
the British garrison soon after discovered a brig becalmed at
the entrance of the bay, and fourteen of the Algeziras flo-
tilla, each carrying a 26-pounder, with several armed launches,
proceeding to intercept her. Captain Roger Curtis, of the
Brilliant frigate, the senior officer present, immediately sent
Sir Charles H. Knowles, of the Porcupine, to receive any
despatches the vessel might have on board, whilst he him-
self attended the towing out of the Repulse and Vanguard,
the only available force he possessed, to attempt her rescue *.
* The Repulse and Vanguard had formerly been small brigs, but were
cut down and converted into prames, for the purpose of acting against the
enemy's flotilla. The latter vessel mounted two 26 and two 12-pounders.
Twelve gun-boats, on a new construction, sent from England in frames at
the commencement of 1782, and put together at the rock, proved highly
useful to the garrison during the latter part of the siege.
POST-CAPTAINS Ofr l8Q2.
669
By eight o'clock the Spaniards had commenced the attack,
and a spirited action ensued between them and the brig ; but
appearances were so greatly against the latter that the gar-
rison almost gave her up, supposing it scarcely possible that
the two gun-vessels under Captain Curtis would venture near
enough to render her any material assistance : they however
pushed on in a most gallant manner, and were placed so
judiciously as to cover the brig, and greatly annoy the enemy.
At length coolness and discipline prevailed over superior num-
bers : the steadiness and bravery with which the brig de-
fended herself, aided by the well-directed fire from the Re-
pulse and Vanguard, succeeded in obliging the flotilla to
retreat, notwithstanding the approach of a formidable xebec
to their assistance. She, finding her friends perfectly sub-
dued, also hauled off, and left the British at liberty to tow
the stranger into the New Mole, which she entered amidst
the applauding shouts of all who had beheld the combat. The
circumstance is thus alluded to by Governor Elliot, in a letter
to the Secretary of State :
" I received your despatch of the 20th July, by H. M. sloop Helena,
Captain Roberts, who arrived by dint of perseverance and bravery, with
the assistance of our two gun-boats, the Vanguard and Repulse, posted by
Captain Curtis himself. He personally conducted the attack in his barge,
with distinguished success, notwithstanding a constant and heavy fire of
round and grape from the enemy's gun-boats for nearly two hours *."
After commanding the Repulse about thirteen months,
during which he was often warmly engaged with the Spanish
gun and mortar-boats, Mr. Crawford was ordered to act as
first Lieutenant of the Brilliant; and on that ship being
scuttled in the New Mole previous to the enemy's grand
attack, he joined the naval battalion encamped at Europa,
under the command of Captain Curtis, to whom he served as
Brigade-Major during the awful conflict of Sept. 13, 1J82,
* Captain Roberts, the officer alluded to above, was promoted to the
rank of Commander for his good conduct as first Lieutenant of the Que-
bec frigate, in a desperate action with the Surveillante, a French ship of
40 guns, which ended in the total destruction of the former by fire, and
the loss of nearly all her crew, Oct. 6, 177$. He was deservedly advanced
to post raiik for his gallant defence of the Helena.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
an account of which will be found in our memoir of Captain
Charles Tinling *.
The Brilliant being raised again a few days after the enemy's
defeat, Mr. Crawford re-embarked with her crew, and con-
tinued in that frigate till the departure of Captain Curtis with
the fleet under Lord Howe f, when he was removed by Sir
Sir Charles H. Knowles into the San Miguel of 72 guns, a
Spanish ship that had been driven on shore near the garrison
and compelled to surrender, in Oct. 1782 J.
On the 12th Nov. the enemy's flotilla made an attack upon
the San Miguel, but did not succeed in doing her any mate-
rial damage. On the 18th of the following month twenty-nine
gun and mortar-boats made a second attempt to destroy her
and other ships lying at anchor off Buena- Vista, and were sup-
ported by the Spanish land batteries with a very animated
cannonade. The mortar-boats composed the centre division,
and the whole flotilla were drawn up in a line-of-battle ex'-
tending about two miles. They got their distance the first
round, and retained it with such precision, that almost every
shell fell within fifty yards of the San Miguel, which was
the principal object of their attack. The 74th shell fell
on board, burst on the lower deck, killed 4, and wounded 1 1
men, 3 of whom died soon after. Fortunately, however, she
received no further injury, although the enemy did not retire
until they had expended the whole of their ammunition.
Three days after this event the San Miguel was driven from
her anchors more than half-bay over, and every effort to
recover her station proved ineffectual, tiil an eddy wind
brought her about, and enabled Sir Charles Knowles to run
her aground within the New Mole, where she was repeatedly
fired upon by the enemy during the continuance of the
siege.
In Mar. 1783, Mr. Crawford was re-appointed to the Bril-
liant by his former commander, Sir Roger Curtis, who had
returned to Gibraltar, and hoisted a broad pendant as Com-
modore on the Mediterranean station. His commission as a
« See Vol. II, Part I, pp.362— 366.
t See Vol. I, pp. 17 ami 106 el seq. \ See id. note fat p. 114.
POST-CAPTAINS OF J802. 6J1
Lieutenant was at length confirmed by the Admiralty on the
10th Aug. in the same year, from which period he does not
appear to have served afloat till the Spanish armament, in
1790, when he joined the Queen Charlotte, a first rate, bear-
ing the flag of Earl Howe, to whose notice he had been intro-
duced by Sir Roger Curtis, then serving as Captain of the
fleet under that nobleman's command.
We next find Lieutenant Crawford proceeding to the East
Indies, where he remained, attending to his private concerns,
for several years. Returning from thence in a country-ship,
he had the misfortune to be captured by a French republican
cruiser ; but being included in an exchange of prisoners about
Mar. 1797? he was immediately after appointed to the Prince,
of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Sir Roger Curtis, in the Chan-
nel fleet, where he continued to serve till his promotion to the
rank of Commander, Feb. 14, 1799. During the remainder
of the war he commanded the Childers brig, employed prin-
cipally on the home station. His post commission bears date
April 29, 1802.
Captain Crawford's next appointment afloat was to the
Champion of 24 guns, in which ship we find him co-operating
with the Spanish patriots at the commencement of their strug-
gle with the legions of Napoleon Buonaparte. From her he
removed into the Venus, a 32-gun frigate, employed on the
same species of service, as will be seen by the following copy
of a letter from Captain George M'Kinley, respecting the
capture of Vigo in Mar. 1809 :
" H. M. S. Lively, off figo, Mar. 29.
" Sir, — In consequence of a letter I received at Villagarcia from Captain
Crawford, of the Venus, informing me that the loyal peasantry were in
considerable force around the castle and town of Vigo, and that the pre-
sence of another frigate would very much contribute to the surrender of
that fortress, I joined him on the evening of the 23d instant. The next
morning I went to the head.quarters of Don Joao de Almada de Sanzo
Silva, who commanded the patriots. At that instant a summons was sent
to the Governor of Vigo to surrender at discretion, and led to a negocia-
tion between him and the French, which continued till the 26th, when
Don Pablo Murillo, commanding a regular force of 1500 men, composed
of retired soldiers in this province, arrived, and sent in another summons ;
in consequence of which, on the following day, proposals were brought on
672 fOST-CAFFAINS OF 1802.
board by Don Pablo, accompanied by three French officers. The answers
to them were delivered at five P. M. by Captain Crawford, who concluded
the capitulation ; and the whole of the garrison, consisting of a colonel,
45 officers, and about 1300 or 1400 men, were embarked the next
morning.
" I should be wanting in every feeling of an officer, were I not to ac-
knowledge the liberal attention and zealous services of Captain Crawford.
It also becomes most gratifying that 1 am enabled to inform you of the
spirit and determination of the Spaniards to expel from their country the
invaders of all that is dear to a brave and loyal people. No doubt of
success could have arisen had the enemy persisted in holding out, from
the able and prompt conduct of Don Pablo Murillo, and the good order
of his troops, the strongest proof of his zeal in the just cause of his King
and country. The ardour of the peasantry is beyond all description. I
have the honor to be, &c*
(Signed) " GEORGE M'KiNLEY."
" To the Hon. ^ice-Admiral Berkeley V
During the ensuing siege of Vigo by the French army un-
der Marshal Ney, Captain Crawford commanded a party of
seamen and marines landed from the Lively and Venus to
assist in the defence of the castle, where he continued till the
defeat of the enemy at the bridge of San Payo, and his con-
sequent retreat towards Lugo ; the particulars of which event
are fully detailed in the Naval Chronicle for July 1809.
Captain Crawford was subsequently appointed in succes-
sion to the Hussar and Modeste frigates, in the former of
which he assisted at the reduction of Java, by the forces
under Sir Samuel Auchmuty and Rear-Admiral Stopford, in
Sept. 1811. In the latter ship he captured le Furet, a re-
markably fine French privateer, of 14 guns and 98 men, near
Scilly, at the commencement of Feb. 1813. He was put out
of commission at the close of the war, and has ever since been
on half-pay.
Captain Crawford has been twice married, and is now a
widower. By his first wife, Anne, eldest daughter of Alex-
ander Duncan, Esq., of Edinburgh, he had one child, who has
recently been united to the Hon. Captain Henry Duncan,
• By a subsequent letter it appears, that while the British frigates were
m the act of embarking the French garrison, a detachment of 300 men,
sent from Fuy to relieve Vigo, was encountered and totally routed by Don
Pablo Murillo, who took many of the enemy prisoners.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 6/3
R. N. C. B. By his second lady, Jane, eldest daughter of
the late Vice-Admiral John Inglis, he had a son, who still
survives *.
Agents, — Messrs. Maude.
JOHN HAYES, ESQ.
A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is distantly related to the Hays of North Bri-
tain, a family descended from the Anglo-Norman Hays, who
came into England with William the Conqueror, and at pre-
sent represented by the Earl of Errol, Hereditary Lord High
Constable of Scotland.
His name was first entered on the books of a King's ship
about the termination of the American revolutionary war, at
which period he was but little more than seven years of age ;
but his juvenile predilection for the naval service was shortly
after over-ruled by his great-uncle, the late Adam Hayes,
Esq., Master Shipwright of Deptford dock-yard, who being
without any children of his own, was particularly anxious to
have a junior branch of the family educated as a naval archi-
tect under his immediate directions; and therefore selected
Mr. John Hayes for that purpose, hoping, as he said, to qua-
lify him for the appointment of Surveyor of the Navy, or at
all events to be succeeded by him as Builder at Deptford.
In consequence of this arrangement, a nephew whom he
had previously been instructing, but whose abilities did not
answer his expectations, was discarded, and the subject of
this memoir passed four or five years under the sole controul
of his great uncle, to whom his father had resigned all au-
thority over him ; but immediately on the demise of the old
gentleman, an event occasioned by a violent attack of gout in
the stomach, he laid aside the rule and compass, and quitting
the drawing board, embarked as a Midshipman on board the
Orion J4, commanded by the late Sir Hyde Parker, under
whom he served during the Dutch armament, in 1J87-
* Vice-Admiral Inglis commanded the Belliqueux 64, in the battle off
Camperdown, Oct. 11, 1797 ; and died at Edinburgh, in 1807.
G74 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Mr. Hayes subsequently joined a brig under the command
of Captain (afterwards Admiral) Cobb, with whom he con-
tinued, on the Channel station, till 1J90, when we find him
entrusted with the charge of a watch on board the Pearl fri-
gate, commanded by his friend Captain G. W. A. Courtenay,
whom he ultimately accompanied to the Newfoundland sta-
tion, as an acting Lieutenant, in the Boston, of 32 guns and
217 men.
In July, 1793, Captain Courtenay proceeded towards New
York, in hopes of meeting and trying the fortune of war with
1'Ambuscade, a French frigate of 36 guns and 340 men, com-
manded by M. Bompard, who had arrived on the American
coast, with another ship of the same description under his
orders, and already committed great depredations upon British
commerce in that quarter.
On the Boston's arrival off Sandy Hook, she stood in
towards the shore under French colours, and adopted such
other deceptive measures as induced a boat, sent from 1* Am-
buscade, under the impression that she was a friend, to come
boldly alongside with orders for her supposed commander's
guidance. By this stratagem M. Bombard was deprived of
the services of a Lieutenant and 12 of his crew ; but, unfor-
tunately, Captain Courtenay, in the ensuing action, had also
to regret the reduction of his complement, by the absence of
an officer and 12 men in a small captured vessel.
Mr. Hayes was now sent into New York with a formal
challenge from Captain Courtenay to M. Bompard, who, after
consulting with his officers, determined upon putting to sea
and engaging the Boston, which he accordingly did on
the morning of July 31st, at a short distance from the land.
The action was long and bloody, but proved indecisive, al-
though the object of the British was in part accomplished, as
the damage sustained by the republican frigate incapacitated
her for a considerable time from offering any further annoy-
ance to the English trade. Her loss consisted of about 50
men killed and wounded, whilst that of the Boston was pro-
portionably severe, the gallant Captain Courtenay, a marine
officer, and 8 men being slain, and 2 Lieutenants, 3 Midship-
men, and 19 men wounded. The combat was viewed by
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 6J5
crowds of Americans standing on the Jersey beach, few of
whom, on seeing the Boston haul off from 1'Ambuscade,
whose superior size attracted every one's notice, were so pre-
judiced as not to admit that she had done her utmost to obtain
a victory. His late Majesty, in consideration of Captain
Courtenay's intrepid conduct, was graciously pleased to settle
a pension of 500/. a year on his widow, and an annuity of
50/. on each of hi3 children.
Mr. Hayes returned to England in consequence of the death
of his patron, whose high opinion of him may be inferred from
the circumstance of his having chosen him, although so young
a man, to be one of his executors.
Upon his arrival in London, he appeared before the Board
of Admiralty, and gave so satisfactory an account of the
recent affair at New York, and his own conduct therein, that
their Lordships were induced to grant him a dispensing order,
by which he was enabled to pass his examination for a Lieu-
tenant, without completing the usual period of service as a
rated Midshipman ; and in the following month he received a
commission, appointing him to the Dido, of 28 guns, com-
manded by Sir Charles Hamilton, Bart, with whom he after-
wards removed into the St. Fiorenzo frigate, on the Mediter-
ranean station.
His next appointment was to the Brunswick 74, in which
ship he served for some time under Lord Lecale*, in the
Channel fleet; and subsequently accompanied the late Sir
Richard Rodney Bligh to the West Indies, where he joined
the Queen, a second rate, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker,
who promoted him to the rank of Commander on the 1st
March, 1J99.
From tiiis period we find Captain Hayes actively employed
in various sloops of war on the Jamaica station, till his
advancement to post rank, by a commission from the Admi-
ralty, dated April 29, 1802. In Jan. 1809, he commanded a
* Lord Lecale was a son of James, first Duke of Leinster, by Lady
Emilia Mary, daughter of Charles, second Duke of Richmond. He ob-
tained post-rank May 23, 1780 ; and died a Vice- Admiral of the Red, Feb.
17, 1810. The Irish Barony of Lecale became extinct, in consequence of
his lordship dying without issue.
676 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
small squadron, left by Sir Samuel Hood at Vigo, to cover the
embarkation of part of the retreating army under Lieutenant-
General Sir John Moore ; and on his return from that service
he was removed from the Alfred 74, in which ship he had
been acting, to the temporary command of the Achille, another
third rate, attached to the expedition then about to sail for
the Scheldt; from whence he brought home 700 French
soldiers, who had been taken prisoners at Flushing.
Immediately on his arrival, Captain Hayes obtained the
command of the Freija frigate, as a reward for his very
zealous conduct in voluntarily taking upon himself the sole
charge of navigating the Achille to and from the Roompot,
although he had never before been employed on any part of
the North Sea station. This act of temerity, as his friends
termed it, was committed by him in consequence of the abso-
lute impossibility of procuring a sufficient number of pilots
for the vast fleet destined to that quarter, and his ardent wish
to share in the dangers, and expected glories, of the ensuing
campaign.
At the close of 1809, Captain Hayes proceeded to Barba-
does, and joined the flag of Sir Alexander Cochrane, who,
confiding in his ability, entrusted him with the command of a
squadron, employed on the north side of Guadaloupe, during
the operations which terminated in the surrender of that colony
to the British arms *. His official account of a very gallant
exploit performed by the boats of the Freija at Bay Mahaut,
will be found under the head of Commander David Hope, in
our next volume.
The Freija proving very defective, returned home in Sept.
1810, and was soon after put out of commission ; a circum-
stance that occasioned Captain Hayes to remain on half-pay
till the autumn of 1812, when he was appointed, pro tempore,
to the Magnificent 74, which fine ship was rescued from a
most perilous situation by his cool intrepidity and superior
seamanship, during a heavy gale of wind on the 17th Dec. in
the same year. His masterly conduct on the occasion alluded
to is worthy of record, and will serve as an example for the
benefit of less experienced officers, who may be, hereafter,
* See Vol. I. p. 2C5.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 677
placed in a similar state of danger. It is thus described by
an officer who served under him at that period :
" The ship was anchored in the evening of Dec. 16th, 1812, between the
reef of Chasseron and that of Isle Rhe", nearly mid-channel, in sixteen
fathoms water ; the courses reefed, top-sails close reefed, and top-gallant
yards got down. At eight o'clock, the weather appearing suspicious, and
the wind beginning to blow, the top-gallant-masts were got down on deck :
at half-past it came on squally, and we veered away to a cable and a half.
At nine the ship was found to be driving, and in only eleven fathoms water j
the small bower was instantly let go, which brought her up in ten fathoms,
The lower-yards and top-masts were now struck, as close down as they
could be got. The moon was not visible, but we had sufficient light to
shew us our dangerous situation ; the sea breaking with great violence on
the reef, about a quarter of a mile astern, and on the starboard quarter.
As soon as the top-masts were down, orders were given to heave in upon
the best-bower, which appeared to be slack, as though the anchor had
broken. Three quarters of a cable were got in, when the stock appearing
to catch a rock, it held fast : service was of course put in the wake of the
hau-se, and the cable secured. The inner best bower cable was then un-
spliced, and bent to the spare anchor ; and a man was placed in the chains
to heave the lead, the same as though the ship had been underway; whilst
the deep-sea lead, thrown over the gangway, was carefully attended to by
a quarter-master. By means of the hand-lead the ship was found to be
immediately over a rock, three fathoms in height, and in this state, with
the wind at W. S. W. blowing a gale, with small rain, and a heavy sea, we
remained till day-light, when the man at the gangway declared the ship to
be driving. The spare anchor was directly cut away, and the range taken
out, when she brought up again. On the ebb tide making she took the
whole cable service, and rode with the two bowers a-head, and the spare
anchor broad ou the starboard bow. The gale appeared to increase ; and
as the sea broke sometimes outside the ship, it proved that she was in the
midst of rocks, and that the cables could not remain long without being
cut. The wind at this period was West, St. Marie church bore East, and
the shoalest part of the reef was only about two cables' length distant.
The wind afterwards shifted a point to the northward ; but to counteract
this favourable change, it was a lee tide, and a heavy sea setting right on
to the reef: neither officers nor men thought it possible, in any way, to cast
her clear thereof, and to make sail, more particularly as the yards and top-
masts were down. Captain Hayes, however, gave orders to sway the fore-
yard two-thirds up outside the top-masts ; and, while that was doing, to
pass a hawser from the starboard quarter, and bend it to the spare cable,
as a spring to cast the ship by; but before the latter could be accomplished
the cable parted. The main-yard was next swayed up in a manner similar
to the fore, and the spring fastened to the small-bower cable. People
were sent aloft to stop each yard-arm of the top-sails and courses in four
VOL, U- 2 Y
678 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
or five places with spun-yarn, tied in a single bow, and to cast off all the gas-
kets : those men were strictly enjoined to he quick in obeying the commands
given them, and to be extremely cautious not to let a sail fall, unless it was
particularly named ; as any mistake in that respect would occasion the loss
of the ship. The yards were all braced sharp up for casting from the reef,
and making sail on the starboard tack. The tacks and sheets, top-sail
sheets, and main and mizen stay-sail haliards, were manned, and the spring
hove taut : Captain Hayes now told his crew that they were going to work
'for life or death ; if they were attentive to his orders, and executed them
properly, the ship would be saved ; if not, the whole of them would be
drowned in a few minutes. Things being in this state of preparation, a
little more of the spring was hove in, the quarter- masters at the wheel re-
ceived their instructions, and the cables were instantly cut ; but the heavy
sea on the larboard bow would not let her cast that away, the spring broke,
and her head paid in towards the reef. The oldest seaman in the ship at
that moment thought all lost ; but the probability of her casting to star-
board had happily been foreseen by Captain Hayes, who now, in the coolest
manner, gave orders to ' put the helm bard a-starboard ; sheet home the
fore-top-sail ; haul on board the fore-tack, and aft fore-sheet * ; keep all
the other sails fast ; square the main, mizen-top-sail, and cross jack yards ;
and keep the main-yard as it was/ The moment the wind came abaft the
beam, he ordered the mizen-top-sail to be sheeted home, and then the helm
to be put hard a-port — when the wind was nearly aft, to haul on board the
main-tack; aft main-sheet; sheet home the main-top-sail ; and brace the
cross-jack-yard up. When this was done, (the whole of which took only
two minutes to perform,) the ship absolutely flew round from the reef, like
a thing scared at the frightful spectacle. The quarter-masters were ordered
to keep her South, and Captain Hayes declared aloud, * The ship is safe.'
The gaff was down, to prevent its holding wind ; and the try-sail was bent
ready for hoisting, had it been wanted. The fore-top-mast stay-sail was
hoisted before the cables were cut ; but the main and mizen-stay-sails,
although ready, were not required. Thus was the ship got round in less
than her own length; but in that short distance she altered the soundings
five fathoms. And now, for the first time, I believe, was seen a ship at sea
under reefed courses, and close reefed top-sails, with lower yards and top-
masts struck. The sails all stood remarkably well ; and, by this novel
method, was saved a beautiful 74, with 550 persons on board."
On his return to port, after performing the above extraor-
dinary piece of seamanship, Captain Hayes proposed the cut-
ting down of some ships of the line, and fitting them out for
• The yards being all braced sharp up for the starboard tack, it is obvi-
ous that the fore-sail and fore-top-sail were set as flat a-back as they could
be ; and that there was no necessity for altering them in bringing the ship
to her course, in the way she was manoeuvred.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802.
6/9
the express purpose of coping with the heavy American fri-
gates. His plan being approved, he was appointed, in Jan.
1813, to the Majestic, a third rate, ordered to be reduced, and
armed, according to his suggestion, with twenty-eight long 32-
pouriders, and the same number of 42-pr. carronades, to which
was added one long 12, as a chase gun. When ready for
sea, he proceeded to join the squadron employed under the
orders of Sir John B. Warren, on the Halifax station ; and
during the remainder of that year we find him charged with
the blockade of Boston, in which port the Constitution was
then lying ready for sea. On the 3d Feb. 1814, he captured
a French frigate in the vicinity of the Azores, whither he had
gone in quest of the American forty-four, which ship had
eluded his vigilance during a snow storm on the first of the
preceding month. We here subjoin an extract from his offi-
cial letter to Sir J. B. Warren, reporting the above capture :
" Majestic, at Sea, Feb. 5, 1814.
" At day-light on the morning of the third instant, in lat. 37° and long.
20°, being then in chase of a ship in the N. E. supposed to be one of the
enemy's cruisers, three ships and a brig were discovered about three leagues
off, in the S. S. E. of very suspicious appearance ; and they not answering
the private signal, I gave over the pursuit of the other, hoisted my colours,
and proceeded to reconnoitre them, when two of the ships immediately
gave chase to me. On closing within four miles, I discovered them to be
two 44-gun frigates, a ship mounting 20 guns, and a brig, which I could
not perceive to be armed. I determined on forcing them to shew their
colours, (which they appeared to wish to avoid,) and for that purpose stood
directly towards the headmost frigate, when she shortened sail, and brought
to for the other to close. I now made all sail, in the hope of being able to
get alongside of her before it could be effected, but in this I was foiled, by
her wearing, joining the other, and taking a station a-head and a-stern, with
the 20-gun ship and brig on their weather bow. They stood to the S. S. E.
with larboard studding-sails, and all the canvas that could be carried ; the
sternmost hoisting French colours. At 2U 15' P. M. she opened a fire
from the aftermost guns upon us ; and at three o'clock, being in a good
position, (going ten knots an hour,) I commenced firing with considerable
effect, the shot going either through, or just over the starboard quarter to
the forecastle, and passing over the larboard bow. At 4h 49' she struck
her colours to H. M. S. under iny command. The wind increasing, the
prize being in a state of great confusion, and night fast approaching,
obliged rne to stay by her, and to suffer the other frigate, with the ship
and brig, to escape. The sea got up so very fast that only 100 of the pri-
2v2
680 POST-CAPTAINS or 1802.
soners could be removed ; and even in effecting that, one boat was lost, and
2 Frenchmen were drowned : this, I hope, Sir, will plead my apology for
not bringing you the whole of them The captured ship is the Terpsi-
chore, of 44 guns, 18 and 24-pounders, and 320 men, commanded by
Francois Desire* Breton, capitaine de fregate ; the other was the Atalante,
exactly of the same force : they sailed from the Scheldt on the 20th Oct.
and went to 1'Orient, from whence they sailed again on the 8th ultimo, in
company with la Yade, a similar ship, which parted from them in lat. 45°
and long. 16° 40'. The enemy had 3 men killed, 6 wounded, and 2
drowned ; the Majestic none *."
On the 22d May following., Captain Hayes captured the
American letter of marque Dominica, (formerly H.M. schooner
of that name,) mounting 4 long six-pounders, with a com-
plement of 36 men.
The chief command on the coast of America had by this
time been transferred to Sir Alexander Cochrane ; and Cap-
tain Hayes was subsequently sent with a small squadron to
cruise off Sandy Hook, for the purpose of intercepting Com-
modore Decatur, who was about to sail from New York with
an armament intended to annoy our commerce in the East
Indies and China seas, and for which purpose he had hoisted
his pendant on board the President, a ship mounting thirty-
two long 24-pounders, twenty carronades of the same calibre
as the Majestic's, one 8-ii>ch brass howitzer, and six smaller
pieces of ordnance in her tops.
Notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of Captain Hayes
to keep his squadron close in with Sandy Hook, he had the
mortification to be repeatedly blown off by frequent gales ;
but the -very great attention paid to his instructions by his
associates, Captains Hope and Lumley, of the Endymion and
Pomone frigates, prevented separation; and whenever the
* The vessel that Captain Hayes was in pursuit of, when he discovered
the French frigates and their companions, was the Wasp, an American
privateer of 20 guns; and the other ship alluded to in the above letter, a
Spaniard, with a valuable cargo from Lima, captured by the enemy only a
few hours previous. The Atalante's commander has been justly censured
for not supporting his friend by closing with the Majestic; but the behaviour
of that officer does not lessen the credit due to Captain Hayes for his gal-
lantry in bearing down to attack the frigates, under circumstances which
rendered -it doubtful whether .he had not fallen in with an American
squadron.
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1802. 681
wind did force him from the coast, he invariably, on the gale
moderating, placed the ships under his orders on the point of
bearing from the Hook that he supposed, from existing cir-
cumstances, would be the enemy's track. That his indefati-
gable exertions were crowned with success will be seen by
the following extract from a letter addressed by him to Rear-
Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, dated Jan. 17, 1815 :
" On Friday (Jan. 13), the Tenedos joined me, with your order, to take
Captain Parker in that ship under my command. We were then in com-
pany with the Endymion and Pomone, off the Hook, and in sight of the
enemy's ships ; but that night the squadron was blown off again during a
violent snow-storm. On Saturday, the wind and weather became favor-
able for the enemy, and I had no doubt but he would attempt his escape
that night. It was impossible, from the direction of the wind, to get in
with the Hook j and, as before stated, (in preference tw closing the land
to the southward) we stood away to the northward and eastward, till the
squadron reached his supposed track. At the very instant of arriving at
that point, an hour before day-light, Sandy Hook bearing W. N. W. 15
leagues, we were made happy by the sight of a ship and a brig standing to
the S. E., and not more than two miles on the Majestic's weather bow;
the night signal for a general chase was immediately made, and promptly
obeyed by all the ships.
" In the course of the day, the chase became extremely interesting by
the endeavours of the enemy to escape, and the exertions of the Captains
to get their respective ships alongside of him ; the former by cutting away
his anchors, and throwing overboard every naoveable article, with a great
quantity of provisions ; and the latter by trimming their ships in every
way possible, to effect their purpose. As the day advanced the wind de-
clined, giving the Endymion an evklent advantage in sailing ; and Captain
Hope's exertions enabled him to get his ship alongside of the enemy, and
commence close action, at 5h 3(X P. M., which was continued with great
gallantry and spirit on both sides for two hours and a half, when the En-
dymion's sails being cut from the yards, the enemy got a-head. Captain
Hope taking this opportunity to bend new sails, to enable him to get his
ship alongside again, the action ceased, till the Pomone getting up at
Hh30'P. M. fired a few shot, when the enemy hailed to say he had
already surrendered. The ship on being taken possession of, proved to
be the President, commanded by Commodore Decatur. The vessel in
company with her was the Macedonian brig, which made her escape by
very superior sailing *.
* Commodore Decatur had left the remainder of his squadron at Staten
Island, with directions for them to join him at the island of Tristan
d'Acunha.
682 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
" And now, Sir, a very pleasing part of my duty is the bearing tes-
timony to the able and masterly manner in which the Endymion was con-
ducted, and the gallantry with which she was fought ; and when the effect
produced by her well-directed fire upon the President is witnessed, it
cannot be doubted but that Captain Hope would have succeeded in either
capturing or sinking her, had none of the squadron been in sight."
To the above account of the President's capture we shall
now only add an extract from Sir Henry Hotham's letter to
the commander-in- chief, enclosing Captain Hayes' report of
the action *.
" The present season of the year, and the dark nights of which he
availed himself, have not enabled him (Commodore Decatur) to elude the
vigilance of Captain Hayes, and the commanders of H. M. ships under his
orders, who have well discharged the important duty I assigned to them ;
and I beg leave to offer you my congratulations on the design of the Ame-
rican Government being defeated. * * * * The judicious conduct of Cap-
tain Hayes, in the direction of the force entrusted to his charge, and the
exertions exhibited by him, and by Captains Parker, Hope, and Lumley,
have justified the confidence I had placed in their zeal, and have rendered
them worthy of your approbation."
The Majestic being paid off at the termination of the war
with America, Captain Hayes remained without further em-
ployment till April, 1819, when he was appointed to super-
intend the ordinary at Plymouth. He received the insignia
of a C. B. as a reward for his meritorious services, at the
establishment of that order in 1815.
Captain Hayes is the author of a pamphlet on the subject
of Naval Architecture, his proficiency in which important
science is the result of many years professional experience
and deep consideration. His proposed system, we under-
stand, meets a point hitherto considered impracticable, viz : —
that of building a thousand vessels, if required, from a
given section, without the variation of a needle's point, re-
ducible ftom a first rate ship to a cutter, each possessing
excelling powers and advantages of every description, in their
respective class. Since the publication of the above pam-
phlet, in which he carefully abstained from saying, or even
hinting, that he had made any progress in the formation of
* The respective loss and damages sustained by the Endymion and Pre-
sident, with other particulars relative to those ships, will be given in our
memoir of Captain HENRY HOPE, C. B.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
683
such a system, two vessels have been built, in a royal dock-
yard, on his projection : the first, a cutter of about one hun-
dred and sixty tons, is said to embrace stability under canvas
with little ballast, great buoyancy, better stowage, and swifter
sailing qualities, than any model yet designed by known
schools of naval architecture. The second, a sloop of war,
is at present absent on her first experimental cruise, in com-
pany with two other vessels of the same class, one of which
was designed by Sir Robert Seppings ; and the other built
by the students of Portsmouth dock-yard, under the super-
intendence of Professor Inman. Delicacy forbids us saying
any thing more on this interesting subject at present ; but our
readers may rest assured that it will be renewed at a proper
opportunity.
SAMUEL CAMPBELL ROWLEY, ESQ.
THIS officer, a brother of Rear- Admiral Sir Josias Rowley,
Bart., K. C. B. M. P., was made a Commander April 6, 1799;
commanded the Terror bomb, during the expedition against
Copenhagen, in 1801 ; and obtained post rank, April 29, 1802 ;
from which period we find no mention of him till his appoint-
ment to the Laurel frigate, which took place about Feb. 1811.
On the 31st Jan. in the following year, he had the misfortune
to be wrecked, in consequence of striking on a sunken rock,
called the Govivas, when proceeding through the Teigneuse
passage, in company with the Rota and Rhin. His beha-
viour on this disastrous occasion was highly praise-worthy,
he having remained on the wreck, exposed to a heavy and
well-directed fire from the French batteries and field pieces,
till every officer, man, and boy, had been removed by the
boats sent from other ships in the offing to their relief. A
long account of the circumstances attending the Laurel's loss
will be found in the Naval Chronicle, v. 27, p. 228 et seq., by
which it appears that two of her crew, inspired by gratitude,
Captain Rowley having once pardoned them for attempting
to go on shore without leave, expressed their determination
of staying by him to the last, with the view of supporting
him in the water, should the ship go to pieces before any
684 PdST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
assistance could arrive ; and it is added, that from their un-
common dexterity as swimmers, they would most proba-
bly have succeeded. By the same account we learn that
the jolly-boat, with 2 men, broke adrift, and was supposed
to have been lost among the rocks, and that 96 officers and
men were taken prisoners ; among the former were 2 Lieu-
tenants, who had been sent on shore to solicit assistance from
the enemy, and to request the French commandant to cease
firing, but which he inhumanly refused, notwithstanding a
flag of truce and the signal of distress had previously been
displayed.
Captain Rowley was tried by a court-martial, and acquitted
of all blame on account of the loss of his ship, Feb. 19, 1812.
In 1815, he commanded the Impregnable of 104 guns, bearing
the flag of his brother, on the Mediterranean station 5 and he
has subsequently served as flag Captain to the same officer
on the coast of Ireland. He married, Sept. 16, 1805, Miss
Thompson, of Cork ; and received the freedom of that city in
a silver box, in 1819. His lady died about June 1821.
Agents.— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
BULKLEY MACWORTH PRAED, ESQ.
THIS officer is related to the London banker of the same
name ; and a protege of the late Earl St. Vincent. He com-
manded the Crash gun-brig during Sir Home Popham's ex-
pedition against Ostend in May, 1798 ; and was captured by
the enemy on the coast of Holland, Aug. 26, in the same year.
His commission as Commander is dated April 21, 1799; and
that of Post-Captain April 29, 1802. During the late war he
held an appointment in the Sea Fencible service.
SAMUEL MOTTLEY, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant, May 30, 1782 ; and
obtained the rank of Commander, April 29, 1799. In the
spring of 1801 we find him proceeding to the Cape of Good
Hope, in the Hindostan, a 54-gun ship armed en flute; and
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 685
subsequently commanding the Rattlesnake sloop of war, and
Diomede of 50 guns, on the same station ; from whence he
returned to England as a passenger on board the Leopard 50,
in Feb. 1803. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
During the late contest with France he held several appoint-
ments as a Regulating Captain of the Impress, and an Agent
for Prisoners of War ; but we believe he was never called into
active service.
EDWARD WALPOLE BROWNE, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in Nov. 1790 ; Com-
mander, June 25, 1799; and Post-Captain, April 29, 1802.
He was employed in the Sea Fencible service during part of
the late war.
JOHN ROUETT SMOLLETT, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1794 ; Commander,
Aug. 28, 1799; and Post-Captain, April 29, 1802.
. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
WILLIAM RICKETTS, ESQ.
THE subject of this memoir commenced his naval career
under the patronage of Sir John Jervis, afterwards Earl of
St Vincent ; served as a Midshipman on board that officer's
flag-ship, during the Spanish armament, in 1790 ; arid was
made a Lieutenant by him into the Woolwich 44, when pro-
ceeding to the attack of the French West India colonies, at
the latter end of 1793 ; previous to which he had acted in a
similar capacity on board the Queen, an armed vessel, em-
ployed on the Leith station.
During the operations carried on against the enemy in the
island of Martinique, Mr. Ricketts served on shore with the
naval battalion, commanded by Captain Josias Rogers, whom
he accompanied to the memorable assault of Fort Royal, on
the 20th March 1794 *. He subsequently received an ap-
* See Vol. I, note at p. 859.
686 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
pointment as first Lieutenant to the same officer, and pro-
ceeded with him in the Quebec, of 32 guns, to the coast of
America, where he was ohliged to quit that ship for the pur-
pose of recruiting his health. In 1798, we find him serving
as first Lieutenant of 1'Aigle frigate, on the Lisbon station ;
and afterwards re-joining his noble patron in the Ville de
Paris, a first rate ; from whence he was promoted to the com-
mand of El Corso, a brig mounting 18 guns, about the au-
tumn of 1799.
El Corso formed part of the squadron under Lord Nelson
at the capture of le Genereux, a French 74, bearing the flag
of Rear- Admiral Perree, and a large armed transport; the
former having a number of troops on board, and the latter
laden with stores, provisions, &c., for the relief of Malta, in
Feb. 1800.
The French army was at this time in possession of Egypt;
and Napoleon Buonaparte, feeling it necessary to conciliate
the Bashaw of Tripoli, had sent an emissary with some rich
presents to that chieftain's court ; and had so far succeeded
in his views as to cause the dismissal of Mr. Lucas, the
British Consul General, whose return at any future period
was positively forbidden by the barbarian government. Lord
Nelson, however, conceiving that the re-establishment of the
same functionary was intimately blended with the dignity of
Great Britain, no sooner heard of that gentleman's arrival at
Palermo/ than he instructed him to prepare for his immediate
return, and selected El Corso for his conveyance to Tripoli ;
a circumstance which produced a strong remonstrance from
Mr. Lucas on the inadequacy of that vessel's force for the
accomplishment of a service which he himself supposed would
require the presence of a strong squadron, and an officer of
very commanding rank. " My Lord," said he, " the cruelty
and perfidy of those barbarians can only be restrained by their
fears ; and you force me to return to a place where my life is
threatened, not with a squadron, not even in a frigate, but
simply in a small brig." « I know it," replied Nelson, coolly,
'' I know what I am about ; we do not ivant a squadron at
this time to blow the Bashaw's palace about his head, ive
want only the British flag, and an officer who has sense
POST-CAPTAINS OF -1802.
687
enough not to commit himself in new circumstances, and spirit
sufficient to repeat what I say when he arrives. Let Buona-
parte send his diamonds and his legions ; I send the represen-
tative of the British nation, and the British flag" " It will
not do, my Lord," exclaimed Mr. Lucas ; " you know not
the man ; his hands have been already dipped in the blood of
his father and brother ; he will think it an insult that I am
forced upon him in a brig of 18 guns." " Let him" re-
turned his lordship, " and what then ?" " I shall have the
bow-string at my throat," said the Consul in a mournful tone.
" Let him," repeated the hero, energetically, while fire seemed
to flash from his eye ; " only let him, I say, do that — / wish
he would" " My Lord !" exclaimed Mr. Lucas with as-
tonishment. tf Let him, I say," his lordship added, " and
ive will have a glorious burning pile" Then turning to
Captain Ricketts, and handing him the copy of a letter which
he had written to the Bashaw, with an intimation that he was
to guide himself by its contents, he directed him to put the
original into the Bashaw's own hands, and to see that Mr.
Lucas was fully reinstated in his office. " This," said his
lordship, " must be complied ivith ; and at all events, nothing
but force is to prevent you from landing him in the town ; then
let the Bashaw do his worst : but do not fail to tell /rim, in a
ivay he cannot misunderstand, that the British Consul must
be honorably received, or I and my fleet will soon be there"
In compliance with the orders of his determined chief, Cap-
tain Ricketts proceeded on his delicate mission, accompanied
by Mr. Lucas, whose alarm did not subside until he was con-
vinced that the menace of the British Admiral had made a
salutary impression upon the mind of the Bashaw, who after
some hesitation consented to receive him in his former capa-
city, with all due honours.
It should here be remarked, that the difficulties which
Captain Ricketts had to encounter were greatly aggravated
by the desertion of two of his crew, who took shelter in the
palace of the Bashaw's mother, and declared their resolution
to become Mahometans ; but who were given up to him on
his making a peremptory demand to that effect.
688 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
The address displayed by Captain Ricketts throughout his
negoeiation with the Bashaw, relative to Mr. Lucas, induced
Lord Nelson to send him a second time to Tripoli, on a bu-
siness of much delicacy, which he executed with nearly equal
success. Whilst thus employed it became necessary, from
diplomatic considerations, for him to give a dinner to the
different Consuls residing at that place, and to invite some of
the Bashaw's principal officers. Among the latter was the
Admiral of his ships, a Scotch renegade, who, after drinking
very freely, began to boast of his many successful enter-
prises ; and added, with furious imprecations, that the bright-
est prospect of his life had been forfeited by his own cursed
delicacy. This prospect, it appears, was his share of the
ransom that would have accrued from the seizure of the King
of Naples, whom he had once discovered amusing himself in
a fishing boat without guards, at a considerable distance from
Palermo ; and the delicacy alluded to was his abstaining from
making that monarch a captive, at a time when Naples and
Tripoli were at peace. This circumstance he had communi-
cated to the Bashaw ; who, so far from feeling a similar sen-
timent of delicacy, expressed considerable anger on the occa-
sion, and sternly charged him never again to let any thing
stand in the way of his capturing a King, and thereby se-
curing a royal ransom. With this splendid project still in
view, the Admiral had his flag then flying on board an English
built merchant vessel, armed with upwards of 20 guns, and
intended on all occasions, when near Palermo, to sail under
British colours, hoping that fortune would again favour him
with a sight of the illustrious fisherman. This momentous in-
telligence was communicated at the earliest opportunity to
Commodore Troub ridge, who undertook to apprise the King of
his danger ; but we cannot venture to say positively that it
contributed to save that august personage from so great a
calamity as captivity in Barbary ; for although we have been
told that he afterwards followed his favorite amusement with
greater caution, it is quite certain that not the slightest thanks
for information respecting the pirate's project were ever
transmitted to Captain Ricketts ; which appears the more ex-
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
traordinary, as his Majesty's gratitude was subsequently
evinced by the distribution of rings, snuff-boxes, and hono-
rary titles, on a variety of less important occasions.
We shall conclude this part of our memoir of Captain
Ricketts by observing, that during his visits to Tripoli he had
frequent interviews with the ruler of that province, who ap-
peared remarkably solicitous to show him every public honor,
and entered into conversation with him, not only with the
frankness of equality, but with what appeared to be the novel
delight of meeting a young man, whose conversation seemed
totally uninfluenced by any considerations of his grandeur,
his prejudices, or his power. The Bashaw, though his hands
had been so deeply stained in blood, as before stated, was
himself little more than thirty years of age, of a fine com-
manding person, open countenance, and generally frank
manner.
Captain Ricketts was subsequently employed in the block-
ade of Genoa ; and on one occasion we find him dispersing a
convoy laden with grain, for the use of the famishing garrison;
an event which greatly accelerated the fall of that important
city *. He also rendered an important service to the army
under Sir Ralph Abercromby, by giving that General timely
information of the disastrous turn of affairs occasioned by the
battle of Marengo, and cautioning him of the danger he would
have incurred by continuing his course towards the Genoese
capital, which had been re-occupied by the French, and from
whence he was but a short distance when fallen in with by
El Corso.
The subject of this memoir was next employed by Lord
Keith as senior officer in the Adriatic. His early proceedings
on that station are thus officially related by himself :
" El Corso, Ancona, Aug. 28, 1800.
" My Lord, — In compliance with your order to destroy the vessels in
the harbour, and make a proper example of the town of Ceseuatico, I pro-
ceeded with his Majesty's cutter the Pigmy, off that port ; but, finding it
impossible to get within grape-shot of the mole, was under the necessity of
deferring the attempt till the night of the 26th, when the boats of both
vessels, under the orders of Lieutenant Yeo, first of El Corso, proceeded
» See Vol. I, p. 53.
690 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
to Cesenatico, and soon after day-light I perceived them in possession of
the town, successfully maintaining a position against some French troops
in the neighbourhood ; but, about eight, observing a party of horse in
full speed from Cervia, I judged it prudent to call them immediately on
board, though not before we had the satisfaction of seeing that the gal-
lantry of Lieutenant Yeo, aided by Mr. Douglas, Master of the Pigmy,
had been crowned with the fullest success, the vessels and harbour at that
time forming but one flame ; and, that the intent of this enterprise might
not be lost on the coast, I shortly afterwards sent in the attached note. I
have the honor likewise to enclose the report of Lieutenant Yeo, and
remain, &c. &c.
(Signed) " W. RICKETTS."
" To the Right Hon. Vice-Admiral
Lord Keith."
" To the Inhabitants of Cesenatico.
" The treachery of your municipality, in causing to be arrested an
officer with despatches, has been long known to the British Admiral in
these seas. The municipality may now sadly know, that the severity of
judgment, long delayed, is always exemplary. That the innocent suffer
with the guilty, though much to be regretted, is the natural feature of
war ; and the more terrible infliction on this occasion, the more striking
the example should prove to surrounding muucipalities.
(Signed) " W. RIOKETTS."
Report.
" Of thirteen vessels of different descriptions lying within the mole of
Cesenatico, two were sunk and eleven burnt, one of them deeply laden
with copper money and bale goods ; the harbour choked by the wreck of
four, sunk in the mouth of it, and both piers entirely consumed.
(Signed) " J. L. YEO."
For this service Captain Ricketts received the thanks of
Lord Keith ; a letter of approbation from the Board of Ad-
miralty : and a congratulatory epistle from the Austrian
General Melas ; whilst his success at one time promised to
be productive of very important results. The people of the
Cisalpine states, irritated and disgusted by the pillage and
impiety of the French, had it seems come to a resolution of
throwing off their yoke, and by a general massacre freeing
themselves as they hoped for ever from Gallic tyranny ; but
as to those views they confessedly united the splendid and
alluring project of establishing the independence of their
country, fears were justly entertained by the leaders of the
insurrection that insurmountable obstacles would be thrown
in their way by the Austrians ; and to obviate this difficulty,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 691
they were desirous at this moment of obtaining the protec-
tion of the British flag. For that purpose some of their chiefs
entered the town of Ancona in disguise, obtained an interview
with Captain Ricketts, and after a few preliminary precautions,
explicitly opened to him the whole of their plans, which were
in substance the pouring down, at an appointed time, large
bodies of men from the Appem'nes, divided into three co-
lumns, whose march in the first instance would be directed
against as many principal cities, where the inhabitants 011
their approach were prepared to rise and massacre all the
French, who were to be found in office, or bearing arms, and
then instantly to proclaim their independence, which they
doubted not would spread a similar spirit like wild fire over all
the states of Italy. With the government of Great Britain
there was not time to communicate, neither did they wish for
any present supply of men, arms, or money, their sole object
being the protection of a flag, which would at least neutralize
the conduct of the Austrians, and give confidence to their par-
tizans at the general rising ; but this they conceived could not
be effected unless Captain Ricketts was personally among
them, and ostensibly their leader ; and they proposed that one
of his officers should hold an important command wherever
the British colours were displayed ; concluding with a positive
assurance that large bodies of men were already collected in
the mountains, and that the lower classes of the people were
generally prepared, and every where ardently disposed to rise.
Considering the safety of El Corso as of very little mo-
ment, when compared with the important consequences
that might result from encouraging this insurrection, Captain
Ricketts scarcely hesitated a moment to take on himself the
responsibility of the measure ; but he naturally required some
proofs of the existence of so extensive a conspiracy, beyond
the mere assertions of four titter strangers ; nor could he
under any circumstances authorise so shocking a retaliation
as that contemplated by them. After some discussion, in a
second interview, it was agreed that the French and their
partizans not actually opposing themselves in arms against
the insurrectionists, should be spared ; and generally, that all
those opposed to the rising of the people should be considered
692 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
as prisoners of war. To obviate the other objection respecting;
the authority and means of the negociators, a plan of attack
was agreed on, in which the officers and seamen of El Corso
could co-operate, without the British flag being committed in
any way inconsistent with its humanity or its glory ; and it
was finally determined that, on a certain night, Captain Rick-
etts, with nearly the whole of his crew, should proceed in
certain prize-vessels, drawing but little water, off the mole
head of Pesaro, then in possession of the French, and under
cover of the night wait for the commencement of an attack
by the insurrectionists on the land side. Accordingly, on the
night specified, Captain Ricketts proceeded with Lieutenant
Yeo, his surgeon, several other officers, and about 90 men,
embarked on board some trabacolos prepared for the occasion,
and waited off the mole, with extreme anxiety, until after the
day had dawned, totally unable to account for his disappoint-
ment ; which, however, was sufficiently explained in the next
interview with the chiefs, as well as by the voice of public
rumour, which stated that the Austrians had totally disap-
proved of the enterprise, and that their out-posts had refused
to suffer any of the persons connected with it to pass. It is
worthy of observation, that an Austrian column afterwards
marched through the Cisalpine territory, and took possession
of the different towns on the coast.
In the course of the same year Venice, the grand depot of
stores for the Imperial armies, was thrown into the greatest
consternation by the approach of a formidable French force,
and both the Minister of Marine and the Austrian Command-
ant wrote to Captain Ricketts, in the most urgent and de-
sponding terms, for the assistance of the vessels under his
orders ; the latter repeatedly stating that he was (e their only
hope," although at this time they had not only ships of the
line in their harbour, but frigates and numerous gun-boats at
sea, or on their canals ! He accordingly proceeded thither
with El Corso and the Pigmy, and took the necessary mea-
sures for assisting in the defence of that place, the inhabitants
of which were soon after relieved from their fears by an ar-
mistice between the contending powers. His promptitude
and judicious arrangements on this occasion obtained him the
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
most public and grateful thanks of the principal Austrian
authorities ; in addition to which he had the honor of receiving
a communication from Lord Minto, the British Ambassador
at Vienna, expressing his Imperial Majesty's " marked ap-
probation" of his conduct in hastening to the succour of a
city whose commerce had once been the wonder of the world,
whilst her fleets were the dread of the remotest of the Medi-
terranean shores.
On the 4th Jan. 1801, the merchants of Trieste presented
Captain Ricketts with a handsome diamond ring, accompanied
by the following letter, as an acknowledgment of his services
in the Adriatic :
" Sir, — The honorable nature of your proceedings in the Adriatic, the
protection you have afforded our commerce against the corsairs of France,
and the assistance which, on all occasions, you have rendered to the friends
of his Britannic Majesty, exact on our part, at the commencement of the
year, the warmest expressions of gratitude ; and in wishing you a happy
beginning of it, in the name of this body of merchants, we wish to mark
our acknowledgments ; and, in order to preserve us in your memory, have
presumed to accompany this with a small token of our respect. Wishing
you all manner of felicity, we remain, the deputation of the mercantile
body,
(Signed) " J. MANZEWANY ; LUZOVICK GOVANUCHI ;
" J. REYES ; FRAN. POTTE ; J. CATRARO ;
" SORREI REDE."
To this letter Captain Ricketts replied in the following
terms :
" El Corso, Trieste, Jan. 5, 1801.
" Gentlemen, — After five months incessant cruising on the shores of the
Adriatic, it is with singular satisfaction that, at the commencement of the
new year, I have received your elegant and flattering mark of approbation ;
and it is with peculiar earnestness I wish you to believe, that if any thing
on earth could augment my zeal in the cause we are labouring for, it
would be so honorable a testimony of successful service * from such re-
spectable characters as those who compose the trading community of
Trieste. I am, &c. &c.
(Signed) " WM. RICKETTS."
On his return from the Adriatic, Captain Ricketts touched
at Corfu, and there found letters from Lord Elgin, the British
* Among the numerous prizes captured by El Corso and her consort
during their continuance in the Adriatic, we find several armed vessels, but
none of force sufficient to merit particular notice.
VOL. II. 2 Z
604 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Ambassador at Constantinople, addressed to Sir John Borlase
Warren, earnestly requesting that officer to proceed with the
squadron under his orders to Zante, for the purpose of dis-
possessing a Colonel Calander, who had usurped the com-
mand in that island, and fomented an insurrection against the
Turks, under the unauthorised sanction of the British flag, at
a moment when the least interruption of the harmony sub-
sisting between England and the Porte would most likely have
proved beneficial to France, and might have been productive
of alarming consequences to our gallant army in Egypt. It
is obvious that a service which Lord .Elgin considered as
requiring the presence of an Admiral with a powerful squa-
dron, was but little likely to be effected by the commander of
a sloop of war, whose comparative insignificance might rather
invite opposition, and lead to slaughter, than terrify into
obedience, or produce pacific results : but the contents of his
Excellency's letter, and the exposed situation of the above-
mentioned army, seemed not to admit of a moment's delay ;
and Captain Ricketts accordingly resolved to try what could
be done. Accompanied by the President and Consul-General
of the Ionian republic, and followed by three Turkish frigates,
he immediately proceeded to the scene of revolt, succeeded
in overcoming all obstacles, (although a formidable band of
Albanians were in the service of the usurper, who had ordered
furnaces to be prepared for heating shot) and restored the
island to its rightful masters. In the performance of this ser-
vice he appears to have had a very narrow escape, a musket-
ball fired from the shore having passed between him and the
coxswain of his boat.
The letter of thanks which Captain Ricketts afterwards
received from Lord Elgin for his zealous exertions, was
couched in the most handsome and energetic terms ; but it
has been said, that, from circumstances not necessary to be
recited in this place, the service alluded to was not viewed by
the Foreign Office in an equally striking light. Be that as it
may, the Board of Admiralty evinced their perfect approval
of Captain Ricketts' conduct, by promoting him to post rank
on the 29th April, 1802. He subsequently commanded the
Dido of 28 guns ; and during the greater part of the late war
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 695
we find him holding an appointment in the Kentish district
of Sea Fencibles.
It is well known to those officers who held commands
previous to the peace of Amiens, that the private signals
then in use were much exposed to discovery in a variety of
cases, and consequently might, in the possession of an enemy,
have led to disastrous results. To obviate this danger, Cap-
tain Ricketts turned his attention to the subject, and planned
a code on an entirely different system, at once so simple as
to be readily understood by the meanest capacity ; and so safe
from discovery, that even if they lay open before an inquisitive
stranger, or fell into the hands of the keenest of our enemies,
no danger could be incurred, because it would be impossible
under such circumstances to comprehend them. This im-
proved code he submitted to his patron, the Earl of St. Vin-
cent, who entered at once into its merits, and lost no time in
returning a letter expressive of his strong approbation, ac-
knowledging the absolute necessity that existed for its adop-
tion, and offering to recommend it himself to the Admiralty,
although he feared he had no longer any influence there,
having some time before retired from office. This offer was
gratefully accepted by Captain Ricketts, who subsequently
made several applications on the subject, in consequence of
a report that a change was about to take place in the private
signals ; but at length, after the lapse of several years, he had
the mortification to receive his own code back without the
slightest comment, and to see another, somewhat similar,
though much more complex, brought into general use.
Captain Ricketts' zeal for the public service does not appear
to have been damped by this disappointment. In " Phillips's
Guide to all the Watering and Sea-Bathing Places," published
about 1809, we find the following notice under the head of
" Folkstone :"
" In 1808, the temporary rudder of Captain Ricketts was first used in
steering one of the Folkstone boats , and it was in the Clyde frigate, com-
manded by Commodore Owen, that the same officer's Sea Friend, better
known by the name of the Folkstone Machine, was successfully tried, and
found to perform the operation of working the great chain pumps of that
ship without the slightest assistance from any person on board."
2z2
696 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
The first of the above inventions was a temporary rudder,
which might be applied, under any circumstances, in a short
space of time, by means of a resource highly approved of by
H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, as being also well adapted to
Pakenham's rudder. The second was a machine occupying
little space, and easily placed so as to pump out ships by the
power of their way through the water. Captain Ricketts was
indebted to the kindness of Sir Richard Bickerton for an order
for the latter to be tried on board the Clyde, whose commander
reported favorably of its merits ; but at last, worn out by ill
Health, the apathy of others, and accumulating expenses, he
ceased to prosecute an invention that might have Jjeen of in-
calculable advantage to the navy and ships in general. The
apparatus, we believe, is still to be seen in Portsmouth dock-
yard.
The copy of an interesting paper on the subject of water-
spouts, transmitted by Captain Ricketts to Sir Joseph Banks,
in 1802, and afterwards deposited in the archives of the
Royal Society, will be found in the Naval Chronicle, Vol. xx,
p. 392 et seq. Several letters from its assiduous author,
containing the description of a nipper invented by him for the
purpose of facilitating the weighing of an anchor in cases
where it may be necessary, either from the weakness of the
messenger, or the insufficiency of the capstan's power, to
apply an additional purchase ; and various valuable sugges-
tions on other subjects also appear in the same rich repository,
at Vol. xx, p. 446 ; Vol. xxi, pp. 38, 212, 398 ; and Vol. xxiii,
p. 292. Their great length, and our scanty limits, prevent us
from giving them a place in this work, which we should other-
wise have felt great pleasure in doing.
Agent. M'Inerheny, Esq.
ALEXANDER SKENE, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1J93 ; and obtained
the rank of Commander, in the Lynx sloop of war, on the
Halifax station, Nov. 18, 1799. His post commission bears
date April 29, 1802. At the commencement of the late war
he commanded the Lapwing of 28 guns ; and subsequently
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
697
the Leander 50, bearing the flag of the late Sir Andrew
Mitchell, on the coast of America. His next appointment
was to the Guerriere frigate, in which he captured the Mal-
vina and Peraty, French privateers, the former of 14 guns and
60 men, the latter (formerly H. M. cutter Barbara) of 12 guns
and 90 men. The Peraty was discovered cruising in the
track of a valuable Jamaica fleet, of which she had obtained
most correct information, as to their strength, number, and
situation, from the master of an American brig, who had
himself claimed and received the protection of that convoy,
which he betrayed to the enemy in twenty-four hours after
parting company.
Captain Skene was afterwards appointed in succession to
the Hussar frigate, and several line-of-battk ships, on various
stations. Towards the close of the late contest with America
he served as Flag-Captain to the Hon. Sir Alexander Cochrane ;
as also during part of that officer's recent command at Ply-
mouth. He married, Mar. 30, 1814, Miss Charlotte Fordyce,
niece to the Marquis of Huntley ; and died at Edinburgh,
Sept. 14, 1823. His brother John, a Lieutenant of the 42d
regiment, fell a victim to the Walcheren fever, Oct. 3, 1810.
A miniature of Captain Skene, by A. Robertson, was ex»
hibited at the Royal Academy, in 1805.
HON. WILLIAM LE POER TRENCH.
Secretary to the Board of Customs and Port Duties in Ireland.
THIS officer is a brother of Richard, Earl of Clancarty,
G. C. B., his Majesty's Ambassador to the King of the Ne-
therlands ; also of the Right Rev. Dr. Trench, Archbishop
of Tuam ; and of the gallant Colonel Sir Robert Trench,
K. C. B. K. T. S. He was born in July 1771 ; made a Lieu-
tenant in 1793 ; promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, April
29, 1802 ; and appointed to his present situation in 1819.
EDWARD SNEYD CLAY, ESQ.
IN Sept. 1793 we find this officer serving on board the
Alcide, a third rate, forming part of the squadron under Com-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
\
modore Linzee, employed in co-operation with the Corsican
General Paoli *. He was a Lieutenant of the Venerable, and
received a severe wound, in the battle off Camperdown, Oct. 11,
17971" ; after which he removed with Lord Duncan into the
Kent, a new 74-gun ship, in which he continued till Aug.
1799, when he was selected by that nobleman to carry home
his despatches announcing the fall of the Helder, and the
consequent opening of the Texel to the British fleet J. Lord
Duncan, on that occasion, adverting to his want of time to
give a more detailed account of the proceedings of the ex-
pedition sent against Holland, referred the Board of Admiralty
to Lieutenant Clay for further particulars, and described him
as " an intelligent and deserving officer."
Lieutenant Clay was promoted to the command of the
Zebra bomb, Dec. 3, 1799 ; and in the following year he
accompanied Vice-Admiral Dickson to Elsineur, on a service
already noticed at p. 348 et seq. of our first volume. He also
served during the expedition against Copenhagen in the
spring of 1801 §. His post commission bears date April 29,
1802.
From this period we find no particular mention of Captain
Clay till Dec. 18, 1810, when he had the misfortune to be
wrecked in the Nymphe frigate, under his command, at the
entrance of the Frith of Forth ; a disaster occasioned by his
pilot mistaking a lime kiln, burning at Broxmouth, for the
May light, and the latter for the Bell rock, in which opinion
the Master of the Nymphe unfortunately coincided.
Agent.— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
THOMAS RICHBELL, ESQ.
Resident Magistrate of the Thames Police Office-
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant Jan. 14, 1780; a Com-
mander Dec. 26, 1799 ; and a Post-Captain April 29, 1802.
He regulated the Impress service at the Tower during the
whole of the late war ; and succeeded the late Mr. Harriott
* See note f at p. 189. f See Vol. I, note at p. 150 et seq.
* See id, note at p. 414 et seq. § See id. p. 365 et seq.
POST- CAPT AIMS OF 1802. 690
a« a Thames Police Magistrate in 1816. Several of th« pro-
ductions of his pencil hare been exhibited at the Royal Aca-
demy, of which he is an Honorary Member.
BENJAMIN CARTER, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Rev. H. Carter, Rector of
Whittenham, Berks. ; and a nephew of the celebrated Mrs.
Elizabeth Carter. He entered the naval service, in 1785, as
a Midshipman on board the Weazle sloop of war, commanded
by the late Sir Samuel Hood, with whom he continued in
that vessel, and the Thisbe and Juno frigates, on the Halifax,
Jamaica, and Channel stations, till 1793 j when he joined the
Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of the late Lord
Bridport, under whom he served till his promotion to the
rank of Lieutenant, which took place a short time previous to
the battle of June 1, 1794.
After serving between two and three years in the Assistance
44, Mr. Carter returned to the Royal George, of which ship
he became first Lieutenant prior to the resignation of Lord
Bridport in April 1800, when he received a Commander's
commission ; but he does not appear to have been employed
in that capacity. He obtained post rank April 29, 1802.
Captain Carter's subsequent appointments were to com-
mand the Sea Fencibles in the Isle of Thanet y and to regulate
the Impress service, first at Liverpool, and latterly at Cork.
He has been on half-pay ever since the early part of 1812 *.
Agent — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
CHARLES INGLIS, ESQ.
THIS officer was first Lieutenant of the Jason frigate, com-
manded by the present Vice-Admiral Stirling, and greatly
distinguished himself in the action with la Seine, of 42 guns
and 610 men, as will be seen by the following extract from
his Captain's official letter to Admiral Lord Bridport, dated
July 2, 1798 :
" In the early part of the battle I had the mortification to be wounded,
* Captain Carter has two brothers in H. M. service. See p. 700.
700 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
and was obliged to leave the deck ; but my misfortune is palliated by the
reflection that the service did not suffer by my absence, for no man could
have filled my place with more credit to himself, and benefit to the state,
than my first Lieutenant, Mr. Charles Inglis, whom I beg leave to recom-
mend in the strongest manner for his bravery, skill, and great exertions *."
We next find Lieutenant Inglis serving in the Penelope
frigate, under the command of Captain (now Sir Henry) Black-
wood, at the capture of le Guillaume Tell, a French 80-gun
ship, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Decres f, on which
occasion he received the following letter from his friend Lord
Nelson :
" My dear Sir, — How fortunate I did not permit you to quit the Pene-
lope, to be a junior Lieutenant in the Foudroyant. You will now get your
promotion, in the pleasantest of all ways, by the gallant exertions of your-
self and those brave friends who surrounded you on that glorious night.
What a triumph for you — what a pleasure to me ! What happiness to
have the Nile fleet all taken under my orders arid regulations ! Black-
wood's coming to me at Malta, and my keeping him there, was something
more than chance. Ever, my dear Sir, believe me your truly sincere
friend,
(Signed; " NELSON and BRONTE."
" To Lieut. Inglis, Gme. Tell, Syracuse."
The subject of this memoir was subsequently made a Com-
mander, and appointed to the Peterel sloop of war, which
vessel he joined at Rhodes, in Oct. 1800. His post com-
mission bears date April 29, 1802. His services during
the greater part of the late war are identified with those of
Admiral Sir George Martin, whose flag ship he at present
commands J.
Agents. — Messrs Goode and Clarke.
CHARLES CARTER, ESQ.
THIS officer is a brother of Captain Benjamin Carter, R. N.,
whose name appears immediately above the preceding sketch $
and of Brevet-Major Carter, R. M. He entered the naval
* For an account of the action see Vol. I, p. 403.
t See id. p. 643.
I Sir George Martin succeeded Sir James Hawkins Whitshed as Com-
mander-in-chief at Portsmouth, in Feb. 1824. His flag is on board the
Victory of 104 guns.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 7^1
service in the summer of 1783, as a Midshipman on board
the Hermione frigate, commanded by Captain John Stone, a
friend of his uncle, John Carter, Esq., one of the senior Ma-
gistrates of Kent; with whom he continued on the West
India and Halifax stations till the latter end of 1785. He
subsequently served under Sir Charles M. Pole,, in the Crown
of 64 guns ; from which ship he removed, at the commence-
ment of 1787, into the Scorpion sloop of war, at that time
employed on Channel service, but afterwards sent to the
coast of Guinea and the Leeward Islands, from whence she
returned under the command of Sir Charles Hamilton, after
an absence of nearly three years.
The Scorpion being paid off at the commencement of the
Spanish armament, Mr. Carter was turned over with her
other.petty officers and crew to the Leopard of 50 guns ; but
as that ship was destined for foreign service, and he had
nearly served a sufficient time to qualify him for a commis-
sion, his uncle's intimate friend, the late Admiral Sir Thomas
Pasley, kindly consented to receive him on board the Belle-
rophon 74 ; and when he had passed his examination recom-
mended him to the patronage of Earl Howe, from whose
flag-ship he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Novem-
ber 22, 1790.
During the Russian armament, in 1791, he served on board
the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral
Faulknor ; and we subsequently find him crossing the Channel
for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the French lan-
guage, fencing, &c., in which manner he employed his time
until the beginning of 1793, when he returned home in con-
sequence of the approaching war between Great Britain and
France.
On his arrival in England, Lieutenant Carter reported him-
self to the Admiralty, and was immediately appointed to the
Trimmer sloop of war, on the Jersey station, where he assisted
at the capture of one of the first armed vessels taken under
the tri- coloured flag.
The Trimmer being paid off, on account of her defective
state, shortly after Mr. Carter had returned from conducting
the above prize into Falmouth, be was then appointed third
702 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Lieutenant of the Alexander 74, commanded by Captain
R. R. Bligh, whom he gallantly supported in his memorable
defence against a powerful French squadron under Rear-
Admiral Neilly, an event already alluded to in our memoir of
Captain F. P. Epworth, and which will be more fully noticed
hereafter.
The treatment experienced by Lieutenant Carter and his
fellow captives, affords us an instance of the brutal and fero-
cious conduct of the friends of " Liberty and Equality,"
towards those who had the misfortune to fall into their hands
at that unhappy epoch. On their arrival at Brest, after being
stripped of every article of property, except the clothes on
their backs, they were put on board a prison ship, but soon
transferred from thence to a castle (originally a receptacle
for culprits under sentence of death), where they were con-
fined in cells with naked walls, having neither tables, chairs,
nor any other furniture, and obliged to sleep on straw, with-
out the least covering. In this miserable abode they passed
three months, during which the fever, so common in crowded
gaols, proved fatal to many, and numbers died for want of
the common necessaries of life, their diet consisting of nothing
more than black bread, horse-bean soup, and occasionally a
scanty supply of salt fish *.
In order to escape from such a scene of wretchedness,
Lieutenant Carter agreed with Captain Cracraft, late of H. M .S.
Daphne, and Lieutenant Godench of the Alexander, to try
* " Officers and men shared the same lot ; they were denied the com-
monest rations of provisions, and reduced to starvation. A wretched dog
that had crept into the cells was kitted, and his head alone sold for a dollar,
to satisfy the cravings of nature. A prisoner, in a state of delirium, threw
himself into the well within the prison walls : his dead body, after
lying some time was taken out, but no other water allowed to the people
to drink. An English lady and her daughters, confined along with the
men, had no separate apartment, and all their privacy was supplied by
the generous cornmisseration of the British sailors, who, standing side by
side close together, with their backs towards the fair captives, formed a
temporary screen while they changed their garments." See BRBNTON'S
Naval History, Vol. I, p. 364. N. B. Th« number of prisoners confined
in the castle amounted originally to 700, among whom were many women
and children.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 703
the experiment of scaling the castle wall, and breaking their
way into a depot of military equipage adjoining the back wall
of their dungeon. This enterprise was undertaken in the
dead of the night, while all but those engaged in the plot were
asleep ; and at dawn of day they were enabled, by forcing a
door of the store room, to reach the extremity of the prison
court-yard, which led by a circuitous road to the town of
Brest.
Pushing on with rapid strides, and singing the favorite
national air of the Carmagnoli, Lieutenant Carter and the
other two officers, dressed in the garb of sailors, and
wearing the tri-coloured cockade as a deception, succeeded
in reaching the hotel de la Republique, a house used by
tfce masters of American vessels, one of whom had pre-
viously made arrangements for secreting them there until
an embargo then existing should be removed, when it was
hoped they would be able to smuggle themselves on board
his ship. In this expectation, however, they were unfor-
tunately disappointed; for on approaching the place of
embarkation, Lieutenant Carter was recognized by a young
aspirant belonging to the Marat, with whom he had formerly
conversed in French, and who now caused him to be seized,
and conducted with Captain Cracraft, under an escort, to the
Amiraly a place of security erected near the quay, where they
were locked up in a small room, admitting little or no light,
and detained, with nothing to support nature but bread and
water, and without a chair or any resting place till the next
day, when they were conducted back to the castle, which,
with all its horrors, was a palace when compared to their
temporary prison. Lieutenant Godench, by mixing with the
crowd on the quay, fortunately effected his escape.
After this unsuccessful attempt, Lieutenant Carter was
agreeably surprised to find the republicans relax a little in
their rigorous treatment of himself and his fellow prisoners,
it being ordered that two persons from every mess, without
discrimination, should be permitted to go out of the castle
and receive their rations at the Commissary's office, which
was situated about a furlong from the gate, instead of having
their wretched portion brought to them by the gaolers ; an
704 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
indulgence they gladly availed themselves of, as it afforded
them the benefit of a little fresh air, than which nothing could
have been a greater luxury.
On one of those occasions a noted gaoler, known by the
name of Peter, seized the subject of this memoir by the collar, in
order to give the preference of going out to a seaman whom he
knew. Indignant at this attack upon his person, Lieutenant
Carter lost all command of himself, and with his fist knocked
the rascal bleeding to the ground, where he lay for some time,
vociferating " corporal du garde" with all his might. A file
of soldiers soon arrived on the spot, and proceeded to search
for the offender, who, listening to the advice of his friends, had
in the interval put on a female dress, as the only chance of
escaping their vengeance, an assault on a republican being
deemed a capital offence, and mercy out of the question. A
strict scrutiny ensued ; but Lieutenant Carter had the good
fortune to elude the enemy's vigilance, and remain undis-
covered in his metamorphosed state, till time and a coup
d' argent had had the effect of allaying the resentment of the
wretch through whom his life had thus been brought into
jeopardy.
It was about this period that the Alexander's officers re-
solved to make their distressing situation known to Admiral
Villaret de Joyeuse, who commanded the French naval forces
at Brest, and to request his interference with the government
in their behalf. Accordingly a memorial, drawn up by Lieu-
tenant Carter, and bearing their respective signatures, was
forwarded to that officer, whose reply thereto, and their
subsequent removal to Quimper on parole, are presumptive
proofs that he as an individual ought not to be charged with
having contributed to their sufferings *.
Encouraged by this favorable commencement, Lieutenant
Carter now entered into correspondence with other French
authorities ; and at length, in May 1J95, he was ordered to
be exchanged for Mons. la Cosse, an officer of the same rank,
who had been captured by Earl Howe on the 1st June, 1J94.
On his return to England, in a neutral vessel from Morlaix,
* For a copy of the French Admiral's letter see pp. 562 and 563.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 705
he was appointed to the Magnificent 74, on the North Sea
station; and we subsequently find him serving as first Lieu-
tenant of the Galatea, a 32-gun frigate, forming part of a
squadron employed in the Channel under the orders of Sir
John Borlase Warren, who makes very honorable mention of
his conduct in boarding and assisting at the destruction of
1'Andromaque, of 44 guns and 300 men, near Arcasson, on
the 23d Aug. 1796, the particulars of which event, and others
not already noticed in our memoir of his commander, the
present Admiral Sir Richard G. Keats, will appear in the
supplement to this work.
Lieutenant Carter continued in the Galatea, and shared in
a series of active services under the command of Captain
Keats, and his successor, Captain Byng, now Viscount Tor-
rington, until promoted to the rank of Commander, May 15,
1800; on which occasion he was appointed to the Adventure,
a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, and attached to the armament
then about to sail from Cork for the purpose of making a
diversion on the enemies' coasts, and of ultimately joining the
grand expedition destined against the French army in Egypt.
To his great disappointment, however, the Adventure, after
conveying the 82d regiment to Belleisle, Corunna, Cadiz,
Tetuan, and Minorca, was found to be in so leaky a state as
to render it impossible for her to continue on that service ; in
consequence of which she was ordered to carry Sir James
Pulteney and his staff, with the 52d regiment to Lisbon, from
whence she returned home in the spring of 1801 ; and being
surveyed, was soon after put out of commission.
Captain Carter was advanced to post rank April 29, 1802,
and appointed to a command in the Sea Fencible service about
July, 1803 ; from which time he appears to have been sta-
tioned in the Isle of Wight till the dissolution of that corps
in March 1810. During his continuance there he made re-
peated applications for an appointment more congenial to his
zealous disposition ; and two days after the discharge of the
above force we find him endeavouring to prevail upon the
nobleman then at the head of the Admiralty to employ him
actively afloat, by oflferiiig to serve without pay, depending
on his own exertions against the enemy for remuneration ;
706 POiT-CAPTAlNS OF 1802.
but this, like all his former efforts, proved unavailing, and
he was again compelled to yield to a state of painful inactivity,
whilst his more fortunate brother officers were reaping laurels,
and laying the foundation of future ease for themselves, and
competence for their families.
In Aug. 1813, the subject of this memoir was appointed to
superintend the impress service at Gravesend ; and he sub-
sequently received a commission to command El Corso as a
post ship, in consequence of his suggesting the propriety of
placing the vessel destined to receive the men under the direct
controul of the Regulating Captain ; by which means, among
other advantages, the prompt co-operation of her boats with
those belonging to the establishment on shore, might always
be depended upon.
El Corso was paid off at the termination of the war in
1814 ; but on the renewal of hostilities in the following year,
Captain Carter commissioned the Port Mahon, and resumed
his station on the river Thames, where he continued, under
the orders of Sir Home Popham, till Aug. 12, 1816, since
which he has not been employed.
Captain Carter married Sophia Holmes, youngest daughter
of that excellent officer, the late Admiral Sir Richard Rodney
Bligh, G. C. B., under whom he had so bravely fought at the
commencement of the French revolutionary war. By that
lady he has issue six sons and two daughters, the whole of
whom are under age.
THOMAS BROWNE, ESQ.
THIS officer entered the naval service at an early age as a
Midshipman on board the Thetis frigate, commanded by Cap-
tain John Blankett, to whom he had been recommended by
the late Hon. Admiral Barrington, whose patronage he en-
joyed in consequence of a family connexion.
After serving for a considerable time in the Thetis, and
witnessing Captain Blankett's spirited conduct in resenting an
insult offered to the British flag by a Venetian Commodore *,
* During the general peace which succeeded the contest between Great
Britain and her American colonies, the Thetis, on entering the bay of
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Mr. Browne joined the Carysfbrt of 28 guns, in which ship
he completed his time as a petty officer on the Mediterranean
station. We subsequently find him on board the Barfleur
and Royal George, three-deckers, bearing the flag of Vice-
Admiral Barrington; with whom he continued till his pro-
motion to the rank of Lieutenant about the close of 1790.
JEarly in 1793, Lieutenant Browne received an appoint-
ment to the Intrepid 64 ; and during the ensuing four years he
appears to have been engaged in a great variety of services on
the West India station, particularly at St. Domingo, where
he was frequently landed with a division of seamen, to assist
the British troops in their contest with Toussaint de TOuver-
ture, and other native chiefs in the French interest ; a contest
attended with an alternate series of good and bad fortune, but
from which our brave countrymen were at length obliged to
retire, in consequence of the sad reduction of their force by
that dreadful scourge the yellow fever, which is said to have
carried off no less than J 2,000 soldiers and 500 sailors, pre-
vious to the evacuation of the island.
In Feb. 1796, the Intrepid chased a French ship of war
into a small cove near Porto Plata, on the north side of
St. Domingo, where she was boarded and taken possession of
by Lieutenant Browne, whose conduct on this occasion is
deserving of great praise, he having volunteered to attack her
Tunis, accompanied by the Sphyax of 20 guns, was fired at three times by
a Venetian 84, bearing the broad pendant of a Commodore, and forming
part of a large squadron then employed in the blockade of that port.
Indignant at such conduct, and observing that the last shot passed close
under his bows, Captain Blankett lost no time in anchoring alongside of
the Venetian, and demanding an ample apology. In this situation the
ships remained till the following day ; when the Commodore, who had
previously sent a corvette to communicate with his Admiral in the offing,
suddenly got under weigh and proceeded to sea. Captain Blankett here-
upon made the signal to slip and chase ; and on closing with the fugitive
gave her a shot, which being allowed to pass unnoticed, a second was dis-
charged with so much precision, as to graze the rail of the stern-gallery,
where the Commodore and his officers were assembled. This unexpected
salute caused the Venetian to bring up all standing ; and the British ships
having soon after anchored, with springs on their cables, in a very advan-
tageous position, her commander was at length constrained to make the
required apology.
708 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
with the boats, after his Captain, the Hon. C. Carpenter, had
been induced to haul off from the shore, through the repre-
sentations of his pilot, and an officer commanding a cutter
under his orders, the former of whom refused to take charge
of the Intrepid if any attempt were made to follow the enemy,
whilst the latter, who had been sent to reconnoitre, reported
that they had landed some guns and thrown up a battery for
the purpose of defending their ship, which then lay aground.
She proved to be la Per§ante, of twenty 9-pounders, and six
brass 2-pounders, with a complement of near 200 men, the
whole of whom fled on Lieutenant Browne's approach, and
groped their way through the prickly-pear bushes to a town
at some distance. The prize being got off without damage,
was taken into the King's service, and named the Jamaica.
Lieutenant Browne returned to England with his health
greatly impaired by the pestilential climate of St. Domingo ;
notwithstanding which he continued in active service until
promoted to the command of the Chapman armed ship, in
1800, previous to which he had been appointed, as first Lieu-
tenant, to several frigates, and the Elephant of 74 guns. His
post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
We now lose sight of Captain Browne till the spring of
1806, when he assumed the command of the Tonnant, an
80-gun ship, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Eliab Harvey,
under whom he served in the Channel fleet till May 1809.
He subsequently held an appointment in the Sea Fencibles ;
and after the dissolution of that corps acted as Flag-Captain
to Rear-Admiral T. Byam Martin, in the Aboukir of 74 guns,
which ship he commanded during the siege of Riga ; on which
occasion between 300 and 400 of his crew were daily lent to
the gun-boats employed in the defence of that city.
Captain Browne was next appointed to the Ulysses 44,
and stationed in the Belt, for the protection of convoys passing
to and from the Baltic. In Dec. 1813, he conducted the
army under Sir Thomas Graham to the Scheldt ; and in the
following summer escorted a fleet of merchantmen to Jamaica.
On his return from thence he was nominated Commodore on
the coast of Africa, where he had the satisfaction of destroy-
ing the only two British slave factories that had been suffered
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 709
to exist until his arrival, one of which contained three hundred
houses and a great quantity of stores. The squadron under
his orders also captured thirty sail of vessels employed in the
negro trade ; and many more would no doubt have shared
the same fate, but for the circumstance of his being obliged to
leave the station in order to procure supplies at St. Helena,
the provisions of the ships ordered to convoy the homeward
bound trade having been completed from the Ulysses.
At St. Helena, Captain Browne received information of
Buonaparte's flight from Elba ; and finding a very valuable
fleet of Indiamen waiting there for the protection of a ship
of war, he resolved to sacrifice his prospects of making a
fortune rather than allow them to run the risk of being cap-
tured. Unfortunately the passage home presented him with
no opportunity of resigning his charge to any other ship of
force ; and tranquillity having been restored in Europe pre-
vious to his arrival, the service he had rendered was not
looked upon in so important a light as it otherwise would
have been. It was, however, fully appreciated by the Hon.
East India Company, who voted him a larger sum for the
purchase of plate than had ever been given to any Captain
before him *. Since that period he has not been employed.
Mrs. Browne is the eldest daughter of the late Jen-
kins, Esq., who was lost in a hurricane on the West India
station, just after his promotion to the command of the Gua-
chapin sloop of war. Her grandfather and great-grandfather
were also commissioned officers in the royal navy.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
RIGHT HON. LORD EDWARD O'BRYEN.
THIS officer is a brother of the Marquis of Thomond, and
of Lord James O'Bryen, Captain R. N. f He obtained post-
rank April 29, 1802 ; and was Private Secretary to Lord
Mulgrave, during that nobleman's naval administration.
His lordship has been three times married ; viz. 1st, in
1805, to Diana, eldest daughter of General George Hotham,
* The fleet alluded to was worth 10,000,OOOJ, sterling,
t Seep. 212.
VOL. II. 3 A
710 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
and niece of William Lord Hotham : 2dly, April 11, 1815,
Gertrude Grace, youngest daughter of Paul Cobb Methuen,
Esq., of Corsham House, co. Wilts, by whom he had two
children : and, 3dly, April 16, 1822, Lady Elizabeth Somer-
set, second daughter of the Duke of Beaufort.
Agents. — Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
FRANCIS GODOLPHIN BOND, ESQ.
THIS officer received his first commission May 14, 1782;
served as first Lieutenant of the Providence armed ship, under
the command of Captain William Bligh, during the bread-
fruit expedition in 1/91 and following years * ; and ob-
tained the rank of Commander for his active exertions in the
Netley schooner on the Lisbon station, towards the con-
clusion of the French revolutionary Avar. He was made a
Post-Captain April 29, 1802, and appointed to a command
in the Sea Fencibles about June 1803 ; from which period we
find no farther mention of his name.
Agent. — J. Hinxman, Esq.
• — — —
STEPHEN FOLVIL, ESQ.
.
THIS officer was educated at the college of Navarre ; and
prepared for the naval service at Bettesworth's celebrated
marine academy, so often mentioned in the course of this
work. He embarked as a Midshipman on board the Nar-
cissus, of 20 guns, commanded by the late Vice-Admiral
d'Auvergne f in 1787 3 and subsequently served under Cap-
tains Salisbury, Hicks, and Archibald Dickson, in the An-
dromeda frigate, Powerful 74, and Egmont of the same force J,
* See note * at p. 630.
t Captain Folvil is directly descended from the ancient and highly
respectable family of la Tour d'Auvergne : but he is not, as has been
supposed, in any way related to the late Vice-Adrnirai d'Auvergne.
J Whilst in the Andromeda Mr. Folvil had his nose and right leg broke
by the snapping of a hawser ; and previous to his leaving that ship he
appears to have had a very narrow escape, a boat in which he was em-
ployed being swamped during a gale of wind in a dark night, by which
accident 7 out of 9 persons were drowned,
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802. 711
which latter ship formed part of Lord Hood's fleet at the
occupation of Toulon in 1793 ; and was afterwards employed
in the reduction of St. Fiorenzo, on which occasion Mr. Fol-
vil assisted in person at the capture of Mortella tower, and
the attack of Convention redoubt, &c., services already de-
scribed at p. 250 of our first volume. He was also employed
on shore with the army during other operations in the island
of Corsica.
On the promotion of Captain Dickson, Mr. Folvil removed
into the Britannia, a first rate, bearing the flag of Vice -Ad-
miral Hotham ; but after a week's absence returned to the
Egmont, then commanded by the present Sir John Sutton,
under whom he served as a Lieutenant in the actions of March
14 and July 13, 1795; at the evacuation of Corsica; and in
the memorable battle of Feb. 14, 1797- He likewise com-
manded a boat under that officer's directions at the capture
of a frigate and some other armed vessels at Tunis, in the
spring of the preceding year *.
Mr. Folvil returned to England as first Lieutenant of the
Egmont ; and afterwards served with Captain Sutton in the
Superb of 74 guns, on the Irish, Channel, and Mediterranean
stations. His promotion to the rank of Commander took
place during Earl Spencer's visit to the grand fleet, about
Dec. 1800; and was rendered the more gratifying by his
being the only one, out of thirty officers filling similar situa-
tions, who obtained advancement on that occasion. During
the remainder of the war he commanded the Sally armed ship,
and was employed in convoying the trade to and from the
Baltic sea and German rivers. Whilst on that service he
apprehended a man who had formerly belonged to the ill-
fated Hermione ; and was fortunate enough to have an oppor-
tunity of affording protection to that gallant veteran the late
Prince of Conde. His post commission bears date April 29,
1802 ; subsequent to which he held an appointment in the
Sea Fencible service, on the N. W. coast of Ireland, but was
never employed afloat, although strongly recommended.
Captain Folvil married a daughter and co-heiress of Robert
* See Vol. I, p. 254.
3A2
JT2 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1802.
Nesbitt, of Moylugh, co. Tyrone, Esq., by whom he has two
sons and three daughters.
Agent. — J. Copland, Esq.
ARCHIBALD DICKSON, ESQ.
THIS officer obtained the rank of Post-Captain April 29,
1802 ; and commanded the Akbar of 50 guns, on the South
American station, at the close of the late war.
Harry Cook, Esq.
WILLIAM HENRY BROWN TREMLETT, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Mr. George Tremlett, a
Master in the R. N., by Mary, only child of Mr. Tuck, Soli-
citor, of Langley Hall, near Chippenham, in Wiltshire*. He
was born at Dartmouth, where his uncle held the situation of
Collector of the Customs, Nov. 15, 1777; and embarked as a
Midshipman on board the Salisbury 50, bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Elliot, in 1788. During the Spanish and Rus-
sian armaments he served in the same ship, under Vice-
Admiral Milbanke, on the Newfoundland station f ; and at
the commencement of the French revolutionary war we find
him joining the Royal Sovereign, a first rate, in which ship
he assisted at the defeat of the French fleet on the memorable
1st June, 1794 I.
The Royal Sovereign formed part of the squadron under
Vice-Admiral Cornwallis, when that veteran officer effected
his highly celebrated retreat § ; soon after which Mr. Trem-
lett was made a Lieutenant, and appointed to the Lion, a
* Captain Tremlett's father was brought up in the royal navy, and
served as a Midshipman during the reign of George II. He was on board
the Zephyr of 14 guns, when that sloop beat off a French 3G-gun frigate,
after a battle of four hours. His cousin, the Rev. John Gancly, is the
present venerable and truly respectable Rector of St. Andrews, Plymouth.
Captain T.'s grandfather was a merchant at Exeter.
f The Salisbury was successively commanded by Captains Erasmus
Govver, William Domett, and Edward Pellew.
I See Vol. I, p. 336. § See id. note * at p. 354.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
713
64-gun ship, attached to the expedition then about to sail
for the West Indies, under Rear-Admiral Christian.
In 1796, the Lion was employed on the North Sea station,
where Lieutenant Tremlett brought himself into notice by his
intrepid conduct in rescuing the crew of the Reunion frigate
from the very perilous situation in which they were placed by
her striking on a sand bank *, where she was afterwards
totally wrecked. For his " humane and manly exertions" on
this occasion, the thanks of the court-martial assembled to
investigate the circumstances attending her loss, were con-
veyed to Lieutenant Tremlett, through their President, the
late Admiral Savage, who publicly declared that he deserved
to have a civic crown placed on his head, and expressed a
hope that the Board of Admiralty would do him justice, by
immediately advancing him to superior rank.
The Lion subsequently proceeded to the Mediterranean,
where Lieutenant Tremlett assisted at the capture of the
Santa Dorothea, a Spanish frigate, of 42 guns and 370 men,
on the 15th July, 1798 f. A few days previous to that event
he appears to have been engaged in a desperate affair with an
armed Greek, off Malaga, and exposed to the most imminent
peril through the misconduct of two boats under his orders,
they having deserted him at the moment when he was pushing
alongside, and their flight not being observed by him until
too late to attempt a retreat. In consequence of this shameful
dereliction of duty on the part of those from whom he expected
support, he had the mortification of seeing destruction dealt
with an unsparing hand among his brave companions, 20 of
whom were either killed or wounded, whilst himself and 3
men only escaped unhurt. This sanguinary business occu-
pied no more than seven minutes, during which no less than
that number of shot passed through his hat and coat, whilst
another knocked off the handle of his dirk ; yet, strange to
say, his person was never touched ! !
Mr. Tremlett's next appointment was, as first Lieutenant,
to the Santa Dorothea ; in which ship he assisted at the cap-
ture of the San Leon, a Spanish national brig of 16 guns, and
* See Vol. I. p. 543.
See id. p. 37C.
714 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1802.
several smaller vessels *. He also bore a part in an action
with seventeen gun boats, by which she was attacked when
entering Gibraltar bay with a fleet of merchantmen under her
protection. For those and other services he was advanced to
the rank of Commander on the 1st Jan. 1801 ; and posted
April 29, in the following year.
His next appointment was to the Sea Fencible service at
Cromer, where he met with a serious accident whilst exer-
cising that corps at their great guns in June 1804, a grape-
shot, weighing eight ounces, having entered his right foot,
where it remained two years and a half before it could be
extracted.
Captain Tremlett was appointed to the Alcmene, a 32 gun
frigate, about April 1808; and in June following he entered
into communication with the Spanish authorities at Corunna,
assisted in their councils for three days, and then embarked
the deputies sent from Galicia to solicit the assistance of
Great Britain in the war about to commence between France
and Spain. On his return to Corunna with those gentlemen,
Si* Charles Stuart, and a quantity of specie, he received the
rank of General in the patriotic army, which was the first
instance of such a mark of distinction being conferred upon
an Englishman.
On the 22d Dec. in the same year, Captain Tremlett gave
chase to two French frigates of the largest class, which he
compelled to take shelter under the citadel of St. Martin's, on
Isle Khe, after a ruu of 130 miles. The following day he
resolved to attack one of them at her anchorage, arid endea-
vour to carry her by boarding ; but was prevented from exe-
cuting his bold design by the Alcmene running aground
through the ignorance of her pilot. He however blockaded
them so closely as to prevent their escape, which was of itself
a service of no little importance, they being full of troops,
bound to the relief of Guadaloupe.
Captain Tremlett's exertions were unfortunately terminated
by the loss of his ship on a rock near the Loire in 1809, pre-
vious to which he had captured and destroyed upwards of
» See Vol. II, Part I, p. 191.
POST-CAPTAINS OF J802.
715
fifty sail of the enemy's vessels on various parts of the coast
between Isle Dieu and Cape Finisterre. He subsequently
made repeated visits to his Spanish friends, whose efforts
in the cause of liberty form the subject of a long letter ad-
dressed by him to the conductors of the Naval Chronicle in
May 1812*.
The subject of this memoir's eldest brother, George Neate
Tremlett, served as a Midshipman in the battle of June 1,
1794; assisted at the capture of three French men of war off
FOrient in June 23, 1795 ; and was present at the defeat of
M. Bompard by Sir John B. Warren, Oct. 12, 1798. His
name still appears on the list of Lieutenants, to which rank
he was promoted Aug. 1, 1794. Another brother, Richard
Stiles Tremlett, Lieut. R. N., who had previously shared the
sufferings of the gallant Riou in H. M. S. Guardian, was
killed in a duel with the late Lord Camelford, at Martinique.
Agent. — J. Hiiixmap, Esqf
SAMUEL PYM, ESQ.
THIS officer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in
Mar. 1795 ; and served as such, for some time, on board la
Babet, a 20 gun ship, stationed at the Leeward Islands.
On the 16th Jan. 1798, he volunteered to proceed with
two boats in pursuit of a schooner which had been standing
towards la Babet, but hauled off on discovering her to be a
ship of war, and was then sweeping away between Martinique
and Dominica. After a fatiguing pull of four hours, during
which his own boat left her companion considerably behind,
he arrived within gun-shot of the stranger, who opened and
kept up a steady fire until he got alongside, when a desperate
struggle took place, which ended in the schooner's submis-
sion, just as the other boat rowed up to his assistance. The
prize proved to be la Desiree, French national vessel, of 6
guns and 46 men, 4 of whom were slain, 8 drowned, and 15
badly wounded. Lieutenant Pym fortunately had only 1 man
killed, and another drowned ; but 5 of his gallant little band
* See Nav. Chron. Vol. 28, p 208, et set}.
716 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
were severely, and himself and all the remainder, 5 in "num-
ber, slightly wounded.
Subsequent to this exploit we find Lieutenant Pym serving
in the Ethalion frigate, and assisting at the capture of the
Thetis, a Spanish treasure ship *, on which occasion his com-
mander, the present Rear- Admiral Young, when writing to
Lord Bridport, made the following mention of his abilities and
meritorious conduct :
41 I beg leave to recommend to your Lordship's notice Lieutenant Pym,
Jhe senior officer : the able assistance I received from him on the quarter-
deck, and his indefatigable exertions in shifting the wounded masts and
yards on board the Thetis, do him the utmost credit."
We now lose sight of the subject of this memoir till his
advancement to post rank, April 29, 1802; and from that
period find no mention of him till his appointment to the
Atlas of 74 guns, which ship he commanded in the action off
St. Domingo, Feb. 6, 1806 f. His conduct at St. Paul's, in
the island of Bourbon, Sept. 21, 1809, was thus described in
a respectable periodical publication :
" The capture of St. Paul's was effected by the cruising squadron from
off the Isle of France, -under Commodore Rowley J, assisted by a party of
the 56th regiment, and some Bombay sepoys, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Keating. It appears that the soldiers, 136 royal marines, and 100 seamen,
were lauded before day-break, and soon carried three of the forts. The
squadron went in, fired their broadsides, and then hauled out. The Sinus
frigate stood in again ; and Captain Pym §, anxious to avail himself of the
only opportunity that offered, anchored her within half-musket shot of
la Caroline French frigate, two captured East Indiamen, and a brig of war,
in which position he opened so heavy a fire, that in twenty minutes the
whole of them struck their colours. Both navy and army joined in praise
of this brilliant enterprise, declaring they had! never seen or thought it
possible for a ship to keep up so tremendous a fire as the Sirius did on
that occasion ; and we understand it was principally owing to the very
great exertions of Captain Pym, his officers, and crew, that the two India-
men were saved from being burnt."
Captain Pym displayed his usual zeal and ability whilst
assisting at the reduction of Bourbon, in July, 1810 ||, after
* See Vol. I, p. 684. f See Vol. I, note at p. 262.
t For a list of the squadron and other particulars, see Vol. I, p. 626
et seq.
§ Captain Pym was appointed to the Sirius in 1808,
II See id. p. 627 et sfy.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
717
which he resumed his former station off the Isle of France,
arid succeeded in obtaining possession of 1'Isle de la Passe,
situated near Port Sud-Est, the works on which were gal-
lantly stormed by a detachment of sailors and marines, under
the immediate directions of Lieutenant H. D. Chads.
Subsequent to this event the Sirius, whilst cruising off
Port Louis, recaptured the Wyndham, a British East India-
man, recently taken by two French frigates and a corvette,
under the orders of M. Duperre ; and Captain Pym learning
from some English sailors whom he found on board, that
that officer had forced his way into Port Sud-Est, imme-
diately hastened thither for the purpose of attacking him, and
rescuing another of the Hon. E. I. Company's ships, which
he had captured in company with the Wyndham.
On his arrival off 1'Isle de la Passe, Captain Pym was
joined by the Nereide, a 12-pounder frigate, under the com-
mand of Captain Willoughby, whom he had left in charge of
that post, and who had used every effort to prevent the
French squadron from entering the harbour. That 'gall ant
officer having instantly declared his readiness for action, and
the situation of the enemy affording a prospect of success,
Captain Pym decided on an immediate attack ; but his in-
tentions were unfortunately frustrated by the Sirius running
aground in the inner passage, and remaining fast for many
hours, during which the enemy moved farther in, erected
several batteries, prepared the Indiaman for defence, and
strengthened the crews of the frigates and corvette.
In consequence of this accident, and the enemy's increased
means of defence, Captain Pym was under the necessity of
deferring the attempt until the arrival of the Iphigenia and
Magicienne frigates, commanded by Captains Henry Lam-
bert and Lucius Curtis, whom he had already recalled from
their stations to the northward.
Those ships having joined company on the 23d Aug., and
Captain Pym being assured by persons who professed to know
the navigation that he was past all danger, and could run
direct for the enemy's line, the signal was made to weigh at
five P. M., and each ship pushed for her station, viz. the
Sirius alongside the French Commodore, Nereide to bring
718 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
up between him and the corvette, Iphigenia abreast of the
other frigate, and Magicienne between her and the Indiaman ;
but, sad to say, just as the enemy's shot began to pass over
them the former grounded on a small bank, where she remained
immoveable ; and the Magicienne also stuck fast in a posi-
tion that prevented her from bringing more than six guns to
bear. To add to this misfortune, Captain Lambert was pre-
vented by a shoal from closing with his opponent, whose
cables had been cut shortly after the Iphigenia opened her
fire ; and the enemy were in consequence enabled to direct
their whole attention to the Nereide, whose heroic com-
mander had taken the station intended for the Sirius, and per-
sisted in maintaining the unequal contest, until every officer
and man under his orders were either killed or wounded *.
During the ensuing night every exertion was made to get
the Sirius and Magicienne afloat, but all without effect, the
nature of the ground, and the squally state of the weather,
rendering it impossible to move them a single inch in any
direction. At day-light on the 24th the Nereide was dis-
covered lying on her broadside, a perfect wreck ; and the
enemy's ships also aground, but in such a position as enabled
them still to annoy the Magicienne, 28 of whose crew were
killed and wounded on this disastrous occasion. Thus situ-
ated, and having no prospect of immediate succour, Captain
Pym was under the painful necessity of burning his own ship
and her unfortunate consort, after which he retired with their
officers and men in the Iphigenia to 1'Isle de la Passe, and
there resigned his command to Captain Lambert, who being
almost destitute of provisions, and having expended nearly
the whole of his ammunition in the late contest, was obliged
to capitulate to a French squadron sent from Port Louis, un-
der Commodore Hamelin, on the 28th of the same month f.
Although this enterprise proved so unfortunate, no possible
blame can be attached to Captain Pym, whom we subse-
* See Captain NISBET JOSIAH WILLOUGHBY, ۥ B.
h The Iphigenia's loss in the above action was 5 men killed, and 12,
including her first Lieutenant, wounded. The Sirius does not appear to
have had a man hurt. M. Duperre acknowledged a loss of 37 slain and
1 12 wounded.
POST-CAPTAJNS OP 1802. 719
quently find commanding the Niemen, a 38- gun frigate, on
the American station, where he captured several of the enemy's
armed vessels. He was nominated a C. B. in 1815.
Captain Pym married. May 25, 1802, a daughter of E.
Lockyer, of Plymouth, Devon , Esq.
Agent.— -Sir F. M. Ommanney, M. P.
GEORGE ARGLES, ESQ.
THIS officer's meritorious conduct as third Lieutenant of
the Mars 74, at the capture of 1'Hercule, and the wound which
lie received on that occasion, have already been noticed at
p. 616. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
During the late war he commanded the Trusty of 50 guns,
and Diamond frigate, on the North Sea and Jamaica stations,
but does not appear to have had any opportunity of distin-
guishing himself. He married, Sept. 9, 1813, Miss Jane
Atkinson, of London.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
SAMUEL BUTCHER, ESQ.
THIS officer served as a Midshipman under Earl Howe in
the memorable battle of June 1st, 1794 ; and was soon after
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant for his good conduct on
that occasion. He subsequently distinguished himself by
cutting an enemy's ship out of a harbour in the West Indies,
at noon day, although she was lashed to the shore, and pro-
tected by large batteries in every direction. For this and
other services on the same station he was made a Commander,
and appointed to the Guachapin of 1 6 guns, in which vessel
he captured el Teresa, a Spanish letter of marque, mounting
eighteen brass 32 and 12-pounders, with a complement of
120 men, after a smart action, on the 16th Aug. 1800. His
post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Butcher commanded the Antelope of 50 guns, on
the Baltic station, in 1813; and obtained great credit for his
steady courage and unwearied exertions whilst lying aground
in the West Scheldt, exposed to a heavy cross fire from the
720 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
batteries of Flushing and Cadsand, on the 1 st, 2d, and 3d
Mar. 1814*. In the ensuing summer he escorted a large
fleet of transports and merchantmen to the coast of America,
from whence he returned at the commencement of 1815.
ROBERT JACKSON, ESQ.
THIS officer obtained the rank of Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1790;
and received the Turkish gold medal as a reward for his
services on the coast of Egypt, during the celebrated cam-
paign of 1801, at which period he commanded the Bonne
Citoyenne corvette. On the 31st Dec. in the preceding year
he captured a Spanish privateer of 10 guns and 80 men, near
Minorca. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
He subsequently served as Flag-Captain to Lord Keith in the
Monarch, Ville de Paris, and San Josef.
Agent. — Muspratt, Esq.
ROBERT BARRIE,
A Companion of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and
acting Resident Commissioner at Kingston, in Upper Canada.
IN 1791, this officer accompanied Captain Vancouver on
a laborious and anxious voyage of discovery, an abridged ac-
count of which will be found at p. 200 et seq. of this volume.
On his return from that expedition, in 1795, he was promoted
to the rank of Lieutenant; and we subsequently find him
serving on board le Bourdelois of 24 guns, commanded by
his old shipmate, the present Captain Thomas Manby, with
whom he sailed for the West Indies at the close of 1800 f.
* See Naval Chronicle, Vol. 31, p. 193.
t The following is a copy of Captain Manby's official letter respecting
the two merchant vessels alluded to at p. 205 :
" H. M. S. Bourdelois, off Teneriffe, Jan, 16, 1801.
" Sir, — On the 8th inst., off Palma, in a calm, I despatched two boats
under the orders of Lieutenant Barrie, in pursuit of a strange sail in the
IS. E. At 2 P. M. after a fatiguing row of fourteen hours, he gallantly
boarded her with only one boat, although opposed by 10 Frenchmen, who
kept up a smart fire from four 4-pounders. She proved to be the Ad-
venture of London, one of the vessels which had parted company in the
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 721
Mr. Barrie's conduct as first Lieutenant of le Bourdelois,
in the action between that ship and a small French squadron,
near Barbadoes, Jan. 28, 1801, on which occasion he received
a wound, "but disdained to quit the deck," was warmly ap-
plauded by Captain Manby, who recommended him to the
notice of the Admiralty " as an officer highly worthy of
advancement."
We are not aware of the exact period at which he obtained
promotion to the rank of Commander, or of the manner in
which he was employed previous to the winter of 1804, when
he commanded the Brilliant, a small frigate stationed in the
Channel. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802.
Captain Barrie's next appointment was, about May, 1806,
to the Pomone of 38 guns, in which ship he gave repeated
proofs of his zeal and ability. The following is a copy of his
official letter to Sir Richard J. Strachan, relative to the cap-
ture and destruction of seventeen French vessels from Nantz,
bound to Brest, on the 5th J une, 1807 '•
" Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you, that yesterday, when working
up to windward, in order to gain the station you had pointed out to me by
signal, at about 7h 30y A. M. three vessels were reported from the mast-
head, bearing N. E., and we soon made them out to be armed brigs. As
the distance of the squadron rendered it impossible for me to communi-
cate this circumstance to you, I took upon myself to give chase to these
brigs, conceiving it my duty to do so, as I thought I could cut them off
before they could get into the Sables d'Ollone. As we approached the
shore, a convoy was observed under escort of the brigs, one of which we
got within random shot of about 9 o'clock, when the breeze unfortunately
first gale of wind. The French prize-master was wounded by a cutlass,
the only blood spilt on the occasion. Gaining information from the Ad-
venture, that on the same day she was taken by the Mouche, of Bour-
deaux, the privateer likewise captured a valuable copper-bottomed ship
bound to Barbadoes ; and as both vessels had orders to proceed to Santa
Cruz, I considered it my duty to push thither ; and by plying hard with
my sweeps all the 9th, I arrived off that port on the morning of the 10th,
when 1 had the pleasing satisfaction of rescuing the above-mentioned
British ship from the hands of the enemy. She proved to be the Aurora
of London. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " T. MANBY."
" To Captain Bradby, H. M. S. Andromeda:9
722 POST-CAPTAINS OK 1802.
failed us, and I had the mortification to observe that we should not be
able, in the ship, to cut on* the brigs, especially as we wen; obluM-d i«.
make a tack. Some of our shot reached the convoy, two of which ran on
shore } a third was deserted by her crew. I therefore despatched Lieu-
tenant J. Jones in the 6-oared cutter, to take possession of the lattT,
and of any others of the convoy that were not close to the land. This
service he performed with great judgment and gallantry, and fortunately
without loss, though the grape from the shore and armed brigs passed
through and through his boat. One of the gun-brigs making a show of
sweeping out, I lent Lieutenant James Wallace Gabriel, first of this .-hip,
with three boats, to meet her ; but as she retreated under the protection of
the land batteries, and also within musket-shot of the numerous soldiery
which lined the beach, I would not allow my gallant friend to make tin:
attack under such great disadvantage, but directed him to proceed with the
boat towards St. Gillis's, where several vessels were observed nearly
becalmed. At about llh 30' the boats got up with the easternmost brig ;
and by 2h 30' P. M. they were all, (fourteen in number) in our pos^
except one, which drove on shore and was lost. The crews of the enemy's
vessels took to their boats ; but I fear, as the sea ran very high, some of
them were drowned in attempting to land. Had the breeze fortunately
continued, I have no doubt but we should have taken and destroyed the
whole convoy, which, exclusive of the gun-brigs, consisted of twi-niy-
seren brigs, sloops, and chasse rnarc'cs. I have the pleasure to add, thai
the officers and seamen employed on this service, performed it to my
satisfaction, and to their own credit, Kncloscd is a list of the vessels
taken and destroyed, with their cargoes •. I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed) " ROIJKRT BARRIK."
" To Rear-admiral
Sir R. J. Strachan, Dart."
Subsequent to this event Captain Barrio was placed under
the orders of Lord Collirigwood on the Mediterranean si a
tion, where he captured a Neapolitan privateer, commanded
by no less a personage than the Chevalier de Boisbi, Adjutant-
• Fourteen brigs, &c., laden with wheat, flour, provisions iron, atid
timber, captured ; two brigu laden with naval stores, and another with
wheat, destroyed. Sir 11. J. .Strachan, enraptured with the boldness of
the above enterprise, and rejoicing at the success attending it, on seeing
the prizes come out, telegraphed to his squadron " The J'wtwnc has gnnt
merit;" and again expressed his admiration of her conduct when trans-
mitting the foregoing letter to Captain Barrie's uncle, the late Admiral
Lord Gardner, who then commanded the Channel fleet.
Captain Barrie's boats, in company with those of the Hazard sloop, had
a few week- .t four luggers laden with wine, brandy, &c , out of a
harbour in I&k Kh< .
POST-CAPTAINS OK 1 S02.
(iencral dr France, whose motive lor exposing himself to
almost, certain capture in a small vessel of ,'l guns and W men,
could never be satisfactorily ascertained, not a single- paper
being found on board except those that related to the pri-
vateer ; though from the circumstance of Captain Barrie having
fallen in with him oiY Cape Bon, on the coast of Africa, it ia
very probable he had been charged with a mission to some of
the Barbary States
On the ±M Oct. 1809, we find Captain Barrie joining Lord
Collingwood off Cape St. Sebastian, and informing him of
the approach of a French convoy from Toulon, which port he
had watched with indefatigable perseverance during his lord-
ship's absence on the Spanish coast. On the following morn-
ing the enemy hove in sight j and in the course of the day,
Captain Barrie being far to windward of the British squadron,
succeeded in coining up with and destroying five transports*
laden with provisions for the relief of the French army in
Spain. The men of war were in the mean time pursued by a
detachment under Rear-Admiral George Martin, who obliged
three line-of-battlc ships and a frigate to run n-shore between
Cette and Frontignan, where two of the former were burnt by
their crews ; and on the 1st Nov. the remainder of the store-
ships and transports were successfully attacked by the boats
of a squadron under Hear- Admiral llallowell, who had the
satisfaction of reporting that every vessel was either taken or
destroyed*.
On the 18th Jan. 1811, Captain Barrie captured the Du-
bourdieu French privateer, of fourteen 12-poundcrsand <);>
men. In March following he chased I'Etourdie, a national
brig of 18 guns, laden with ordnance stores, into a small cove
on the N. W. side of Monte Christo, where she was set on
fire by her crew, consisting of 200 men, whom he found it
impossible to attack in consequence of a gale of wind pre-
venting his boats from landing, and the time fixed for the
1'iMiione's return into port having already arrived A gallant
and successful exploit performed by :i squadron under his
orders at Corsica, on the 1st May, 181 1, is thus described b\
• Sci- Vol. 1, PI> L'M;< aniM83.
/24 POSf-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
him in a letter to Admiral Sir Charles Cotton5 who had been
appointed to the chief command in the Mediterranean on the
demise of Lord Collingwood :
" H. M. S. Pomone, of Sag-one, May, 2d, 181 1.
« Sir, — My letter of the 23d ult. would acquaint you with the intelli-
gence I had received of the enemy's force in Sagone, and that it was my
intention, under particular circumstances, to attack them.
" I have now the honor to inform you that, on the evening of the 30th,
I arrived off the bay, the Units' and Scout in company * ; the Scout joined
in the morning, and Captain Sharpe having very handsomely volunteered
his services to take charge of the landing party in the projected attack, I
consented to take him under my orders. At sun-set the Unite' made the
signal for an enemy's frigate at anchor. By day-break on the 1st, the
Pomone was close off Liamone, and I had the satisfaction to observe tire
enemy's three ships at anchor in Sagone bay. It was nearly calm ; and
the variable winds which prevail at this season having thrown the Units'
a long way astern, I abandoned my design of attempting to take the tower
and battery by surprise ; and it was fortunate I did so ; for, as the day
opened, we could clearly observe the enemy in full possession of the
heights, and ready to receive us. He appeared to have about 200 regular
troops, with their field-pieces, &c., and a number of the armed inhabitants.
The battery, mounting 4 guns and 1 mortar, presented a more formidable
appearance than I expected ; and a gun was mounted on the martello
tower, above the battery : the three ships were moored within a stone's
throw of the battery, and had each two cables on shore, their broadsides
presented to us. The smallest (la Giraffe) hoisted a broad pendant. She
appeared to be a sister-ship to le Var f, and shewed 13 guns on each side
of the main-deck. The other ship (la Nourrice) was much larger, and
shewed 14 guns : her lower-deck ports were open, but she had no guns in
them. The armed merchant ship was partly hid by la Nourrice, so that
we could not make out her force.
" The bay is so small that it was impossible to approach without being
.exposed to the raking fire of the whole. Notwithstanding their strong
position, the crews of our ships came forward in the most noble manner,
and volunteered their services to land ; or, as it was quite calm, even to
attack the enemy with the boats. Captains Chamberlayne and Sharpe
both agreed with me that we could do nothing by landing, and it would
have been madness to send the boats. However, I signified by telegraph,
that it was my intention to attack as soon as a breeze sprung up. As
the calm continued, at 5k 30' P. M. I gave up all hopes of the sea breeze ;
* The former a 36-gun frigate, and the latter ail 18-gun brig, com-
manded by Captains Edwin Henry Chamberlayne, and Alexander Renton
Sharpe.
t See p. 403.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 725
and fearing1 any longer delay would enable the enemy to increase his force,
I determined on towing the ships in. My pen is too feeble to express my
admiration of the zealous and spirited conduct of the boats' crews em-
ployed on this service. The same zeal animated each ship's company ;
and by six o'clock, having towed into a position within range of grape,
we commenced the action, which lasted without any intermission till
about half-past seven, when smoke was observed to issue from la Giraffe.
Soon after la Nourrice was in a blaze, and the merchantman was set on
fire by the brands from her. At this time the battery and tower were
silenced, and in ten minutes the three ships were completely on fire. I
lost no time in towing out of harm's way, and then waited the explosions,
which took place in succession. La Giraffe blew up about ten minutes
before nine. La Nourrice soon after exploded ; and some of her timbers
falling on the tower, entirely demolished it, whilst the sparks set fire to the
battery, which also blew up. The object of our attack being thus com-
pletely executed, I stood out to sea to get clear of the wrecks, and to repair
our damages. No language of mine can do justice to the gallantry of
those I had the honor to command.
" I am particularly indebted to Captains Chamberlayne and Sharpe for
their spirited exertions and cordial co-operation throughout the whole of
the affair. I am sensible my narrative is already too prolix ; but I cannot
conclude without assuring you that the officers and crews of the ships
behaved with the greatest courage and coolness. The Pomone, from being
enabled to choose her station, was of course exposed to the brupt of the
action, and has consequently suffered most; though considering the
enemy's fire and position, our ships have escaped much better than could
have been expected. When all conspicuously distinguish themselves, it is
impossible to select individuals ; but I should be most shamefully wanting
in my duty to my country, and to the merits of a most deserving set of
officers, if I were to neglect acquainting you, that I received from them
every assistance it was possible to expect. Lieutenant James Wallace
Gabriel, first of the Pomone, conducted himself with the same spirit and
zeal which have uniformly distinguished his conduct. I enclose the report
of killed, wounded, &c. It is but justice to declare that the enemy kept
up a very smart fire, and behaved with great bravery. I can form no
opinion of their loss. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " ROBERT BARRIE."
After writing the above report, Captain Barrie had the sa-
tisfaction to learn that the result of his judicious and well-
planned attack would considerably retard the completion of
the enemy's ships then building at Toulon ; those destroyed
by him being deeply laden with timber, of which material
that arsenal would not be able to obtain another supply from
Corsica till the ensuing season. The loss sustained by his
VOL. ii. 3 B
726 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
squadron on this occasion was comparatively small, when the
nature and extent of the service performed, and the force
opposed to him, are considered *. It amounted to no more
than 2 men killed and 25 wounded ; the former, and 19 of
the latter, belonged to the Pomone.
Having thus afforded a specimen of the services performed
by Captain Barrie, and the brave officers and men under his
command, we shall now adduce, as an instance of their dis-
interested feeling on all occasions, an act of generosity towards
a prisoner, whom many others would probably have deemed
unworthy of such liberal treatment.
Among the numerous captures made by the Pomone, whilst
on the Mediterranean station, was a vessel in which Lucien
Buonaparte had embarked, with the plunder collected by him
from every country where he had had an opportunity of evinc-
ing his rapacity. Though nearly related to the implacable
enemy of Great Britain, and himself a rank and determined
republican, he was treated with respect, and every article of
his ill-gotten gains considered as private property, conse-
quently held inviolate. How different this treatment from
that experienced by many of our own countrymen who had
the misfortune to be taken prisoners during the wars occa-
sioned by the French revolution ! How striking the contrast
between the situation of the heroic Alexander's and their
female companions in a vile dungeon near Brest, and that of
a Corsican adventurer and his family on board a British
frigate f ! !
In consequence of the handsome manner in which the
Pomone's crew had followed the example of Captain Barrie
and his officers, by relinquishing all claim upon the ship and
property, Lucien Buonaparte gave directions for 300/. to be
* The enemy having observed the British frigates on the 30th April,
had made every preparation to give them a warm reception. The regular
troops posted on the heights were more than 200 strong, exclusive of the
marines from the ships, and a body of armed peasantry. The quarter-
deck guns of la Nourrice had also been landed, and were used on the oc-
casion. The ships destroyed were of the following tonnage : la Nourrice
1100, la Giraffe 900, and the armed merchantman 500 tons- The crews
of the two former consisted of 300 men.
t See p. 702 et seq.
POST -CAPTAINS OP 1802.
distributed amongst them, and a bill for that amount was
accordingly handed to the petty-officers, who, without sig-
nifying their real intentions, asked permission to wait on the
donor for the purpose of thanking him. Being indulged in
their request, they nobly returned the bill, saying they did
not war with individuals, especially women and children ; but
if he chose to give them a glass of grog each, they had no
objection to drink to the health of himself and his family !
The following day the whole crew were regaled with some
porter at Lucien's expense.
The Pomone was unfortunately wrecked, by striking on a
sunken rock, about two cables' length S. W. from the Needles
Point, in the evening of Oct. 14, 1811. The court-martial
assembled at Portsmouth on the 25th of the same month, to
try Captain Barrie for the loss of his ship, agreed, that no
blame was imputable on the occasion to him or any of his
officers, except the Master, who was severely reprimanded
for not having taken accurate bearings of Hurst light-house
before he attempted to go through the passage, and for not
having paid sufficient attention to the observations of Captain
Barrie, as to the said light-house. Captain Barrie and all his
other officers were most fully acquitted.
It was our intention, when we commenced this memoir, to
have attempted a description of Captain Barrie's method of
governing a ship's company, the happy effects of which were
very apparent to all those officers who ever fell in with the
Pomone ; but as we have yet to follow him through the late
war on the other side of the Atlantic, and as an account of
his services in that quarter will necessarily occupy a large
portion of our remaining pages in this volume, we must take
leave of that frigate for the present, and reserve such obser-
vations as may be necessary on the subject of her internal
discipline till the time shall arrive for us to notice the ser-
vices of the officer whom Captain Barrie, in one of the pre-
ceding letters, so justly styles " his gallant friend"
Captain Barrie was appointed to the Dragon, a third rate,
in the spring of 1813 ; and from that period he was employed
in a series of active services on the coast of America, till the
termination of hostilities in 1815.
3n 2
728 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
The winter of 1813 was remarkable for its uncommon
severity, even in this comparatively mild climate: the
extreme horrors of that season in North America will never
be forgotten by those officers who were then employed off the
Chesapeake, the blockade of which river was entrusted to
Captain Barrie, who maintained it, under every privation, so
successfully, that only one of the enemy's cruisers escaped *.
The commander-in-chief so appreciated his professional know-
ledge that he continued him there, notwithstanding orders
from home to the contrary ; and fortunate was it for his
country that he did so. It is a fact which cannot be too ge-
nerally known, that to the information he acquired we are
indebted for those signal successes under the brave and la-
mented Major-General Ross, which ended in the capture of
the American capital and public stores, to the amount, as the
enemy themselves admitted, of more than 7,000,000 dollars f.
Captain Barrie retained the command of the squadron em-
ployed off the Chesapeake from Sept. 1813, till the arrival of
Rear- Admiral Cockburn in May, 1814, during which period
several of the enemy's armed vessels, and a very great number
of coasting traders, were either captured or destroyed by the
ships under his orders. The following extracts from the Lon-
don Gazette contain an account of his subsequent exertions :
"On the 1st June, 1814, Captain Barrie, with the St. Lawrence
schooner, and the boats of the Albion and Dragon, fell in with the flotilla
standing down the Chesapeake, and retreated before it to wards the Dragon,
then at anchor off Smith's Point J. This ship having got under weigh,
Captain Barrie wore with the schooner and boats ; but the flotilla made
off, and escaped into the Patuxent river. The Dragon being obliged to
come again to an anchor, and the boats not being strong enough to attack
the flotilla, Captain Barrie endeavoured to induce the enemy to separate
his force, by detaching two boats to cut off a schooner under Cove Point ;
but the Americans suffered this vessel to be burnt in the face of the flotilla,
without attempting to save her.
" On the 6th, the flotilla retreated higher up the Patuxent ; and Captain
Barrie being joined on the following day by the Loire frigate and Jaseur
* The Adams frigate. She was afterwards destroyed by a force under
his orders.
t See Vol. I, p. 524 et seq.
I Captain Barrie had been sent with the schooner and boats to act against
the flotilla fitted out at Baltimore, under the orders of Commodore Barney.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. 729
brig, he proceeded up the river with them, the St. Lawrence schooner, and
the boats of the Albion and Dragon. The enemy retreated into St. Leo-
nard's creek, into which they could only be pursued by the boats, which
were too inferior in force to allow of any attack being made with them
alone. Captain Barrie endeavoured, however, to provoke the enemy by
rockets and carronades from the boats, to come down within reach of the
ships' guns. The flotilla was at one time so much galled by these attacks,
that it quitted its position and chased the boats ; but after a slight skirmish
with the smaller vessels, returned precipitately to its original position.
*' With a view to force the flotilla to quit this station, detachments of
seamen and marines were landed on both sides of the river ; and the
enemy's militia, though assembled to the number of from 300 to 400,
retreating before them into the woods, the marines destroyed two tobacco
stores, and several houses which formed military posts.
" On the 15th, the Narcissus frigate joined, and Captain Barrie deter-
mined to proceed up the river with twelve boats, having in them 180
marines, and 30 of the black colonial corps. They proceeded to Benedict,
whence a party of regulars fled at their approach, leaving behind several
muskets, and part of their camp equipage, with a 6-pounder, which was
spiked ; a store of tobacco was also found there. Captain Barrie advanced
from thence towards Marlborough ; and although only eighteen miles
from Washington, took possession of the place, the militia and inhabitants
flying into the wood. A schooner was loaded with tobacco, and the boats
plentifully supplied with stock ; after which, having burnt tobacco stores,
containing 2,800 hogsheads, the detachment re-embarked. The enemy
collected 360 regulars, and a party of militia, on some cliffs which the
boats had to pass ; but some of the marines being landed, traversed the
skirts of the heights, and re-embarked without molestation ; and the enemy
did not show himself again till the boats were out of gun-shot.
" Captain Barrie commends, in high terms, the conduct of all the
officers, seamen, and marines, under his orders, as well as that of the
colonial corps, composed of armed blacks ; and Rear-Admiral Cockburn
expresses his high sense of the personal exertions and able conduct displayed
by Captain Barrie."
The Dragon was now ordered to refit at Halifax, where
she received the flag of Rear-Admiral Griffith ; from whose
official letter to Sir Alex. Cochrane, stating the result of an
expedition to the Penobscot river, in Sept. 1814, we select
the following passage as an introduction to Captain Barrie's
account of the proceedings of a detached force under his own
personal directions :
" //. M. S. Endymion, off Castine, entrance of the
Penobscot River, Sept. 9, 1814.
" Sir,— My letter of the 23d of August, from Halifax, by the Rover,
730 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
will have made you acquainted with my intention of accompanying the
expedition then about to proceed under the command of his Excellency
Sir John Sherbrook, K. B, for this place.
"I have now the honor to inform you, that I put to sea on the 26th ult.
with the ships and sloop named in the margin*, and ten sail of transports,
having the troops on board, and arrived off the Metinicus Islands on the
morning of the 31st, where I was joined by the Bulwark, Tenedos, Rifle-
man, Peruvian, and Pictou. From Captain Pearce, of the Rifleman, I
learned that the United States' frigate Adams had a few days before got
into Penobscot, but not considering herself in safety there, had gone on to
Hamdeu, a place twenty-seven miles higher up the river, where her guns
had been lauded, and a position was fortifying for her protection.
" Towards evening, the wind being fair and the weather favorable, the
fleet made sail up the Penobscot bay, Captain Parker, in the Tenedos,
leading. We passed between the Metinicus and Green islands, about
midnight, and steering through the channel formed by the Fox islands and
Owl's Head, ran up to the eastward of Long island, and found ourselves
at daylight in the morning, in sight of the fort and town of Castine. As
we approached, some shew of resistance was made, and a few shot were
fired; but the fort was soon after abandoned and blown up. At about
eight A. M. the men of war and transports were anchored a little tp the
northward of the Peninsula of Castine, and the smaller vessels taking a
station nearer in for covering the landing, the troops were put on shore,
and took possession of the town and works without opposition.
" The General wishing to occupy a post at Belfast, on the western side of
the bay (through which the high road from Boston runs), for the purpose
of cutting off all communication with that side of the country, the Bac-
chante and Rifleman were detached with the troops destined for this service ;
and quiet possession was taken, and held, of that town, as long as was
thought necessary.
" Arrangements were immediately made for attacking the frigate at Ham-
den ; and the General having proffered every military assistance, six hun-
dred picked men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John, of the
60th regiment, were embarked the same afternoon, on board his Majesty's
sloops Peruvian and Sylph, and a small transport. To this force were
added the marines of the Dragon, and as many armed boats from the
squadron as was thought necessary for disembarking the troops and
covering their landing, and the whole placed under the command of Cap-
tain Barrie, of the Dragon ; who with the Lieutenant-Colonel made sail up
the river at six o'clock that evening.
" I have the honor to enclose Captain Barrie's account of his proceedings j
and taking into consideration the enemy's force, and the formidable
"Dragon 74, Endymion and Bacchante frigates, and Sylph sloop
of war.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
731
strength of his position, too much praise cannot be given him, the officers
and men under his command, for the judgment, decision, and gallantry
with which this little enterprise has been achieved."
" H. M. S. Sylph, offBangor, in the Penobscot, Sept. 3, 1814.
" Sir, — Having received on board the ships named in the margin * a
detachment of twenty men, of the royal artillery, with one five and half-
inch howitzer, commanded by Lieutenant Garston ; a party of 80 marines,
commanded by Captain Carter, of the Dragon ; the flank companies of
the 29th, 62d, and 98th regiments, under the command of Captains Gell
and Caker, Majors Riddell, Keith, and Crosdaile, and Captain M'Pherson ;
also a rifle company of the 7th battalion of the 60th regiment, commanded
by Captain Ward ; and the whole under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel
John, of the 60th regiment ; I proceeded, agreeably to your order, with
the utmost despatch, up the Penobscot. Light variable winds, a most in-
tricate channel, of which we were perfectly ignorant, and thick foggy
weather, prevented my arriving off Frankfort before two P. M. of the 2d
inst. Here Colonel John and myself thought it advisable to send a mes-
sage to the inhabitants j and having received their answer, we pushed on
towards Harnden, where we received intelligence that the enemy had
strongly fortified himself. On our way up several troops were observed
on the east side of the river, making for Brewer ; these were driven into
the woods without any loss on our side, by a party under the orders of
Major Crosdaile, and the guns from the boats. The enemy had one killed,
and several wounded.
" At five P. M. of the 2d instant, we arrived off Ball's Head Cove,
distant three miles from Hamden.
" Colonel John and myself landed on the south side of the Cove, to re-
connoitre the ground and obtain intelligence. Having gained the hilh, we
discovered the enemy's picquets advantageously posted near the highway
leading to Hamden, on the north side of the Cove.
" We immediately determined to land 150 men, under Major Riddell,
to drive in the picquets, and take up their ground. This object was ob-
tained by seven o'clock ; and notwithstanding every difficulty, the whole of
the troops were landed on the north side of the Cove by ten o'clock j but
it was found impossible to land the artillery at the same place. The
troops bivouacqued on the ground taken possession of by Major Riddell.
It rained incessantly during the night. At day-break this morning, the
fog cleared away for about a quarter of an hour, which enabled me to
reconnoitre the enemy by water ; and I found a landing place for the ar-
tillery about two-thirds of a mile from Ball's Head. Off this place the
troops halted till the artillery were mounted, and by six the whole ad-
vanced towards Hamden.
* " Peruvian and Sylph sloops of war, Dragon's tender, and Harmony
transport.
732 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
" The boats under the immediate command of Lieutenant Pedler, the
first of the Dragon, agreeably to a previous arrangement with Colonel
John, advanced in line with the right flank of the army. The Peruvian,
Sylph, Dragon's tender, and Harmony transport, were kept a little in the
rear in reserve.
" Our information stated the enemy's force at 1400 men ; and he had
chosen a most excellent position on a high hill. About a quarter of a
mile to the southward of the Adams frigate, he had mounted eight 18-
pounders. This fort was calculated to command both the highway by
which our troops had to advance, and the river. On a wharf close to the
Adams, he had mounted fifteen 18-pounders, which completely commanded
the river, which at this place is not above three cables' length wide, and
the land on each side is high and well wooded.
" A rocket boat, under my immediate direction, but manoeuvred by
Mr. Ginton, gunner, and Mr. Small, midshipman, of the Dragon, was
advanced about a quarter of a mile a-head of the line of boats.
" So soon as the boats got within gun-shot, the enemy opened his fire
upon them from the hill and wharf, which was warmly returned. Our
rockets were generally well-directed, and evidently threw the enemy into
confusion. Meantime our troops stormed the hill with the utmost gal-
lantry.- Before the boats got within good grape-shot of the wharf battery,
the enemy set fire to the Adams, and he ran from his guns the moment
our troops carried the hill.
" I joined the army about ten minutes after this event. Colonel John
and myself immediately determined to leave a sufficient force in posses-
sion of the hill, and to pursue the enemy, who was then in sight on the
Bangor road, flying at full speed. The boats and ships pushed up the
river, preserving their original position with the army. The enemy was
too nimble for us, and most of them escaped into the woods on our left.
" On approaching Bangor, the inhabitants, who had opposed us at Ham-
den, threw off their military character j and as magistrates, select men, &c.
made an unconditional surrender of the town. Here the pursuit stopped.
" About two hours afterwards, Brigadier-General Blake came into the
town, to deliver himself as a prisoner.
"The General and other prisoners, amounting to 191, were admitted
to their parole.
" Enclosed I have the honor to forward you lists of the vessels we
have captured or destroyed, and other necessary reports ». I am happy to
* Captured, Two ships, one brig pierced for 18 guns (afterwards lost),
six schooners (one of which was the Decatur privateer, pierced for 16 guns,
afterwards lost), and three sloops. Destroyed by the British at Bangor,
One ship, one brig, three schooners, and one sloop. Burnt by the enemy
at Hamden, The Adams of twenty-six 18-pounders, and two ships, one of
them armed.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
733
inform you our loss consists only of 1 seaman, belonging to the Dragon,
killed; Captain Gell, of the 29th, and 7 privates, wounded; 1 rank and
file missing. ******. I can form no estimate of the enemy's ab-
solute loss. From different stragglers I learn that, exclusive of killed and
missing, upwards of 30 lay wounded in the woods. I have the honor
to be, &c.
(Signed) " ROBERT BARRIE, Captain H. M. S. Dragon."
After the failure of the Baltimore expedition under Rear-
Admiral Cockburn and Major-General Ross*, the command
in the Chesapeake again devolved upon Captain Barrie,
whose subsequent proceedings were conducted principally
with a view to harass the enemy's troops, by keeping them
on the alert ; and to create a diversion in favor of the ope-
rations then going on in other quarters.
In Nov. 1814, he proceeded up the Rappahanock river
with the boats of his squadron, and part of that excellent
corps the Royal Marine battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Malcolm ; landed on the 29th at Tappahanock, and
brought off from thence a quantity of flour and tobacco, to-
gether with a stand of colours, some arms, ammunition, and
baggage, which had been left behind by the enemy's troops
in their hasty retreat to a neighbouring hill, from whence
they afterwards retired in confusion on being attacked by
the British.
On the 4th of the following month, Captain Barrie landed
at the town of Tappahanock ; and learning that the Ameri-
cans had assembled 600 armed militia at Farnham Church,
about seven miles from the place of debarkation, he proceeded
thither, and attacking the enemy in a strong position, drove
them into the woods, with the loss of several men killed and
vrounded, captured a large field-piece, and released several
negroes who had been confined to prevent them from joining
the British. It is worthy of notice, that the colours taken
during this expedition, bore on one side the inscription " Down
with the Tyrant," and on the other the American eagle,
with the motto " Death or Victory"
Soon after his return from the Rappahanock river, Captain
Barrie was ordered by Rear-Admiral Cockburn, who had
• See Vol. I, p. 527.
734
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
resumed the command in Chesapeake bay, to proceed with
the Dragon, Regulus, and Brune, to the coast of Georgia,
where he was joined by some other ships of war, having on
board two companies of the 2d West India regiment. On
the llth Jan. 1815, he took possession of Cumberland Island,
without meeting any resistance ; and passing from thence in
boats to the main land, disembarked on the 13th at a small
distance from the fort on Point Petre, which he entered after
a sharp skirmish with the American riflemen, who had taken
post in a jungle through which he had to pass on his way to
the town of St. Mary's. The result of this enterprise will
be stated in our memoir of Captain Charles B. H. Ross*.
Intelligence of peace between Great Britain and America
having arrived at Cumberland Island soon after the capture
of St, Mary's, Captain Barrie was not called upon to give
any farther proof of his prowess. " Whether it may be re-
served to him to enjoy in security and peace the delightful
intercourse of social life, or again to be called to vindicate
the rights of his country, and to chastise the insolence of her
enemies, he will carry with him," said the highly respectable
Chairman of his numerous friends assembled at a festive
meeting which we are about to notice, " our best wishes for
his health and prosperity — he will carry our well-grounded
assurance, that in no hands can be more safely placed the
honor and dignity of Great Britain.''
Previous to their separation, the Dragon's officers presented
Captain Barrie with a piece of plate, value 100 guineas, as a
testimony of their sincere attachment ; and on the 21st Dec.
1815, a public dinner was given at Preston, in commemora-
tion of his professional services, and more especially those
which he had recently rendered to his country on the coast
of America. Among the company were several gallant officers
who had served under him, and whose attachment had induced
them to travel several hundred miles in order to join in this
tribute of esteem conferred upon their favorite commander.
* Captain W. S. Badcock, of the Brune troop-ship, accompanied Cap-
tain Barrie in his expeditions to Rappahanock river and St. Mary's, and
displayed great gallantry on every occasion that offered.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
One of those gentlemen, the present Captain J. W. Gabriel,
on his health being drank, returned thanks in the following
terms :
" Gentlemen, — I cannot express my gratitude for the honor which you
have done me ; but I conceive it to be my duty, and feel it to be my high-
est pleasure, to testify to the justice of the approbation you have bestowed
upon the gallant services of my old commander. You are well acquainted
with his merit : nothing can surpass his conduct in warlike achievements ;
but his private character is no less worthy your applause than his public
services. This you will acknowledge, when I give you a recital of his
generous actions. On board he was at much more expense in support of
the sick, than in the maintenance of his own table. When we have put
into a port where the rate of exchange was against us, he has told the Mid-
shipmen not to draw bills upon home, but come into his cabin, where
there was a bag of dollars at their service. Frequently, when the ship was
putting to sea, and the sailors* wives were ordered out of her, has he di-
rected his steward to give them a guinea each. On all occasions he has
sacrificed his own interests to those of his officers and crew. To Captain
Barrie I am indebted for my advancement ; and so attached did I feel to him,
that I have frequently requested he would not make application to the
Admiralty for my promotion, in order that I might continue to have the
pleasure of serving under his command."
Captain Barrie was nominated a C. B. in June 1815 ; and
appointed to superintend the naval establishment at Kings-
ton, Upper Canada, in 1819. He married, Oct. 24, 1816,
Julia Wharton, sixth daughter of the late Sir John Ingilby,
Bart., of Ripley, co. York, and Kettlethorpe Park, in Lin-
colnshire.
Agent, — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
CHARLES BAYNE HODGSON ROSS, ESQ.
A Companion of the most honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer, a son of the late Lieutenant Ross, R. N.,
received his first commission in 1796* and was advanced to
the rank of Commander in 1800. Towards the latter end of
the same year he had the misfortune to be wrecked in the
Diligence, a brig of 18 guns, on the Honda bank, near Cuba ;
but happily his officers and crew were all saved by the Thun-
derer 74.
Captain Ross obtained post rank Oct. 15, 1802 ; and sub-
736 POST- CAPTAINS OP 1802.
sequently commanded the Desiree and Pique frigates, on the
Jamaica station. In Aug. 1803, we find the former ship
employed in the blockade of St. Domingo, on which service
she continued till the evacuation of that place by the French
troops under General Rochambeau, an event already noticed
at p. 815 of our first volume *. Among the armed vessels
taken by the Pique in 1804 and 1805, were le Terreur French
cutter, of 10 guns and 75 men ; and the Orquijo, a Spanish
corvette, mounting 18 guns. The capture of two French
brigs of war in the following year is thus described by Cap-
tain Ross in his official letter to the commander-in-chief :
" H. M. S. Pique, off St. Catharine's, 2? 'th Mar. 1806.
" Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, that yesterday, crossing over
from St. Domingo to Curacjoa, I fell in with two men of war brig's,
standing in for the land. At one P. M. being within long range, I com-
menced firing to prevent their getting in with the shore ; and from supe-
rior sailing closed with them at two, when a most destructive fire con-
tinued for about twenty minutes ; but a flaw of wind favouring us, the
helm was put down, which placed us immediately across the hawse of the
Commodore. She was directly boarded by Lieutenants Ward and Baker,
and every inch of her decks most obstinately defended. The slaughter on
both sides was dreadful ; and it is with real concern I state the loss of Mr.
(John) Thompson, the Master, who was killed, with 8 seamen ; and Lieu-
tenants Ward and Baker, with 12 seamen and marines, wounded f. The
contest was very severe ; but in about five minutes the colours were hauled
down : the other struck after a few broadsides more, and we took posses-
sion of the Phaeton and Voltigeur, of 16 guns and 120 men each, French
brigs of war, beautiful vessels, and only nine months old. It was impos-
sible for two vessels to be more obstinately defended, every thing being
cut to pieces, and nearly one half of their crews killed or wounded. I un-
derstand they had been roughly handled by an English man of war brig the
day before %.
" I beg leave to recommend to your notice my first Lieutenant, (Wil-
liam) Ward, whose good conduct at all times has merited the highest ap-
probation ; he is, I am afraid, dangerously wounded §. * * * * The
• The DesireVs boats appear to have captured and destroyed a great
number of vessels laden with supplies for the enemy's garrison.
t The boarding party consisted of not more than 30 officers and men ;
but Captain Ross, who had gone in chase of the other brig, lost no time in
sending a fresh supply, when he discovered that the enemy were not in-
clined to yield so tamely as had been expected.
t See Captain JOHN FYFFE.
§ Lieutenant Ward had previously distinguished iiimself when com-
POBT-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
737
wound of Lieutenant (P. H.) Baker I rejoice to say, will only lay him by for
a short time. * * * * We had only 1 man wounded on board ; all the
others were killed and wounded on the brig's deck. The ship's company
behaved uncommonly well j and I trust the conduct of all will merit your
approbation. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " CHARLES B. H. Ross."
" Hce Admiral J. R. Dacres,
fyc. Sfc. 8fc."
On the 1st Nov. in the same year, Captain Ross sent three
boats to intercept a schooner, coming round the S. W. end of
Porto Rico; but owing to a very heavy squall, with rain,
they lost sight of her in the night. However, Lieutenant
Bell, who commanded the detachment, pushed in for Cabaret
bay, where he destroyed a battery of three guns, and captured
a very fine Spanish brig, pierced for 12 guns. The next day,
Lieutenant Baker, in the launch, after some skirmishing,
drove a French privateer, of 2 guns and 26 men, upon the
reef off Cape Roxo, where she was totally lost. Returning to
join his ship, the same officer captured, after a very long
chase, another privateer, of 1 gun and 20 men.
During the late contest between Great Britain and Ame-
rica, the subject of this sketch served as Flag-Captain to
Rear-Admiral Cockburn in the Marlborough, Sceptre, arid
Albion, third rates *. The particulars of the warfare in
which he was engaged will be found in our memoirs of that
officer, and those under his orders, who commanded in person
on various occasions. We are not aware of Captain Ross him-
self having been detached on any service of greater importance
than that of an expedition up St. Mary's river, from whence he
returned to Cumberland island, on the coast of Georgia, with a
ship loaded with timber, and an English East Indiaman, which
had been captured by an American privateer. He also embarked
all the produce collected at the town of St. Mary's in the
vessels taken there by Captain Barrie, blew up the fort on
Point Petre and another battery, and destroyed the barracks
manding the Pique's gig and yawl, by boarding and carrying the Santa
Clara, a Spanish schooner of one 9-pounder and 28 men, completely
equipped for war.
* The Marlborough captured the Leonore French privateer, of 10 guns
and 80 men, off Scilly, in Oct. 1812.
738 * POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
and store-houses, together with some merchandise and guns
that were not deemed fit to bring away *. This was one of
the last acts of hostility committed by the force under Sir
George Cockburn, who previous to his departure from the
Halifax station, returned his public thanks to Captain Ross
and his other gallant companions, in a General Memorandum,
of which the following is a copy :
" Albion, Bermuda, *th April, 1815.
" Gen. Mem. — In taking leave of the several Captains, Field-Officers,
Commanders, other Officers, Seamen, and Marines, lately composing the
force acting under my immediate orders against the enemy in Georgia,
the Chesapeake, &c. I have the highest satisfaction in having the direc-
tions of the commander-in-chief to convey to them his entire approbation
of their good conduct, and of their invariable zeal and exertions in their
country's service, as set forth in my reports, and to which he has informed
me he will not fail to draw the notice and consideration of my Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty.
" Whilst promulgating this flattering testimony of the commander-in-
chief's favorable consideration of the forces lately acting under my orders,
I cannot refrain from making known to them also that their invariably
cheerful, gallant, and steady behaviour, was as gratifying to me as hono-
rable to themselves ; and for which I must therefore beg leave to offer
them my warmest acknowledgments, and to assure them how happy it
will make me to have the good fortune of again acting with them, in the
event of our country calling for our services at any future period.
(Signed) " G. COCKBURN, Rear-Admiral.'*
" To the Captains, Field-Officers, Commanders,
other Officers, Seamen, and Marines, lately
acting under my orders in America, and on
the coast thereof." »
Captain Ross's next appointment was to the Northumber-
land of 78 guns, which ship it will be remembered was se-
lected to convey the late Napoleon Buonaparte to St. Helena f.
He was nominated a C. B. Dec. 8, 1815; appointed to
superintend the Ordinary at Portsmouth, in 1819 ; and to be
Resident Commissioner at Jamaica, in July, 1822.
He married, in 1803, Miss Cockburn, of Kingston, Ja-
maica, sister-in-law of Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn,
G. C. B.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
* Fort Petre mounted six 24-pounders and two brass 6-p0unders.
t See Vol. I, p. 527.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802*
739
WILSON RATHBORNE, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is the son of a Clergyman of the established
Church, and a grandson of Commodore J. Wilson, who served
with great credit during Queen Anne's wars.
He was born near Loughrea, co. Galway, Ireland, July 16,
1J48; entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board
the Niger of 32 guns, in Sept. 1763 ; and continued in that
frigate, under the respective commands of his patron Sir
Thomas Adams, Bart., and Captain Andrew Wilkinson, till
the latter end of 1768, when he rejoined the former officer
in the Boston, a ship of similar force, employed on the Ame-
rican station.
In 1769, Mr. Rathborne removed with his friend into the
Romney of 50 guns, bearing the broad pendant of Commo-
dore Samuel Hood,, in which ship he returned to England
under the command of Captain Robert Linzee, who had been
appointed to her on the death of Sir Thomas Adams, in 1770.
On her arrival in England, the Romney was ordered to the
Downs with the flag of Rear- Admiral John Montagu, with
whom Mr. Rathborne continued till the spring of 177^ when
he was discharged into the Royal William of 80 guns, at the
particular request of her Captain, the late Lord Hood.
We next find him in the Hunter sloop of war, commanded
by Captain Thomas Mackenzie *, under whom he served on
shore at Quebec, with the rank of a first Lieutenant in the
naval battalion, composed of the crews of the King's ships
and merchant vessels, during the siege of that important for-
tress by the American army, in the winter of 1775 f. He re-
* See Vol. I, note \ at p. 654.
t The Hunter, after cruising for some time on the Irish station, was
sent with despatches to Boston, where she arrived shortly after the me-
morable battle of Bunker's Hill. See Vol. I, note * at p. 166. During
the ensuing winter she was hauled on shore at Quebec, and her crew at-
tached to the naval battalion, whose important services were duly acknow-
ledged by Sir Guy Carleton, in his despatches announcing the retreat of
the enemy, after a desperate, though ineffectual attempt to carry the place
740 POST-CAPTAIXS OF 1802.
turned to England as acting Master of the same sloop early
in the ensuing year ; and to his great mortification found him-
self obliged to remain in that situation, notwithstanding the
assurance he had received from the senior officer at Quebec,
that he would be superseded immediately on his arrival *.
Steadily refusing to accept a Navy Board warrant, Mr.
Rathborne continued in the Hunter as acting Master for
nearly four years, during which she was almost constantly
employed on the American coast, and formed part of several
expeditions against the enemy in the Jerseys. At length,
through the kind interference of Captain Alexander Hood,
nephew of the officer with whom he had served in the Rom-
ney and Royal William, he was once more restored to the
line of promotion, and allowed to take a passage home in a
merchant vessel, at the commencement of 1/80.
On his arrival in London he was introduced by his former
commander, Captain Mackenzie, to Earl Sandwich, then first
Lord of the Admiralty; who the very next day, Mar. 18,
1780, presented him with a Lieutenant's commission for the
Bedford, of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir Edmund
Affleck, to whom he had previously been recommended by
the above officer.
The Bedford formed part of the squadron under Vice-Ad-
miral Arbuthnot, in the action with M. Ternay, Mar. 16,
1781 $ and bore a share in the engagement between Rear-
Admiral Graves and the Count de Grasse, on the 5th Sept.
in the same year f. Subsequent to the latter event, Captain
Affleck hoisted a broad pendant on board her, and proceeded
to the West Indies, where he highly distinguished himself in
by escalade, early in the morning of Dec. 31, 1775, on which occasion Mr.
Rathborne, then on duty with the picquet guard, personally assisted in
cutting off the retreat of the storming party, every one of whom was either
killed or taken prisoner.
* Sir Charles Douglas arrived at Quebec with a reinforcement on the
day of the Americans' defeat ; and having occasion to send the Hunter
home with despatches, insisted upon Mr. Rathborne taking charge of her
as Master, there being no other person in the squadron sufficiently qua-
lified to do so.
t See Vol. I, p. 40, and note at p. 133.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. /4J
the memorable conflicts between Rodney and de Grasse,
April 9 and 12, 1782*.
Mr. Rathborne having become first Lieutenant of the Bed-
ford, in consequence of the promotions that followed Rodney's
victory, continued to serve as such till that ship was paid off
at Portsmouth in the summer of 1 783. During the Dutch
and Spanish armaments in 1787 and 1790? he was appointed
to the Atlas of 98 guns, and Colossus J4} the former fitting
for the flag of Sir Edmund Affleck, the latter commanded
successively by Captains Hugh C. Christian and Henry Har-
vey. In 1792 he obtained an appointment, as first Lieute-
nant, to the Captain, a third rate, then under the orders of Earl
Howe, but subsequently attached to the Mediterranean fleet.
After the occupation of Toulon, in Aug. 1793, the Captain
was sent by Lord Hood to dismantle the forts and batteries
on the Hieres islands and opposite shore ; the latter and most
difficult part of which duty was executed in a very judicious
manner by Lieutenant Rathborne, in the presence of a vastly
superior republican force. He afterwards distinguished him*
self by his exertions in weighing the Imperieuse, a large
frigate that had been scuttled by the French in Port Especiaj
and on her being commissioned by Captain Charles Cunning-
ham, he was appointed to act as Commander in the Speedy
of 14 guns, from which vessel he returned to the Captain, in
consequence of his being superseded a few days after by one
of the Admiral's own Lieutenants, the present Sir George
Cockburn.
During the ensuing siege of St. Fiorenzo, in Corsica, Lieu-
tenant Rathborne served on shore under the orders of Captain
Samuel Hood ; and in Vice- Admiral Hotham's action, Mar.
14, 1795 f, he had the misfortune to lose the sight of his right
eye, and receive so much injury in his right arm, as to render
it nearly useless. His promotion to the rank of Comman-
der took place Nov. 9th in the same year.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
From this period we find no mention of Captain Rathborne
till IJQ?, when he was appointed to the Good Design, an
armed ship, employed in convoying the trade from Leith to
Elsineur and the Elbe. At the close of 1799, he removed
into the Racoon,, a brig of 18 guns, stationed off Boulogne^
and afterwards successively employed in the Channel, Medi-
terranean, and West Indies. His post commission bears date
Oct. 18, 1802.
The Santa Margaritta, into which frigate he had been pro-
moted at Jamaica, having returned home in 1803, and re-
fitted at Sheerne&s, was subsequently sent to cruise off the
French coast, and on various other services connected with
the duties of the Channel fleet. Whilst thus employed, she
fell in with the squadron under Sir Richard J. Strachan,
whose success in capturing four French line-of-battle ships,
commanded by M. Dumanoir, on the 4th Nov. 1805, may
be, in a great measure, attributed to the persevering exertions
and gallant conduct of Captain Rathborne ; who, availing him-
self of his frigate's superior sailing, closed with and harassed
the enemy for three hours and a half, before any other ship
could get within gun-shot ; and then, in conjunction with Cap-
tain Baker of the Phoenix, who had previously been chased by
them, kept their rear in play until the Commodore and his
companions could arrive sufficiently near to bring on a gene-
ral action *. The Santa Margaritta on this occasion, although
repeatedly hulled by the enemy's shot, had only her boat-
swain killed, and one man wounded.
Captain Rathborne was soon after appointed to the Fou-
droyant of 80 guns, a circumstance that gave him considerable
pain, as independent of his disinclination to remove from a
cruising frigate into a blockading ship, he was very unwilling
to part from his officers and crew, whose conduct on every
occasion had given him the greatest satisfaction, and in whom
he had every confidence. Captain Loring, the officer who
had been appointed to succeed him in the Santa Margaritta,
observed his distress, and generously forbore to use the com-
mission he tiad received from the Admiralty, until the pleasure
of their lordships could be ascertained — a forbearance worthy
• See Vol. I, p. 289. N. B. Line 12, for frigates read frigate.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1802. 743
of record. The result proved highly gratifying to both par-
ties ; Captain Rathborne being continued in the command of
the Santa Margaritta, and his worthy brother-officer soon
after compensated for the spontaneous sacrifice he had made,
by an appointment to a frigate of superior class *.
The Santa JMargaritta was subsequently employed on the
Channel, Lisbon, West India, and Irish stations ; but being
at length completely decayed, was put out of commission in
Dec. 1807. Captain Rathborne was soon after appointed to
the command of the Essex Sea Fencibles ; and, in 1809, to
regulate the Impress service at Shields, Sunderland, and
Newcastle. He is at present charged with the superinten-
dence of the ships in ordinary at Chatham. His nomination
to be a C. B. took place on the establishment of that class of
the Order, in 1815. A pension for the loss of his eye was
granted to him May 19, 1810, and has since been augmented
to 300/. per annum.
Captain Rathborne married, in 1805, the youngest daughter
of John French, Esq., late of Loughrea, co. Galway. His
sister was the mother of John Wilson Croker, Esq., Secre-
tary to the Admiralty, and M. P. for Bodmin, in Cornwall.
dgent. —
HENRY MATSON, ESQ.
THIS officer was born at Sandwich, co. Kent j and entered
the naval service, in 1790, as a Midshipman on board the
Arrogant, of 74 guns, commanded by his maternal uncle the
late Captain John Harvey, whose heroic conduct on the me-
morable 1st June, 1794, we have already noticed at p. 613 of
our first volume.
From the Arrogant Mr. Matson was very soon removed
into the &ose of 28 guns ; in which ship, and the Hussar
frigate, he completed his probationary term of service on the
Halifax station, where he was promoted to the rank of Lieu-
tenant in the Rover, a Bermuda built sloop of war, about the
month of June, 1796.
!
* See p. 547.
3c2
744 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
In the following year Lieutenant Matson proceeded to the\
West Indies, and joined the Prince of Wales, a second rate,
bearing the flag of his uncle the late Sir Henry Harvey,
K. B., by whom he was made a Commander, and appointed
to the Cyane of 18 guns, Mar. 22, 1799. His post com-
mission bears date Dec. 15, 1802.
After serving for some time as Flag-Captain to Commo-
dore Sir Samuel Hood, he commanded the Blenheim of 74
guns, as a private ship, till July 1803, when he joined the
Venus frigate, and sailed for England as convoy to the home-
ward bound trade. During the ensuing four years we find
him employed as a cruiser on the Irish, Boulogne, and Lee-
ward islands' stations. On the 10th July, 1805, he captured
FHirondelle, French privateer, of 16 guns and 90 men; and
early in 1807, la Determinee, of 14 guns and 108 men. He
returned to England with a valuable fleet under his protection
in the autumn of 1807 ; and on his arrival was presented by
the masters thereof with a piece of plate, as a testimony of
their gratitude for the attention he had paid to them during
the voyage.
Captain Matson's next appointment was, in Mar. 1809, tor
the St. Fiorenzo of 40 guns, which frigate formed part of the
expedition sent against Walcheren in the summer of that
year. He was put out of commission in Mar. 1810 ; and has
ever since been on half pay.
Agents* — Messrs. Maude.
CHARLES MALCOLM, ESQ.
THIS officer is the youngest brother of Vice-Admiral Sii*
Pulteney Malcolm, K. C. B., under whom he served as a
Midshipman in the Fox frigate, and Suffolk of 74 guns, of
which latter ship he was appointed a Lieutenant by Vice-
Admiral Rainier, Jan. 12, 1799*. In Aug. 1801, he was
promoted by his patron to the rank of Commander, in the
Albatross sloop of war, on the East India station, from whence
he returned to England in the Eurydice of 24 guns, Mar. 27,
1803. His post commission bears date Dec. 29, 1802.
* See Vol. I, pp. 582, 584, et seq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802. '/45
Captain Malcolm's next appointment was, Sept. 24, 1806,
to the Narcissus frigate ; and on the 30th Jan. following, we
find him receiving a severe wound in the head whilst leading
his boats to the attack of a French convoy lying in Conquet
bay, near Brest, under the protection of several heavy bat-
teries, two armed brigs, and a cutter. In this gallant but
unsuccessful enterprise the boats had 7 men killed and 15
wounded.
On the 18th Aug. in the same year, Captain Malcolm cap-
tared the Cantela, a Spanish schooner, pierced for 12 guns ;
and in the ensuing month he drove three of the enemy's row-
boats on shore, near Oporto. He also assisted at the reduc-
tion of the Saintes, in April, 1809. The following are extracts
from the public letters of Sir George Beckwith and Major-
General Maitland on that occasion :
" Fort Royal, Martinique, April 20, 1809.
" The French squadron, consisting of three sail of the line and two fri-
gates, from 1'Orieut, having taken shelter in the Saintes, in the vicinity of
Guadaloupe, where they were blockaded by Sir Alexander Cochrane with
a superior force, I detached a corps, of between 2000 and 3000 men,
under the command of Major-General Maitland, to co-operate with the
navy in the reduction of those islands, and to destroy or capture the ships
of the enemy, or to force them to sea. I have the satisfaction to report to
your lordship *, for his Majesty's information, that after three days of
great toil and most active service, the forts were reduced, and the troops
surrendered prisoners of war. The French ships of the line pushed to
sea early in the night of the 14th ; on the 16th the Admiral was within
four miles of them ; and, I trust, will be enabled to bring them to close
action f.
" The navy have most cordially supported us. Captain Beaver, of
H. M. S. Acasta, has increased that character which I know his conduct at
Bay Robert, Martinique, in your presence gained him. * * * * Cap-
tain Carthew of the Gloire, and Captain Malcolm of the Narcissus, also
merit the warmest acknowledgment."
Captain Malcolm was soon after appointed to the Rhin,
an 18-pounder frigate, employed in the British Channel, where
he captured four French privateers, carrying in the whole 58
guns and 310 men. On the 31st Jan. 1812, he escaped
* Viscount Castlereagh.
t One of the French ships was captured by Captain (now Rear-Admiral)
Fahie. See Vol. J. p. 717. The others effected their escape.
746 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1802.
sharing the fate of the Laurel frigate, by his promptitude iii
changing the Rhiii's course, at the very moment when he?
consort struck on the Govivas rock in the Teigneuse passage,
from whence he himself was then not half a cable's length
distant. Nor were his exertions after clearing the danger
less creditable than his coolness on that occasion ; for not-
withstanding the remonstrances of his pilot, he worked the
Rhin among the breakers, and contributed very materially to
the .preservation of the officers and men remaining on the
wreck, which was much exposed to a heavy fire from the
enemy's land batteries *.
In the following summer Captain Malcolm was very ac-
tively employed on the north coast of Spain, under the orders
of Sir Home Popham, as will be seen by a reference to the
extracts from that officer's despatches, which we have in-*
serted, at p. 523 et seq. of this volume.
The Rhin was subsequently sent to the West Indies, where
she captured the American privateer schooner Decatur, a
beautiful vessel of 223 tons, commanded by M. Diron, a
celebrated Frenchman, who had some time before succeeded
in boarding and carrying H. M. schooner Dominica, of 15
guns and 77 men f,
Captain Malcolm being put out of commission on his re-
turn to England, after the termination of hostilities, remained
on half pay till Sept. 15, 1817, when he was appointed to
the Sybille frigate, fitting for the flag of Sir Home Popham,
with whom he served during the whole period of that officer's
command on the Jamaica station^. His last appointment
was, July 8, 1822, to the William and Mary yacht, stationed
at Dublin, to attend upon the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on
which service he is at present employed*
The subject of this memoir married, in 180$, a daughter of
C. Pasley, Esq., and a niece of his maternal uncle, the late
Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart.
Agent.— Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
* See p. 683.
f See James's Naval History, vol. 5, p. 397 et scq.
\ Sir Home. Popham died at Cheltenham, Sept, 11, 1820, aged 58.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 74?
JOHN SERRELL, ESQ.
THIS officer received his first commission in 1793 ; was
made a Commander into the Echo sloop of war, at Jamaica,
in 1800; and posted into* the Garland frigate on the same
station., Jan. 27, 1803. He subsequently commanded the
Cumberland of 74 guns ; Victory, a first rate, fitting for the
flag of Sir James Saumarez ; and Helder frigate. The latter
ship was employed for several years on the Baltic station.
Captain Serrell married, in 1804, Miss E. Dean, of Liverpool.
* — Hugh Stangcr, Esq.
PETER HEYWOOD, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of the late Peter John Hey wood, Esq.
a Deemster of the Isle of Man, and Seneschal to his Grace the
Duke of Athol, by Elizabeth, daughter of James Spedding,
of Whitehaven, co. Cumberland^ Esq. ; and was born at his
father's residence, the Nunnery, near Douglas, June 6, 177^ *•
He entered the naval service as a Midshipman, Oct. 11,
1786 ; and made his first voyage in the Bounty, a ship of
about two hundred and fifteen tons, which had been purchased
by government and fitted up for the purpose of conveying the
bread-fruit and other plants from Otaheite to the West India
islands, in consequence of the merchants and planters having
represented that essential benefit would be derived from the
introduction of the former as an article of food for the inha-
bitants of those colonies.
The deplorable result of this undertaking is well-known to
the public, tkough the extraordinary circumstances that oc-
curred on board the Bounty, previous to the fatal morning Q£
April 28, IJ&9, have either escaped the aotke, or not been
deemed worthy the attention of other writers on naval sub-
jects. To her commander's " Narrative of the Mutiny'*
which broke out on that day, it would be folly to look for any
statement having a tendency to implicate his own conduct :
Captain Schomberg, when compiling his " Naval Chrono-
* Mr. P. J. Heywood was the son of Thomas Heywood, Esq. Chief Jus-
tice of the Isle of Man. His sister married the late Admiral Sir Thomas
Pasley, JJart.
748 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
logy/' appears to have placed implicit reliance on Lieutenant
Bligh's assertions ; and in fact we have met with only one
publication intended for professional use, in which the least
hint is given of the unjust and harsh proceedings which gave
rise to that unhappy transaction *. A private journal, long
in our possession, the publication of which was only pre-
vented by the death of its original owner, the late Mr. James
Morrison, Gunner of H. M. S. Blenheim f, who had the mis-
fortune to witness all that he has related, enables us at
length to withdraw the veil by which the world has been so
long blinded.
On the 23d Dec. 1787, the Bounty sailed from Spithead
under the command of Lieutenant William Bligh, in whose
person were united the offices of Commander and Purser, as
had hitherto been the custom in all our voyages of discovery.
This was done with a view to the more economical manage-
ment of the provisions and victualling stores ; but it proved
on this, as on all former expeditions to the Southern hemi-
sphere, the cause of very serious discontent among the officers
and crew.
A few days after her departure from Santa Cruz, at which
place she had anchored for the purpose of completing her
water, and procuring such scanty refreshments as the island
of Teneriffe at that season afforded, Lieutenant Bligh ordered
the cheese to be hoisted up and exposed to the air ; which
was no sooner done than he pretended to miss a certain quan-
tity, and declared that it had been stolen. The cooper,
Henry Hillbrant, informed him that the cask in question had
been opened by the orders of Mr. Samuel, his clerk, who
acted also as steward, and the cheese sent on shore to his
own house, previous to the Bounty leaving the river on her
way to Portsmouth. Lieutenant Bligh, without making any
further enquiry, immediately ordered the allowance of that
article to be stopped, both from officers and men, until the
deficiency should be made good, and told the cooper he would
give him a d— d good flogging, if he said another word on
the subject.
The next day, in conformity to his order, butter only was
* See BRENTON'S Naval History, vol. I. p. 83, et seq.
f Sec the list of the Bounty's officers and crew, at p. 762.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
749
issued, which the crew refused, alleging that their acceptance
of it, without cheese, would be a tacit acknowledgment of the
supposed theft : John Williams, a seaman, at the same time
asserting that he had been employed to carry the cheese to
Lieutenant Bligh's house, together with a cask of vinegar,
and several other articles of provisions, which had been sent
up the river in a boat from Long Reach. The ship's com-
pany persisting in their refusal to take the butter singly, it
was also kept back for two banyan days, and no more notice
taken of the affair.
On approaching the equator, some pumpkins, purchased at
Teneriffe, began to decay, and as they were in general too
large for the use of Lieutenant Bligh and his messmates (the
Master and Surgeon), the clerk received directions to issue
them in lieu of bread. The crew, on enquiring at what rate
the exchange was to be made, were told that one pound of
pumpkin was to be considered as an equivalent for two
pounds of biscuit, of which latter article they had been on
two-third's allowance ever since their departure from Santa
Cruz. Their evident reluctance to accept the proposed sub-
stitute, on such terms, being reported to Lieutenant Bligh,
he flew upon deck in a violent rage, turned the hands up, and
ordered the first man on the list of each mess to be called by
name ; at the same time saying, " I'll see who will dare to
refuse the pumpkin, or any thing else I may order to be
served out;" to which he added, "You d— d infernal
scoundrels, I'll make you eat grass, or any thing you can
catch, before I have done with you." This speech had the
desired effect, every one receiving the pumpkin, even the ojfi^
cers ; but they having still a good private stock of potatoes,
did not feel the want of bread so sensibly as the men.
To this grievance another quickly succeeded. As the com-
mander's private stock decreased, the beef and pork issued to
the ship's company began to appear very light ; but as the
contents of the casks had never been weighed, it was sup-
posed that those recently opened did not contain the quantity
marked on them, and a representation to that effect was ac-
cordingly made in the quiet and orderly manner prescribed
by the 21st article of war ; but Lieutenant Bligh, instead of
directing the meat to be cut up and issued in the regular
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
manner, called the crew aft, told them that every thing re-
lative to the provisions was transacted by his orders, that it
was therefore needless for them to. complain, as they would
get no redress,, he being the fittest judge of what was right
or wrong, and that he would flog the first man who should
dare attempt to make any complaint in future. To this im-
perious menace they bowed in silence, and not another mur-
mur was heard from them during the remainder of the voyage
to Otaheite, it being their determination to seek legal redress
on the Bounty's return to England. The officers, on the
contrary, did not refrain from talking among themselves of
Lieutenant Bligh's unjustifiable conduct in causing the prime
pieces to be constantly appropriated to his own use, whilst
they were obliged to take their chance of what remained, in
common with the men, and that without having the satis-
faction of even knowing the weight of those very inferior
pieces which often fell to their share.
On the 23d March, 1788, the coast of Terra del Fuego was
discovered, and a sheep which had died that morning was
served out instead of the day's allowance of park and pease,
Lieutenant Bligh observing that it weighed upwards of aOlbs.
and would make a delicious meal. The me% however, not co-
inciding with him in that opinion, took the first opportunity
of throwing their respective shares overboard, and some dried
shark supplied its place for a Sunday's dinner.
Lieutenant Bligh, in his " History of the Bounty's Voyage
to- the South Seas>'J at p. 31, says, "Sunday, 13 April, 1788;
— This morning, owing to the violent motion of the ship, the
cook fell and broke one of his ribs ;" our journalist informs
us, that at that period " wheat and barley were boiled every
morning for breakfast, instead of burgoo ; but the quantity
was so small, that the division of it caused frequent broils in
the galley, and was sometimes attended with bad conse-
quences. In one of those disputes the cook had two of his
ribs broken; and at another time, Charles Churchill, the
master at arms, was badly scalded in the hand, The pro-
portion of pease and oatmeal had previously been reduced to
so low a scale that the officers, c unable to stand the brunt
with the men,' frequently went without their share ; but the
cabin inmates always took care to have theirs."
POST-CAP TAINS. OF 1803. 7M
Proceeding to p. 33, we find Lieutenant Bligh describing
the tempestuous weather he experienced in his attempt to
reach the Society Islands by the way of Cape Horn, but
without bestowing the least commendation upon his officers
and crew for the cheerfulness with which they had invariably
performed their duty. His intentions throughout the volume
are apparent — he studiously conceals every circumstance cal-
culated to reflect credit upon them, or lead to an inference
that any cause of discontent existed previous to their meet-
ing with the fair inhabitants of Otaheite, to whose fascinating
endearments he so ingeniously ascribes his subsequent mis*
fortunes. In the MS. before us appear the following passages :
" The hard duty and continued fatigue which the rigorous season re-
quired, together with their constant exposure to wet ; the intense cold,
and the unwholesome state of the lower-deck, the hatches being continu-
ally battened down, caused several of the crew to fall sick, and the duty of
course fell heavier on those who were able to work, but it was still carried
on with alacrity and spirit. On the 22d April, Lieutenant Bligh ordered
the healthy part of the crew aft, returned them his thanks for their unre-
mitted good behaviour in such a trying situation, and informed them of
his intention to bear away for the Cape of Good Hope. This intimation
was received with universal joy, and returned with three hearty cheers."
Tiie Bounty anchored in Simon's Bay May 24 ; sailed from
thence July 1 ; and arrived in Adventure Bay Van Dieman's
Land, Aug. 20, 1J88.
" Whilst there the seeds of eternal discord were sown between Lieuten-
ant Bligh and some of his officers. He confined the carpenter, and found
so much fault with the others as to cause continual disputes among them,
each endeavouring to thwart the others in their duty. The men, on ob-
serving this, redoubled their exertions in order to avoid the impending
Storm, and rejoiced in private at their good success.
" During the passage from Van Diernan's Land to Otaheite, Lieutenant
Bligh and his messmates quarrelled and divided their private stock, from
which time they seldom spoke to each other, except on duty, and even
then with, much reserve. Previous to their arrival in Matavie Bay, a dis-
pute took place between Mr. BUgh and the Master, who, for reasons best
known to himself, refused to sign some books connected with the ship's
accounts. Upon this the crew were called aft, and the Articles of War,
with part of the General Printed Instructions read to them ; after which
the books in question were produced, and the commander said, ' now, sir,
sign these books ;' to which the other, Caking up a pen, replied, ' I sign in
obedience to your orders, but this may be cancelled hereafter.' The books
were then handed to the clerk, and the people returned to their duty.
" Immediately on anchoring in Matavie Bay, (Oct. 26,) an order was
752 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
•stuck upon the mizen-mast, prohibiting the purchase of curiosities, or any
thing except provisions : — there were very few, if any, instances of this
injunction being disobeyed, for no curiosity struck the crew so forcibly as
a roasted pig and some bread-fruit. Those invitiug objects came in abun-
dance, and the articles of trade possessed by the men were freely parted
u-ith in exchange. The King's allowance of every species, except spirits,
was from that moment stopped, but some time elapsed before the means
.of barter were issued from the public store.
" The ship being moored, a tent was pitched on Point Venus for the use
of the botanist, and the gunner sent to trade for hogs. Mr. Fletcher
Christian, Mr. Peter Heywood, and 4 men, were also sent as a guard, in
<:ase the natives should behave amiss.
" As long as the salting continued provisions were in great plenty, each
man being allowed two pounds of the bones and such other parts as were
not fit for that purpose, per diem, which added to their own purchases en-
abled them to live extremely well ; but the supply of hogs at length be-
coming slack, Lieutenant Bligh seized on all that came to the ship, whe-
ther large or small, dead or alive, claiming them as his property, and
serving them out as the ship's allowance, in the proportion of one pound
per diem. He also seized on those belonging to the Master, and slaugh-
tered them for the use of the crew, although he had more than forty of his
own on board at the time, and others were to be bought in the market at
very little more than the price first paid. When the Master remonstrated
with him on the subject, he replied, that * he would convince him that
every thing became his as soon as it was brought on board ; that he would
take nine-tenths of any man's property, and let him see who dared to say
•any thing to the contrary/ The sailors' pigs were seized without cere-
mony, and it became a favor for a man to obtain an extra pound of his
jown meat.
" The natives being aware of this proceeding, and not knowing but that
their hogs would be taken from them also, became very shy of bringing any
into Lieutenant Bligh's sight, either on board or a-shore, but availed them-
selves of every opportunity, whilst he was out of the ship, to supply the offi-
cers and crew. He, however, observed their movements, and finding that his
diligence was likely to be evaded, ordered a book to be kept in the binnacle
drawer, and the officer of the watch to enter therein the number of hogs
Brought on board, with the weight of each. To obviate this difficulty,
the natives cut them, and wrapping the different joints in leaves,
covered them with bread-fruit, &c. by which means they eluded his vigi-
lance, and full bellies were still the order of the day.
" We removed from Matavie to Oparre, the latter affording a more
secure anchorage, on the 25th Dec. 1788 ; and kept our Christmas on the
28th, each man having double allowance of 'spirits, for which a provision
had already been made by stopping the allowance of all those who had not
crossed the equator previous to this voyage. On new-year's day a similar
indulgence was granted, after which all hands were put on half allowance ;
but as we had plenty of cocoa-nut milk, the grog was not missed. Our
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803. 753
friendly islanders kept us well supplied with cocoa-nuts, notwithstanding
the frequent seizures made by Lieutenant Bligh.
" The object of our visit to the Society Islands being at length accom-
plished, we weighed at 6h 30' A. M. on the 4th April, 1789 ; but for want
of wind was obliged to tow and sweep the ship out of the harbour. Every
one seemed in high spirits, and began to talk of home as though they ha<t
just left Jamaica instead of Otaheite; so far onward did their flattering-
fancies waft them. On the 23d we anchored off Anriamooka, the inhabit-
ants of which island were very rude, and attempted to take the casks and
axes from the parties sent to fill water and cut wood. A musket pointed
at them produced no other effect than a return of the compliment by pois-
ing their clubs or spears with menacing looks ; and as it was Lieutenant
Bligh's orders that no person should affront them on any occasion, they
were emboldened by meeting with no check to their insolence They at
length became so troublesome that Mr. Christian, who commanded the
watering party, found it difficult to carry on his duty ; but on acquainting
Lieutenant Bligh with their behaviour, he received a volley of abuse ; was
d — ~d as a cowardly rascal, and asked if he were afraid of naked savages
whilst he had weapons in his hand ? To this he replied in a respectful
manner, ' the arms are of no effect, sir, while your orders prohibit their
use.'
" Having completed the water, and taken on board large quantities of
yams, cocoa-nuts, plantains, &c. we weighed with a light air about noon
on the 26th. The ship's company were then drawn up under arms, and
three native chiefs, who had not yet taken their leave, were made prisoners,
in consequence of a boat's grapnel, stolen on the preceding day, not being
restored. Expressing great displeasure at such treatment, they were soon,
after forced below and compelled to peel cocoa-nuts for Lieutenant Bligh's
dinner. The officers and crew were subsequently dismissed, but not with-
out being told that they were a parcel of lubberly rascals, and that their
commander would undertake to be one of five men with broomsticks who
would disarm the whole of them. He even went so far as to present a
pistol at William M'Koy, and threaten to shoot him for not paying suffi-
cient attention to his very flattering compliment.
" About 4 P. M., seeing no appearance of the grapnel, the chiefs were
allowed to depart in the only canoe that had ventured to remain near the
ship. In her were several females weeping bitterly, and giving further
proofs of their anguish by inflicting terrible wounds on their own persons.
The eldest of the chiefs also acted in a similar manner ; and the whole,
when going away, appeared like men who only smothered their resent-
ment, seeing they had not the power of revenging the insult which had
been offered to them. It was the opinion of most on board, that if a weak
manned ship were to come in their way, her crew would have cause to de-
plore this day's transaction."
" Thus far," says Lieutenant Bligh, " the voyage had
advanced in a course of uninterrupted prosperity, and had
754 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
been attended with many circumstances equally pleasing and
satisfactory. A very different scene was now to be experi-
enced. A conspiracy had been formed, which was to render
all our past labour productive only of extreme misery and
distress. The means had been concerted and prepared with
so much secrecy and circumspection, that no one circum-
stance appeared to occasion the smallest suspicion of the im-
pending calamity." It is now our business to shew, that so
far from a conspiracy having existed prior to the Bounty's
departure from the Society Islands, the plot was conceived
and carried into execution between the hours of 4 and 8 A.M.
on the 28th April, the second day after she quitted Anna-
mooka.
u In the afternoon of the 27th," adds the writer of the MS. " Lieuten-
ant Bligh came upon deck, and missing some of the cocoa-nuts, which had
been piled up between the guns, said they had been stolen, and could not
have been taken away without the knowledge of the officers, all of whom
were sent for and questioned on the subject. On their declaring that they
had not seen any of the people touch them, he exclaimed, ' Then you
must have taken them yourselves ;» and proceeded to enquire of them, se-
parately, how many they had purchased. In the mean time, Mr. Elphin-
stone, Master's Mate, was ordered to see every nut in the ship brought
aft. On coming to Mr. Christian, that gentleman answered, ' I do not know,
sir, but I hope you don't think me so mean as to be guilty of stealing
yours.' Mr. Bligh replied, * Yes, you d d hound, I do — You must
have stolen them from me, or you would be able to give a better account
of them :' then, turning to the other officers, he said, ' God d n you,
you scoundrels, you are all thieves alike, and combine with the men to rob
me : I suppose you'll steal my yams next ; but I'll sweat you for it you
rascals — I'll make half of you jump overboard before you get through
Endeavour's Straits.' This threat was followed by an order to the clerk
to * stop the villains' grog, and give them but half a pound of yams to-
morrow j if they steal then, I'll reduce them to a quarter.' He then went
below, and the officers were heard to murmur very much at such foul as-
persions being cast upon their characters ; whilst the men, fearing that
their yams would soon meet with the same fate as the cocoa-nuts, imme-
diately set about concealing as many of them as possible, the circumstance
of their having purchased a large quantity being well-known to Lieutenant
Bligh.
" In the morning of the 28th the boatswain came to my hammock, and
after awaking, told me, to my great surprise, that Mr. Christian had taken
possession of the ship. I hurried on deck, and saw Lieutenant Bligh in
his shirt, with his hands tied behind him, and Mr. Christian, with a drawn
bayonet, standing by his skle. Several of the men were under arms, the
small cutter was already hoisted out, and the large cutter getting ready.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. /55
1 applied to the Boatswain to knt>w how I should proceed, but he was as
much at a loss as myself, and therefore told me to lend a hand in clearing
the boat, which I did. When she was out, and the small cutter hoisted in
again, Mr. Christian desired Messrs. Hayward and Hallet, the Midshipmen
who had been in the habit of keeping watch with him, to go into the boat
alongside, and ordered Churchill to send the Master and Clerk out of the
ship also. Lieutenant Bligh now began to reason with Mr. Christian, but
he only replied ' Ma moo *, sir, not a word, or death is your portion.'
Messrs. Hayward and Hallet begged, with tears in their eyes, to be allow-
ed to remain in the ship ; but they were likewise ordered to be silent. The
boatswain and carpenter came aft and asked for the launch, which after
much hesitation was granted. While I was clearing her, the Master came
up and spoke to Lieutenant BUgh : he afterwards came to me, and asked
if I had any hand in the mutiny. I said No ! and was then desired by him
to try and raise a party for the purpose of rescuing the ship, which I pro-
mised him I woukl do. John Millward, who was near at the time, swore
he would stand by me, and went to Muspratt, Burkitt, and the boatswain^
in order to procure their assistance. Churchill, having observed the Mas-
ter speaking to me, came and demanded what he had said. I told him that
he was asking about the launch ; but a mutineer, who stood on the other
side of the booms, told him to look sharp after me, saying, * tis a d d
lie, Charles, for I saw him and Millward shake hands when the Master
spoke to them.' He then called to the other mutineers to stand to their
arms, which put them on the alert j and as I saw no one near me inclined
to make a push, but on the contrary, the officers and all of those who had
not taken a part in the mutiny, busily employed in getting the launch out,
I was induced to follow their example. That business over, every one has-
tened to get what he could into her, as the officers were immediately hur-
ried over the side.
" Lieutenant Blkgh, finding that he must go, again implered Mr. Chris-
tian to relent, saying * I'll pawn my honor, I'll give my bond, Mr. Chris-
tian, never to think of this if you will desist : consider my wife and fa-
mily :' to which the other replied, ' No, Captain Bligh, if you had had
any honor, things would not have come to this extremity ; and if you have
any regard for your wife and family, you should have thought of them be-
fore, and not behaved so much like a villain as you have done/ Lieutenant
Bligh attempted again to speak, but was ordered to be silent; the boat-
swain then tried to pacify Mr. Christian ; but he said, * tis too late, I've
been in hell fov this fortnight past, and am determined to bear it no longer
—you know, Mr. Cole, that I have been treated like a dog all the voyage f.f
" Mr. Fryer, the Master, solicited permission to remain, but without
success ; and Churchill was told to see that no arms were taken away. A
dispute took place between him and Mr. Pureell about the tool-chest,
* Silence, according to the Otaheitean dialect.
f It is worth while to compare the above passage with the correspond-
ing one in " Bligh's Narrative" >
756 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
which Churchill wished to keep in the ship, but Mr. Christian desired him
to let it go. The carpenter's mates and the armourer were ordered to be
detained on board.
" The boat being very deep in the water, Lieutenant Bligh requested
that the Master and some of the people might be suffered to remain. —
' The men,' said Mr. Christian, * may stay, sir, but the Master must go
with you.' The Lieutenant then called out ' Never mind, my lads, you
can't all go with me, but I'll do you justice if ever I reach. England.' He
was then taken to the gangway, where his hands were cast loose previous
to his descending into the launch.
" While the boatswain was getting his cloathes, &c. over the side, I told
him my intention was to stay and take my chance in the ship, reminding1
him of Lieutenant Bligh's promise, and observing that I had no occasion
to point out the danger to which he was about to expose himself, as he
could see that the boat swam scarcely seven inches free of the water. Mr.
Cole repeated Lieutenant Bligh's promise, and added * God bless you my
boy; were it not for my wife and family I would stay myself.'
" After Lieutenant Bligh was in the boat, he asked for his commission
and a sextant, which were given to him, together with his pocket-book,
private journal, and a book of nautical tables : the latter and the sextant
were handed to him by Mr. Christian, who said * there Captain Bligh, that
book is sufficient for every purpose, and you know my sextant to be a
good one.
" The launch was now veered a-stern, and when put to rights Lieuten-
ant Bligh requested that a musket might be given to him; but this was re-
fused by Mr. Christian, who, however, allowed him to have four cutlasses.
I handed in twenty-five or twenty-six double pieces of pork (four pounds
each) and two gourds of water. Several other articles were given to him
previous to his being turned adrift, which took place about 8 A. M.
" Messrs Hey wood and Stewart, both of whom had been confined be-
low, by Churchill's directions, were now allowed to come upon deck, and
Mr. Christian related the cause of this sad affair in terms to the following
effect.
*' Finding himself much hurt by the treatment he had received from
Lieutenant Bligh, he had determined to quit the ship the preceding even-
ing, and informed the boatswain, carpenter, and two midshipmen (Messrs,
Stewart and Hayicard), of his intention to do so. By them he was sup-
plied with part of a roasted pig, some nails, beads, and other articles of
trade, which he put into a bag that was given him by the last named gen-
tleman, (the bag was produced, and I recognized it to be one which I had
made for Mr. Hat/ward some time before.) This bag he put into the clue
of Robert Tinkler's hammock, where it was discovered by that young gen-
tleman when going to bed at night, but the business was smothered, and
passed off without any further notice. He also fastened some staves to a
stout plank, with which he intended to make his escape j but finding he
could not effect it during the first and middle watches, as the ship had no
way through the water, and the people were all moving about, he laid
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
757
down to rest about half-past three in the morning. When Mr. Stewart
called him to relieve the deck at four o'clock*, he had hut just fallen
asleep, and was much out of order ; upon observing which Mr. Stewart
strenuously advised him to abandon his intention. Soon after he had taken
charge of the deck, he saw Mr. Hayward, the mate of his watch, He down
on the arm-chest to take a nap ; and finding that Mr. Hallet, the other
Midshipman, did not make his appearance, he suddenly formed the resolu-
tion of seizing the ship. Disclosing his intention to Matthew Quintal and
Isaac Martin, both of whom had been previously flogged by Lieutenant
Bligh, they called up Charles Churchill, who had also tasted the cat, and
Matthew Thompson, both of whom readily joined in the plot. Alexan-
der Smith, John Williams, and William M'Koy, evinced equal willingness,
and went with Churchill to the armourer, of whom they obtained the keys
of the arm-chests, under pretence of wanting a musket to fire at a shark
then alongside. Finding Mr. Hallet asleep on an arm-chest in the main-
hatchway, they roused and sent him on deck. Charles Norman, uncon-
scious of their proceedings, had in the mean time awaked Mr. Hayward
and directed his attention to the shark, whose movements he was watching
at the moment that Mr. Christian and his confederates came up the fore-
hatchway, after having placed arms in the hands of several men who were
not aware of their design. One man, Matthew Thompson, was left in
charge of the chest, and he served out arms to Thomas Burkitt and Robert
Lamb. Mr. Christian then proceeded to secure Lieutenant Bligh, the
Master, Gunner, and Botanist. The former was brought upon deck in the
state I have already described, and the latter were strictly guarded by two
centinels, one posted at the Master's cabin door, and the other at the top
of the after-cockpit ladder.
" When Mr. Christian related the above circumstances, I recollected
having seen him fasten some staves to a plank lying on the larboard gangway,
as also having heard the Boatswain say to the Carpenter, ' It will not do to
night,' I likewise remembered that Mr. Christian had visited the fore-
cockpit several times that evening, although he had very seldom, if ever,
frequented the warrant officers' cabins before.
" The conduct of the officers on this melancholy occasion was dastardly
beyond description ; none of them ever making the least attempt to coun-
teract Mr. Christian's intentions, which might easily have been effected,
as several of the men who were armed had no idea of what was about to
take place. Robert Lamb, whom I found standing sentry at the fore
hatchway, when I first came upon deck, was one of those who went away
in the launch with Lieutenant Bligh j and Isaac Martin, who was one of the
ftrst persons Mr. Christian invited to assist him, threw his arms aside and
jumped into the boat, but was compelled to return on board again. The
officers' passive obedience to Mr. Christian's orders even surprised him-
* Mr. Christian received a written order to do duty as a Lieutenant
shortly after the Bounty sailed from Teneriffe, and from that period he
had had charge of a watch.
VOL, II. 3 D
758 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803.
self, as he said, immediately after the launch had quitted the ship, tha£
something more than fear had possessed them, or they would not have suf-
fered themselves to be sent away in such a manner, without offering to
make resistance *."
Lieutenant Bligh landed in a cove on the N. W. side of
Tofoa, hoping to obtain an immediate supply of bread-fruit
and water, but on climbing the heights could only find a few
cocoa-nuts and plantains. The weather becoming boisterous
he was obliged to take shelter in an adjacent cave. On the
1st May, several of the inhabitants brought them a small
supply, and retired peaceably in the evening. The next day,
their number greatly increased ; some of the principal persons
arrived in canoes, and amongst them was one of the identical
chiefs whom he had treated so shamefully at Annamooka.
They offered to accompany him to Tongataboo, when the
weather should be moderate ; but some symptoms appearing
of a design to obtain by force the articles which he could not
afford to spare them, he resolved to depart that evening, as
they did not seem inclined to retire. They had previously sold
him some spears ; and now allowed his people to carry their
property into the boat, but endeavoured to prevent him from
embarking-. A contest ensued, in which one Englishman was
killed, and every one of the others more or less wounded by
stones. The launch arrived at Coupang, in the island of
Timor, without any further accident, on the I4th June ; and
Lieutenant Bligh proceeded from thence in a small schooner
to Batavia, where he embarked with his clerk and one man
in a packet bound to Europe, leaving the remainder of his
companions to be provided with a passage in a fleet of mer-
chant vessels then preparing to sail for Holland. A list of
those who were turned adrift with him will be found at p.
762 f.
* We are inclined to attribute the conduct of the officers to lukewarm-
ness, rather than to fear. Lieutenant Bligh made no effort himself, ex-
cept by words, even when his hands were at liberty.
f On looking over Mr. Morrison's MS. we find that one of the Mid-
shipmen who was sent away with Lieutenant Bligh had been confined in,
irons, by his order, from Jan. 5 till March 23, 1789, for sleeping on his
watch, and thereby affording three men an opportunity of running away
with the small cutter. The desertion of these men, and their subsequent
recovery, are mentioned at pp. 1 13 and 1 18 of " Bligh's Voyage," but
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
759
The Bounty returned to Matavia Bay on the 6th June,
having in the meantime touched at Toobouai, a small island
situated several degrees to the southward of Otaheite, and
which Mr. Christian had selected for his future residence ;
preferring it to the latter, as being less exposed to visits from
Europeans.
On their arrival, the mutineers availed themselves of the
fiction which had been hitherto supported' respecting Captain
Cook ; asserting that they had fallen in with him, and that he
had sent the ship back for all the live stock that could be
spared, in order to form a settlement at a place called
Wytootacke, which they pretended Lieutenant Bligh had dis-
covered in his course towards the Friendly Islands. The
inhabitants gave credit to this story, and vied with each other
who should furnish most for the service of a man whom they
all adored ; so that about 460 hogs, 50 goats, and a great
number of fowls, were collected in the course of ten days. A
bull and cow, which had been left behind by Captain Cook,
were also delivered to Christian, in exchange for a few red
feathers ; and a number of dogs and cats were likewise taken
on board, to clear Toobouai of the rats by which that island
was infested. Seventeen male natives, ten women, and a
young girl, emigrated with the mutineers — 13 of the former
having concealed themselves below until the Bounty had
cleared the land. Among them was Heete-heete, a very in-
telligent person, who had formerly sailed with Captain Cook,
and now hoped to meet him again ; but who expressed no
dissatisfaction when informed of the ship's real destination ;
and that, in all probability, he would never be able to return
from thence*.
Notwithstanding Mr. Christian had received considerable
not a word of the Midshipman's misconduct. The latter was in England,
and had friends whose hostility might have proved detrimental to the ob-
ject of that work. It is well known that the tide of public opinion long
ran in favor of the author.
* Lieutenant Watts, in the Lady Penrhyn transport, touched at Otaheite
after landing convicts in New Holland, and thought proper to conceal the
death of Captain Cook, in whose name he made several presents to the
chiefs. Lieutenant Bligh, on his arrival, passed himself off for the son of
their benefactor, whose death he likewise kept them in ignorance of.
3D2
760 POST- CAPTAINS OF J803.
opposition from the Toobouaites, on his first visit to their
island, he caused the Bounty to be warped about four miles
to the eastward of the opening in the reef, described by Cap-
tain Cook, and moored (head and stern) in three fathoms
water, within a cable's length of the shore. He then pre-
vailed on his companions to undertake the labour of con-
structing a fort for their security against surprise, working
himself with a pick-axe, as an example, in laying the foun-
dation, and alluring them to exertion by an extra allowance
of grog. The ground being at length cleared, the British
colours were displayed, and the work was laid out in a qua-
drangular form, measuring eighty- eight yards on each square,
surrounded by a ditch eighteen feet wide, and twenty feet
deep, from the top of the parapet. Over the ditch it was in-
tended to have a draw-bridge facing the beach ; and the
Bounty's guns were to have been mounted on the fort in such
a manner, that two 4-pounders and four swivels might be
brought to bear in any direction, without the least delay *.
During the progress of this work, Mr. Christian allowed
two men to sleep on shore each night, and the whole of them
to spend their Sundays in any manner they pleased ; but in
every other respect he maintained the strictest discipline, and
enforced his orders with an uncommon degree of firmness.
He resolutely opposed those who wished to bring the
Toobouaite females on board by force ; and when two of the
mutineers behaved insolently to him, after absenting them-
selves a whole night without his permission, he clapped a pis-
tol to the head of one of them, and placed both in irons till they
expressed contrition for their conduct, and promised future
obedience. It was his intention, when the fort should be
completed, to remove every thing thither, and take the
Bounty to pieces ; but the evident reluctance of many, who
had not been active in the mutiny, to end their days in exile ;
and the hostility of the neighbouring chiefs, who took every
opportunity of annoying his men, when they were sent in
quest of provisions, compelled him to abandon his design of
* The Bounty mounted four 4-pounders and ten swivels. Mr. Chris-
tian's plan was to place one gun at each angle, and two swivels on each
side of the fort ; the remaining swivels to be shifted about as occasion
might require.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
761
settling for life at Toobouai, and to seek some other place of
refuge for himself, and those who were still inclined to follow
his fortunes. He accordingly summoned all the Bounty's
people together on the llth Sept., when it was decided by
a shew of hands, 16 against 9, that the former number should
be landed at Otaheite, with a fair proportion of the arms,
ammunition, and every description of property on board ;
and that the Bounty should then be resigned, with her sails,
tackle, and furniture complete, to Mr. Christian and his adhe-
rents, for their conveyance to any other island that they
might think proper to fix upon.
This decision being made known to the ruler of the district
in which they resided, he requested to be taken on board,
saying that their departure would be the signal for his de-
struction by the other chiefs, whose jealousy had been ex-
cited by the alliance formed between him and the English.
The Otaheitean men, whom the mutineers ha<l usually em-
ployed as servants, were then sent to collect the stock which
had been dispersed about the island ; but in this they were
opposed by the hostile natives, and several severe conflicts
took place before the animals could be recovered. On one of
those occasions, Mr. Christian was severely wounded in the
right hand, and Thomas Burkitt received a spear in his body ;
which were the only casualties sustained by the British
during their stay at Toobouai. The natives on the contrary
appear to have had eighty-four killed, and a great number
wounded, in the different battles that were fought, from the
time of the Bounty's first arrival, till that of her final depar-
ture, in Sept. 1789.
The Bounty anchored a third time in Matavia Bay, on the
22d of the same month, and those who had voted for that
measure were then landed, together with the Toobouaite
chief, Heete-heete, and most of the Otaheitean men ; but the
servants of the chief, 3 other males, 12 women, and an infant
girl, remained with Christian, who sailed suddenly in the
night, and proceeded to Pitcairn's Island, where the only sur-
viving mutineer was discovered by an American ship, in Feb.
1808, as will be more fully noticed in a subsequent part of
lis work. :
Having thus taken leave of the Bounty for the present, we
762 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
shall now exhibit a correct list of the officers and men who
were on board when the mutiny took place, shewing as far
as lies in our power, the manner in which each individual
was afterwards disposed of. The sufferings endured by Mr.
Peter Hey wood will next occupy our attention.
Turned adrift in the Launch.
1. WILLIAM BLIGH, Lieutenant and Commander; — Died a Vice-Admi-
ral, in Dec. 1817 ; aged 63 years •.
2. JOHN FRYER, Master; — Deceased.
3. WILLIAM ELPHINSTONE, Master's Mate; — Died at Batavia, in Oct.
1789.
4. JOHN HALLET, Midshipman ; — Died a Lieutenant, on board the
Penelope frigate, in 1793.
5. THOMAS HAY WARD, Ditto ; — Perished in the China Seas, when com-
manding the Swift sloop of war, in 1 797.
6. ROBERT TINKLER, Ditto; — Nephew to the Master, died a Com-
mander R. N.
7. WILLIAM PECKOVER, Gunner.
8. WILLIAM COLE, Boatswain.
9. WILLIAM PURCELL, Carpenter ; — Resides at Greenwich.
10. THOMAS DENMAN LEDWARD, Surgeon's Mate; — Remained at Ba-
tavia f.
11. JOHN SAMUEL, Clerk and Steward; — Returned to England with
Lieut. Bligh. Died a Purser, R. N.
12. DAVID NELSON, Botanist ;— Died at Coupang, July 20, 1789.
13. LAWRENCE LABOGUE, Sailmaker ; — Deceased.
14. PETER LINKLETTER, Quarter-Master ;•— Died at Batavia, in Oct.
1789.
15. JOHN NORTON, Ditto ;•— Killed by the natives at Tofoa- See p.
758.
16. GEORGE SIMPSON, Quarter-Master's-Mate ;— Deceased.
17. THOMAS HALL, Ship's Cook ;— -Died at Batavia, in Oct. 1789.
18. JOHN SMITH, Commander's Cook ; — Deceased.
19. ROBERT LAMB, Butcher ;— Died on the passage from Batavia to
England.
Settled at Pitcairn's Island.
1 . FLETCHER CHRISTIAN, Acting Lieutenant ; — Brother of the present
Chief Justice of the Isle of Ely— Murdered by a Toobouaite.
2. EDWARD YOUNG, Midshipman ;— Nephew to Sir George Young, Bart.
Died of asthma.
* For farther particulars of Lieutenant Bligh, see Wentworth's Descrip-
tion of New South Wales, p. 166 et scq.
t Mr. Thomas Huggan, the Surgeon, died at Matavia, previous to the
mutiny.
PO^T-CAPTATNS OP 1803. J63
3. WILLIAM M'Koy, Seaman; — Became insane, and threw himself from
a rock into the sea.
4. MATTHEW QUINTAL, Ditto -t — Killed in a drunken quarrel.
5. JOHN WILLIAMS, Ditto ; — "1
6. ISAAC MARTIN, Ditto ; — \ Murdered by the islanders.
7. JOHN MILLS, Gunner's Mate ; — 3
8. WILLIAM BROWN, Botanist's Asssistant ; — Murdered by the islanders.
9. ALEXANDER SMITH, (dins JOHN ADAMS, Seaman ; — Was still living
in 1822. See Memoir of Sir THOMAS STAINES, K. C. B.
Left the Bounty at Otaheile*
1. PETER HEYWOOD, Midshipman; — The subject of this memoir.
2. GEORGE STEWART, Ditto ; — Drowned in irons on board H. M. S. Pan-
dora. See p. 770.
3. JAMES MORRISON, Boatswain's-Mate ; — Perished in the Blenheim 74,
about Mar. 1807*.
4. CHARLES CHURCHILL, Master at Arms j-^-Murdered by Matthew
Thompson.
5. MATTHEW THOMPSON, Seaman j — Put to death by the friends of
Charles Churchill f.
6. JOHN SUMNER, Ditto ; — "1 T
.7. R,CHABD SK.NNRR, Ditto ;- ( Dro"™d ™ irons °D boar,d "" M'
& HENRY H.LLBRANT Cooer ;- J h" Pandori>- bee * 77°'
* James Morrison was sentenced to death "because the testimony of the
other prisoners could not be received as evidence in his favor. The court-
martial were compelled to find him guilty, but the. King's free pardon, and
his immediate promotion, are sufficient proofs that he was not in reality
thought so. He ever afterwards enjoyed the patronage of Sir Thomas
Troubridge, Bart, whose fate he shared when serving as Gunner of his un-
fortunate flag-ship, the Blenheim. See Captain Sir EDWARD THOMAS
TROUBRIDGB, Bart.
f Charles Churcliill, after residing a short time at Matavia, accepted an
invitation to live with Waheadooa, who was sovereign of Teiarraboo when
Captain Cook last visited that peninsula. Thompson accompanied him
thither, but they very soon disagreed. Waheadooa dying without chil-
dren, Churchill, who had been his tayo or sworn friend, succeeded to his
property arid dignity, according to the established custom of the country.
Thompson, envious of Churchill's preferment, and in revenge for some
fancied insult, took an opportunity of shooting him. The natives rose to
punish the murderer of their new sovereign, and stoned Thompson to
death. This wretch had previously slain a man and a child through mere
wantonness, but escaped punishment for that crime in consequence of a
mistake as to his person, Mr. Heywood being taken for him, and about to
be sacrificed, when making a tour of the island in company with an old
chief, whose timely interposition alone saved him from destruction.
764 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
9. THOMAS BURKITT, Seaman;—)
10. JOHN MILLWARD, Ditto ;- > Executed at Spithead, Oct. 29, 1 792.
11. THOMAS ELLISON, Ditto*; — }
12. WILLIAM MUSPRATT, Commander's Steward ; — Sentenced to death,
but respited.
13. JOSEPH COLEMAN, Armourer; — *\
14. CHARLES NORMAN, Carpenter's Mate ;— I Tried by Court Mar-
15. THOMAS M^NTOSH, Carpenter's Crew;— Jtial, and acquitted.
16. MICHAEL BYRNE f, Seaman j— «f
TOTAL, 44 persons.
We now return to Mr. Peter Hey wood, who had not com-
pleted his 16th year, at the time when the fatal mutiny took
place ; previous to which, says Lieutenant Bligh, when writing
to Colonel Holwell, an uncle of the unfortunate youth, " his
conduct had ahvays given me much pleasure and satisfac-
tion I"
Compelled by circumstances over which he had no controul,
* John Millward and William Muspratt took up arms for no other pur-
pose but to assist in rescuing the ship. This, however, they had no
means of proving j and as ttye circumstance of their having been armed was
sworn to by the witnesses against them, the Court, as in Morrison's case,
could do no otherwise than find them guilty. Ellison, although rated an
A. B. was only a mere youth.
f Michael Byrne's sight was so extremely defective that he could have
been of no service to either party.
J Lieutenant Bligh, although he thought proper to brand Mr. Peter
Heywood with the vile appellation of mutineer, did not dare to charge him
with any specific act that would have justified the use of such an epithet.
On the contrary, he declared in writing that he had had the highest esteem for
him till the moment of the mutiny, and that his conduct during the whole
course of the voyage was truly commendable. He even went so far as to
say to Mr. Wilson, the Deputy Receiver General of the Isle of Man, that
his greatest hopes of assistance in suppressing the mutiny were from his
dependence on Mr. Heywood, whom he expected would form a party in
his favor. We must here observe, that his confidence in the other officers
could not have been very great, or he would have made some effort more
powerful than mere words, when his hands were at liberty, instead of con-
fiding in the exertions and ability of a boy, and looking to him for the re-
covery of his authority. This reflection, if he ever had any feeling, must
have distressed him in the subsequent part of his life — but tyrants are ge-
nerally as insensible of remorse, as they are deficient in true courage^
His conduct when deposed at New South Wales, is sufficient to convince us
that he did not possess too great a share of personal intrepidity.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 765
to associate for a time with the misguided men who had so
grossly offended against the laws of their country, Mr. Hey-
wood felt great pleasure at the prospect which their return
from Toobouai, to procure stock at Matavia, afforded him, of
being able to make his escape, and secrete himself until their
final departure. Mr* Christian, however, suspecting that such
a course would be adopted, if possible, by some of those who
had taken no part in the mutiny, directed an oath to be ad-
ministered, by which the others were bound to demand from
the natives the restoration of any person who might run away,
and then to shoot the deserter as an example to the rest.
Independent of this precaution, he caused so good a look out
to be kept by those upon whom he could rely, as to render
the attempt almost impracticable.
His design being thus frustrated, Mr. Heywood saw no
other alternative but to return with the mutineers, and re-
main as contented as possible at Toobouai till the masts
should be taken out, according to Christian's intention ; and
then, by seizing the largest boat, and privately destroying
the purchase blocks, at once effect his purpose, and render it
impossible for the ship ever to come in quest of him. In this
enterprise he was to have been joined by Mr. Stewart, James
Morrison, and John Millward ; but, providentially, the hos-
tility of the natives, and the want of unanimity amongst his
own countrymen, rendered it unnecessary for him to try his
fortune at such a hazard.
Released at length from the authority of Christian, Messrs.
Heywood and Stewart claimed the protection of an old chief,
possessing considerable landed property at Matavia, whose
friendship they had previously enjoyed, and under whose
roof they now resolved to live as quietly as possible, until a
ship should arrive from Europe in search of the Bounty, and
thereby afford them an opportunity of returning to their na-
tive land. The other 14 persons whose names appear in the
third part of the foregoing list, also went to reside with their
former tayos in the northern districts, and the whole were
treated with the same hospitality as during their first visit to
the island.
About seven weeks after their return, the construction of a
schooner was undertaken by the two carpenters, armourer,
766 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
cooper, and others, at the suggestion of James Morrison, who
being conscious of his innocence, and extremely desirous of
returning to civilized society, entertained hopes of reaching
Batavia time enough to secure a passage home in the next
fleet hound to Holland. To this measure Messrs. Heywood and
Stewart offered no opposition, although it was their own fixed
determination not to leave Otaheite before the arrival of a
King's ship, as they very naturally concluded that one would
be sent out to search for them, whatever might have been the
fate of Lieutenant Bligh and his companions.
In pursuance of their plan, Morrison and his assistants built
houses at Point Venus, where land and bread-fruit trees were
assigned for their support ; the natives being led to believe
that nothing more was intended than to construct a vessel for
the purpose of cruising about the island. To this little band
of architects, Morrison, who was himself a tolerable mechanic,
acted both as director and chaplain, distinguishing the sab-
bath-day by reading to them the Church Liturgy, and hoisting
the British colours on a flag- staff erected near the scene of
their operations. To be brief, the schooner's keel was laid
Nov. 12, 1789 ; and after encountering numerous obstacles,
occasioned by the want of proper materials, and submitting
with patience to the failure of several experiments, they at
length succeeded in completing a vessel fully adequate to the
intended purpose, which was launched amidst the acclama-
tions of the islanders, and the benedictions of their priests,
on the 6th July, 1790.
Unfortunately for those persevering men, serious discords
respecting the sovereignty of Otaheite then prevailed among
the most powerful chiefs ; and those of Oparre being unwil-
ling to lose the military services of their English friends,
took care to prevent them from obtaining a sufficient quan-
tity of matting to serve as sails for so long a voyage ; supply-
ing them only with enough to equip their vessel for cruising
about the island. Their object was consequently defeated ;
but they nevertheless, felt obliged from motives of policy, as
well as of gratitude for former hospitality, to take part against
the hostile districts, which, by means of their fire-arms, were
speedily reduced to submission.
On the 23d Mar. 1791, just eighteen months after the
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 767
Bounty's last departure from Mataviu Bay, the Pandora ar-
rived there in search of that ill-fated ship. Scarcely had she
anchored, when Messrs. Heywood and Stewart paddled off
in a canoe, and made themselves known to her commander,
the late Admiral Edward Edwards, who instantly ordered
them to be put both legs in irons, and ever afterwards treated
them as though they had been " piratical villains/' as he then
thought proper to designate them — a convincing proof that
Lieutenant Bligh, when reporting the loss of his ship, had
made no discrimination between the innocent and the guilty.
The other survivors of the Bounty, twelve in number, who
were then at Otaheite, being shortly after collected from dif-
ferent parts of the island, handcuffs were made and fitted to
the wrists of the whole party ; and a sort of prison, appro-
priately stiled Pandora's box, being only eleven feet in length,
was built upon the after part of the quarter-deck, in order
that they might be kept separate from the crew, and the more
effectually prevented from having any communication with
the natives. Such of those friendly creatures as ventured to
look pitifully towards them were instantly turned out of the
ship, and never again allowed to come on board. Two cen-
tinels were kept constantly upon the roof of the prison, with
orders to shoot the first of its inmates who should attempt to
address another in the Otaheitean dialect. A Midshipman
was stationed in front of the bulk-head, through which the
only air admitted, found its way by means of two iron
gratings, each about nine inches square. The master at arms
received directions not to converse with the prisoners on any
other subject than that of their provisions. Spare hammocks
supplied the place of beds until they became crowded with
vermin, after which the sufferers were obliged to sleep on the
bare deck. The heat of the prison, during calm weather,
was so intense, that the perspiration ran in streams from
their bodies ; and to add to their misery, they were inces-
santly assailed by the effluvia proceeding from two tubs
placed near them for necessary purposes. In short, nothing
was wanting to render their situation truly pitiable.
From Otaheite the Pandora proceeded to the westward,
cruising amongst the different islands in her route, but with-
out gaining any intelligence of the Bounty. During this
768 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
search she lost a Midshipman and several men, who were
blown out to sea when returning from Palmerston's Isles, in
the jolly-boat, and thereby exposed to a lingering death
through hunger. The schooner which had been built by the
Bounty's people, and commissioned as a tender by Captain
Edwards, also parted company in a gale of wind 3 but after
encountering many dangers, succeeded in reaching the island
of Java, from whence she was sent as a present to the Gover-
nor of Timor, as a return for his hospitality towards the
Pandora's officers when they arrived with their prisoners at
Coupang, after being shipwrecked on the'reef between New
Holland and New Guinea, a disaster which we feel the more
pain in relating, as it is impossible to do so without again
reflecting upon their commander's inhuman conduct *.
The Pandora got sight of the reef in question on the 28th
Aug. 1791, and her second Lieutenant f was immediately
sent to ascertain if any opening existed through which she
could pass. At 5 P. M. he made a signal in the affirmative ;
but Captain Edwards, wishing to be well informed on the
subject, continued lying-to until seven o'clock, by which
time the current had set the ship so near to the reef that
soundings were obtained with fifty fathoms of line, although
no bottom could be previously found with more than double
that quantity. The main-yard was then braced up, in order
to stand off; but, before the courses could be set, she truck
with great violence upon a patch of coral, and almost instantly
bilged. The sails were scarcely furled, and boats hoisted out,
when the carpenter reported that she had nine feet water in
the hold.
Three of the Bounty's people (Coleman, Norman, and
* The schooner's dimensions were as follow « — length of the keel, 30
feet ; length on deck, 35 feet ; extreme breadth , 9 feet 6 inches ; depth of
the hold, 5 feet. She sailed remarkably well ; and, being afterwards em-
ployed in the sea-otter trade, made the quickest passage ever known from
China to the Sandwich Islands. This memorable little vessel, also, being
purchased at Canton by the late Captain Broughton, to assist him in survey-
ing the coast of Tartary, became the means of preserving the crew of H'
M, S. Providence, 112 in number, when wrecked to the eastward of For-
mosa, on the 17th May, 1797. See Memoir of Lord GEORGE STUART.
t Mr. Robert Corner, late Superintendent of the Marine Police at
Malta.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
769
M'Intosh) were now let out of irons, and sent to work at the
pumps. The others offered their assistance, and begged to
be allowed a chance of saving their lives ; instead of which
two additional centinels were placed over them, with orders
to shoot any who should attempt to get rid of their fetters.
Seeing no prospect of escape, they betook themselves to
prayer, and prepared to meet their fate, every one expecting
that the ship would soon go to pieces, her rudder, and part of
the stern-post being already beat away. About ten o'clock,
however, she beat over the reef, and was brought to an
anchor in fifteen fathoms water.
At this dreadful crisis, the wind blowing very strong, and
the ship being surrounded by rocks and shoals, all the people
who could be spared from the pumps were employed thrumb-
ing a sail to fodder her bottom ; but this scheme was soon
abandoned, in consequence of one of the chain-pumps giving
way, and the water gaining rapidly upon the other, which
rendered it necessary for every person to bale at the hatch-
ways, in order that she might be kept afloat till daylight.
Whilst thus engaged, one man was crushed to death by a
gun breaking loose, and another killed by a spar falling from
the skids into the waist. All the boats, excepting one, were
in the mean time kept at a distance from the ship, on account
of the broken water, and the high surf that was running
near her.
About half an hour before day-break a consultation was
held amongst the officers, who were unanimously of opinion
that nothing more could be done to save the ship, and that
every effort should be directed towards the preservation of the
crew. Spars, hen-coops, and every thing buoyant, were ac-
cordingly thrown overboard to afford them support until the
boats could come to their aid ; but no notice was taken of the
prisoners, as is falsely stated by the author of the " Pandora's
Voyage," although Captain Edwards was entreated by Mr.
Heywood to have mercy upon them, when he passed over
their prison to make his own escape, the ship then lying on
her broadside, with the larboard bow completely under
water. Fortunately the master-at-arms, either by accident
or design, when slipping from the roof of Pandora's Box
into the sea, let the keys of the irons fall through the scuttle,
770 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
or entrance, which he had just before opened, and thus ena-
abled them to commence their own liberation, in which they
were generously assisted, at the imminent risk of his own
life, by William Moulter, a boatswain's mate, who clung to
the coamings, and pulled the long bars through the shackles,
saying he would set them free, or go to the bottom with them*.
Scarcely was this effected, when the ship went down,
leaving nothing visible below the top-mast cross-trees. The
master at arms, and all the centinels, sunk to rise no more.
The cries of them, and the other drowning men, were awful
in the extreme ; and more than half an hour had elapsed be-
fore the survivors could be taken up by the boats. Among
the former were Mr. Stewart, John Sumner, Richard Skin-
ner, and Henry Hillbrant, the whole of whom perished
with their hands still in manacles f.
On this melancholy occasion, Mr. Hey wood was the last
person but three who escaped from the prison, into which
the water had already found its way through the bulk-head
scuttles. . Jumping overboard, he seized a plank, and was
swimming towards a small sandy quay, about three miles dis-
tant, when a boat picked him up, and conveyecf him thither
in a state of nudity. It is worthy of remark, that James Mor-
rison, whose name we have so frequently had occasion to
mention, endeavoured to follow his young companion's ex-
ample, and, although handcuffed, managed to keep afloat
until a boat also came to his assistance.
The survivors being all assembled on a quay, only ninety
yards long and sixty wide, it was found that thirty-nine men,
* The entrance to the prison was through a scuttle in the roof, about
eighteen inches square, secured by an iron bolt passed through the
coamings. William Moulter was subsequently made a warrant-officer
through Captain Heywood's influence.
f Mr. Stewart was a native of the Orkneys ; and Lieutenant Bligh ac-
knowledges having received so many civilities from his family, when he
touched at those islands on his return from the South Seas, with Captain
Gore, in 1780, that lie would gladly have received him on board the
Bounty on that account only, " but independent of this recommendation,
he was a seaman, and had always borne a good character." See " Bounty's
Voyager p. 161.
An affecting account of the young female with whom Mr. Stewart co-
habited whilst at Otaheite, will be found in the Appendix to " The Duff's
Missionary Voyage," at p. 346.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 7/1
including the above, had met with a watery grave. The only
articles of provisions saved from the wreck were three bags of
biscuit, a small keg of wine, and several barracoes of water :
the number of persons to subsist thereon was ninety-nine ;
and the distance they had to proceed in four open boats, be-
fore a fresh supply could be hoped for, at least 1100 miles.
Thus circumstanced, the strictest economy became necessary ;
and orders were accordingly given, that only two ounces of
bread, and one gill of wine, or the same quantity of water,
should be served to each man once in twenty-four hours.
The boats' sails were now converted into tents for the
Pandora's crew, most of whom had landed in a very ex-
hausted state, and required a little rest previous to their de-
parture. The prisoners, however, were kept at a distance
from them, without the least covering to protect their naked
bodies from the scorching rays of a vertical sun by day, and
the chilling effect of heavy dews at night. A spare sail,
which was lying useless on the quay, being refused them by
Captain Edwards, they tried the experiment of burying
themselves neck-deep in the sand, which caused the skin to
blister and peel off from head to foot, as though they had
been immersed in scalding water. The excruciating torture
which they suffered from thirst, aggravated as it had been by
involuntarily swallowing salt water, whilst swimming from
the wreck, was, if possible, increased by the sight of rain,
and their total inability to catch any of it. Exposed in this
manner to alternate heat and cold, in the latitude of 110 S.
some conception may be formed of their sufferings, but words
will be found wanting to describe them.
The damages sustained by one of the boats having been
repaired, and such other preparations made for their voyage
as circumstances would admit, the whole party embarked at
noon on the 31st Aug. and proceeded towards Coupang,
where they arrived in a miserable condition at 5 P. M. on the
16th of the following month. Whilst there, Mr. Hey wood
and the other prisoners were closely confined in the castle ;
but, although for several days treated with great rigour by
their Dutch gaolers, they do not at any time appear to have
suffered so many privations at once, as when in the sole cus-
tody of a British Captain !
772 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
The mutability of human greatness was excellently pour-
trayed whilst the Pandora's officers remained at Coupang, —
a captive King in chains being compelled to blow the bellows
for the English armourer, whilst he was employed forging
bolts and fetters for his own countrymen. See Hamilton's
Account of the Pandora's Voyage, p. 146.
From Coupang they were conveyed in the Rembang, a
badly found and worse managed Dutch Indiaman, to Sama-
rang, and Batavia, at which latter place they anchored on
the 7th Nov., after a very dangerous passage of 33 days,
the ship being twice nearly driven on shore, and proving so
leaky as to render it necessary for every person on board to
work at the pumps— a species of liberty which the prisoners
were allowed to enjoy until their strength entirely failed
them, when they were again placed in irons and suffered to
rest their weary limbs on an old sail, alternately soaked with
rain, salt water, and the drainings of a pig-stye under which
it was spread.
At Batavia Captain Edwards distributed the purchase mo-
ney of the schooner among his people, in order that they
might furnish themselves with nankeen apparel; and the
prisoners, having their hands at liberty, availed themselves of
this opportunity to obtain some articles of clothing, by
making straw hats for sale, and acting as tailors to those who
had thus become comparatively rich by the produce of their
labour as shipwrights. It was in a suit thus purchased that
Mr. Heywood arrived at Spithead, after an absence of four
years and a half all but four days. The patience, fortitude,
and manly resignation evinced by him at that early period of
life, were such as excited the admiration of his family and
friends ; and may be inferred from the following passages
contained in letters written by him at a period when charged
by his persecutor, Lieutenant Bligh, with the crimes of
ingratitude, mutiny, and desertion — charges sufficient to
shake the strongest nerves.
" Batavia, Nov. 20, 1791.
" I am afraid to say a hundredth part of what I have got in store, for
this is written by stealth, as the use of pens, ink, and paper, is denied
me. • * * * My sufferings I have not power to describe ; but though
they are great, yet I thank God for enabling me to bear them without
repining ! I endeavour to qualify my affliction with these three consider- '
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 773
aliens, first, my innocence, not deserving them ; secondly, that they can-
not last long ; and third, that the change may be for the better. The first
improves my hopes j the second, my patience ; and the third, my courage.
I am young in years, but old in what the world calls adversity : and it has
had such an effect as to make me consider it the most beneficial incident
that could have occurred at my age. It has made me acquainted with
three things which are little known, and as little believed, by any but
those who have felt their effects. 1st, the villainy and censoriousness of
mankind ; 2d, the futility of all human hopes ; and, third, the happiness
of being content in whatever station it may please Providence to place me.
In short it has made me more of a philosopher than many years of a life
spent irt ease and pleasure could have done.
" As they will no doubt proceed to the greatest lengths against me, I
being the only surviving officer, and they most inclined to believe a prior
story j all that can be said to confute it will probably be looked upon as
mere falsity and invention. Should that be my unhappy case, and they
resolved upon my destruction as an example to futurity, may God enable
me to bear my fate with the fortitude of a man, conscious that misfortune,
not any misconduct, is the cause, and that the Almighty can attest my in-
nocence. Yet why should I despond ? I have, I hope, still a friend in
that Providence which hath preserved me amidst many greater dangers,
and upon whom alone I now depend for safety. God will always protect
those who deserve it. These are the sole considerations which have ena-
bled me to make myself easy and content under my past misfortunes.
" Though I have been nearly eight months in close confinement, in a
hot climate, I have preserved my health in a most surprising manner,
without the least indisposition, and am still perfectly well, in head as well
as body ; but without any cloathing except one shirt and a pair of trow-
sers *. I have, thank God, a contented mind, and am entirely resigned to
his divine will, which enables me to soar above the reach of unhappiness.
You will, most probably, hear of my arrival in England before I can
again write to you, which I most earnestly long for an opportunity of do-
ing at length, that I may explain things which it is not now in my power
to mention. Yet, I hope this will be sufficient to undeceive those who
have been so ungenerous as to declare me criminal, as well as those who
have been credulous enough to believe their undeserved aspersions. I
send this by one of the Pandora's men, who is to sail from hence shortly
in the first ship ; we shall follow in about a week after, and I expect to
see England in about seven months."
The Pandora and Bounty's people were conveyed from
Batavia to the Cape of Good Hope in three Dutch ships,
each division under the charge of a Lieutenant. Dur-
ing that voyage the prisoners slept on bare planks, and were
ordered to be victualled in the following manner, viz. three
* Those were furnished him by two generous young sailors belonging to
the ship, previous to his obtaining any by the means above mentioned,
VOL. n. 3 E
774 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803,
pounds of execrable meat ; one pound and a half of stock
fish; the same weight of tamarinds and sugar ; gee, and ran-
cid oil, of each half a pint ; and one pint of vinegar, per man,
every fortnight : — two drams of arrack, equal to one-third
of a pint, per day : — and an equally scanty proportion of the
very worst rice, instead of bread. Miserable as this allow-
ance was, the Dutch pursers contrived to distribute it in such
a manner as to make fourteen rations last for sixteen days !
Mr. Heywood was removed into jthe Gorgon, of 44 guns,
lying in Table Bay, March 19, 1792; and from that period
till his arrival in England he appears to have been allowed the
inestimable indulgence of walking upon deck for six or eight
hours every day, whilst at other times he was only confined
with one leg in irons. On the 21st of June, two days after
his return to Spithead, he was transferred to the Hector 74,
commanded by Captain (now Sir George) Montagu, who
treated him with the greatest humanity both before and after
his trial, which took place in September following, when we
find him delivering the following address in vindication of his
character :
" I call that God to witness, before whose awful tribunal I must one day
appear, that I was entirely ignorant of the mutiny, which happened oa
board his Majesty's ship Bounty, previous to its perpetration on the
morning of the 28th of April, 1789, or any circumstances relative to it.
" On the preceding evening, Monday, at eight o'clock, I went upon
deck, and kept the first watch, with Mr. John Fryer, the master, who
ordered me to keep the look-out upon the forecastle ; and I remained there
till past twelve o'clock, when I was relieved by Mr. Edward Young, a
Midshipman, upon which I went down below into my berth, situated on
the larboard side of the main hatchway, and slept in my hammock till
about an hour after day-light, (perhaps it might have been earlier, I can-
not positively tell) when I awoke, and laying my cheek upon the side of
my hammock, chanced to look into the hatchway, where I saw Matthew
Thompson, seaman, sitting upon an arm-chest, which was there secured,
with a drawn cutlass in his hand ; and as I knew him to be a man who had
kept the middle watch, with Mr. William Peckover, the gunner, I was
struck with surprise at a sight so unusual. Unable to conjecture the rea-
son of his being there at so early an hour, I immediately got out of bed,
went to the side of the berth, and asked him what he was doing there ?
Upon which he replied, ' that Mr. Fletcher Christian had taken the ship
from the Captain, whom he had confined upon deck, and was going to
carry him home as a prisoner ; and that they should have more provisions
and better usage than before.' Mr. Elplrinstone, one of the Master's .
Mates, who was lying awake in his hammock, which hung at the outside
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 775
of the opposite berth, likewise heard what this man said to me. I imme-
diately dressed myself, and went up the fore hatchway : having got upon the
booms on the larboard side, I walked aft as far as the quarter of the boat,
and saw the Captain standing on the larboard side of the quarter-deck, a
Jittle before the binnacle, in his shirt, with his hands tied behind him, and
Mr. Christian standing on the right hand side of him, with a drawn bayo-
net in his hand, and a small pistol in his pocket. He (Mr. Christian) was.
giving orders to Mr. Cole, the boatswain, to hoist the large cutter out, the
small one having been got out some time before. Upon this, I came a
little farther forward, and crossing over to the other side, saw Mr. Chris-
tian beckon to Mr. Thomas Hayward, who, with Mr. John Hallet, was
standing on the quarter-deck, between the two ^-pounders ; he said to
him, 'Get yourself ready to go in the boat, Sir.' Mr. Hayward made
answer, ' Why ? Mr. Christian, what harm did I ever do you that you
should be so hard upon me ? I hope you won't insist upon it.' Mr.
Christian repeated the same order to him, and to Mr. Hallet, who seem-
ed to be in tears, and answered, ' I hope not, Sir.' Hearing this, and be-
ing afraid that if I came in his sight he might give me similar orders, which
J feared very much, because I had just before asked one of the men, whom.
I saw with a musket in his hand, why they were getting the boats out ? and
he answered, ' that the Captain, with some individuals, were to be sent
on shore at Tofoa, in the launch ; and he believed that all the rest who were
not of Mr. Christian's party, might either accompany them, or remain on
board and be carried to Otaheite, where they would be left among the na-
tives, as the ship was going there, to procure refreshments and stock, to
take to some unknown island, in order to form a settlement.' Hearing
this, I was so perplexed and astonished, that I knew not what to do or
.think ; but sat down on the gunwale of the ship, on the starboard side,
just under the fore shrouds, and weighed the difference of those two dreadful
alternatives in my mind. I considered that the Indians at Tofoa, be-
ing of the same stock as those at Annamooka, appeared to me to be a very
savage sort of people when unawed by the sight of fire-arms, and from
whom nought but death could be expected, in order to facilitate their ob-
taining possession of the boat, and whatever she might contain of most
value to them ; thinking also, that their natural ferocity might be sharpened
and increased to revenge by the treatment some of the chiefs of Annamoo-
ka had received on board the ship, two days before, when we left that
island, as they had been confined on board, in order to make them pror
duce a grapnel which had been stolen j the news of which, I made no
doubt, had by this time reached Tofoa ; and besides, I considered that a
small boat, deeply laden with a number of men, and provisions for their
sustenance, would be a very precarious and forlorn hope to trust life to,
in sailing across so vast an expanse of ocean as lay between that island
and the nearest civilized port : that in pursuing this plan, death appeared
to me inevitable in the most horrid and dreadful form of starvation. On
the other hand, I knew the natives of Otaheite, from the experience I had
had of them during a stay of twenty-three weeks on shore there, to be re-
3E2
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
markably friendly and hospitable to strangers ; and by their kind assistance
and benevolence, I had some hopes, if I could get there, that my life
might be preserved till a ship arrived from England, which I doubted not
would be the case if the Bounty's absence greatly exceeded the limited time
for her return to Europe. This appeared to me the only course by which I
could ever expect to revisit my native country, or even to preserve my
life. Thus, self-preservation, that first law of nature, was the sole motive
that induced me to resolve upon the latter alternative. Having sat on the
gunwale till the large cutter was over the side, I saw some of the people
clearing the launch of the yams which had been stowed in her, among
whom was Mr. Thomas Hayward ; I went into her to assist, at the desire
of Mr. Cole, the boatswain ; and after being there a short time, Mr. Hay-
ward asked me what I intended to do in the present situation of affairs ? I
answered, • To remain in the ship;' and said, ' do you imagine I would
voluntarily throw my life away ?' Upon which he replied, " Aye, I wish I
might have that liberty granted me, but Christian has ordered me to get
into the boat/ I then told him my reasons for wishing to remain in the
ship, which I have just now fully explained : I likewise told the same t&
George Simpson, who was a man that I regarded, as he had washed for
me, and had taken great pains to instruct me in several parts of practical
seamanship : he was present in the launch at the time when I was talking
with Mr. Hayward, and must have heard all that passed betwixt us.
" I next saw Mr. Fryer, the Master, who I understood had been confined
in his cabin, but was recently permitted to come on the quarter-deck, step
towards Mr. Christian on the larboard side : I was then sitting upon the
fore part of the booms, on the starboard side of ' no man's land,' and
though I could not hear what he said to Mr. Christian upon his first com-
ing up, yet a little while after I could distinctly hear him say these words :
' Why, Mr. Christian, you had better let me stay in the ship, for you cer-
tainly will not know what to do with her/ I did not hear what answer
Christian made, but Mr. Fryer was soon after forced down into his cabin
again. The Master being now the third officer, besides Mr. Samuel, the
Captain's Clerk, who had asked permission to remain in the ship, or at
least upon receiving orders to go in the boat had shewn such reluctance as
made it appear they secretly wished it might be otherwise ; and knowing
them all to have had long experience in the naval service, I assured my-
self that their desire to remain was not improper ; and it served to con-
vince me, that in our present situation, my intentions to do so were like-
wise blameless. I was confirmed in this opinion by Mr. Bligh*s telling
several of the men who were endeavouring to follow hint into the launch,
' For God's sake, my lads, don't any more of you come into the boat; I'll
do you justice if ever I should get home*.' Thus he prevented them,
and they remained in the ship.
" Perhaps it may be asked, why I did not go to Captain Bligh, and tell
him that I intended to remain in the ship, and my reasons for it, as some
* This, the reader will observe, was a repetition of the promise he hail
made previous to his being forced into the launch. See p. 756*
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 777
others did ?-- To which, with the utmost integrity of heart, the true dictates
of which I now express, I can answer, that being but young, not then six-
teen years of age, and sent out under the immediate care and protection of
Captain Bligh, it being my first voyage to sea, it occurred to me he would
have thought me too inexperienced to judge for myself in an affair of such
moment, and have ordered me to accompany him, which I certainly would
have done if he had sent to me to do so, notwithstanding the idea I was
so strongly impressed with, that a miserable and untimely end would have
been the consequence, which I firmly believed, at that time, must inevit-
ably have been the fate of all those who went in the launch. Thus cir-
cumstanced, therefore, and being convinced that it was only compulsion,
which caused some of the officers to go in the boat, and not any wish of
their own that had influenced them ; I thought it would be something
like an act of suicide on my part to go in her voluntarily, by being in some
measure accessary and consenting to my own death, which I supposed
must have taken place if I had gone, either from the savage fury of the
natives on shore, or from the dangers that awaited the launch from so long
a voyage as she must have made to arrive at the nearest civilized settle-
ment.
" Though I did not request any of the persons to whom I communicated
my intentions of remaining in the ship to inform Captain Bligh of my de-
termination, yet it is natural to suppose,, that some one or other of them,
if asked by him concerning me, when in the boat, would have told him my
reasons for remaining behind *.
" I do most solemnly declare, that, during the whole time I was upon
deck, I was in nowise accessary to, or aiding in any respect whatever in
the most trivial act tending to mutiny, or mutinous proceedings, either in
word or deed, nor in any shape advise or encourage any other person whatso-
ever so to do — but, on the contrary, it was my most ardent wish that some
of those officers who were upon deck would make some endeavour to retake
the ship, which if any of them had attempted, I certainly would with the
greatest satisfaction, and all the alacrity in my power, have followed their
example ; yet, I must candidly confess, that as I saw persons so much older
and more experienced than myself, quite backward in taking such mea-
sures, it made me entertain too mean an opinion of my own abilities, being
a mere boy in comparison with them, to have had the presumption to think
that any step I could take singly, young as I was, could have had the least
shadow of success ; although, at the same time, I did hope that my feeble
endeavours to assist, when added to their knowledge and experience, if
put in force, would have had some effect. I therefore waited in hope and si-
lent expectation, that through their means affairs might have taken a different
turn, without shewing any outward appearance of what I so ardently wish-
ed; but the boat quitted the ship without any such exertions being made.
" When nearly all the officers and men who went away had got into the
* It is probable that some of those persons informed Lieutenant
Bligh of Mr. Hey wood's determination, without stating the reasons he had
assigned.
778 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
launch along-side, and as I was standing upon the booms on the starboard
side, abreast of the main hatchway, Charles Churchhill, the master-at-
arms, came up to me, with a bayonet and cartouch-box buckled round his
waist, and a small pistol, (the same which I had before seen sticking out
of Christian's pocket) in his hand, and said to me, ' What are you going to
do ?' I answered what I thought leaned to the side of rectitude, and added,
' I think I shall remain in the ship.* Just then Mr. George Stewart came
towards me, and asking the same question, I gave him a similar answer. But
he said, * Don't think of it ; for, if you stay, you'll incur an equal portion of
guilt with the mutineers, though you've no hand in the mutiny — come down
to the berth with me ; let us get two or three necessaries, and go in the
launch with the Captain.' Churchill then turned to him, and said, ' Why;
Mr. Stewart, I thought you had been a man of more spirit :' to whom he re-
plied> ' yes, Churchill, but I won't bite off my nose to be revenged upon my
face.' I knowing Mr. Stewart to be an experienced naval officer, was at
once persuaded by him ; yet I had some doubts of his knowledge when I
called to mind the wishes of the other officers, (so similar to my own, to
remain in the ship) who ought likewise to know as well ; I was, therefore,
in the most painful dilemma. However, taking his advice, I jumped down
the hatchway with him, but no sooner had we got into our berth, than
Churchill called down to Matthew Thompson, the sentry over the arm-
chest, saying, ' Don't let either of them come out of the berth till I give
you orders.' Mr. Stewart having taken his pocket book out of his chest,
attempted to leave the berth; but Thompson pointed a pistol towards his
breast, Baying, * Don't you hear the orders I have just received, you had
better stay where you are.' Mr. Stewart then hailed Churchill, and said,
' If you won't let us go, I desire you'll inform the Captain that we are de-
tained by force.' To which he replied, ' Aye, aye, I'll take care of that/
I remained in the berth till Churchill told Thompson to let me come upon
deck, but the launch was then far astern *."
Mr. Heywood, in the succeeding portion of his defence,
gives a brief account of his sufferings in consequence of the
rash and unjustifiable conduct of Mr. Christian ; after which,
and describing in the most pathetic manner his anxiety for
the safety of those who had been so inhumanly turned adrift,
he proceeds as follows :
" Immediately on the arrival of the Pandora, I voluntarily, and without
any reluctance or hesitation, resigned myself to Captain Edwards, who
confined me as a prisoner in irons, until the ship was lost in Endeavour
Straits, on the 29th Aug. 1/91, when I had a very narrow escape of going
* Mr. Stewart was no sooner released than he demanded of Christian
the reason of his detention ; upon which the latter denied having given any
directions to that effect, and his assertion was corroborated by Churchill,
who declared that he had kept both him and Mr. Hey wood below, know-
ing it was their intention to go away with Bligh ; " in which case," added
he, " what would become of us if any thing should happen to you ; who
is there but yourself and them to depend upon in navigating the ship ?"
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 77$
down with her in fetters. We were upwards of a fortnight in the boats be-
fore we reached Coupang, during which time we suffered much from hun-
ger and thirst, and encountered innumerable perils and dangers. We
sailed from thence on the 5th of October, and arrived at Batavia about a
month afterwards. It is well known by what means we have arrived since
in England.
" I have now concluded my most melancholy narrative, the truth of
which I do most solemnly attest ; and after hearing the relation of the dis-
tressed situation I was placed in, and all the motives which induced me to
remain in the ship, if a candid and impartial hearer should be able to dis-
tinguish the least criminality, I can then advance nothing further in my
own defence, but must, with the most profound respect and humility, throw
myself upon the mercy of the honourable Gentlemen of which this tribunal
of earthly justice is composed; trusting, that in pity and commiseration to
my youth, the short period I have been in the service, and the many hard-
ships and dangers I have undergone, during a grievous confinement of
nearly eighteen months, they will impute the whole to my ignorance and
inexperience, and will be inclined to shew an instance of merciful clemency
to their most submissive, and truly unfortunate PRISONER."
In the naval service it is a well understood axiom, " that
those who are not for us, are against us;" and according to
the tenor of martial law, however severe it may appear to
civilians, the man who stands neuter, in cases of mutiny, is
equally culpable with him who lifts his arm against his supe-
rior. In short, a military tribunal must either fully acquit,
or sentence the prisoner to death ; there is no medium be-
tween perfect innocence and absolute guilt. The strong
points of Mr. Hey wood's defence were his extreme youth
and consequent inexperience, and his voluntary surrender to
the Pandora's Captain immediately on that ship's arrival at
Otaheite ; but these proved insufficient, as will be seen by the
following extract from a letter written by him to the Rev. Dr.
Patrick Scott, a friend of his afflicted family, dated on board
the Hector, Sept. 20, 1792 :
" Honoured and dear Sir, — On Wednesday, the 12th instant, the awful
trial commenced, and I now communicate to you the melancholy issue of
it, which, as I desired my friend Mr. Graham to inform you of immediately,
will be no dreadful news to you. The morning lours, and all my hope
of worldly joy is fled far from me ! On Tuesday, the 18th inst. the dread-
ful sentence of death was pronounced upon me ! to which (being the de-
cree of that Divine Providence who first gave me breath) I bow my devoted
head, with that fortitude, ehearfulness, and resignation, which is the duty
of every member of the church of our blessed Saviour and Redeemer
CHRIST JESUS! To him alone I now look up for succour, in full hope,
that perhaps a few days more will open to the view of my astonished and
fearful soul his kingdom of eternal and incomprehensible bliss, prepared
780 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
only for the righteous of heart. I have not been found guilty of the slightest
act of the detestable crime of mutiny, but am doomed to die for not being
active in my endeavours to suppress it. Could the witnesses who appear,
ed on the court-martial be tried, they would also suffer for the same and
only crime of which I have been guilty — but I am to be the victim !
• ••••• As this is too tender a subject for me to inform my
unhappy and distressed mother and sisters of, I trust, dear Sir, you will
either shew them this letter, or make known to them the truly dreadful
intelligence, in such a manner as, assisted by your wholesome and paternal
advice, may enable them to bear it with Christian fortitude. The only
worldly feelings I am now possessed of are for their happiness and welfare ;
but even these, in my present situation, I must endeavour, with God's as-
sistance, to eradicate from my heart. How hard soever the task ! I must
strive against cherishing any temporal affections. Endeavour, dear Sir, to
mitigate my afflicted mother's sorrow ; give my everlasting duty to her,
and unabated love to my disconsolate brothers and sisters, and all the
other relatives I have j encourage them, by my example, to bear up with
fortitude, and resignation to the divine will, under their load of misfortunes,
almost too great for female nature to support ; and teach them to be
fully persuaded that all hopes of happiness on earth are vain ! As to my-
self, I still enjoy the most easy serenity of mind, and am, dearest Sir,
your greatly indebted and most dutiful, but ill-fated
(Signed) " PETER HEYWOOD*."
The gentleman alluded to above was the late Aaron Graham
Esq. formerly a Purser, R. N. and afterwards well known and
deservedly respected for his vigilance and integrity as a police
magistrate in London. His communication fortunately
reached Dr. Scott by the same packet that conveyed Mr.
Peter Heywood's letter ; and the worthy divine was thereby
enabled to assure his distressed friend that her beloved son
was not only considered innocent by all who had attended his
trial, but that his enlargement and speedy restoration to her
arms might confidently be expected. The following is an
exact copy thereof :
" Portsmouth, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1792.
" Sir, — Although a stranger, I make no apology for writing to you.
I have attended and given my assistance at Mr. Heywood's trial, which
was finished, and the sentence passed, about half an hour since. Before
I tell you what is the sentence, I must inform you that his life is safe,
notwithstanding it is at present at the mercy of the King, to which he is
in the strongest terms recommended by the Court. That any unnecessary
* Mr. Heywood, senior, paid the debt of nature on the 6th of Feb.
1 790, and was thereby spared the heart-rending affliction to which his
unhappy widow was doomed.
POST-CAPTAIN* OF 1803. 781
fears may not be productive of misery to the family, I must add, that
the King's Attorney General, who with Judge Ashurst attended the trial,
desired me to make myself perfectly easy, for that my friend was as
safe as if he had, not been condemned! I would have avoided making
use of this dreadful word — but it must have come to your knowlege, and,
perhaps, unaccompanied by others of a pleasing kind. The mode of
communication to his mother and sisters I must leave to your discretion ;
and shall only add, that, although from a combination of circumstances,
ill-nature, and mistaken friendship, the sentence is in itself terrible, yet
it is incumbent on me to assure you, that from the same combination of
circumstances, every body who attended the trial is perfectly satisfied in
his own mind, that he was hardly guilty in appearance — in intention he
was perfectly innocent. I shall of course write to Commodore Pasley,
whose mind, from my letter to him of yesterday, must be dreadfully
agitated, and take his advice about what is to be done, when Mr. Hey-
wood is released. I shall stay here till then ; and my intention is after-
wards to take him to my house in town, where I think he had better stay
till one of the family calls for him, as he will require a great deal of
tender management after ull his sufferings ; and it would perhaps be a
necessary preparation for seeing Mrs. Heywood, that one or both of his
sisters should be previously prepared to support her upon so trying an
occasion. I can only say that they would make me very happy in taking
the charge out of my hands j and if to spend a few days in London will
not be disagreeable to them, I have a daughter, who, though young,
will feel herself bound to make their stay, however short it may be, as
agreeable as possible. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " A. GRAHAM."
In a subsequent letter from the same gentleman to Dr.
Scott, we find the following passage :
" It will be a great satisfaction to his family to learn that the declara-
tions of some of the other prisoners, since the trial, put it past all doubt
that the evidence upon which he was convicted must have been, to say
nothing worse of it, an unfortunate belief on the part of the witness,
of circumstances, which either never had existence, or were applica-
ble to another gentleman who remained in the ship, and not to Mr.
Heywood."
The points of evidence alluded to by Mr. Graham were
as follow : — 1st. That Mr. Peter Heywood assisted in hoist-
ing out the launch. 2d. That he was seen by the Carpenter
resting his hand upon a cutlass. 3d. That upon being called
to by Lieutenant Bligh, he laughed. And, 4th, That he re-
mained on board the Bounty, instead of accompanying Lieu-
tenant Bligh in the launch. Mr. Hey wood's comments on
this evidence are here submitted to the reader's consideration,
7"82 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
in the exact foi'm in which they were transmitted by him to
Lord Chatham, then presiding at the Admiralty.
" Peter Heywood's Remarks upon material parts of the Evidence
which was given at his Trial on board the Duke-, in Portsmouth
Harbour.
** First, That I assisted in hoisting out ike L<tunch.~Th\$ boat was
asked for by the Captain and his officers, and whoever assisted in hoisting
her out were their friends ; for if the Captain had been sent away in the
cutter (which was Christian's first intention), he could not have taken with
him more than nine or ten men, whereas the launch carried nineteen.
Tile Boatswain, the Master, the Gunner, and the Carpenter say, in their
evidence, that they considered me as helping the Captain on this occa-
sion*.
" Second, That / was seen by the Carpenter resting my hand upon a cut-
lass-— I was seen in this position by no other person than the Carpenter —
no other person therefore could have been intimidated by my appearance.
Was the Carpenter intimidated by it ?— No. So far from being1 afraid of
me, he did not even look upon me in the light of a person armed, but
pointed out to me the danger there was of my being thought so, and I
immediately took away my hand from the cutlass, upon which I had
very innocently put it when I was in a state of stupor. The Court was
particularly pointed in its enquiries into this circumstance, and the Car-
penter was pressed to declare, upon the oath he had taken, and after ma-
turely considering the inatter> whether he did at the time he saw me so
situated, or had since been inclined to believe, that, under all the circum-
stances of the case, I could be considered as an armed man — to which
he unequivocally answered — No ; and he gave some good reasons (which
will be found in his evidence) for thinking that I had not a wish to be
armed during the mutiny. The Master, the Boatswain, the Gunner,
Mr. Hayward, Mr. Hallet, and John Smith, (who with the Carpenter
were all the witnesses belonging to the Bounty) say, in their evidence,
that they did not, any of them, see me armed; and the Boatswain and
Carpenter further say, in the most pointed terms, that they considered
me to be one of the Captain's party, and by no means as belonging to the
mutineers : and the Master, the Boatswain, the Carpenter, the Gunner
all declare that, from what they observed on my conduct during the
mutiny, and from a recollection of my behaviour previous thereto, they
were convinced I would have afforded them all the assistance in my
power if an opportunity had offered to retake the ship.
" Third, That upon being- called to by the Captain, I laughed.— -If this
* On the 4th July, 1792, Mr. Hey wood received a letter from Mr.
Fryer, the master, containing these words : " Keep your spirits up, for
I am of opinion no one can say you had an active part in the mutiny >
and be assured of inj doing you justice when called upon."
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 783
was believed by the Court it must have had, I am afraid, a very great
effect upon its judgment ; for if viewed in too serious a light, it would
seem to bring together and combine a number of trifling circumstances,
which by themselves could only be treated merely as matters of suspicion.
It was no doubt, therefore, received with caution, and considered with
the utmost candour. The countenance I grant, on some other occasions,
may warrant an opinion of good or evil existing in the mind ; but on the
momentous events of life or death, it is surely by much too indefinite and
hazardous even to listen to for a moment. The different ways of ex-
pressing our various passions are, with many, as variable as the features
they wear. Tears have often been, nay generally are, the relief of ex-
cessive joy, while misery and dejection have many a time disguised them-
selves in a smile ; and convulsive laughs have betrayed the anguish of an
almost broken heart. To judge therefore the principles of the heart by
the barometer of the face, is as erroneous as it would be absurd and un-
just; This matter may likewise be considered in another point of view.
Mr. Hallet says I laughed in consequence of being called to by the Cap-
tain, who was abaft the mizen-mast, while I was upon the platform near
the fore hatchway— a distance of more than 30 feet. If the Captain
intended I should hear him, and there can be no doubt that he wished it,
if he really called to me, he must have exerted his voice, and very consi-
derably too, upon such an occasion, and in such a situation, and yet Mr.
Hallet himself, who, by being upon the quarter-deck could not have been
half the distance from the Captain that I was — even he, I say, could not
hear what was said to me : — how then, in the name of God, was it possi-
ble that I should have heard the Captain at all, situated as I must have
been, in the midst of noisy confusion? And if I did not hear him, which
I most solemnly aver to be the truth, even granted that I laughed (which,
however, in my present awful situation, I declare I believe I did not),
it could not have been at what the Captain said. Upon this ground, then,
I hope I shall stand acquitted of this charge ; for if the crime derives its
guilt from the knowlege I had of the Captain's speaking to me, it follows
of course^ that if I did not hear him speak there could be no crime in my
laughing. It may^ however, very fairly be asked, why Mr. Hallet did
not make known that the Captain was calling to me ? His dirty to the
Captain, if not his, friendship for me, should have prompted him to it ;
and the peculiarity of our situation required this act of kindness at his
hands. I shall only observe further upon this head, that the Boat-
swain, the Carpenter, and Mr. Hayward, who saw more of me than any
other of the witnesses, did say in their evidence that I had rather a sor-
rowful countenance on the day of the mutiny.
" Fourthj 'Fhat I remained on board the ship, instead of going in the
boat with Ike Captain. — -That I was at first alarmed, and afraid of going
into the boat, I will not pretend to deny ; but that afterwards I wished
to accompany the Captain, and should have done it, if I had not been
prevented by Thompson, who confined me below, by the order of
Churchill, is clearly proved by the evidence of several of the witnesses.
784 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1803.
The Boatswain says, that just before he left the ship I went below, and
in passing him said something about a bag, — (it was that I would put a
few things into a bag and follow him) j the Carpenter says he saw me
go below at this time ; and both those witnesses say, that they heard the
master-at-arms call to Thompson ' to keep them below* The point,
therefore, will be to prove to whom this order, ' keep them below,' would
apply. The Boatswain and Carpenter say they have no doubt of its
meaning me as one ; and that it must have been so I shall have very
little difficulty in shewing, by the following statement :
"There remained on board the ship after the boat put off, 25 men.
Messrs Hayward and Hallet have proved that the following men were
under arms : — Christian, Hillbrant, Millward, Burkitt, Muspratt, Ellison,
Sumner, Smith, Young, Skinner, Churchill, M'Koy, Quintal, Morrison,
Williams, Thompson, Mills, and Brown — in all 18. The Master, and
upon this occasion I may be allowed to quote from the Captain's printed
narrative, mentions Martin as one ; which makes the number of armed
men 19, none of whom, we may reasonably suppose, were ordered to be
kept below. Indeed Mr. Hayward says that there were at the least 18
of them upon deck when he went into the boat ; and if Thompson, the
centinel over the arm-chest, be added to them, it exactly agrees with the
number above named : there remains then 6, to whom Churchill's order,
' Keep them below,' might apply, viz. Heywood, Stewart, Coleman, Nor-
man, M'Intosh, and Byrne.
" Could Byrne have been one of them ? No, for he was in the cutter
alongside. Could Coleman have been one of them ? No, for he was at
the gangway when the Captain and officers went into the launch, and aft
upon the taffrail when the boat was veered astern. Could Norman have
been one of them ? No, for he was with Coleman, speaking to the Cap-
tain and the officers. Could M'Intosh have been one of them ? No, for
he was with Coleman and Norman, desiring the Captain and the officers to
take notice that they were not concerned in the mutiny *. It could then
have applied to nobody but Mr. Stewart and myself : and by this order
of Churchill's, therefore, was I prevented from going with the Captain in
the boat.
" The foregoing appear to me the most material points of evidence on
the part of the prosecution. My defence being very full, and the body of
evidence in my favour too great to admit of observation in this concise
manner, I shall refer for an opinion thereon to the minutes of the court-
martial.
(Signed) " P. HEYWOOD."
We have reason to believe that these comments produced
as great an effect upon the mind of Lord Chatham, as even
the recommendation to royal mercy, which had been for-
warded by Mr. Hey wood's judges. Certain it is, that they
* See the Bounty's Voyage, p. 157.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803. 785
greatly accelerated his restoration to liberty, which took
place Oct. 27, 1792.
The King's free and unconditional pardon having been
read to Mr. Hey wood by Captain Montagu, he addressed
that officer in the following terms, the sincerity of which has
been amply proved by his subsequent conduct :
" Sir, — When the sentence of the law was passed upon me, I received
it, I trust, as became a Man ; and if it had been carried into execution, I
should have met my fate, I hope, in a manner becoming a Christian.
Your admonition cannot fail to make a lasting impression on my mind. —
I receive with gratitude my Sovereign's mercy, for which my future life
shall be faithfully devoted to his service."
Digressing for a moment from our " straight forward "
course, we shall here introduce an extract from a letter writ-
ten by one of Mr. Peter Heywood's brothers, describing his
serenity of mind during the awful period of five weeks and
four days, that elapsed between his trial and liberation.
" While I write this, Peter is sitting by me, making an Otaheitean vo-
cabulary, and so happy and intent upon it that I have no opportunity of
saying a word to him. I assure you he is at present in excellent spirits,
and I am perfectly convinced they get better and better every day *."
It will be seen by the foregoing statement of undeniable
facts, that Mr. Peter Heywood's professional debut was a
most unpromising one ; yet, ultimately, the misfortunes of
his youth proved highly beneficial to him. The greater part
of those distinguished officers who had sat as members of
the court-martial, justly considering him much more unfor-
tunate than criminal, extended their patronage to him imme-
diately after his release, and through their good offices and
* The vocabulary alluded to by Mr. James Heywood, proved highly
useful to the missionaries who were afterwards sent to Otaheite, and is
thus spoken of at p. 13 of the " Duff's Voyage."
" An ingenious clergyman of Portsmouth kindly furnished Dr. Haweis
and Mr. Greatheed with a manuscript vocabulary of the Otaheitean lan-
guage, and an account of the country, which providentially he preserved
from the mutineers who were seized by the Pandora, and brought to
Portsmouth for their trial, which was of unspeakable service to the mis-
sionaries, both for the help which it afforded them to learn before their
arrival much of this unknown tongue, and also as giving the most inviting
and encouraging description of the natives, and the cordial reception which
they might expect."
786 PO&T-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
his own meritorious behaviour, he was subsequently advanced,
step by step, to the rank he at present holds. The duties
which have fallen to his share he has ever performed with a
zeal not inferior to that of any other officer in the service,
and entirely to the satisfaction of his superiors. The young
men who have had the honor of serving under him, many of
whom now enjoy commissions, will readily and gratefully
acknowlege that, both by precept and his own example, he
invariably endeavoured to form their characters, as men and
officers, on the solid principles of religion and virtue. In
short, we do not hesitate to say, that his King and Country
never had a more faithful servant, nor the naval service a
more worthy and respectable member.
It is very natural to suppose that Mr. Heywood, after his
release, would lose no time in hastening to the arms of his
family, whose emotions on seeing him again at liberty, and
that with an unblemished reputation, may readily be conceiv-
ed. By their affectionate treatment, his health, which had
been greatly impaired through long confinement and unme-
rited sufferings, was at length completely re-established ; and
on the 17th May, 1793, we find him joining the Bellerophon,
a third rate, bearing the broad pendant of his uncle Commo-
dore Pasley, who, previous to the court-martial, had taken
great pains to investigate the circumstances attending the
Bounty's mutiny, and in letters written by him to Mrs. Hey-
wood, expressed his perfect conviction of the innocence of
her son.
We should here state that Lord Hood, who presided at
Mr. Heywood's trial, had earnestly recommended him to
embark again as a Midshipman without delay, and offered
to take him under his own immediate patronage, in the Vic-
tory of 100 guns. This proposal, however, was declined by
Commodore Pasley, who soon after placed him under the
protection of the Hon. Captain Legge, then commanding the
Niger frigate, with whom he served as Master's Mate till
the 23d Sept. following, when he was received on board the
Queen Charlotte, a first rate, bearing the union flag hoisted
by Earl Howe, as commander-in-chief of the Channel or
grand fleet.
In that ship Mr. Heywood served as Signal Midshipman
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803, 787
and Master's Mate, under his Lordship's own eye, and the
respective commands of Sir Hugh C. Christian and Sir An-
drew Snape Douglas, who together with Sir Roger Curtis,
the Captain of the Fleet, were members of his court-martial,
and who all gave him the most flattering proofs of their
esteem and approbation, not only whilst he served with them,
but as long as they severally continued in existence.
In the actions with the French fleet, May 28 and 29, and
June 1, 1794, Mr. Heywood did his duty on the quarter-deck
as an aid-du-camp to Sir Andrew S, Douglas *; and after the
return of the victorious fleet to Spithead, he had the honor
to be selected as one of the two Midshipmen appointed to
attend the side whenever his late Majesty visited the Queen
Charlotte, or went to and fro in her barge.
Some doubts having arisen about this period as to the pro-
priety of giving naval rank to a person who had been placed
in Mr. Hey wood's late critical situation, his friend Sir Roger
Curtis was kind enough to consult an eminent lawyer, whose
opinion on that subject we now lay before our readers.
"July 27, 1/94.
" The warrant for the execution of some of the offenders, and the par-
don of Mr. Heywood, states the charge to have been ' for mutinously run-
ning away with the armed vessel the Bounty, and deserting from his Ma-
jesfy's service/ This you will find to be the 15th in- the catalogue of
offences enumerated in the act of 22 Geo. II. c. 33 ; and it is thereby en-
acted that the offender shall suffer death. Nothing is said of any incapa-
cities whatever, and indeed it would have been strange to have superad-
ded incapacities to a capital punishment.
" The judgments which a court-martial is empowered by that act to
pronounce are of three distinct kinds : the one discretionary ; another
capital ; and a third, incapacity ever to serve in the navy. The last (ex-
cept so far as it is included in discretionary sentences) is enacted in one
instance only, namely the 18th, which respects the taking on board any
other goods than gold, silver, jewels, &c. Upon this state of things it
should seem clear, that Mr. Heywood having received judgment of death,
the only judgment which the act empowers the court-martial to pro-
nounce, and his Majesty having been pleased to dispense with the execu-
tion of that sentence, the plain principle of the Common Law ought to
take place, by which Mr. Heywood is in point of capacity to hold any
station, civil or military, no way now distinguished from any other subject.
* See Vol. II. Part I. note at p. 54,
788 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
You will moreover observe, that the directions of this act must be liter-
ally observed, being in a matter highly penal, and that no disabilities or
incapacities can be introduced by inference. I should myself Clearly con-
ceive, that an offence attended with judgment of death, having been par-
doned by his Majesty, the supposed offender is in this case, in the same
situation as if no such judgment had ever been passed."
In Aug. 1794j Earl Howe gave Mr. Hey wood an order to
act as a Lieutenant on board the Robust 74, then in Torbay ;
but another officer having been appointed to her by the Ad-
miralty, previous to the receipt of his Lordship's promotion
lists, he was superseded on his return to that anchorage in
October following, and with several other gentlemen, similarly
situated, obliged to rejoin the Queen Charlotte. He, however,
received a commission from the Board, appointing him to the
Incendiary fire-ship, on the 9th of March, 1795.
Lieutenant Hey wood's next appointment was April 7, in
the same year, to la Nymphe of 40 guns, commanded by
Captain George Murray; and on the 23d of June following
we find him present at the capture of three French line-of-
battle ships, by Lord Bridport's fleet, near 1'Orient *. Sub-
sequent to this event, la Nymphe was stationed in the North
Sea, under the command of Captain George Losack, with
whom he remained until paid off at Plymouth, towards the
close of 1795.
On the 13th Jan. 1796, Lieutenant Hey wood was appoint-
ed to the Fox, of 32 guns, in which frigate he served on the
North Sea station till the ensuing summer, when she sailed for
India as convoy to the outward bound trade. On her arrival at
the Cape of Good Hope, he became the senior Lieutenant, and
in that capacity he continued till June 18, 1798, when he re-
moved with his Captain, the present Sir Pulteney Malcolm,
into the Suffolk, a third rate, bearing the flag of Vice- Admiral
Rainier, to whom he had been previously recommended for
promotion by Earl Spencer, the same nobleman who had
signed his first commission, and whose good opinion of him
will be seen by the following copy of a letter dated at the Ad-
miralty, Jan. 13, 1797 f :
• See Vol. I. p. 246. N. B. Captain Murray on that occasion com-
manded the advanced squadron of frigates.
f The manner in which the Fox was employed whilst under the com-
mand of Captain Malcolm, has been described in our first volume, at p.584,
et S€q.
POST-CAPTAIN* OP 1803. 780
** Sir, — I should have returned an earlier answer to your letter of the
15th inst., if I had not been desirous, before I answered k, to look over
with as much attention as was in my power, the proceedings OQ the Couit-
,-inartia], held in the year 1792, by which Court Mr. Peter Hey wood was
condemned for being concerned in the mutiny on board the Bounty. I felt
this to be necessary, from having entertained a very strong opinion that it
might be detrimental to the interests of his Majesty's service if a person under
such a predicament should be afterwards advanced to the higher and more
conspicuous situations of the navy: but having, with great attention, perused
the minutes of that Court-martial, as far as they relate to Mr. Peter Hey-
wood, I have now the satisfaction of being able to inform you, that I think
Ins case was such an one, as, under all its circumstances (though I do not
mean to aay that the Court were not justified in their sentence) ought not
to be considered as a bar to his further progress in his profession ; more
especially when the gallantry and propriety of his conduct, in his subse-
quent service, is taken into consideration. 1 shall, therefore, have no diffi-
culty in mentioning him to the Commauder-in-Chief on the station to
•which he belongs, as a person from whose promotion, on a proper oppor-
tunity, I shall derive much satisfaction, more particularly from his being
so nearly connected with you. I have the honor to be, Sir, with
great truth, &c. &c. (Signed) *' SPENCER."
" To Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart."
On the IJth May, 1799, Vice- Admiral Rainier being in-
daily expectation of a despatch announcing the fall of Seringa-
patam, and the Earl of Mornington, contemplating that event,
having previously applied to him for an armed vessel to carry
home the important intelligence, was pleased to select the
subject of this memoir for that service; and accordingly ap-
pointed him Lieutenant and Commander of the Amboyna brig,
then cruising with the squadron off Mangalore. To Mr.
Heywood's great mortification, however, he found on his ar-
rival at Madras, after a passage of only nine days, that the
Governor-General's despatches had been sent away in a mer-
chant vessel before he left the Suffolk; — Tippoo Sultan having
been slain, and the Mysore capital carried by storm, thirteen
day's prior to the date of Admiral Rainier* s order. In conse-
quence of this disappointment he rejoined the Suffolk, and
continued in her till Aug. 1800, when he was promoted to the
command of the Vulcan bomb, and sent in an armed transport
to join her at the island of Amboyna.
Captain Hey wood subsequently commanded the Trinco ma-
lee of 18 guns, Trident 64, Leopard 50, and Dedaigneuse
frigate. His post commission was confirmed by the Admi-
VOL. ii. 3 F
790 POST CAPTAINS OF 1803.
ralty April 5, 1803 ; and he remained on the East India sta-
tion, chiefly employed on confidential detached services, till
Jan. 1805, when he was obliged to resign his ship on account
of a debilitated state of health, and the recent demise of his
eldest brother rendering it necessary for him to attend the
settlement of some important family affairs. His applica-
tion for permission to do so was thus answered by the officer
under whose command he had then served for an uninter-
rupted period of more than eight years :
" Trident, Port Cornwall!*, Prince of Waletfs Island,
Jan. 23, 1805.
*' Sir,-*-!!! answer to ytmr letter of yesterday's date, requesting permis-
sion to resign the command of H. M. S. la Dedaigneuse, in order to
attend to some very pressing and important family concerns, the mar
nagement whereof indispensably demands your presence in London, I
have to acquaint you, that I think it but justice due to your very meritori-
ous and faithful services, to grant you that permission j and in farther
gratification of your request, I shall, with much pleasure, assure my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty of my firm persuasion that your
application has originated from no other motive than that you have
stated, which I have no doubt will appear perfectly satisfactory to their
Lordships, and, whe'n the state of your private affairs will admit, induce
them to attend to your solicitation to be again appointed to the command
of one of H. M. ships.
" I cannot help testifying my sincere regret on parting with so able and
active an officer as yourself from the squadron I have the honor to com-
mand ; and I request your acceptance of my best wishes for the successful
accomplishment of the business that has been the occasion of it. I re-
main with much respect, Sir, your very faithful humble servant.
(Signed) " PETER RAINIER."
" To Peter Heywood, Esq.
Captain H. M. S. Dedaigneuse^
Captain Heywood, while commanding the Leopard, was
ordered to survey the east coast of Ceylon, more especially
the shoals off the N. E. part of that island, and the whole
extent between them and Point Calymere, then utterly un-
known. In addition to the performance of this valuable ser-
vice, he ascertained the exact position of almost every place
on the Indian coast, and of the different islands to the east-
ward, which enabled him to render material assistance to
James Horsburgh, Esq. (the present hydrographer to the
East India Company), as will be seen by the following ex-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 791
tract from a memoir of that scientific gentleman, published in
1812*:
" Mr. Horsburgh had the good fortune to sail for England in the Circn-
cester (East Indiatnan), Captain Thomas Robertson. * * * * Cap-
tain Peter Hey wood, of the navy, was his fellow passenger; and from that
experienced and intelligent officer, while arranging his works for publica-
tion, he derived great assistance. Since that period too, lie has frequently
benefited by commmunications from the same friendly source."
The prinicpal work published by Mr. Horsburgh, at that
period, is entitled " Directions for sailing to and from the
East Indies, China, New Holland, the Cape of Good Hope,
and interjacent Ports." Exclusive of sailing directions, and
local descriptions of winds, weather, currents, coasts, &c. 5
the geographical situations of particular head-lands, islands,
ports, and dangers, are stated from actual observations of sun,
moon, and stars ; or by good time-keepers. The utility and
necessity of a work of this kind had long been evident to na-
vigators, all former directories having been compiled from a
mass of heterogeneous materials, obtained when ships were
navigated by dead reckoning, prior to the invaluable applica-
tion of chronometers and lunar observations to nautical
science, consequently fraught with error, and of very little
use in the present improved state of navagation f .
On the 20th Oct. 1806, Rear- Admiral George Murray be-
ing appointed to the command of a secret and important
expedition, was pleased to select his former Lieutenant, the
subject of this memoir, to be his Flag-Captain, in the Poly-
phemus, of 64 guns ; which ship, attended by a small squadron,
arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, and was there joined by
a fleet of transports, having on board upwards of 4,000
troops, towards the latter end of March, 1807-
The military commander, Brigadier-General Craufurd, had
just before received a despatch from Rear- Admiral Murray,
acquainting him that the destination of the armament had
been changed in consequence of the reverses sustained by the
British army in South America, and that instead of going
by the eastern route to Lima, as was originally intended,
* See Naval Chronicle, v. 28, p. 441, et seq.
t Many of Captain Hey wood's charts have been published by the Ad-
miralty, to whom he presented his whole collection, when he returned
from India in 1805. His name is affixed to all those now in use.
SF 2
792 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
they were now to proceed to the Rio de la Plata, and act
in conjunction with the forces to be there assembled for the
recovery of Buenos Ayres. The unsuccessful termination of
the campaign in that quarter has been already described in
our memoir of Vice-Admiral Stirling *.
Captain Heywood continued to command the Polyphemus
until she was ordered to receive the flag of Vice-Admiral B.
S. Rowley, in May, 1808. He was subsequently appointed
to act in the Donegal, a third rate, during the absence of her
proper commander, Captain Pulteney Malcolm ; and on the
18th March, 1809, we find him receiving the thanks of the
Admiralty (conveyed through Rear- Admiral Stopford) for his
conduct in the presence of a French squadron which had es-
caped from Brest, and for his gallantry in the attack made
upon three frigates belonging to the said squadron, which had
anchored in the Sable d'Olonne, and were there destroyed on
the 23d of the preceding month f.
In May following, Captain Heywood was appointed to the
Nereus, a new 36-gun frigate, in which he served for some
time on the Channel and Mediterranean stations. He
returned to England with the remains of that great and good
officer, Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood, in the month of
April, 1810.
Captain Heywood was next placed under the orders of
Vice-Admiral De Courcy, who employed him on various con-
fidential services in the Rio de la Plata, where his zeal and
ability proved of great benefit to British commerce, as is fully
acknowledged by a numerous body of merchants then resid-
ing at Buenos Ayres, from whom he received the following
letters of thanks, dated July 27 and Dec. 8, 1811.
" Sir,— We have received the two letters dated the 21st inst. (July)
which you did us the honor of writing to us, accompanied with copies of
those you had the goodness to address to his Excellency Don Francisco
Xavier Elio, at Monte Video, respecting the British vessels illegally and
forcibly detained in that port, and subjected in consequence of the siege to
great distress for want of provisions +.
* See Vol. I, p. 407, et seq.
f See Vol. I., p. 617 ; and note * at p. 596.
% We need not remind the reader that a civil war then raged in the Pro-
vinces of la Plata; it is, however, necessary to state, that the decree of the
Spanish Regency at Cadiz, conceding to Great Britain the power of carry-
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803.
793
*' We beg leave to express to you our high sense of gratitude for these
prompt and energetic exertions, and for the frequent proofs you have been
pleased to give us of your constant attention to protect and advance our
interests since you came to this station. It is highly satisfactory to us to
observe, and truly gratifying to our minds to confess, that such dispositions
are guided by judgment, temper, and conciliating manners ; calculated to
overcome difficulties, and to fix our entire confidence in you. Being
unanimously impressed with these sentiments, we request you will accept
our sincere thanks for all the kind attentions and good offices you have
been pleased to shew to his Majesty's subjects, individually and collec-
tively, in the Rio de la Plata, since we have had the happiness of your
presence amongst us, and our assurance of the personal esteem and high
respect with which we have the honour to be, Sir, &c.
(Signed by " ALEX. MACKINNON," Chairman, and the prin-
cipals of 43 mercantile houses.)
** To Peter Heywood, Esq. Captain R. N.
$c. fyc. fyc.
" Sir, — Being now (Dec. 8, 1811) on the point of leaving this station,
we cannot in justice to our own feelings refrain from repeating to you our
sincere thanks for the constant and uniform protection you have been
pleased on every occasion to shew towards our general and individual in-
terests. The respectable manner, governed by good sense and temper,
in which you have supported the dignity and honour of the British flag,
under circumstances of much difficulty, cannot be sufficiently appreciated
by private persons, but we trust the discernment of our government, and
the liberality of our country, will recognize and reward such meritorious
conduct. Allow us to assure you, that as we sincerely regret your depar-
ture, we have only to express to you the sentiments of our high respect and
esteem ; and that we shall ever remember you with the warmest gratitude.
" We sincerely wish you a speedy and happy return to England, and
uninterrupted success in rising to the summit of your honorable profession.
With these unanimous sentiments we have the honor to subscribe ourselves,
Sir, your much obliged and faithful humble servants."
(Signed as before.)
" To P. tieywood, Esq. Captain H. M. S. Nereus,
and Senior Officer in the Rio de la Plata."
Captain Hey wood received the latter testimonial when
about to rejoin his commander-in-chief at Rio Janeiro, from
whence he sailed for England, in Jan. 1812.
Circumstances subsequently occurred which induced go-
vernment to send the Nereus back to South America; a
determination which must have been very mortifying to her
officers and crew, who were thereby prevented from bearing
ing on commerce with the insurgents of Buenos Ayres and other districts
had not yet been made known to the Royalist commander, Elio.
794 POST^CAPTAINS OF 1803,
a part in the war then about to take place between Great
Britain and the United States ; but Captain HeywoocTs local
knowledge, and the manner in which he had acquitted him-
self in his intercourse with the Spanish authorities, were too
highly appreciated to admit of any other arrangement being
made.
After escorting the outward bound East India fleet to a
certain latitude, and communicating with Lord Strangford,
the British Ambassador at Rio Janeiro, Captain Heywood
resumed his station as senior officer in la Plata ; and continued
to afford the most effectual protection to the merchants re-
siding on its banks till July 1813, when he returned to the
Brazilian capital, and was appointed by Rear-Admiral Dixon,
then commander-in- chief on that station, to the Montagu of
74 guns, in which ship he soon after took his final departure
for England.
On his arrival at Portsmouth, (early in Oct. 1813), Captain
Heywood had the satisfaction of finding that the merchants
concerned in the trade which he had so long and ably sup-
ported, were equally grateful for the benefits they derived
from his great exertions in their favor, as those who, from
being on the spot, had had constant opportunities of witness-
ing them. Their letter to the Board of Admiralty will serve
as a corroboration of what we have stated :
" London, 9th Oct. 1813.
" To the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
" May it please your Lordships, — The account which we have some
time past received from our agents in the Rio de la Plata, staling- the ad-
vantages derived to our commerce in that quarter, from the judicious and
impartial conduct of Captain Peter Heywood, late commander of H. M.S.
Nereus, imposes on us the pleasing1 duty to express to your Lordships
our gratitude for the selection of so meritorious an officer for that station,
in the difficult situation of preserving a strict neutrality between contend-
ing and exasperated parties, and at the same time effectually protecting
the British trade. Captain Heywood has not only attained these objects,
but at the same time conciliated the respect and confidence of the Spanish
authorities at Monte Video, the Government of Buenos Ayres, and of the
British residents in those countries. The government of Buenos Ayres
has on this occasion addressed Lord Strangford, H. M. Ambassador at
Rio Janeiro, for the purpose of acknowledging their high sense of Captain
Heywood's conduct during his command in the Rio de la Plata. We also
are persuaded that the permission lately given by that government for the
exportation of specie, was in a great measure owing1 to the influence of
POST -CAPTAINS OF 1803. 795
Captain Heywood, who has most probably insured to us the permanent
facility of receiving remittances in specie without risk.
" We trust that, under these circumstances, your Lordships will excuse
us for this public declaration of our sentiments, and allow us to express a
hope that, provided the public service admits it, Captain Heywood may
again be employed on that station, for which his abilities and local know-
ledge so eminently qualify him. We have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)
" J. & R, M'KERRELL. " JOHN HODGSON. " JACOB WOOD.
" SAMUEL WINTER. " WILLIAM HAYNE " NICHOLLS,SEWELL,
" O'REILLY, YOUNG, AND Co. AND Co.
AND Co. " T. HAYNE & Co. " FULTON'S & Co,"
" HALLETT,BROTHERS, " BROWN, ROGERS,
AND Co. AND BROWN.
A line-of-battle ship being considered unfit for the service on
which the Nereus had been so successfully employed, the
Montagu, after refitting, was ordered to the North Sea station,
where Captain Heywood continued, under the orders of Ad-
miral William Young and H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence,
until the restoration of Louis XVIII. in April 1814.
After accompanying the French monarch to his native
shores, the Montagu hoisted the flag of Rear-Admiral Foote,
and sailed for Bourdeaux in company with a squadron sent
to convey part of the British army from thence to England.
At the ensuing grand naval review, she bore the flag of Sir T.
Byam Martin, who led the fleet through the different man-
oeuvres exhibited before his present Majesty and the allied
sovereigns on that triumphal occasion *.
In the following year, when Napoleon Buonaparte returned
from Elba, Captain Heywood was ordered to the Mediterra-
nean, where he joined the squadron under Lord Exmouth,
who nominated him to the command of a detachment em-
ployed in co-operation with the Austrians during the war
with Joachim Murat. Owing to the sudden turn of affairs,
however, he did not arrive in the Adriatic until the deposition
of that usurper, and the re-establishment of the ancient
dynasty, in the person of Ferdinand IV., which was effected
by a military convention, at Capua, on the 20th May, 1815.
Captain Heywood subsequently conducted a large body of
British and Imperial troops from Naples to Genoa and Mar-
* See Vol. I, pp. 1 1 and 132.
796 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
seilles. During the remainder of the same year we iind him
carrying on the port duties at Gibraltar, where he remained
as senior officer until Feb. 1816, when he was recalled from
thence for the purpose of accompanying Lord Exmouth on
his first mission to the Barbary States, which terminated, as
our readers are well aware, in the release of nearly 1800 poor
wretches who had been dragged into the most miserable and
revolting state of slavery, whilst innocently following their
commercial pursuits.
The sentiments contained in the following lines are so
highly honorable to the character of Captain Heywood, that
we cannot refrain from giving them a place in this work ;
particularly as they were sent to him at a moment when his
ship's company were about to be freed from the restraints of
naval discipline, and consequently not liable to the imputa-
tion of seeking his favor by undue adulation. We have
already had occasion to notice the presentation of numerous
swords, snuff-boxes, rings, &e. but we have never yet met
with an instance of a naval commander receiving a tribute of
" respect and esteem" from his crew, better calculated to
gratify a benevolent and humane mind than e( THE SEAMEN'S
FAREWELL TO H. M. S. MONTAG rj, when put out of commit
sion at Chatham, on the IQth July, 1816."
" Farewell to thee, MONTAGU 1 yet ere we quit thjec
" We'll give thee the blessing so justly thy due ;
" For many aseaman will fondly regret thee,
" And wish to rejoin thee, thou gem of true blue.
" For stout were thy timbers, and stoutly commanded ^
" In the record of Glory untarnished thy name ;
" Still ready for battle when Glory demanded,
" And ready to coaquer or die in thy fame.
" Farewell to thee, HEYWOOD ! a truer one never
" Exercis'd rule o'er the sons of the wave ;
" The seamen who served thee, would serve thee for ever,
" Who sway'd, but ne'er fetter'd, the hearts of the brave.
'* Haate home to thy rest, and may comforts enshrine it,.
" Such comforts as shadow the peace of the bless'd ;
" And the wreath thou deserv'st, may Gratitude twine it,
" The band of true seamen thou ne'er hast oppress'd,
" Farewell to ye, shipmates, now home is our haven,
" Let our hardships all fade as a dream that is past »
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. J9J
" And be this true toast to Old Montagu giv'n —
*' She was our best ship, and she was our last *."
Captain Heywood married, July 31, 1816, Frances, only
daughter of Francis Simpson, Esq. of Plean House, Stirling-
shire. His only surviving brother, Edwin Holwell Heywood,
Esq. is a solicitor at Whitehaven, in Cumberland. Another
brother, formerly a Lieutenant, R. M. died in the Hon. East
India Company's service, at Madras.
SIR MURRAY MAXWELL, KNT.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and
Fellow of the Royal Society.
THIS officer is a nephew of the late Sir William Maxwell,
of Monteith, N. B. Bart, whose daughter Jane married
Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon.
He commenced his naval career under the auspices of the
late Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood ; obtained his first com-
mission as a Lieutenant in 1796; and was promoted to the
command of the Cyane sloop of war, at the Leeward Islands,
in Dec. 1802.
The Cyane formed part of Commodore Hood's squadron at
the reduction of St. Lucia, June 22, 1803; and Captain
Maxwell was immediately afterwards appointed to the Cen-
taur, a third rate, bearing the broad pendant of his patron,
under whom he also served at the capture of Tobago, Deme-
rara, and Essequibo, in July and September following. His
post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty on the 4th
Aug. 1803.
Captain Maxwell was subsequently employed in the block-
ade of Martinique ; and in April 1804, we find him accompa-
nying Commodore Hood and Major-General Sir Charles
Green, on an expedition against Surinam, the only colony
then possessed by the enemy in Dutch Guiana ; Berbice
having surrendered to the British soon after the above men-
tioned Batavian settlements.
On the 25th April, the Centaur anchored about ten miles
from the mouth of the Surinam river ; and the next day a
* The above lines were written by one of the Montagu's crew, and sent
to Captain Heywood by desire of the whole ship's company.
798 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
division of the army, commanded by Brigadier-General
Maitland, was sent under convoy of the Hippomenes cor-
vette, to effect a landing at Warappa creek, about thirty
miles to the eastward. The object of this operation was to
obtain a communication by water with the Commewyne, and
to procure a sufficient number of plantation boats to transport
the troops down that stream, towards its junction with the
Surinam, and thereby facilitate their approach to a position
in the rear of Fort New Amsterdam, situated on the conflu-
ence of those rivers, and mounting upwards of 80 guns.
In order that no time should be lost, preparations were also
made for landing a body of troops to take possession of
Braam's Point, on which was a battery of seven ISpounders,
completely commanding the entrance of the Surinam. Bri-
gadier-General Hughes undertook to superintend this service ;
and the wind proving favorable, Captain Edward O'Brien, of
the Emerald frigate, pushed over the bar with the rising
tide, and anchored close to the fort, followed by the Pandour
troop-ship, and Drake sloop of war. The enemy kept up a
brisk fire as the Emerald approached, but it was soon silenced
by a few broadsides from that ship and her consorts. A
party of the 64th regiment then landed, and secured forty-
five prisoners, three of whom were wounded. In the course
of the following day most of the ships were got into the river,
but the Centaur was obliged to remain outside, on account
of her great draught of water.
At this period Captain Maxwell and the Major-General's
Aid-de-Camp were sent with a summons to the Dutch
Governor, whose answer, conveying a refusal to capitulate,
was not received until the morning of the 28th. Commodore
Hood, and his military colleague, having previously removed
to the Emerald, now used every effort to get up the river
before dark ; but owing to the shallowness of the water, that
ship was obliged to force her way through the mud, in three
feet less water than she drew, and it was not till late at night
that she arrived near the lower redoubt, named Frederici, on
which were mounted twelve heavy pieces of cannon.
We should here observe, that the Surinam coast is very
difficult of approach, being shallow and full of banks : a land-
ing is only to be attempted at the top of high water, and at
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. /99
particular points ; the land is uncleared, and the soil very
marshy; so that it is impossible for an army to penetrate
into the interior, except by the rivers and creeks. The shores
on both sides of the Surinam river below Frederici redoubt,
with the exception of one spot on the eastern shore, are
equally difficult of access, and the enemy, by means of their
forts, ships of war, armed merchantmen, and gun-boats,
were completely masters of the navigation between Frederici
and Paramaribo, the capital of the colony.
On the 29th, Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley, of the engineers,
went on shore at the above mentioned spot, where a planta-
tion had lately been established ; and having explored the
road through the woods, he reported on his return that a
body of men might be conducted from thence to the rear of
fort Frederici. In consequence of this information a detach-
ment, consisting of 140 soldiers belonging to the 64th regi-
ment, and 30 others equipped as pioneers, was placed under
the command of Brigadier-General Hughes, who landed about
1 1 P. M. and immediately commenced his march, accompa-
nied by Captain Maxwell, and 30 seamen under his orders.
A great quantity 'of rain having recently fallen, it was
found that the path, at all times difficult, had become almost
impassable; but no obstacle could damp the enterprising
spirit of crar brave countrymen, who overcame every obstacle,
and after a laborious march of five hours, arrived near the
place of their destination. The alarm was then given, and
the enemy opened a heavy fire of grape-shot upon them
whilst forming into columns, previous to their quitting the
wood, and of musketry as they advanced to the battery,
which was stormed and carried with the greatest intrepidity.
Brigadier-General Hughes and Captain Maxwell then moved
on to Fort Leyden, a place of equal strength ; and by a repe-
tition of the same impetuous attack, soon obliged the enemy
to call for quarter. The number of prisoners taken on this
o'ccasion was 121 ; the remainder of the garrisons effected
their escape across the Commewyne to Fort New Amsterdam.
By this brilliant affair a position was secured, from whence
a heavy fire could be directed against fort New Amsterdam ;
and a communication with the Commewyne river being open-
ed, the means of forming a junction with Brigadier-General
800 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803*
Maitland were established. The British at the same time ob-
tained possession of the finest part of the colony, abounding
with resources of every description. Captain Maxwell's ex-
ertions upon this occasion were highly meritorious, and much
of the success attending the enterprise may justly be attribut-
ed to his animating example.
On the same day, April 30, Sir Charles Green received
information that Brigadier-General Maitland had effected a
landing at the Warappa creek, under the able superintendence
of Captain Conway Shipley, commanding the Hippomenes,
assisted by Captain Kenneth Mackenzie of the Guachapin,
who had with great zeal quitted his sloop fifty leagues to
leeward, finding from baffling winds and currents she could
not get up, and proceeded with 50 of her crew in boats to aid
that part of the army.
Under these circumstances no time was lost in disembark-
ing the remainder of the troops, about 1000 in number, at
fort Leyden, and pushing them on by the north bank of the
Commewyne, to meet the others on their passage down that
river. The artillery, stores, and provisions, were at the same
time conveyed by boats ; and an armed flotilla established in
the Commewyne by the indefatigable exertions of the navy *.
On the 3d May Brigadier-General Maitland, having taken
possession of the enemy's post at Warappa creek, after a
short resistance, and with great diligence procured a num-
ber of boats to convey his corps, appeared coming down the
river in very good order, and landed at a plantation on the
south side, where he was soon joined by part of the forces,
from the opposite bank.
This desirable object being effected, and the enemy's com-
munication cut off by the activity of the ships' boats,
the army being on the advance, and every preparation made
by the squadron for attacking fort New Amsterdam, the Ba-
tavian Commandant thought proper to send out a flag of
truce, with proposals to surrender on terms of capitulation.
The negociations for that purpose were conducted on the part
of the British by Captain Maxwell and Lieutenant-Colonel
* The flotilla was commanded by Captain Charles Richardson, of the
Alligator troop-ship, whose conduct and exertions throughout the cam-
paign are very highly spoken of in the public despatches.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 801
Shipley, and at 5 P. M. on the 5th May, the fortress was
taken possession of by an advanced corps under Brigadier-
General Maitland.
The valuable colony of Surinam was thus added to the
British dominions t a, frigate of 32 eighteen-pounders, a
corvette mounting 1 8 guns, and all the other national vessels
in the rivers, were likewise surrendered. The total number
of prisoners taken, exclusive of the staff and civilians, was
2001 ; the loss sustained by the English amounted to no
more than 8 killed and 21 wounded; 5 of the former and 8
of the latter were naval officers and seamen. We shall close
our account of this conquest with an extract from Sir Charles
Green's official report to Earl Camden, dated " Paramaribo,
May 13, 1804 :"
" In all conjunct expeditions the zealous co-operation of the navy be-
comes of the most essential importance ; but such is the peculiar nature of
the military positions in tbis country, that our success depended chiefly
upon their exertions, no movements being possibly made without their as-
sistance. It is therefore incumbent on me to bear my sincere testimony
to the cordial, zealous, and able support the army has received from Com-
modore Hood, and all the Captains and other officers of the squadron
under his command, which must ever be remembered with gratitude.
Captain Maxwell, of the Centaur, having been more particularly attach-
ed to the troops under my immediate command on shore, I am bound to
notice his spirited and exemplary behaviour.'*
Captain Maxwell returned to England with the Commo-
dore's despatches in June, 1804 ; and we subsequently find
him commanding the Centaur as a private ship on the Ja-
maica station, where he removed into the Galatea frigate in
the summer of 1805. His next appointment was to the
Alceste of 46 guns, formerly la Minerve, one of the frigates
captured by part of a squadron under Sir Samuel Hood, in
Sept. 1806 *.
On the 4th April, 1808, Captain Maxwell being off Cadiz
with the Mercury 28, and Grasshopper brig under his orders,
observed a fleet of Spanish vessels coming along shore from
the northward, under the protection of about twenty gun-
boats, and a formidable train of flying artillery. On their
arrival off Rota he stood in with his little squadron, and com-
menced a vigorous attack upon them, which continued from
» See Vol. I, p. 570.
802 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
4 o'clock until 6h 30' P. M. when two of the flotilla
being destroyed, the remainder obliged to retreat, the batte-
ries at Rota silenced, and many of the merchantmen driven
on shore, the boats of the frigates were sent in under the
directions of Lieutenant Allan Stewart, who boarded and
brought off seven tartans, loaded with valuable ship timber,
from under the very muzzles of the enemy's guns, although
supported by numerous armed barges and pinnaces sent from
Cadiz to assist in their defence. This spirited service was
performed in the teeth of eleven French and Spanish line-of-
battle ships then lying ready for sea, and must therefore be
considered as reflecting the highest credit on Captain Max -
well and his brave companions, whose situation during the
action was rather a critical one, as the wind blew dead upon
the shore, and the ships were compelled to tack every fifteen
minutes, in order to avoid the dangerous shoals near Rota.
The loss sustained by the British was confined to the
Grasshopper, whose noble conduct will be more particularly
noticed in our memoir of her commander, the present Captain
Thomas Searle, C. B.
Subsequent to this event Captain Maxwell was actively
employed on the coast of Italy, where he assisted at the
destruction of several armed vessels and martello towers, as
also in bringing off a large quantity of timber from a depot
belonging to the enemy at Terracina. On the 22d May,
1810, a party from the Alceste landed near Frejus, stormed a
battery of two 24-pounders, spiked the guns, broke the
carriages, blew up the magazine, and threw the shot into the
sea. A few days afterwards her boats attacked a French
convoy bound to the eastward, captured four vessels laden
with merchandise, drove two others 011 shore, and obliged
the remainder to put back.
In the ensuing autumn Captain Maxwell was attached to
the inshore squadron off Toulon : and in the spring of 181 1
we find him cruizing on the coast of Istria, under the orders of
Captain (now Sir James) Brisbane, to whose memoir we
must refer our readers for an account of the destruction of a
French national brig in the small harbour of Parenza, by the
Belle Poule and Alceste, on which occasion each ship had
POST. CAPTAINS OF 1803. 803
two men killed and the same number wounded *. The ac-
tion afterwards fought in the Adriatic by a squadron under
the command of Captain Maxwell, is thus described by him in
his public letter to the senior officer on that station, dated off
Lissa, Dec. 1, 1811.
" Sir, — H. M. ships under my orders having been driven from their an-
chorage before Lugina, by strong- gales, had taken shelter in Lissa, when
the telegraph on Whitby hit! signalized " three suspicious aail south."
The Alceste, Active, and Unite' were warped out of Port St. George the
moment a strong E. N. E. wind would permit ; and on the evening of the
28th ultimo, off the south end of Lissa, I met with Lieutenant M'Dougal,
of his Majesty's ship Unite", who, with a judgment and zeal which do
him infinite credit, had put back, when on his voyage to Malta in a neu-
tral, to acquaint me he had seen three French frigates forty miles to the
southward* All sail was now carried in chase, and at 9 A. M. on the 29th,
the enemy were seen off the island of Augusta : he formed in line upon the
larboard tack, and stood towards us for a short time ; but finding H. M.
ships bear up under all sail, in close line abreast, he also bore up to the
N, W. and set studding-sails. At 1 1 the rear ship separated, and stood to
the N.E.; I immediately detached the Unite' after her, and Captain
Chamberlayne's report to me of the result I have the honor to enclose f.
At lh 20" P. M. the Alceste commenced action with the other two, by en-
gaging the rearmost in passing to get at the Commodore j but an unlucky
shot soon afterwards bringing down our main-top-mast, we unavoidably
dropped a little astern : cheers of * Vive PEmpereur ' resounded from both
ships ; they thought the day their own, not aware of what a second I had
in my gallant friend, Captain Gordon, who pushed the Active up under
every sail, and brought the sternmost to action, within pistol-shot ; the
headmost then shortened sail, tacked, and stood for the Alceste, which,
though disabled in her masts, I trust he experienced was not so in her
guns. After a warm conflict of two hours and twenty minutes the French
* See Vol. II. Part I. p. 408.
f Captain Chamberlayne reports the capture of la Persanne, a French
store-ship, mounting 26 nine-pounders, with a complement of 190 men,
having in her hold 120 iron guns and several pieces of brass ordnance.
She kept up a running fight from noon till 4 P. M. and did not surrender
whilst the least chance remained of escaping from her very superior
opponent. The Units' was much cut up in her masts, yards, sails, and
rigging, by a galling fire from the Frenchman's stern-chasers, but fortu-
nately only one of her crew was wounded. The enemy, whose masterly
manoeuvres and persevering resistance reflect great credit on her comman-
der, Mons. Satie, had 2 men killed and 4 wounded. La Persanne, be-
ing found unfit for the British navy, was sold at Malta to an agent of the
Tunisian government, fur 15,500/.
804 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
Commodore made off to the westward, which, from my crippled state, I
was unable to prevent. The other surrendered, after being totally dis-
masted, with five feet water in her hold, and proved to be la Pornoue, of
44 guns and 322 men, commanded by Captain Rosarnel, who fought his
ship with a degree of skill and bravery that has obtained for him the re-
spect and esteem of his opponents. The other was la Pauline, of similar
force, commanded by Mons. Montford. They were from Corfu, going
to join the squadron at Trieste ». The Alceste had 20 killed and
wounded, Active 35, and Pomone 50 ; and it is with poignant regret I in-
form you, that Captain Gordon has lost a leg ; but, thank God, he is
doing well. His merits as an officer I need not dwell upon ; they are
known to his country, and he lives in the hearts of all who have the happi-
ness to know him. His first Lieutenant, William Bateman Dashwood,
lost his arm soon after he was wounded, and the ship was fought by Lieu-
tenant George Haye, in a manner that reflects the highest honor upon him :
his services before had frequently merited and obtained the highest appro-
bation and strong recommendation of his Captain, who also speaks in the
warmest praise of acting Lieutenant Moriarty; Mr. Lothian, the Master;
Lieutenant Meers, R. M. ; and every officer, seaman, and marine under
his command.
"Although our success was not so complete as 1 trust it would have
been could the Alceste have taken up her intended position alongside la
Pauline, instead of that ship, from the fall of our topmast, being ena-
bled to manreuvre and choose her distance, I feel it my duty to state, that
every officer and man here behaved most gallantly. I was most ably as-
sisted on the quarter-deck by my first Lieutenant, Andrew Wilson : and
Mr. Howard Moore, the Master : the main-deck guns were admirably di-
rected by Lieutenant James Montagu and Mr. James Adair, acting in the
place of Lieutenant Hickman, left at Lissa with the gun-boats t. In
justice to two very deserving officers, Lieutenant Miller, R. M., of the
Active, and Lieutenant Lloyd, R. M. of the Alceste, it is necessary to
mention that they were ashore with most of their respective parties at
Camesa castle and Hoste's islands, for the defence of Lissa, hourly threat-
* La Pomone had in her hold 42 iron guns, 9 brass ditto, and 220 iron
wheels for gun-carriages. She was one of the largest class of French fri-
gates, and had been built by the citizens of Genoa for that nautical mush-
room, Jerome Buonaparte, to whom she was presented on his obtaining
the rank of a Captain in the imperial marine.
t Lieutenant John Collman Hickinan, 1 midshipman, and 30 seamen,
were left in three prize vessels for the protection of the island against the
designs of Marshal Bertrand, the Alceste having also left behind 1 lieu-
tenant, 1 serjeant, 2 corporals, and 48 privates of the royal marines, had
on board only 218 officers and men. The Active was equally short ot"
complement. For farther particulars of the action, see CaptaiiL Sir
JAMES ALEXANDER GORDON, K. C. B.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 805
with an attack from the enemy, assembled in great force at Lesina.
**,*««** j have tfte honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " MURRAY MAXWELL."
" To Captain Rowley, H. M. S. Eagle,
Senior officer of the Adriatic squadron."
We now lose sight of Captain Maxwell till July 2, 1813,
when he had the misfortune to be wrecked in the Daedalus
frigate, on a shoal near Ceylon, whilst convoying a fleet of
Indiamen to Madras. In. Oct. 1815, he was re-appointed to
the Alceste, at the particular request of Lord Amherst, who
was then about to proceed on an embassy to China, the result
of which is so well known as to render any remarks in this
place superfluous.
The Alceste sailed from Spithead Feb. 9, 1816, touched at
Madeira, Rio Janeiro, the Cape of Good Hope, Anjere, and
Batavia ; entered the China sea by the straits of Banca ; com-
municated with Canton ; passed through the straits of For-
mosa, into the Tung-Hai, or Eastern Sea, and finally anchor-
ed in the gulf of Pe-tche-lee, on the 28th July, after a passage
of only 15 days from the neighbourhood of Macao. Her
consort, the Lyra brig, commanded by Captain Basil Hall,
had previously been despatched thither to announce the ap-
proach of the embassy.
Lord Amherst having landed at the mouth of the Pei-ho
river on the 9th Aug. and it being certain that several months
must elapse before his Excellency could return from Pekin to
Canton, the place where he intended to re-embark for Eng-
land, Captain Maxwell determined to employ the interval in
examining some parts of the different coasts in that unfre-
quented portion of the globe. The first object which seems
to have attracted his attention was to obtain a complete
knowledge of the gulf of Pe-tche-lee ; and for this purpose he
took to himself the northern part, assigning the southern to
Captain Hall, and so directing the return of the General Hewitt
as to enable her commander to explore the central passage *.
The course taken by the Alceste led to a partial survey of
the gulph of Leo-tong, never before visited by any European
The General Hewitt, Indiaman, Captain Walter Campbell, had been
taken up by the Hon. Court of Directors, for the conveyance of the pre-
sents intended for the Emperor of China.
VOL. IT. 3 G
806 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
ship. In coasting along the western shore, a view was ob-
tained of the Great Wall of China, extending its vast, hut un-
availing defences, ovor the summits and along the skirts of
hills and mountains. Stretching across to the opposite shore,
she anchored, and completed her water, in a commodious
bay, situated in lat. 39° 33' N., long. 121° 19' E, From
thence Captain Maxwell proceeded to the southward until he
reached the extreme Tartar point of the gulf; and then,
steering in the same direction, passed through a cluster of
islands, named by him the Company's Groupe, which, with
those at Mee-a-tau, may be said to divide the Yellow Sea
from the gulf of Pe-tche-lee. He then stood to the eastward,
and put into Che-a-tow bay, on the coast of Shan-tung, where
he found the General Hewitt, and was soon after joined by
Captain Hall, who had kept the coast of China in sight as
much as possible, and obtained a complete knowledge of that
part of the gulf lying between the Pei-ho and the place of
rendezvous.
Had Captain Maxwell sailed from hence to Chu-san, and
there awaited the change of the monsoon, any expectations
originally formed by him would have been more than grati-
fied by the result of this hasty survey : little, indeed, could
he have anticipated the further extension and increased im-
portance of discoveries that awaited him.
Leaving the General Hewitt to complete the ulterior ob-
jects of her voyage, the Alceste and Lyra sailed from Che-a-
tow bay on the 29th Aug. and proceeded to examine the
S. W. coast of Corea, where they had some interesting com-
munications with the natives, who appear to have been pre-
vented by the strict orders of their government from encou-
raging an intercourse, which, if liberated from this restraint,
their inclinations would have led them to cultivate. The re-
searches of Captain Maxwell in this quarter enabled him to
rectify an enormous geographical error respecting the penin-
sula of Corea, and reveal the existence of myriads of islands,
forming an archipelago, a fact before unknown and unsus-
pected. It is to be remarked, that the Lion, of 64 guns,
employed to convey Lord Macartney, the former Ambassa-
dor, was the only ship which had ever before penetrated into
the gulph of Pe-tche-lee ; but her commander, Sir Erasmus
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 80?
Gower, kept the coast of China aboard only, and neither
touched at the Tartar nor Corean side. Cooke, Perouse,
Broughton, and others, had well defined the bounds on the
eastern coast of this country, but the western had been laid
down by the Jesuits in their map, from Chinese accounts and
their own imaginations only *.
Having thus materially benefited nautical science, Cap-
tains Maxwell and Hall visited the Great Loo-Choo island,
anchoring in Napa-kiang roads on the 16th Sept. The na-
tives at first shewed the same disinclination to intercourse a&
those of Corea, and it required great discretion and mildness
to produce a contrary feeling. In this object, however, they
succeeded. The judicious forbearance manifested by them on.
their first arrival secured the favorable opinion, and disarmed
the jealousy of the public authorities ; whilst their uniform
kindness of manner won the general regard of this truly ami-
able people, from whom they received the most liberal as-
sistance and friendly treatment, during a stay of six weeks ;
at the end of which time their separation took place, under
circumstances of mutual esteem and regret. Whether the
Loo-Choo islands can be rendered either of political or com-
mercial utility, may deserve consideration ; and looking to
the possibility of the question being decided in the affirmative,
the information thus obtained respecting them, and the favor-
able impression produced, must be deemed both interesting
and important f.
Returning from Loo-Choo, the Alceste and Lyra passed
the Pa-tchou islands, and the south end of Formosa, crossed
* Captain Maxwell found the main land of Corea from 100 to 130 miles
farther to the eastward than his charts led him to believe.
f Captain Hall, on his return to England, published a very interesting
narrative of the " Voyage to Corea, and the Island of Loo-Choo." This
work he dedicated to Sir Murray Maxwell, " to whose ability in conduct-
ing the voyage, zeal in giving encouragement to every inquiry, sagacity in
discovering the disposition of the natives, and address in gaining their con-
fidence and good will," he attributes " whatever may be found interesting"
in his pages.
The first edition of Captain Hall's publication, which gives a full account
of the voyage to Corea and Loo-Choo, is divided into a Narrative, an Ap-
pendix, containing charts and various nautical and scientific notices, and a
Vocabulary of the Loo-Choo language. The second edition is confined to
-
808 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
the straits in very boisterous weather, and arrived off Lin-tin
on the 2d day of November.
Captain Maxwell now lost no time in applying to the
Viceroy of Canton, through the local authorities, for a pass
to carry the Alceste up the Tigris, to a secure anchorage,
where she could undergo some necessary repairs. Evasion
after evasion, accompanied by insulting messages, were the
only proofs that he obtained of his application having been*
received. He therefore determined to proceed without permis-
sion ; but had scarcely approached the narrow entrance of the
river, when an inferior mandarin came on board, and desired,
in a high and domineering tone, that the ship should be di-
rectly anchored ; stating, that if Captain Maxwell presumed
to pass the Bocca, the batteries would instantly sink her.
Fully satisfied that the tame submission of others had only
added to the arrogance, and fostered the insolence of the
Chinese — convinced also, that the petty tyrant who attempted
to dishonour his country's flag would not respect the person
of her Ambassador the more on account of his forbearance,
Captain Maxwell calmly told the mandarin that he would
first pass the batteries, and then hang him at the yard-arm
for daring to come off with so impudent a message. His
boat was then cut adrift, and himself taken into custody.
Orders were now given for the Alceste to be steered close
under the principal fort. On her approach the batteries and
seventeen or eighteen war-junks endeavoured to make good the
threat, by opening a heavy, though ill-directed fire. The return
of a single shot silenced the flotilla; and one broadside, poured
in with three hearty cheers, proved quite sufficient for her more
formidable opponent. The other batteries being soon after,
quieted, the Alceste proceeded without further molestation to
the second bar, and subsequently to Whampoa, at which
latter place she remained until the arrival of Lord Amherst
and his suite, in Jan. 1817-
The effects of Captain Maxwell's decisive conduct was soon
evinced by the arrival of all kinds of supplies to his frigate>
the narrative alone, to the exclusion of all technical and other details, not
calculated to interest the general reader. The former is a 4to. volume^
price 21. 2s. — the latter, containing four plates, and a general chart show-*
ing the track of the Alceste and Lyra, is a small 8vo. price 7*. Qd*
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 809
and a cargo to the General Hewitt, before withheld on the
plea of her being required to carry back the tribute which
she had brought from England to the celestial empire : also
by the publication of an edict *, endeavouring to make the
affair at the Bocca Tigris appear to the natives as a mere
salute, or " ching -chinning" ceremony, although the report
of their loss, promulgated previous to this official fabrication,
stated it to be 47 killed, and many others " spoiled"
(wounded), which probably was near the truth, as the Chi-
nese warriors stood rather thick in the batteries, and the Al-
ceste's 32-pounder carronades were well loaded with grape.
It likewise came to pass, that the viceroy thought proper to
send down a high mandarin, attended by one of the hong, or
security merchants, to wait upon Captain Maxwell, welcome
him into the river 9 and compliment him with all possible po-
liteness !
Lord Amherst having re-embarked, the Alceste sailed from
Whampoa, on the 21st Jan. 1817 ; exchanged friendly salutes
with the guardians of the Bocca Tigris ; touched at Macao,
and Manilla; rounded the numerous clusters of rocks and
shoals lying to the westward of the Philippines, and to the
N. W. of Borneo ; and then shaped a course for the Straits of
Caspar, which she entered soon after day-light on the 18th of
February.
The morning was fine, the wind fresh and favourable, and
the Alceste moving rapidly through the water ; every appear-
ance promised a rapid passage into the Java sea, for which
Captain Maxwell, who had been on deck the whole of the
preceding night, was steering the course laid down in the
most approved charts, and recommended by the sailing direc-
tions in his possession, when the ship struck against a sunken
rock, three miles distant from Pulo Leat, or Middle Island,
and having grated over it for a few seconds, took a slight
heel to starboard, and became immoveable. The rapidity of
her motion at the instant of striking, rendered it highly pro-
bable that she had received serious injury ; and every doubt
on this subject was soon removed by the appearance of her
» The word " edict" appears to be applied by the Chinese to any piece
of common information, whether it is from the Emperor, or has the force
of a law, or not.
810 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
false keel floating alongside ; and the report of the car-
penter, who stated that the water in the hold had increased
from 2J to 7 feet, and that it was gaining rapidly on the
pumps.
The sails, which had at first been thrown a-back, were
now furled, and the best-bower anchor was dropped, to keep
her fast, from the apprehension, if she went off the rock, of
her instantly sinking. At this alarming crisis, not the slightest
confusion or irregularity occurred : every necessary order was
as coolly given, and as steadily obeyed, as if nothing unusual
had happened ; every one did his duty calmly, diligently, and
effectually.
The boats being hoisted out, Lord Amherst and the gentle-
men of his suite, within half an hour after the striking of the
ship, were in the barge, and making for the nearest part of
the above-mentioned desert island. After leaving the Alceste,
they saw more accurately the dangerous nature of her situ-
ation. The rock on which she had struck was distinctly
seen from the boat, extending only a few yards from her.
Beyond, the water was dark and deep for nearly half a mile ;
it then became so shallow, that the beautiful but fatal coral
was continually seen as they approached the shore. When
about a mile from Pulo Leat, rocks, covered by not more than
from one to three feet water, surrounded them on all sides.
The barge struck several times, but was saved from any seri-
ous accident by the skill of Lieutenant Hoppner, who com-
manded her. After sailing or rowing for about an hour, they
gained what had appeared from the ship to be land covered
with wood, but to their mortification discovered nothing but
insulated masses of granite, interspersed with mangrove
trees growing in the water. Being now joined by a cutter,
with the servants of the embassy, and part of the guard, they
proceeded along shore in quest of a more convenient place for
debarkation. Several creeks, which seemed to penetrate in-
land, were in vain explored ; they all terminated in deep
swamps. Similar attempts were reiterated, till anxiety to
send back the boats determined his Excellency to land on the
first rocks which should be found sufficiently large or nume-
rous for the reception of the party. This intention was at
length effected in a small bay, where the rocks were so
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 811
mingled with the trees as to afford firm hand-hold. The boats
were then immediately despatched to assist in bringing on
shore whatever could be saved from the wreck. A more con-
venient landing place being subsequently discovered near an
eminence on which an encampment might be formed, the
whole party removed thither, leaving a marine behind to
communicate with the boats as they successively approached
the shore.
The heat of the day as it advanced, and the exertions of the
men in clearing the ground, for the reception of persons and
baggage, produced great thirst, and rendered it necessary to
search for water, of which none had been brought on shore,
except a very small quantity collected from the dripstones on
deck. A search for this purpose was conducted in several di-
rections without success ; and night coming on, it was relin-
quished in the hopes of better fortune on the morrow. During
the whole day, and till a late hour in the evening, the boats
were constantly employed conveying articles from the wreck,
and towing ashore a raft on which had been placed the bag-
gage, stores, and a small supply of provisions, rescued with
much labour and difficulty, under the superintendence of
Captain Maxwell, whose exertions and self possession were
most highly spoken of by all his fellow-sufferers.
Towards midnight, as the tide rose, the swell of the sea
lifted the ship from the rock, and dashed her on it again witlj
such violence, as to render it necessary for the top-masts to be
cut away. In doing this, two men were very severely
bruised.
The following morning, Captain Maxwell landed * ; and
after consulting with Lord Amherst, it was determined that
his Excellency, and the gentlemen of the embassy, should
proceed without delay to Batavia in the barge, with a picked
crew, commanded by the junior Lieutenant (Mr. Hoppner) :
one of the cutters was also prepared to accompany them, for
the purpose of assisting in case of attack or accident. The
master of the Alceste was sent on board the latter to navigate
the boats. At this season there was no probability of the
* The water had by this time risen to the main-deck from below ; and
was beating over it through the starboard ports as the ship lay on her beam
ends.
812 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
passage to Batavia exceeding 60 hours, the distance being
only 197 miles ; the inconvenience to which his Excellency
would be subjected was, consequently, very limited in dura-
tion ; and much additional expedition in the despatch of
relief might be expected from his personal exertions at Bata-
via. The stock of liquors and provisions furnished to the
boats was necessarily very small, and only sufficient on very
short allowance to support existence for four or five days ;
only seven gallons of water could be spared for the whole
party, consisting of 47 persons ; but they were fortunately
visited by a heavy fall of rain on the day after their departure,
which more than supplied the place of what had already been
expended. The following extracts from (c Ellis's Journal,*'*
contain a rapid outline of subsequent occurrences, which the
interesting narrative of the late Dr. Mc Leod, Surgeon of the
Alceste, have rendered a more detailed account of unne-
cessary.
" The boats left the island on the evening of the 19th, and after what
may be considered a tedious passage, made Carawang Point on the evening
of the 22d, to the great joy of all on board, and to the relief of the crews,
who were beginning to sink under the continued exertion of rowing, and
the privations to which all were equally subjected. It was judged advisable
by Mr. Mayne, the Master, to come-to for the night, as well to rest the
men, as from a consideration that little advantage could be derived from
reaching the roads before daylight. During the night, one of the sailors
suffered from temporary delirium, caused, no doubt, by a want of sufficient
fluid aggravated, however, by large draughts of salt water, from which no
injunctions or entreaties could induce some of the crew to desistt. All the
provisions and liquors were distributed during the passage with the most
scrupulous equality ; if ever a difference was made, it was in favour of the
men. Messrs. Hoppner and Cooke J, and some of the other gentlemen,
occasionally relieved the men at the oars ; and, on the whole, it may be
said, that as the danger and difficulty were common, the privations and fa-
tigue were not less so.
" The boats had advanced but a short distance towards the roads on the
* Henry Ellis, Esq. Third Commissioner of the Embassy.
t " Salt water," says Dr. M'Leod, "although an article of Materia
Medico, in very extensive use, has never been known to take the direction
of the head."
\ Lieutenant J. Cooke, R. M. commanded the Ambassador's guard of
honor during his travels through China, and was now sent with 7 marines
to assist in protecting his Excellency in case of the boats being attacked
by pirates between Pulo Leat and Batavia.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803. 813
morning of the 23d, when one of the sailors, in washing his face over the
side of the barge, discovered that the water was fresh. The discovery soon
became general, and, although the circumstance was much inferior, the
exultation of all on board almost equalled that of the ten thousand on
catching the first glimpse of the sea ; for the conscious proximity to Bata-
viahad not carried such complete conviction of the termination of our trou-
bles, as the unexpected abundance of fresh water. It was soon ascertained
that we were opposite the mouth of a river, and that the flowing in of the
stream freshened the sea-water for a considerable distance*. The sailors
pulled with renewed vigour, and we got alongside the Princess Charlotte,
an English merchant ship, soon after ten o'clock.
" Letters were immediately sent by his Excellency to the Dutch Gover-
nor and to Mr. Fendall, whom, with the other British Commissioners, we
were fortunate enough to find still on the island f. All parties were alike
zealous to afford every assistance to those who had arrived, and to send re-
lief to the larger body that had remained behind. The East India Com-
pany's cruiser, Ternate, was luckily in the roads, and that vessel, together
with the Princess Charlotte, were got ready for sea by the next morning,
when they sailed for Pulo Leat. The sincere friendship I felt for Captain
Maxwell, and my regard for the officers of the Alceste generally, had led me
to promise, on leaving them, that I would return with the first succours j
and I was happy to have an early opportunity of redeeming my pledge, by
embarking on board the Ternate.
" This vessel, owing to the skill and unremitting attention of Captain
Davison, succeeded in reaching an anchorage 12 miles distant from the
nearest point of Pulo Leat, on the 3d of March. She was unable to ap-
proach nearer, from the strength of the current rendering it impracticable
to work against the wind, then also unfavourable. On coming to an an-
chor we observed a fleet of Malay proas, or pirate boats, off the extremity
of the island, in the act of precipitately getting under weigh, evidently
alarmed by our arrival ; the circumstance increased our anxiety for the
situation of our companions, whose discomfort, if not sufferings, must have
been aggravated by the presence of a barbarous enemy. Indeed, under
every view of the case, it was impossible not to feel the most serious ap-
prehensions as to what might be their actual condition. When we left them
their whole stock of provisions did not exceed one week at full allowance j
only two casks of water had been saved ; and though on digging to the depth
of 12 feet a prospect existed of obtaining water by further perseverance,
it had not then actually been realized, much less its quality ascertained.
Should sickness have appeared amongst them, the total want of comfort, or
even protection from the inclemency of the weather, combined with the
* " We were now opposite the Carawang river, whose waters, from their
lower specific gravity, rolled on the surface of the sea," Vide " Abel's
Narrative," p. 260. "
t The Alceste took out duplicate despatches, ordering the British troops
to evacuate Java.
814 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
deficiency of medical stores, must have rendered its progress most destruc-
tive. Fourteen days had MOW elapsed, and the evils under which they were
likely to suffer were certain to increase in intensity from the mere daily
continuance. The firmness and commanding character of Captain Max-
well were sufficient security for the maintenance of discipline j but even
upon this head it was difficult to be wholly without alarm.
" Soon after sunset our anxiety was relieved by the arrival of a boat
with Messrs. Sykes and Abbot on board ; from them we learnt that water
had been procured from two wells, in sufficient quantity for the general
consumption. Only one casualty had occurred, and that too in the person
of a marine, who had landed in a state of hopeless debility*. The Malay
proas had made their appearance on the 22d February, and had been
"daily increasing in numbers. The first Lieutenant (Hickman) and a de-
tachment of the crew had, in consequence of their approach, been obliged
to abandon the ship, and another raft that had been constructed. The pi-
rates had subsequently set fire to the wreck, which had burnt to the water's
edge. Supplies of provisions, liquors, and arms had, however, been ob-
tained from it. The creek, where the boats of the ship were laid up, had
been completely blockaded by the proas, sixty in number, carrying from
8 to 12 men each, until the appearance of the Ternate, when they had all
hastened awayf.
"Captain Maxwell had carried his intention into effect of establishing
himself on the top of a hill near the landing-place. By cutting down trees
and clearing the underwood, an open space had been obtained sufficient for
the accommodation of the crew, and the reception of the stores and bag-
gage. The trees and underwood cut down had furnished materials for de-
fences, capable of resisting a sudden attack from an enemy unprovided with
artillery ; platforms had been erected at the most commanding points, and
a terre pleine of some yards extent had been formed immediately without
* This poor fellow had contracted a liver complaint in China, whilst ac-
companying the Ambassador as one of his guard. The only thing he com-
plained of in his enfeebled state, was his inability to turn out and face the
Malays with his comrades. Another man, who was a foreigner, and a very
troublesome character, thought proper to leave his shipmates on the third
day after they landed, saying, he considered himself free from the English
service after the frigate was wrecked. He may have been bitten by a ser-
pent in the woods, and died there, or have fallen into the hands of the sa-
vages; but he was never afterwards heard of. See M'Leod's Voyage,
p. 272.
t On the 26th May, Lieutenant Hay, in the second barge, pursued
two proas, one of which he came up with, and was on the point of board-
ing, when she sunk with 4 of her crew. The remaining six swam with
great dexterity, and refusing quarter, continued to fight with their spears
until quite exhausted, when two of them dived and were seen no more. The
others were taken prisoners, but two died soon after they had been dragged
into the boat.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1803. 815
the defences to prevent surprise ; some hundred rounds of ball cartridge
had been made up and distributed to the men with the small arms : pikes,
however, some of bamboo with the ends pointed and hardened in the fire,
were the weapons of the majority. None had been exempted from their
share of guard-duty, nor had the slightest want of inclination been mani-
fested ; in fact the wise arrangements and personal character of Captain
Maxwell, while they had really given security, had inspired proportionate
confidence ; and it might safely be asserted that an attack from the Malays
was rather wished for than feared.
" On the evening preceding our arrival, Captain Maxwell had addressed
the men upon their actual situation, the dangers of which he did not en-
deavour to conceal, but at the same time he pointed out the best means of
averting them, and inculcated the necessity of union, steadiness, and disci-
pline. His address was received with three cheers, which were repeated by
the party on guard over the boats, and every heart and hand felt nerved to
' do or die*.' The appearance of theTernate, however, prevented this des-
perate trial of their courage being made. We may attribute the precipitate
retreat of the Malays to their habitual dread of a square-rigged vessel, and
their not considering the actual circumstances of the case, which rendered
the Ternate almost useless for the purposes of assisting the party on shore,
the anchorage being too distant to allow of any effective co-operation.
" My expectations of the security of the position were more than rea-
lized when I ascended the hill ; the defences were only pervious to a spear,
and the entrances were of such difficult access, and so commanded, that
many an assailant must have fallen before the object could be effected.
Participation of privation, and equal distribution of comfort, had lightened
the weight of suffering to all; and I found the universal sentiment to be an
enthusiastic admiration of the temper, energy, and arrangements of Cap-
tain Maxwell. No man ever gained more in the estimation of his comrades
by gallantry in action, than he had done by his conduct on this trying oc-
casion : his look was confidence, and his orders were felt to be security.
" The next and part of the following day were employed in embarking
the crew and remaining stores on board the Ternate. We sailed in the af-
ternoon of the 7th, and reached Batavia on the evening of the 9th. The
Princess Charlotte, from inferiority of sailing and other adverse cir-
cumstances, did not reach the Straits of Caspar till the 17th, and was then
obliged to come-to at a much greater distance from the island than the
Ternate had done.
" His Excellency and Captain Maxwell having deemed it adviseable to
combine the conveyance of the embassy with that of the officers and crew
of the Alceste to England, the ship Caesar was taken up for those purposes;
and all the necessary arrangements being completed, we sailed from Bata-
via Roads on the morning of the 12th April, and anchored in Simon's Bay,
after a voyage of 45 days."
For Captain Maxwell's speech, see " M1 Lead's Voyage," p. 255.
816 POST-CAFtAINS OP 1803.
On his passage home Captain Maxwell had an interview
with Napoleon Buonaparte, who remembered that he had
commanded at the capture of la Pomone, and said to him
" Fbus ctiez trts mtchant — Eh bien ! your goverment must
not blame you for the loss of the Alceste, for you have taken
one of my frigates*." That his government had no cause to
censure him will be seen by the decision of a Court- Martial,
held on board the Queen Charlotte at Portsmouth, in August,
1817 :—
" The Court is of opinion that the loss of H. M. late ship Alceste, was
caused by her striking on a sunken rock, until then unknown, in the straits
of Caspar. That Captain Murray Maxwell, previous to the circumstance,
appears to have conducted himself in the most zealous and officer-like man-
ner; and, after the ship struck, his coolness, self-collection, and exertions,
were highly conspicuous ; and that every thing was done by him and his
officers within the power of man to execute, previous to the loss of the
ship, and afterwards to preserve the lives of the Right Hon. Lord Amherst,
H. M. Ambassador, and his suite, as well as those.of the ship's company, and
to save her stores on that occasion ; the Court, therefore, adjudge the said
Captain Murray Maxwell, his officers and men, to be most fully acquitted."
Amongst the witnesses examined on this occasion was
Lord Amherst, who stated " that he had selected Captain
Maxwell, on the occasion of the embassy, from motives of
personal friendship, as well as from the high opinion he en-
tertained of his professional character, which opinion had
been much increased by the events of the voyage."
Captain Maxwell was nominated a C. B, in 1815, and re-
ceived the honor of knighthood on the 27th May, 1818.
At the general election in the same year he stood as a candi-
date for the city of Westminster, and sustained severe per-
sonal injury from the vile rabble with which the hustings in
Covent Garden is on such occasions surrounded. On the
20th May, 1819, the Hon. East India Company presented
him with the sum of 1500/. for the services rendered by him
to the embassy, and as a remuneration for the loss he sus-
tained on his return from China. He was appointed to the
Bulwark, a third-rate, bearing the flag of Sir Benjamin Hal-
lo well, at Chatham, in June, 1821 ; and removed to the
Briton frigate, on the 28th Nov. 1822. He is at present em-
ployed on the South American station.
* See " M'Leod's Voyage,"?. 320.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 817
Sir Murray is one of nine brothers, six of whom, besides
himself, devoted themselves to their country's service. Two,
Keith and John, were brought up in the navy : the former
died a Post-Captain^ and the latter has also obtained that
rank.
.— Sir Francis Qmmanney, M. P.
CHARLES MARSH SCHOMBERG, ESQ.
A Companion 'of tJie Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath ; and
Knight Commander of the Royal Portuguese Order of the Tower and
Sword.
THIS officer is the youngest son of the late Sir Alexander
Schomberg, Knt. by Mary Susannah Arabella, daughter of the
Rev. Chalmers, and niece of Sir Alleyn, Knt.
He was born at Dublin, and entered the navy as a Mid-
shipman, on board the Dorset yacht, commanded by his
father, the last 32 years of whose life was spent in attendance
upon the different Viceroys of Ireland, from one of whom he
received the honor of knighthood, in 1777*.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war,
Mr. Charles M. Schomberg entered into active service, under
* Sir Alexander Schomberg obtained the rank of Lieutenant, Dec. 11.
1747 ; and was made a Post-Captain, into the Richmond frigate, April 5,
1757' He commanded the Diana of 32 guns, at the reduction of Quebec,
in 1759, [See note at p. 4,] and greatly distinguished himself during the
siege of that important fortress by a French army, under Mons. Levi, in
May 1760.
The enemy being repulsed in their attempt to recover possession of Que-
bec, Captain Schomberg was selected by Lord Colville, the naval com-
mander-in-chief, to carry home the tidings of their defeat j and on his ar-
rival, the King (George II.) desired the Admiralty to give him the com-
mand of the Essex, a new 64-gun ship, in which he was employed under
the orders of Sir Edward Hawke, and H. R. H. the Duke of York, until
the conclusion of hostilities, in Feb. 1763. He was appointed to the Lord
Lieutenant's yacht in Dec. 1771 ; and continued to command her till his
demise, which took place about the spring of 1804.
Sir Alexander was uncle to the late Commissioner Isaac Schomberg,
who served as first Lieutenant under the veteran Cornwallis, in the memo-
rable battle between Rodney and de Grasse ; also under the command of
H. R. H. Prince William Henry, in the Pegasus of 28 guns ; and who com-
manded the Culloden, 74, in Lord Howe's engagement, June 1, 1794.
The Commissioner died at Chelsea, Jan. 20, 1813.
818 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
the auspices of the late Admiral Macbride, with whom he con-
tinued, in the Cumberland and Minotaur, third-rates, until
his promotion to a Lieutenancy, April 30, 1795.
After serving for some time in the Rattler sloop of war,
under the present Rear- Admirals Lake and Cochet (the former
his patron's son-in-law), he returned to the Minotaur, then
commanded by the late Sir Thomas Louis ; and, nominally,
the flag-ship of Vice- Admiral Macbride*.
Subsequent to the general mutiny in 1797? tne Minotaur
was sent from England to reinforce the fleet off Cadiz ; on
which station we' find Lieutenant Schomberg personally en-
gaged in several severe boat actions with the Spanish flotilla
and land -batteries ; a mode of warfare wisely adopted by Earl
St. Vincent commander-in-chief, to employ the minds of his
seamen, and divert them from following the mischievous ex-
ample of their brethren at Spithead and the Nore. It is un-
necessary to say more on this subject, than that the unhappy
Spaniards w^re made to feel the effects, and deplore the
consequences, of a popular commotion in the British navy.
The Minotaur continued with the in-shore squadron off
Cadiz till May 24, 1798, on which day she sailed for the
Mediterranean, in company with a strong detachment under
the orders of Captain Thomas Troubridge, whose junction
with Sir Horatio Nelson, near Toulon, the long cruise which
succeeded in quest of a French armament commanded by
Napoleon Buonaparte, and the great victory achieved by the
British squadron in AboukirBay, have already been described
in a note at p. 180 et seq. of our first volume.
The Minotaur on that glorious occasion sustained a loss of
23 men slain and 64 wounded. Her conduct is thus noticed
by Nelson's biographers (Messrs. Clarke and M/Arthur), at
pp. 79, 80, &c. of their highly valuable work.
* Vice-Admiral Macbride retired from his command in the North Sea,
towards the close of 1 796, at which period Mr. Schomberg was serving as
first Lieutenant of the Rattler ; and he does not appear ever afterwards to
have hoisted his flag. He became an Admiral of the Blue, Feb. 14, 1799 ;
and died at- the Spring Garden Coffee House, London, Feb. 17, 1800. It
was in consequence of his recommendation that the experiment of arming
Hne-of-battle ships with heavy carronades, instead of long 9-pounders, on
the (juarter-deck and forecastle, was first tried on board the Minotaur. See
JAMES'S Nav. Hist. Vol. II. p. J2G.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 819
"While the advanced officers in the British squadron* were proving
themselves worthy of that experience and decision which directed the whole,
the Rear- Admiral himself had entered into action with the remainder of his
force ; and was the first that anchored on the outer side of the enemy,
within half pistol-shot of le Spartiate, the third ship in the French line of
battle. »***«*
" The Vanguard having thus anchored in eight fathom water, at 6h 30'
P. M. veered half a cable, and in a minute opened a most destructive fire
so as to cover the approach of the other ships, the Minotaur, Bellerophon,
Defence, and Majestic, which respectively passed on Miead of their Ad-
miral. Captain Louis, in tlie Minotaur, nobly supported his friend and
commander, and anchoring next a-head of the Vanguard, took off the fire
of 1'Aquilon, the fourth in the French linef.
" During the heat of the battle, and when Nelson had received his severe
wound in the head from a piece of langridge shot, some circumstances
occurred which marked his character and disposition. On being wounded,
he had been assisted in going below, where, desiring that he might wait
until his turn came, it was some time before he was discovered by the sur-
geon. The pain was intense, and Nelson felt convinced that his wound was
mortal. A large piece of the skin of his forehead, which had been cut to
the bone, hung down over his eye, and not having any sight from the other,
he was left perfectly blind. Mr. Jefferson assured him, on probing the
wound, that there was no immediate danger. He would no.t, however, in-
dulge any hope ; and having desired Mr. Comyn, the chaplain, to convey
his dying remembrance to Lady Nelson, he ordered the Minotaur to be
hailed, that he might thank her gallant Captain for coming up so nobly to
the support of the Vanguard — the interview affected all who beheld it."
" Farewell, dear Louis," said the hero, " I shall never forget the obli-
gation I am under to you for your brave and generous conduct ; and note,
w/iate.uer may become of me, my mind is at peace J."
L'Aquilon being totally dismasted, and completely over-
powered by the Minotaur's superior fire, struck her colours
some time previous to the destruction of I'Orient, and was
immediately taken possession of by Lieutenant Schomberg,
whom we subsequently find employed, as first of the Mino-
taur, in a series of active and important services, on the coast
of Italy, the nature of which will be seen by the following
* Captains Thomas Foley, Samuel Hood, Sir James Saumarez, Davidge
Gould, and Ralph Willet Miller, of the Goliath, Zealous, Orion, Auda-
cious, and Theseus ; which ships had anchored within the enemy's line.
t The Alexander, Swiftsure, and Leander, it will be remembered, did
not close with the enemy until a considerable time after the commence-
raent of the action.
\ The above passage in italics is extracted from a memoir of Sir Thomas
Louis, published in the Naval Chronicle (1806),
820 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
outline of occurrences in that quarter, between Nov. 1798,
and October 1799.
After the establishment of the blockade of Malta, and the
surrender of Gozo, an adjacent island, in Oct. 1798*, the
Minotaur returned with Nelson to Naples, where she re-
ceived on board part of a Neapolitan army, destined to occupy
Leghorn, at which place she arrived in company with the
Vanguard, Culloden, and Alliance, towards the latter end of
November. A summons was immediately sent on shore, in
the names of the allied commanders ; and no resistance being
offered, the troops were soon landed under General Naselli,
who took possession of the town and port, whilst the squa-
dron secured two Genoese armed vessels, and several others
loaded with corn, which were found lying outside the mole.
The occupation of Leghorn was undertaken by Nelson with
a view to frustrate the machinations of the French emissaries
then at Florence, and thereby preserve Tuscany from the
anarchy and plunder to which that fine country was shortly
afterwards subjected, through native treachery and Sicilian
imbecilityf.
In December following, the French army having invaded
the Neapolitan territory, and the superior inhabitants of the
capital displaying strong symptoms of disaffection, his Sicilian
Majesty found it expedient to embark in Nelson's flag-ship,
and to proceed with his family to Palermo J, at, which place
he was landed in safety on the 26th of the same month.
» See Vol. I. note f at p. 838.
f The principal Tuscan traitor was the Marquis Manfredini, who endea-
voured to make his countrymen believe that all the horrors of war and the
loss of their property were inevitable, if the good will of the " Great Na-
tion" were not purchased. This jacobin had been tutor to the Grand
Duke, and was at that period his Prime Minister.
The disgraceful flight of the Neapolitans from Rome, to which city they
had advanced for the avowed purpose of restoring1 the Pope, has been
briefly noticed in our memoir of Sir BENJAMIN HALLOWELL, K.C.B. See
Vol. I. note f at p. 472.
\ General Championet entered Naples on the 23d Jan. 1799, but not
without great opposition on the part of the Lazzaroni, who although half-
starved, nearly naked, wholly undisciplined, and without a leader of the
least rank, displayed considerable resolution, even when the republican
army and its artillery had obtained possession of the principal streets.
At this critical period, Championet thought lie might meet the super-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 821
Whilst such was the deplorable state of Naples, and the
painful situation of His Sicilian Majesty, whose hopes and
comforts equally rested upon the British squadron ; the affairs
of Tuscany, and the cruel insults to which the King of Sar-
dinia was then exposed, demanded also a large share of Nel-
son's judgment and decision. Throughout the whole of the
subsequent proceedings in that part of Italy, his Excellency
the Hon. W. Wyndham displayed an energy and impartiality
stitious ideas of this loyal body, by publishing an account of his regard for
their national patron, St. Januarius ! This had the desired effect ; his con-
version flew like lightning through the city, and did more in his favour than
all the ammunition he had expended. One of their chiefs delivered an
oration, ordered them to cease firing, and to lay down their arms. He was
listened to with reverence, and obeyed with alacrity. The horrors of war
were followed by acclamations of joy, and the French General's hand was
kissed in token of submission.
Thus suddenly the Lazzaroni became the advocates of republicanism.
They plundered the royal palace, which but a short time before they would
have defended to the last extremity j and were with difficulty restrained
jfrom committing still greater excesses. Charnpionet left the city in charge
of General Duhesme, and encamped his army on the adjacent heights..
Having disarmed the inhabitants, the French commander, in person, pro-
claimed to his troops, that henceforth they should be styled '• The Army
of Naples ;" which decree was accompanied by the shouts of the multitude
and a tremendous discharge of cannon.
The clergy and many of the nobles celebrated this event. Even the Car-
dinal Archbishop paid servile court to the invaders, and actually practised
fraud to complete the overthrow of monarchy. In consequence of long and
earnest prayers, the phial, which contained a precious portion of the patron
saiqt, so much respected by the inhabitants, exhibited undoubted marks of
miraculous interposition, an event immediately communicated to the cre-
dulous multitude. After this, a day was appointed for a solemn Te Deurn,
when the citizens were to return thanks for the glorious entry of the French
troops, who had come to " regenerate the nation, and consolidate its hap-
piness"— to promulgate the blasphemous tenets of a frenzied republic, and
to reduce all classes to one common level. At the, same time the traitorous
prelate intimated, that St. Januarius had greeted their arrival in the kindest
manner, " his blood having miraculously liquefied in the evening of that very
day on which the French forces had taken up their abode in the capital *."
Immediately alter this, Naples was proclaimed a commonwealth, under
the designation of "THE PARTHENOPEAN REPUBLIC," and the provi-
sional government confided to twenty-one cifizens, chosen by Charnpionet.
* St. Januarius was subsequently punished far his jacobinism. See Vol. I.
note * at p. 280.
VOL, ii, 3 H
822 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
which all the artifice of French intrigue could not affect j and
the co-operation of the Minotaur, stationed off Leghorn, was
at all times worthy of her commander's professional cha-
racter.
Towards the end of Jan. 1799? the arrival of a very valuable
convoy from England was hourly looked for, and the British
Minister accordingly presented a note on the subject to the
Grand Duke. On the 28th, the principal merchants decided
that the fleet, instead of entering the port, should be placed
under the protection of the Minotaur, and remain in the roads
until Captain Louis could devise further means for its secu-
rity. The threats of Salicetti, Envoy from the French Direc-
tory*, who declared openly that Tuscany would be revolu-
tionized in the ensuing Lent ; and the suspicious conduct of
the republican generals, then in the neighbourhood of Flo-
rence, kept the Duchy at that time in a very agitated state ;
and, as Mr. Wyndham added in his note, " there was reason
to believe^, that if the French had not yet attacked the govern-
ment, it was only because they waited the arrival of this rich
convoy, in order to ensure its capture."
During these proceedings, the King of Sardinia and his fa-
mily, justly apprehensive of French treachery, had arrived at
Florence, and were lodged in one of the Grand Duke's
palaces, about a mile without the city. His Majesty, driven
from Piedmont, intended to seek an asylum at Cagliari ; and
afterwards proceeded thither in a Danish frigate, escorted by
a British man of warf. Mr. Wyndham, in his letters to
Nelson, gives an account of the various circumstances that
had preceded and attended this transaction : —from those
letters we make the following extracts :—
" Florence, Feb. 6, 1799.— The King of Sardinia is very grateful to your
Lordship for leaving a force off Leghorn. I feel most sincerely your at-
tention in sending Captain Louis, whose conduct gives great satisfaction to
this Court, and who in every respect is a proper person for the service ;
uniting cool judgment and address with every other quality necessary for a
military character, and concurring with me candidly for the public service.
* * * *. His Majesty is still here and suffers much from convulsions,
occasioned by the hard usage and violent treatment he is obliged to put up
* Salicetti was a native of Corsica, a disciple of Robespierre, a Member
of the Council of 500, and an avowed enemy of Italy,
t See Vol. I. p. 839,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 823
with from the French commissary who attends him, and others who are
appointed to thwart his wishes, and contradict him on frivolous and vexa-
tious pretexts. When the King, three days since, talked of going on his
journey to Leghorn, the Commissary Chiboux said to him, * Pous ne par-
tlrez pointt ce n'est pas h vous «- commander, c'est £ vous h regevoir nos
wdres.' I am sorry to say his Majesty is not better treated by Venturi, a
jacobin nobleman."
"Feb. 16, 1799. — His Sardinian Majesty proposes sailing to-morrow,
or next day at latest, from Leghorn, if the wind permits. His cruel situ-
ation could not fail to call forth the feelings of any man who possesses loy-
alty and honour. I therefore proposed and concerted with a person in
H. M, confidence, to secure the Royal family from any future insults on
their passage by sea ; and the same person was accordingly employed by
me, to arrange with Captain Louis a mode of escorting the King and his
suite to Cagliari in such a manner that the French commissary should not
know an English ship was engaged to attend on the voyage. We had some
idea of an intent of the enemy to intercept H. M. on the passage by their
privateers ; and the noted Franceschi, chief of the French and Corsican
marauders in these seas, had been peculiarly active of late in arming and
equipping a number of vessels best suited for resistance, apparently in con-
cert with the French commissary and consul. The total impossibility of
knowing how events might turn out after the King's landing in Sardinia,
has induced H. M. to negotiate with me for the security of his person, and
the protection of the only state which now remains to him. I cannot suf-
ficiently commend Captain Louis for his generous zeal and kind concurrence
iu this affair."
The King of Sardinia was not able to sail from Leghorn
until the 23d of February. On his arrival at Cagliaria his
Majesty published a protest against the conduct of the French,
dated March 3, 1J99, in which he declared, " Upon the faith
and word of a King, that he not only had never infringed,
even in the slightest degree, the treaties that had been made
with the French republic ; but, on the contrary, had observed
them with such scrupulous exactness, and with such demon-
strations of amity and condescension, as far exceeded the
obligations he had contracted."
The arrival of the expected convoy, March 14, only served
to encrease the alarm of the Tuscan government. Upwards
of 1,000 French had already arrived atPistoia, and other de-
tachments were on their march to that place. A large body
of horse and foot, with artillery, had set out from Bologna for
Florence ; and two frigates were cruising off Genoa, for the
purpose of co-operating in an attack on Leghorn.
In the midst of this consternation, intelligence was re-
824 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803.
ceived of the rapid advance of General Scherer, ex-minister at
war, who had succeeded Championet as commander-in-chief
of the army of Lombardy, and whose first military movement
was the invasion of Tuscany. On the 25th of March, Flo-
rence fell into his possession, and Leghorn was occupied the-
same day by a division under General Miollis. The Grand
Duke, instead of making any resistance, published a declara-
tion, requesting, as a proof of " the attachment and affection
of his faithful subjects, that they ivould respect the French
Army*.*' All the property found at Leghorn belonging to Great
Britain, Portugal, Austria, Russia, Turkey, and the States of
Barbary, was subjected to sequestration by the enemy, whose
mortification was very great when they discovered that not
only the English merchandize recently arrived, but also much
more of their expected booty had been placed beyond their
reach through the active exertions of Captain Louis, and the
officers under his orders.
The Minotaur returned to Palermo at the latter end of
March, and Nelson immediately laid before her commander a
plan he had formed for the effectual blockade of Naples, and
recovery of the islands in that neighbourhood. This plan had
been sanctioned by His Sicilian Majesty on the 18th of that
month, and had been received with much gratitude by the
King and his Ministers, who could not but contrast the gene-*
rous solicitude of the British Admiral with the cold and selfish
apprehensions of his natural ally, the Rmperor of Austria.
On the 31st of March, the Culloden, Zealous, Minotaur,
Swiftsure, and some other ships of war, proceeded to execute
their Admiral's instructions; and on the seventh day after
their departure, Nelson had the pleasure of hearing that they
were in complete possession of Procida and Ischia, the inha-
* The King of Sardinia was constrained to perform an act of still greater
degradation when he signed an act of abdication, dictated by the republican
General Joubert, Dec. 9, 1 /98. Stipulating only for the exercise of the
Catholic religion for his subjects, the security of his own person, and the
enjoyment of liberty and property for the Prince de Carignan ; the ill-fated
monarch was obliged to renounce the exercise of all his power and autho-
rity on the continent, to order the Piedinontese troops to consider them-
selves as belonging to the French army, and to surrender the citadel of
Turin, as a pledge that no resistance whatever should be attempted against
an act '*• which et^ttnated purely from his own wili."
OF 180& 825
l>ifeants of which islands had joyfully hoisted the royal colours,
cut down the trees of liberty, and delivered up the municipa-
lities, composed of detestable jacobins, all of whom were either
confined on board the squadron, or in the chateau of Ischia$ to
await the punishment due to their crimes.
Captain Troubridge, the senior officer, lost no time in send-
ing to Palermo for a judge to try the offenders, but it seemed
to be the wish of the imbecile Ministry to cast the odium of,
every execution upon the British, as was but too successfully
done in the case of Prince Caraccioli, to which we have alluded
in a preceding part of this work *. Captain Troubfidge^ how-
ever, " out-manoeuvred" them, although some time elapsed
before he could obtain the object of his desires. Writing to
Nelson on this subject, he says : —
(April 4, 1/99.) " I pray your Lordship to send an honest Judge here
to try these miscreants on the spot, that some proper examples may be
made : it. will be impossible to go on else, the villains encrease so fast on
my hands, and the people are calling for justice. Eight or ten of them must
be hung."
{April 13.) " The Judge is arranging his papers ; to-morrow he begins.
1 have given him good advice ; he appears to me to be the poorest creature
I; ever saw, and to be frightened out of his senses. He declares that seventy
families are concerned; and talks of its being necessary to have a Bishop to
degrade the Priests before he can execute them. I told him to hang
them first, and if he did not think that degradation sufficient, to send them
afterwards to me."
' (April 18.) " The Judge made an offer two days since, if I wished it, to
pass sentence ; but hinted that it would not be regular on some. I declined
having any thing to do with it. By his conversation, 1 found his instruc-
tions were to go through it in a summary manner, and under me. I told
him tire latter must be a mistake, as they were not British subjects."
(May 7-) " My Lord : — I have just had a long conversation with thet
Judge. He tells me he shall finish his business next week j and that the
custom with his profession is to return home the moment they have con-
demned. He says, he must be embarked immediately, and hinted at a man
of war. I found also from his conversation, that the Priests must be sent
to Palermo to be disgraced, by the King's order, and then to be returned for
execution to this place. An English man of war to perform all this: at
the same time making application to me for a hangman, which I positively
refused. If none could be found here, I desired he would send for one from
Palermo. I see their drift : they want to make us the principals, and to
throw all the odit*m upon us. I cannot form the least idea of their law pro-
* See Vol. I. p. 565.
826 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
cess as carried on against the prisoners ; for the culprits are seldom pre-
sent while the trial is proceeding. By the Judge's account, he is making a
rapid progress : several of the villains are very rich."
Some of the loyalists, with the characteristic impetuosity
of Italians, did not wait for the decision of a Judge, as ap-
pears by the following extraordinary letter which Captain
Troubridge received early one morning, with his usual basket
of grapes for breakfast, from the shore :— -
Salerno, April 26, 1799. Sir,— As a faithful subject of my King, Fer-
dinand IV., whom God preserve, I have the glory of presenting to your
Excellency, the head of D. Charles Grauozio di Giflfoni, who was employed
in the admiaistration directed by the infamous Commissary Ferdinand
Ruggi. The said Granozio was killed by me in a place called li Puggi, dis-
trict of Pbnte Cagnaro, as he was running away. I beg your Excellency
to accept the said head, and consider this operation as a proof of my attach-
ment to the Royal Crown. I am with due respect, the faithful subject of
the King, J. M. V."
So wretchedly were the affairs of the Sicilian government
administered, that although the number of loyalists in Procida
and Ischia, including emigrants from the main, amounted to
at least 50,000 persons, a considerable period was allowed to
elapse before any attention was paid to their wants, and had
it not been for the flour with which they were supplied from
the squadron, and the private stores, which the officers hu-
manely distributed amongst them, many of those poor suf-
fering creatures must actually have perished through hunger >
all supplies from Naples and Castel-a-mare having been sus-
pended immediately after the arrival of the British.
" The distress for bread is so great," says Captain Troubridge, " that it
would move even a Frenchman to pity. I am fairly worn out with fretting for
the breach of my word given to the inhabitants, in consequence of her Ma-
jesty's promise to me. Cannot a subscription be opened ? I beg to put
ray name down for twenty ducats j I cannot afford more, or I would give
more. I feed all I can from a large private stock I had, but that will not
last long. No fault shall attach to us. Palermo is full of grain, as is the
neighbourhood : the French, I fear, have more interest there than the
King." • # • « j know Strabia, and feel much hurt that I am made
the tool of his deception. In short, my Lord, these islands must return
under the French yoke, as I see the King's Ministers are not to be relied
on for supplies. I trust your Lordship will pardon my stating the case s
plainly ; but I think I should be highly culpable, if from delicacy I were to-
sacrifice the lives of 50,000 inhabitants."
Even Nelson's remonstrances on this occasion proved
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 827
unavailing — the love of country was never yet cherished by a
sordid courtier. Writing to Earl St. Vincent, the hero
expressed himself as follows : — " This day brought me letters
from dear Troubridge. He has been obliged to give all his
flour to keep the inhabitants of the islands from starving. I
have eternally been pressing for supplies, and have repre-
sented that 100,000/. given away just now in provisions
might purchase a kingdom."
Troubridge was in reality what he described a certain
foreign Governor to be, whom he met with in the course of
service ; but whose name does not appear in the correspond-
ence we are now making so free with :• — " an honest man,
who studied his Sovereign's interest in every thing ; without
the little dirty policy of making money himself." Not so
the Sicilian grandee, whom we have just seen him charge
with deception. That Strabia also deserved to be stigmatised
as a peculator of the basest description, is very evident, at
least to us ; and the Rev. Cooper Willyams must have enter-
tained a similar opinion, for at p. 184 of his publication
respecting the battle of the Nile, &c.*f we find a passage to
this effect : —
" The people at Procida being now in the utmost distress for bread,
some provisions were sent to them from the British squadron. On the 13th,
however, several vessels arrived from Sicily with corn for the islands of
Procida and Ischia ; but instead of a free competition to supply them with
it, a particular grant was issued from the Crown for Prince Strabia to issue
it solely : the consequence was, that it came in too small quantities to be
of essential service, and the Prince was so exorbitant in his demands, that
the poor were literally starving."
Whilst Captain Troubridge was thus venting his just com-
plaints against a corrupt administration, the ships under his
orders were employed paving the way for a counter-revolution
at Naples, by maintaining a close blockade, and thereby
preventing corn or any other supplies from reaching that city
by sea. The towns of Castel-a-mare and Salerno were occu-
pied by detachments landed from the Minotaur, Swiftsure,
and Zealous, but found untenable, on account of the enemy's
superior numbers. In retiring from the latter place, the
British had several men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
* See Vol. I. note J at p, 463.
828 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803i
In the evening of May 5, 1799, a powerful fleet from firesf •
entered the Mediterranean and proceeded towards Cartha-
gena, for the purpose of forming a junction with the Spanish .
ships in that port, after which it was the enemy's intention to
embark a large body of troops at Toulon, to wrest Minorca
from the English, raise the blockade of Naples, and make a
joint attack upon Sicily. All those objects, however, were
frustrated through the supineness of the Spaniards, and the
vigilance of the British Admirals to the westward.
The enemy's arrival within the Straits of Gibraltar was no
sooner made known to Nelson, than he resolved to collect his
line-of-battle ships, and cruise with them off Maritimo, in ,
order to protect Sicily from the threatened invasion, and at
the same time to cover the frigates and sloops left off Naples,
under the command of Captain (now Vice-Admiral) Foote,
to whose memoir we must refer our readers for a sketch of
the occurrences on that station, from the period of his prede-
cessor's departure for Palermo, until the return of Ferdinand
IV. to his capital, in the month of July following *.
Although Ferdinand IV. had abandoned his capital, he was
not wholly forsaken by his subjects ; the inhabitants of the
provinces, in particular, still retained an affection for their
absent King, and were ready to sacrifice their lives in his
cause.
Cardinal F. Ruffo was very assiduous in cherishing these
loyal sentiments. This ecclesiastic, one of the most extra-
ordinary characters of the age, had, in consequence of some
disputes with the Pope, taken refuge at Naples, and been ap-
pointed Intendant of Caserta, an appointment by no means
suitable to the dignity of the Roman purple. Having accom-
panied the King to Palermo, at a period when all the cour-
tiers despaired of the restoration of the monarchy, he ob-
tained leave to repair to Calabria, on purpose to erect the
standard of royalty there. Although accompanied by five
persons only when he landed at Scylla, this fortunate adven-
turer was soon joined by a number of inhabitants, headed by
Don Reggio Renaldi, rector of Scalca, who had already
Organized an insurrection, and waited only the arrival of a
chief, to direct the movements of his colleagues.
* See Vol. I. pp. 560—566.
POST^CAPTAINS OF 1803. 8*20
The warlike Cardinal, after collecting a number of new
levies, in the capacity of General., recurred to his sacred
functions as a priest, on purpose to arouse the fanaticism of
a people whom he knew to be both superstitious and barba-
rous in the extreme. In virtue of his spiritual authority, he
excommunicated all those who would not take up arms, while
he enjoined every true catholic to wear a red cross in his hat,
as a signal of faith, and promised such as might die in battle
the immediate enjoyment of paradise. In addition to many
of the peasantry, his Eminence was soon joined by a multi-
tude of galley-slaves, criminals from the different gaols, and
robbers who had infested the highway : these were immedi-
ately formed into divisions, under three chiefs ; the first of
whom was called Francisco Diabolo, a monk3 who, after being
expelled from his convent, became the leader of a desperate
band of freebooters ; the second was the gaoler of Salerno,
who marched at the head of his prisoners ; and the third^
Pauzanera, who, as reported, had committed fourteen acts of
homicide. Such were the troops on whom Cardinal Ruffo
bestowed the appellation of " The Christian Army}' himself
assuming*, at the same time, the designation of " His Sicilian
Majesty's Vicar-General and Vicegerent." With this rabble
he attacked and obtained possession of the towns of Avigliano,
Cotrona, and Cantanzaro ; after which he proceeded against
Naples, and there acted in the reprehensible manner described
by Captain Foote, when vindicating his conduct as senior
officer on that station, during the absence of Captain Trou-
bridge, in May and June, 1799. The subsequent operations
against fort St. Elmo, Capua, Gaieta *, Civita Vecchia, and
Rome, are recorded at pp. 475 and 476 of our first volume.
In announcing to Nelson the surrender of Rome, the once
celebrated capital of the world, Commodore Troubridge
" The stuff the French proposed made me sick, the Ambassador was the
cause of it j the thief is afraid to go to France ; he would sooner stay where
* Gaieta surrendered to Captain Louis, Aug. 2, 1799 ; and the French
garrison, consisting of 5,000 men, were embarked under the superintend-
ence of Lieutenant Schomberg, during the night of the 3d. In that for-
tress were taken 70 battering guns, mostly brass, 19 mortars, and 2 field-
pieces of the same metal. ."it:
830 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
he is not wanted. He called the Roman territory the property of the
French Republic by right of conquest ; I settled that by saying, It's mine
by re-conquest, and he was silenced. I have sent Louis up to Bouchard to
secure the tranquillity of Rome. The Austrians offered any terms, but I
out-manoeuvred them, brought General Gamier on board the Culloden, and
settled all, as your Lordship will see. / have received the greatest assist-
ance from Captain Louis and Lieutenant Schomberg- *."
In a letter dated Oct. 30, 1799, the Commodore informs
Nelson, that a large quantity of artillery belonging to the
King of the Two Sicilies, with his valuable geographical and
marine plates, those of Herculaneum, and a variety of other
articles of great value, were found at Civita Vecchia, to which
port the Army of Naples had sent the plunder of that king-
dom, on its way to France.
We next find the Minotaur bearing the flag of Lord Keith,
off Genoa j where she continued until the surrender of that
city to the combined forces of Great Britain and Austria,
JuneS, 1800 f.
On the 3d Sept. following, Lieutenant Schomberg com-
manded the Minotaur's boats in a gallant and successful
attack made upon two Spanish corvettes, off Barcelona, the
particulars of which are given under the head of Capt. James
Hillyar, C. B., the officer who conducted that enterprise £.
Lieutenant Schomberg subsequently accompanied Lord
Keith to the coast of Egypt, in the Foudroyant of 80 guns, to
which ship he had been removed, on promotion, soon after
the brilliant affair off Barcelona. During the Egyptian cam-
paign he was appointed Flag Lieutenant to that officer, and
sent to Grand Cairo for the purpose of keeping up a commu-
nication between his Lordship and the Turkish army.
Whilst employed on that service, he received a notification of
his advancement to the rank of Commander, arid appointment
* Captain Louis was the first Englishman who ever governed Rome.
During his absence the Minotaur remained off Civita Vecchia, under the
command of Lieutenant Schomberg, who likewise arranged the em-
barkation of the French troops.
t See Vol. I. p. 53. N.B. Lieutenant Schomberg was the bearer of all
the flags of truce sent by Lord Keith to General Massena, whilst negoti-
ating for the evacuation of Genoa.
* See p. 850, of this Volume.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 831
to the Termagant sloop of war, notwithstanding which, he
continued with the Capitan Pacha until the termination of
hostilities *, when he joined the Charon, a 44-gun ship armed
en flute, and assisted in conveying the French troops from
Alexandria to Malta, on which service he was employed
during the greater part of the peace of Amiens. We should
here state that Captain Schomberg is one of the officers who
received the gold medal of the Imperial Ottoman Order of the
Crescent.
The evacuation of Egypt being at length completely effect-
ed, Captain Schomberg was next sent to Tunis, on a pecu-
liarly delicate mission, the successful result of which induced
Sir Alexander I. Ball, Governor of Malta, to present him
with a handsome piece of plate, for his able conduct on that
occasion. His post commission bears date Aug. 6, 1803.
From this period, Captain Schomberg commanded the Ma-
dras 54, stationed at Malta, till the spring of 1807. Lord
Collingwood's intention of removing him into TAtheniene of
64 guns, having been frustrated by the melancholy disaster
which happened to that ship on the 27 Oct. 1806 f.
The Madras being dismantled and laid up in Valette har-
bour, Captain Schomberg returned to England as a passenger
on board some other ship, the name of which has escaped our
memory. On his arrival, after an absence of more than ten
years, he was appointed to the Hibernia, a first rate, destined
for the flag of Sir W. Sidney Smith, and immediately des-
patched from Torbay, by Lord Gardner, to open a communi-
cation with the British Minister at Lisbon, and announce the
approach of a squadron, sent to protect the royal House of
Braganza from the insidious designs of Napoleon, whose
myrmidons were then about to pass the Portuguese frontier.
Tempestuous weather and baffling winds, however prevented
Captain Schomberg from reaching his destination until the
arrival of the other ships off the Tagus, and the negociations
which ensued were consequently conducted under the imme-
diate directions of Sir W. Sidney Smith, with whom he after-
* The proceedings of the Anglo-Turkish flotilla are described at pp.
462, et seq.
t See note at p. 849.
332 I'GST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
wards proceeded to Rio Janeiro, in his former ship, the Foud-
royant.
The following extract from the Naval Chronicle throws
considerable light on a subject that gave rise to many coun-
ter statements, and much diversity of opinion at the period
we are now speaking of: —
"Sometime in June last (.1808) at Rio de Janeiro, the Prince of
Brazil, talking over European news, in a circle of which two Captains and
a Lieutenant of our Navy formed pert, expressed himself somewhat indig-
nantly at the London Gazette making him appear under the tuition of the"
English ChargJ-d' -affaires, explainihg that he had taken his decision to
evacuate Portugal on the 25th November (1807), in consequence of a letter
from the Admiral on the 22d : that he embarked on the 27th, and tried to
sail on the 28th, but the wind was adverse, and would not let him leave the
Tagus till the 29th. In point of fact, concluded the Prince, emphatical-
ly, ' Je rfai vu Milord S. qu1 apres le passage de la barre, J'ai sgu qu'il
etolt abord la Me'duse, avec M. D'Aranjo ; et /<? me suis leve' <t 4 heures
pour le recevoir; mats il n'est pas venu- Et le vent e'tant bon, je faisois
lever Vancre comme j'avois dtfa donne" Vordre; le premier Anglais <iuc
fai vtf & cette e'poque e'toit le Capitaine Sckomberg, envoye' de la part dz
VAmirnl *.' "
The period alluded to by the Prince, when speaking of Clap-
tain Schomberg, was the morning of the 29th, just after H.
R. H. had passed the bar of Lisbon. Sir W. Sidney Smith
had formed a line of battle, ordered his ships to be prepared
for action^ and sent Captain Schomberg to ascertain in what
light the Portuguese were to be considered — whether as
friends or as enemies. If coming out with pacific intentions,
he was directed to congratulate the Prince Regent^ in the
name of Sir W. Sidney Smith, on the wise measure he had
adopted^ and to assure H. R. H. that the British squadron
was ready to afford him protection. The interview proved
most gratifying to both parties ; and the Prince, at a subse-
quent date, decorated Captain Schomberg with the insignia of
a K. T. S., on account of his having been the first English-
man whom he saw on that memorable occasion f.
* See Nav. Chron. v. 21, note • at p. 380.
' f The closing of the Portuguese ports against British vessels, the de-
parture of our Char ge-d' -affaires from Lisbon, the emigration of the
House of Braganza, and the revival of the ancient Military Order of the
Tower and Sword, by the Prince Regent in compliment to his allies, are
subjects already noticed at pp. 319, 321, 537, and 852, of our first volume.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 833
About the commencement of 1809, several changes took
place in the squadron at Rio Janeiro, which do not appear to
have been sanctioned by the Admiralty. Amongst others
was the removal of Captain Schomberg from the Foudrpyant
to the President ; Captain Adam Mackenzie of that frigate
having been appointed to succeed Captain James Walker, in
the Bedford 74. At the expiration of several months, the
latter officer returned to Brazil by order of the Board, and
Captain Mackenzie being likewise directed to rejoin his pro-
per ship, Captain Schomberg had the mortification to find
himself unexpectedly deprived of command ; his friend, Sir
W. Sidney Smith, having previously been relieved by Rear-
Admiral De Courcy. He was consequently obliged to return
home, as a passenger, in the Elizabeth, of 74 guns, command-
ed by the Hon. Henry Curzon, with whom he arrived at
Spithead, in April 1810.
Captain Schomberg's next appointment was, about July,
1810, to the Astraea, a contract-built frigate, rated at 36 guns,
and fitting for the Cape of Good Hope, to which station he
proceeded in company with the Scipion 74, bearing the flag
of Rear-Admiral Stopford, by whom he was detached, with
the Phoebe frigate under his orders, to reinforce the squadron
employed off Mauritius, where he continued for some time as
senior officer during the absence of Captain Philip Beaver,
who had gone to India, for the purpose of collecting treasure.
Captain Schomberg's hard fought action with a French squad-
ron, near Madagascar, is thus described in his official letter,
dated May 21, 1811:—
"Sir, — 1 had the honor of communicating to you, from off Round
Island, my determination to quit that station, in order to follow the three
enemy's frigates with troops on board, which had appeared off Mauritius
on the 7th instant, and also iny reasons for supposing they would push for
a near point, perhaps Tamatave.
" I have now the satisfaction to report to you, that the enemy were dis-
covered on the morning of the 20th instant, far to windward, and well in
with the land, near Foul Point, Madagascar. The signal to chase was
promptly obeyed by H. M. ships Phoebe, Galatea, and Racehorse sloop.
The weather was most vexatiously variable during the whole of the day,
which, combined with the efforts of the enemy to keep to windward, ren-
dered it impossible to close them till nearly 4 o'clock, when the Astraea
being about a mile a-head and to windward, they wore together, kept away,
and evinced a disposition to bring us to action. The enemy then com^
834 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1803.
mencetl firing ; I regret to say at a long range, which soon so effectually
produced a calm to leeward, as to render our squadron unmanageable for
three hours. No exertion was omitted to bring his Majesty's ships into
close action, during this very critical and trying period, but all was ineffec-
tual. The enemy's rear frigate neared the Astrsea a little, while she lay on
the water, almost immoveable ; only occasionally bringing guns to bear.
His van and centre ships, preserving a light air, succeeded in rounding the
quarters of the Phoebe and Galatea, raking them, with considerable effect,
for a long time.
" At this, his favourite distance, the enemy remained until nearly dark,
when a light breeze enabled the Phoebe to close the nearest frigate, in a
good position to bring her to a decisive action. In half an hour she was
beaten. Her night signals drew the other two frigates to her assistance ;
the Phoebe was, in consequence, obliged to follow the Galatea, which ship
brought up the breeze to me. At this time I was hailed by Captain Losack,
who informed me, '.that the Galatea had suffered very considerably, and,
as she was passing under my lee, I had the mortification to see her mizen,
and, soon after, her fore-top-masts fall. Having shot a-head, she made
the night signal of distress, and being in want of immediate assistance ; I
closed to ascertain the cause, when I was again hailed by Captain Losack,
and informed, that the Galatea was so totally disabled as to prevent her
head being put towards the enemy to renew the action, as I before had
directed.
" My determination was immediately communicated to Captain Hillyar,
to recommence action when the Phoebe was in a state to support me. She
was promptly reported ready, although much disabled. The Astrsea
then wore, and led towards the enemy, followed by the Racehorse and
Phoebe ; the conduct of which ship, as a British man of war, did honor
to all on board. The enemy was soon discovered a little a-head, and his
leading ship, the Commodore, was brought to close action by the Astraea.
In 25 minutes she struck, and made the signal to that effect, having pre-
viously attempted to lay us athwart hawse, under a heavy fire of grape and
musketry from all parts of the ship. Another frigate, on closing, struck,
and made the signal also ; but, on a shot being fired at her, from her late
Commodore, she was observed trying to escape. Chase was instantly
given, and continued till 2 A. M., with all the sail both ships were enabled,
from their disabled state, to carry ; when I judged it advisable, as she gained
on us, to wear for the purpose of covering the captured ship, and forming
a junction, if possible, with the Galatea. At this moment, the Phoebe's
fore-top-mast fell ; sight of the Galatea or captured ship was not regained
until day light, when, to the credit of Lieutenants Royer (second of the
Astraea) and Drury (R. M.), who, with five men, were all that could be
put on board the latter in a sinking boat, she was observed making an ef-
fort to join us, a perfect wreck.
" The captured frigate proves to be la Renomme'e, of the first class (as
are the other two), of 44 guns, and 470 men, (200 of whom were picked
troops,) commanded by Capitaine de Vaisseau Roquebert, ofiicier de la
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 835
Legion d'Honneur, holding the rank of Commodore, who fell while gal-
lantly fighting his ship. The senior officer of the troops, Colonel Barrois,
inembre de la Legion d'Honneur, is dangerously wounded. The ship that
struck and escaped, was la Clorinde • ; the one disabled by the Phoebe,
la Nereide ; having each 200 troops on board, besides their crews.
" This squadron escaped from Brest in the night of the 2d Feb., and
was destined to reinforce Mauritius, having arms and various other warlike
stores on board.
" I beg to apologize for so lengthened a detail ; but few actions have
been fought under such a variety of peculiarly trying and vexatious diffi-
culties. I am, however, called upon by my feelings, and a sense of my
duty, to bear testimony to the meritorious conduct of the officers and
ships' companies of H. M. ships Phoebe and Astrsea. To the discipline of
the former I attribute much ; but as Captain Hillyar's merit as an officer is
so generally, and, by you, so particularly appreciated, it is needless for me
to comment on it, further than to observe, that the separation of the Gala-
tea was amply compensated by the exertion manifested in the conduct of
the ship he had the honour to command.
" To the officers, seamen, and marines of the Astrsea, I am for ever in-
debted ; their cool and steady conduct, when in close action with the
enemy, and on fire in several places from his wadding, merit my admiration
(particularly as the ship's company have been so recently formed). A
difference in the personal exertion of each officer was not distinguishable ;
but I cannot allow the efforts and judgment of Lieutenant John Baldwin,
first of this ship, to pass without particular encomium ; I received the
greatest assistance from him, and also from Mr. Nellson, the master.
" The moment the Pho&be and Astraea are in a state to get to windward,
the prisoners exchanged, and la Renomme'e rendered sea-worthy, I shall
proceed off Tamatave for further information, as I have reason to think it
in possession of the enemy»
" I have the honour to transmit returns of the killed and wounded on
* La Clorinde returned to Brest, Sept. 24, 1811 ; and in March follow-
ing, her Commander, Mons. St. Cricq was dismissed from the French ser-
vice, and the Legion of Honor ; and sentenced to three years' imprison-
ment, for misconduct in the action, and subsequent disobedience of orders.
Napoleon Buonaparte, when on his way to Elba in the Undaunted, said to
Captain Ussher, " I did all I could to have St. Cricq shot, but he was tried
by French naval officers ! Had he done his duty, the English squadron
would have fallen into our hands. — Roquebert was a brave man ; — so was
le Maresquier" (the Captain of la Nereide).
Finding on his return to France that M. St. Cricq had been restored to
his rank by Louis XVIII. Napoleon ordered him to be again confined, and
he continued in prison during the short reign of that usurper. His account
of la Clorinde's proceedings will be found in the Naval Chronicle, vol. 26,
pp. 388—394.
836 -POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
board H. M. ships.*. The loss on board la Renornme'e is excessive1 — 145
killed and wounded. Galatea having parted company, no return f . 1 have
the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " C. M. SCHOMBERG."
" To Captain Beaver, H. M. S, Nisus,
Senior Officer at the Isle of France."
The subsequent recovery of Tamatave, a small settlement
in Madagascar, and the capture of the Phoebe's late opponent
la Nereide, is reported by the subject of this memoir to the
same officer in the following terms :
H. M. S. Astreea, Tamatave, May 28, 1811.
" Sir, — In my letter of the 20th instant, detailing the action between his.
Majesty's ships under my orders and those of the enemy, I had the honor
to inform you, that it was my intention to reconnoitre this port, a^s I had
received information that the enemy had landed and surprised the garrison
on his first arrival on the coast.
"The state of H. M. ships Astraea and Phoebe did not admit of their
beating up quickly against the currents and very variable winds ; the
Racehorse eloop was therefore despatched in advance, to summon the gar-
rison of Tamatave to surrender immediately.
"On the evening of the 24th, Captain De Rippe rejoined me, reporting
his having seen a large frigate anchored in that port ; a strong gale pre-
vented H. M. ships from getting in sight of her until the afternoon of the
25th, when every thing being ready to force the anchorage, I stood in, and
observed an enemy's frigate, placed in a most judicious position within the
reefs of the port, for the purpose of enfilading the narrow passage between
them, supported by a strong fort in her van, within half musket-shot, full
of troops 3 there were also new works in forwardness, to flank the ancho-
rage.
" Not having any body of local knowledge in either of H. M. ships, ajid
it being almost impracticable to sound the passage between the reefs,
which was intricate, and completely exposed to the whole concentrated fire
of the enemy within grape distance, I judged it expedient, under existing
circumstances, (both ships being full of prisoners, and having a proportion
of men absent in la Renomme'e, besides sick and wounded,) to defer, until
necessary, risking his Majesty's ships. I therefore summoned the gar-
rison and frigate to surrender immediately ; when, after the usual inter-
course of flag of truce, 1 have the honor to inform you, that the port of
Tamatave, its dependencies, the frigate and vessels in the port, together
with the late garrison (a detachment of the 22d regiment), were surren-
dered to, and taken possession of, by H. M. ships under my orders. I was
* Astraea and Phoebe's joint loss— 9 killed, 40 wounded, one man died
soon after the action, and two others were in a very dangerous state wheu
Captain Schomberg closed his report.
t See Captain WOODLEY LOSACK.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
induced to grant the terms, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose, in
order to prevent the destruction of the fort of Tamatave, the frigate and
the vessels— a measure they intended to adopt.
" The enemy's frigate proves to be la Nereide, of 44 guns, and 470 men,
lately commanded by Capitaine le Mares quier, Membre de la Legion
d'Honneur, who fell in the action of the 20th instant, in which she suf-
fered very considerably, having had 130 men killed and wounded. She
was much engaged by the Phrebe.
" The crew of la Nereide. together with the French garrison of Tama-
tave, I intend sending to Mauritius as soon as possible, 50 excepted, who
are too severely wounded to survive removal. The whole detachment of
H. M. 22d regiment retaken, being ill of the endemic fever of this coun-
try, I mean to embark on board la Nereide, so soon as she is in a state to
receive them ; when, after having dismantled the fort, and embarked the
guns, &c. I shall proceed with her, under convoy, to Mauritius, in com-
pany with the Phosbe. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " C. M. SCHOMBERG."
" To Captain Beaver, 8fc. fyc. $c.
Articles of Capitulation,
I. " La Nereide frigate, together with all the vessels and property at
Tamatave, the fort, &c. of the said place, shall be surrendered without
injury to his Britannic Majesty's ships under my command.
II. " The officers, crews, and troops, now actually at Tamatave, or on
board la Nereide, shall be sent, as soon as possible, to Mauritius, and
from thence be conveyed to France, without being considered as prisoners
of war ; the officers and petty officers only shall keep their swords.
III. " The wounded shall remain at Tamatave, under the care of a
French Surgeon, until they are recovered, when they shall be sent to
France by the first opportunity *."
On the demise of Captain Beaver, which took place in
April, 181 3 f, Captain Schomberg was appointed to the
Nisus, a 38-gun frigate ; and shortly afterwards sent from
the Cape station to Brazil, from whence he convoyed home a
large fleet of merchantmen, collected by him at Rio Janeiro,
St. Salvador, and Pernambuco. This service, although it
afforded him no opportunity of enhancing his reputation in
a military point of view, must still be considered as one of
great importance, the French Emperor having at that moment
made his final effort to cripple English commerce, by sending
13 frigates of the largest class, from different ports in the
* The above Articles were signed by Captain Schomberg and the senior
surviving officers of la Nereide.
t See Nav. Chron. Vol. 36, p. 42.
VOL. If. 3 I
838 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
channel to cruise in the tracks of our homeward bound con-
voys. The immense value of the fleet under Captain Schom -
berg's protection may be inferred from the circumstance of
2 frigates and 2 sloops being ordered by Sir Manley Dixon,
commander-in- chief at Brazil, to accompany him to the
northward as far as the equator ; from Captain Schomberg
having deemed it expedient, in consequence of the numerous
American armed vessels then at sea, to exceed his instruc-
tions by withdrawing the brigs from their station and bring-
ing them with him to England ; and from the Board of Ad-
miralty fully approving of a measure which nothing but the
most pressing necessity can ever justify.
The Nisus arrived at Portsmouth in Mar. 1814, and after
being docked, was preparing to join the fleet on the coast of
North America, when orders suddenly arrived to put her out
of commission, and to shift her masts into the Menelaus
frigate, commanded by Sir Peter Parker, Bart, who was sub-
sequently employed on the very service which Captain Schom-
berg had considered as marked out for himself : Sir Peter,
it will be remembered, was killed near Baltimore, in Sept.
1814.
Captain Schomberg obtained the insignia of a C. B. in
1815 ; and was appointed to the Rochfort 80, fitting for the
flag of Sir Graham Moore, April 15, 1820. He returned
from the Mediterranean with that officer in Mar. 1824, and
was paid off at Chatham on the 20th of the following month.
FRANCIS WILLIAM FANE, ESQ.
THIS officer is a son of John Fane, Esq. M. P. for Oxford-
shire, cousin to John, tenth Earl of Westmoreland, by Lady
Elizabeth Parker, daughter of Thomas, third Earl of Maccles-
field.
In 1796, we find him serving as a Midshipman on board
the Terpsichore, of 32 guns, commanded by Captain Richard
Bowen, whose gallant action with the Mahonesa, a Spanish
frigate of superior force, has been recorded in the preceding
part of this work *.
* See Vol. II. Part I. p. 411, et *e9.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803. 839
On the 12th Dec., in the same year, while cruising to the
westward of Cadiz, the Terpsichore discovered an enemy's
ship about four miles on the weather quarter. Chase was im-
mediately given, and continued, with much manoeuvring on
both sides, for nearly 40 hours ; during which, from the wea-
ther being extremely squally, the Terpsichore sprung her
top-masts. At length, however, the stranger, finding it im-
possible to avoid an action, brought to; and about 10 P. M.
on the 13th, Captain Bowen had the satisfaction of getting
alongside. A most spirited battle immediately commenced,
yard-arm and yard-arm ; and, after a hard contest of nearly
two hours, the enemy was obliged to surrender. She proved
to be la Vestale, French frigate, of 36 guns, and 270 men, 30
of whom, including her commander, were killed, and 37
wounded. The Terpsichore, whose complement, from various
causes, had previously been reduced to 166, officers, men, and
boys, sustained a loss of 4 killed and 19 wounded ; among the
latter were Mr. Fane and Captain Bowen's brother, who was
the only Lieutenant then on board.
Both ships had by this time drifted near the rocks of St.
Sebastian, and it was with great difficulty that the Terpsi-
chore could gain an offing, after putting the Master and a
boat's crew on board la Vestale. On the following morning,
Captain Bowen stood in and anchored a-head of his prize,
then totally dismasted, riding in shallow water, between
Cadiz and Conil. In the evening, a favorable slant of wind
gave him an opportunity of getting under weigh, with la
Vestale in tow ; but the hawser getting foul of a rock, he was
obliged to abandon her, and stand off again for the night.
Durijig his absence the prisoners rose upon the small party
of Englishmen, and the next morning he had the mortification
to see a number of Spanish boats towing her towards the
harbour, which she reached in safety, notwithstanding all his
efforts to prevent her. Captain Bowen, after a painful detail
of the unfortunate sequel to the exertions of himself and his
brave followers, adds — " As we feel conscious of having done
our duty to the utmost of our power, we endeavour to con-
sole ourselves with the expectation of our conduct being
approved." How well this expectation was answered, the
3i2
840 POST-CAFl'AINS OF 1803.
following honorable testimony, from the pen of his Com-
mander-in-chief, will shew : —
" Victory, in the Tagus, Jan. 15, 17^7-
" Dear Bowen, — The intelligence we received from the patrons of two
pilot boats, when off Cadiz, on the 17th Dec., that the French frigate then
lying between the Diamond and Porques rocks, had been dismasted and
captured by an English frigate, impressed us all with an opinion that the
Terpsichore had achieved this gallant action. I lament exceedingly that
you and your brave crew were deprived of the substantial reward of your
exertions : but you cannot fail to receive the tribute due to you from the
government and country at large. I was very much agitated with the
danger you apprehended your brother was in, when you wrote : I have,
however, derived great consolation from the report of Captain Mansfield,
that he was much recovered, and able to walk down to the Mole, before
he sailed from Gibraltar *. The account you gave of Francis Fane is very
grateful to my feelings, and I have sent your postscript to Lady Elizabeth,
as the greatest treat I could give to a fond mother, and a high-minded
woman. * * * *. I desire you will remember me kindly to your
brother, and to all the good fellows in the Terpsichore, and believe me to-
be, most truly your's,
(Signed) " JOHN JERVIS."
Mr. Fane subsequently joined the Emerald frigate, com-
manded by Captain w Jacob Waller f ; under whose eye
he performed a philanthropic action highly deserving of
notice. The circumstance is thus described by the Rev.
Cooper Willyams, in his account of the Swiftsure's " Voyage
up the Mediterranean/' at p. 93, et seq.
" The next day (Sept. 2, 1798) the Emerald made a signal for a sail
bearing E. by S. We accordingly gave chase, and off the Arab's Tower
saw a cutter standing towards the shore. The Emerald fired several shot
to bring her to, but she persisted, and at length ran aground a little to the
west of the tower of Marabou J. Our boats, and those of the Emerald,
were sent to bring her off: the French, in the mean time, made good their
landing ; but a high surf soon destroyed the cutter. At this moment no-
thing was to be seen but barren and uncultivated sands as far as the eye
could reach ; but in a short time we descried several Arabs advance, some
on horseback, others on foot. The French now perceived their error, but
* Lieutenant George Bowen was severely wounded in the shoulder by a
shot fired after la Vestale had actually struck. He also received several bad
contusions in different parts of his body.
f See Vol. II. Part I. note • at p. 327.
J The Emerald was at this time attached to the squadron left by Lord
Nelson, after his glorious victory in Aboukir bay, to watch the coast of
Egypt, and cut off the supplies sent from France for the Republican army
in that country.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803. 841
it was too lale ; some of them, indeed, were so fortunate as to get on board
our boats, which pulled towards the shore in hopes of saving their unfor-
tunate enemy, and a Midshipman from the Emerald [Mr. Fane], with a
noble spirit of humanity, threw himself into the water, and swam through
a high surf to the shore, having a rope in his hand, by which the French
Captain and 4 seamen were saved. From him we learned, that the cutter
was called 1'Anemone, of 4 guns and 60 men, Citizen Gardon commander ;
having on board General Carmm and Captain Valette, aid-de-camp to Ge-
neral Buonaparte ; also a courier with despatches, and a party of soldiers.
Perceiving there was no possibility of escape from us, the General ordered
Captain Gardon to run the cutter ashore, who urged the dangers of a high
surf, and the numerous hordes of wild Arabs that infested the coast. The
General said he would cut his way through them to Alexandria, which was
not more than 2 or 3 leagues off, the towers and minarets being plainly to
be seen. No sooner had he landed, however, and perceived the Bedouins,
who till this time were hid behind the sand-hills, but now began to show
themselves, than dismay and terror seized on all ; nor could we behold their
distress without commisseration, although they had so entirely brought it
on themselves by refusing to surrender to us, and had fired on our boats
when escape was no longer in their power. We perceived that the officers
and men suffered themselves to be stripped without resistance. Many were
murdered in cold blood, apparently without any cause, and among them
the unfortunate General and Aid-de-camp, who, on their knees, entreated
for mercy. An Arab, on horseback, unslung his carbine and drew the
trigger, but the piece did not go off; he renewed the priming, and again
presented at the General, but the shot killed the Aid-de-camp, who was on
his knees a little behind him ; he then with a pistol fired at the General,
who instantly fell. The courier also, who endeavoured to escape, was pur-
sued and murdered. An Arab who got possession of his despatches, in-
stantly rode away with them ; and we have since learned that they were af-
terwards recovered by the French for a sum of money. We now perceived
a troop of horse from Alexandria marching along the strand, and the Arabs
retired into the desert with their surviving prisoners. The French troops,
proceeding towards the scene of action, at length arrived on the spot where
lay the remains of their murdered countrymen ; but, probably, tearing that
they should be surrounded with superior numbers, they wheeled about and
retreated to the city. The commander of the vessel most gratefully ac-
knowledged the humane treatment he met with from our people, and ex-
tolled the gallantry of the young Midshipman who had thus saved him at
the risk of his own life."
The above account is confirmed in all its particulars, in a
a letter from the late Sir Samuel Hood to Lord Nelson, pub-
lished in the London Gazette, and dated " Admiralty Olfice,
Nov. 23, 1798/' which closes with this passage :—
•" On the approach of our boats, the French cutter fired on them, cut
her cable, and ran among the breakers. General Carmin, and Aid-de-camp
842 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1803.
Valette, having landed with the despatches and the whole of the crew, were
immediately attacked by the Arabs. The two former and some others
were killed, and all the rest stripped of their clothes."' Her commander and
a few of the men made their escape, nuked, to the beach ; where our boats
had by this time arrived, and begged, on their knees, to be saved. I am
happy in saying, the humanity of our people extended so far as to induce
them to swim on shore with lines and small casks to save them, which they
fortunately effected. Amongst these was particularly distinguished a young
gentleman, Midshipman of the Emerald, who brought off the French com-
mander, at the hazard of his own life, through the surf."
Captain Fane obtained post rank, Aug. 30, 1803 ; and sub-
sequently commanded the Lapwing, Hind, and Cambrian
frigates, the latter employed on the Coast of Catalonia in
co-operation with the patriot General O'Donnell, whom he
conveyed to Tarragona, in a wounded state, after recovering
several towns from the enemy, and taking about 1400 French-
men prisoners *.
On the 12th Dec. 1810, the Cambrian joined a squadron
under the orders of Captain (afterwards Rear-Admiral)
Thomas Rogers, who had been sent by Sir Charles Cotton,
to cut off the supplies intended for Barcelona, where the
enemy had assembled in great numbers, with but little means
of subsistence. A French ketch of 14 guns and 60 men, two
xebecs of 3 guns and 30 men each, and eight merchant vessels
laden with provisions, were then lying in the mole at
Palamos, and the senior officer, relying on Captain Fane's
knowledge of the place, immediately determined to attempt
their destruction. The unfortunate result of this enterprise
is thus described by Captain Rogers in his report to the com-
mander-in-chief :
" I therefore formed my plan, and Captain Fane did me the favor ta
volunteer the command of 350 seamen, 250 marines, and 2 field-pieces,
selected from the ships under my orders t, and well appointed for this
desirable service. The enemy's vessels lay in the mole, protected by two
24-pounders, one in a battery which stood high over the mole, and the
other with a 13-inch mortar on a very commanding height ; there were
also, from the information I received, about 250 soldiers in the town.
* See p. 597.
f Kent 74, Captain Thomas Rogers ; Ajax 74, Captain Robert Waller
Otway; Cambrian 38, Captain Fane; Minstrel 18, Captain Colin Camp-
bell; and Sparrowhawk 18, Captain James Pringlc.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1803.
843
<{ It was near one o'clock in the afternoon of the 13th, before we could
get far enough into the bay to put the men on shore; and they were soon
after landed on the beach in the finest order under cover of the Sparrow-
hawk and Minstrel sloops, without harm, the enemy having posted them-
selves in the town, supposing we should be injudicious enough to go into
the mole without dislodging them ; soon after our men moved forward to
take the town and batteries in the rear, and the enemy withdrew to a
windmill on a hill, where they remained almost quiet spectators of the
detachment taking possession of the batteries and the vessels. The
mortar was spiked and the cannon thrown down the heights into the sea ;
the magazine blown up, the whole of the vessels burnt and totally
destroyed, save two which were brought out; in short, the object had
succeeded to admiration : and at this time with the loss of no more than
4 or 5 men from occasional skirmishing; but I am sorry to relate, that
in withdrawing our post from a hill which we occupied to keep the enemy
in check until the batteries and vessels were destroyed, I fear that our
people retired with some disorder, which encouraged the enemy, who had
received a reinforcement from St. Felice, to advance upon them, and by
some unhappy fatality, instead of directing their retreat ta the beach where
the Cambrian, Sparrowhawk, and Minstrel lay to cover their embarkation,
the brave but thoughtless unfortunate men came through Ike town down
to the mole : the enemy immediately occupied the walls and houses,
from which they kept wp a severe fire upon the boats crowded with men,
and dastardly fired upon and killed several who had been left on the mole,
and were endeavouring to swim to the boats. Nothing could exceed the
good conduct of Captains Pringle and Campbell, and Lieutenant Conolty
of the Cambrian, (who commanded that ship in the absence of Captain
Fane) both in the landing and withdrawing the men, and the oSicers in
the launches with carronades, and the 2 mortar-boats of the Cambrian :
indeed the officers and men of all the boats distinguished themselves
beyond all praise in going- to the mole to bring off the men who had been
left behind. In performing this arduous service they suffered much, but
I had the satisfaction to perceive the fire of their carronades and mortars
upon the enemy was very destructive.
" Unfortunately Captain Fane, as I am informed, was at the mole
giving directions to destroy the vessels, when our men were withdrawn
from the hill; he remained there with firmness to the last, and is among
the missing, but I have received a satisfactory account that he is well.
" I feel, Sir, with unfeigned grief, that our loss has been severe, but
had it not been for the indiscretion of the people straggling from their
post and coming into the town, contrary to my caution, the enemy would
not have dared to approach them, and the loss would have been- very in-
considerable, compared with the importance of the service performed.
The French had entered Catalonia with an army of 10,000 men, and as I
was ordered to this coast for the express purpose of depriving them of
their expected supplies, I considered that some energy and enterprise were
necessary to accomplish it; the force I employed was fully adequate to
844 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1803.
this service ; and I confided the execution of it to an officer of reputa-
tion."
The total loss sustained by the British on this disastrous
occasion was 2 officers, 19 seamen, and 12 marines, killed;
15 officers, 42 seamen, and 32 marines, wounded ; and 2
officers, 42 seamen (including one deserter from the Kent),
and 43 marines, missing.
Captain Fane subsequently commanded the Pomone fri-
gate. He married, July 20, 1824, the youngest sister of Sir
Charles William Flint, Knt. Resident Under Secretary of
State for the affairs of Ireland.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
PETER HUNT, ESQ.
THIS officer served as a Midshipman on board the Alcide
74, at the occupation of Toulon by the fleet under Lord
Hood ; and was promoted into the Courageux a ship of simi-
lar force immediately after the attack made upon Fornelli on
the 30th Sept. 1J93 *. He received the Turkish gold medal
for his subsequent services in Egypt ; obtained the rank of
Commander in 1802; and was posted on his arrival in Eng-
land with Sir Samuel Hood's despatches announcing the sur-
render of Demerara in 1803. His last appointment was,
about May 1805, to the Raisonable of 64 guns. He died at
Cheltenham, much esteemed and regretted, Dec. 4, 1824.
HON. GEORGE ELLIOT.
THIS officer is the second son of Gilbert, first Earl of Minto,
by Anna Maria, eldest daughter of Sir George Amyand, and
sister to the present Sir George Cornewall, Bart.
He was born Aug. 1, 1784; made a Lieutenant in 1800;
Commander in 1802 ; and Post-Captain, Jan. 2, 1804. The
ships commanded by him at different periods were the Ter-
magant, sloop of war ; and Maidstone, Aurora, Modeste, and
Hussar, frigates ; the two former employed in the Mediter-
ranean, the three latter on the East India station.
In Oct. 1808, Captain Elliot captured la Jena, French na-
* See p. 659 and note t at p. 189.
JPOST-CAPTAINS OF 1804, 845
tional corvette, of 18 guns (pierced for 24) and 150 men,
after a running action of nearly an hour, in which the Mo-
deste had her master killed and one seaman wounded. On the
15th July, 1809, his boats, under the direction of Lieutenant
William Payne, cut a Dutch schooner of 8 guns and 22 men,
out of a bay in the Straits of Sunda, from under the protec-
tion of two batteries and five other armed vessels.
We next find Captain Elliot assisting at the reduction of
Java ; and in 1813, accompanying an expedition sent against
Sambas, a piratical town in Borneo, the result of which has
already been stated in our memoir of Captain George Sayer,
C. B. He subsequently assisted Colonel Macgregor in re-
instating the Sultan of Palambang, and received the thanks
of his commander-in-chief for the " judicious and excellent
arrangements" made by him on that occasion *.
Captain Elliot married in 1 810, Eliza Cecilia Ness, a lady
residing at Calcutta, by whom he has several children. His
father was at that period Governor-General of Bengal, in
which high office he was succeeded by the Marquis of Has-
tings, Nov. 18, 1812 f.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
WILLIAM D'URBAN, ESQ.
Doctor of the Civil Law.
THE proper orthography of this officer's name is D' Urban,
but from a mistake in his passing certificate, it has always
been spelt Durban in the Admiralty lists and other official
documents.
He is the son of a military officer, and descended from a
very ancient and noble family who early settled in the Duchy
* See Captain SAMUEL LESLIE.
f On the 10th Jan. 1812, the unanimous thanks of both houses of
Parliament were voted to Lord Minto, for the wisdom and ability with
which the military resources of the British empire in India, under his
Lordship's government, had been applied in the reduction of the power
of the enemy, in the eastern seas. In remuneration of his distinguished
services the dignity of an Earl was conferred upon him Feb. 2, 1813. He
died June 21, 1814. It was this nobleman who governed Corsica from
the time of its subjugation, until evacuated by the British in 1796. See
Vol. I. note * at p. 255.
846 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1804.
of Milan, and were engaged under Goffredo di Bouglion in
the holy wars.
Mr. D'Urban served the first three years of his naval life
as a Midshipman on board the Sphinx of 24 guns, commanded
by Captain^ now Admiral Markham, on the Mediterranean
station; and completed his time under the late Admiral John
Elliot, who was, we believe, one of the first officers by whom
lunar observations were brought into practice at sea. Mr.
D'Urban haxdng been educated under the well known mathe-
matician Mr. I. Dalby, who was employed with Colonel
Mudge in the great trigonometrical survey, became particu-
larly useful to Admiral Elliot, both in making and calculating
his observations, which induced that officer to request, as a
personal favor, that Earl Howe would promote him to the
rank of Lieutenant — a request which his Lordship imme-
diately complied with *.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war,
Lieutenant D'Urban embarked with his friend Captain Mark-
ham, in the Blonde frigate, and soon after accompanied an
armament sent under Sir John Jervis to the West Indies,
where he was engaged in a variety of active services, particu-
larly during the siege of Martinique.
Soon after his return to Europe he joined the Monarch of
74 guns, bearing the flag of Sir George Keith Elphinstone,
by whom he was attached to the advanced guard of the army
at the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1795. He
also assisted at the capture of a Dutch squadron in Saldanha
bay, Aug. 18, 1796 f.
Amongst the promotions which took place on this latter
occasion, was that of Lieutenant D'Urban, who received a
commission from Sir George appointing him Captain of the
Castor frigate. The Admiralty, however, only confirming
him in the rank of Commander, he was subsequently removed
into the Rattlesnake sloop of war.
His next appointment was to the Weazle of 16 guns, em-
ployed on the Jersey station, where he performed an essen-
tial service by establishing marks for the inner channels along
the French coast, between St. Maloes and Brest ; by which
* In 1/90.
t See Vol. I., pp. 47—51.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 84J
the convoys bound to the last named port might be inter-
cepted. For this service, which, from the nature of the
coast, was attended with many difficulties and much risk,
and which he undertook without orders to do so, he received
the thanks of the Admiralty Board, as also those of Earl
Spencer, who then presided over that department.
On the 22d Jan. 1802, Captain D'Urban' sailed from Ply-
mouth, for the Mediterranean, with despatches relative to
the peace of Amiens *; and during the agitation of the ques-
tion respecting the surrender of Malta, he was employed by
the Governor to ascertain the capability of Lampadosa, as a
naval station.
It was likewise through his negociation with the Grand
Master and Knights of Malta, assembled at Messina (to whom
he was sent by Sir Alexander J. Ball, on account of his dip-
lomatic skill and knowledge of the Italian language) that the
island was not surrendered to the Order, agreeably to the
treaty with France. The importance of this service induced
his friend, the Governor, to represent the ability which he
had displayed, and recommend him to the notice of his Ma-
jesty's ministers. He was subsequently sent on several de-
licate missions to Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers, the whole of
which he executed in a manner highly creditable to his talents,
and beneficial to the commerce of his country.
Captain D'Urban's services having gained him the esteem
of Nelson, his Lordship gave him a post-commission for the
Ambuscade of 32 guns, which he received but a few hours pre-
vious to the arrival of an official despatch from England an-
nouncing his promotion, and appointment to the very same
frigate by Earl St. Vincent, on the IJth Jan. 1804.
A renewal of hostilities with Spain being some time after
expected by our great hero, he sent Captain D'Urban to Bar-
celona, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the
general state of Europe, giving him authority to open any
public despatches that might be forwarded from the British
Ambassador at Madrid for his Lordship. This service he
managed with such address, as not only to avoid giving rise to
any suspicions on the part of the Spanish authorities, but also
* The Weazle touched at Gibraltar and reached Malta after a passage
of only fourteen days.
848 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
to induce them to allow him to sail in company with a con-
voy having on board troops, stores, &c. for placing Minorca
in a state of defence, the whole of which he captured, with
the assistance of Nelson's look-out ships, which he got within
signal distance of the day after leaving that place with de-
spatches confirming his Lordship's apprehensions.
Captain D' Urban returned to England with the flag of Rear-
Admiral George Campbell, in Jan. 1805; but sailed again for
the Mediterranean, conveying thither the late Sir Thomas
Louis, in the month of March following.
During the defence of Naples by the Anglo-Russian army,
to which Captain D'Urban was attached, we find him em-
ployed at the request of the Russian commander-in-chief to
examine the passes, &c. between that city and Rome. On
the evacuation of Naples he was sent up the Adriatic to co-
operate with the Russian fleet, under Vice-Admiral Siniavin,
in checking the progress of the French forces on the coast of
Dalmatia and the adjacent isles. From thence he proceeded
to the Spanish coast, where he continued till the defects of
his frigate required her to be sent home and put out of com-
mission.
Having thus given an outline of Captain D'Urban's valuable
services, it remains only for us to state that there is perhaps
no individual who possesses so much local knowledge of the
Mediterranean as he obtained during upwards of twelve years
spent on that station, or who is so intimately acquainted with
the manners, customs, and prejudices of the different nations
on both its shores as himself. It was on this account that
Nelson and his successor, Collingwood, as also other supe-
rior officers employed him frequently as a negociator on
matters of so secret a nature that it would be impolitic
even now to make them public, particularly one mission re-
lating to the Venetian Government. Although his services
have not been of that brilliant cast with those of many whose
exploits we have recorded, yet they have nevertheless proved
in many instances highly beneficial to his country, and as
such gained him the thanks and esteem of all the Admirals
he ever served under, although, at the same time they de-
prived him of cruises, the advantages of which were reaped
by the mere sailor, who is now enjoying his golden harvest,
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 849
while the labours of his more scientific cotemporary, are in a
great measure forgotten.
In 1810, the late Mr. Arrowsmith published " a Chart of
the Dangers in the Channel between Sardinia, Sicily and
Africa" formed from the original surveys of Captain D'Urban,
viz. 1st. Of the Esquirques, two reefs of very large rocks,
lying about two miles north and south of each other, sur-
rounded by a bank of sand, the surface of which is chequered
by patches of coral and large round stones of a bright red
colour. 2d. Some dangers never before noticed, of a vol-
canic production, which he named Keith's reef and shoal in
compliment to his friend the late Viscount *. 3d. A Survey
of all the dangers on the N. W. coast of Sicily, between Tra-
pani and Marsala, with the adjacent islands and channels of
Favigana, Lavanso, Formiche, the rocks of Porcelli, &c.
The positions of the dangers here enumerated were deter-
mined by Captain D'Urban from the mean result of six chro-
nometers ; their rates having been carefully examined both
previous to, and after the survey was finished. The sound-
ings were taken in boats, ,and laid down from angles taken
from vessels anchored on the shoals.
.— Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
JAMES HILLYAR, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1794 ; and on the
3d Sept., 1800, we find him commanding the Niger troop-ship,
and leading her boats in conjunction with those of the Mi-
notaur 74, to the attack of two Spanish corvettes, lying in
the road of Barcelona, and reported to be destined for the
relief of Malta, then blockaded by a British squadron.
The .following is a copy of the official letter written by the
late Sir Thomas Louis to Vice-Admiral Lord Keith, giving
• H. M. S. ship PAtheniene of 64 guns was wrecked on Keith's reef
Oct. 27, 1806, when 397 persons perished, amongst whom was her com-
mander, Captain Raynsford, who was then on his way to Malta for the
purpose of exchanging ships with Captain Schomberg of the Madras.
See p. 831.
850 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
an account of the enterprise, and of Captain Hillyar's dash-
ing conduct on that occasion : —
" Minotaur, Sept. 6, 1800.
" My Lord, — Knowing how anxious and desirous your Lordship was,
as well as the service I should render to ray country, by cutting out or
destroying the two corvettes, lying in Barcelona road, mentioned in your
Lordship's letter to Captain Oliver ; and, in order to check the two ships
sailing upon this intended secret expedition, induced me to persevere in
the following attempt.
" On the evening of the 3d instant, after having delivered Captain
Hillyar his orders to join your Lordship, a breeze sprung up from the
westward, with every appearance of a close night. 1 again called him on
hoard, with the signal at the same time to prepare boats. Captain
Hillyar and Lieutenant Schomberg * volunteered their services, assisted
hy Lieutenants Warrand, Lowry, and Healy; Mr. Reid, Master; and
Lieutenant Jewell, of the marines. The boats left the Minotaur about
8 P. M., and the firing began from all quarters before nine o'clock.
About ten, I had the pleasing satisfaction to see two ships dropping out
of the road under a heavy fire from four strong batteries, ten gun-boats,
and two schooners, each mounting two 42-pounders — the fort of Montjpui
at the same time throwing shells. The Minotaur and Niger were well
placed in good season to cover the party, and the service was performed
throughout with an enterprising spirit, good conduct, and in a gallant
style. The loss in killed and wounded fell principally upon two boats,
hut is not great when compared to. the situation so many men were placed
in for a considerable time f. The ships, about eleven o'clock, were per-
fectly free from the fire of the enemy's batteries and gun-boats ; the men
of war checking the movements of the latter. The prizes, named El Es-
meralda and la Paz, are about 400 tons each, mounting 22 brass guns,
12 and 9-pounders, laden with provisions, stores, &c. supposed for Ba-
tavia, and on Dutch account : they were to have taken 300 troops of the
regiment of Batavian Swiss on board from the island of Majorca. I found
several Dutch officers on board El Esmeralda. The officers and several
men of la Paz quitted her in boats during the action. She is a very
fine ship, quite new, sails remarkably well, and I make no doubt your
Lordship will find her in all respects calculated for his Majesty's service :
El Esmeralda is also a very fine ship. I beg leave strongly to recommend
to your Lordship's notice, Captain Hillyar and Lieutenant Schomberg :
their services upon this occasion deserve the first attention and highest
* Lieutenant, now Captain, CHARLES MARSH SCHOMBERG, see p. 830.
•f- Two seamen killed ; one officer, four seamen, and one marine,
wounded ; the latter mortally. The enemy had 3 men killed and 21
wounded.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 851
praise ; at the same time I cannot pass without notice the general good
conduct of every officer and man serving under my command. I have
the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " THOMAS Louis."
This daring act was nobly accomplished by Captain Hillyar
and Lieutenant Schomberg, with the officers and men under
their directions, but has been greatly misrepresented; it
having been stated that Captain Hillyar availed himself of
the neutrality of a Swedish galliot to get alongside of the
enemy unperceived or unsuspected. The fact is, that one of
the eight boats placed under his orders by Captain Louis was
employed overhauling the Swede at the moment when the
others shoved off from the Minotaur, and it was for the pur-
pose of giving instructions to the officer commanding her
that he went along side the galliot, where he continued while
that vessel stood in towards the mole of Barcelona, the place
of her original destination. When within long-gun shot the
boats quitted the galliot, and pulled in with such alacrity
and resolution, that the crew of the enemy's outer ship had
neither time nor inclination to reload their guns which had
been discharged when the boats were first discovered. As
the British boarded, the enemy retreated into the cabin, where
they barricadoed themselves, and made an obstinate defence,
but were at length obliged to surrender. Three cheers from
the assailants announced this conquest, upon which, the other
corvette commenced firing round and grape. Her fore-top-
sail had been loosed in order to cast her towards the mole-
head, where the Spaniards intended to seek refuge ; unfortu-
nately for them, the sail took the wrong way, and she was
boarded with complete success, her crew making but little
resistance. Her cable was then cut, and both vessels were
towed out in triumph, under the heavy fire described in the
foregoing letter.
Such was the result of this gallant enterprise, which, the
enemy, ashamed of their defeat, attempted to prove was done
under the disguise of a neutral flag ; forgetting that the ex-
ploit was achieved after dark, when no flag could be distin-
guished. It is however, to be regretted that the galliot was
in company; for, although her presence neither contributed
to the success of the attempt, nor the safety of the boats,
852 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
the representations of the Swedish and Spanish governments
are said to have made an impression to the disadvantage of
Captain Hillyar and his gallant companions. The Admiralty,
however, after much explanation, saw it in its true light,
and through Lord Nelson's kind interference he was at length
advanced to post rank, though not until he had given fresh
proofs of his zeal and bravery, as will be seen by Sir W.
Sidney Smith's public letter relative to the debarkation of
our army in Aboukir bay, and the celebrated battles of Mar.
Sand 13, 1801.
" British Camp, on the heights, three miles
from Alexandria, Mar. 14, 1801.
" My Lord, — It would be superfluous for me to relate to your Lordship
the admirable manner in which the officers and men you appointed me to
command went into action with me, on the day of the disembarkation, as
you were yourself a witness of the gallant and judicious conduct of Cap-
tains Maitland and Stewart, in covering the flank* of the line with the
armed launches ; and must, as well as myself, have admired the bravery,
activity, and perseverance, of Captains Ribouleau, Guion, Saville, Burn,
and Hillyar, together with that of the officers and seamen under their
orders ; by whose unparalleled exertions the cannon were disembarked at
the same moment with the troops, and moved forward with them in action.
If I were to say any thing particular in praise of Lieutenants Prevost,
Hillier, Campbell, and Fisher, who were nearest me, and conducted them-
selves to my entire satisfaction, it would be injustice to Lieutenants
Cameron, Davies, and Stoddart, who, though hidden from my view by
the intervening sand-hills, must have been equally well, and as successfully
employed in other parts of the line, the result having been so completely
satisfactory to Sir Ralph Abercromby, as to induce him to extend the
most unequivocal praise to the whole of the naval officers and men, as well
afloat as on shore ; saying, that without our exertions he could not have
brought his brave troops into action as he did. The determined courage
of this gallant army in the close contest they had to maintain on the
beach, at the critical time of forming, secured the victory to us on that
day ; and it is with heartfelt satisfaction that I have now to congratulate
your Lordship on the brilliant success of the army yesterday. If we
admired their cool orderly conduct, and determined bravery on the 8th.,
how much must we be struck with those characteristic qualities in the
superior degree wherein they were displayed on this occasion ; the troops
marched into battle, and forced the enemy's strong position on the heights,
between the head of lake Mahadic and the sea, with the same regularity
and ease that exercise, on an ordinary field day, is performed, in spite of
an opposition, which is reckoned more strenuous than any the troops
have met with before from the enemy in other countries. It would not
become me to attempt describing the manoeuvres by which this victory
;
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 853
\vas obtained ; it is incumbent on me, however, to make known to your
Lordship that the commander-in-chief has again been pleased to express his
approbation of the exertions of the seamen and their officers ; and I am happy
in being- able to testify that their conduct was, if possible, more praise-wor-
thy than on the day of disembarkation, the labour they had to go through was
considerably greater, and the fire they had to undergo in the passive employ-
ment of dragging up cannon for more able gunners to fire, was much more
heavy, and of longer duration. It is impossible to distinguish any parti-
cular officer, where all behaved equally well, each doing his utmost to
keep the guns up with the line ; which was, of course, difficult hi sandy
uneven ground, when the troops pressed forward in their eager approach
to, and ardent pursuit of the enemy. The great and laudable efforts of
Lieutenants Fisher and Davies, with the petty officers, and men, at the
Swiftsure'sand Northumberland's field-pieces, at a most trying moment, en-
abled them to recover their station in the line, which they had lost only by
the impossibility of keeping up with the troops : such service, under a
heavy fire of grape and musketry, could not be performed without loss j
that of the Tigre's men has been the greatest ; but Lieutenant Hillier
informs me, the remainder redoubled their exertions, and brought the
guns on most opportunely, at the moment the &0th repulsed a charge of
cavalry. Captain Ribouleau, the senior Commander, exerted himself in
the most praiseworthy manner, along the whole line on shore, together
with Captains Guion, Saville, and Burn, each in his division : Captain
Hillyarkept the enemy in check, on the left, by the occasional fire of the
armed flat-boats on the lake, and the troops on that flank seem sensible of
their utility, in preventing the enemy's numerous cavalry from attempting
to turn them where the isthmus widens into a plain. Lieutenant Wood-
house, of the Foudroyant, (a volunteer on the ground) very handsomely
offered his services to supply the place of Lieutenant Wright, who was
actively employed near Sir Ralph Abercromby, and undertook to convey
ray orders along the line on foot, which was particularly acceptable and
useful, at a time when my orderly dragoon was wounded, and both our
horses disabled by a discharge of grape , 1 have to request your Lordship,
to excuse his delay in returning to his duty on board, as I undertook to
justify his stay in the field. We are now on the heights at the head of
the lake Mahadic, with our left to the canal of Alexandria, and our right
to the sea ; the enemy occupy a very strong position on the ridge imme-
diately between us and the Rosetta gate of Alexandria. I have made an
excursion, with a few dragoons, on the road to Damanhour, to open an
intercourse with the Arabs ; I find them friendly, and the markets begin
to be supplied. We are all much indebted to Captain Cochrane, and the
officers under him, for the ample supplies of ammunition and provisions
which he has forwarded to the army by the lake ; the boats' crews of the
whole fleet have been indefatigable in this important service. Eleven
French boats, seized on the enemy's right by Lieutenant Wright, have
been likewise employed therein, under Captain Hillyar, and aho in con-
veying the wounded, both English and French, to the hospital, so that
YOL. ii. 3 K
854 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
none remained the night on the field of battle. The commander-in-chief
expresses himself very grateful to the navy for their humane exertions on
this occasion, and I am happy in observing, that both services seem sensible
of the support they mutually give each other in the operations, so that the
utmost harmony prevails. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " W. SIDNEY SMITH."
" Admiral Lord Keith,
Sfc. Sfc. fyc."
The castle of Aboukir capitulated on the 18th. Mar. and
three days afterwards the British obtained another splendid
victory on the spot, where they had halted after the battle of
the 13th *. On the 25th a Turkish squadron formed a junc-
tion with the English fleet in Aboukir bay, and landed a
body of troops, with whose assistance Colonel Spencer, at the
head of a detachment from the army before Alexandria, suc-
ceeded in obtaining possession of Rosetta a place of consider-
able importance, situated near the western mouth of the Nile.
The reduction of fort St. Julian by the allied forces, and the
progress of the combined flotilla from that place towards
Grand Cairo, have already been noticed in our memoir of
Captain Richard Curry f.
The subject of this memoir was employed in a gun-boat
during the whole of that fatiguing campaign ; and, after the
surrender of the Egyptian capital we find him succeeding
Captain Curry in the command of the Betsy, an armed djerm,
the latter officer having been charged with despatches to Lord
Keith immediately after the capitulation had been agreed to.
The following is an extract from Lieutenant-General, now
Lord, Hutchinson's letter to government announcing the
result of the expedition :
*' The exertions of Captain Stevenson and the navy have been extremely
laborious and constant during this long march ; they have done every thing
that was possible to forward our supplies: and indeed, without their
powerful aid, it would have been impossible to have proceeded. Your
Lordship will recollect, that the river is extremely low at this season of
the year, the mouth of the Nile impassable for days together, and the
distance from Rosetta to Cairo between 160 and 170 miles. Captain
Stevenson has been ably supported by Captains Morrison, Curry, and
Hillyar, who were employed under him. — The service in which they have
For Sir W. Sidney Smith's official letter, see Vol. II. Part I. p. 385.
t See Id. pp. 462—468.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 855
been engaged has not been a brilliant one, but I hope it will be recollected
that it has been most useful, and has required constant vigilance and
attention; it has lasted now for many weeks; the labour has been excessive,
and the fatigue greater than I can express "."
The attention of the allies was next directed to Alexandria,
which place now contained within its walls, and its harbour,
all that remained of the mighty force which had arrived from
Toulon, under Buonaparte, in 1798, and no time was lost in
completing the circumvallation of that town. The tower of
Marabout, standing on a small island at the western side of
the port, commanding one of the channels, surrendered on the
21st July, and Captain, now Sir Alexander, Cochrane imme-
diately entered the harbour with 4 British and 3 Turkish
corvettes, whilst the flotilla, under Captain Stevenson, ren-
dered important services on Lake Mareotis. Thus pressed
and hemmed in on every side, General Menou began to feel
that his power was at an end ; as the probability of relief
from France was too distant to afford a ray of hope. He con-
* On the 6th July, 1801, ten days after the surrender of Grand Cairo,
the French disinterred the body of General Kleber for the purpose of con-
veying it with them to France. The following day, Captain Hillyar rode
to Heliopolis a place where formerly stood a famous temple of the Sun.
On the 12th he went by invitation to dine with the Colonel of the Mame-
lukes attached to the republican army. The repast was served up in the
tower of Mekias, which proved to be the handsomest building he had seen
in Egypt. The pillar on which the rise of the Nile is measured is the
centre of the edifice and stands in a large octagon well which communi-
cates by a subterranean passage with the river. The pillar is graduated in
Arabic counde"es, a measure nearly equal to the ancient cubit. Over the
well stands a handsome dome, ornamented profusely with painted glass,
&c. The Colonel's wife, a fair Syrian, was dressed as a Frenchwoman,
though her usual habit was that of an officer in her husband's corps. She
had been with him in several battles with the Bedouin Arabs, and in con-
sequence obtained the appellation of his fighting wife.
At daylight on the 15th July, the whole of the British, Turkish, and French
vessels weighed and sailed down the Nile. The number of djerms, &c.
employed in conveying the effects of the three armies amounted to 269.
We cannot take our leave of Grand Cairo without relating an instance of
the depravity of the captives : among other articles of what they called
their private property, they brought some Grecian women whom the
fortune of war had transferred to them; and these unfortunate victims of
their rapacity and their lust, they sold, without reserve or remorse, as in ft
public market, to the Turks.
856 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
sequently demanded an armistice, which very soon led to &
final capitulation ; hastened no doubt by the intelligence that
the British army was in daily expectation of receiving con-
siderable reinforcements from India. The capitulation was
ratified by the British commanders-in-chief on the 2d Sept.
General Menou and his followers were allowed to return
home upon the same terms as had been granted to the garri-
son of Grand Cairo, 312 pieces of cannon, 14,000 filled car-
tridges, 195,0001bs. of gunpowder, 1 ship of the line, 3 fri-
gates, several corvettes, and numerous merchant vessels, fell
into the hands of the allies, and Egypt was at length freed
from the tyranny of those who had invaded that country as a
preparatory step to the subversion of the British empire in
India.
" The nature of this service," says Lord Keith in his letter
to the Admiralty, " has demanded from most of the officers
and seamenof the fleet, and particularly from those of the troop-
ships, bombs, and transports, the endurance of labour, fa-
tigue, and privation, far beyond what I have witnessed before,
and which I verily believe to have exceeded all former ex-
ample ; and it has been encountered and surmounted with a
degree of resolution and perseverance, which merits my
highest praise, and gives both officers and men a just claim
to the approbation of their Lordships, and of the Country.
The number of officers to whom I owe this tribute does not
admit of my mentioning them by name ;, but most of the
Captains of the troop-ships have been employed in the super-
intendence of these duties, and I have had repeated and urgent
offers of voluntary service from all."
During the ensuing peace we find Captain Hillyar convey-
ing General Oakes and a number of recruits for the garrison
of Gibraltar, from England to that fortress. On the 20th
Jan. 1804, his staunch friend, the immortal Nelson, addressed
the following letter in his favor to Earl St. Vincent who at
that period presided over our naval affairs :
" Captain Hillyar is most truly deserving of all your Lordship can do
for him, and in addition to his public merits has a claim upon us. At
twenty-four years of age, when I made him a Lieutenant for his bravery,
he maintained his mother, sisters, and a brother. For these reasons he
declined the Ambuscade which was offered him ; because, although he
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 857
might Urns get his rank, yet, if he were put upon half-pay, his family would
be the sufferers. From all these circumstances, so honorable to Captain
Hillyar, independent of his services, which every one thought would have
obtained him promotion in the late war, I beg leave to submit, as an act
of the greatest kindness, that as the Niger is a very fine fast sailing frigate,
well manned, and in most excellent condition, she may be fitted with the
Madras's 32 carronades, which are not so heavy as her present 9-pounders,
and that your Lordship would recommend her being considered as a post-
ship. Captain Hillyar's activity would soon complete the additional num-
ber of men, and she would be an efficient frigate. I will not venture to say
more, I am sensible of your attention to merit."
In consequence of this recommendation the Niger's estab-
lishment was altered, and Captain Hillyar appointed to
command her as a 32-gun frigate by commission dated Feb.
29, 1804. In the following autumn he discovered a very fine
watering place about five miles to the westward of Porto
Torres, in Sardinia, which proved essentially advantageous to
the British ships employed in watching the motions of the
Toulon fleet. Lord Nelson in his diary mentions, that " at
the springs, about 200 yards from the beach, forty casks may
be filled at the same time," and in a letter written by him to
one of the British Consuls he says " I can assure you, that we
have found Pulla (the place of anchorage) the most healthy
spot the fleet has ever been at. So far from a man being ill
from the thousands who went on shore, they have all derived
the greatest benefit from the salubrity of the air brought down
by that fine river."
On the llth Dec. in the same year, Captain Hillyar arrived
at the Admiralty with despatches from his patron, with whom
we again find him serving, off Cadiz, a few days previous to
the glorious battle which deprived us of our greatest hero. On
the 2d May, 1806, he captured a Spanish schooner bound to
la Guira with despatches; and at the latter end of 1807, as-
sisted in escorting Sir John Moore's army from Gibraltar to
England *. He subsequently commanded the St. George a
second rate bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Eliab Harvey
on Channel service.
Captain Hillyar's next appointment was to the Phoebe a
36-gun frigate, with a complement of 295 men and boys,
which ship formed part of the naval force employed at the
» See Vol. II. Part I. p 422.
$58 POST-CAFfAINS OF 1804.
reduction of the Mauritius in Dec. 1810*; and sustained a
loss of 7 men killed, and 24 wounded, in an action with a
French squadron, near Madagascar ; the particulars of which
will be found under the head of Captain Charles Marsh
Schomberg, who in his official letter bears the most ample
testimony to Captain Hillyar's gallant conduct on that occa-
sion. The Phoebe likewise assisted in recovering possession
of Tamatavd, and capturing her late opponent la Nereide of
44 guns and 470 men f.
On the 20th Aug. 1811, Captain Hillyar arrived at Batavia,
in company with the Nisus and President frigates, forming
part of the squadron under Rear- Admiral Stopford, who, in
the Scipion 74, had previously proceeded from the Cape
station to assist in the reduction of Java. The marines of
the Phoebe and her consorts were immediately landed, and
thankfully received by Sir Samuel Auchmuty, whose army
was already much diminished by sickness : the arrival of those
frigates from the Isle of France may indeed be considered as
^ most fortunate circumstance, as they very materially contri-
buted to ease the press of duty so severely felt in that pesti-
lential climate, and in no trifling degree accelerated the suc-
cessful termination of the expedition J.
On the 31st day of the same month, the Nisus, President,
and Pho3be, accompanied by the Hesper sloop of war pro-
ceeded to Cheribon for the purpose of intercepting the enemy's
troops in their retreat from Meister Cornelius towards Sa-
marang, Rear- Admiral Stopford relying upon those ships for
the performance of that service, and, as he says, they fully
answered his expectations. Their proceedings are thus de-
tailed by Captain Beaver, senior officer of the squadron : —
" H. M. S. Nisus, off Cheribon, Sept. 4, 1811.
" Sir, — I have the honor to inform you, that, with the Nisus, President,
and Phoebe, I got within 7 or 8 miles of this place last night at dark, when
I anchored.
" At day-light this morning, I despatched Captain Warren, of the Pre-
sident, in a boat, under a flag of truce, with the accompanying summons
* See Vol. I. p. 631 et aeq.
t See pp. 833—837 of this Volume.
t See Vol. I. p. 357.
POST-CAPTAINS QF 1804.
859
to the commandant of Cheribon, and immediately after weighed with the
three frigates, stood towards the fort, and anchored them as near as we
could get to it, in three and a quarter fathoms ; when the French colours
were hauled down, and English hoisted in their place. The marines,
amounting to 180, were immediately landed, and took possession of the
fort ; and I have the satisfaction to inform you, that just at that moment,
the French General Jamelle, arrived at the Landroost's, from Buitenzory,
and was made our prisoner, together with an aide-de-camp of General
Jannsen's, and a Lieutenant of infantry *.
" From the French General I learned that he left Buitenzory the night
before our troops arrived there, and that detachments of the enemy were
on their march from that place to this — about three hundred infantry, and
250 cavalry of which were hourly expected to arrive here — I therefore
immediately landed 150 seamen, to garrison and defend the fort of Che-
ribon ; leaving all the marines to act offensively against the enemy in the
field, if occasion should require it, and placed 3 launches with carronades
in the river, to enfilade the two chief approaches to the fort. * * *
" The Hesper sailed so ill, that I was obliged to proceed without her,
but expect her appearance every hour, as well as the Sepoys, who are to
act under Colonel Wood, on whose arrival I shall Immediately re-embark
the marines, and proceed to Taggall and Samarang ; without whose as-
sistance we should be too weak to make any impression on the latter
place."
Sept. 5, 1811.
" In consequence of a summons having been despatched yesterday to
the government storekeeper of Carang Sambang, about 35 miles distant
on the road to Buitenzory, to deliver up some very valuable stores of
coffee under his charge, a despatch was early this morning received from
him, in which he says he is ready to deliver over the above property to
any person sent for that purpose ; but, he is very fearful if we do not send
troops there immediately, the French, who are arriving in small parties,
will, when they hear of our being in possession of Cheribon, destroy the
stores, and disperse ; and it having been represented to me in conse-
quence, that a quick movement to Carang Sambang, with the marines
and a party of seamen, might not only preserve those stores, but either
make prisoners of, or disperse the enemy there collected, I placed, at the
written request of Colonel Wood, who is at present without any troops of
the line, all the marines, and 50 seamen, under his immediate command,
and they will march this evening at 5 o'clock. They are all mounted,
seamen as well as marines, and a relay of horses is prepared for them half
way. The Hesper arrived this morning, and I have appointed Captain
Reynolds pro tempore, commandant of Cheribon."
* General Jamelle and his companions were taken prisoners by Cap-
tain Warren at the head of a few marines j See p. 572.
860 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1804.
Sept. 7, 1811.
" A party, detached from the seamen and marines under Colonel Wood,
arrived last night, with nine waggons laden with money, and 30 prisoners,
from the Bongas, a place half way between this and Carang Sambang,
which they left in the morning at 6 o'clock, when our men were about to
advance ; and this morning the Brigade Major returned with intelligence
that all the stores at the latter place, to a great amount », are given up to
us, and that all the troops there are made prisoners of war : thus, every
object for which the seamen and marines were advanced into the country,
has been happily attained, and no one left in arms against us for a space of
35 miles.
Sept. 11, 1811.
" The last party of marines returned from Carang Sambang late last
night, and were embarked on board the Nisus at one this morning. I have
thus re-embarked every seaman and marine of the 330 whom I landed on
the 4th instant, after having made about 700 prisoners, including 1 General,
2 Lieutenant-Colonels, 1 Major, 11 Captains, 42 Lieutenants, and about 180
Non-commissioned officers and European privates, the rest being Creoles and
Malays, without having had a single man either killed or wounded, and, I
am happy to say, with very few sick indeed, and those chiefly from great
fatigue, whom, I trust, a few days will restore to their wonted vigour.
Although it has not been our good fortune to have had it in our power to
do any thing brilliant, yet, I hope, that having been able to secure so great
a proportion of the enemy's officers, and European troops, may contribute
in some degree, to the speedy reduction of this important colony."
Captain Hillyar sailed from Cheribon on the llth Sept.
and the next day took possession of the fort at Taggall, to-
gether with the government stores about five miles distant
from thence, which he found were capacious, and well filled
with coffee, rice, and pepper. He then re-joined Rear-Ad-
miral Stopford at Sauiarang, and proceeded with him to Sou-
rabaya, where intelligence was received of the capitulation
for the surrender of Java and its dependencies having been
concluded on the 18th of the same month.
From this period we lose sight of Captain Hillyar till Mar.
1813, when he sailed from England for the purpose of de-
stroying the Americans' fur-establishment upon the banks of
Columbia river, the ^execution of which service he found it
necessary to entrust to another officer, in consequence of his
receiving certain intelligence, at the island of Juan Fernandez,
that the United States' frigate Essex of 46 guns and 328 men
* The coffee alone, taken at Carang Sambang, was valued at 250,000
Spanish dollars.
POST -CAPTAINS OF 1804. 861
had been for some time committing great depredations upon
British commerce in the South Seas, and that several of her
prizes had been armed in order to assist in doing still further
mischief.
The Racoon and Cherub, sloops of war, having joined the
Phoabe at Rio Janeiro, and accompanied her round Cape
Horn, Captain Hillyar, on his arrival off the Gallipago islands,
despatched the former vessel to Columbia river, and proceeded
himself, with the Cherub in company, to explore the gulf of
Guayaquil, and the coasts between that and Valparaiso, at
which latter place he anchored close to the American frigate,
and three of her prizes, on the 8th Feb. 1814. His subse-
quent action with the Essex is thus described by him in a
letter to the Admiralty, dated at Valparaiso, on the 30th
Mar. 1814 :
" Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that at a little past 3 P. M. on the
28th instant, after nearly five months anxious search, and six weeks still
more anxious look-out for the Essex and her companion *, to quit the port
of Valparaiso, we saw the former under weigh, and immediately, accom-
panied by the Cherub, made sail to close with her. On rounding the outer
point of the bay, and hauling her wind for the purpose of endeavouring to
weather us, and escape, she lost her main-top-mast, and afterwards, not
succeeding in an effort to regain the limits of the port, bore up, and
anchored so near the shore, (a few miles to leeward of it), as to preclude
the possibility of passing a-head of her without risk to his Majesty's ships.
As we drew near, my intention of going close under her stern was frustrated
by the ship breaking off, and from the wind blowing extremely fresh, our
first fire, commencing a little past four o'clock, and continuing about ten
minutes, produced no visible effect. Our second, a few random shot only,
from having increased our distance by wearing, was not apparently more
successful, and having lost the use of our main-sail, jib, and main-stay,
appearances were a little inauspicious. On standing again towards her, I
signified my intention of anchoring, for which we were not ready before,
with springs, to Captain Tucker, directing him to keep under weigh, and
take a convenient station for annoying our opponent. On closing the
Essex, at 5-35, the firing re-commenced, and before I gained my
intended position, her cable was cut, and a serious conflict ensued;
the guns of his Majesty's ship gradually becoming more destructive, and
her crew, if possible, more animated, which lasted until 6-20, when it
* The Essex junior of 10-long-sixes, 10-eighteen-pounder carronades,
and 95 men, part of whom are said to have been on board the frigate
whilst engaged with the British.
862 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
pleased the Almighty Disposer of Events to bless the efforts of my gallant
companions, and my personal, very humble one, with vietory. My
friend Captain Tucker *, an officer worthy of their Lordships' best atten-
tion, was severely wounded at the commencement of the action, but re-
mained on deck until it terminated, ' using every exertion against the
baffling winds and occasional calms which followed the heavy firing, to
close near the enemy : he informs me, that his officers and crew, of whose
loyalty, zeal, and discipline, I entertain the highest opinion, conducted
themselves to his satisfaction. * * * * * ' The conduct of my
officers and crew, without an individual exception that has come to my
knowledge, before, during, and after the battle, was such as become good
and loyal subjects, zealous for the honor of their much loved, though
distant, King and Country.
" The defence of the Essex, taking into consideration our superiority of
force, the very discouraging circumstance of her having lost her main-top-
mast, and being twice on fire, did honor to her brave defenders, and most
fully evinced the courage of Captain (David) Porter, and those under his
command. Her colours were net struck until the loss in killed and
wounded was so awfully great, and her shattered condition so seriously
bad, as to render further resistance unavailing.
" I was much hurt on hearing that her men had been encouraged, when
the result of the action was evidently decided, some to take to their boats,
and others to swim on shore ; many were drowned in the attempt ; 16
were saved by the exertions of my people ; and others, I believe between
SO and 40 effected their landing. I informed Captain Porter, that I con-
sidered the latter, in point of honor, as my prisoners ; he said the encou-
ragement was given when the ship was in danger from fire, and I have not
pressed the point. The Essex is completely stored and provisioned for at
least six months, and although much injured in her upper works, masts,
and rigging, is not in such a state as to give the slightest cause of alarm,
respecting her being able to perform a voyage to Europe with perfect
safety. Our main and mizen-masts, and main-yard, are rather seriously
wounded ; these, with a few shot-holes between wind and water, which we can
get at without lightening; and a loss of canvas and cordage, which we can
partly replace from our well-stored prize, are the extent of the injuries
his Majesty's ship has sustained. ****** I have the honor
to be, &c.
(Signed) " JAMES HILLYAR."
" To J. W. Croker, Esq."
The loss sustained by the British ships on this occasion
was only 5 killed and 10 wounded, including among the for-
mer Mr. William Ingram, first Lieutenant of the Phoebe, a
brave and excellent officer. That of the American frigate
was very severe, 23 men having been found dead on her
decks, and 42 wounded among the prisoners (161 in number) :
* See Captain THOMAS TUDOR TUCKER.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804.
863
3 others were acknowledged to have been removed by a boat
belonging to her consort, just before she surrendered ; and at
least 40 are supposed to have perished in their attempt to
reach the shore; but as not a single document relative to
the number serving in her at the commencement of the action
was found by Captain Hillyar, it is impossible for any person,
not an American, to arrive at a correct conclusion on that
subject. We can only express our regret that the Essex
junior did not venture out of port, in which case the Cherub
would have been of course detached in pursuit of that ship,
and the Phrebe no doubt have given an equally good account
of her immediate opponent *.
Captain Hillyar arrived at Plymouth with his prize, Nov.
13, 1814 ; and in the course of the following year we find him
receiving the insignia of a C. B. as a just reward for his long
and meritorious services.
He married, July 14, 1805, a daughter of N.Taylor, Esq.
Naval Storekeeper at Malta. One of his brothers is a Com-
mander, and another a Surgeon, R. N. The latter has re-
cently received permission to accept and wear the insignia of
a K. T. S. which the King of Portugal was pleased to confer
upon him,, when that monarch visited H. M. S.Windsor Castle,
at Lisbon, in May, 1824.
.— Sir Francis Ommaney, M. P.
RIGHT HON. LORD WILLIAM FITZ ROY.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is a younger son of Augustus Henry, third
Duke of Grafton, by his second Duchess, Elizabeth, daughter
of the late Rev. Sir Richard Wrottesley, Bart. He was born
• The Phoebe mounted 26 long 18-pounders, 4 long 9's, 14 thirty-two-
pounder carronades, and 2 boat-guns ; the Essex, 40 thirty-two-pounder
carronades, and six long nines. The former had on board 300 officers, men,
and boys, including a few volunteers from two British merchantmen lyin£
at Valparaiso ; we are justified by the declaration of Captain Porter himself
in stating that the latter had at least 260 persons, exclusive of those sent
from the Essex junior to her assistance. The Cherub mounted 18 thirty-
two-pounder carronades, 6 eighteens, 2 long-sixes, and 1 boat-gun ; her
total complement was 121.
864 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
June 1, 17^2; made a Lieutenant in 1800; Commander in
1802, and Post- Captain, Mar. 3, 1804.
His Lordship commanded the -/Bolus frigate in Sir Richard
J. Strachan's action, Nov. 4, 1805 ; and at the reduction of
Martinique, in 1809 *. Previous to the latter event, he had
been elected M. P. for Thetford, in which borough the Grafton
family appear to have possessed great influence for a long
series of years, one of the titles attached to the dukedom
being " Viscount Thetford." His last appointment was,
about June, 1810, to the Macedonian frigate, in which he
served on the Lisbon station, until dismissed from the service,
for a breach of the 33d Article of War, April 7, 1811.
Lord William was restored to his rank in the navy at the
latter end of August, in the same year ; and nominated a
C. B. in 1815. He married, Aug. 9, 1816, Georgiana, second
daughter of Thomas Raikes, Esq. and by that lady has issue.
Towards the close of 1823, a small pamphlet was printed
and circulated, among the higher ranks in the navy, under
the title of " A brief Statement arising out of a Passage
contained in the third volume of James's Naval History of
Great Britain) on the Conduct and Character of Lord Wil-
liam Fitz Roy, in the year 1805." To this " STATEMENT"
Mr. James published " A REPLY," in January, 1824. The
circumstance which gave rise to those pamphlets has been
discussed by Captain Brenton in the third volume of his
Naval History — We have neither time nor inclination to enter
into the subject.
RIGHT HON. LORD GEORGE STUART,
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
. THIS officer is nearly related to the present Marquis of
Bute, and consequently descended from Robert II. King of
Scotland.
We are not acquainted with the particulars of his birth,
but have been told that he was educated at Eton ; and that
he entered the naval service towards the close of 1793, as a
Midshipman on board the Providence of 16 guns, commanded
by the late Captain William R. Broughton, with whom he
•See Vol. I. pp. 289 and 264.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1804.
865
proceeded first to Nootka Sound, and then on a service well
calculated to render him an expert navigator, and able ma-
rine surveyor.
The Providence, on her voyage to the N. W. coast of
America, touched at Teneriffe, Rio Janeiro, New South
Wales, Otaheite, and the Sandwich Islands, where Captain
Broughton received intelligence that Captain Vancouver,
under whose orders he had been directed to place himself, had
already taken his departure for England*. He, however,
proceeded to Nootka Sound, where he anchored on the I7th
Mar. 17965 after a passage of thirteen months and two days
from Plymouth.
The ship having proved leaky was now hove down, which
led to the discovery of a bolt-hole in the garboard- streak
through which it was supposed no bolt had ever been drove
to the floor-timber. The augur boring remained perfect ;
nor was there any appearance of decayed iron. The thin
copper which covered it had cracked round the hole, and by
that means the water was admitted. It was also exactly in
the same place the carpenters had supposed, on examining the
limbers, and whence the coming in of the water was per-
ceived. Indeed there was no other part of the bottom of the
ship that appeared to be bad, although the copper in some
parts was much worn, a circumstance which caused Captain
Broughton to regret that she had not been sheathed with
wood, and then coppered over all.
At Nootka, Captain Broughton received letters dated Mar.
1795, which informed him that Captain Vancouver had sailed
from Monterrey bay, in California, on the 1st Dec. 1794;
and that the Spaniards had delivered up the port, &c. to
Lieutenant Pierce, of the marines, agreeably to the mode of
restitution settled between the Courts of London and Madrid.
His future proceedings now depending on his own discretion,
and as he wished to employ the Providence in such a manner
as might be deemed most eligible for the improvement of
geography and navigation, he proceeded along the coast to
Monterry, and there demanded of his officers their sentiments
in writing, respecting the manner in which the discretionary
powers allowed to him might most effectually be employed.
• See Vol. II. Part I. p. 201.
\ . ; • .
866 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804.
The result of their opinions, he was happy to find, coincided
with his own, which was to survey the coast of Asia, com-
mencing at the island of Sachalin, situated in lat. 52°. N., in
the southern part of the sea of Lama ; and ending at the
Nan-king river, in Lat. 30°. N. His intention was also to
survey the adjacent islands, viz. the Kurilles, and those of
Jesso and Japan, left unfinished in Captain Cook's last voy-
age. He considered that such a survey would be very ac-
ceptable to geographers ; for the limits of Asia and America
would then be known as far as navigation was practicable,
and a knowledge of the Northern Pacific Ocean would be
completed. He therefore determined to spend his time in
that pursuit till Christmas, then to go to Canton for stores
and provisions, and to continue the survey early in the en-
suing year. A log of his proceedings from the time he left
England until his arrival at Macao, after surveying the land
of Jesso, the Kurille isles, and those of Japan, is contained
in the first six chapters of a quarto volume published by him
in 1804. At Macao, Captain Broughton purchased a small
schooner to assist him in his survey, which he found to be
the identical vessel built by some of the ill-fated Bounty's
people, during their involuntary exile in the South Seas, and
which had been brought from Otaheite to Samarang, by Cap-
tain Edwards, of the Pandora. This proved a most fortunate
circumstance for the officers and crew of the Providence, as
that ship was wrecked near Ty-pin-san, an island lying be-
tween Formosa and the Great Loo-Choo, when about to pro-
secute the object of her researches. The following is Cap-
tain Broughton's account of that disastrous event :
" About 7-30 P. M. (May 17, 1797), white water was seen a-head and
upon each bow, and reported to the officer of the watch, Lieutenant James
G. Vashon ; and almost directly after, the ship struck upon a reef of coral
rocks. Having- felt the shock, which was not violent, I instantly went
upon deck, and by the way met Mr. Vashon coming to acquaint me with
the disaster. The officers and men were upon deck in a moment, and the
sails directly braced a-back. It appeared to me the helm was a-weather,
and the ship's head about E. N. E. *, sails all full. Had the helm been
put a- lee on seeing the danger, I think we should have escaped it
* When Captain Broughton left the deck a few minutes before, she
was lying up N. E. £ N. with the larboard tacks on board, and going at
the rate of 4a knots per hour.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 86/
" The proper signals were made to the schooner, and the Master sent
to anchor her as near as possible, to heave by her. The ship soon after
paid off, with her head to the eastward ; and we hauled up the main-sail,
shivering the other sails, to let her go round off without acquiring head-
way : before she paid off to the southward, she again struck fore and aft,
and remained fixed at last with her head due south. Breakers were then
upon each bow, and we had from 5 to 15 fathoms in the starboard chains,
and only 2§ fathoms at times both a-head and a-stern. Having chocked
the rudder, the top-masrs were struck ; and we began hoisting the boats
out, the lower-yards having been kept up for that purpose. At this time
the ship did not strike violently, and had only made 19 inches water.
Unfortunately the wind freshened from the N. N. W., and the sea began
to break with great force, which soon knocked the rudder off: we secured
it with hawsers. It was now 9 o'clock, and we only waited the schooner's
anchoring, to attempt heaving off; and in the mean time began hoisting
out the long-boat : during which period the ship made water very fast ;
and the violent shocks she received, rendered it doubtful whether the
masts would stand. The water increased so much upon the pumps, that
before the long-boat was out we had 7 feet water in the hold. At this
time the schooner had anchored near us rn 25 fathoms, and the Master
returned on board, when the ship suddenly changed her position, swinging
round from S. to N. by E., and striking more violently than ever. Before
we could carry our hawsers to the schooner, the carpenter reported the
water up to the orlop-deck, and the ship having bilged forward ; we there-
fore gave up the idea of attempting to heave off, for had we succeeded, the
ship must Inevitably have foundered. The spare pumps were down the
fore hatchway, but the water still increasing upon the gun-deck, rendered
all our exertions useless. The officers were unanimous with me in
opinion, that nothing could be done to save the ship ; and to cut away the
masts would have no effect upon her, as she was settling fast forward from
her being bilged, as we imagined, in her larboard bow. It now became
highly necessary to preserve the people, and the boats were ordered ready
for their reception ; while they were employed trying to collect arms and
ammunition, with armourer's and carpenter's tools ; but the ship laying
nearly on her beam ends, and the gun-deck being full of water with the
washing of the bulk-heads to and fro, chests, &c. prevented their saving
many. On one side of the ship we had only 6 feet water, and on the other
3% fathoms. The fore part of her was immersed in the sea, and the surf
breaking over the upper-deck. As nothing more could be procured for
the present, the crew were sent into the boats, which was happily effected
without any accident; and soon after 1 1 o'clock they reached the schooner
in safety, but with the loss, both officers and men, of every thing belonging
to them. The pinnace returned for myself and the remaining officers ; and
at half an hour after midnight we quitted the Providence, leaving her a
perfect week to the mercy of the sea."
This disaster having taken place during the S. W. monsoon,
868 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
the situation of 109 persons without clothing *, crowded in a
small vessel only capable of admitting one third of that num-
ber below at a time, may readily be conceived. Fortunately^
however, they met with the most friendly and hospitable re-
ception at Ty-pin-san, the natives of which place loaded their
little bark with provisions, and thereby enabled them to reach
Whampoa, in China, without feeling the pangs of hunger and
thirst, too often experienced by persons placed in similar situ-
ations of danger.
The schooner, having met with no bad weather, nor any
other obstacle, passed the Bocca Tigris on the 4th June, 1797*
remained in the neighbourhood of Canton for a few days, and
then worked down towards Macao roads, where a division of
her officers and crew took pl&ce — 43 being discharged into the
Swift sloop of war for the disposal of Rear- Admiral Rainier ;
30 into a fleet of homeward bound Indiamen ; and 35 retained
by Captain Broughton for the purpose of completing his sur-
vey. Among those sent home were the first Lieutenant
(now Captain) Zachary Mudge, Lord George Stuart, and the
present Hon. Captain Alexander Jones. It is here worthy of
remark that the Providence was the ship in which " Bounty
Bligh" ultimately conveyed the bread fruit to St. Vincent's
and Jamaica; that Captain Broughton, when warping into Ma-
taviabay, Nov. 30, 1795, swept an iron-stocked anchor which
the Bounty's mutineers left behind them when they cut their
cable and bade an everlasting farewell to Otaheite, Sept. 22,
] 789; that the schooner built by the poor fellows who had been
innocently involved in their guilt was, as we have stated above,
the vessel destined to preserve the crew of the Providence ;
and that the 43 officers and men who were drafted into the
Swift, were doomed to perish under the command of an officer
who was one of Bligh's companions when turned adrift in the
Bounty's launch by Christian and his colleagues. Strange as
the coincidence may appear, what we have stated admits of
no contradiction.
* The Providence left England with a complement of 115 officers,
seamen, and marines. Of this number one had died a natural death, three
been killed by accident, and two murdered by the natives at one of the
Sandwich Islands.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 869
Lord George Stuart was made a Lieutenant in J800, a
Commander in 1802 ; and confirmed in his post rank Mar. 3
1804. If we mistake not, he was in the East Indies at each
of those periods.
About the 7th Jan. 1805, a hurricane commenced at Cey-
lon, during which the Sheerness 44, then commanded by
the subject of this memoir, parted her cables, and 'drove
on shore. Very little time had elapsed, before the water
rose above the orlop-deck, the main-mast went by the board,
and pumping proved ineffectual. At the commencement of
the storm, Lord George, his first Lieutenant, and others,
used every possible exertion to get on board, but their boat
swamping, they with difficulty regained the shore. The
launch, sent to their assistance, was also swamped, and two
of her crew drowned.
His Lordship subsequently commanded the Duncan frigate,
and on the 8th April, 1806, captured a French privateer of
8 guns and 71 nien. In the summer of 1807, he was ap-
pointed to 1'Aimable 32, on the North Sea station, where he
intercepted another marauder of the same description, mount-
ing 16 guns, and having on board a number of British priso-
ners. In the summer of 1808, he appears to have assisted
in escorting the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, from Cork
to Portugal, and it has been said that he was a spectator of
the celebrated battle which led to the inglorious convention
of Cintra *.
On the 3d Feb. 1809, Lord George Stuart, having returned
to his former station, captured, after a chase of 28 hours, and
a short running fight, 1'Iris, French national ship, pierced for
32 guns, but only mounting 22 24-pounder carronades and 2
long twelves, with a complement of 1 10 men, having on board
640 casks of flour for Martinique, victualled and stored for
four months. L' Amiable, on this occasion, had 2 men
wounded, and suffered materially in her masts, spars, sails,
and rigging. The enemy sustained a loss of 2 killed and 8
wounded.
In July following, Lord George assumed the command of
a light squadron employed at the mouth of the Elbe, and on
the 26th of that month he performed an important service,
* See Vol, I. p. 595, and note f at p. 431 etseq.
VOL. II. 3 L
870 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
the particulars of which are thus stated in his official report
to the officer under whose orders he was then placed :
H. M. S: I'Aimable, off Cuxhaven, July 29, 1809.
" Sir, — The French troops in Hanover, not content with frequent pre-
datory and piratical incursions in the neighbourhood of Cuxhaven, had
the audacity to enter the village of Rit2buttle with a body of horse at
mid-day on the 26th instant, and very narrowly missed making several
officers of the squadron prisoners *. In consequence I was induced to
land a detachment of seamen and marines from the vessels composing the
squadron under my orders, for the purpose, if possible, of intercepting
them. In the ardour of pursuit, we advanced until we got sight of the
town of Bremer-lehe, into which we learnt they had retreated. The in-
formation was incorrect. On entering the town we were assured that the
enemy, to the number of about 250, occupied the town of Gessendorf,
two miks distant, and further, that it contained a depot of confiscated
merchandise. It was resolved instantly to attack it. For this purpose,
Captain Goate of the Mosquito, advanced with a detachment, while I
directed Captain Pettet of the Briseis, to proceed by a circuitous route,
and take a well-constructed battery of four 12-pounders, commanding the
river Weser, in flank, while the remainder, under my own immediate di-
rections, headed by Captain Watts, of the Ephira, advanced to attack it in
front. The road we had to pass subjected us all to a galling fire of round
and grape from the battery, the guns of which were all pointed inwards,
and which we could only answer by discharges of musketry. Gessendorf,
though certainly tenable with the numbers the enemy had opposed to ours,
was on the approach of Captain Goate precipitately evacuated. The
enemy being previously informed of our approach, had put into requi-
sition a number of light waggons for the transportation of the foot, in the
rear of which 60 well mounted cavalry drew up.
" The enemy in the battery seeing us determined, notwithstanding their
fire, to carry our point, and that we were making preparations for fording
a deep and wide creek in their front, abandoned it, and embarked in boats
on the Weser ready for their reception, under a severe fire of musketry
from our detachment, with the loss on their part of several killed and
wounded. From a foreknowledge of our intentions on the part of the
enemy, we made but four prisoners, the commandant of the battery
(Mons. le Murche), a Lieutenant, and two inferior officers. The battery-
guns were burst in pieces, the einbrazures demolished, the gun-carriages
burnt, together with the magazine, guard-houses, &c. &c. The powder
we brought off, as also six waggon loads of confiscated merchandise. * * *
" The distance from Gessendorf to Cuxhaven is 28 miles ; I leave it
then to their Lordships to estimate the spirit, alacrity, and expedition with
which this service has been performed, when I state, that in 24 hours from
* Cuxhaven and Ritzbuttle had recently been taken possession of by the
British. See Captain WILLIAM GOATE.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 8/1
our departure, the whole detachment returned, and were safely embarked
on board their respective ships, without the loss of an individual *. I have
the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) « G. STUART."
" To Rear- Admiral Sir R. I. Strachan, Bart. K. B."
As the importance of this service cannot be estimated by
Lord George Stuart's official letter alone, we shall in explana-
tion state, that the heroic Duke of Brunswick Oels, having
at that moment nearly effected his fine retreat through the
heart of Germany, arrived a few days afterwards on the op-
posite bank of the Weser, and by the previous dispersion of
the enemy, and the destruction of their fortress, which enfi-
laded the whole of that river, was enabled to embark and
bring away his brave companions in arms, without meeting
with those obstructions which would otherwise have impeded
his progress} enabled his pursuers to come up with him, and
in all likelihood have led to the capture or destruction of his
whole detachment.
His Lordship's next appointment was, about Sept. 1810*
to the Horatio, a 38-gun frigate, the boats of which ship,
under the directions of Lieutenant Abraham Mills Hawkins,
performed a very gallant exploit on the coast of Norway, in
Aug. 1812, which we shall give a full account of in our me-
moir of that meritorious officer, who was soon after promoted
for his persevering bravery and severe sufferings on the occa-
sion now alluded to.
The reverses of Napoleon Buonaparte, who, after losing the
flower of his army in the inhospitable clime of Russia, in the
winter of 1812, had been obliged to retreat, during the whole
of 1813, before his accumulating enemies, till at length they
pursued him into France, gave occasion to a revolution in
Holland. The consequence of this political change was the
recall of the Prince of Orange, whose departure from Eng-
land, and landing at Scheveling, we have already noticed f.
An application was also made to the British government for
» Captain George Kdward Watts " particularly" distinguished himself,
and was the only person wounded. The passages contained in the above
letter which we have omitted, are reserved for insertion in our memoirs of
that gallant officer, and others to whose conduct they immediately refer,
f S«e Vol. I. p. 663.
3L2
87'2 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
assistance, which was readily granted ; and by the end of the
year, the whole territory of the Seven United Provinces was
cleared of the enemy, with the exception of a few fortified
places. The assistance contributed by Lord George Stuart
towards the accomplishment of this desirable event, will be
seen by the following extracts from his public letters to the
late Admiral Sir William Young, under whom he had been
for some time serving :
" Yesterday morning (Dec. 7, 1813) some pilots brought off a letter,
from a gentleman who had been in the British service, requesting aid to
drive the French from Zierick-zee *. I lost no time in working up, and
anchored just out of gun-shot of a heavy battery, which totally commanded
the passage. As it was necessary to pass in execution of your orders, T
made the disposition for attacking it. T therefore collected 50 marines
and 70 seamen from the Horatio, with the same number from the Am-
phion, with a determination of storming it from the rear, as soon as the
tide would answer for the boats to leave the ship, which could not be till
9 P. M. During the interval, a deputation from the principal citizens
came on board under a flag of truce, from the French General, requesting
that, in order to save the effusion of blood, and prevent the disorders
which were likely to ensue in the city, then in a state of insurrection,
terms of capitulation should be granted, by which the French, with their
baggage, should be allowed to withdraw and be conveyed to Bergen-op-
zoom : this I peremptorily refused, * * * and sent back the terms here-
with enclosed f. The thickness of the weather prevented the deputation
from quitting the ship before 10 P. M., which induced me to extend the
time till midnight. I had not proceeded any considerable distance from
the ship before the signal (3 guns), in token of submission, was made. I
landed at the battery, which having secured, I went forward to the town,
and found the native French had made their escape. I directed the sea-
men to remain at the gate, and entered with the marines, amidst the ac,
clamations of an immense multitude. Proceeding to the town-hall, I was
* Zierick-zee is the capital of Schowen, an island of Zealand, lying be-
tween Goeree and North Beverland.
.|. « Sir> — With a view to spare the effusion of blood, as senior officer
in command of H. B. M.'s forces, I feel it my duty, after the communi-
cation I have received, and the resources which I at present have, to sum-
mons you with the French officers and troops under your immediate com-
mand, to surrender prisoners of war. No other conditions will be ad-
mitted. I expect a decisive answer by 12 o'clock this night; my autho-
rity will not admit of the suspension of hostilities longer than that period,
(Signed) " G. STUART."
" To the French Commandant."
>OST- CAPTAINS OF 1804. 8?3
teket by the most respectable inhabitants in a body, and then having dis -
solved the French municipal authorities, I directed the ancient magistrates
of the city to resume their functions. This morning (Dec. 8), in compli-
ance with my directions, the magistrates of the town of Browershaven
reported their having driven the French from thence, and they received
similar injunctions with respect 'to their provisional government. I took
possession of a brig of 14 guns, formerly H. M. B. Bustler, which the
enemy had attempted to scuttle, also a French gun-boat, and a consider-
able quantity of powder. In the course of this day 1 have collected 20
prisoners, and more are expected.
" I feel happy in having obtained so important an acquisition as the
whole island of Schowen, without bloodshed, thereby facilitating the means
of opening a communication with the allied forces in the south of Holland *.
" Having received information that the French had augmented their
forces in the island of Tholen with 400 men, and it being necessary to
secure the battery at the point of Steavinesse, in order for the ships to
pass up the Keeten, I despatched the boats of the two ships at 10 P. M.
(Dec. 9), with the boats' crews only, when they landed two miles in the
rear of the battery ; immediately on their approach, the French precipi-
tately fled, and did not enable our brave fellows to oppose them, we there-
fore made only 3 prisoners. The battery mounted six 24-pounders.
Lieutenants Whyte and Champion, of the Horatio and Amphion, with the
officers and men under their command, dismantled the battery, spiked the
guns, destroyed the carriages, &c. and returned on board at 3-30 A. M."
Lord George Stuart, whose great promptitude of decision
to storm the batteries on the island of Schowen, and very
spirited preparation for doing so, if the enemy had not imme-
diately submitted, were highly commended by Admiral Young,
was soon after appointed to the Newcastle of 58 guns, built
for the express purpose of coping with the American ships of
similar force. The particulars of his cruise in quest of the
Constitution and her supposed consorts will be found at
p. 533, et seq. of this volume. His Lordship was nominated
aC. B. in 1815.
4gent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
SIR JAMES LIND,
A Knight Commander uf the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath-
THIS officer received his first commission in 1778 ; and
served as senior Lieutenant of the Princess Royal a second
rate, forming part of Lord Hood's fleet, during the operations
* The ordnance taken at Zierick-zee, consisted of 12 iron 36 and 24-
pounders, 2 brass 13-inch mortars, and 2 six-pounders.
POST-CAPTAINS Ot 1804.
at Toulon, in 1793 *. His promotion to the rank of Cotii-
mander took place in 1795.
On the 5th Dec. 1800, Captain Lind, then commanding
the Wilhelmina troop-ship, sailed from England for the Red
Sea, in company with a squadron sent thither, under Sir
Home Popham, to assist in the frustration of the designs of
republican France, which was afterwards so successfully ac-
complished by the Anglo-Turkish forces in Egypt, as already
mentioned in the course of this work.
Captain kind's next appointment was to the Sheerness 44y
in which ship he captured, by stratagem, 1' Alfred, French
privateer, of 14 gn»s and 80 men. Observing 1' Alfred in
chase of the Sheerfiess, he disguised her as much as possible,
and by standing away from his pursuer, and setting and taking
in sail in the style of a merchantman, completed the decep-
tion, and ensured the capture of the enemy. After a short
chase, the privateer ranged upon his quarter, fired a broad-
side, and commanded him to strike. Her summons was an-
swered by a fire which killed 3 and wotmded 6 of ^Alfred's
£rew , when the astonished Frenchmen immediately hauled
down their colours. The Sheerness fortunately had not a
man hurt. This little affair occurred off Point de Galle, May
5, 1804 : Captain Lind's post commission had been confirmed
at home on the 6th March preceding.
On the 17th Sept. in the same year, the French Rear- Ad-
miral Linois, who had some time before been defeated by the
homeward bound China fleet, seized on some country boats
off Masulipatain, who gave him intelligence of Captain Lind's
former ship, the Wilhelmina, having left that place a few
days previous for Vizagapatam road, with the Princess Char-
lotte Indiaman under her protection. Expecting to obtain
some compensation for his late disappointment, M. Linois
immediately proceeded thither, and the following day com-
menced a furious attack upon the Centurion of 50 guns, which
ship Vice-Admiral Rainier had a few days before substituted
for the Wilhelmina, having ordered the latter to convoy two
other Indiamen, with some treasure on board to Calcutta.
The particulars of what followed are contained in a letter
from Captain Lind to the Vice-Admiral from whom he had
« Sec Vol. I. p. 236,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 875
received an acting order to command the Centurion in the
absence of her proper Captain, then dangerously ill at sick-
quarters. The following is a copy of the letter to which we
have alluded, dated Sept. 19, 1804 :
" Yesterday morning-, whilst at anchor in this (Vizagapatam) road, and
waiting till the Indiaman and the country ship (Barnaby), which you di-
rected me to convoy to Madras, were loaded, 3 ships were perceived under
the land in the S. W., coming down before the wind with all sails set.
About 9-30 A. M. it was seen that they were enemies, a line-of-battle ship
and 2 frigates : the former hoisted, -vlth her colours, a flag at the inizen-
top-inast head, and I believe was the Marengo, Admiral Linois, and I shall
so call her in this letter ; the frigates appeared to be of 36 or 40 guns
each *. For the information of the convoy, the signal of au enemy being
in sight was hoisted, and soon afterwards one for the convoy, as they were
best able, to put into a port in view. This was done that the two ships
we had taken under convoy might get close in shore for protection, or,
if necessary to run 011 it : the Barnaby complied with this signal ; she ran
on shore, but unfortunately afterwards got into the surf, and was totally
lost.
" About 10 A. M., the headmost of the enemy's ships, a frigate, was
about half a mile from the Centurion, without any colours flying. Several
shot were fired at her. About the same time the cable was cut, and top-
sails sheeted home, which were already loose for the purpose; by this
means the broadside was brought to bear upon the enemy, and prevented
the ship from being boarded or raked ; by this manoeuvre, likewise, a fri-
gate, that was within a cable's length of the Centurion, and appeared to
have an intention to board, got a close and well-directed broadside into
her. The action soon became general, the enemy's three ships directing
their fire on the Centurion, their only object, for the Princess Charlotte
had very early struck her colours. The Centurion stood in shore, the
Marengo and one frigate on the starboard quarter, the other frigate on
the larboard j they were all less than half a mile distant, and kept firing,
which the Centurion returned : her fire was chiefly directed against the
Marengo. About 10-45, the French ships stood to sea ; and immediately
after this I got on board, though with much difficulty and danger. I had
been on shore to expedite the sailing of the convoy, and was not present
in this early part of the action, for, till now, the Centurion had been under
the direction of the first Lieutenant, Mr. James Robert Philips : and before
I proceed any further in this account, permit me to notice the judicious
conduct of this deserving and old officer, and his gallant defence of the
ship against so superior a force as that of the enemy. I hope, Sir, his
conduct will be thought worthy of a reward, and that he will be esteemed
deserving of promotion.
• The French squadron consisted of the Marengo, Semillante, and
Atalante j the former an 80-gun ship, the two latter 40-gun frigate*.
876 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804.
" On my coming on board, I found the sails and rigging so very much
cut as to render the ship not in a state to be worked, and therefore anchored
at the back of the surf, about a mile and a half to the N. E. of the town :
this situation was the best I had in my power to take, both for defence, and
to prevent her falling into the possession of the enemy if overpowered.
" A battery of three guns at the town, under the command of Colonel
A. Campbell, of H. M. 74th Regiment, had kept a tire on the enemy whilst
within reach, but now we were too far distant to receive any support from
it. I sent on shore to request guns might be brought on the beach nearer
us : this I have since been convinced was totally impracticable, or it would
have been done. We prepared again for action ; and whilst thus employed,
the enemy wore and stood towards us : the Marengo, after having repeatedly
tried the range of her guns, came to an anchor abreast of us, and about a
mile distant ; dewed up her top-sails, furled her courses, and commenced
cannonading. This threatening appearance of being determined to perse-
vere and to succeed, only served to animate the officers and men of H. M.
ship to greater exertions of defence with the lower-deck guns, the only ones
that would reach the enemy, for she was too far distant for the carronades ;
but all the enemy's shot reached us *. In the mean time one of the fri-
gates kept under sail on our quarter, nearer than the Marengo, and an-
noyed us much by her fire ; the other frigate carried off the Indiaman from
hej* anchorage in the road. At 1-1 5 P. M , nearly two hours after this
cannonading had commenced, and which had been kept up with much
vigour on both sides, the Marengo cut her cable, hoisted her jib, and stood
to sea. By some of her last shot our cable was cut, and we made some
sail, and got further off shore before we brought up with the sheet anchor-
When the Marengo first made sail, I supposed she intended to make a
short stretch, tack, and renew the action nearer, and therefore made all
necessary preparations to receive her; but she, the frigates, and the cap-
tured Indiaman stood to sea, and a little before sun-set bore up to the
N. E., towards the bottom of the bay. What damage the enemy has sus-
tained, or from what cause they declined further contest with us I cannot
tell.
" After this full account of the transactions of the day, I feel it a duty
incumbent on me not only to repeat the high sense I have of Lieutenant
Philips' services, but likewise to inform you that the other Lieutenants of
this ship, David Pringle, Richard Coote, and William Fairbrother Carroll,
displayed great gallantry and spirit on the occasion ; the last-mentioned,
though a young officer, has seen much service, and as his commission is
not yet confirmed by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, may I
request that you will be pleased to represent his great merit, to induce
their Lordships to do it ? To the zeal and energy of Lieutenant Warring,
R. M. I am much indebted.
* The Centurion had long twenty-fours on her lower-deck, and 32-
pounder carronades had been substituted for the long twelves which she
had formerly mounted 011 the main-deck.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1804. 8J7
" To insert any thing in this letter in praise of the veteran and gallant
crew of the Centurion, must be needless to you, Sir, who are well acquainted
with them j but I cannot refrain from saying that they displayed great
experience, and cool courage. The good discipline of the ship was con-
spieuous, and does great credit to their proper commander, Captain (John
Sprat) Rainier.
" H. M. ship has received considerable damage in her masts, yards, and
rigging. The fore-mast, mizen-mast, and main-yard are badly wounded,
as well as several smaller masts and yards ; several shot remain in the
bottom, between wind and water ; one came through into the gunner's
store-room. It is with pleasure I acquaint you, that very few men con-
sidering the long action, have suffered; none were killed, and only nine
wounded ; one of whom is since dead ; the others are not in apparent
danger.
(Signed) " J. LIND."
Captain Lincl in the foregoing letter alludes to the difficulty
and danger he experienced in getting on board the Centurion.
This requires some little explanation.
Immediately the approach of* the strange squadron was
announced to him, he hurried down to the beach, and jumped
into a boat manned with natives, who rowed him some dis-
tance, ignorant of the cause of his hurry ; but, immediately
the fire commenced, they expressed a wish to pull back.
This he very naturally refused, but neither by threats nor
promises could he prevail upon them to proceed ; whilst the
firing lasted. For some time the boat was in the line of fire,
and as he would not allow them to return towards the shore,
the affrighted rowers were with great difficulty prevented by
him from jumping overboard and swimming thither. At
length a favorable opportunity was afforded by the enemy,
and he succeeded in getting on board his ship at the crisis he
has mentioned. His conduct during the second attack was
most highly applauded by the commander-in-chief, who, when
writing to the Admiralty, declared that he did not hesitate to
rank the Centurion's action " with the most famous of the
defensive kind in the glorious annals of the British navy."
Captain Lind received the honor of knighthood on his
return to England, in the spring of 1805 ; obtained the in-
signia of a K. C. B. Jan. 2, 1815 ; and died at Southampton
on the 12th June, 1823. At the latter period we had not
advanced sufficiently far in our present pursuit to apply to
him for information — should this hasty sketch meet the eye
878 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
of any of his friends we beg leave to say that any authentic
documents relative to Sir James Lind's services, if sent to us
for the purpose of being published in the Supplement to this
work, shall be carefully returned, when copied.
A painting (by F. Sartorious) representing the discomfiture
of Mons. Linois, was exhibited in the Antique Academy, in
1805.
JOSEPH NOURSE, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant Dec. 10, 1/99 -, and
served as such on board the Courageux, of 74 guns, com-
manded by the late Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, K. B. by
whom he was successively advanced to the rank of Com-
mander and Post-Captain.
On the 29th Aug. 1800, Lieutenant Nourse volunteered to
assist in cutting out an enemy's ship from under the batte-
ries in Vigo bay, which service was gallantly performed by
the boats of a squadron under Sir John Borlase Warren/
The enemy made a most desperate resistance, her commander
having secured the hatchways to prevent his people from re-
treating, and cheered the British as they advanced to the attack,
She proved to be la Guepe, French privateer^ of 300 tons,
mounting 18 nine-pounders, with a complement of 161 men ;
25 of whom were killed, and 40 wounded. The boats, (20 in
number) had only 4 men killed, 1 drowned, and 20 wounded.
Among the latter were Lieutenants Henry Burke (the senior
officer) severely, John Henry Holmes, and Joseph Nourse,
slightly*.
At the latter end of 1802, when Sir Samuel Hood resided
at Trinidad as one of his Majesty's joint Commissioners for
that island, Lieutenant Nourse commanded the Advice, a
small vessel employed as a tender to the colony ; and when his
friend succeeded to the chief command on the Leeward Islands*
station, vacant by the death of Rear-Admiral Totty, he ac-
companied him into the Blenheim 743 from which ship Sir
* La Gu6pe was afterwards the British sloop of war Wasp. See
p. 592 e t seq.
N>ST-CAFTAINS on- 1804.
Samuel's broad pendant was afterwards removed into the
Centaur of similar force.
After assisting at the reduction of St. Lucia and Tobago,
in 1803, Lieutenant Nourse was promoted to the rank of
Commander in the Cyane sloop of war. On the 2d Jan.
1804, he re -captured an English coast of Guinea trader ; and
in the course of six weeks from that period, we find him cap-
turing three French privateers, carrying in the whole 30 guns
and 236 men. His post^commissiori bears date April 30.
1804.
In our memoir of Captain Frederick L. Maitland we have no*
ticed the capture of le Braave, a French privateer on the Irish
station, Mar. 16, 1804. This vessel was purchased by the
merchants of Barbadoes, presented by them to Government,
commissioned as a post^ship, and placed under the command
of Captain Nourse, who on the fourth day of his first cruise,
Oct. 17, 1804, after a chase of 13 hours, and an exchange of
bow and stern-chasers, captured the Napoleon, French pri-
vateer, of 18 guns and 150 men. A few days afterwards
1'Heureux, of 10 'six-pounders and 80 men shared a similar
fate; and on the 8th April, 1805, la Desiree, of 14 guns and 71
men, was added to his list of prizes. This latter vessel, a fine
schooner, after being decoyed within musket-shot, had the
temerity to return his fire, by which she suffered a loss of
7 men killed and wounded.
Captain Nourse subsequently commanded the Frederick-
stein, Volontaire, and Severn frigates, on the Mediterranean
and North American stations. The following account of a
novel proceeding, extracted from the Naval Chronicle, may
not prove unacceptable to those who have never before heard
it related :
" On the 30th Aug. 1811, a Court-Martial assembled on board H. M.
ship Hibernia at sea (off Toulon)— -President, Rear-Admiral Sir Richard
Goodwin Keats, K. B. The Court proceeded to the trial of Mr. John
M 'Arthur, Purser of H. M. ship Volontaire, on charges preferred against
him by Lieutenant Shaw, first of the said ship, namely — disobedience of
orders j disrespect to hitn j and mutinous expressions at the gun-room
table. Captain the Hon. George Granville Waldegrave, prosecutor. The
Court having been duly sworn, the prisoner read a paper, purporting, that
he had been put into arrest at the time when the offence was said to have
been committed, and continued in arrest for the space of fourteen days j
880 POST-CAFPAINS OF 1804.
that, wishing to avoid a court-martial, he proposed making an apology;
which was acceded to, and he accordingly did make an apology on the
quarter-deck of the same ship, in the presence of Captain Nourse (who
then commanded the Volontaire) and all the officers who were present at
the time the alleged offence was committed : that in consequence of the
said apology, he was released from his arrest, and continued in the full
execution of his duty ; that he dined at the Captain's table in turn, accord-
ing to the usage of the ship ; and that he humbly conceived the humane
intentions of the law would be frustrated, if he were, under such circum-
stances, amenable to a court-martial; and, therefore, begged to submit
these considerations to the honorable court. The Court was cleared for
deliberation ; and, on the opening, Captain Nourse was called and sworn ;
lie fully corroborated the foregoing statement. The Court, therefore,
without going further into the business, adjudged the prisoner to be
acquitted."
Captain Nourse was appointed to the Severn about July
1813, and in Nov. following he sailed from England with a
fleet of transports and merchantmen under his protection,
bound to Bermuda. We next find him employed under the
orders of Rear -Admiral Cockburn during the expeditions
against Washington and Baltimore, in Aug. and Sept. 1&14*.
His conduct on those occasions is thus mentioned in that
officer's despatches relative to the latter enterprise :
" Captain Nourse, of the Severn, was good enough to receive my flag
for this service ; he rendered me great assistance in getting the ships to
the different stations within the river (Patapsco) j and when the storming
of the fortified hill was contemplated, he hastened to iny assistance with
a reinforcement of seamen and marines. I should consider myself wanting
in candour and justice, did I not particularly point out, Sir, to you, the
high opinion I entertain of the enterprise and ability of this valuable officer,
not only for his conduct on this occasion, but on the very many others on
which I have employed him since with me in the Chesapeake." %
Captain Nourse subsequently proceeded to the coast of
Georgia, and assisted at the capture of St. Mary's a town
near Point Petre, Jan. 13, 1815 f. Among the captures
made by him on the American station were two privateer
schooners, and a letter of marque, carrying in the whole 22
guns and 241 men.
The Severn being paid off on her return to England, Cap-
tain Nourse remained on half-pay from that period till Nov.
1, 1821, when he was appointed Commodore and Commander-
* See Vol. I. pp. 524—527.
t See p. 73 J, and note * at p. 738 of this volume.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 881
in-chief on the Cape station, where he fell a sacrifice tot he
climate of Eastern Africa, having caught the fever of that
country whilst prosecuting various interesting services which
it does not fall within our province to record. He died on
board the Andromache frigate, when returning from the
island of Mombass to Mauritius, Sept. 4, 1824, having pre-
viously run down the western coast of Madagascar, visited
the extensive bay of Bembatooka, passed the Comoros, and
touched at the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, belonging to
the Imaun of Muscat.
ROBERT OBRIEN, ESQ.
Manager of the Dublin and London Steam Packet Company.
THIS officer is a brother of Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. M. P.
for the county of Clare in Ireland, and representative of a
family, the elder branch of which received a patent of baronet-
age in 1686.
He obtained the rank of Lieutenant in 1J97 ; was made a
Commander in 1800 ; and posted into the Clorinde frigate, at
Jamaica, May 1st 1804.
Captain OBrien's next appointment was, about Jan. 1813,
to the Doris of 42 guns ; and in the course of the same year,
we find him escorting the outward bound trade to China.
His subsequent proceedings in the East Indies met with the
marked disapprobation of the Admiralty, as will be seen by
the following official letter of their Lordship's Secretary to
the senior officer on that station, dated Feb. 17, 1816 :
" Sir, — Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a
letter from Captain O'Brien, dated at Madras the 7th October last, stating
that in consequence of the death of Rear-Admiral Sir George Burlton, and
in the absence of Captain Sayer, of H. M. S. Leda, on a distant part of the
station, he had assumed the temporary command in the Indian seas, re-
moving from his proper ship the Doris into the Wellesley, and hoisting in
the latter a Broad Pendant.
" I have their Lordships' commands to signify their direction to you to
express to Captain O'Brien their Lordships' entire disapprobation of his
presuming to hoist a Broad Pendant and assume a command contrary to
the Rules of the Service, and without any kind of authority for so doing,
and it is their Lordships' further direction that. Captain O'Brien be imme-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
diately ordered to return to England in any ship in which he may be at the
receipt of this letter. I am, Sir, your most humble servant,
(Signed) " JOHN BARROW."
" The senior officer cfH. M. ships, East Indies."
Previous to the receipt of the above. Commodore George
Sayer had written to the Admiralty informing the Secretary
for their Lordships' information, that it was his intention to
try Captain O'Brien by a Court-Martial, for " pursuing a
course of conduct subversive of the first principles of the Ser-
vice, grounded on pretensions as futile as irreconcileable
with the Discipline of the Navy." To this communication
he received the following reply :
"Admiralty Office, 20th August, 1816.
" Sir,— I have received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, your letter of the 20th March last, representing the conduct
of Captain O'Brien acting in the command of H. M. S. Cornwallis, and
stating that you had ordered a Court-Martial to assemble and try him for
his conduct ; and I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that
they approve of your ordering the Court-Martial in question. I am,
Sir, &c,
(Signed) '• JOHN BARROW.*'
" To Commodore Sayer, fyc."
Captain O'Brien's trial commenced April 6, 1816; a Court-
Martial having been assembled for that purpose on board the
Cornwallis 74, at Madras, in pursuance of an order addressed
to Captain Henry Weir, of the Thais, by <e Commodore George
Sayer, senior officer in the command of H. M.'s ships and
vessels employed in the East Indies and seas adjacent."
The charges preferred against him on that occasion, were
in substance as follow : —
" For having carried a distinguishing Broad Pendant, and officially de-
signated himself Commodore and Senior Officer of H. M.'s ships and vessels
in the East Indies and Indian seas, in direct disregard and violation of the
Naval Instructions, and in contempt and defiance of the command and au-
thority which had devolved on Captain George Sayer, his senior officer, by
the decease of ReaivAdmiral Sir George Burlton, K. C. B.
" For sending to England, in the Wellesley *, the leaders of a mutiny on
board the Cornwallis, without reference to Commodore Sayer, the only
competent authority to have taken legal measures thereon ; a proceeding
striking at the foundation of all discipline, and fraught with danger to his
Majesty's naval service.
* Captain O'Brien removed himself from the Wellesley to the Corn*
wallis about Nov. 1,1815.
POST-CAPTAfNB OP 1804. 883
" For ordering H. M.'s brig Cameleon to be commissioned while building,
aud appointing a Lieutenant to be Commander of the said vessel, an exer-
cise of authority beyond even what was vested in the late commander-in-
chief: and,
" For disrespect to the Commodore, by styling him Captain Saver, in
various orders issued to other officers of the squadron, exhibiting in him-
self thereby a most dangerous example of disobedience and insubordina-
tion subversive of discipline and injurious in the extreme to his Majesty's
service."
On the llth April, Captain O'Brien having closed his de-
fence, without producing any evidence whatever in his justi-
fication, either oral or documentary, the following sentence was
read by Mr. John Stigant, Acting Judge Advocate :
" At a Court-Martial assembled on board H. M. S. Cornwallis, in Ma-
dras Roads, the 6th day of April 1816, and held by adjournment from day
today (Sunday excepted) until this llth day of April, 1816.
" Present,
" Henry Weir, Esq. Captain of H. M. S. Thais, President.
" Joseph Prior, Esq Acorn.
" Charles Shaw, Esq Termagant.
" John Allen, Esq Tyne.
" Henry Forbes, Esq. Commander of H. M. sloop Challenger.
[Here follows the usual preamble respecting the order for assembling the
Court-Martial, &c. &c.]
" The Court having read the original documents, and certified copies in
corroboration thereof, and having received the prisoner's voluntary admis-
sion of his having taken upon himself the authority of a Commodore ; and
the prisoner producing no evidence in refutation of the charges exhibited
against him j and having very maturely and deliberately weighed and con-
sidered the whole and every part of the charges against him, are of opinion
that the charges are proved, and do therefore adjudge him to be dismissed
'his Majesty's service, and he is hereby dismissed accordingly"
(Signed by the Members, and Acting Judge Advocate.)
The subject of this sketch returned to England as a pas-
senger on board an indiaman, he preferring that mode of
conveyance to the accommodation offered him on board a
King's ship. In Mar. 1817, he was fortunate enough to be
reinstated ; and in June following, we find him publishing a
pamphlet wherein he says that " Ms immediate restoration to
his rank is the best proof, that the Illustrious Character at
the Head of the Government, and the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, w/io recommended it, have acquitted him
honorably of the vile charges laid to him * * * *
******* The reception he has met with at
884 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
the Admiralty satisfies his mind that there is no loss of cha-
racter there ; — and although the discipline of the navy de-
mands that the authority of Courts- Martial should be up-
held, still a feeling of deep regret is manifest there, both at
the constitution of the Court, its proceedings and sentence."
Captain O'Brien having, in his preface, at p. ii., called upon
the officers of the British Army and Navy to mark their de-
cided abhorrence of - the conduct of the parties concerned, but
without enabling them to judge fairly for themselves, we shall
close this brief notice by subjoining a copy of a letter which
he had previously received from the Admiralty in answer to
one from himself requesting their Lordships to determine on
the legality of the Court-Martial, as well as of the sentence
which had had the effect of suspending his rank in the naval
service : —
" Admiralty Office, 15th Nov. 1816.
" Sir, — Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
your letter of the 13th inst. I have it in command to acquaint you in
reply, that their Lordships having examined the minutes of the Court-
Martial held upon you, and considered the sentence, see no reason to doubt
the legality of the same. I am, Sir, &c.
(Signed) " JOHN BARROW/*
" Robert O'Brien, Etq."
Agents.— Messrs. Maude.
KEITH MAXWELL, ESQ.
A brother of Captain Sir Murray Maxwell, C. B. whose
services, as far as our information extends have been de-
scribed at p. 797j et sea.-
This officer was made a Lieutenant in 1794; and obtained
the rank of Commander for his gallant conduct in cutting out
la Chevrette, French national corvette, of 20 nine-pounders and
350 men, from under the batteries in Camaret bay, near Brest,
in the, night of July 21, 1801. This daring exploit stands so
high in point of credit to the British arms, and glory to those
brave officers and men who so nobly achieved it, that we
cannot refrain from entering most fully into the particulars.
In the month of July, 1801, the Doris, Beaulieu, and Uranie frigates,
commanded by Captains Charles Brisbane, Stephen Poyntz, and William
Hall Gage, were anchored near Brest, for the purpose of watching the
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1804. 88b
combined fleets of France and Spain, then lying in that harbour. From
their anchorage they had a full view of Camarct bay, and consequently of
la Chevrette, the commander of which vessel felt himself as secure in that
seemingly impregnable position, as if he had been riding under the imme-
diate protection of his Admiral. The sight of the tri-coloured flag, as on all
former occasions, only served to inspire British seamen with a wish to haul
it down ; and Captain Brisbane, aware of the impatience of his squadron to
make the attempt, resolved to gratify them.
The enemy, having seen some English boats hovering about the bay, at
day-break on the 20th, concluded that an attack was meditated, and al-
though they judged it a measure of extreme rashness, were resolved to
omit no possible preparation. In the morning of the 21st, they got the
corvette under weigh, moved her a mile and a half farther up the bay,
moored her under the batteries, and crowded her decks with troops from
the shore. Temporary redoubts were at the same time thrown up upon
the points, and a vessel mounting two 32-pounders was moored at the
entrance of the bay as a guard-boat. Having taken these precautions, they
in the afternoon displayed a large republican flag above an English ensign,
as a signal of defiance.
All these manoauvres were well observed from the Beaulieu, the crew of
which ship evinced extraordinary ardour to engage in this enterprise.
Lieutenant Maxwell who had just before volunteered to carry a fire vessel
into Brest harbour *, gladly embraced this opportunity of practising his
boat's crew preparatory to the grand object, and resolved, with his Captain's
permission, to head his own shipmates in the attack on la Chevrette. This
resolution, so congenial to their wishes, the Beaulieu's crew heard with
much satisfaction, and at 9-30 P. M. her six boats, manned with about 90
volunteers, formed a junction with seven others belonging to the Doris and
Uranie, and two sent from the Robust of 74 guns. About 9-45 Lieutenant
Woodley Losack, who had been selected by the Admiral to conduct the
enterprise, went with his own and five other boats in pursuit of a small vessel
supposed to be on the look-out, and therefore necessary to be secured.
For a considerable time after he parted company, the remainder of the
boats continued as he had desired them, lying to on their oars and occa-
sionally pulling easy. Finding the senior officer did not return, consider-
ing that the boats were yet at least six miles from the corvette, and aware
of the time requisite to row that distance against a fresh breeze, Lieutenant
Maxwell judged it expedient, in order that the undertaking might have
the best chance of succeeding, to proceed immediately towards the entrance
of the bay ; a situation evidently more eligible for them, should it even be
necessary to delay making the attack, than where they then were. He
therefore, gave way a-head with the boats of the Beaulieu, and arrived within
sight of the enemy about half an hour after midnight.
Having now taken upon himself the command, and made every arrange-
ment for cutting la Chevrette adrift and loosing her sails immediately upon
* See Vol. I. p. 736.
VOL. II. 3 M
886 POST -CAPTAINS OP 1804.
boarding, Lieutenant Maxwell determined to lose no more time in making
the attack, particularly as the wind was favorable for bringing her out of
the bay. The sky being clear, the boats were soon seen by the enemy,
who instantly hailed, and opened a heavy fire of grape and musketry both
from the ship and batteries, by which several men were killed and many
wounded before they got alongside. The attempt to board was then most
obstinately opposed by the French, armed at all points with muskets,
pistols, sabres, tomahawks, and pikes, and who, in their turn, even boarded
the boats.
Notwithstanding this resistance the British gained their point, and in
less than three minutes la^ Chevrette was adrift, with her head towards the
sea, and top-sails ready for sheeting home. The prompt execution of these
operations proved decisive. The moment the enemy saw the sails fall,
and found themselves, as if by a miracle, under way and drifting out, they
were seized with astonishment and consternation. Some of them jumped
overboard, others threw aside their arms, and tumbled down the hatchways.
In less than five minutes the quarter-deck and forecastle were nearly
covered with dead bodies.
The rest of the enemy, having now retreated below, kept up a heavy
fire of musketry from the main and lower-decks. They also frequently
set off large trains of gunpowder, endeavouring to blow up the quarter-
deck, and throw their assailants into confusion. This obliged Lieutenant
Maxwell to divide his men into two parties. One division to guard the
hatchways and gangways, and return the enemy's fire with their own arms
and ammunition * ; the other to make sail ; in order to clear the decks for
which purpose, it was necessary for them to throw overboard two or three
dozen Frenchmen, and several of their own gallant companions who had
fallen in the conflict.
Owing to the wind dying away, la Chevrette wag for a considerable time
exposed to showers of musketry and grape from the shore, but fortunately
the enemy fired too high to annoy the British materially, and a light
breeze springing up, at length enabled them to run her out of gun-shot.
The firing on board continued nearly two hours, during which the
British seamen had managed to get the top-gallant-yards across, and to
set every sail in the ship. Being then clear of the batteries, and Lieutenant
Maxwell having threatened that he would give the surviving Frenchmen
no quarter if they did not instantly submit, they were induced to cease
their opposition, and surrender themselves prisoners of war.
About this period some boats were perceived coming from the direction
of Brest, and Lieutenant Maxwell, supposing them to be enemies, pre-
pared for a fresh conflict, but on nearer approach they proved to be those
with which Lieutenant Losack had gone in chase. Then, and not till then,
did the latter officer lave any thing to do with la Chevrette.
* The British lost all their fire-arms whilst boarding, and had nothing
remaining but their swords when they gained la Chevrette's decks.
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1804.
887
The morning's dawn displayed to the combined fleets of France and
Spam the mortifying spectacle of a republican ship of war brought out in
their immediate presence from a position deemed inaccessible to an enemy,
and proceeding to join the British frigates then at anchor above Point St.
Matthew's. On mustering the boats' crews it was found that 1 1 men had
been killed, 57 wounded, and 1 drowned ; la Chevrette 92, including her
Captain and 6 other officers slain ; and 1 Lieutenant, 4 Midshipmen, and
57 men wounded. Among the British who fell on this brilliant occasion
was Lieutenant Sinclair of the marines, and Mr. Warren, Midshipman of
the Robust. Lieutenants Henry Walter Burke, of the Doris, and Martin
Neville, of the Uranie, 1 Master's Mate and 3 Midshipmen, were the only
officers wounded * :
The credit of this almost unparalleled enterprise was, for a
considerable time, given to Lieutenant Losack, who, as we
have already shown, had been sent from the Admiral's ship
to conduct the attack. Owing to an unfortunate concurrence
of untoward circumstances, the fact of Lieutenant Maxwell
having commanded the boarding party, was not at first com-
municated to the commander-in-chief, Admiral Cornwallis,
but as soon as it was made known to him, he ordered a Court
of Inquiry to be held on board the Mars (Aug. 9, 1801), the
result of which investigation fully satisfied him that the merit
of the achievement was due to Lieut. Maxwell, who shortly
afterwards received a very flattering letter from him, enclosing
a commission as Commander, which the Admiralty had trans-
mitted in a most handsome manner, as a reward for his dis-
tinguished bravery.
Captain Maxwell obtained post rank May 1, 1804 ; and on
the 31st July in the same year we find him commanding the
Tartar frigate on the Jamaica station, and capturing, by means
of her boats, 1'Hirondelle French schooner privateer of 10
* Lieutenant Burke died in Plymouth Hospital of a fever occa-
sioned by a grape-shot wound in his shoulder. He was a brother of the
gallant officer whose name we have mentioned at p. 8/8. Lieutenant
Neville died a Commander, at Honduras, in 1803. He was one of six
brave brothers all of whom perished in his Majesty's service, three by the
sword, himself and two others by ruthless disease. In the conflict above
described he was wounded in the head, breast, and shoulder ; and it is said
that the French Captain fell by his hand in single combat. A memoir of
him will be found in the Naval Chronicle, v. 39, p. 265—274. Lieutenant
Sinclair was killed when in the act of defending a wounded Midshipman,
Mr. Crofton, of the Doris. Many of the men had their arm« cut off by
the enemy's tomahawks when endeavouring to board.
3M2
888 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
4-pounders and 50 men *. He subsequently commanded the
Arab of 22 guns, on the Boulogne and African stations. His
conduct in an action with a Dutch flotilla, off Cape Grisnez,
July 18, 1805, was handsomely noticed by Commodore Owen
as will be seen by reference to p. 131 et seq. of this volume ;
and it may not be amiss to add, as a circumstance highly flat-
tering to the Arab's officers and crew, that on the following
day, she received three cheers from the Immortalite, after
the ceremony of burying their dead.
During this action, a large shell struck the Arab's main-
mast-head, carried away part of the top, and every thing that
came in its way, and finally lodged on the gun -deck. A
sailor, named Clorento, with the most admirable coolness,
instantly endeavoured to extract the fuse, which Mr. Edward
M. Mansell, Master's-Mate, observing, and being more aware
of the danger of a moment's delay, he instantly, with the
assistance of Clorento and two other seamen, got it out of a
port, and a few seconds after the people quartered in the well
and wings were alarmed with the idea of the ship having
struck on a rock, so great were the effects and concussion
from its explosion in the water. This accident did not for
one moment interrupt the fire, not even of the two guns be-
tween which the shell fell ; nor was any one acquainted with
the danger they escaped, by the intrepidity of Mr. Mansell
and his assistants, till some time afterwards, except those
quartered nearest the spot ; as the violent shock the ship
received, in her then situation, could be and was imputed to
various other causes. We mention this as an instance of the
good discipline prevailing among her crew i.
Captain Maxwell's next appointment was, about Jan. 1809,
to the Nymphen a 36- gun frigate ; and in the course of the
same year, the Society of Arts, &c. presented him with their
gold medal for a valuable communication on telegraphs and
telegraphic signals.
The Nymphen formed part of the frigate squadron, under
* See Captain NICHOLAS LOCKYER, C. B.
f The Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's voted Mr. Mansell 50/. and the three
seamen 301. each, for their exertions in the affair of the shell: 125/. re-
ceived from the same source, were afterwards distributed among her
wounded men/ eight in number.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
Lord William Stuart, which forced the passage between the
batteries of Flushing and Cadsand, Aug. llth, 1809; and was
subsequently employed on the North Sea station. An account
of Captain Maxwell's trial by a Court-Martial, for contempt
and disrespect to the late Vice- Admiral Thomas Wells, com-
mander-in-chief at Sheerness, and for retarding the public
service (which ended in a sentence of reprimand and admoni -
tion, Nov. 13, 1809) will be found in the Naval Chronicle,
vol. xxii. pp. 409 and 423 inclusive. Captain Maxwell died
April 22, 1823.
MATTHEW GODWIN, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1794, and a Com-
mander in 1802. His post commission bears date May 8,
1W4.
Agents. — Messrs. Brine and Chards.
HUGH PIGOT, ESQ.
THIS officer is nearly related to Lieutenant- General Sir
George Pigot, whose father commanded the left wing of the
British army at the battle of Bunker's-hill, in North America,
and was presented by his late Majesty with the Colonelcy of
a regiment, for the activity, bravery, and firmness displayed
by him on that memorable occasion.
Captain Pigot obtained post rank, May 8, 1804 ; and sub-
sequently commanded the Alligator, Circe, Latona, Orpheus,
and Nymphe, frigates. In April 180/, he captured 1'Auster-
litz, French privateer, of 18 guns and 125 men.
On the 2d Mar. 1808, the island of Mariegalante, which
had long afforded shelter to the enemy's small cruisers, and
interfered considerably with the blockade of Guadaloupe, was
taken possession of by a detachment of seamen and marines,
under Captain Pigot, who found it in the highest state of cul-
tivation, and a large quantity of colonial produce in the stores.
This service was performed without loss, and Captain Pigot's
arrangements met with due commendation. On the 31&t Oct.
following, he captured the Palineur, French national brig, of
PdST- CAPTAINS OF 1804.
16 guns and 79 men, near Martinique. His ship (the Circe)
sustained a loss of 2 men killed and wounded, owing to the
enemy having sought refuge under a battery on the Diamond
rock. The Palineur paid dearly for her obstinacy, having
had 7 slain and 8 wounded.
At the commencement of 1809, Captain Pigot commanded
the blockading squadron off Guadaloupe, and on the 1 Oth Feb.
in the same year we find him assisting at the capture of la
Junon, French frigate, of 44 guns, which ship had been well
beaten before he could close with her by Captain George
Scott, of the Horatio *. On the 17th April following he wit-
nessed the surrender of d'Hautpoult 74 1 ; and on the 18th
June captured la Felicite", pierced for 42 guns, but having
only 14 of her main-deckers mounted, with a complement of
174 men. She had left Guadaloupe in company with another
frigate, and was loaded with coffee, sugar, &c. for the use of
the mother country.
During the latter part of the war, Captain Pigot was em-
ployed on the American station, where he captured the United
States* ship Frolic of twenty 32-pounder carronades, two
long 18's, 539 tons, and 171 men, April 20, 1814. The Or-
pheus had previously destroyed a privateer of 20, and a letter
of marque mounting 8 guns. In accomplishing the destruc-
tion of the latter vessel, Lieutenant William Martin Collins,
the only person hurt, was mortally wounded.
Agent. — Sir Francis Ommaney, M. P.
JAMES MASTER, ESQ.
THIS officer is distantly related to Viscount Torrington.
He was made a Commander in 1 802, and posted May 8,
1804. We are not aware of his ever having been em-
ployed in any way beyond the common routine of service.
* See p. 147.
f See Vol. I. p. 717.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 891
SALUSBURY PRYCE HUMPHREYS, ESQ.
A Magistrate for the Counties of Buckingham, Chester, nnd Lancaster.
THIS officer is the third son of the late Rev. E. Humphreys
M. A. Rector of Montgomery, in North Wales, and of Clungun-
ford, near Ludlow, in Shropshire, by Mary, eldest daughter
and co-heiress of the late Rev. Salusbury Pryce, D. D.
He was born at Clungunford Rectory, Nov. 24, 1778; and
entered the naval service as a Midshipman on board the Ar-
dent 64, commanded by Captain, now Admiral, Vashon,
during the Spanish armament, in 1790. From that ship he
was removed to the Trusty of 50 guns, bearing the flag of Sir
John Laforey, Bart, commander-in-chief at the Leeward
Islands ; by whom he was successively placed under the pro-
tection of Captains Matthew Squire and Francis Laforey,
commanding the Solebay frigate and Fairy sloop of war, in
which latter vessel he returned to England after the capture
of Tobago, April 15, 1793.
Mr. Humphreys next joined the Severn a 44- gun ship
fitting for the conveyance of Lord Dorchester, his family, and
suite, ^to Quebec, from whence she returned to the home
station in 1794. He subsequently removed with Captain
Paul Minchin into the Hebe frigate, and continued to serve
under that officer, and his successor, the present Vice-Admi-
ral Scott, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by his
patron, Sir John Laforey, at the Leeward Islands, in April,
1796.
We next find Lieutenant Humphreys co-operating with the
army under Sir Ralph Abercromby, during the siege of St.
Lucia ; and the Fury sloop to which he had been appointed
appears to have brought home that officer's despatches rela-
tive to the unsuccessful attack upon Porto Rico, in April,
1797*. His gallant conduct, and a miraculous escape ex-
perienced by him when serving on the coast of Holland, in
Aug. 1799, have already been noticed at pp. 235 et seq. of
this volume.
After the occupation of the Helder, Aug. 28, 1799, Lieu-
tenant Humphreys left the Juno frigate and joined the Isis 50,
* See Vol. I., notes at pp, 134 and 113.
892 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Mitchell, whom he accom-
panied up the Zuyder-Zee, in the Babet of 20 guns *. At
the termination of the expedition against Holland, he was
appointed to the Stag cutter, which vessel formed part of the
squadron sent under Captain Henry Inman, of the Andro-
meda, to attempt the destruction of four French frigates, at
Dunkirk, in the summer of 1800 1» His promotion to the
rank of Commander took place, while serving with Sir An-
drew Mitchell, in the Windsor Castle, April 26, 1802 ; and
his advancement to post rank, while commanding the Pros-
pero bomb, at Portsmouth, May 8, 1804.
In the month of May, 1806, Captain Humphreys was ap-
pointed to the Leander of 50 guns, at Halifax; but removed
shortly after his arrival there into the Leopard, of similar force,
a more efficient ship, which had been sent from England to
receive the flag of the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, com-
mander-in-chief on the American station.
From the circumstance of Vice-Admiral Berkeley living
principally on shore, the Leopard was employed as a private
ship, in common with the rest of the squadron ; and thus it
was that Captain Humphreys had to perform a very unplea-
sant duty, the nature of which will be seen by the following
official documents : —
" By the Hon. G. C. Berkeley, Pice-Admiral of the White,
Commander-in-Chiefy fyc. fyc. fyc.
" Whereas many seamen, subjects of his Britannic Majesty, and serving1
in his ships and vessels, as per margin J, while at anchor in the Chesapeake,
deserted and entered on board the United States' frigate, called the Chesa-
peake, and openly paraded the streets of Norfolk, in sight of their officers,
under the American flag§, protected by the magistrates of the town and
the recruiting officer belonging to the above-mentioned American frigate,
which magistrates and naval officer refused giving them up, although de-
manded by his Britannic Majesty's Consul, as well as the Captains of the
ships from which the said men had deserted.
" The Captains and Commanders of his Majesty's ships and vessels
* See Vol. I. note at p. 415 et seq.
f See Vol. II. Part I. p. 290.
J Bellona, Bcllcislc, and Triumph 74'sj Chicester store-ship, Halifax
sloop, and Zenobia cutter.
§ See Captain LORD JAMES TOWNSHUND.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 893
under my command are therefore hereby required and directed, in case of
meeting with the American frigate the Chesapeake at sea, and without the
limits of the United States, to shew to the Captain of her this order, and
to require to search his ship for the deserters from the before-mentioned
ships, and to proceed and search for the same ; and if a similar demand
should be made by the American, he is to be permitted to search for any
deserters from their service, according to the customs and usage of civilized
nations, on terms of peace and amity with each other.
" Given under my hand at Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 1, 1807.
(Signed) " G. C. BERKELEY."
" To the respective Captains and Commanders
of his Majesty1 s Ships and Vessels on the
North American station."
H. M. S. Bellona, off Willoughby's Point, Virginia,
June 23, 180?.
" Sir, — I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter, I received
this evening, from Captain Humphreys, of H. M. S. Leopard, representing
to me, that in carrying your orders of the 1st instant into execution, he
was under the necessity of firing into the U. S. frigate Chesapeake ; and
am sorry to say, that I have been informed several men were killed and
wounded on board her. The Chesapeake is returned to Hampton roads,
and as she passed us this morning, I observed that her hull, masts, and
sails had suffered material injury. As Captain Humphreys has so fully
explained every circumstance, it becomes unnecessary for me to say more
on this subject — only that I beg leave to state, I am perfectly convinced
Captain Humphreys could not have fulfilled your instructions, without
having recourse to the measures which he adopted. I have the honor
to be, &c.
(Signed) " J. E. DOUGLAS."
" To the Hon. Vice-Admiral Berkeley, #<?. Halifax."
" H. M. S. Leopard, at Sea, 22d June, 1807-
" Sir, — In obedience to your signal this morning, to weigh and recon-
noitre S. E. by E. I have the honor to acquaint you, that having arrived
off Cape Henry, to the distance of about four or five leagues, I bore up,
pursuant to orders from the commander-in-chief, to search for deserters
on board the United States' frigate Chesapeake. On arriving within haH,
an officer was despatched, according to my instructions, to show the order
to her commander, together with the following note from myself: —
" ' The Captain of his Britannic Majesty's ship Leopard has the honor
to enclose the Captain of the United States' frigate Chesapeake, an order
from the Hon. Vice-Admiral Berkeley, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's
ships on the North American station, respecting some deserters from ships,
therein mentioned, under his command, and supposed now to be serving
as a part of the crew of the Chesapeake.
" ' The Captain of the Leopard will not presume to say any thing in
addition to what the commander-in-chief has stated, more than to express
a hope, that every circumstance respecting them may be adjusted in such
804 POST-CAPTAINS -OF 1804.
a manner, that the harmony subsisting between the two countries may
remain undisturbed.'
" The boat, after an absence of three quarters of an hour, returned with
the following answer : —
" ' I know of no such men as you describe ; the officers that were on
the recruiting service for this ship, were particularly instructed by the
government, through me, not to enter any deserters from his Britannic
Majesty's ships : nor do I know of any being here.
'"I am also instructed, never to permit the crew of any ship that I
command to be mustered by any other but her own officers : it is my dis-
position to preserve harmony j and I hope this answer to your despatch
will prove satisfactory,
" ' JAMES BARRON,
" ' Commander of the U. S. ship Chesapeake *.'
" On the receipt of this letter, motives of humanity, and an ardent
desire to prevent bloodshed, induced me, if possible, to endeavour to make
the search, without recurring to more serious measures, by repeatedly
hailing and remonstrating, but without effect. I then directed a shot to be
fired across the bow ; after which he was again hailed : the answers again
were equally evasive. Conceiving, therefore, that my orders would not
admit of deviation, I lament to state, that I felt myself under the necessity
of enforcing them, by firing into the United States' ship: a few shot were
returned, but none struck this ship. At the expiration of ten minutes
from the first shot being fired, the pendant and ensign of the Chesapeake
were lowered. I then gave the necessary directions for her being searched,
according to my instructions ; and herewith send you a statement of the
number and names of the deserters found on board. Several other English
subjects composed part of the crew of the frigate ; but as they did not
claim the protection of the British flag, and were not within the limits of
my orders from the Commander-in-chief, I therefore allowed them to
remain *f\
" After the search bad been made, and previous to separation, the
American Captain sent me a note, which, with my answer, I have the
honor to subjoin, &c. &c.
(Signed) • b"S. P. HUMPHREYS."
< " To John Erskine Douglas, Esq.
Captain of H. M. S. Bellona."
• * He at the time was a Commodore, and had a Captain (Charles
Gordon) serving under him.
•f- Four men belonging to the Melampus frigate and Halifax sloop were
seized as deserters ; about twelve men and boys, British subjects, were
allowed to remain on board the Chesapeake for the reasons stated above.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 805
COP? OF A LETTER FROM COMMODORE BARRON TO
CAPTAIN HUMPHREYS.
" Sir, — I consider the frigate Chesapeake as your prize, and am ready to
deliver her to any officer authorised to receive her. By the return of the
boat I shall expect your answer ; and have the honor to be, Sir, your most
obedient humble servant,
(Signed) " JAMES BARRON."
" At Sea, June 22, 1807."
ANSWER.
" H. M. S. Leopard, at Sea, June 22, 1807.
" Sir, — Having, to the utmost of my power, fulfilled the instructions
of my commander-in-chief, I have nothing more to desire ; and must, in
consequence, proceed to join the remainder of the squadron, repeating,
that I am ready to give you every assistance in my power; and do most
sincerely deplore, that any lives should have been lost in the execution of
a service which might have been adjusted more amicably, not only with
respect to ourselves, but to the nations to which we respectively belong.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) " S. P. HUMPHREYS *."
Vice-Admiral Berkeley's approbation of the conduct of
Captain Humphreys on this occasion was conveyed to him in
a letter of which the following is a copy : —
" Halifax, July 4, 1807.
" Dear Sir, — I received Captain Douglas's account, with your official
letter, of the transaction which took place on the 22d ult. with the Ame-
rican frigate ; and as far as I am enabled to judge by it, you have conducted
yourself most properly. It is a matter, however, that will create much
discussion, and I trust you have taken minutes of every thing which passed
between the time of your boat coming on board, and the time when you
were compelled to act with decision. I have despatched a cutter to
England with every circumstance which has hitherto reached me, and Mrs.
Humphreys is apprised of your perfect safety, and of your having fulfilled
my directions. I hope you mind the public accounts which have been
published of this affair as little as I do ; we must make allowances for the
heated state of the populace, in a country where law, and every tie, both
civil and religious, is treated so lightly. It is the business of the French
party to inflame the minds of the multitude, and possibly it may be the
inclination of their rulers to fan that flame. The Norfolk newspaper ap-
pears to me, to have other views in its abuse of you and the English nation,
which in due time will be developed. I have left the arrangement of the
ships in the Chesapeake to the direction of Captain Douglas, as their
operations must be governed so much by local events, that it is impossible
* The American ship had 3 men killed, 8 badly, and 10, including the
Commodore, slightly wounded.
896 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804;
for me to give decisive opinions, until I receive his Majesty's ministers'
oflicial documents, by which I must be governed in my future conduct,
a*********"** » *.I remain, with great
truth, your's very sincerely,
(Signed) " G. BERKELEY."
The correspondence which ensued between Captain Douglas
and the Mayor of Norfolk, already alluded to at p. 652 of our
first volume, the resolutions of the citizens of New York ;
and the proclamation of President Jefferson, requiring all
armed vessels, bearing commissions under the government of
Great Britain, immediately and without delay to depart from
within the harbours and waters of the United States, are given
at length in the Navfil Chronicle for 1807 *. An official
letter from Colonel John Hamilton, the British Consul at
Norfolk, in Virginia, to Captain Douglas, dated June 25, 1807,
describing the violent conduct of the inhabitants of that town
and Hampton, is also given in the 28th volume of the same
work, from which we make the following extract : —
" I have this moment the honor of your letter of the 23d instant, with
the copy of that written to you by Captain Humphreys, explaining the
circumstances under which he found himself obliged, in the execution of
his orders from the commander-in-chief, to fire into the United States'
ship of war the Chesapeake. However sincerely I deplore with you that
a mutual accommodation for the search for deserters being refused by
Commodore Barren, under his construction of the orders of his govern-
ment, rendered it necessary, on the part of the Captain of H. M. ship
Leopard, in pursuance of his orders, to resort to force, yet I am happy to
find, that the firmness and moderation which he employed, previous to the
last appeal, were such, as might have been expected from Captain Hum-
phreys, no less as a British officer, than in his individual capacity."
It is imposible for us to enter into the detail of the volu-
minous correspondence which afterwards took place be-
tween the governments of Great Britain and America. By
what has been stated, it must be sufficiently evident, that
from the commencement to the close of the affair between
the Leopard and the Chesapeake, the behaviour of Captain
Humphreys was not only unimpeachable, but, in a very high
degree, praise-worthy. We cannot but regret that those
ships, under the same commanders, had not been opposed to
each other during the late conflict with America, although
* See Nav. Chron. Vol. XVIII., pp. 118 to 128 inclusive.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 897
the British " line-of-battle ship *" was inferior in size'
weight of metal, and men, to the United States' " 36-gun fri-
gate/' there is very little reason to suppose that the result
would not have been similar to that of their encounter in
1807. This, however, was not to be the case — Captain Hum-
phreys having returned to England with his Admiral in 1 808,
has ever since been on half-pay ; his sword converted into a
ploughshare, and his naval uniform exchanged for a magis-
terial gown. Commodore Barron being tried by a court-
martial for his conduct, was sentenced to be suspended from
all command in the American navy for five years, and to
receive no pay during that period — the President confirmed
this sentence ; and he has never since been employed afloat f.
Captain Humphreys married, first, in 1805, Jane, eldest
daughter and co -heiress of John Tirel-Morin, of Weedon
Lodge, near Aylesbury, Bucks, and Hanover Square, London,
Esq. By that lady, who died in 1808, he had one son, upon
whom his grandfather's estate is entailed. Secondly, May 31,
1810, Maria, daughter and heiress of William Davenport, of
Bramall Hall, near Stockport in Cheshire, Esq. by whom he.
has issue five sons and two daughters. His eldest brother,
Thomas, a D. D. and one of the six residentiary Prebendaries
of Chester cathedral, changed his name to that of Trevor, on
the death of an uncle whose property he inherits, and married
the eldest daughter of the late Chancellor Briggs, of the same
diocese. Another brother, John, is in the law.
Agent* M'Inerheny, Esq.
JOHN TOWER, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant in 1797 > Commander
in 1802; and Post-Captain May 8, 1804. He subsequently
commanded the Camilla, Iris, and Curacoa frigates ; the
* See Commodore Barron's report to the Secretary of the American
navy, in Nov. Chron. Vol. XXVIII. p. 35/ et seg.
t The Leopard mounted 22 long 24-pounders, 22 twelves, 2 nines, and
six 24-pounder carronades— total 52 guns. The Chesapeake had 28 long
eighteens, 2 twelves, and 16 32-pounder carronades. The former was
1044 tons burthen ; and had on board 356 officers, men, and boys (in-
cluding 13 supernumeraries); the latter 1135 tons, with 415 of her re-
gular crew on board, besides several passengers.
898 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
latter employed in active co-operation with the Spanish pa-
triots on the coast of Catalonia. Among the prizes taken by
him at different periods were the Marsouin and Venus, French
privateers, each mounting 14 guns, and carrying in the whole
127 men.
On the 27th June 1812, the Curagoa had 6 men killed and
wounded in an affair on the coast of Genoa, already noticed
at p. 293 of this volume. On the 20th May, 1813, three
feluccas of considerable tonnage, deeply laden, were scuttled
by the enemy, and sunk in the harbour of Campo del Porto,
Elba, the marines and boats of the Curagoa and T Aigle having
first paved the way by routing a considerable body of military,
taking a battery of two 12-pounders, and a tower with a
6-pounder mounted on the martello principle, besides killing
several of the enemy, and making a few prisoners. On the
following morning, the boats captured three settees ; and on
the 28th two feluccas of the largest class were taken by them
from the beach, at Mesea, near Port Especia : in the per-
formance of this latter service, the British had 3 men killed
and 5 wounded.
Agents.*— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
KENNETH MACKENZIE, ESQ.
THIS officer completed his time as a Midshipman under the
flag of the late Sir Henry Harvey, K. B. by whom he was
made a Lieutenant and appointed to the Requin brig, at the
Leeward Islands, in 1798. He subsequently commanded a
small sloop employed as a tender to the Daphne of 20 guns,
on the same station.
After taking several privateers and recapturing many mer-
chant vessels, Mr. Mackenzie established his character as a
brave officer, by boarding and carrying 1'Eclair a French
national schooner, moored under the batteries at Trois Ri-
vieres, Guadaloupe, and fully prepared for action. The par-
ticulars of this exploit are thus detailed by Rear-Admiral
Duckworth in a letter to the Admiralty, dated Feb. 9, 1801 :
" Captain Matson, of the Daphne, informs me that on the 16th ultimo,
observing some coasters near the shore, under convoy of a schooner, he
detached Lieutenant Mackenzie, with the boats of the Cyane, under Lieu-
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 899
tenant Peacliey ; but on their approaching, all the enemy's vessels succeeded
in getting under cover of the batteries at Basseterre, one excepted, which
anchored near Vieux fort, but in the course of the night was boarded and
brought off by Lieutenant Mackenzie, under a heavy cannonade. The next
morning they observed, from the Saintes, the above-mentioned schooner
work up in shore, and anchor at Trois Rivieres, covered by a battery, and
flanked by two others, Notwithstanding these difficulties, Lieutenants
Mackenzie and Peachey volunteered to bring her out, which Captain
Matson was at last prevailed upon to sanction j but, for want of wind, this
gallant attempt was not made until after sun-rise on the 18th, when Mr.
Mackenzie, in a manner which exceeds all praise, ran the schooner on
board, though a superior enemy, and evidently prepared for him. He
then entered with Lieutenant Peachey and 30 men, and after a contest of
fifteen minutes, succeeded in bringing her off under a most tremendous fire
from the batteries, she being moored so close to the shore as to have a
stern hawser fast on the beach. In this contest the French Captain, his
2 Lieutenants, and 6 men, were wounded ; besides 1 killed and 2 drowned.
In the tender, 2 men were killed and 3 wounded. Though I was not an
observer of this exploit, which appears to be amongst the first traits of
gallantry in the course of the war, their Lordships will be able to appre-
ciate the value of Lieutenant Mackenzie's conduct, which, I must further
add, is, in its probable consequences, of the greatest moment to the trade
of our islands, as 1'Eclair sails rapidly, and when fully armed will carry
12 six-pounders, besides 20 one and a half-pounder brass guns, mounted as
swivels. She was going to Point Petre to complete her armament, having
left Rochefort with only 4 brass 4-pounders, the 20 small guns and 50
men."
For this gallant action, Lieutenant Mackenzie was de-
servedly rewarded with the command of 1'Eclair, in which
vessel he continued till the peace of Amiens, when he ob-
tained the rank of Commander and was appointed to the
Guachapin a small brig of 14 guns, in which vessel we find
him assisting at the capture of Tobago and St. Lucia, soon
after the renewal of hostilities in 1803. His zealous conduct
during the expedition against Surinam, in 1804, has already
been noticed at p. 800 of this volume.
Captain Mackenzie's next appointment was to the Hippo-
menes of 14 guns, a much more desirable vessel than the
Guachapin, but wretchedly manned, her crew consisting
chiefly of discontented foreigners.
On the 21st June, 1804, he fell in with one of the largest
privateers belonging to Guadaloupe, le Buonaparte, of 18
Iong9-pounders and 146 men. Captain Mackenzie was then
cruising to windward of Antigua, and had disguised his ship
900 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1*804.
as a Guineaman, purposely to decoy the enemy's cruisers.
The stratagem succeeded in this instance, and an action com-
menced with tolerable spirit on both sides. In the course of
ten or twelve minutes, le Buonaparte became entangled with
her antagonist, and Captain Mackenzie instantly ordered the
enemy's bowsprit to be lashed to his own mainmast : he
then jumped on her deck, sword in hand, followed by his
officers and a few brave seamen ; but unfortunately the re-
mainder of his crew shrunk from so close a contest. With
this small force, however, he obtained a footing, the French-
men retreating abaft the main-mast, where they rallied on
finding that their assaillants were not more than 18 in number.
Of this gallant little band, 5 were killed, 8 wounded, and
j;he remainder obliged to retreat. Only 9, including 4 of the
wounded, succeeded in regaining their own ship before the
lashing gave way, and le Buonaparte made off under all sail,
her commander having no wish to renew the combat, and the
Hippomenes being left without a single officer capable of
giving orders for pursuit, even if her dastardly crew had felt
inclined to obey them. Captain Mackenzie himself received
many severe wounds, and fell senseless in the Hippomenes'
main-chains the moment he had quitted the enemy. Le
Buonaparte's loss has never been ascertained.
In 1806, we find Captain Mackenzie commanding the Carys-
fort 28, and assisting at the capture of la Lutine, French na-
tional brig, of 18 guns and 100 men, from 1'Orient bound to
Martinique, with despatches * ; his subsequent appointments
were to the Champion 24, and Venus frigate, in which latter
ship he continued until the termination of the war in 1814.
On the 10th June 1815, he obtained a pension of 250/. per
annum, for the wounds he had received in the above action,
the effects of which, we have reason to believe, were a source
of great affliction to his family for some time previous to his
demise. He died at Salisbury, Nov. 5, 1824; aged 45
years
/ See Vol. I. p. 779.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
EDWARD HAWKER, ESQ.
901
THIS officer is a son of the late Captain James Hawker,
who commanded the Hero 74, forming part of Commodore
Johnstone's squadron, at Porto Praya, in 1781 *.
He received his first commission in 1796? and subsequently
served as senior Lieutenant of the Garland and Thames fri-
gates. In June 1803, he was appointed to the command of
the Swift, hired cutter ; and from her promoted into the
Mignonne sloop of war. His post commission bears date
June 6, 1804.
A narrative of Captain Hawker's proceedings in the The-
seus 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Dacres, during a
hurricane encountered by that ship and 1'Hercule of the same'
force, between Sept. 4 and 15, 1804, will be found in the
Naval Chronicle, at p. 477 et seq. of the 12th volume,
Immediately after this event, Captain Hawker was removed
into the Tartar frigate, and sent from Jamaica to the Halifax
station, where he captured I'Observateur, French national
brig, of 18 guns and 104 men, June 9, 1806. In the course
of the same year, he exchanged ships with Captain Poyntz of
the Melampus ; the Tartar being ordered to England under
reduced masts, in consequence of the damages she had sus-
tained in a recent hurricane.
At the commencement of 1809, we find Captain Hawker
convoying a fleet of transports from Halifax to Barbadoes ;
and afterwards capturing le Colibri, another French brig of
war mounting 16 guns, with a complement of 92 men, having
on board 570 barrels of flour and a large quantity of gunpow-
der, for the relief of St. Domingo. The enemy's vessel on
this occasion had the temerity to fire into the Melampus after
she had got fairly alongside, and did not surrender until 3 of
her crew were killed and 12 wounded. In Dec. following,
Captain Hawker intercepted le Beauharnois of 16 guns and
109 men, laden with flour and warlike stores, from Bayonne
bound to Guadaloupe. The Melampus, in effecting this cap-
ture, had 2 men wounded ; the enemy, through persisting in
her endeavours to escape, one man killed and several persons
much injured.
* See Vol. T. note * at p. 268 et seq.
VOL. If. 3 N
902 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804,
After assisting at the reduction of Guadaloupe *, and cap-
turing, in company with the Driver sloop of war, la Fantome,
French letter of marque, pierced for 20 guns, with a comple-
ment of 74 men ; Captain Hawker returned to the Halifax
station, where he continued till 1812, at which period the
Melampus was ordered to England, and put out of commission.
He subsequently commanded the Bellerophon 74, and Salis-
bury 58, bearing the flag of Sir Richard G. Keats at New-
foundland, from whence he returned with that officer at the
expiration of his government and command. Proceeding
thither, in Dec. 1813, the Bellerophon captured le Genie
French privateer, of 16 guns and 73 men.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, ESQ.
THIS officer, a grand nephew of the late Earl of Crawford,
was made a Lieutenant in 1797 5 and had the good fortune
to escape the melancholy fate of his shipmates in the Queen
Charlotte, when burnt near Leghorn, Mar. 17? 1800 f. He
received the Turkish gold medal for his subsequent services
in Egypt ; and was successively advanced to the rank of
Commander and Post- Captain, by his patron, the late Admiral
Viscount Keith. At the renewal of the war with France, in
1803, he obtained the command of the Amethyst frigate ; and
in June 1804, he was dismissed from that ship, and placed at
the bottom of the list of Captains, by the sentence of a Court r
Martial, held at Sheerness, for misconduct in an action with
four Dutch vessels, off the coast of Norway. He died at
Bath, Mar. 15, 1825.
CHARLES RICHARDSON, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bat It.
THIS officer entered the naval service as a Midshipman on
board the Vestal of 28 guns, commanded by Sir Richard I.
Strachan, Nov. 19, 1787- In that .ship he made two long
voyages from England ; one to the Straits of Banca, the other.
* See Vol. I. p. 265.
t See p. 418 et seq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 903
to Bombay * ; and from her he removed with his patron into
the Phoenix 36, attached to the squadron under Commodore
Cornwallis on the East India station, where he saw much
active service during the war with Tippoo Saib, being em-
ployed for several months in boats sent up the different rivers
toco-operate with the Malabar army under Sir Robert Aber-
crombie. He was also present in the action between the
Phoenix and la Resolu, occasioned, as we have already stated,
by the pertinacity of the French commander in refusing to
allow some suspected vessels under his convoy to be examined
for contraband stores f.
On his return to England, in 1793, Mr. Richardson joined
the Alexander 74, fitting at Chatham ; from which ship he
removed, after passing his examination, in the spring of
1794, to the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir
Alexander Hood, under whom he served in the battles of
May 29, and June 1, 1794 J. On the 4th Aug. following,
he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and appointed to
the Circe 28, of which frigate he was first Lieutenant during
the general mutiny at the Nore, in 1797 : on that occasion
the rebellious seamen made strong efforts to obtain the com-
mand of the Circe, but were prevented by the firmness of her
Captain and his officers, to whom the thanks of the Admi-
ralty were afterwards given for their judicious conduct at that
alarming juncture §.
In our memoir of Vice-Admiral Halkett we have stated
that the Circe formed part of the squadron left off the Texel
under Sir Henry Trollope, to watch the Dutch fleet ; and that
she was one of Admiral Duncan's repeaters in the battle off
Camperdown. We have now to add, that her first Lieute-
nant was the officer who conveyed the Batavian comniander-
in-chief from his late flag-ship to the Venerable.— Observing
the Vryheid dismasted and silenced, and thinking it probable
that Admiral de Winter would endeavour to get on board
some other ship of his fleet, then near him and still in action,
Lieutenant Richardson volunteered to go on board in a boat
* See Vol. I. p. 284.
f See id. p. 285 j and Vol. II. Part I. note t at p. 319.
J See Vol. I. p. 246.
§ See id. p. 573.
3N2
904 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
and take him out, which he accomplished without accident,
rowing clear of the enemy's fire, and presenting him in per-
son to the British Admiral.
On his return to port, Lord Duncan, as a mark of his ap-
probation, applied for Mr. Richardson to be appointed one of
his Lieutenants, and he was accordingly removed into the Ve-
nerable, on promotion. He subsequently served with the same
gallant veteran in the Kent 74, arid we find him commanding
a detachment of seamen, attached to Sir Ralph Abercromby's
army, from the period of debarkation near the Helder, until
the surrender of the Dutch squadron under Rear- Admiral
Storey, in Aug. 1799 *. The nature of the service in which
he was personally engaged will be seen by the following ex-
tract from his Lordship's public letter to the Admiralty : —
" I shall not enter into a detail of the landing of the troops, or what
happened on Tuesday, as their Lordships will have that stated by Vice-
Admiral Mitchell ; suffice it to say, the troops rowed towards the shore at
day-break, and landed, though immediately opposed by numbers, and from
that time till half-past four P. M. were continually in action."
Lieutenant Richardson returned from the Texel in com-
mand of a Dutch 68-gun ship ; but afterwards rejoined the
Kent and served under Lord Duncan till that nobleman's re-
signation, at the commencement of 1800. He subsequently
accompanied the present Sir W. Johnstone Hope to the coast
of Egypt f, assisted at the landing of the British troops in
Aboukir bay, and was present in the battle of Mar. 8, 1801.
His next appointment was, as first Lieutenant, to the Pene-
lope frigate, commanded by the Hon. Henry Blackwood, with
whom he continued on the Mediterranean station till the
spring of 1802.
The Penelope, after refitting at Portsmouth, was ordered to
convey Sir Alexander I. Ball and suite to Malta. Lieutenant
Richardson, on his arrival at that island, was promoted to the
command of the Alligator a 28-gun frigate, armed en flute*
On his return to England, in April, 1803, he was sent to join
Commodore Hood on the West India station ; and he appears
to have been entrusted by that officer with the direction of a
flotilla employed in the reduction of Demerara, Essequibo,
* See Vol. I. p. 415 et se<j.
t See id. p. 512.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 905
and Berbice, in Sept. 1803. His conduct during the opera-
tions against Surinam between April 25 and May 5, 1804, an
account of which will be found at p. 797 et seq., was highly
spoken of both in the naval and military despatches relative
to the conquest of that colony, and led to his further advance-
ment ; the Commodore appointing him to command the Cen-
taur 74, vice Captain Maxwell, and the Admiralty confirming
that appointment by a commission dated Sept. 27 in the same
year.
Captain Richardson returned home with Sir Samuel Hood
in the spring of 1805 ; and on the 2d Jan. 1806 was appointed
to the Caesar 80, bearing the flag of his old friend and patron
Sir R. I. Strachan, then about to sail in pursuit of a squadron
which had recently escaped from Brest. Towards the end of
1807, we find him employed off Rochefort, and in Feb. 1808
accompanying the same officer to the Mediterranean in quest
of another French squadron under Rear-Admiral Allemand,
who, however, had the good fortune to reach Toulon without
molestation.
On the 23d Feb. 1809, the Caesar, then bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral Stopford, but still commanded by Captain
Richardson, assisted at the destruction of three French fri-
gates in the Sable d'Olonne, and on that occasion sustained
considerable damage in her bowsprit and rigging, by the fire
from several batteries under which they had sought refuge *.
She was also present at the attack made upon the enemy's
fleet in Aix roads, April 11, 1809 fj and appears to have
been one of the ships which passed the French batteries and
brought up at that anchorage, with a view of renewing the
attack in the evening of the following day. Her loss, accord-
ing to Lord Gambler's official return, consisted of 3 persons
killed, and 1 man missing, supposed to have been drowned.
In July following, Captain Richardson was attached to the
Walcheren expedition; the object, conduct, and result of which,
have been so much canvassed, and are now so generally
known, as to render it unnecessary for us to offer an opinion
thereon. The following extracts from official and other well-
* See Vol. I.p.'617.
t See »W. pp. 84 and 356,
906 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
authenticated documents, will shew the manner in which the
subject of this memoir was employed : —
Sir Richard I. Strachan to the Admiralty, Aug. 4, 1809.
" As soon as the ships were secured [in the Roompot], measures were
instantly taken to land the army on the island of Walcheren. I did not
wait for the gun-boats coming up, but ordered those who happened to be
near the Venerable, together with the mortar-brigs, to push in shore,
cover the landing, and force the Derhaak battery.
" Having accomplished this first object, I lost no time in directing the
bombs and gun-vessels to proceed up the Veere Gat, off Camvere ; and
having given Sir Home Popham permission to employ them as the service
might require, he the next morning (July 31) began to cannonade Cam-
vere, which had been summoned, but held out. The fire of the gun-boats
was exceedingly well-directed, and did much damage to the town. The
officers and men engaged in that service had a great claim to my admira-
tion for their conduct. Three of our gun-boats were sunk. In the after-
noon it blew fresh, and as the strength of the tide prevented the boats from
acting, I directed the flotilla to fall back, preserving a menacing position.
" At night, Captain Richardson, of the Csesar, who was in the dyke on
shore, threw some rockets at the nearest battery of Camvere, and soon
after the commanding officer of the town sent out an offer to surrender. A
copy of the terms acceded to by Lieutenant-General Eraser, and Captain
Richardson, the senior naval officer on the spot, accompanies this letter*."
Rear- Admiral W. A. Otway to Sir R. I. Strachan, Aug. 16, 1809.
" I have the honor to enclose for your information, a report from Cap_
tain Richardson of H. M. S. Caesar, who commanded the brigade of sea-
men that landed on the 30th ult. with the division of the army under
the orders of Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, K, B. ; and I beg
leave to add, that I am authorised by the Lieutenant-General, who com-
manded the siege of Flushing, and under whose orders the naval brigade
more immediately acted ; as likewise by Major-General M'Leod, com-
manding officer of the royal artillery, to express their high approbation of
the bravery and zeal so very conspicuous in the conduct of Captains
Richardson and Blarney, and the whole of the officers and men under their
command, during the continuance of a long and most arduous service."
Captain Charles Richardson to Rear-Admiral Otway, Aug. 16, 1809.
" I beg leave to inform you, that in obedience to your general order
issued on the 28th ultimo, I landed with the army on the sand-hills, near
the signal-post on the island of Walcheren, on the 30th ultimo. The
officers and seamen you did me the honor to place under my orders, were
composed of three divisions, having charge of nine pieces of ordnance,
which were drawn and worked by them. At 8 A. M. on the 31st, the left
» See Naval Chronicle, vol. 22, p. 146. N. B. Camvere was strong in
its defences, and had a garrison of 509 men.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1804. 907
division took post before Ter Verre *, and joined in the attack of that
place, throwing several cases of rockets into it with good effect; during
the night a dag of truce was received, and the terms of capitulation agreed
to and signed by Lieutenant-General Fraser and myself. On the 1st instant,
the troops quitted Ter Verre, on their way to fort Raminekena, when we
were constantly employed in the construction of works, and drawing heavy
cannon, till it also capitulated on the 3d at night f. The detachment then
proceeded to East Zouberg, and were employed day and night in cutting
fascines, erecting batteries, and drawing heavy ordnance into them -, the
artillery horses being found inadequate to perform that service from the
narrow roads, darkness of the night, and difficulty of driving clear of the
ditches, into which they had thrown several 24-pounder guns and carriages.
This important duty, from the heavy rains and soft muddy soil, was attended
with the greatest difficulty and fatigue.
"After having assisted in mounting all the batteries, and otherwise com-
pleting them, on the 12th, General Sir Eyre. Coote honored me with the
command of a new work just lined out for six 24-pounders ; we made
every possible exertion to complete it under a galling fire from the enemy's
ramparts, distant only 600 yards ; during the day four were killed and one
wounded in the battery. At sun-rise on the 14th, we opened a most de-
structive fire on the rampart and town in front of us, and in two hours
every gun we could bear upon was silent. Our fire waa kept up incessantly
until about 7 P. M., when I received an order to cease, as did all the other
works. We immediately put the battery in a state for renewing the fire,
if found necessary ; and at nine we opened again by order, with still greater
effect, and continued our fire until two o'clock, when we ceased, by order,
the French General having agreed to capitulate on the basis of the garrison
becoming prisoners of war. I cannot conclude this report, without as-
suring you that I have received every possible support from Captain
Blarney, and the Lieutenants of the different ships under my orders } and
I beg to recommend them to your attention and protection J,"
" Letters from Flushing," by an officer of the 81st regiment, (p. 155.)
" Of the batteries which chiefly distinguished themselves in the bom-
bardment, one of them commanded by Captain Richardson-, of the Caesar,
astonished us all. It consisted of six 24-pounders, and played on the
enemy incessantly. Every discharge seemed to be followed by a vast crash
and ruin in the town. I must observe, by the way, that the seamen arc all
* Camvere.
t The occupation of fort Ramraekens by the British, completed the in-
vestment of Flushing — Middleburgh, the capital of Walcheren, having
previously surrendered. It also enabled the small armed vessels and gun-
boats to pass through the Slough into the Western Scheldt, for the pur-
pose of preventing succours from reaching the enemy by the canal of
Ghent.
* Lieutenants John Wyborn, — Nicholson, Eaton Travers, -
— Howell, — Medway, and — Hall.
908 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1804.
engineers, and manage the batteries as well, I had almost said better, than
any of our artillery officers. They fire their batteries by broadsides, and
the reports of the individual pieces are seldom distinguishable. They al-
ways play, moreover, against a certain point till they have demolished it.
* * * *. Their 6-gun battery invariably went off as if only one gun."
Early in 1810, Captain Richardson was ordered to Lisbon,
where he exchanged into the Semirainis frigate, about the
month of April in the same year. On the 24th Aug. 181 1, he
undertook a very daring and hazardous enterprise, in com-
pany with Captain William Ferris, of the Diana, the parti-
culars of which are contained in the subjoined letters on
service : —
" Captain Ferris to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Williams.
" I have the honor to inform you, that, while standing towards the Cor-
dovan light-house, in company with H. M.S. Semirainis, in the afternoon
of the 24th instant, I discerned four sail inside of the shoals at the mouth
of the Gironde, under escort of a national brig of war. I meditated either
their capture or destruction, which could only be accomplished by artifice
and promptitude, without the sacrifice of many lives. Stratagem was used,
which had the desired effect, as they sent a vessel, with pilots, to our as-
sistance, and I anchored, after dark, the two ships midway between the
Cordovan and Royan, under whose guns the brig had taken refuge, and
close to the brig stationed for the protection of the several convoys passing
either way. I despatched three boats, under the orders of Lieutenant
Sparrow, Lieutenant Roper, and Mr. Holmes, Master's-mate, from this
ship, seconded by four boats, under the orders of Lieutenants Gardner,
Grace, and Nicholson, and Mr. Reneau, Master's-mate, from the Semiramis,
to capture or destroy the convoy then anchored up the river, about four
miles distant ; but the tide prevented their accomplishing it until late in
the night ; and at day-light, finding the captured vessels with the boats far
up the river beyond the two brigs, I determined to attack the latter with
the ships, but not without using the same artifice as before to prevent sus-
picion * j and so convinced were they of our being friends, that the Captain
of the port, Monsieur Dubourg, Capitaine de fregate, and commanding the
in-shore brig, came on board to offer his services, and was not undeceived
until he had ascended the quarter-deck. The Diana laid the outer brig on
board, and Lieutenant Robert White Parsons (first Lieutenant), Lieutenant
Madden R. M., and Mr. George M. Noble (Boatswain), headed about 30
seamen and marines, as many as could be spared by the absence of the
boats, and succeeded in getting possession of H. M. late gun-brig Teazer,
mounting 12 18-pounder carronades, and 2 long eighteens, commanded
* The two frigates hoisted French colours, and the Diana a Commodore's
broad pendant.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804. 909
by M. Papineau, Lieutenant de vaisseau, with a complement of 85 men,
and without loss on either side. It adds to the lustre these officers and
men achieved, the humanity they displayed to the overpowered captives in
putting them below without the force of arms, and an unnecessary effusion
of blood. It was at this time that alarm was given, and the batteries opened
their fire upon the ships ; when Captain Richardson, in a manner which
characterizes the officer and seaman, pursued, drove on shore, and burnt^
under the guns of the batteries, le Pluvier French national brig, of 16
guns and 136 men, whose Captain I have before spoken of, was decoyed
on board.
" Having obtained the object in view, I anchored in the Gironde, out of
gun-shot, to repair the damages sustained by the different vessels. The
services I received from Captain Richardson, the officers and ship's com-
pany of the Semiramis, merit my warmest acknowledgments ; and I should
be committing a great injustice to the officers and crew I command, were
I not to speak in terms of the highest admiration of their steadiness and
zeal throughout the whole affair. Could I add stronger encomiums to one
than another, it would be from the great assistance I received from Lieu-
tenant Parsons, and Mr. David Bevans, the Master, whose unremitted at-
tention in piloting the ship, in the most intricate navigation, greatly
tended to insure the object of pursuit. I enclose you a letter from Cap-
tain Charles Richardson, narrating his attack upon the brig, and enclosing
a list of wounded in the affray."
(Signed) " W. FERRIS."
Captain Richardson to Captain Ferris.
" As soon as the Diana ran on board the enemy's outside brig, her
consort immediately cut her cable and made sail for the beach near the
battery of Royan, where she grounded. I followed in to five fathoms,
anchoring with a spring ; the broadside was brought to bear on the enemy's
brig, and bow-guns on the battery, within grape-shot of both.
" After engaging some time, I found the guns of the enemy's vessel
almost silenced, and perceived the boats haul up to quit her.
" At this time the barge, pinnace, and cutter rejoined me ; I ordered
Lieutenant Gardner, with these boats, immediately to board the enemy,
which was gallantly effected after receiving her broadside. She proved to
be the French national brig Pluvier, of 16 guns and 136 men.
" The prize being fast on shore, the ebb-tide running most rapidly, and
ray own ship in only twenty feet water, I found it necessary to burn her,
which being completely effected I made sail to join you."
The Semiramis on this occasion had only 3 persons wounded :
Captains Ferria and Richardson received the thanks of the
Admiralty " for the peculiar neatness'' to use the words of the
late Mr. Perceval, " with which they had conducted the
business*." Among numerous captures subsequently made
* Captain William Ferris, C. 13. was the second son of the late Thomas
910 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1804.
by the latter officer was a French privateer, the Grand Jean
Bart., of 14 guns and 106 men. The Semiramis was paid off
at Portsmouth, Aug. 29, 1814 ; and Captain Richardson was
shortly after nominated aC. B. as a reward for his meritorious
conduct during a period of more than twenty-six years, passed
in active service at sea and co-operation with troops on shore
in every quarter of the globe.
Captain Richardson's next appointment was, July 29, 1819,
to the Leander of 60 guns, fitting for the flag of Sir Henry
Blackwood, commander-in-chief on the East India station.
On the demise of Captain John R. Lumley, in July, 1821, l\e
consented to take the command of the Topaze frigate ; and
proceeded in her from Pulo Penang to China, where 14 of
his crew were dangerously wounded by the natives, while
employed filling water at Lintin. The remainder of the
watering party were fortunately preserved through the firm-
ness and judgment of Lieutenant William Hamilton (/>), the
senior officer then present.
Two Chinese having been killed by the Topaze's fire, dis-
putes ensued with the authorities at Canton, which led to the
suspension of all commercial intercourse, the embarkation of
the British factory without passes, and the departure of all
the Hon. Company's ships then lying in the Tigris. At
length, however, a Mandarin of high rank was sent on board
the frigate to discuss this unpleasant affair ; and he proving a
sensible and moderate man, the business was satisfactorily
adjusted, and matters restored to their former footing, in the
spring of 1822. Captain Richardson then returned to India,
and re-joined the Leander a short time previous to Sir Henry
Blackwood being relieved by Commodore Grant; but his health
being in a very dangerous state he was obliged to invalid at
the Cape of Good Hope, Oct. 14 in the same year.
.— Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
Ferris, D. D. Dean of Battle. He obtained the rank of Post-Captain when
under 21 years of age. His career though short was brilliant, he having
highly distinguished himself on many occasions in the West Indies, Dutch
Guiana, the North Sea, and British Channel. He died at Chelsea, May
18, 1822, in his 40th year.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 911
GEORGE ALDHAM, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Lieutenant June 27, 1792 ; and
obtained the rank of Commander in 1802. On the 9th Aug.
1804, we find him commanding the Nautilus sloop of war,
and recapturing a ship of great value from Demerara bound
to Liverpool. His post commission bears date Feb. 28,
1805. He matried, in 1806, the widow of Captain Boger,
R.N.
Agent. — Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
FRANCIS TEMPLE, ESQ.
THIS officer received his first commission in 1793, and was
promoted to the rank of Commander for his gallant conduct
in attacking and capturing the French national brig Venteux,
of 10 guns and 82 men, an event already noticed in our me-
moir of Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland, from whose official
letter to Sir John Colpoys we make the following extract : —
" When it is considered that the Venteux, perfectly prepared, manned
with 82 men, all of whom were upon deck, and covered with very heavy
batteries, was opposed to the crews of two of our boats (as the third, from
rowing heavy, did not get up till the brig was completely gained possession
of) I feel confident you will view it in the light that I do, as one of those
brilliant exploits which add lustre to the British arms ; of which, though
so many instances occurred during the late war, no one has before been
happy enough to have thrown in his way during the present. The success
of Mr. Temple's daring attempt speaks sufficiently for his conduct, and that
of every one under his command, to render it superfluous for me to enter
into any eulogiurn on the present occasion."
Captain Temple's advancement to the rank of Commander
took place July 4, 1803 ; and in Jan. following the Com-
mittee for managing the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's voted him
a sword, value 50L, as a token of the sense entertained by
that society of his distinguished merit in combat with an
enemy of such superior force. His post commission bears
date Mar. 12, 1805. Towards the close of the war we find
him commanding the Armide frigate on channel service. He
married, in 1815, Susan, youngest daughter of the late George
Warren, of Penpool, Cornwall, Esq.
Agent.— Sir Francis M. Ommanney, M. P.
912 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
RICHARD BUDD VINCENT, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is a native of Newbury, in Berkshire, where
his father resided for many years, as a banker. He com-
menced his naval career under the auspices of Vice-Admiral
Barrington, and accompanied that officer to the relief of
Gibraltar, in 1782. The Britannia, a first-rate, bearing his
patron's flag, appears to have been one of the ships particu-
larly engaged in the subsequent skirmish between Lord Howe's
fleet and the enemies' combined forces, off Cape Spartel ; her
loss on that occasion consisting of 8 men killed and 13 wounded,
and the grand total being only 72 slain and 193 wounded *.
From the peace of 1783, until his promotion to a Lieu-
tenancy, Nov. 3, 1790, we find Mr. Vincent serving succes-
sively in the Salisbury 50, Trimmer sloop of war, Pegase and
Carnatic third rates, and Prince of 98 guns : the former ship
bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral I. Campbell, commander-in-
chief at Newfoundland ; the latter, that of Sir John Jervis, in
the grand fleet, during the Spanish armament.
Mr. Vincent's first appointment as a Lieutenant, was to
the Wasp sloop of war, employed in the Channel, for the sup-
pression of smuggling. He subsequently joined, in succes-
sion, the Terrible J4y commanded by Captain Skeffington
Lutwidge ; Victory, a first rate, bearing the flag of Lord Hood,
commander-in-chief on the Mediterranean station ; and Tri-
umph 74, commanded by the late Sir Erasmus Gower.
In 1793 and the two following years, Mr. Vincent saw
much active service, the Terrible forming part of Lord Hood's
fleet at the occupation, defence, and evacuation of Toulon ;
as also during the siege of Corsica f ; and the Triumph being
one of the small squadron under Vice-Admiral Cornwallis,
when that officer effected his masterly retreat in the face of a
» The British had 34 sail of the line. N. B. The Hon. Samuel Bar-
rington, Senior Admiral of the White, and General of Marines, died at
Bath, Aug. 16, 1800, in the 71st year of his age. A portrait and memoir
of that highly distinguished officer will be found in the Naval Chronicle,
vol. iv. p. 169 et seq.
f See memoirs of Viscount Keith, Lord Radstock, Admiral Purvis, Sir
W. Sidney Smith, Admiral Wolseley, &c. &c. in our first volume.
PCST-CAPTAINS OP 1805. 913
powerful French armament, off Belleisle, June 16, 1795, on
which trying occasion her conduct was so highly meritorious
as to draw the following encomium from the gallant chief : —
" the Triumph and Mars," says he, " being the sternmost
ships, were, of course, more exposed to the enemy's fire ;
* * # *. The Triumph has shifted and repaired some
of her sails, but any damage she has received is so trifling, at
least in her Captain's eye, that Sir Erasmus Gower has not
thought it worth reporting ; indeed, the cool and firm conduct
of that ship was such, that it appeared to me the enemy
dared not come near her *."
In April 1797, we find the Triumph cruising off the Western
Islands^ in company with a squadron under Lord Hugh Sey-
mour, for the purpose of intercepting some Spanish ships of
war then expected from the Havannah, with the late Governor
of Mexico, and treasure to the amount of more than a million
sterling. It appears, however, that only two frigates, freighted
with a very considerable sum, hazarded the voyage at that
period ; and they succeeded in eluding his Lordship's vigi-
lance. The manner in which they were afterwards disposed
of will be seen by reference to vol. i. p. 280.
About three weeks after her return from this cruise, the
Triumph was ordered to reinforce the North Sea fleet ; and
during the mutiny at the Nore, she was for some time under
the charge of her first Lieutenant, the subject of this me-
moir, who, by his firm and judicious conduct, considerably
repressed the spirit of insubordination that prevailed amongst
her crew f.
A few days previous to the memorable battle off Camper-
down, Lieutenant Vincent was removed to the Zealand 64,
at the particular request of his friend, the late Admiral Lut-
widge, under whose flag he served in the different ships to
which it was removed between that period and the peace of
Amiens, when he obtained the rank of Commander, by com-
mission dated April 29, 1802. We should here remark that
few officers have ever experienced greater disappointments
with regard to advancement than he himself had since the
* See Vol. I. note • at p. 354.
t Captain William Essington had previously succeeded Sir Erasmus
Gower, in the command of the Triumph.
914 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805.
close of 179^ when he left the Terrible, of which ship he had
become first Lieutenant, to join the Victory on promotion :—
this first prospect was frustrated by Lord Hood's sudden
secession from active service, in May, 1795 *. Mr. Vincent's
removal from the Triumph was productive of a still greater
mortification, as in addition to the loss of promotion, it pre-
vented him from sharing in the glorious victory achieved by
those very men whom he had been instrumental in restoring
to a proper state of discipline. His hopes were again excited
on hearing that the late King had embarked at Greenwich
for the purpose of honoring Lord Duncan's fleet with a visit; in
which case, being senior Lieutenant of the Port- Admiral's
flag ship, he flattered himself with the expectation of prefer-
ment, according to the usual custom on such occasions : un-
fortunately a gale of wind, and state business of importance,
compelled his Majesty to return without carrying into effect
the gracious object for which he had left his capital. The
fourth and last instance occurred in Aug. 1799, when a
.Dutch squadron in the Texel surrendered to the late Sir An-
drew Mitchell, at the very moment an action was confidently
expected to take place by every officer and man under his or-
ders f. — Lieutenant Vincent was then on board the Overyssel
64, from which ship Admiral Lutwidge's flag had been re-
moved pro tempore, his presence being required to conduct
the port duties at Deal .
On the 17th May, 1802, Captain Vincent was appointed to
the Arrow, a curiously constructed sloop of war, mounting 28
32-pounders, with a complement of 121 men. In this vessel
he cruised for some time against the smugglers on the coast
of Devonshire, and to the eastward thereof; but owing to
her peculiar appearance, she soon became well-known to those
illicit traders, who easily recognized her at a distance, and
were thereby enabled to elude the vigilance of her commander.
She was paid off at Portsmouth, in Feb. 1803.
A contemporary writer, speaking of the Arrow and another
* The cause of Lord Hood's resignation is stated to have been a dispute
with the Admiralty, as to the force necessary to be employed at that junc-
ture in the Mediterranean. — See BRENTON'S Naval History, vol. ii.
p. 1/7.
t See Vol. I. p. 152, and note at p. 414 et seq.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. . 915
experimental vessel, both designed by General Samuel Bent-
ham, Inspector-General of his Majesty's naval works, says : —
" They were in shape much sharper than vessels of war in general, and
projected, or raked forward at each end, like a wherry. Their breadth
increased from the water-line upwards ; whereby it was considered that
they would be stiffer, and less liable to overset than ordinary vessels. The
decks were strait fore and aft, and the frames or ribs of less curvature
than usual. They were constructed to carry twenty-four 32-pounders
upon the main-deck, and were afterwards fitted to receive two more car-
ronades of the same nature on each of their two short-decks, which we
may call the quarter-deck and fore-castle. All these carronades were fitted
upon the non-recoil principle. It is believed that both the Arrow and
Dart * subsequently took on board, for their quarter-decks, two additional
32's. They proved to be stiff vessels and swift sailers, but it was found
necessary to add some dead wood to their bottoms, in order to make them
stay better f-"
Captain Vincent was re-appointed to the Arrow, Mar. 1,
1803; and every effort was immediately made by himself and
his officers to complete her complement, but without effect.
Finding that, from her novel appearance, she was not likely
to attract volunteers, and as very few men were to be picked
up along shore, or from the coasting traders and other small
craft, Captain Vincent obtained permission from Lord Gardner,
the Port-Admiral, to send a Custom House cutter into the
offing, under the command of one of his Lieutenants, for the
purpose of impressing from vessels passing up Channel.
This being repeated several times, the Arrow was nearly
completed with a choice crew of effective seamen, when the
exigency of the service obliged his Lordship to cause the
greatest part of them to be suddenly drafted into a troop -ship,
under orders for the West Indies. In consequence of this
mortifying event, the Arrow was obliged to sail for a foreign
station nearly one-third short of complement, notwithstand-
ing Captain Vincent had procured a few volunteer landsmen
from his native town, at a considerable expense to himself.
From July 1803, till the end of that year, we find the
Arrow escorting the trade to Portugal, Gibraltar, Malta, &c. ;
and in 1804, employed on various important services, afford-
ing Captain Vincent an opportunity of visiting the capitals of
* See note * at p. 291 of this volume,
f See JAMES'S Nov. Hist. vol. i. note Q « at p. 439.
916 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
Sicily, Naples, Sardinia, and Turkey ; Corfu, Zante, and the
neighbouring islands ; Venice, Trieste, Fiume, and Smyrna ;
together with many other places of inferior note, in Sicily,
the Adriatic, Archipelago, and Sea of Marmora.
On entering the Dardanelles with some merchant vessels
under her protection, in Mar. 1804, the Arrow was fired at
by the castle on the European shore. It blowing very hard
at the time, Captain Vincent found it impossible to demand
satisfaction on the spot for an insult thus offered to our flag ;
but on his arrival at Constantinople he reported the circum-
stance to Mr. Stratton, the British Minister, who laid his
representation before the Divan, by whom the Turkish Go-
vernor was mulcted in a very considerable sum for his mis-
conduct.
During Captain Vincent's stay at Constantinople, he re-
ceived much flattering attention from the Capitan Pacha,
who allowed him to inspect the arsenal and ships of war -y
presented him with an elegant sabre ; and accepted in return
a pair of pistols, the workmanship of which attracted his ad-
miration, whilst visiting the Arrow in company with numerous
other officers belonging to the Ottoman marine*
The destruction of 1'Actif French privateer, under the
island of Fano, June 3, 1304, will be noticed in our memoir
of Captain C. F. Daly, the officer to whom Captain Vincent
entrusted the command of the boats employed on that ser-
vice.
On the 18th Oct. following, the Arrow, while cruising off
Cape Spartivento, was struck by lightning, which shivered
her main-mast ; but fortunately the sails, being clewed up,
and thoroughly drenched with rain, did not take fire j neither
was there a single person hurt, although the main- top-mast
went instantly by the board.
Towards the latter end of December, in the same year,
Captain Vincent received directions to take charge of the
homeward bound trade, collected at Malta ; and to sail for
England as soon as possible after the arrival of some mer-
chant vessels, then on their way from Smyrna : — also to take
under his orders the Acheron bomb, commanded by Captain
Arthur Farquhar, whose services will form the subject of our
next memoir. He, at the same time, had the satisfaction of
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 91 7
learning that his conduct on all occasions had been fully
approved by the illustrious Nelson, as will be seen by the
following extract from his Lordship's last letter to him [many
others of an equally gratifying nature, are given at full length
in the Naval Chronicle for Oct. 1807] : —
" I take this opportunity to convey to you my full appro-
bation of your zealous activity in the various services per-
formed by his Majesty's sloop under your command, and I
am sorry that the state of that vessel deprives the station for
the present of your further services*."
We cannot do better than by describing Captain Vincent's
subsequent proceedings in his own words, and illustrating his
narrative by extracts from that of Captain Farquhar.
" The first part of our passage," says Captain Vincent,
" was favorable until we reached the westward of the island
of Ivica, when we met with strong westerly winds, and a
series of bad weather, by which the convoy suffered some
damage ; one vessel was supposed to have foundered, and two
others separated; but as the damage sustained was not of suffi-
ciently serious consequence to delay the convoy, I was urged
to pursue the voyage, with the anxious hope of soon having
an easterly wind to carry us through the Straits of Gibraltar.
" Early in the morning of the 3d Feb. (1805), per log, the
Duchess of Rutland transport, which had been missing some
days, joined. The weather was then quite moderate, with
light breezes from the N. E. At 8 A. M. I made the signal
for the convoy to steer W. by N., Cape Caxine (near Algiers)
bearing south ; the Acheron and thirty-two sail in company.
At 8-30, altered course to W. N. W., being well to the south-
ward, and made the signal for the sternmost ships to make
more sail. Two sail had been observed drawing up a-stern,
bearing E. S. E. ; I had hopes they were the missing vessels,
but soon perceived they were large. At half-past ten I asked,
* The Arrow had suffered much through tempestuous weather since her
arrival on the Mediterranean station; and Lord Nelson was under the
necessity of sending her home to be docked, in consequence of the Master
Shipwright at Malta declaring that she was too weak to undergo the pro-
cess of heaving down. The wooden tanks fitted in her hold for the better
stowage of water, and many interior parts of her hull, were quite rotten ;
and the carpenters appointed to survey her reported that she was generally
defective.
VOL, If. 3 O
918 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
the Acheron (then in the rear of the convoy), per telegraph,
€ what they were ?' On answering my signal, she immediately
wore, stood towards them, and made the private signal ;
which not being answered, she told me 6 they were sus-
picious.' At 11-15, 1 made the signal for the vessels of the
convoy on each quarter to close ; the Arrow then leading the
convoy with the brig Adventure in tow. This vessel was
leaky and her rudder shaken almost to pieces ; we were
heaving part of her cargo overboard in the hope of stopping
her leaks, and if possible, by lightening her, to unship the rud-
der, and repair it on board the Arrow. At 11-50, the Acheron
made the signal 6 they were frigates/ At noon, Cape Al-
batel bore S. by W. £ W. 10 or 1 1 leagues *.
" On the 4th, at two minutes past noon, I slipped the Ad-
venture, wore, and hauled to the wind on the larboard tack,
for the purpose of joining the Acheron, which ship had wore,
and was returning to the convoy under all sail with light
winds. At 10 minutes past, made the Duchess of Rutland's
signal e to lead the convoy, steering the same course, &c/
and directed the convoy ( to follow her motions, though the
men of war acted otherwise/ At a quarter past, made the
signal ' for the convoy to make all sail possible/ About one,
I tacked to the northward, and shortened sail for the Acheron
to close me. At 1-15 she made the signal, c the strange ships
were enemies;' ditto, made the signal to the convoy ' that
an enemy was in sight, to make all possible sail, and proceed
to the appointed rendezvous ;' which was enforced by several
guns at different times,' and repeated by the Acheron in the
same manner ; also by Lieutenant Coggan, agent of trans-
ports, in the Trial brig bomb tender, who remained with the
convoy f. At 2, the Acheron closing but slowly, brought to
for her, the frigates continuing their course about W. N. W.
under all sail with light winds. About 4, the Acheron joined
me, and Captain Farquhar came on board the Arrow. I con-
sulted with him the best means to protect the convoy, and
* Captain Farquhar had by this time approached the strangers sufficiently
near to discover that they were large frigates, with their spare anchors
stowed in the main chains,, which led him to suppose they were French.
•f The Duchess of Rutland was the only transport belonging to the convoy :
twenty-nine sail were British merchant vessels ; and one a Spanish prize
which had recently joined the fleet an{l received instructions from Captain
Vincent.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805-. 919
•we determined to keep between them and the enemy (who
had not shown any colours, nor altered their course to chase
the Acheron when reconnoitring them *,) for the purpose of
collecting the vessels of the convoy, having guns on board,
and to form a line of battle as soon as possible, agreeably to
an order and form previously given out to the armed vessels
of the convoy. At this time the enemy were about five miles
from us. At 5, the convoy all becalmed, bearing N. W. by
W. 3 miles : the land between Cape Albatel and Cape Ten-
nis S. S. W. | W. 11 leagues. From this time until 10, light
airs and calms ; ship's head round the compass ; when it
sprung up a light breeze from the S. W., the body of the con-
voy W. N. W. 4 miles, the frigates N. N. E, 3 miles. Steered
for the convoy, but the Acheron having increased her distance
to the southward, I tacked again to close her, hailed Captain
Farquhar to keep close to the Arrow, and shortened sail to
her rate of sailing. At midnight, light breezes from the
S. W. laying up W. N. W. but broke off gradually to north.
About 3 A. M. passed the two sternmost brigs of the convoy,
to leeward of which the enemy had passed without firing at,
or taking any notice of them. At 3-45, perceived that one of
the frigates had tacked, and was nearing us on the starboard
tack. About 4-15, one of them hailed me in English, when
I asked ' what ship it was ?' and was answered by desiring
me to hoist my boat out, and come on board. A few minutes
after she was nailed by the Acheron, when the frigate opened
her fire, which was immediately returned by the Arrow and
Acheron, until she passed : the other frigate, by the light
baffling winds, had been somewhat separated, but soon closed,
passed under our lee, and went a-head of us : however, the
Acheron fired several guns at one of them with effect f. As
* The Acheron hoisted her colours and fired a gun at 12-30, but the
strangers paid no attention thereto.
t Captain Farquhar, speaking- of this brush, says, " I hailed, asking
' what ship is that?' she answered, ' what ship are you?' and immediately
gave us her broadside of round and grape, which did very considerable
damage to ©ur rigging, sails, &c. but did not kill or wound any one. We.
returned her fire, then hove about, gave her the guns from the other side,
and kept firing as long as our shot would reach her. The second frigate
passed the Arrow without firing— a little afterwards she appeared
were her intention to wear, and having her stern towards us, we gav« h
3o2
920 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
the night had been very dark, I was anxious for day-light,, to
ascertain the general position of the convoy, that I might act
in the best manner for its defence ; seeing an action was in-
evitable, without being able to get to my assistance the armed
vessels as intended. The frigates stood from us to the west-
ward, and at dawn of day, the wind being light and variable,
their heads to the southward, I observed the headmost with
French colours up, and she soon after hoisted a broad pen-
dant at the main. At 6, I made the Duchess of Rutland's
signal ' for action ;' and the Acheron's e to close/ The for-
Hier^ being the most effective ship of the convoy, probably
would have been of service, had she immediately obeyed the
signal and bore up, by the very appearance only of coming to
my assistance ; but she did not even answer it. I then made
sail on the starboard tack, to get between the enemy and
protect the rear of the convoy ; the former wore to the east-
ward, and hauled on the larboard tack, apparently with the
intention of engaging us to leeward. Set the spanker, to
keep the ship to, the wind being very light, to prevent their
passing a-head and raking us. About 7> the headmost in
passing to leeward gave us her broadside, when the action
commenced : at this time the Acheron was close on our
starboard quarter, and the body of the convoy to windward,
bearing N. W. 4 miles, mostly on the larboard tack, much
scattered, and making all sail to the westward. As the
enemy passed, the action was kept up on both sides at the
distance of half a cable's length, when they wore and gave me
an opportunity of raking them ; but the wind became so
light, the Arrow would not steer, which left me much exposed
in different positions to their joint fire. About this time the
Acheron passed under our stern, and Captain Farquhar hailed
me, but it was impossible to make out what he said. Soon
after she had passed, the largest frigate hauled after her, but
not until we had received much of the enemy's fire in our
starboard quarter *. We were then left to the other frigate,
two rounds from the larboard guns ; she then hauled her wind and stood
towards the other frigate.
* " About 7-25," adds Captain F., " the headmost frigate being- abreast
of the Arrow, discharged her broadside, which was immediately returned
by Captain Vincent. At 7-30, she was abreast of, and gave us a broadside
— we then commenced firing upon her, and continued to do so until the
second frigate came alongside and fired into us, having already engaged
POST-CAPTAINS Of 1805. 921
which I continued to engage closely for some time : but out-
running rigging being cut to pieces ; the impossibility of
managing the ship • the lower masts being badly wounded ;
the standing rigging, yards, and sails much cut ; many shot
between wind and water ; four guns dismounted on the star-
board side ; the rudder machinery disabled ; 13 men killed,
and 27 wounded ; induced me to cause the colours to be
struck about half-past 8, after an action of an hour and twenty
minutes, to the French national frigate Uncorruptible, Mons.
Billiet, Capitaine de fregate, commander, of 42 guns and 650
men, including troops : conceiving from the above disabled
state of the Arrow, that further resistance would only increase
the loss of lives, without the hope of saving his Majesty's
sloop from such superior force ; particularly as she was
making considerable water, and the surviving officers and
crew could scarcely be removed from her, before she settled
on her beam ends and sunk *.
ee When I was under the painful necessity of thus yielding to
1'Incorruptible, the Acheron was standing to the southward
towards the land under all sail, the large frigate THortense
in chase ; and I cherished the hope that if the breeze had
freshened, she would be able to outsail the enemy and draw
him to a considerable distance, or get in with the land so as
to prevent her falling into his hands : but she was obliged
to submit to the same fate as the Arrow, and was afterwards
burnt. At this time the convoy were considerably to the
westward, and to windward, effecting their escape on diffe-
rent tacks f.
the Arrow in passing. Our fire was now turned upon this ship, and con-
tinued till we came close up with the Arrow, which had just put her helm
a-weather to rake the French Commodore. We hauled our wind to keep
clear of her, as she appeared to be wearing ; and I asked Captain Vincent
if he meant to again come to the wind upon the starboard tack, but I could
not understand what he said in reply. As soon as we cleared the Arrow,
our fire was again directed against the Commodore's frigate."
* Lieutenant Edward Elers, second of the Arrow, and several men,
jumped overboard to avoid going down in her; and were picked up by
1'Incorruptible's boats, all those belonging to the British sloop having be
destroyed by the enemy's shot. .
f The gallant commander of the Acheron concludes his account
following terms: " We continued to engage the French Commedore u
922 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
" I cannot conclude this narrative without rendering Cap-
tain Farquhar my fullest approbation for his able and steady
support ; and particularly for his leading away 1'Hortense in
a direction from the convoy. Nor can I ornit this opportu-
nity to give my public testimony of the good conduct and
bravery displayed by the officers, crew, and passengers, on
board the Arrow ; who by their exertions on this occasion
surprised the enemy by a resistance which I apprehend was
but little expected : and though his Majesty's ships fell a
sacrifice to superior force, I have no hesitation in believing
the damage and delay caused to the enemy by this event,
afforded the greater part of my charge time to effect their
escape j and when I reflect that three vessels only were cap-
tured by them out of 32 sail, I cannot but express my admi-
ration and thanks to the officers, crews, and passengers, of
hia Majesty's ships Arrow and Acheron, for their zeal and
courage in so unequal a contest ; and attribute the preserva-
tion of the convoy to their manly and united efforts, by which
the ultimate object of my wishes has been fulfilled *."
with the greatest grief, I saw the Arrow obliged to strike, being no longer
able to contend with the great superiority of force opposed to her. She
had I conceive received much damage in the act of wearing, as she lay a
considerable time with her head to the enemy. The Acheron being now
very much disabled in yards, masts, sails, and rigging ; part of her stern-
post being also carried away ; I considered further resistance on my part
could answer no good end, and unwilling to sacrifice the lives of men who had
given me the highest proof of their courage, I determined to make what
sail I could, with little hopes of saving the ship, but with a view to pro-
crastinate my capture, in order to give the convoy a greater chance of
escaping : the superiority of sailing on the part of the enemy's frigate
rendered the chase but short; about 8-45, having already received one
broadside and part of another during the pursuit, and the enemy being
now very near, with the greatest concern we were obliged to sur-
render to 1'Hortense of 44 guns, commanded by Mons. de la Marre de la
Mellerie. We were then taken possession of, and as soon as the officers
and crew of the Acheron were removed, the enemy finding her much dis-
abled, thought fit to burn her."
* The total number of officers, men, and boys, oh board the Arrow at
the commencement of the action was 132. The Acheron mounted only
eight 24-pounders, and had no more than 67 persons at quarters. L'Hor-
tense, the Commodore's frigate, mounted 48 guns, and was crowded with
troops, like her consort. The enemy's joint force wag consequently 90
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 923
The Arrow spreading aloft, and the muzzles of her guns
not projecting beyond the port-sills, caused her to be set on
fire two or three times during the action ; in addition to which
she was greatly annoyed by the enemy's small arms, the state
of the weather enabling the French troops to take a part in
the combat. Her boats being totally destroyed, those of Un-
corruptible were sent to take out the prisoners, who lost every
article of property except the clothes then on their backs.
Notwithstanding the haste with which Captain Vincent was
obliged to quit the ship he had so bravely defended, he did
not forget the sabre that had been presented to him by the
Capitan Pacha, at Constantinople ; but a French officer ma-
naged to obtain it from one of the Arrow's crew, under a
feigned pretence, and every endeavour to recover it proved
unavailing j redress was not to be had of people who re-
spected no principles of honor.
The frigates proved to be part of the Toulon fleet, com-
manded by Mons. Villeneuve *, from whom they had sepa-
rated during the tempestuous weather which prevailed pre-
vious to their falling in with the British convoy. Captain
Vincent could never ascertain the actual loss they sustained,
but many circumstances concurred to convince him it was
very great. L' Incorruptible 's dead were thrown overboard
before he reached that ship, and her wbunded were carefully
concealed from his view. One of the three vessels captured
by the enemy was the Duchess of Rutland; and in addition
to her commander's former misconduct, Captain Vincent had
to complain of his unpardonable neglect in not destroying the
Convoy Signals and Instructions ; fortunately, however, the
Frenchmen were too much mauled to think of profiting by
such excellent means of decoy, and obliged to push for the
nearest port in order to repair their damages.
^'Incorruptible anchored off Carthagena on the 8th Feb.,
and the Arrow's late commander, officers, crew, and passen-
gers, were detained as prisoners in that town and a neigh-
bouring village, until the early part of May, when they were
allowed to embark for Gibraltar in a cartel brig sent by Lord
gum aiid at least 1300 men : that of the British 36 guns (all carronadcs)
and 199 men.
* See Vol. I note at p. 589.
924 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
Nelson expressly to receive them. On his arrival at the
rock, Captain Vincent had the gratification to find that his
exertions in their defence had been duly appreciated by the
masters of the vessels which had escaped thither, who pre-
vious to their departure for England drew up, and caused the
following address to be published in the garrison gazette : —
"Gibraltar, March 17, 1805.
*' We, the undersigned Masters, who departed from Malta under convoy
of H. M. sloop Arrow, Captain Vincent, and Acheron bomb, Captain
Farquhar, prompted by the truest sense of gratitude, offer them our sincere
thanks for their unremitting and assiduous care of our ships, during a pas-
sage of perpetual and tremendous gales ; and for their exertions, uniting
with their abilities, by which they constantly kept the fleet in order, until
the unfortunate morning of the 4th February, when two heavy French
frigates attacked the convoy.
*' The annals of history never yet produced, we conceive, a contest more
unequal, skill and activity more exerted, nor magnanimity more displayed,
than in that event. Captains Vincent and Farquhar's manner of attack,
and drawing the enemy to leeward of the fleet, merit great praise, as the
only possible means of saving us. The well-directed fire from both the
Arrow and Acheron must have done considerable execution to the enemy ;
whose superior force, after a long and severe battle, compelled Captains
Vincent and Farquhar to yield a victory, by the enemy as dearly bought,
as by them unwillingly resigned. An engagement thus commenced, and
supported for the honor of our country, for the protection and interest of
its commeree, cannot fail to obtain the enthusiastic admiration of their
fellow subjects, and become a memorial of their bravery, enrolling their
names in the list of BRITISH HEROES."
Captain Vincent and his officers sailed from Gibraltar for
England, in the Camel store-ship, on the 28th May, and ar-
rived at St. Helen's after a passage of only seven days. On
the 1/th June, a Court-Martial assembled in Portsmouth har-
bour to try them for the loss of their sloop, after a minute
enquiry into all the circumstances, pronounced the following
sentence : —
" The Court is of opinion, that the loss of his Majesty's sloop Arrow
was occasioned by her falling in with a very superior force of the enemy,
and being under the necessity of surrendering her, after a brave, deter-
mined, and well-fought action of nearly an hour and a half, soon after
which she sunk from the injuries she received in the action. And that
the conduct of Captain Richard Budd Vincent, his officers and ship's com-
pany, as well as of the passengers, was highly meritorious and praise-wor-
thy j and particularly that of Captain Vincent, by the judicious arrange-
ments he made for the preservation of the convoy under his charge, both
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 925
previous to, and during the action ; by which nearly the whole of them
were prevented from falling into the hands of a superior force : and doth
adjudge them to be most honorably acquitted; and the said Captain
Richard Budd Vincent, his officers and ship's company, are hereby MOST
HONORABLY ACQUITTED accordingly."
On the second day after his trial, Captain Vincent received
a post commission dated April 8, 1805 ; and on the ensuing
3d July, the following resolution of the committee for ma-
naging the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd's, was communicated to
him by the Secretary : —
" RESOLVED,— That a sword, of the value of 100/. and a piece of plate of
the same value, with an appropriate inscription, or that sum of money at
his option, be presented to Captain Richard Budd Vincent, acting as Com-
modore on the occasion, for so nobly supporting the honor of the British
flag, and successfully protecting the convoy under his care."
The following letter was also transmitted to John Turnbull,
Esq. Chairman of the Merchants trading to the South of
Europe : —
" Lloyd's Coffee House, July 3, 1805.
*' Sir,-— The very gallant conduct of Captains Vincent and Farquhar,
and the officers and crews of his Majesty's sloop Arrow, and bomb Acheron,
entitles them to every possible testimony of gratitude from their country-
men at large j but more particularly from the merchants and underwriters
interested in the convoy under their care j which was so nobly and suc-
cessfully protected, by the unequal conflict they maintained with the French
frigates PHortense and PIncorruptible.
" The Committee of the Patriotic Fund have voted honorary rewards to
the commanding officers ; given donations to the wounded; and made pro-
vision for the families of those who fell hi thus supporting the honor of
the British flag. But the rules of that Institution extend no further ; and
it is a tribute still due to those brave men who have lost their own pro-
perty in so resolutely defending that of others, to provide, that on their
return from imprisonment, they should at least be furnished with neces-
saries to equip them for his Majesty's service.
" With this view we address ourselves to you, Sir, as Chairman of the
merchants trading to the Mediterranean, that you may recommend the
subject to their consideration. We shall be happy to learn that it meets
their concurrence, and to join them in such measures as shall appear best
calculated to carry it into effect. We have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " J. ANGERSTEIN.
" R. SHEDDON.
" J. MARRYATT.
In consequence of this letter the following communication
was made to Captain Vincent, on the 26th Aug. :—
926 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
" Mr. Turnbull presents his compliments to Captain Vincent, and ha»
the pleasure to enclose him a statement of the proportioned donations
which the Committee have been enabled to raise, in order to replace the
loss of clothes and necessaries which the officers and crew of his Majesty's
sloop Arrow may have sustained in consequence of their gallant action in
the Mediterranean. The amount in all being 477/» 10s., Captain Vincent
will be pleased to draw for it, at ten days sight, on Joseph Marriot, Esq.
and distribute it according to the list sent herewith. Exactly the same
donations have been made to the officers and crew of the Acheron : and it
gives Mr. Turnbull much pleasure to have had the opportunity on this
occasion of contributing to establish a precedent, for indemnifying those
brave men, who may have lost their little property in the service of their
country *.
In May 1806, Captain Vincent was appointed to succeed
Captain Robert Barrie in the Brilliant of 28 guns, on the Irish
station ; and directed to assume the temporary command of
the Pomoiie 38, then waiting at Spithead for that officer to
join her. After exchanging ships with Captain Barrie, he
proceeded to Cork, and was sent from thence by his com-
mander-in-chief, Lord Gardner, on a cruise to the westward
of Ireland, where he fell in with and took charge of several
West India traders, stragglers from the homeward bound con-
voy ; the whole of which he escorted safely into the British
Channel.
Towards the close of the same year, Captain Vincent was
obliged to resign the Brilliant, through ill health ; and it was
not till 1808, that he found himself sufficiently convalescent
to go again afloat. He then applied for active employment,
and was immediately appointed to the Hind 28 ; but as that
ship was then stationed in the Mediterranean, he received,
with his commission tot her, an order to act as Captain of
the Cambrian, a frigate of the largest class, fitting at Ply-
mouth, to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to that quarter,
and on his arrival to exchange with Captain Francis W.
Fane, then commanding the Hind.
On his arrival off Cadiz, Captain Vincent fell in with the
squadrbn under Vice-Admiral Purvis, who was then paving
the way for an amicable intercourse between his Majesty's
• The sums were thus proportioned : — to Captain Vincent, 50/. ; to
the Lieutenants, Master, and a passenger of similar rank, 20L each ; to
the warrant officers, lO/.each ; to the Midshipmen and other petty officers,
5l. each} and to the seamen, &c, 21. 10*. each.
POST-CAPTAINS OK 1805.
forces and the patriots of Andalusia. After a detention of
several days, during which her charge was confided to the
protection of a smaller ship, the Cambrian proceeded to
Gibraltar, and from thence, after communicating with Lord
Collingwood, to join Rear- Admiral George Martin at Minorca.
By that officer Captain Vincent was sent to the coast of Ca-
talonia, where he joined the Hind, and continued to cruise
under the orders of Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Otway, until
recalled for the purpose of being despatched on a mission to
Algiers.
After twice visiting that regency in a diplomatic character,
Captain Vincent was ordered to refit his ship at Malta, where
he found Captain Robert Bell Campbell, of the flag-ship, at
the point of dissolution; and Sir Alexander J. Ball, the
Governor and Port-Admiral, greatly distressed for want of
an experienced officer to assist him in the discharge of his
naval functions. Yielding to the urgent entreaties of Sir
Alexander, Captain Vincent reluctantly consented to quit the
Hind and assume the command of the Trident 64, thereby
abandoning every prospect of adding to his well-earned fame,
and sacrificing every personal consideration to a sense of
public duty.
Soon after his removal to the Trident, the merchants of
Malta presented Captain Vincent with a valuable service of
plate, commemorative of his gallant action with the French
frigates, in 1805, and at the same time wrote him a handsome
letter, the counterpart of which will be found at p. 932.
About the same period, a commission arrived from Eng-
land, appointing him to the Topaze of 32 guns ; but as he had
now embarked with Sir Alexander Ball, he conceived himself
bound to adhere to his engagement with that officer ; who,
on his part, undertook to explain in the fullest manner, to the
Admiralty, how he was situated. The Governor, accordingly,
informed their Lordships, that in the execution of his multi-
farious and arduous duties he felt it an object of importance
to attach to himself the services of an officer in whom he
could repose the greatest confidence, and that he had been
induced, for the good of his Majesty's service, to urge Cap-
tain Vincent, not only to quit the Hind, but to abstain from
making use of the commission with which they had more re-
928 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
cently honored him, until their Lordships' pleasure should
be known. This explanation proved perfectly satisfactory to
the Board, and Captain Vincent continued to serve under Sir
Alexander Ball, till that officer's lamented demise, in Oct.
1809*.
Released by this melancholy event from an engagement so
detrimental to his personal interests, Captain Vincent used
every endeavour to obtain the command of a cruising ship,
but without success ; and he was therefore obliged to remain
stationary at Malta, under the respective flags of Rear Admi-
rals Charles Boyles, John Laugharne, and Charles V. Penrose,
till the termination of hostilities in 1814. From that period he
conducted the various duties of the port, as senior officer,
until the commencement of 1816 ; when we find him remov-
ing into the Aquilon of 32 guns, and proceeding to Naples
and Leghorn, for the purpose of joining the squadron under
Lord Exmouth, by whom he was sent to Mahon, Gibraltar,
and England, with despatches, about the month of March in
the same year.
We should not do justice to the subject of this memoir,
were we to omit stating, that during a period of nearly eight
years spent at Malta (in the course of which many thousands
of the inhabitants fell victims to a dreadful malady) he inva-
riably obtained the approbation, not only of the different
Governors, with whom, in his official intercourse, he pre-
served the greatest unanimity, but also of every superior
officer whom he had occasion to co-operate with for the fur-
therance of the public service.
* Sir Alexander John Ball, Bart. K. F. M. was one of Nelson's sup-
porters in the glorious battle of Aug. 1, 1798, as will be seen by reference
to p. 472 of our first volume. His commission as a Rear-Admiral of the
Red was dated on the very day of his decease, Oct. 25, 1809. He was
most exemplary in virtue, honor, and friendship. In him the public lost a
zealous and faithful servant — Captain Vincent, and many other officers, a
sincere and estimable friend. His memory will ever be respected by all
who had the honor of his acquaintance. A letter from Malta, dated
Nov. 6, says, " He was rather devoted to the Maltese interest ; but he was
certainly in the right. We British are too apt to despise foreigners : he
found it necessary to protect them as he did. We buried him yesterday in
a fort close to that in which the regains of Sir Ralph Abercroinby are
interred."
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 929
^ The Aquilon was paid off at Deptford, in April 1816; and
Captain Vincent has not since been employed. He was no-
minated a C. B. at the first establishment of that order in
June, 1815.
Agents. — Messrs. Goode and Clarke.
ARTHUR FARQUHAR, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Knight
of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order ; and Knight of the
Swedish Order of the Sword.
THIS officer is the sixth son of the late Robert Farquhar
of Kincardineshire, N. B. Esq. by Agnes, daughter of James'
Morison, ofElsich, Esq. who was Provost of Aberdeen in the
memorable year 1745, and who particularly distinguished
himself at that trying period, by his firm attachment to the
illustrious House of Brunswick *.
Mr. Arthur Farquhar was born atNewhall, a small paternal
estate in the above county, and educated there under a pri-
vate family tutor. He commenced his naval career in Oct.
1787, and served his time as a Midshipman on board the
Lowestoffe frigate, Hyaena of 24 guns, and Alcide 74 j the
two former employed as cruisers on the Channel, Mediter-
ranean, Milford, and Irish stations ; the latter a guard-ship at
Portsmouth, commanded by his earliest and principal pro-
fessional patron, the late Sir Andrew Snape Douglas f.
After passing the usual examination for a Lieutenant, Mr.
Farquhar was induced to quit the royal navy, and proceed to
the East Indies as a free mariner ; but he had scarcely arrived
there when a war broke out between Great Britain and the
French Republic, which caused him to change his plans, and
* Provost Morison had several narrow escapes during the rebellion.
On one occasion he was seized and carried by force to the cross of Aber-
deen, where the rebels forced a glass of wine down his throat, to the health
of the Pretender. His daughter, Agnes, was the mother of 18 children,
five of whom were devoted to H. M. service, viz. Robert, now Purser of
the Argonaut, hospital ship at Chatham ; James, Surgeon R. N., drowned
in 1818 ; Thomas, an officer in the Guards, deceased j William, a Lieute-
nant-Colonel, Governor of Sincapore; and Arthur, the subject of this
memoir.
t See note * at p. 54.
930 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
seek an opportunity of returning to the King's service : it was
some time, however,, before he succeeded in accomplishing
his intention.
The first man of war which Mr. Farquhar joined in India
was the Hobart, a ship-sloop, commanded by Captain B. W.
Page ; from which he was soon removed into the Suffolk 74,
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Rainier, commander-in-chief
on thar station. In the early part of 17^6? we find him as-
sisting at the capture of the Harlingen, Dutch national brig,
of 14 guns and 45 men*; also at the reduction of Amboyna
and Banda, on which latter service he held the rank of Lieute-
nant, in a Dutch armed vessel under his command f.
Mr. Farquhar subsequently served as a supernumerary
Lieutenant on board the above mentioned brig, which had
been purchased for government, named the Amboyna, and
commissioned by Lieutenant Dobbie. His good conduct as
commanding officer of that vessel, when attacked by a large
party of Ladrones, near Macao, will be noticed in the memoir
already referred to. He was afterwards appointed in succes-
sion to the Swift sloop of war, and Carysfort and Heroine
frigates, in which latter ship he returned home, as first Lieu-
tenant, under the command of the Hon. John Murray, in
July 1798.
From this period, Lieutenant Farquhar appears to have
been actively employed in the Superb 74, ./Eolus 32, and
Acasta 40, on the Channel, Mediterranean, Baltic, and North
Sea stations, until advanced to the rank of Commander, April
29, 1802.
Captain Farquhar's first appointment after this promotion
was, Jan. 16, 1804, to the Acheron bomfr, in which vessel he
made a most heroic defence against an enemy of overwhelm-
ing superiority, on the 4th Feb. 1805, as will be seen by refe-
rence to our memoir of his gallant colleague, Captain Richard
Budd Vincent, at p. 917 et seq. of this volume- It is scarcely
* See memoir of Captain WILLIAM HUGH DOBBIE.
t Amboyna surrendered, without resistance, Feb. 16 ; and Banda,
Mar. 8, 1/96. The public property taken in those islands consisted of
147,787 rix-dollars, 515,940 pounds weight of cloves, 84,777 ditto of
nutmegs, and 19,587 ditto of mace; besides merchandise and stores to a
large amount.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1805. 931
necessary to add the result of his trial by a court-martial
assembled on board the Royal Sovereign, in Palma Bay, Sar-
dinia, on the 28th Mar. following. The sentence, however,
was of so gratifying and honorable a nature that we cannot
refrain from inserting it : —
" The Court is of opinion that on the 3d Feb., Captain Farquhar ap-
prised the Arrow as early as possible of the approach of the enemy, and
afterwards obeyed the signals and orders of Captain Vincent, which seem
to have been well calculated for the preservation and protection of the
convoy entrusted to their care; that on the two enemy's frigates arriving
up with the sloops, on the morning of the 4th., the Acheron gallantly sup-
ported the Arrow in action with a very superior force, until the latter wa»
obliged to strike, when she made sail in an opposite direction to the con-
voy, and drew the attention of 1'Hortense, of 44 guns, to which ship she
was ultimately obliged to surrender after being completely disabled, and
thereby considerably facilitated the escape of the merchantmen : the Court
therefore is further of opinion that the conduct of Captain Farquhar oa
both days was highly meritorious, and deserving imitation, and that he was
bravely supported by the officers and ship's company on the occasion, and
doth most honorably acquit Captain Arthur Farquhar, the officers and
company of his Majesty's late bomb-vessel Acheron, of all blame, and they
are hereby MOST HONORABLY ACQUITTED accordingly."
After the delivery of this Sentence, the President, Sir
Richard Bickerton, Bart., addressed Captain Farquhar in term?
to the following effect : —
" Captain Farquhar, I return your sword with the greatest pleasure, and
hope you will soon be called upon to serve in a ship that will enable you to
meet 1'Hortense upon more equal terms — the result of the contest may
prove more lucrative to you, but it cannot be more honorable."
Captain Farquhar was promoted to post rank April 8, 1805,
and the Committee of the Patriotic Fund subsequently voted
him a sword, value 100/., for his noble conduct in the above
action. At the commencement of 1806, he attended the pub-
lic funeral of his late commander-in- chief, the immortal Nel-
son : and in the course of the ensuing spring we find him
receiving a commission for the Ariadne, rated at 20 guns, in
which ship he was employed on the Baltic and North Sea
stations, occasionally blockading the German rivers, till Feb.
24, 1809. During this period he captured three French and
two Danish privateers, carrying in the whole 44 guns and
216 men. The following letter from the British merchants
at Malta was received by him whilst on half pay in April,
1809:—
932 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805.
" Commercial Rooms, la Palette, Malta, 19/A Sept. 1808.
" Sir, — We the undersigned Merchants, Underwriters, and others resi-
dent in this island, beg leave to express to you the high sense which we
entertain of your gallant and judicious assistance in the defence of a va-
luable convoy, when commanding his Majesty's bomb- vessel Acheron, and
attacked by a far superior force on the 4th Feb., 1805 ; and as a public
testimony of our esteem and respect we beg your acceptance of a piece of
plate to commemorate the gallantry and judgment displayed by you on that
occasion, nothing short of which could have saved the greatest part of the
convoy from falling into the hands of the enemy.
" We beg leave to assure you that our not having offered sooner this just
tribute of our regard should not be attributed to a want of due estimation
of the important service rendered by you to British commerce.
" The action we wish to commemorate was performed during the infancy
of trade in this island ; its late rapid increase has collected such a number
of regular mercantile establishments as form a respectable united body,
whose public testimony we flatter ourselves will now deserve your consi-
deration. Your receiving it after a lapse of nearly four years is perhaps
the strongest proof we can offer of your conduct having made such an im-
pression on our minds as cannot be effaced. We have the honor to remain,
Sir, your most obedient and faithful servants."
(Signed by the principals of 36 mercantile establishments, fyc *.)
In Aug. 1809, Captain Farquhar was appointed to the Desiree
frigate ; arid during the three following years we find him com-
manding a squadron employed in the blockade of the Texel,
on which station he captured four French privateers, carry-
ing 46 guns and 176 men ; destroyed a gun-boat and three
other armed vessels; and recaptured a Danish bark, laden
with timber for Sheerness dock-yard. His subsequent ser-
vices in the Weser and Elbe were of much greater impor-
tance, as will be seen by the following outline.
In Oct. 1813, the Desiree arrived at Heligoland, with 12
gun-boats, and Captain Farquhar immediately assumed the
command of a light squadron which had been sent thither
in the preceding summer, to open a communication with the
Russian commander- in- chief at Hamburgh.
The first measure adopted by Captain Farquhar was to
send part of his force to seize two corvettes recently built at
Braak, in the Duchy of Oldenburgh, and all other vessels,
naval stores, &c. which could be found there belonging to the
enemy. This service was most ably performed by Captain
* The value of the plate thus presented to Captain Farquhar was fixed
at 110 guineas.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 933
John M'Kerlie, of the Calliope, who, with one gun-vessel and
a strong division of row-boats, pushed past the French bat-
teries at the mouth of the Weser, proceeded up that river, and
secured the corvettes, each pierced for 20 guns, as also'two
gun-brigs, and several other vessels. On the 30th of the
same month, Captain Farquhar landed at Braak, put that town
in a state of defence, and commenced a correspondence with
the Senate of Bremen, then lately restored to authority.
His next operation was the reduction of the above men-
tioned batteries (Bremer-lehe and Blexen), by the surrender
of which both banks of the Weser were perfectly cleared of
the enemy, and the intercourse between Bremen and Great
Britain revived, to the great joy of the Senate.
About this period, Captain Farquhar detached a sloop of
war and two gun-vessels into the Ems, for the purpose of
blockading Delfzyl, a strong fortress on the Dutch side of
that river, then about to be besieged by a detachment from
the allied army*. He then proceeded with the remainder of
his squadron, to co-operate in an attack upon the French forts
at Cuxhaven, the successful result of which enterprise was
reported by him to the late Admiral Sir William Young, in a
letter dated Dec. 1, 1813, from which we have taken the fol-
lowing extracts :—
" I have very great pleasure in stating to you, Sir, that in the last ten
days the small detachment of Russian troops, commanded by Colonel
Radinger, assisted by H. M. squadron under my orders, have succeeded in
reducing four strong batteries, consisting of 60 heavy guns, 4 mortars, and
800 officers and men * # • ». These batteries were complete with
provisions of all kinds for six weeks, and contained a very considerable
quantity of ammunition and military stores of every description f."
The last and most important service performed by Captain
Farquhar and his gallant companions was the reduction of
Gluckstadt, an extremely strong fortress, which had been
several times besieged by powerful armies, but never taken
until Jan. 5, 1814 ; when it surrendered to a division of the
* See Captain THOMAS BARKER DEVON
f It is proper to remark that the Russians were totally unprovided with
artillery, and that the British seamen had to encounter many difficulties
before they could place their guns in battery against Bremer-lehe and
Blexen ; the roads being almost impracticable, and much exposed to the
enemy's fire.
VOL. II. 3 P
934 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806.
Crown Prince of Sweden's army, under the command of Baron
de Boy6, and that part of the British squadron then remaining
with Captain Farquhar, after an investment of sixteen, and a
most effectual bombardment of six days. The allies on this
occasion obtained possession of 1 61 guns, mortars, and howit-
zers ; two magazines containing an immense quantity of am-
munition, military stores, &c. ; and a flotilla consisting of one
brig and seven gun-boats. The total loss sustained by the
British, although continually exposed to a heavy fire from
30 pieces of cannon, was only 3 men killed and 16 wounded.
The officers mentioned by Captain Farquhar as having parti-
cularly distinguished themselves during the siege, were Cap-
tains Marshall, Banks, and Rose, of the Shamrock, Blazer,
and Hearty sloops; Captain Green, commanding the sea-
men's batteries on shore ; Lieutenants Kneeshaw, Hanmer,
Henderson, Haultain, Archer, Jack, and Sir George Keith ;
Mr. Riches, Master's-Mate ; and Messrs Hallowes and
Richardson, Midshipmen. The opinion entertained by su-
perior authorities of his own exertions will be seen by the
subjoined copies of letters from H. R. H. the Crown Prince
of Sweden, Admiral Young, and the Hanoverian Minister : —
" Head Quarters, Kiel, 8th Jan. 1814.
" Captain Farquhar, — The King, my Sovereign, having authorised me
to confer the Cross of his Military Order of the Sword upon such officers,
whether belonging to the Swedish army or to the allied forces, as may
distinguish themselves in fighting for the common cause, I cannot make a
more worthy use of the power with which his Majesty has been pleased to
honor me, than in creating you a Knight of that Order. I transmit to you
herewith the decoration so well deserved, by the activity and talents which
you displayed at the siege of Gluckstadt, and by which you so largely con-
tributed to the reduction of a fortress that resisted the efforts of one of the
most celebrated Generals of the 30 years' war. I pray God, Captain Far-
quhar, to take you into his holy keeping.
(Signed) " CHARLES JEAN."
" Impregnable, in the Roompot, \7th Jan. 1814.
" Sir, — I have received your letters of the 2d and 6th instant, detailing
the operations at the attack of Gluckstadt, and the very honorable conclu-
sion of them by the surrender of that place, which it is impossible that I
should read without considering the zeal, energy, spirit, and intelligence,
with which you have conducted the naval part of these operations, by which
a place of such strength, and of such importance, has been so speedily re-
duced, as deserving the highest commendation j and I have no doubt of
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805. 935
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty thinking as highly of your
meritorious conduct on this occasion as I do. ••••••.
(Signed) " W. YOUNG."
" 21, Piccadilly, 3lst Dec. 1816.
" Sir,— It gives me very great pleasure to have to inform you that
H. R. H. the Prince Regent, in consideration of the very able and dis-
tinguished manner in which, in the years 1813 and 1814, you assisted, with
the ships then under your command, the forces of his Majesty's allies in
reducing the forts of the enemy on the Elbe and Weser, has been graciously
pleased to nominate and appoint you, Sir, a Knight of the Royal Guelphic
Order, the decoration of which I shall take an early opportunity of trans-
mitting to you. I remain, Sir, &c.
(Signed) " MUNSTER."
Captain Farquhar was appointed to the Liverpool, a 40-gun
frigate, May 4, 1814 ; and he continued to command that ship,
employed principally on the Cape station, till April 3, 1816,
since which period he has been on half-pay. He obtained the
insignia of a C. B. in 1815 ; and was presented with the free-
dom of Aberdeen, Sept. 22, 1817.
We shall close this sketch with a copy of Lord Exmouth's
report to the Admiralty on the gun-sights suggested by Cap-
tain Farquhar, and used by his Lordship's squadron in the
celebrated attack upon Algiers : —
" Queen Charlotte, at Sea, ISth Sept. 1816.
" Sir,— Adverting to your letter of the 13th July last, relative to Brass
Sights, suggested by Captain Farquhar for long guns, and which were sent
to Portsmouth to be fitted to any guns I might wish, on experiment, I
have now the honor to state my approbation on the merits of the project,
although I conceive it admits of a very material improvement, by extend-,
ing the sight as far out as the muzzle ring of the gun. Wooden sights on
this principle were titled to all the guns of the squadron by my orders, to
which I, in a great measure, ascribe the good effect of their fire in the late
engagement. We had a very extensive practice on our voyage out, which
afforded me an opportunity to form a deliberate judgment on the utility of
the invention j and so perfectly satisfied am I with it, that I should wish to
see them cast as fixtures on all the guns to be used for sea service, when-
ever new ones may be required.
(Signed) " EXMOUTH."
" To J. W. Croker, Esq.
$c. Sfc. tyc."
Captain Farquhar married, Aug. 15, 1809, Jane, daughter
of James Murray, Esq. of Camvere. By that lady, who died
in Oct. 1816, he had four children, two of whom are now
living.
~ Messrs Cooke, Halford, and Son.
3 P 2
936 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
HENRY GORDON, ESQ.
THIS officer received his first commission in 1798 ; obtained
the rank of Commander in 1802 ; and was posted for his gal-
lant defence of the Wolverene^ mounting 13 guns, with a
complement of 76 men, against the Blonde, French privateer,
of 30 guns and 240 men, by which ship he was attacked
when on his way to Newfoundland with a convoy, Mar. 28,
1804. The Wolverene on that occasion had 5 men killed
and 10 wounded : the remainder of her crew had not been
long removed before she went to the bottom.
Captain Gordon appears to have been many years a prisoner
in France. The manner in which he returned from that
country has been variously stated. We shall probably be
enabled to speak more confidently on the subject in our Ad-
denda. His post commission bears date April 8, 1805.
SIR WILLIAM BOLTON, KNT.
THIS officer has been frequently described to us as a ne-
phew of the late Vice-Admiral Viscount Nelson : such, how-
ever, is not the case ; he being the eldest son of the Rev.
William Bolton, Rector of Hollesby, co. Suffolk, and of Bran-
caster, in Norfolk ; brother of Thomas Bolton, Esq. who
married Susannah, eldest sister of that great officer, under
whose auspices he commenced his naval career at the com-
mencement of 1793, and with whom he continued to serve,
as a Midshipman and Lieutenant, during the greater part
of the French revolutionary war. He was advanced to the
rank of Commander in 1801, appointed to the Childers sloop
Of war in 1803, and posted April 10, 1805.
Captain Bolton subsequently commanded the Eurydice,
Druid, Endymion, and Forth frigates, on the Mediterranean,
Irish, Channel, and North American stations. Among the
captures made by him in those ships were le Basque, French
national brig, of 16 guns and 1 12 men, laden with flour, &c.
for the relief of Guadaloupe ; le Milan, privateer, of 14 guns
and 80 men ; and the Regent, American letter of marque, of
5 guns and 35 men.
!>OST-CAPTAINS OP 1805. 93?
In May, 1803, Captain Bolton acted as proxy for Lord
Nelson at his installation as a K. B., and on that occasion
received the honor of knighthood. He married his first cou-
sin, Catherine, second daughter of the above mentioned Tho-
mas Bolton, Esq. of Cranwich, Norfolk, (whose eldest son is
presumptive heir to the Nelson Earldom) .
Agents. — Messrs Cooke, Halford, and Son.
SIR JAMES ALEXANDER GORDON.
Kmght Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THIS officer is the eldest son of Charles Gordon, of Ward-
liouse, in Aberdeenshire, Esq. by a daughter of the late Major
James Mercer, of Auchnacant, in the same county.
He appears to have entered the naval service about the
commencement of the French revolutionary war, and to have
had the honor of sharing in the partial action off Frejus, July
13, 1795 ; and the great battles of Feb. 14, 1797, and Aug.
lr 1798 *. In 1800, we find him serving as second Lieute-
nant of le Bourdelais, a post-ship, under the command of
Captain Thomas Manby, by whom he was particularly men-
tioned as having signalized himself in an engagement already
described at p. 205 et &eq. of this volume. His conduct in
other actions on the Jamaica station will be seen by the fol-
lowing letter from the late Captain Austin Bissell, of the
Racoon brig, to the commander -in-chief, dated off that island,
July 16, 1803 :
. " Sir, — I beg leave to acquaint you, that at 11-30 A. M. on the llth
inst. while working between the island of Guanaba and St. Domingo, I ob-
served a French national brig lying at anchor in Leogane roads, and I im-
mediately bore up for her. On approaching I found her preparing to re-
ceive us with springs on her cables, &c. At 2-45 P. M. I anchored with
springs, within thirty yards of the enemy, and immediately commenced an
action, which was continued for 30 minutes, when she cut her cables and
began to make off. I instantly cut and followed her ; and, after about ten
minutes more of well-directed fire, we so completely unrigged her that
she struck her colours, and called out she had surrendered. We were
obliged to anchor again immediately, to prevent driving on shore. She
proves to be le Lodi, pierced for 20 guns, but had only 10 mounted, com-
* See Vol. I. pp.' 254, 20 et se<i. and note t at p. 180 et seq.
938 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
manded by M. Pierre Isaac Taupier, Capitaine de f regale. Our sails and
rigging are a good deal cut, but I am happy to say I had not a man killed ;
and the only person wounded is Mr. Thomas Gill, Master's-Mate, whose
left arm was carried off by a shot— a very worthy, promising young man,
who has served hia time in the navy, and will, if he survives, do credit to
your patronage. The loss of the enemy is one killed and 13 or 14 wounded,
by their own account.
" The conduct of Mr. James Alexander Gordon, the first Lieutenant,
on this as well as many other recent occasions, has been highly exemplary
and praiseworthy ; and I have much pleasure in informing you, that the
whole of the officers and ship's company behaved fully to my satisfaction.
I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " AUSTIN BISSELL."
" To Sir J. T. Duckworth, K. B.
Commander-tn-Chief, Sfc. 8fc."
Some time after this affair. Captain Bissell was promoted
into the Creole frigate, and Lieutenant Gordon appointed to
succeed him in the command of the Racoon. Amongst other
captures made by the latter, during his continuance on the
Jamaica station, was 1'Alliance French privateer, of 6 guns
and 68 men. His post commission bears date May 16, 1805.
From this period Captain Gordon does not appear to have
been again employed until the spring of 1807, when he ob-
tained the command of the Mercury, a 28-gun frigate, in
which he convoyed some merchant vessels to Newfoundland ;
and on his return from that service was sent to join Lord
Collingwood, on the Mediterranean station. An exploit per-
formed by the Mercury and her companions, off Cadiz, on
the 4th of April, 1808, has been noticed in our memoir of Sir
Murray Maxwell, who reported in becoming terms, the gal-
lantry and excellent conduct of all the officers and men em-
ployed under his orders.
About the month of August following, Captain Gordon was
removed into the Active frigate, rated at 38, but mounting 46
guns. As the particulars of several gallant exploits achieved
by his boats singly, and in conjunction with those of other
ships, between June 29, 1810, and July 27, 1811, will be
given in a subsequent part of this work *, we shall here
merely insert an extract from his senior officer's public letter,,
relative to an important service performed at Ortano, on the
* See Memoirs of Captain WILLIAM HENDERSON, and Commander*
WILLIAM SLAUGHTER and GEORGE HAYE.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 939
coast of Italy, and then proceed to point out the brilliant
actions in which he was afterwards more immediately en-
gaged.
" I feel particularly indebted to Captain Gordon for the judicious man-
ner in which his ship was placed, by which means he prevented any body
of the enemy from forming in the rear of our men ; and the promptitude
and zealous co-operation I have constantly experienced from him since we
have been serving together.
(Signed) " HENRY WHITBY."
Captain U. M. S. Cerberus.
The most important naval event which had for some time
occurred in the Mediterranean, or indeed on any other sta-
tion, was the victory obtained by Captain (now Sir William)
Hoste^ over a French squadron, near Lissa, on the 13th Mar.
1811. For its extent, the engagement was unquestionably
one of the most severe, and for bur countrymen, one of the
most brilliant that took place during the late war. Captain
Hoste's force consisted of the Amphion, Cerberus, Active,
and Volage, mounting in the whole 156 guns, and carrying
only 879 men. To those four ships were opposed six frigates,
one brig, and four smaller vessels, numbering in guns 284,
and in men 2655 * ! The enemy were totally discomfited,
after a conflict of six hours : two frigates being captured,
another destroyed, and the remainder obliged to fly from the
scene of action. The British sustained a joint loss of 50
killed and 150 wounded ; only 9 of the former, and 26 of the
latter belonged to the Active — a convincing proof that the
number of casualties on board any particular ship is not to
be considered as a sure criterion by which to judge of the
part borne by her in a general battle. Captain Hoste, in his
official letter, which we have inserted at full length in its
proper place, does such ample justice to the subject of this
memoir as to render any farther observations on our part
superfluous.
On the 29th Nov. following, another severe engagement
took place near the same spot, in which Captain Gordon was
the principal actor, and his ship the greatest sufferer. The
result was the capture of la Pomone, French frigate, of 44
guns and 322 men, by the Active, unassisted by her consorts,
the Alceste and Unite ; and of la Persanne, a 26-gun ship, by
* See note * at p. 472.
940 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. t
the latter frigate. Another ship of similar force to la Pomone
was enabled to escape in consequence of the Alceste having
unfortunately lost her main-top-mast when leading into action,
and being afterwards much disabled in her sails and rigging *.
From a letter written by one of the Active's officers, we
learn that about the middle of the action, Captain Gordon,
while giving his orders with the greatest coolness, lost his
leg. He was standing on a shot- rack, and leaning on the
capstan, when a 36-pound shot came in through a port-hole,
grazed the carriage of a carronade, took off a seaman's leg,
an4 struck the Captain on the knee-joint, carrying all off as if
it Jiad been done with a knife, and leaving the leg hanging by
the tendons. Although he instantly fell, he did not become
insensible, but calmly directed the first Lieutenant (William
Bateman Dashwood) to fight the ship, and, as he was being
carried below, told the second Lieutenant (George Haye), who
commanded on the main-deck, to do his best, should any mis-
chance befal his senior officer. As though these words had
been prophetic, poor Mr. Dashwood very soon after lost his
arm, and was likewise conveyed below. Mr. Haye then
assumed the command, and closed the action. When the
Alceste came up with the Active, Captain Maxwell, liberally
considering la Pomone as the fair trophy of the latter ship,
most nobly and honorably sent the sword of the French com-
mander to Captain Gordon, as his right by conquest.
The Active on this occasion had 8 persons killed, and 27,
including 2 mortally, wounded. Her opponent's loss has
been stated at p. 804, where we find Captain Maxwell draw-
ing his brave friend's character in the most lively and glow-
ing colours :-^he says '< it is with poignant regret I inform
you" (Captain Charles Rowley), " that Captain Gordon has
lost a leg : but, thank God, he is doing well} his merits as
an officer I need not dwell upon, they are known to his coun-
try, and he lives in the hearts of all who have the happiness
to know him."
Captain Gordon fortunately survived the amputation of his
limb, and, returning soon after to England, rapidly recovered
his health. In the autumn of 1812, he was appointed to the
* La Pomone had on board at least 100 men more than the Active.
See note t at p. 804.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 941
Seahorse, another fine frigate, which had just been thoroughly
repaired, and was then fitting for foreign service. The Board
of Admiralty about the same time presented him with a gold
medal, descriptive of the action off Lissa, to be worn with his
uniform in the usual manner *.
From this period we lose sight of Captain Gordon till Nov.
13, 1813, when he fell in with a large French lugger, which
surrendered after a chase of three hours, but not until she was
so much damaged by shot that she immediately afterwards
went down, and the Seahorse was only able to save 28 of her
crew, one of them severely wounded. She proved to be the
Subtile privateer, of 16 guns and 72 men.
Captain Gordon subsequently joined Vice- Admiral Sir Alex-
ander Cochrane on the American station, where he displayed
his usual zeal, courage, and ability, as will be seen by the
following account of his services in that quarter.
Previously to the commander-in-chief entering the Pa-
tuxent, in Aug. 1814 f> he sent Captain Gordon up the Po-
towmac, with a squadron under his orders |, to bombard fort
Washington, situated on the left bank of that river, about 10
or 12 miles below the American capital, with a view of de-
stroying that fortification, and opening a free communication
above, as well as to cover the retreat of the British troops
from Washington, should their return by the Bladensburg
road be found too hazardous from the accession of force the
enemy might obtain from Baltimore, and other places to the
northward and westward.
The Seahorse and her companions entered the Potowmac
on the 17th Aug.; but being without pilots to guide them
through that difficult part of the river called the Kettle Bot-
toms, and having contrary winds, they were unable to reach
fort Washington until the evening of the 27th. Nor was this
effected but by the severest labour. Each of the ships was
not less than twenty times aground — each time they were
obliged to haul off by main strength; and their crews were
employed warping for five whole successive days, with the
* See note * at p. 4/6.
t See Vol. I. p. 524.
t Seahorse 38; EuryaUis 36; Devastation, Etna, and Meteor, bombs ;
Erebus rocket-vessel, and Anna Maria tender.
942 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
exception of a few hours., a distance of more than fifty
miles.
The bomb vessels were placed in the evening of the 27th,
and immediately began the bombardment of the fort, it being
Captain Gordon's intention to attack it with the two frigates
at day-light the following morning. On the bursting of the
first shell the Americans were observed to retreat ; but sup-
posing some concealed design, Captain Gordon directed the
fire to be continued. At eight o'clock, however, his doubts
were removed by the explosion of the powder magazine,
which destroyed the inner buildings ; and at day- light on the
28th he took possession. Besides the principal fort, there
was a battery on the beach, a martello-tower, and a battery
in the rear, containing altogether 21 heavy cannon and six
field-pieces. The whole of these guns were already spiked
by the enemy^ and their complete destruction, with that of
their carriages also, was effected by the seamen and marines
sent on that service, in less than two hours.
The city of Alexandria thus lost its only defence ; and
Captain Gordon declined giving any answer to a proposal
made to him for its capitulation, until the following morning,
when he was enabled to place his squadron in such a position
as ensured assent to the peremptory and humiliating condi-
tions which he had determined to enforce. The following is
a copy of the articles which were acceded to by the Common
Council of that place : —
" The town of Alexandria, with the exception of public ^YO^ks, shall
not be destroyed, unless hostilities are commenced on the part of the
Americans j nor shall their dwelling houses be entered, nor the inhabitants
molested in any manner whatever, if the following articles are strictly com-
plied with : —
" I. All naval and ordnance stores, public or private, must be imme-
diately given up.
" II. Possession will be immediately taken of all shipping, and their fur-
niture must be sent on board by the owners without delay.
" III. The vessels that have been sunk must be delivered up in the state
they were in on the 19th August, the day the squadron passed the Kettle
Bottoms.
•• IV. Merchandise of every description must be instantly delivered up ;
and to prevent any irregularities that might be committed in its embarka-
tion, the merchants have it in their option to load the vessels generally
employed for that purpose, when they will be towed off by us.
POST- CAPTAINS OF 1805. 943
" V. All merchandise that has been removed from Alexandria since the
19th instant is to be included in the above article.
" VI. Refreshments of every description to be supplied the ships, and
paid for at the market price, by bills on the British government.
" VII. Officers will be appointed to see that the articles Nos. 2, 3, 4, and
5, are strictly complied with, and any deviation or non-compliance on the
part of the inhabitants of Alexandria, will render this treaty null and void.
(Signed) " JAMES A. GORDON."
This capitulation was signed by the President of the Com-
mon Council on the 29th Aug. and the whole of the captured
vessels that were sea worthy, twenty-one in number, were
fitted and loaded by the 31st, when Captain Henry Loraine
Baker, of the Fairy brig, arrived with despatches from Sir
Alexander Cochrane, and confirmed the rumours which had
already reached Captain Gordon, of strong measures having
been taken by the enemy to oppose the return of the squad-
ron ; the Fairy having had to fight her way up the river, past
a battery of five guns and a large military force. In conse-
quence of this intelligence, Captain Gordon deemed it prudent
to quit Alexandria without waiting to destroy those remaining
stores which he had not the means of bringing away.
Contrary winds again occasioned our countrymen die labo-
rious task of warping the ships down the river, in which a
day's delay took place, owing to the Devastation getting
aground. The Americans took advantage of this circumstance
to attempt her destruction by means of three fire- vessels,
attended by several row-boats ; but then* object was defeated
through the promptitude and gallantry of her commander,
Captain Thomas Alexander, who pushed off with his own
boats, and being followed by those of the other ships, chased
the enemy's boats up to the town BO recently evacuated. The
cool and steady conduct of Mr. John Moore, Midshipman of
the Seahorse, in towing the nearest fire-vessel on shore, whilst
the others were removed by the smaller boats of the Devasta-
tion, gained him Captain Gordon's highest commendation.
The Meteor and Fairy, assisted by the Anna Maria tender, a
prize gun -vessel, and a boat belonging to the Euryalus, armed
with a howitzer, had greatly impeded the progress of the
enemy in their works, notwithstanding which they were en-
abled to increase their battery to eleven guns, with a furnace
for heating shot. On the 3d, the wind changing to the N. W.,
944 POST-CAPTAINS OF J805.
the Etna and Erebus succeeded in getting down to their
assistance, and the following day they were joined by the
frigates and prizes ; but the Devastation, in spite of every
exertion, still remained five miles higher up the river.
The Erebus, being placed by Captain Bartholomew in an
admirable position for harassing the workmen employed in
the trenches, was now attacked by three field-pieces, which
did her considerable damage before they were silenced.
Another attempt was likewise made to destroy the Devasta-
tion ; but the enemy's fire-vessels were immediately obliged
to retreat by some boats under Captain Baker, whose alacrity
in proceeding to her assistance was highly extolled by the
Commodore. His loss, however, was considerable, owing to
the Americans having sought refuge under some guns in a
narrow ereek, from which it was impossible for him to dis-
lodge them.
On the 5th, at noon, the wind coming fair, and Captain
Gordon having made all his arrangements, the Seahorse and
Euryalus anchored within short musket-shot of the batteries,
while the whole of the prizes passed between them and a
shoal ; the bombs, &c. firing as they passed, and afterwards
anchoring in a favorable position for facilitating the further
removal of the frigates. At 3 P. M., having completely
silenced the enemy's fire, the latter cut their cables, and the
whole fleet proceeded to the next position taken up by the
American troops, where they had two batteries, mounting
from 14 to 18 guns, on a range of cliffs, extending about a
mile, under which the British were of necessity obliged to pass
very close. Captain Gordon did not intend to make the
attack that evening ; but the Erebus grounding within range,
the other men of war were necessarily called into action.
On this occasion, the fire of the Fairy had the most decisive
effect, as well as that of the Erebus, while the bombs threw
their shells with excellent precision, and the guns of the bat-
teries were thereby silenced about eight o'clock.
At day-light on the 6th, Captain Gordon made signal to
weigh, and so satisfied were the whole of the parties on shore *
* " Commodore Rodgers, with a chosen body of seamen from the Guer-
riere, at Philadelphia ; Captains Perry, Porter, and other ' distinguished
officers j* a party of officers and men from the Constellation, at Norfolk ;
POST- CAPTAINS op 1805. 945
of their opposition being ineffectual, that they allowed the
whole of the shipping to pass without further annoyance.
It has been justly said, that " of the many expeditions up
the bays and rivers of the United States, during the late war,
none equalled in brillancy of execution that up the Potow-
mac to Alexandria *." " Captain Gordon's farther success,"
says Sir Alexander Cochrane, in his despatches to the Admi-
ralty, " has exceeded my most sanguine expectations ; having
forced the populous city of Alexandria to capitulate, and
having brought down the river in triumph, through a series of
obstacles and determined opposition, a fleet of 21 enemy's
vessels. The difficulties which presented themselves to these
ships in ascending the river, impeded by shoals and contrary
winds, and the increased obstacles which the enemy had pre-
pared against their return with a confident hope of obstruct-
ing their descent, were only to be overcome by the most inde-
fatigable exertions. I trust, therefore, that the resolution and
gallantry displayed by every one employed upon this service,
which deserve my warmest applause, will be further honored
by their Lordships' approbation." We shall only add, that
the hammocks of the squadron were down but two nights
during the whole of the operations in the Potowmac, com-
prising a period of 23 days. Happily, the loss in this
" daring enterprise" did not exceed 7 killed and 35 wounded.
Amongst the former was Lieutenant Charles Dickinson, of
the Fairy ; and in the latter list we find the names of Captains
Charles Napier and David Ewen Bartholomew, of the Eury-
alus and Erebus. The latter vessel appears to have suffered
more than any other of the squadron.
We are not exactly aware of the manner in which Captain
Gordon was employed from the period of his rejoining Sir
Alexander Cochrane, in the Chesapeake, until the month of
December following, when he formed a junction with the
naval and military forces proceeding against New Orleans ;
hut he is mentioned in the public despatches relative to that
unfortunate expedition, as having afforded his " unwearied
the men that had belonged to Barney's flotilla, regular troops, riflemen,
artillerists, and militia; all flocked to the shores of the Potowmac, to « punish
the base incendiaries.' " See JAMES'S Nov. Occ. p. 384.
» See id. p. 381.
946 POSTvCAPTAlNS OP 1805.
and cheerful assistance" to Rear-Admiral (now Sir Pulteney)
Malcolm, during the whole of the operations, a detail of which
will be found in our memoir of Sir Edward Codrington,
K. C. B. * Since the peace he has commanded in succession
the Madagascar, Meander, and Active frigates. The follow-
ing extract from a respectable periodical publication, contains
an account of a miraculous escape which he experienced in
the month of Dec. 1816.
" The Meander, Captain Sir James Alexander Gordon f, is arrived at
Sheerness, in a sinking state, having struck upon a shoal, lying about 18
miles S. E. of Orfordness. She sailed from Sheerness for Leith on the
16th Dec., but owing to thick weather she was obliged to anchor occa-
sionally until the 18th. On the 19th, at 8-30 P. M. having been working
to windward the whole day, endeavouring to gain an anchorage in Yar-
mouth Roads, it then blowing a gale of wind, breakers were reported on the
lee-bow and beam ; the ship, under her fore and main-top-sails and fore-
sail, would not stay, and in falling off she struck upon the shoal, in 24 feet
water : fortunately she went over it, and was immediately anchored in 1 7
fathoms. In a few minutes afterwards the carpenter reported nearly six
feet water in her hold ; ' and here,' says an officer belonging to her, ' it
will be necessary to pause for a moment, at the dangerous and awful situa-
tion of the ship's company — the wind blowing a gale, with a tremendous sea,
the ship making upwards of 20 feet water an hour, and nearly twelve hours'
darkness before them : not a moment was to be lost, for not a hope of safety
was entertained, save in the mercy of the Almighty, and the united exertions
of every soul on board.' By the zeal and energy of the Captain and his
officers, and the almost unparalleled exertions of the men, the ship was
kept free until the morning: during the night, most providentially, the
Great Disposer of all Events had lulled the storm, and hushed the raging
sea. Minute guns were fired the whole time, and every blue-light in the
ship was burnt, in the hope of drawing the attention of vessels near ; but
it was not until long after day-light on the 20th, that several vessels were
seen approaching, some of which were afterwards directed to stay by the
Meander, in the event of its becoming necessary to quit her. The wind
and tide being fair for Sheerness, the cable was cut, and sail made by the
officers, it not being possible to remove a man from the pumps : at this
moment the leaks had increased ; but two sails, fitted with thrums, were
then dropped over the bows, and had a wonderful effect in checking the
leaks. At noon, on the ship's arrival within signal-distance of Sheerness,
her distressed state was made known, and the greatest and most prompt
assistance was immediately afforded by the Captains of the different ships,
* See vol. I. note at p. 637, et seq. N. B. Captain Gordon superin-
tended the landing of the advanced guard of the army on Isle aux Poix.
f Captain Gordon was nominated a K. C. B. Jan. 2, 1815.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 947
and the Hon. Commissioner Boyle, with the officers and men under their
respective commands ; but it was not until the 22d, with all the skill and
exertions employed, that the ship was safely secured in dock. On exami-
nation, it was ascertained she had carried away the whole of her fore-foot,
about ten feet of the garboard strake on the larboard side, and a great part
of her false and main keels. While these serious and alarming defects evi-
dently shew what must have been the exertions at the pumps, for upwards
of 20 hours, before any personal assistance was afforded, they also most
satisfactorily prove what gracious goodness and mercy must have been
vouchsafed to them by that Almighty Being, whose arm alone can save the
wanderers of the trackless deep. * » • » The officers of the Meander
speak of Captain Gordon in terms of the highest respect and most affec-
tionate regard j his firmness and zeal gave animation to all around him in
the midst of this awful time, in which not a murmur was heard, nor the
slightest disposition shewn towards intoxication. It appears that the pilot
of the ship is a clever, steady, deserving man, and not the slightest blame
whatsoever is to be attached to him. The Meander is ordered by the Ad-
miralty to be fitted with all possible dispatch."
Sir James A. Gordon was presented with the freedom of
Aberdeen in 1817. He married Aug. 27, 1812, the youngest
daughter of John Ward, of Marlborough, Wilts, Esq.
Agent. — J. Copland, Esq.
HON. FREDERICK WILLIAM AYLMER.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; awl a
Knight Commander of the Neapolitan Order of St.
Ferdinand and of Merit.
THIS officer is the third son of Henry, fourth Lord Aylmer,
by Catharine, second sister of Charles, Earl Whitworth,
G. C. B.
He was born Oct. 12, 1777; and first went to sea in the
Syren of 32 guns, commanded by the late Vice- Admiral John
Manley, in which frigate H. R. H. the Duke of York embarked
for Holland, at the commencement of the French revolutionary
war.
Mr. Aylmer served as a Lieutenant on board the Swiftsure
74, in the memorable battle of Aug. 1, 1798; and was fre-
quently employed on boat service during the subsequent ope-
rations in the neighbourhood of Aboukir, and on the coast
of Italy*. His name is frequently mentioned by the 1
* See vol. I. pp. 469—478.; and vol. II. pp. 820—830.
948 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
Cooper Willyams, and it is from that gentleman's publication
that we make the following extract :—
" When the Swiftsure appeared off Civita Vecchia, a French officer of
distinction came on board with a flag of truce ; hut nothing was then de-
cided upon. At another time, when some Neapolitan vessels, supposing
the place was evacuated by the French, were making towards it, the
French armed-boats, and gun-vessels of a large size, pushed out to bring
them in ; but the boats of the Swiftsure were sent to their assistance, and
soon made the enemy retire, pursuing them with great spirit till under the
guns of their own batteries, and nearly capturing them. Lieutenant
Alymer, in the launch, had a narrow escape ; a shot from the shore, which
killed a man who was in the act of taking aim, having struck the powder-
horn from his hand. Captain Hallo well had already entered into a nego-
ciation with the enemy, and paved the way for the surrender of the place^
when he was recalled to attend the Admiral at Palermo."
Lieutenant Aylmer received the Turkish gold medal, at
the close of the Egyptian campaign ; and obtained the rank
of Commander in 1802 ; previous to which he had acted as
such in the Fury bomb, during the absence of Captain
Richard Curry, whom we have already described as the bearer
of Lord Keith's dispatches relative to the surrender of Grand
Cairo, June 26, 1801 *.
We subsequently find Captain Aylmer commanding in suc-
cession the Delight and Wasp, sloops of war ; and in July,
1803, capturing a French privateer, on the Mediterranean
station. From the latter vessel he was posted into the Glory,
of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Sir John Orde ; but he appears
to have been soon afterwards superseded, in consequence of
that second rate being required for the flag of Rear-Admiral
Domett, who had selected an old shipmate to command her.
His post commission bears date May 18, 1805.
After quitting the Glory, we lose sight of Captain Aylmer
till July 1809, when he assumed the command of the Narcis-
sus, a 32-gun frigate, employed on Channel service. Early
in the following year he captured the French privateers
Duguay Trouin, of 14 guns and 75 men ; and Aimable Jose-
phine, of 14 guns and 105 men. A merchant brig, which had
been taken by the former, was also recaptured by him.
The result of an expedition, undertaken by the late Com-
modore Sir Robert Mends, in conjunction with the Spanish
* See vol. 1, p. 468.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 949
Brigadier-General Porlier, in the summer of 1810, has al-
ready been stated at p. 2/2, et seg. The following is the
detail, we there promised, of the proceedings of the naval
brigade, commanded by Captain Aylmer.
Early on the 5th of July, 500 Spanish patriots, and a de-
tachment of seamen and marines from the squadron, were
landed on the beach to the westward of Santona, and the
allied commanders immediately pushed forward to the town,
which they entered without loss, the French troops having re-
tired across the river. The British advanced guard, under
Lieutenant Desbrisay R. M., with the Spanish tirailleurs, suc-
ceeded in stopping a part of the enemy's rear guard, killed
two, wounded a few more, and took several prisoners. In the
course of the day, Brigadier-General Porlier sent off some of
his men on the road to St. Andero, and Mr. Hugh Pearson,
first Lieutenant of the Arethusa, was detached with a party
of seamen to destroy the guns in the forts, which he com-
pletely effected. The 6th was spent in examining the ground,
as there was reason to expect the enemy would advance in
force from St. Andero.
The following morning, Captain Aylmer directed the boats'
carronades to be placed on a hill which commanded the
isthmus leading to the town ; and the men were at the same
time posted along the hedges and vineyards in front of the
position, the main body of the Spaniards on a sand-hill to the
right, and the English, with the tirailleurs, in the centre and
to the left. At about 11 A. M. a firing was heard, and the
advanced parties retired, in the most perfect order, closely
followed by the enemy. Very shortly after, the French were
observed advancing rapidly in three columns, but they were
almost immediately checked by the steadiness of the recep-
tion they met with, and at length obliged to retire, leaving
many killed and wounded on the field.
" The enemy's force," says Captain Aylmer, " appeared to consist of
between 700 and 800 men, and I have only to regret that they did not
advance nearer; for had they done so, I am convinced a most complete and
entire destruction of their whole force would have taken place. Brigadier-
General Porlier detached his sharp-shooters to harass their rear : they suc-
ceeded in killing and wounding several, and making some prisoners. OR
the whole I conceive the loss of the French in killed, wounded, and pri-
soners, amounts to about 150 men. The whole of the guns, &c. in San-
VOL, II. 3 Q
950 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1805.
tona and Laredo are destroyed, consisting of twenty-two 24-pounders, and
four 13-inch brass mortars."
The importance of this service may be inferred from the
expressions of gratitude contained in a letter of thanks which
the Junta of Gallicia sent to Sir Robert Mends *, who, when
reporting the proceedings of his squadron to Lord Gambier,
declared himself much indebted to " the zeal and ability of
that excellent officer" (Captain Aylmer), " as well as to
Captain Bowles, of the Medusa, who most anxiously solicited
to be attached to the brigade, and acted as second in com-
mand,"
From this period we have no certain information respecting
Captain Aylmer, until the summer of 1815, when we find him
conducting an expedition up the Gironde, after an ineffectual
attempt to open a communication with General Clausel, com-
mandant at Bourdeaux, the inhabitants of which town, al-
though principally staunch royalists, were still kept in sub-
jection by a considerable body of the ex-imperial troops.
The complete success attending Captain Aylmer's enterprise,
will be seen by his official letter to Viscount Keith, dated
on board the Pactolus frigate, in the Gironde, July 14,
1815 :—
" My Lord, — I arrived off this port on the 3d instant, and in compliance
with the wishes of General Donnadieu, sent in a flag of truce, with one of
his aides-de-camp, for the purpose of communicating with General Clausel,
commanding at Bourdeaux ; but as two days more elapsed without any
answer or news of the aide-de-camp, I sent another flag in to a corvette
lying in the river ; and I learnt from her commander that he had received
the most positive orders from General Clausel not to hold any kind of com-
munication with us. In addition to this we received a proclamation, signed
by the General, declaring Bourdeaux and its whole vicinity in a state of
siege, and threatening with military execution any who manifested signs of
disaffection to his government. The aide-de-camp, it appeared, was de-
tained.
" While this negotiation was attempting, the Hebrus (frigate) arrived
with the charge of a small expedition, with arms and supplies for the
royalists ; and when it became evident that no good could arise out of any
attempt to conciliate General Clausel, Captain (Edmund) Palmer made me
a very strong representation upon the necessity which he conceived there
was for his attempting to enter the Gironde, and open a direct communi-
cation with the royalist party. After weighing the circumstances, I thought
* See p. 273.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805.
961
it my duty to accede to the proposal, and I united the ships for the prose-
cution of the service. General Donnadieu being anxious to pursue his
mission on the coast, I dispatched the Larne with him to Passages.
" On the llth, the squadron weighed from an outer anchorage we had
taken, and formed for the purpose of entering the river; but, as we
stood in, the enemy's corvette was observed to weigh and manoeuvre in the
north entrance, while five sail pushed out through the southern passage to
sea. Under these circumstances it became necessary for the intercepting
these vessels, that tlie squadron should separate for the time ; and conse-
quently the forcing of the river was given up for that day. During the
night the squadron united again, after having examined the vessels which
had sailed in so suspicious a manner, and which circumstance was deve-
loped by the embargo having been that morning discontinued in the
river.
" Yesterday the wind being favorable, the squadron again weighed, and
formed in a close line for entering the Gironde. The Pactolus led, the
Hebrus followed, and the Falmouth (of 20 guns) brought up the rear ; the
two former had transports in tow. As we proceeded, a person came off,
with a message from the people of the town of Royan, saying, that they
would not fire at us, provided we did not assail them. We passed on, with
the royal colours of France at our mast-head : the tri-coloured flag flew
along the batteries, which were all in preparation ; but no act of hostility
occurred until we reached the heavy battery at Verdun, which opened its
fire upon us, and continued it until the ships reached the anchorage. NO
injury, however, was sustained, and the squadron did not return a gun, for
I was unwilling to disturb the feeling which appeared so generally and so
happily to prevail.
" Directly the ships were secured, a communication was sent up, with
a flag of truce, to General Clausel, by the Comte de Lasteur, deputed by
M. la Duchesse d'Angoulcrae, and we are in expectation of his answer. In
the mean time nothing can wear a more favorable aspect than the face of
things in this river. I beg to assure you that every measure shall be adopted,
in conjunction with the Baron de Montalembert, to arm and organize the
royal party, and establish the power of predominance of his Majesty the
King of France, in the vicinity of wherever our means can operate.
" I lose no time in despatching the Falmouth to your Lordship, and
Captain Knight will explain our situation, as well as that we are taking
every precaution in respect to the defence of the river, in the event of
General Clausel sending down any strong force to stifle the spirit of the
people. I shall also write to Sir Henry Hotham, and perhaps the Rear-
Admiral may strengthen our means here, so that we may fully avail our-
selves of such opportunity of pushing the royal cause with vigour and ce-
lerity, and of cherishing the excellent disposition with which all here seem
inspired. I have just learnt that the enemy evacuated the fort of Verdun
last night, and retired with his garrison. We have sent a force on shore
to dismantle and destroy the guns, &c. TUis is the fort which diaputei
our entrance, and it is a very strong work.
3a2
952 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
" I have also the pleasure to add, that the propositions of the Baron de
Montalembert, and his mission, have hitherto been every where attended
with success. The forts and the positions are gradually pulling down J;heir
tri-coloured flags, and hoisting that of their legitimate sovereign ; and seve-
ral of them have saluted the squadron upon their hoisting the white flag.
While writing this letter, another battery has followed their example, ami
there now remains only the fort at Meche with the tri-coloured flag. * *
* * I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " F. W. AYLMER."
" To Admiral Lord discount Keith, tyc."
General Clausel soon after heard of the events at Paris,
occasioned by the second abdication of his master; and know-
ing well the disposition of the inhabitants of the country
around him, those of Bourdeaux in particular, he at length
entered into negociations with Captain Aylmer and the
French King's officers, which ended in the royal colours
being hoisted on the castle of Bourdeaux, and over all the sur-
rounding districts.
Early in 1816, Captain Aylmer was appointed to the Severn
of 50 guns, which frigate formed part of Lord Exmouth's
fleet at the memorable attack upon Algiers, on which occa-
sion she is said to have expended nearly 13,000 Ibs. of pow-
der, and 2920 round shot*. Her loss consisted of 37 men
killed and wounded. A full account of that splendid achieve-
ment will be found at p. 225 et seq. of our first volume.
For his conduct on that glorious day, Captain Aylmer was
nominated a C. B. immediately after the tidings of the victory
had been received in England ; and the insignia of a K. F. M.
was conferred upon him in consequence of his having con-
veyed to Naples, the whole of the emancipated Italian slaves,
and 357,000 dollars, which the Dey of Algiers had been com-
pelled to return to the King of the Two Sicilies.
Captain Aylmer is heir-presumptive to his brother Major-
General Lord Aylmer, K. C. B., Adjutant-General in Ire-
land f.
Agents.— Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
» See " SALAME'S Narrative of the expedition to Algiers," p. 172.
T The first Lord Aylmer was a page to the celebrated Duke of Bucking-
ham, and through his persuasion embraced the naval profession. He acted
as second to Russell in the battle off Cape la Hogue, and was made a
Rear-Admiral in consequence of the valour and good conduct displayed by
POST-CAPTAINS op 1805. 953
RICHARD THOMAS, ESQ.
^ THIS officer is the brother of Dr. Charles Thomas, Physi-
cian to the Devonport and Stonehouse Public Dispensary.
He was born at Saltash in Cornwall, entered the royal
navy at an early age, and served as Midshipman from June
1790 till Jan. 1797, on board the Cumberland 74, commanded
by Captain John M'Bride ; Blanche frigate, Captain Robert
Murray ; Nautilus sloop of war, Lord Henry Paulet ; and
Boyne and Victory three-deckers, bearing the flag of Sir John
Jervis, whose patronage he obtained by his gallant conduct
at the storming of Fort Royal, Martinique, Mar. 20, 1794, an
event already described at p. 859 of our first volume *.
We next find Mr. Thomas serving as a Lieutenant on board
the Excellent 74, commanded by Captain Cuthbert Colling-
wood, in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, which took place a
very few weeks after his promotion f. On that glorious oc-
casion the Excellent is acknowledged by Nelson to have taken
a very distinguished share, and to have rendered him the
most effectual support in the hottest part of the battle, as will
be seen by the following laconic note, which he addressed to
her commander, and an extract from his own account of
the transactions in which he himself was personally en-
gaged t : —
" Dear Collingwood ! — A friend in need is a friend
indeed."
him on that renowned occasion, In the succeeding reign he rendered him-
self formidable to the Barbary corsairs, and greatly enhanced his reputa-
tion by compelling the piratical states of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, to con-
clude a peace, equally humiliating to them, and honorable to the cause of
humanity. He obtained an Irish barony in 1718, and died Aug. 18, 1720.
Captain Aylmer's father was his great-grandson.
• * The Cumberland formed part of the squadron sent to the West Indies,
under Rear- Admiral Cornish, during the Spanish armament in 1790. The
Nautilus assisted at the capture of Tobago, April 15, 1793; and at the
reduction of Martinique and St. Lucia, in 1794. The Boyne was destroyed
by fire, at Spithead, May 1, 1795. See vol. I. pp. 59, 514, and 19 ; also
vol. II. part I. p. 83.
t See memoir of Earl St. Vincent, in vol. I.
t The document alluded to is given at full length in vol. I. at p. 774,
et seq-
954 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
" At this time (about 2-15 P. M.) the Salvador del Mundo and San
Isidro dropped astern, and were fired into, in a masterly style, by the
Excellent, Captain Collingwood, who compelled the San Isidro to hoist
English colours ; and I thought the large ship, Salvador del Mundo, had
also struck ; but Captain Collingwood, disdaining the parade of taking pos*
session of a vanquished enemy, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail
set, to save his old friend and messmate, who was to appearance in a criti-
cal state ; the Blenheim being a-head, the Culloden crippled and a-stern.
The Excellent ranged up within two feet of the San Nicholas, giving a
most tremendous tire. The San Nicholas luffing up, the San Josef fell
on board her ; and the Excellent passing on for the Santa Trinidada, the
Captain resumed her station abreast of them, and close alongside »."
Lieutenant Thomas continued in the Excellent until Oct.
1798, at which period he was appointed to the Thalia frigate,
from whence he removed into the Defence 74, commanded
by his former Captain, Lord Henry Paulet, with whom he
served till the year 1800, when he rejoined the worthy Col-
lingwood, whose flag, as a Rear-Admiral of the White, was
then flying on board the Triumph, another third-rate, sta-*
tioned off Brest. He subsequently followed the same officer
into the Barfleur of 98 guns, and remained with him, on
Channel service, till the suspension of hostilities in 1802f
His last appointment as a Lieutenant was to the Cambrian
frigate, from which ship he appears to have been promoted to
the rank of Commander, in the Chichester 44, at Halifax,
Jan. 18, 1803.
Returning from Nova Scotia, as a passenger on board the
Lady Hobart packet, commanded by William Dorset Fel-
lowes, Esq. (now Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain
of England), Captain Thomas experienced shipwreck on an
island of ice ; but after being exposed to the most imminent
peril in an open boat for seven days, with scarcely any thing
to subsist on, succeeded in reaching Island Cove, to the
northward of St. John's, Newfoundland, from whence he re-
turned to Bristol in a merchant vessel, Aug. 3, 1803. The
* The Excellent succeeded in getting close under the lee of the Santissi-
jna Trinidada, mounting 130 guns, and engaged her for nearly an hour,
assisted by the Orion, Irresistible, and Blenheim. According to an entry
in the Orion's log, this huge ship was compelled to haul down her colours,
and hoist a British ensign ; but the approach of 13 other Spanish ships pre-
vented her opponents from profiting by the advantage they had gained.
The Excellent's total loss was 11 men killed and 12 wounded.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 955
following are extracts from the official narrative of Captain
Fellowes, published by authority soon after their arrival.
After giving an account of his sailing from Halifax, June
22, 1803, and the capture of a. French schooner on the 26th,
laden with salt fish, Captain Fellowes, thus proceeds : —
" Tuesday 28th June. — Blowing hard from the westward, with a heavy
sea and hazy weather, with intervals of thick fog. About 1 A. M., the ship
then going by the log at the rate of seven miles an hour, struck against an
island of ice, with such violence, that several of the crew were pitched out
of their hammocks. Being- roused out of my sleep by the suddenness of the
shock, I instantly ran upon deck. The helm being put hard a-port, the ship
struck again about the chest-tree, and then swung round on her heel, her
stern-post being stove in, and her rudder carried away, before we could
succeed in our attempts to haul her off. At this time the island of ice
appeared to hang quite over the ship, forming a high peak, which must
have been at least twice the height of our mast-head ; and we suppose the
length of the island to have been from a quarter to half a mile.
" The sea was now breaking over the ice in a dreadful manner, the
water rushing in so fast as to fill the hold in a few minutes. Hove the
guns overboard, cut away the anchors from the bows, got two sails under
the ship's bottom, kept both pumps going, and baling with buckets at the
main-hatchway, in the hope of preventing her from sinking ; but in less
than a quarter of an hour she settled down to her fore-chains in the
water.
" Our situation was now become most perilous. Aware of the danger
of a moment's delay in hoisting out the boats, I consulted Captain Thomas
of the navy, and Mr. Bargus, my Master, as to the propriety of making
any further efforts to save the ship ; and as I was anxious to preserve the
mail, I requested their opinion as to the possibility of taking it into the
boats, in the event of our being able to get them over the ship's side.
These gentlemen agreed with me, that no time was to be lost in hoisting
them out ; and that, as the vessel was then settling fast, our first and only
consideration was to endeavour to preserve the crew.
" Having fortunately succeeded in hoisting out the cutter and jolly-boat,
the sea then running high, we placed the ladies in the former. One of
them, Miss Cotenham, was so terrified, that she sprung from the gunwale,
awl pitched into the bottom of the boat with considerable violence. This
accident, which might have been productive of fatal consequences to her-
self, as well as to us all, was unattended by any bad effects. The few pro-
visions which had been saved from the men's berths were then put into the
boats, which were quickly veered a-stern. By this time the main-deck
forward was under water, and nothing but the quarter-deck appeared:
then ordered my men into the boats : and having previously lashed ii
pigs of ballast to the mail, it was thrown overboard.
"• I now perceived the ship was sinking fast, and called out to the men
to haul up and receive me, intending to drop myself into the cutter from
056 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
the end of the trysail-boom, fearing she might be stove under the counter ;
and I desired Mr. Bargus, who continued with me on the wreck, to go over
first. In this instance, he replied, that he begged leave to disobey my
orders ; that he must see me save over before he attempted to go himself.
Such conduct, and at such a moment, requires no comment ; but I should
be wanting to myself, and to the service, if I did not faithfully state to their
Lordships every circumstance, however trifling : and it is highly satisfac-
tory to me to have this opportunity of recording an incident so honorable
to a meritorious officer.
" The sea was running- so high at the time we hoisted out the boats,
that I scarcely flattered myself we should get them out in safety ; and in.
deed, nothing but the steady and orderly conduct of the crew could have
enabled us to effect so difficult and hazardous an undertaking : it is a jus-
tice to them to observe, that not a man in the ship attempted to make use
of the liquor, which every one had in his power. Whilst the cutter was
getting out, I perceived one of the seamen (John Tipper) emptying a
demijean, or bottle, containing five gallons, which, on inquiry, I found to
be rum. He said that he was emptying it for the purpose of filling it with
water from the scuttle-cask on the quarter-deck, which had been generally
filled over night, and which was then the only fresh water to be got at : it
became, afterwards, our principal supply. I relate this circumstance, as
being so highly creditable to the character of a British sailor.
" We had scarce quitted the ship, when she suddenly gave a heavy lurch
to port, and then went down head foremost. * * * * * I cannot
attempt to describe my own feelings, or the sensations of my people
Exposed as we were, in two small open boats, upon the great Atlantic
ocean, bereft of all assistance, but that which our own exertions, under
Providence, could afford us, we narrowly escaped being swallowed up in
the vortex. Men used to vicissitudes are not easily dejected ; but there are
trials which human nature alone cannot surmount. The consciousness of
having done our duty, and a reliance upon a good Providence, enabled us
to endure our calamity ; and we animated each other with the hope of a
better fate. # * t * * «
" Having at length surmounted dangers and difficulties which baffle all
description, we rigged the foremast, and prepared to shape our course in
the best manner that circumstances would admit of, the wind blowing from
the precise point on which it was necessary to sail, to reach the nearest
land. An hour had scarcely elapsed from the time the ship struck, till
she foundered. The distribution of the crew had already been made in the
following order, which we afterwards preserved ;
" In the cutter, of the following dimensions, viz. 20 feet long, 6 feet 4
inches broad, and 2| feet deep, were embarked three ladies and myself ;
Captain Richard Thomas, of the navy ; the French commander of the
schooner ; the master's-mate, gunner, steward, carpenter, and eight sea-,
men ; in all 18 people : whose weight, together with the provisions, brought
the boat's gunwale down to within 6 or 7 inches of the water. From this
omfined space, some, idea may be formed of our crowded state ; but it is
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1605. 957
scarcely possible for the imagination to conceive the extent of our suffer*
ings in consequence of it.
" In the jolly-boat, 14 feet from stem to stern, 5£- feet broad, and 2
feet deep, were embarked Mr. Samuel Bargus, Master; Lieutenant-Colo-
nel George Cooke, of the First Regiment of Guards • ; the boatswain, sail-
maker, and seven seamen $ in all 1 1 persons f
" The only provisions, &c. we were enabled to save, consisted of between
40 and 50 pounds of biscuit ; one vessel containing 5 gallons of water ; a
small jug of the same, and part of a small barrel of spruce beer ; one detni-
jean of ruin, a few bottles of port wine, with two compasses, a quadrant, a
spy-glass, a small tin mug, and a wine-glass. The deck-lantern, which had
a few spare candles in it, had been likewise thrown into the boat ; and the
cook having had the precaution to secure his tinder-box and some matches
that were kept in a bladder, we were afterwards enabled to steer by night.
" The wind was now blowing strong from the westward, with a heavy
sea, and the day had just dawned. Estimating ourselves to be at the dis-
tance of 350 miles from St. John's, in Newfoundland, with a prospect of
a continuance of westerly winds, it became at once necessary to use the
strictest economy. I represented to my companions in distress, that our
resolution, once made, ought on no account to be changed ; and that we
must begin by suffering privations, which I foresaw would be greater than
I ventured to explain. To each person, therefore, were served out half a
biscuit and a glass of wine, which was the only allowance for the ensuing
24 hours, all agreeing to leave the water untouched as long as possible J.
During the time we were employed in getting out the boats, I bad ordered
the Master to throw the main-hatch tarpauling into the cutter ; which being
afterwards cut into lengths, enabled us to form a temporary bulwark against
the waves. J had also reminded the carpenter jto carry with him as many
tools as he could : he had accordingly, among other things, put a few nails
in his pockets, and we repaired the gunwale of the cutter, which had been
stove in hoisting her out. Soon after day-light we made sail, with the
jolly-boat in tow, and stood close-hauled to the northward and westward,
in the hope of reaching the coast of Newfoundland, or of being picked up
by some vessel. Passed two islands of ice, nearly as large as the first. We
now said prayers, and returned thanks to God for our deliverance. At
* The present Lieutenant-General Sir George Cooke, K.C.B., who com-
manded the Guards, and lost an arm, at the battle of Waterloo.
t Two French prisoners are included among the seamen mentioned
in the above lists. Two of the schooner's crew were left on board to
assist in navigating her into port. The remainder were put on board two
English merchantmen, for a passage to Newfoundland, soon after her
capture.
I Thissmall allowance was obliged to be curtailed on the following day,
in consequence of the biscuit being much damaged by salt water during
the night.
958 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
noon, observed in lat. 46° 33' N. ; St John's bearing about W. £ N., dis-
tent 350 miles."
It was not until the 4th July, after encountering a succes-
sion of heavy gales, and being reduced by famine to almost
the lowest possible state of existence, that they made the
land in Conception Bay, on the coast of Newfoundland.
Those alone who have been in similar situations, can accu-
rately judge of the sensations experienced by them on seeing
the shore. By Captain Fellowes they are thus affectingly
described : —
"I wish it were possible for rne to describe our sensations at this inte-
resting moment. From the constant watching and fatigue, and from the
languor and depression arising from our exhausted state, such accumu-
lated irritability was brought on, that the joy of a speedy relief affected us
all in a most remarkable way ; many burst into tears ; some looked at each
other with a stupid stare, as if doubtful of the reality of what they saw ;
several were in such a lethargic state, that no consolation, no animating
language, could rouse them to exertion.
" At this affecting period, though overpowered by my own feelings,
and impressed with the recollection of our sufferings, and the sight of so
many deplorable objects, I proposed to offer up our solemn thanks to
Heaven for our miraculous deliverance. Every one cheerfully assented j
and as soon as I opened the prayer-book (which I had secured the last time
J went down to my cabin), there was an universal silence ; a spirit of de-
votion was so singularly manifested on this occasion, that to the benefits
of a religious sense in uncultivated minds, must be ascribed that discipline,
good order, and exertion, which even the sight of land could scarcely
produce.
" The wind having blown with great violence from off the coast, we did
not reach the landing-place at Island Cove till four o'clock in the evening.
AH the women and children in the village, with two or three fishermen (the
rest of the men being absent), came down to the beach, and appearing
deeply affected at our wretched situation, assisted in carrying us up the
craggy rocks, over which we were obliged to pass to get to their
habitations.
" This small village afforded neither medical aid nor fresh provisions, of
which we stood so much in need ; potatoes and salt fish being the only food
of the inhabitants. I determined, therefore, to lose no time in proceeding
to St. John's, having hired a small schooner for that purpose. On the 7th
July we embarked in three divisions, placing the most infirm in the
schooner ; the master's-mate having charge of the cutter, and the boat-
swain of the jolly-boat : but such was the exhausted state of nearly the
whole party, that the day was considerably advanced before we could get
under weigh. * * * *. Towards dusk it came on to blow hard in
squalls off the land, when we lost sight of the cutter, and were obliged
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 959
soon after to come to an anchor outside of St. John's harbour. We were
under great apprehensions for the cutter's safety, as she had no grapnel,
and lest she should be driven out to sea ; but at day-light we perceived her
and the schooner entering the harbour; the cutter, as we afterwards
learned, having had the good fortune to fall in with a fishing- vessel, to
which she made fast during the night.
" The ladies, Colonel Cooke, Captain Thomas, and myself, conducted
by Mr. Lilly (a planter resident at Island Cove) in the jolly-boat, having
left the schooner when she anchored, notwithstanding the badness, as well
as extreme darkness of the night, reached the shore about midnight. We
wandered for some time abqut the streets, there being no house open at
that late hour ; but were at length admitted into a small tenement, where we
passed the remainder of the night on chairs, there being but one miserable
bed for the ladies. Early on the following day, our circumstances being
made known, hundreds of people crowded down to the landing-place :
nothing could exceed their surprise on seeing the boats that had carried
29 persons such a distance over a boisterous sea ; and when they beheld so
many miserable objects, they could not conceal their emotions of pity and
concern. I waited on Brigadier-General Skerrit, who commanded the
garrison, and who immediately, upon being informed of our situation, or-
dered down a party of soldiers to take the people out of the boats, and
with the utmost kindness and humanity directed beds and every necessary
article to be prepared for the crew *."
Being anxious to return to England, Captain Fellowes en-
gaged the cabin of a small vessel bound to Oporto ; and on
the llth July he embarked with Lieutenant-Colonel Cooke,
Captain Thomas, and Mr. Bargus, leaving the Mate in charge
of his late crew.
" During a voyage of 15 days we had a few difficulties to encounter,
such as pumping continually, the vessel having sprung a leak in a gale of
wind ; and we were obliged to throw overboard a considerable part of her
cargo. On the 26th July, we fell in with an American ship, the Bristol
Trader, of New York. The owner, Mr. William Cowley, being told our
distressed situation, and that we had been shipwrecked, immediately hove
to, and, with a benevolence and humanity that will ever reflect the highest
honor on his character, received us on board, and brought us safe to
Bristol ; where we had the happiness to arrive on the 3d August t.
* The greatest circumspection was found necessary in administering
nourishment to the men, who were so much frost-bitten as to require con-
stant surgical assistance. Many of them lost their toes ; and it was deter,
mined they should continue at St. John's until the whole were in a fit state
to be removed to Halifax in a schooner hired by Captain Fellowes for that
purpose.
t The Oporto trader was never heard of after Captain Fellowes and his
960 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805.
" POSTSCRIPT. I regret that, in the hurry of drawing up this Narra-
tive, I should have omitted to make more particular mention of Captain
Richard Thomas, R. N., from whose great professional skill and advice,
throughout the whole of our perilous voyage, I derived the greatest
assistance"
The character of the work from which we have made the
foregoing extracts, and the praise to which Captain Fellowes
and his associates in misfortune are entitled, for their firm
and pious conduct in the hour of danger, are so admirably
touched in the following minute thereon, made by their Lord-
ships the Post-Master-General, as to render any farther eu-
Jogiuin on our part unnecessary.
"August\§, 1803.
" We have perused this report with a mixed sentiment of sympathy and
admiratiou. We are satisfied, that in the loss of the packet and of the pub-
lic correspondence, no blame is imputable to Captain Fellowes, to his offi-
cers, or to his seamen. In their exertion after the ship had struck on the
floating mass of ice, and in their subsequent conduct, they appear to have
shewn all the talents and virtue which can distinguish the iwval cha-
racter,
" Let a proper letter be written in our names to the friends and family
of the very worthy French officer who perished *. And we shall be solici-
tous to learn the entire recovery of the other passengers, who met such
dangers and sufferings with the most exemplary fortitude.
" Mr. Freeling will return the Narrative to Captain Fellowes, with our
permission to him to communicate it to his friends ; or, if he shall think
proper, to give it to the public. It cannot fail to impress on the minds of
all who may read it, the benefit of religion, and the consolation of prayer
under the pressure of calamity ; and also an awful sense of the interposi-
tion and mercies of Providence, in a case of extreme peril and distress.
To seamen it will more especially shew that discipline, order, generosity of
mind, good temper, mutual benevolence, and patient exertion, are, under
the favor of Heaven, the best safeguards in all their difficulties.
" With respect to Captain Fellowes, we feel highly gratified in having
companions left her ; but there is every reason to believe that she perished
in the same gale that proved so fatal to H. M. sloop Calypso, and the
Jamaica fleet under her protection, in Aug. 1803.
* M. Rosse*, commander of the French schooner captured by the Lady
Hobart, threw himself overboard in a fit of delirium, on the 3d July. He
had for some days laboured under a despondency which admitted of no con-
solation. One of the other prisoners, at the same time, became so out-
rageous, that it was found necessary to lash him to the bottom of the
boat.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805. 961
it in our power so immediately to give him a promotion, which we have
reason to believe will be particularly acceptable.
(Signed) " AUCKLAND.
" C. SPENCER *."
The subject of this memoir commissioned the ^Etna bomb
in Dec. 1803, and soon after joined the fleet under Lord Nel-
son on the Mediterranean station, where he was very actively
employed covering Sardinia, and on various other services,
till the glorious battle of Trafalgar ; from which period he
served as Flag-Captain to Lord Collingwood, in the Queen,
Ocean, and Ville de Paris, 3- deckers, until the death of that
gallant and worthy nobleman, which took place off Minorca,
on the 7th Mar. 1810. His post commission bears date Oct.
22, 1805.
It should here be remarked, that Lord Colliugwood, satis-
fied with the ability of his protege, wholly dispensed with the
assistance of a Captain of the Fleet, and consequently much
of the duty of that office was performed by Captain Thomas,
who continued in the command of the Ville de Paris, as a
private ship, till the autumn of 1810, when he gave her up in
consequence of private concerns requiring his attendance in
England.
Captain Thomas's next appointment was, about Feb. 1811,
to the Undaunted, a fine 38-gun frigate, employed in co-oper-
ation with the Spanish patriots on the coast of Catalonia,
where he displayed great zeal and activity on a variety of oc-
casions, for which the thanks of the Admiralty were conveyed
to him through his senior officer, the present Sir Edward
Codrington. He was subsequently entrusted with the com-
* Captain Fetlowes, who then held the rank of a commander in the
navy, by commission dated in 1800, was appointed Agent for the Packets
stationed at Holy head, in Aug. 1803, and held that office till his retirement
from the service in 1815. He became Private Secretary to the late Lord
Gwydir in 1819 ; and received his present appointment as Secretary to the
Lord Great Chamberlain of England, in 1820. He is the author of " An
Account of the celebrated July 1816," written to Lord Gwydir ; and of
" A Visit to the Monastery of La Trappe, and the interesting country of La
Vendee." His eldest brother, James, served as Physician to the British
army during the peninsular war, and received the honor of knighthood,
Mar. 21, 1810. 'Another brother, Thomas, who greatly distinguished him-
self as a commander of flotilla at Cadiz, obtained post rank Mar. 4, 181 1 ;
and was nominated a C. B. in 1815.
962 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
mand of a squadron stationed in the gulf of Lyons ; and on
the 29th April 1812, we find him directing an attack to be
made by the boats of his own ship, the Volontaire frigate,
and Blossom sloop, upon a fleet of French merchantmen near
the town of St. Mary's. This service Was ably performed
under the orders of Lieutenant John Eager, who succeeded
in capturing seven vessels, and destroying thirteen others,
laden with provisions and stores, together with a national
schooner of 4 guns and 74 men, under whose protection they
were proceeding to the relief of Barcelona.
In Aug. following, Captain Thomas was charged with the
blockade of Toulon, which port he watched with a squadron
consisting of four frigates and two brigs, during the absence of
Sir Edward Pellew, who had determined to try the experiment
of watering his fleet at the mouth of the Rhone, and afterwards
to create a diversion in favor of the army under Sir John
Murray, by proceeding to the Spanish coast, and making a
shew of attacking the enemy's posts in the bay of Rosas.
This object being effected, Captain Thomas was sent back to
resume his command off Marseilles, where he remained till
Jan. 1813, when ill-health obliged him to resign his ship
and return to England. He has recently been relieved in the
superintendence of the Ordinary at Portsmouth, to which
service he was appointed in April, 1822.
JOHN QUILLIAM, ESQ.
THIS officer may be truly styled a favorite of Fortune. He
is a native of the Isle of Man, and was impressed into the
navy, but at what period we have not been informed. As a
commissioned officer we first find him serving as third Lieu-
tenant of the Ethalion frigate, commanded by Captain James
Young, who bore official testimony to his good conduct at
the capture of a Spanish treasure ship, Oct. 17, 1799. Mr.
Quilliam's share of prize-money on that occasion exceeded
5000J.*
The Ethalion was soon after doomed to experience a sad
reverse, she being wrecked on the coast of France in little
* See Vol. I. p. -684.-
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805. 963
more than two months after the above capture*. A narra-
tive of her loss is given at full length in Schomberg's Naval
Chronology, vol. iii. p. 219 et seq. After that disaster, we
lose sight of Mr. Quilliam until the glorious 21st Oct. 1805,
on which day he served as first Lieutenant of Nelson's flag-
ship, the Victory of 100 guns, — a circumstance which secured
his promotion to post rank, without ever having been a Com-
mander ; and at the same time produced much mortification
to those of Nelson's followers who were senior to himself,
and whom the hero had ordered to perform the duties of junior
Lieutenants, for no other reason than that of avoiding a con-
stant succession of executive officers — the whole of them
being before Mr. Quilliam on his Lordship's list for promo-
tion. We state this on the credit of a Post-'Captain, who,
when mentioning the subject, evinced not the slightest dispo-
sition to detract from his former messmate's merits.
Captain Quilliam's post commission bears date Dec. 24,
1805 ; but being put in charge of the Ildefonso, a Spanish 74,
and having to refit her at Gibraltar, he did not arrive in Eng-
land till May 16th in the following year. He subsequently
commanded the Alexandria, Inconstant, and Crescent frigates ;
the latter employed on the Newfoundland station, where he
captured an American privateer, pierced for 14 guns, with a
complement of 66 men, Sept. 16, 1813.
Agents. — Messrs. Barnett and King.
JOHN PILFOLD, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order oftlie Bath.
THIS officer is the second son of the late Charles Pilfold,
Esq. by Bathia, daughter of William White, Esq. both of
Horsham, co. Sussex, of which place he is a native.
Mr. Pilfold first went to sea as a Midshipman on board the
Crown 64, bearing the broad pendant of the Hon. William
Cornwallis, in which ship he continued from Oct. 1788, until
her return from the East Indies, in May, 1792.
Soon after his arrival at Spithead he joined the Brunswick
74, then commanded by Sir Roger Curtis, Bart., and forming
* See Vol. I. p. 729.
964 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1805.
part of the fleet of observation under Lord Hood: but subse-
quently commanded by Captain John Harvey, and attached
to the grand fleet under Earl Howe, by whom he was re-
ceived into the Queen Charlotte on promotion, through the
recommendation of his dying commander, whose particular
notice he had attracted during the lengthened contest between
the British and French forces, which terminated with such
glory to the former on the memorable first of June, 1794 *.
On the 14th Feb- 1795, Mr. Pilfold received an order from
Earl Howe to act as a Lieutenant on board the Russel 74,
which appointment was immediately confirmed by the Ad-
miralty; he consequently bore a part in Lord Bridport's
action off 1'Orient, June 23d following, on which occasion three
French line-of-battle ships were compelled to surrender ; the
Russel sustaining a loss of 3 men killed and 10 wounded.
Mr. Pilfold's next appointment was, Sept. 1795, to the
Kingsfisher sloop of war, in which vessel he continued for a
considerable time, under various commanders, and assisted
at the capture of several privateers, principally on the Lisbon
station, where he received the thanks of Earl St. Vincent for
his spirited conduct in suppressing a daring mutiny among
her crew, several of whom were slain before subordination
could be restored, as will be seen by reference to our memoir
of Rear-Admiral Maitland, with whom he was then serving
as first Lieutenant.
During his continuance in the Kingsfisher, Lieutenant Pil-
fold was successively appointed to his old ship, the Russel,
and to the Commerce de Marseilles, a first rate, at the request
of Sir Hugh C. Christian and Sir Charles M. Pole ; but the
kind intentions of those distinguished officers towards him
were frustrated in consequence of no other gentleman being
sent to supply his place, which rendered it impossible for him
to obtain bis discharge from that vessel. In 1 798, however,
we find him on board the Impetueux 7B, of which ship he
also became first Lieutenant previous to her being paid off at
Plymouth, April 14, 1802. A gallant action performed by
him in the Mprbihan river, June 6, 1800, called forth the
* See Vol. I. note at p. 613 et seq. and memoir of Captain ROWLAND
BE VAN. N. B, The Brunswick had no less than 158 officers aad meu
killed and wounded. Mr. Pilfold was then serving as Masters Mate,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1805.
965
marked approbation of Earl St. Vincent, then commanding
the Channel fleet, and is thus noticed by his own Captain,
the present Viscount Exmouth, in his public letter to that
noble Admiral, reporting the transactions of a squadron em-
ployed in co-operation with the French royalists * : —
" On the 4th the Thames, Cynthia, and small force, attacked the S. W.
end of Quiberon, silenced the forts, which were afterwards destroyed hy a
party of troops landed under Major Ramsay ; several vessels were hrought
off, and some scuttled ; the only loss 2 killed and 1 wounded on board the
Cynthia. * • * « On the 6th, before day, we succeeded in an at-
tempt upon the Morbihan, from whence were taken 2 brigs, 2 sloops,
2 gun-vessels, and about 100 prisoners ; a corvette, ^I'lnsolente of 18 guns!
was burnt, with several other small craft, the guns all destroyed, and the
magazine blown up.
" Three hundred of the Queen's regiment were employed upon this ser-
vice ; and the gun-launches and naval force were under the direction of
Lieutenant John Pilfold of this ship, who boarded the corvette with much
bravery, and performed the service with much judgment and officer-like
conduct ; the loss was only one seaman killed in his boat, and some slight
hurts/*
At the renewal of the war, in 1803, Lieutenant Pilfold was
appointed to the Hindostan 54; and subsequently to the
Dragon and Ajax third rates; of which latter ship he was
first Lieutenant in the action off Ferrol, July 22, 1805 ; and
commanding officer in the glorious battle off Cape Trafalgar,
on the 21st Oct. in the same year, his Captain (William
Brown) being then absent attending the trial of Sir Robert
Galder for his conduct on the former day.
According to Mr. James's account of the Trafalgar fight,
the Ajax was only approaching Tlntrepide French 74, when that
ship surrendered* Captain Brenton, in his view of the hostile
fleets,, places the Orion close to Tlntrepide, but takes no notice
of the Ajax. This, we think, is giving too much credit to
one officer at the expence of another. The fact is, Lieute-
nant Pilfold had been long engaged with 1'Iiitrepide (as well
as Captain Codrington, who was lying on his starboard quar-
ter) ; but the enemy having hauled up athwart hawse of the
Ajax, enabled the Orion to drop alongside, which obliged
Lieutenant Pilfold to make way for fear of entangling the
whole. He ultimately towed the prize to windward of the
VOL. ir.
* See Vol. I. p.
3 R
966 POST-CAPTAINS OF 180$.
fleet, but was obliged to cut her adrift in the fatal gale which
succeeded that unparalleled victory, and she was finally de-
stroyed by the Britannia *, as was the Argonauta, a Spanish
80, by the Ajax.
Passing over the intermediate step of rank, the subject of
this sketch was made a Post-Captain, Dec. 25, 1805 ; and soon
after presented with a gold medal for his services on the above
occasion. In April, 1808, our late Monarch was graciously
pleased to grant him an honorable augmentation to his family
Arms •) and he obtained the insignia of a C. B. at the first
establishment of that order in June 1815.
Captain Pilfold married, June 20, 1803, Mary Anne Hor-
ner, daughter of the late Thomas South, of Donhead, co.
Wilts, Esq., and niece of the late Thomas Homer, of Mells
Park, in Somersetshire, Esq., by whom he has issue two
daughters. One of his sisters is the lady of Sir Timothy
Shelley, Bart., another is married to Thomas Grove, of Fern,
Esq., and a third is the widow of the Rev. Gilbert Jackson,
D. D.
Agent. — Harry Cook, Esq.
WILLIAM HENNAH, ESQ.
THIS officer is the son of a clergyman, formerly resident at
St. Austle, in Cornwall. He received his first commission in
1793 ; had the good fortune to be senior Lieutenant of the
Mars 74, in the glorious battle off Cape Trafalgar ; and having
succeeded to the command of that ship on the death of Cap-
tain George Duff, who fell during the conflict f, was promoted
to post rank on the first day of the following year (1806).
He is married, and has a large family.
Agents. — Messrs. Stilwell.
WILLIAM PRYCE CUMBY, ESQ.
THIS officer is the only surviving son of the late Captain
David Pryce Cumby, R. N., by his first wife, Eleanor, second
• See vol. I. p. 207.
t See Captain NORWICH DUFF.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 96J
daughter of William Jepson, of Heighington, co. Durham
Esq.*
He was boni at Dover, in Kent, Mar. 20, 1771 ; and en^
tered the naval service in May 1784, as a Midshipman on
board the Kite cutter, commanded by Lieutenant Henry
Gunter, and employed as a cruiser against the smugglers on
the N. E. coast of England. That vessel being paid off in
Nov. 1786, he then embarked on board a merchantman, and
made several voyages to Holland, the Baltic, and Canada, for
the purpose of improving himself in nautical science. In
]789 we find him joining the Brazen, a King's cutter; and
during the Spanish armament, he appears to have been suc-
cessively removed into the Alfred 74, Meleager 32, and Le-
viathan, a third-rate, the latter commanded by the late Lord
Mulgrave, who subsequently placed him under the protection
of Captain Henry Savage, of the Pomona frigate, a most active,
zealous, and experienced officer, with whom he continued until
the termination of the Russian armament, towards the close
of 1791. Mr. Cumby then joined the Hebe, of 38 guns, and
served in that ship, under the command of Captain Alexander
Hood, on the Channel station, till Mar. 1 792 ; when he passed
his examination for a Lieutenant, and was soon afterwards
sent by Lord Mulgrave to the Newfoundland station, in the
Assistance 50, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Richard
King, Bart., with whom he returned to England at the com-
mencement of the ensuing winter.
On his arrival at Portsmouth, Mr. Cumby had the grief and
mortification to learn that his excellent friend and powerful
patron had paid the debt of nature ; his Lordship having died
at Spa but a very few weeks before. The prospect of a war,
however, with republican France, still induced him not to de-
spair of promotion ; and his hopes were fortunately realized,
through the influence of the present Lord Mulgrave, in Oct.
1793, when he received a commission as third Lieutenant of
the Assistance, at that time commanded by Captain Nathan
* His grandfather, Mr. John Cumby, died of fever, when serving as
Master of the flag-ship at Jamaica; his great uncle, David Pryce Cumby,
died a Master and Commander; and his maternal uncles, Anthony ar
Sandford Jepson, were Lieutenants in the royal navy.
968 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806.
Brunton, under whom he had before served in the Meleager
frigate *.
Mr. Cumby's next appointment was, in May 1795, to the
Astrsea 32, commanded by his old shipmate, Lord Henry
Paulet, who had requested him to become his first Lieuten-
ant, and whom he afterwards followed into the Thalia 36,
where he continued until his Lordship's removal from the
command of that frigate, by the sentence of a court-martial
assembled off Cadiz, in the month of June, 1798f.
From the Thalia, Mr. Cumby was removed into the Excel-
lent 74, Captain Cuthbert Collingwood, in which ship he
remained, as third Lieutenant, until paid off, at the latter end
of the same year. In June 1799, he was again called into
service ; and for three years from that period we find him
holding the appointment of Flag-Lieutenant to Vice-Admiral
Graeme, commander-in-chief in the Medway.
At the renewal of the war between Great Britain and
France (May 1803), Lieutenant Cumby obtained the com-
mand of the Swift cutter, on the North Sea station ; and in
May 1804, he received an appointment to the Norfolk dis-
trict of Sea Fencibles ; from which service he was removed
in Nov. following, the late Captain John Loring having
applied for him to be appointed Jiis first Lieutenant, in the
Bellerophon of 74 guns. Fortunately for Mr. Cumby's inte-
rests, Captain John Cooke, who succeeded to the command
of that ship, consented to his remaining with him in the same
capacity ; and it consequently fell to his lot to command a
third rate in the most glorious battle ever fought at sea.
The Bellerophon, it will be remembered, was one of Lord
Nelson's fleet, and bore a most distinguished part in the memo-
rable engagement off Cape Trafalgar. The death of Captain
Cooke is thus described by the subject of this memoir, in a
letter addressed to the brother of that heroic officer :—
* Captain Nathan Brunton had served under Lord Alulgrave, in the
Courageux 74, and was long honored with that nobleman's friendship and
confidence. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of Vice-Adrakal,
and died at Stockton-upon-Tees, Nov. 19, 1814.
f Lord Henry Paulet's trial will be more fully noticed in our Supple-
ment to the Addenda, see Vol. I. p. 833.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 969
w Yod will naturally expect to know the circumstances attending Cap-
tain Cooke's death, which must ever reflect the highest honor on himself,
and endear his memory to his friends and country. Having, with the
greatest gallantry and judgment, conducted the Bellerophon into action
and broke through the enemy's line, under the stern of a Spanish 74
(Monarca), in hauling up to engage her to leeward, we fell on board the
French ship, 1'Aigle, which the smoke hindered us from seeing till too late
to prevent our laying her on board on the weather quarter. She being a
much loftier ship than ours, and fall of troops, our quarter-deck, poop,
and forecastle, became exposed to their musketry, from which we suffered
much. About this time I was sent down by Captain Cooke to explain to
the officers on the main and lower-decks the situation of the ship, and with
his orders to direct their principal efforts against the ship we were foul of,
vis. to take the beds and quoins from under the guns, and blow up the
enemy's decks. On ray return to the quarter-deck, a few minutes after,
I found he had fallen at 11 minutes past one o'clock, whilst in the act of
reloading his pistols, which he had discharged two or three times. He
was taken below, and on the surgeon opening his waistcoat, he found him
just dead, having received a musket-ball or grape-shot in his right-breast,
which had broken two of the ribs, and passing through the lungs, occa-
sioned almost instant death. On inquiring of the men who carried him.
below, I find that when seeing him fall, they asked him if they should take
him down — he answered, ' Let me lay one minute,' which they did ; —
these were the last words he spoke *."
At this early period of the battle, the Bellerophon was
closely engaged with the Monarca, as well as 1'Aigle, and ex-
posed to a distant cannonade from three other of the ene-
my's ships. Lieutenant Cumby, however, had soon the satis-
faction to see his more immediate opponent disentangle her-
self and drop astern, of which he took advantage by pouring
several broadsides into her stern as she was in the act of
falling off; and then directing his fire against the Monarca,
compelled her to surrender.
In this tremendous conflict, the Bellerophon had no less
than 150 officers and men killed and wounded f : 1'Aigle is
supposed to have lost nearly two-thirds of her crew. The
* It had ever been Captain Cooke's strongest wish, even when he had
no thought of employment, to be once placed under the command of Nel-
son :— to be in a general engagement with Lord Nelson, would, he used to
say, crown all his military ambition. By the concurrence of events, this
actually happened, and they were both doomed to fall at the same moment,
and almost in the same manner.
t See Vol. I; p. 205.
970 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
Monarca must also have suffered severely, but her loss ha£
never been recorded.
On his return to England, Lieutenant Cumby was pro-
moted to the rank of Post-Captain, by commission, dated
Jan. 1, 1806, as a reward for his gallant conduct ; and in the
course of the same month he had the melancholy gratification
of following the remains of Nelson to the tomb. In July,
1807, he was appointed pro tempore to the Dryad 36, in
which frigate he made several valuable captures during a
three months' cruise on the Irish station. His next appoint-
ment was, May 1808, to the Polyphemus 64, fitting for the
flag of his friend Vice- Admiral B. S. Rowley, commander-in-
chief at Jamaica ; to which station he proceeded in July fol-
lowing, convoying thither a large fleet of merchantmen, the
whole of whom he conducted safely to their respective desti-
nations.
The Vice-Adniiral residing constantly on shore, his flag
was frequently shifted to the Shark sloop, for the purpose of
affording Captain Cumby opportunities of cruising against the
enemy. On one of those occasions the boats of the Polyphe-
mus captured the Colibry, French national schooner, of 3
guns and 63 men, reputed the fastest sailing vessel attached
to the colony of St. Domingo.
In June, 1809, Captain Cumby was appointed to command
a squadron sent from Port Royal, with a military detachment,
under Major-General Hugh L. Carmichael, to co-operate with
the Spanish troops investing the city of St. Domingo. The
following extracts from Vice-Admiral Rowley's public letter
to the Hon. W. W. Pole, will shew the success which at-
tended his exertions.
" Sir, — I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that H. M. sloop Tweed arrived
here last night, from off St. Domingo, bringing me a despatch from Cap-
tain Cumby of the Polyphemus, announcing the surrender on the 6th inst.
(July) of the French troops composing the garrison of that city. * • •
" * The exemplary vigilance and unremitted exertions of the officers
and men composing the crews of his Majesty's ships and vessels named in
the margin *, employed during this short but vigorous blockade, under the
* Polyphemus, Aurora, Tweed, Sparrow, Thrush, Griffin, Lark, Moselle,
Fleur-de-la-Mer, and Pike.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 971
immediate orders of Captain Cumby, have contributed most essentially to
accelerate the reduction of this last possession of the enemy on the Jamaica
station. The fullest testimony is borne by Major-General Carmichael to
the cordial support which he received from them after the arrival of the
British troops ; and I have no doubt that the conduct of Captain Cumby,
and that of the officers, seamen, and marines under his orders, will be dis-
tinguished by their Lordships' approbation, as it has already been by mine.
I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " B. S. ROWLEY."
Soon after the death of Admiral Rowley, Oct. 7, 1811,
Captain Cumby proceeded to Vera Cruz and Havannah, on
his way to England, in the Hyperion of 42 guns, to which
ship he had been appointed in the preceding month of March.
After refitting at Portsmouth, he was ordered to Davis's
Straits, where he cruised for the protection of the whale
fishery during the whole summer of 1812. He subsequently
took a convoy from Newfoundland to Barbadoes, and then
returned to St. John's harbour, where his ship was frozen up
almost immediately after her arrival.
By the above statement our readers will observe that the
Hyperion had been twice in the West Indies, spent a whole
summer amidst icebergs, and commenced a long and severe
winter at Newfoundland, all within twelve months : an in-
stance of sudden and repeated change from one extreme of
temperature and climate to the other, rarely equalled. The
health of her crew, however, suffered less from these rapid
and severe changes than might have been expected, owing in
a great degree to the precautions taken by Captain Cumby,
who obliged his men to purchase a large supply of warm cloath-
ing when they received their arrears of pay at Portsmouth.
In Nov. 1813, Captain Cumby sailed from Newfoundland
with the trade bound to Portugal under his protection ; and
during the remainder of the war we find him employed
cruising in the British Channel and Bay of Biscay, where he
captured, after a long chase, the American privateer Rattle-
snake of 16 guns, an uncommonly fine brig, nearly new, 298
tons burthen, which had already taken twenty-eight of our
merchant vessels, (several with valuable cargoes) ; and from
her extraordinary fast sailing, would no doubt have done still
greater injury to the trade of his Majesty's subjects. The
Hyperion was paid off at Portsmouth, Aug. 31, 1815.
972 POST-CAPTAWS OF 1806.
Captain Cumby married, first, in 1801 , Miss Metcalf, of
Richmond, in Yorkshire ; and by that lady, who died in Jan.
1815, he had two sons, one of whom is intended for holy
orders ; the other has already embarked as a Midshipman
R. N. Secondly, Dec. 29, 1818, Elizabeth, eldest daughter
of the late Rev. Thomas Wilson Morley, of Eastby House,
near the same town, by whom he has one son. He has also
a daughter by his former marriage. His half brother, Charles
Cumby, is a Commander in the navy,
Agent, — Isaac Clementson, Esq.
GEORGE DJGBY, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Commander in 1802, and obtained
post rank Jan. 2, 1806. He appears to have been almost
constantly employed during the whole of the late war, com-
manding in succession the Fleche of 16 guns, Beagle 18,
Cossack 24, and Lavinia frigate. He married, Sept. 13, 1821,
Elizabeth, only daughter of Sir John Walsh, Bart.
Agents.— Messrs. Brine and Chards.
JAMES RICHARD DACRES, ESQ.
THIS officer is the only surviving son of the late Vice-
Admiral, J. R. Dacres*, by Eleanor Blandford, daughter and
heiress of Pearce, of Cambridge, Esq.
He entered the naval service at a very early age; was
made a Lieutenant, Nov. 15, 1804 ; promoted to the com-
mand of the Elk sloop of war, July 5, 1805 ; and posted into
the Bacchante of 24 guns, on the Jamaica station, Jan. 14,
1806.
On the 14th Feb. 1807, Captain Dacres captured the
French national schooner Dauphin, of 3 guns and 71 men 3 a
vessel which had done much mischief to British commerce
in the West Indies, and was then returning, from a successful
Bruise, to St. Domingo.
Finding that the Dauphin was well known at Samana, and
* See Vol. II. Part 1. p. 29.
POST -CAPTAINS OF 1806. 9/3
having consulted with Captain William Furlong Wise, of the
Mediator 44, who had witnessed her capture, Captain Dacres
determined to send her in under French colours, to disguise
the Bacchante as a prize, and the Mediator as a neutral 5
which stratagem so completely deceived the enemy, that he
got through the intricate navigation of the harbour, and an-
chored within half a mile of the fort, before they discovered
their mistake. A heavy cannonade was now commenced on
both sides, and continued for four hours, when the fort was
gallantly stormed by a detachment of seamen and marines,
landed under the command of Captain Wise, assisted by Lieu-
tenants Baker, Norton*, and Shaw. Possession was then
taken of two French schooners, fitting for sea as cruisers ; an
American ship and an English schooner, both of which had
been recently captured by privateers. The Mediator appears
to have been the greatest sufferer on this occasion, the fire of
the enemy being chiefly directed against her, but not so much
as might have been expected from the commanding situation
of the fort, which was manned principally by the crews of the
schooners. Her loss consisted of 2 men killed and 12
wounded ; the Bacchante had not a man slain, and only 4
wounded. The fort and cannon were afterwards destroyed
by Lieutenant Gould, and the place was evacuated by Cap-
tain Dacres on the 21st of the same month.
From this period we find no mention of Captain Dacres
until his appointment to the Guerriere frigate, which took
place about April 1811. The following is a copy of his offi-
cial letter to Vice- Admiral Herbert Sawyer, describing his
action with the United States' ship Constitution, on the 19th
Aug. 1812 f:—
" Boston, September 7, 1812.
" Sir,— I am sorry to inform you of the capture of H. M. late ship
Guerriere, by the American frigate Constitution, after a severe action on
the 19th of August, in lat. 40° 21 / N. and long. 55° V.'. At two P. M. being
* Lieutenant Norton had previously distinguished himself by his gal-
lantry in an attack made by the boats of the Bacchante, upon a brig and
two feluccas lying in the harbour of St. Martha, the whole of which he
brought out in triumph under a tremendous fire from the shore.
t The following notes are extracted from Mr. James's account <
action.
974 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
by the wind on the starboard tack, we saw a sail on our weather-beam
bearing down on us. At 3 made her out to be a man of war ; beat to quarters,
and prepared for action. At 4, she closing fast, wore to prevent her raking
us. At 4-10, hoisted our colours, and fired several shot at her; at 4-20,
she hoisted her colours, and returned our fire, wore several times to avoid
being raked, exchanging broadsides. At 5, she closed on our starboard
beam, both keeping up a heavy fire and steering free, her intention being
evidently to cross our bow. At 5-20, our mizen-mast went over the star-
board quarter, and brought the ship up in the wind ; the enemy then placed
himself on our larboard-bow, raking us, a few only of our bow-guns bear-
ing, and his grape and riflemen sweeping our deck. At 5-40, the ship not
•answering her helm, he attempted to lay us on board : at this time, Mr.
(Samuel) Grant, (Master's-Mate), who commanded the forecastle, was
carried below, badly wounded. I immediately ordered the marines and
boarders from the main-deck ; the Master was at this time shot through
the knee, and I received a severe wound in the back. Lieutenant (Bartho-
lomew) Kent was leading on the boarders, when the ship coining to, we
brought some of our bow-guns to bear on her *, and had got clear of our
opponent, when at 6-20, our fore and main-masts went over the side, leav-
ing the ship a perfect unmanageable wreck. The frigate shooting a-head,
I was in hopes to clear the wreck, and get the ship under command to
renew the action ; but just as we had cleared the wreck, our spritsail-yard
went ; and the enemy having rove new braces, &c., wore round within
pistol-shot, to rake us, the ship lying in the trough of the sea, rolling her
main-deck guns under water f, and all attempts to get her before the wind
being fruitless : when, calling my few remaining officers together, they
were all of opinion, that any further resistance would only be a needless
waste of lives, I ordered, though reluctantly, the colours to be struck.
" The loss of the ship is to be ascribed to the early fall of the roizen-
inast, which enabled our opponent to choose his position. I am sorry to
say we suffered severely in killed and wounded, and mostly whilst she lay
on our bow, from liar grape and musketry; in all, 15 killed, and 63
wounded J, many of them severely. None of the wounded officers quitted
the deck till the firing ceased.
" The frigate proved to be the United States' ship Constitution, of thirty
24-pounders on her main-deck, and twenty-four 32-pounders and two
18-pounders§ on her upper-deck, and 4/6 men; her loss in comparison
* Some of the wads of which set fire to the Constitution's cabin, but the
flames were soon extinguished.
t To secure which required increased efforts, the rotten state of the
breachings, as well as of the timber-heads through which the long bolts
passed, having caused many of them to break loose.
J Six mortally, thirty-nine severely, and eighteen slightly.
§ These were English 18's, bored to carry a 24-pound shot. The Guer-
riere mounted thirty long 18'a, sixteen 32-pounder carronades, and two
long nines.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 975
with ours is trifling; the first Lieutenant of marines* and 8 men killed ;
the first Lieutenant and Master of the ship, and 1 1 men wounded ; her
lewer masts badly wounded, stern much shattered, and very much cut up
about the rigging.
" The Guerriere was so cut up, that all attempts to get her in would
have been useless. As soon as the wounded were got out of her, they set
her on fire ; and I feel it my duty to state, that the conduct of Captain Hull
and his officers to our men has been that of a brave enemy, the greatest
care being taken to prevent them losing the smallest trifle, and the greatest
attention being paid to the wounded, who, through the attention and skill
of Mr. Irvine, Surgeon, I hope, will do well.
" I hope, though success has not crowned our efforts, you will not think
it presumptuous in me to say, the greatest credit is due to the officers and
ship's company for their exertions, particularly when exposed to the heavy
raking fire of the enemy : I feel particularly obliged for the exertions
of Lieutenant Kent, who, though wounded early by a splinter, continued
to assist me; in the second Lieutenant (Mr. Henry Ready), the service has
suffered a severe loss ; Mr. (Robert) Scott, the Master, though wounded,
was particularly attentive, and used every exertion in clearing the wreck,
as did the warrant officers. Lieutenant Nicholl, of the royal marines, and
his party, supported the honorable character of their corps, and they suf-
fered severely. I must recommend Mr. (William J.) Snow, Master's
Mate, who commanded the foremost main-deck guns, in the absence of
Lieutenant (John) Pullman, and the whole after the fall of Lieutenant
Ready, to your protection, he having received a severe contusion from a
splinter. I must point out Mr. (John) Garby, acting Purser, to your
notice, who volunteered his services on deck, commanded the after quarter-
deck guns, and was particularly active, as well as Mr. (John W.) Bannister,
Midshipman.
" I hope, in considering the circumstances, you will think the ship en-
trusted to my charge was properly defended ; the unfortunate loss of our
roasts, the absence of the third Lieutenant, second Lieutenant of marines,
three Midshipmen, and twenty-four men, considerably weakened our crew,
and we only mustered at quarters 244 men and 19 boys, on c oming into
action; the enemy had such an advantage from his marines and riflemen,
when close ; and his superior sailing enabled him to choose his distance.
" I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) " JAS. R. DACRES."
Qn the 2d Oct following, a court-martial was assembled on
board the Africa 64, at Halifax, to try Captain Dacres for
surrendering his ship to the enemy: the following is, we
believe, a correct copy of the address, which was delivered by
him, after the evidence had been gone through : —
* He was killed by a British marine when leading his party forward to
board the Guerriere at 5-40 P. M.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
" Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Court, — By my letter to Vice-
Admiral Sawyer, and the narrative of the principal officers, I trust that
you will be satisfied that every exertion was used in defending the ship, as
long as there was the smallest prospect of resistance being useful. In my
letter, I mention the boarders being called : it was my intention, after
having driven back the enemy, to have boarded in return ; and in conse-
quence I ordered the first Lieutenant down on the main-deck to send every
body up from the guns ; but finding his deck filled with men, and every
preparation made to receive us, it would have been almost impossible to
succeed. I therefore ordered the men down again to their quarters, and
desired Mr. Kent to direct part of his attention to the main-deck, the
second Lieutenant being killed. The main-mast fell without being struck
by a single shot, the heart of the mast being decayed ; and it was carried
away solely by the weight of the fore-mast *. Though every thing was
was done, we could not succeed in getting the ship under command ; and,
on the enemy wearing round to rake us, without our being able to make
any resistance, and after having used every exertion, to the best of my
abilities, I found myself obliged to order the colours to be struck ; which
nothing but the unmanageable state of the ship (she lying a perfect wreck)
could ever have induced me to do, conceiving it was my duty not to sacri-
fice uselessly the lives of the men, without any prospect of success, or of
benefit to their country.
" On the larboard side about thirty shot had taken effect, nearly five
sheets of copper down; the mizen-mast had knocked a large hole under her
starboard counter, and she was so completely shattered, that the enemy
found it impossible to refit her sufficiently to attempt carrying her into
port, and they set fire to her as soon as they could get the wounded out.
What considerably weakened my quarters was, permitting the Americans
belonging to the ship to quit their guns, on the enemy hoisting the colours
of that nation, which, though it deprived me of the men, I thought it was
my duty to do.
" I felt much shocked, when on board the Constitution, to find a large
proportion of British seamen among her crew, many of whom I recog-
nized as having been foremost in the attempt to board.
" Notwithstanding the unlucky issue of the affair, such confidence have
I in the exertions of the officers and men who belonged to the Guerriere,
and I am so aware that the success of my opponent was owing to fortune,
that it is my earnest wish, and it would be the happiest period of my life,
to be once more opposed to the Constitution, with them under my com-
mand, in a frigate of similar force to the Guerriere.
" I cannot help noticing, that the attachment of the ship's company in
general to the service of their King and Country, reflects on them the
highest credit j for though every art was used to encourage them to desert,
* The main-mast had been struck by lightning some months previous to
the action.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 977
and to inveigle them into the American service, by high bounties and grea*t
promises, in direct contradiction to the declaration of the American officers
to me, that they did not wish such a thing ; only eight Englishmen have
remained behind in the United States, two only of which number have vo-
lunteered to serve in the Constitution.
" Leaving the character of my officers and ship's company, as well as
my own, to the decision of this honorable Court, the justice of whose
sentence no person can presume to question, I close my narrative, craving
indulgence for having taken up so much of their time."
Having attended to the whole of the evidence, and also to
the defence of Captain Dacres, the Court agreed, —
" That the surrender of the Guerriere was proper, in order to preserve
the lives of her valuable remaining crew ; and that her being in that la-
mentable situation was from the accident of her masts going, which was
occasioned more by their defective state, than from the fire of the enemy,
though so greatly superior in guns and men. The Court did, therefore,
unanimously and honorably acquit Captain Dacres, his officers, and
«rew, of all blame on account of her capture."
Captain Dacres was subsequently appointed to the Tiber
frigate, the command of which ship he retained until she was
paid off at Deptford, on the 13th Oct. 1818. He married,
in 1810, Arabella Boyd, third daughter of Lieutenant- Gene-
ral Sir Hugh Dalrymple, Bart.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
PETER RAINIER, ESQ.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
This officer obtained post rank, Jan. 17, 1806 ; his pro-
ceedings at Batavia in Oct. following are thus described by
himself, in an official letter addressed to Rear-Admiral Sir
Thomas Troubridge, Bart, commander-in-chief in the Eastern
Seas :—
"H. M. S. Caroline, op Batavia, Oct. 19, 1806.
" On the morning of the 18th instant, I captured a small brig from
Bantam, and learnt that the Phoenix, a Dutch frigate of 36 guns, was un-
dergoing repairs at Onroost. It appearing to me that she might be brought
out, I was making the best of my way there, when between Middleby and
Amsterdam islands, 1 discovered two men of war brigs at ancher, one .
which I captured, the other made her escape by being too close m s
for us to pursue her ; the captured brig was the Zeerop of 14 guns cc
manded by Captain Groot. Whilst taking possession of her, I
978 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806.
the Phoenix slip from Onroost and run for Batavia road. From the offi-
cers of the Zeerop we gained intelligence, that the Maria, a Dutch frigate,
was lying in the roads, manned from the shore, being aware of our ap-
proach. A short time after I observed her, and likewise the William sloop
of war, with the brig that before escaped us.
" As I distinctly made out the frigate to be the largest ship in the road,
I ran for her with springs on both cables ; the enemy commenced firing at
us as soon as we were within gun-shot, which was not returned till we
came as close as the wind would allow us, which was within half-pistol-shot,
when we opened our fire. The action continued about half an hour, when
the enemy hauled down her colours. On boarding, she proved to be the
Dutch republican frigate Maria Reygersbergen, of 36 guns, 18-pounder8
on the main-deck, and 270 men, commanded by Captain Jager, second in
command. The Maria was launched in 1300, and is a fast sailing ship.
We had to encounter, besides the frigate, the William of 20 guns, Patriot
18, and Zeeplong 14, with several gun-boats ; and there were thirty gun-
boats lying in shore, which did not attempt toTcome out. I beg leave to
state, that when the action commenced we were short of complement, by
men away in prizes, sick at hospitals, &c. 57 in number.
"I am sorry to say that it was not in my power to capture either Phoenix,
William, Patriot, or Zeeplong, as H. M. S. Caroline and the Maria were
after the action in four fathoms water, and surrounded by many dangerous
shoals. Whilst running out of the roads I observed the Phoenix, with
the vessels above mentioned, and all the Dutch merchant ships run on
shore.
" I have not been able to get a correct account of the killed and wound-
ed on board the prize, but from the surgeon's report they had 50 killed
and wounded V
On the 27th. Jan. 1807, Captain Rainier discovered a strange
sail in the neighbourhood of the Phillippine islands, and im-
mediately bore up in chase of her. When nearly within gun-
shot, she hoisted Spanish colours and fired a gun to windward.
As the Caroline approached, the enemy was taken aback
with the land wind, and having studding-sails set on both
sides, Captain Rainier got close alongside before she could
take them in ; when either from temerity, or not knowing
the force of her opponent, she commenced firing, and it was
not until 27 of her crew were killed and wounded, that she
hauled down her colours. She proved to be the St. Raphael
(alias Pallas), Spanish register ship, belonging to the Phillip-
« The Caroline was an 18-pounder frigate, mounting 42 guns, and had
on board 204 men and boys, 3 of whom were killed, 6 mortally and 12
slightly wounded. Four Dutch prisoners, confined in the hold, were also
slain by the Maria's fire.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 979
pine company, mounting 16 guns, with a complement of 97
men, having on board 500,000 dollars in specie, and 1700
quintals of copper, besides a valuable cargo. In securing
this rich prize the Caroline had 7 men wounded.
In Nov. 1813, we find Captain Rainier commanding the Ni-
ger, a38-gun frigate, and capturing the Dart, American let-
ter of marque, pierced for 16 guns, but only 6 mounted, from
New Orleans bound to France. On the 6th Jan. 1814, he
assisted at the capture of la Ceres, French frigate, of 44 guns
and 324 men, after a long and anxious chase, in the neigh-
bourhood of the Cape de Verd islands *. He was nominated
aC. B. in 181 5.
Agents. — Messrs. Maude.
HON. HENRY DUNCAN,
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
THE Duncans are a very antient and highly respectable fa-
mily in Perthshire, N. B. of which the late Lord Duncan
became the representative on the death of his brother, to
whose estates he succeeded, in 1797. We need scarcely add,
that they owe their present elevated rank to one of our most
splendid naval victories.
The late Admiral Viscount Duncan entered the naval ser-
vice when very young, and distinguished himself under Kep-
pel, at the reduction of Goree, Belleisle, and the Havannah,
in 1769, 1761, and 1762. He commanded the Monarch of
74 guns, in the action between Rodney and de Langara, Jan.
16, 1780 ; and on that occasion compelled a Spanish two-
decker to surrender, after a sharp conflict, in which she was
assisted by two other ships, each mounting 70 guns. He
also commanded the Blenheim, a second rate, at the relief of
Gibraltar by Lord Howe ; and bore a part in the engage-
ment with the combined fleets, off Cape Spartel, in Oct. 1782.
At the age of 66 years, after a life of hard service, it fell to
his lot to obtain a victory, which at once excited the gratitude
of his country, and gained him the honors of the British
•See Captain PHILIP PIPON.
980 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
peerage. His patent of nobility passed the Great Seal, on
the 30th Oct. 1797.
Numberless are the instances of Lord Duncan's greatness of
mind, which shone forth in an uncommon degree during the
general mutiny that took place the second year after his ap-
pointment to the chief command of the North Sea fleet. At
that alarming epoch, being deserted by the rest of his ships,
he blockaded the Dutch fleet for many weeks, amidst the most
tempestuous weather, with only the Venerable 74, and Ada-
mant of 50 guns, anchoring whenever it was possible in the
narrow channel leading out of the Texel ; — by his firmness
and sage advice, prevented the contagion from spreading
among their crews ; and, by his masterly manoeuvres, deter-
red Admiral de Winter from sailing to the assistance of the
rebellious forces in our sister kingdom *. On one occasion,
when the enemy shewed a disposition to force the passage, he
desired the Master of the Venerable to sound^ and let him
know what depth of water there was ; and on being told, he
coolly observed, that " should the ship be sunk, his flag would
still be seen flying !" This proves what his resolution was j
and it was his conduct at this dread period which caused the
peers of Great Britain to pay him the compliment they did,
by ordering that all the Lords should be summoned to at-
tend the House on the occasion of returning him thanks : " a
distinction," as stated by the Lord Chancellor when address-
ing the noble Admiral, " unprecedented, but called for by the.
general admiration his conduct had inspired."
We cannot on the present occasion omit to present our read-
ers with a copy of the speech which Admiral Duncan is said
to have made to the Venerable 'a crew, June 3d, 1797 ; bearing,
as it does, every mark of authenticity in its unaffected piety>
its ardent patriotism, its indignant grief, and its simple yet
impressive eloquence, so admirably adapted to the hearts and
understandings of its auditors.
" My lads,— I once more call you together, with a sorrowful heart,
occasioned by what 1 have lately seen — the disaffection of the fleets : I call
it disaffection , for the crews havo no grievances. To be deserted by my
fleet, in the face of an enemy, is a disgrace which I believe never be-
fore happened to a British Admiral j nor could I have supposed it pos-
'•Sec Vol. 1, note at p. 581.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 981
sible. My greatest comfort, under God, is, that I have been supported Uy
the officers, seamen, and marines, of this ship ; for which, with a heart over-
flowing with gratitude, I request you to accept my sincere thanks. I flatter
myself much good may result from your example, by bringing those de-
luded people to a sense of the duty which the$ owe, not only to their King
and Country, but to themselves.
" The British navy has ever been the support of that liberty which has
been handed down to us by our ancestors, and which, I trust, we shall
idamtain to the latest posterity ; bat that can only be done by unanimity
and obedience. This ship's company, and others who Jiave distinguished
themselves by their loyalty and good order, deserve to be, and doubtless
will be, the favorites of a grateful country : they will also have, from their
inward feelings, a comfort which will be lasting, and not like the false and
fleeting confidence of those who have swerved from their duty.
" It has often been my pride with you to look into the Texel, and see a
foe who dreaded coming out to meet us. My pride is now humbled indeed :
my feelings are not easily to be expressed— our cup has overflowed, and
made us wanton ! The all-wise Providence has given us this check as a
warning, and I hope we shall improve by it. On HIM then let us trust,
where our only security can be found. I know there are many good men
among us j for my own part, I have full confidence in you ; and once more
I beg to express my approbation of your conduct.
• " May GOD, who has thus far conducted you, continue to do so : and
may the British navy, the glory and support of our country, be restored to
its wonted splendour ; and be not only the bulwark of Britain, but the ter-
ror of the world. This can only be effected by a strict adherence to our
duty ; therefore let us pray that the ALMIGHTY GOD may keep us in the
right way of thinking. GOD BLESS YOU ALL."
This speech is said to have so affected the Venerable 's
crew, that scarce a dry eye was to be seen on their retiring
from the quarter-deck. On a subsequent day, when con-
versing with the Captains who had been sent to reinforce him,
the veteran chief wound up his observations respecting the
probability of a battle soon taking place, with the following
laconic and humorous address :— " Well, gentlemen, when
Winter does approach, I have only to advise you to keep up
a goodjire!" The result of his combat with Admiral de
Winter has been stated in a note at p. 150 et seq. of our first
volume.
The hero of CAMPERDOWN married Henrietta, second
daughter of the Right Hon. Robert Dundas, Lord President
of the Court of Session in Scotland, M. P. for Edinburgh,
and elder brother of the late Viscount Melville. By that
lady he had eight children, one of whom, Henry, the youngest
VOL. II. 3 S
982 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
son, is the officer whose services we are about to notice. His
Lordship retained the chief command on the North Sea sta-
tion till the commencement of 1800 ; from which period he
enjoyed the sweets of retirement, the delightful retrospect of
a long life spent in the service of his country, the otium cum
dignitate in the fullest force of the expression, till his lament-
ed demise, which took place at Cornhillj in the county of
Durham, when on his way from London to Edinburgh, Aug.
4, 1804.
THE Hon. Henry Duncan was born at Gosport, in Hamp-
shire, April 27, 1786; his father then commanding the Edgar
74, stationed at Spithead as a guard-ship.
Having evinced an early predilection for the royal navy, he
was allowed to quit the High School, Edinburgh, in order to
join the Lutine frigate ; but happily Lord Duncan changed his
mind as to the officer under whose protection he should place
his son, the very evening before that ship sailed from North
Yarmouth with specie for the British army in Holland, and
only twenty-four hours previous to her total destruction on a
sand-bank near the Texel*.
The first ship in which Mr. Henry Duncan actually went
to sea, was the Maidstone of 32 guns, commanded by Captain
Ross Donnelly (an officer possessing- the esteem and confi-
dence of all his superiors), whom he joined at Spithead, about
the 6th of April, 1800.
A few days after his embarkation, the subject of this me-
moir had a second narrow escape : a boat which he had just
before left, in consequence of his obtaining leave to remain
on shore, having upset on her return to the ship, by which
accident one man perished, and the rest of her crew were for
some time placed in a state of imminent danger.
From this period the Maidstone was employed convoy-
ing the trade to and from Quebec and Oporto, and cruising
on the Havre station, till the suspension of hostilities in
1801, when Mr. Duncan removed with Captain Donnelly into
the Narcissus, a new 32-gun frigate, fitted with Cover's 24
pounders on the main-deck, and then preparing to receive
* Oct. 9, 1799. See note at p. 16 of this volume,
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 983
on board the annual presents for the Dey of Algiers, whose
Ambassador she also conveyed to Barbary.
During the peace of Amiens, the Narcissus visited Gib-
raltar, Algiers, Malta, Toulon, Leghorn, Palermo, Messina,
Syracuse, Smyrna, Athens, and most of the Greek islands ;
captured a large piratical galley*, and assisted at the evacua-
tion of Egypt. While engaged in the latter service, Mr.
Duncan, who had previously received an order from Lord
Keith to act as a Lieutenant, was nearly carried off by a dis-
order which proved fatal to many persons, both naval and
military, then employed at Alexandria.
Being advised to try change of air, Mr. Duncan left Egypt
in a transport, Jan. 18, 1803 ; and after performing full qua-
rantine in the lazaretto at Malta, went on board the Kent 74,
lying in Valette harbour, where he continued until an oppor-
tunity offered of rejoining his proper ship, in the month of
April following ; at which period his commission appears to
have been confirmed by the Admiralty. The proceedings of
the Narcissus, from that time till her departure for England,
are sufficiently described in our memoir of her worthy com-
mander f.
Mr. Duncan continued to fill the station of Lieutenant on
board the Narcissus until that ship was ordered home, in Sept.
1804. He then exchanged into the Royal Sovereign, a first-
rate, bearing the flag of Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., and
was serving as junior Lieutenant of that ship when his excel-
lent father's death was communicated to him j on which me-
lancholy occasion he received a letter from Lord Nelson, par-
ticularly characteristic of that great man, who was always
peculiarly happy in choosing the moment proper for confer-
ring his favors. The following is a copy : —
" Victory, Oct. 4, 1804.
" My dear Sir,— There is no man who more sincerely laments the heavy
loss you have sustained than myself : but the name of Duncan will never
be forgot by Britain, and in particular by its navy, in which service the
remembrance of your worthy father will, I am sure, grow up in you.
" I am sorry not to have a good sloop to give you, but still an opening
offers which I think will ensure your confirmation as a Commander : it is
See vol. I. p. C64 * *.
See vol. 1. p. C65, et seq.
3 s 2
984 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
occasioned by the very ill state of health of Captain Corbett, of the Bit-
tern, who has requested a few weeks' leave to reside on shore at the hoa-
pital. You will be confirmed before he resumes his command.
" You had better get your things on board the Seahorse this afternoon,
as she will go to Malta in the morning. I am ever, my dear Sir, with every
kind wish, most faithfully yours,
(Signed) " NELSON & BRONTE."
" Hon. H. Duncan."
Finding on his arrival at Malta, that Captain Corbett had
recovered his health sufficiently to retain the command of the
Bittern, and that he did not feel disposed to give her up, Cap-
tain Duncan returned to the fleet, as a passenger, in the Active
frigate, and served as a volunteer on board the Royal Sove-
reign, during Nelson's excursion to the coast of Egypt in
quest of M. Villeneuve, whose ships, it will be remembered,
were dispersed in a heavy gale shortly after their departure
from Toulon, and thereby escaped for a time an encounter they
so much dreaded *.
Captain Duncan's commission as a Commander having
been confirmed Nov. 6, 1804, he returned home in the Re-
nown, a third-rate, commanded by Sir Richard J. Strachan,
Bart. ; and after a short stay with his friends in Scotland, was
appointed to the Minorca, a new brig of 18 guns, which ves-
sel he commissioned at Chatham on the 21st Aug. 1805.
He obtained post rank, while serving under the orders of Lord
Collingwood, on the Mediterranean station, Jan. 18, 1806 ;
but was not superseded in the command of the Minorca until
April 19th following, when he joined the Britannia of 100
guns, at Gibraltar, for a passage to England, where he ar-
rived in company with three of the Trafalgar prizes, on the
IJth of the ensuing month.
From this period, Captain Duncan used every effort to
obtain another appointment ; but having at that time no other
claim than his father's services, they were not deemed suffi-
cient by the then first Lord of the Admiralty* and he did not
succeed until Lord Howick was replaced at that Board by
Mr. T. Grenville f, who immediately nominated him to the
Porcupine of 24 guns, then recently launched at Plymouth;
* See id. at note p. 589,
t In the spring of 1807-
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1806. 985
in which ship he sailed for the Mediterranean with despatches
and specie, on the 10th July ; and joined Lord Collingwood
off the Dardanelles, Sept. 2, 1807. During the remainder of
that year, we find him most actively employed in the Adriatic,
where the Porcupine and her boats captured and destroyed
upwards of forty vessels, laden chiefly with grain and wine for
the French garrisons at Ragusa and Cataro ; also an Italian
gun-boat, mounting one long brass 24-pounder and several
swivels, with a complement of about 50 men ; and a traba-
colo loaded with ordnance stores of every description neces-
sary for fortifying the island of Curzola. The importance of
this service was thus acknowledged by his commander-in-
chief, in an official letter, dated on board the Ocean, at Syra-
cuse, Dec. 21, 1807 :—
" I cannot too strongly express my high approval and admiration of the
zeal and activity with which you have annoyed the enemy in their opera-
tions off Cataro, and prevented their supplies, a service which at this mo-
ment is particularly important, and I beg you will express my approbation
of the conduct of Lieutenant Price and the officers and men under his
orders in the attack and capture of la Safo gun-boat, us also in the other
instances you have particularized *. I am, &c.
(Signed) " COLLINGWOOD."
" Hon. Captain Duncan."
In Jan. 1808, Captain Duncan captured two large French
armed ships, laden with grain and gunpowder for the relief of
Corfu, and having on board a reinforcement for the garrison
of that island. A Russian transport mounting 18 guns, a
merchant brig under similar colours, and a French vessel laden
with hospital stores, were also intercepted by him in the course
of the same month ; but, unfortunately, the state of the weather
obliged him to destroy many of his former prizes ; and one of
the above ships, although quite new, foundered alongside of
the Porcupine, in consequence of some deficiency in the fast-
ening of her stem ; by which accident 2 men were drowned,
and 23 others narrowly escaped sharing the same fate.
During a subsequent cruise, Captain Duncan fell in with
two French squadrons, one from Rochefort, the other from
Toulon, consisting altogether of nine sail of the line and seven
* The particulars of several gallant exploits performed by the Porcu-
pine's boats, will be given in our memoir of her first Lieutenant, the pre-
isent Captain George Price. .
986 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
frigates. This formidable force he continued to watch (in
company with the Active), keeping almost constantly insight of
one division or the other, for nearly three weeks, at the end of
which time the enemy formed a junction and put into Corfu,
from whence the Porcupine was sent by Captain Moubray,
the senior officer, to apprise Lord Collingwood of their ar-
rival. His Lordship, however, had not the good fortune to
meet with them on their return to the westward, and they
were consequently enabled to reach Toulon in safety.
After cruising for some time off Tunis, and to the west-
ward of Sicily, where he re-captured one British merchant-
man and prevented several others from falling a prey to four
French privateers, which he discovered dogging a large con-
voy, Captain Duncan conveyed Mr. Hill, his Majesty's mi-
nister to the court of Sardinia, from Palermo to Cagliari,
where he was landed on the 4th June, 1808. The Porcupine
then proceeded to cruise between Naples and Toulon, where
she was frequently engaged with the enemy's land batteries^
while capturing and destroying vessels under their protection.
On the 25th June, Captain Duncan fell in with a French
schooner, near Monte Christo, which he captured, after a
chase of eleven hours, the enemy having in vain endeavoured
to run her on shore, about four leagues south of Bastia. She
proved to be la Nouvelle Enterprise, a remarkably fine letter
of marque, pierced for 14 guns, mounting six 6-pounders,
with a cargo of bale goods, from Leghorn bound to Turkey.
Alluding to this capture, Lord Collingwood, in a letter written
off Cadiz, says : —
" I approve of your having seen this vessel into Palermo, for the reasons
you have assigned *. I hope you will have had further success against the
enemy in your return to Toulon along the coast of Italy — at least I feel
satisfied that your exertions will merit it ; but those things depend much on
chance, and the enemy are very cautious in getting out of gun-shot of their
numerous batteries. As the schooner appears well calculated for the ser-
vice of Malta, I have ordered her to be surveyed and valued, and if found
fit, to be taken into the service, to supply the place of the late Ventura."
In July 1808, on the revolution breaking out in Spain, the
Duke of Orleans, who was at the time residing at Palermo,
wished to be sent to Spain to join the insurgents against the
French under Buonaparte, and persuaded our minister in Sicily
* The Porcupine's crew consisted entirely of impressed men.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 98?
to apply to Captain Duncan, then commanding the Porcu-
pine in Palermo bay, to convey his Highness to Cadiz. Cap-
tain Duncan was sent for by Sir W— - D , and the wishes
of the duke, backed by those of the minister, communicated
to him in presence of his Highness. Captain Duncan would
have wished that the minister had consulted with him private-
ly ; but as he did not do so, he took upon himself to refuse.
He saw at once that a Frenchman was not the person to go
to Spain at that moment. It was in vain that Sir W — — and
the duke tried to bring him to their way of thinking ; the
first by pointing out to him the responsibility he would incur,
the latter by flattering him with the idea that he would have
the honor of conveying a Prince of Bourbon to head an army
about to restore that family to the throne of France. At
length, somewhat irritated, the duke said he was surprised at so
young a man * standing out against their opinions, and added,
" If an officer in our marine had refused to do what a minister
ordered him, he would have been broke for it." The cool
answer was, " Please your Highness, it is perhaps our mis-
fortune that our marine has not yet attained to the perfection
yours had: but our commander-in-chief is not under any
minister. I am young, it is true ; but I am to do what he
would do if he were here : and I am sure he would never con-
sent to your going to Spain." They then asked him to con-
vey the duke to the fleet ; he replied he would take till next
day to consider of it. Next morning he wrote a letter to Sir
W D , saying that he thought the duke going to the
fleet would leave the Admiral no alternative but that of send-
ing him on ; and it would therefore be better to write to Vice-
Admiral Thornbrough, and let him know what his High-
ness's wishes were, and that the Halcyon brig would sail at
12 o'clock for the fleet, but could not wait longer, even for
his despatches. Captain Duncan prevented further remon-
strance with himself, by going to sea in the Porcupine. A
day or two after a ship of war arrived at Palermo, took the
duke on board, conveyed him to Cadiz, where he was not
permitted to land, and Lord Collingwood returned him forth-
with to Palermo.
* Captain Duncan was then little more than 22 years of age.
988 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1806.
On the 9th of the same month, Captain Duncan, then off
Mount Circello, on the coast of Romania, observed two
French gun-boats, with a merchant vessel under their con-
voy, going along-shore to the westward ; and as the Porcu-
pine was becalmed, he sent his boats in pursuit of them,
under the orders of Lieutenant Price ; who, after a row of
eight hours, in a hot sun, drove the latter on shore, and
forced the gun-boats to take shelter under the batteries of
Port d'Anzo. At this time, seeing three very suspicious
vessels coming down with a fresh breeze from the westward,
Captain Duncan was obliged to recall the boats ; but before
he could cut the strangers off, they also got into the same
harbour. Next morning, observing that one of them, a
large polacre ship, lay farther out than the others, and wish-
ing to give a check to the trade along the coast, which
the enemy imagined, from their numerous fortifications, they
could carry on without molestation, he determined to attack
her. As soon as it was dark the boats went in, under the
command of his first Lieutenant, and succeeded in bringing
her out from under the heavy fire of two batteries, a tower,
and three gun-boats. In the execution of this service the
British had 6 men severely, and 2 slightly wounded. The
prize was loaded with salt, mounted eight long 6-pounders,
and had on board between 20 and 30 men, perfectly prepared
for the attack.
Eleven days after this event, Captain Duncan drove on
shore, near Mount Circello, a French polacre ship, which was
afterwards completely destroyed by his boats, under the com-
mand of Lieutenant Francis Smith, and without any loss,
though exposed to the fire of a tower, mounting two guns,
within pistol-shot of her ; she was about 200 tons burthen,
from Naples, loaded with iron hoops and staves.
On the 8th Aug. the Porcupine chased another French ship
into the passage between Planosa and Elba, where she took
refuge under a tower and battery : at night Captain Duncan
sent Lieutenant Smith with the boats and a party of marines
to attack her ; and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the vessel,
the forts, the French soldiers who lined the beach to which
she was moored, and one of her guns which had been land-
ed, they most gallantly boarded and brought her out. She
POST- CAPTAINS OP 1806. 989
proved to be la Conccptione, mounting 4 guns, from Genoa,
bound to the island of Cyprus, with bale goods. The
British, on this occasion, had 2 men killed and 8 wounded ;
among the latter was Lieutenant James Renwick, R. M., a
most excellent and gallant officer, who received three
musket-ball wounds, but happily neither of 'them proved
mortal *.
Captain Duncan continued in the Porcupine till Oct. 2,
1808, when he left her at Malta, and proceeded in the Spider
brig to join the Mercury of 28 guns, at Messina, the Admi-
ralty having appointed him, without application, to that
frigate ; a change by no means so gratifying to him as their
Lordships doubtless intended. Writing to the commander-
in-chief on the subject of his removal, he says, " 1 am parti-
cularly sorry at the change of ships, as this is, in my opi-
nion, inferior to the Porcupine in almost every respect, and
is so old and so bad, that 1 am afraid she will soon be
obliged to go home, which is, of all things, what I wish least."
Notwithstanding the Mercury was so old and defective, she
was destined to perform greater services before her departure
from the Mediterranean, than several of our crack frigates
were during the whole war.
After serving very actively and efficaciously, as senior
officer, on the coasts of Sicily, Calabria, and Naples, where
he assisted in capturing a French ship, loaded with bale
goods, from Tunis bound to Leghorn ; and a settee with a
cargo of cotton, from Barbary, bound to Marseilles ; as well
as in destroying several coasting traders ; Captain Duncan
conveyed Mr. (now Sir Charles) Stuart to Trieste, on his way
to the Austrian court, then about to declare war against the
French Emperor.
Having put that gentleman on board the Amphion fri-
gate, and placed himself under the orders of Captain Hpste,
the subject of this memoir resumed his former station in
the Adriatic, where the Mercury's boats, imitating those
of the Porcupine, distinguished themselves by several gal-
lant enterprises, judiciously planned by Captain Duncan,
• Lieutenant Francis Smith had previously distinguished himself in the
Porcupine^ boats, particularly at the capture ofla Safo, and of the pol.u-rc
ship, cut out of Port d'Anzo. — See Memoir of Captain (JEORGE PKU i..
990 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
and ably executed by the brave officers and men under his
command. The capture of la Leda, Venetian gun-boat, at
Rovigno, on the 1st April, and of la Pugliese, French na-
tional schooner, in the harbour of Barletta, on the 7th Sept.
1809, v/ill be found amply described in our forthcoming me-
moir of Captain Watkin Owen Pell, who commanded the
boats on each of those occasions.
In April, 1809, Captain Duncan co-operated with the Aus-
trian forces in obtaining possession of Capo d'Istria, a town
near Trieste, during the course of which service the Amphion
and Mercury were obliged to anchor on a lee shore, in a gale
of wind, and to destroy the signal posts in order to prevent
the enemy having a knowledge of their situation, and bring-
ing guns against them from Venice.
Subsequent to this event, the Mercury assisted at the
attack of Pesaro and Cesenatico, the result of which was the
destruction of the enemy's fortifications at the entrance of
those harbours, and the capture of twenty-five sail laden with
oil, hides, hemp, almonds, grain, &c., besides one large vessel
loaded with iron, burnt in the latter port ; and the seizure of
a large quantity of hemp and iron, which had been collected
in the magazines on shore *. Captain Duncan's conduct in
these attacks is thus noticed by Sir Jahleel Brenton, the
gallant officer under whom he was then serving : —
" As the enemy made no active resistance (at Pesaro), I can only ex-
press my admiration of the zeal and promptitude with which Captain
Hoste and the Hon. Henry Duncan executed the orders they received,
and the manner in which they placed their ships.
" The Mercury, from Captain Duncan's anxiety to place her as near
the town (of Cesenatico) as possible, took the ground, but in so favor-
able a position as gave the fullest effect to her fire : she was, however,
hove off by 6 P. M. without having sustained any injury. I never wit-
nessed more zeal and energy than were evinced by Captain Duncan on this
occasion."
Returning down the Adriatic, on his way to Malta, Cap-
tain Duncan observed seven large trabacolos and several
smaller ones, hauled upon the beach at Rotti, near Manfre-
donia, and sent a flag of truce to desire them to be given up, as
he was unwilling to hurt the town ; which being refused, the
Mercury was anchored within half gun-shot, in four fathoms ;
* See p. 267 of this volume.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 991
and after a few broadsides the boats' crews and marines were
enabled to land and destroy them, tinder the directions of
Lieutenant Robert James Gordon, who had already distin -
guished himself on many occasions, and who was in this
instance severely burnt by an explosion of gunpowder, while
blowing up one of the vessels.
Two days after the affair at Rotti, Captain Duncan, being
off Cape St. Angelo, discovered three ships and a cutter
in the N. K. coming down before the wind, and four French
privateers in chase of and firing at them. He immediately
hauled towards the strangers, and had the satisfaction of
saving four Sicilian merchantmen, with valuable cargoes,
from being captured. On the Mercury's approach, the
enemy hauled their wind, and Captain Duncan did not pur-
sue them, he having on board important despatches from the
British Ambassador at Vienna, and there being but little or no
prospect of cutting them off from the land. It is almost su-
perfluous to add, that his continued exertions were duly ap-
preciated by Lord Collingwood, who expressed, " great satis-
faction that the Mercury had been able to effect such good
service."
On his return to the Adriatic, Captain Duncan was sent,
with the Redwing of 18 guns under his orders, to blockade a
French frigate and several brigs of war, then lying at Ancona.
Whilst off that harbour, he captured three merchant vessels,
destroyed several signal posts in the vicinity of the port, and
challenged the frigate, but could not induce her commander
to come out and fight him. From thence he proceeded off
Ragusa, where he took sixteen sail of merchantmen, during a
cruise of only 10 days.
A short time subsequent to the capture of la Pugliese, (al-
ready adverted to), Captain Duncan was selected by Lord Col-
lingwood to command a squadron employed in guarding Sicily
from an invasion then threatened by the usurper of the Nea-
politan throne ; but the Mercury, on being surveyed, was
found to be too defective for further active service ; and indeed
declared to be even in an unfit state to go home at that sea-
son of the year. Circumstances, however, rendering it neces-
sary for all the effective ships on the station to te retained,
Captain Duncan received orders to take charge of the trade,
992 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
then collecting at Malta, the whole of which he escorted in
safety to the Downs, where he arrived, after a tempestuous
passage, in the month of Feb. 1810.
The Mercury was paid off, at Woolwich, shortly after her
arrival; and in June following Captain Duncan received an
appointment of a much more gratifying description, it being
to the Imperieuse, a fine 38-gun frigate, of which he assumed
the command at Gibraltar, on the 22d Sept., having fol-
lowed her thither, as a passenger, in the Milford 74.
In May 1811, the Imperieuse and Resistance were de-
tached to Algiers, in quest of two French frigates ; but not
meeting with them, Captain Duncan was obliged to content
himself with obtaining the release of a Cephalonian brig,
which had been carried into Tripoli by an Algerine cruiser.
He was afterwards sent on two short cruises, under the
orders of Captains Blackwood and Dundas, during which he
assisted at the capture of ten merchant vessels. With the
exception of those three trips he was constantly attached to
the inshore squadron off Toulon, for upwards of nine months ;
a service of the most irksome nature to an officer of his en-
terprising spirit. The time, however, was approaching, when
his talents for conducting operations along shore were again
to be called into action.
In July, Sir Edward Pellew, who had recently succeeded
Sir Charles Cotton in the chief command of the Mediterranean
fleet, relieved Captain Duncan from his mortifying situation,
by sending him to Naples on a special service, for the
able execution of which he received that officer's particular
thanks.
On the llth Oct. 1811, being the fourteenth anniversary of
Lord Duncan's victory, his son commenced a series of active
operations in the Imperieuse, by attacking three of the ene-
my's gun-vessels, each carrying an 18-pounder and 30 men,
moored under the walls of a strong fort, near the town of
Possitano, in the Gulf of Salerno.
About 11 A. M. the frigate was anchored within range of
grape, and in a few minutes the enemy were driven from
their guns, and one of the gun-boats was sunk. It, however,
became alwsolutely necessary to get possession of the fort j
for although silenced, yet (from its being regularly walled
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 993
round) the ship could not dislodge the soldiers and those of
the vessels' crews who had made their escape on shore, and
taken shelter in it. The marines and a party of seamen were
therefore landed under the command of Lieutenant Eaton
gravers, first of the Imperieuse, who forced his way into the
battery in the most gallant style, under a very heavy fire of
musketry, obliging more than treble the number of his brave
companions to fly in all directions, leaving behind about
thirty men and fifty stand of arms. The guns, which were
24-pounders, were then thrown over the cliff, the magazines,
&c. destroyed, and the two remaining gun-vessels brought
off. The Imperieuse, on this occasion, had her fore -top- sail-
yard shot away, and sustained a loss of 3 men killed and
wounded.
On the 19th ard 21st of the same month, the boats of the
Imperieuse, assisted by those of the Thames frigate, under
cover of both ships, anchored close to the shore for their sup-
port, captured ten armed pblacres loaded with oil, which they
launched and brought off from the beach near Palinuro, on
the coast of Calabria, where the vessels were banked up with
sand, and defended by a large detachment of Neapolitan
troops. This service was likewise executed under the direc-.
tions of Lieutenant Travers, whose intrepidity and judgment
we shall hereafter have frequent occasion to notice.
The above capture led to one of still greater importance, as
will be seen by Captain Duncan's official report to Rear-
Admiral Freemantle, dated at Melazzo, in Sicily, Nov. 7>
1811 :—
"On the 21st ult,. the Imperieuse and Thames discovered ten of the
enemy's gun-boats in the port of Palinuro, with a number of merchant
vessels, and a quantity of spars intended for the equipment of the Neapo-
litan navy, hauled up on the beach ; but, from the strength and situation of
the harbour, I did not think the force T then had sufficient to attack it with
a prospect of complete success ; I therefore sent the Thames to Sicily to re-
quest the assistance of a detachment of soldiers, and on the 28th she rejoined
me with 250 of the 62d regiment, under Major Dailey, but unfortunately at
the commencement of a S. W. gale, which precluded all possibility of landing
till the evening of the 1st instant, when the troops, together with the ma-
rines of both ships under Lieutenant Pipon, and a detachment of seamen
under Lieutenant Travers, the whole commanded by Captain Napier, were
disembarked from the Thames at the back of the harbour, and immediately
ascended and carried the heights in a very gallant style, under a heavy fire
994 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
from the enemy, who were assembled in force to oppose them, and who
soon after dark endeavoured to retake their position ; but one volley obliged
them instantly to retire. The Imperieuse had in the mean time been endea-
vouring to occupy the attention of the gun-boats and battery in front; but
the light and baffling winds prevented our getting any nearer than long range
during the evening. Next morning, finding that nothing could be done on
the land side against the battery and a strong tower that protected the
vessels on the beach, and within pistol-shot of which the gun-boats were
moored, I ordered the Thames to close ; and, having directed Captain Na-
pier to return on board her, we bore up at the commencement of the sea-
breeze, and running along the line of gun-boats within half musket-shot,
obliged them almost instantly to surrender. Two were sunk. We then
anchored close to the fort, which in about fifteen minutes was completely
silenced, and in a quarter of an hour more the colours were struck to his
Majesty's ships, and it was instantly taken possession of by Lieutenant Tra-
vers, who, on seeing us stand in, had most gallantly pushed down the hill
with a party of seamen and marines, and was waiting almost under the walls
of the fort, ready to take advantage of any superiority the ships might have
over it. The guns, 24-pounders, were then thrown into the sea, the gun-
boats secured, and the crews of both ships sent to launch the vessels and
spars, which could not be completed till after noon next day ; when the
troops, who had all this time remained in undisputed possession of the
heights, were re-embarked, the marines withdrawn from the tower, which
was completely blown up, together with two batteries, and a signal-tower
on the hill, the ships and prizes putting to sea with the land breeze.
Caraccioli, Captain of a frigate, commanded the division of gun-boats;
and General Pignatelli Cercaro the land forces, which consisted latterly of
about 700 men, including peasantry. *#****. Enclosed is
a list of the vessels taken and destroyed, and a return of the killed and
wounded : among the former I have to regret Lieutenant Kay of the 62d
regiment, and Lieutenant Pipon, R. M. of the Imperieuse *."
Having escorted his prizes to Melazzo, and disembarked
the troops at that place, Captain Duncan proceeded to Mi-
norca for the purpose of rejoining the fleet, and on his pas-
sage thither re-captured an English ship from Newfoundland.
On his arrival at Mahon, he had the gratification of receiving
the following letter from the commander- in- chief, dated Dec.
19,1811:—
" Sir,— I have received and read with great satisfaction your letters of
* One gun-vessel, carrying two 18->pounders and 50 men, and three others
of one 18-pounder and 30 men each, destroyed. Six vessels of the latter
description, twenty-two feluccas laden with oil, cotton, figs, raisins, silk,
&c. taken ; and 20 large spars brought off from the beach. Total loss on
the part of the British, 5 killed and 1 1 wounded.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 995
the 24th Oct. and 9th Nov., stating the services you have performed on
the coast of Calabria, in company with Captain Napier of H. M. S.
Thames. I have forwarded them to the Admiralty, recommending to their
Lordships' notice these testimonies of your zeal and gallantry, and of
those who have served under your orders. I sincerely regret the loss you
have sustained on this occasion. I desire you will convey to Captain
Napier, and to the officers, seamen, and marines employed on these ser-
vices, my entire approbation of their excellent conduct, and I have di-
rected Admiral Freemantle to express to Major Dailey, and the officers
and men of the detachment of the 62d regiment, acting with you at Pa-
linuro, my thanks for their co-operation.
" I have requested their Lordships' attention to the distinguished services
of Lieutenant Eaton Travers, first of the Imperieuse, on this and former
occasions. I am, &c. »
(Signed) « EDW. PELLBW."
"Hon. Capt. Duncan*."
With the exception of his capturing a Neapolitan cutter,
while on a cruise with the Swallow hrig under his orders, we
find no further particular mention of Captain Duncan till
June 27, 1812,, on which day he assisted at the destruction of
a French convoy, and the batteries of Languilla and Alassio,
in the Gulf of Genoa, by a squadron under the command of
Captain Patrick Campbell f. In the execution of this ser-
vice the Imperieuse had 4 men killed, and a Lieutenant
(William Walpole) and 10 other persons wounded.
On the 17th Aug. following, Captain Duncan then recon-
noitring Naples, a squadron consisting of a 74- gun ship,
bearing a Commodore's broad pendant, a frigate, a corvette,
thirteen large cutter-rigged gun-boats, and nine smaller ones,
got under weigh, apparently with an intention of attacking the
Imperieuse and her consort, the Cephalus brig of 18 guns.
Captain Duncan allowed them to approach nearly within
reacli, when the frigate and gun-boats, which formed the lee
division, shewed an inclination to annoy him with long shot,
and he ordered the brig to wear and meet them ; which her
commander, the late Captain Edward Flin, did in a very
handsome style, under a heavy fire, and actually obliged the
whole to tack from him. The line-of-battle ship was at this
time on Captain Duncan's weather quarter, and had it fully
* The high approbation of the Admiralty was conveyed to Captain
Duncan in a letter from their Lordships' Secretary, dated Jan. 23, 1812.
f See p, 293 of this volume.
996 POST- CAPTAINS OF 1806.
in her power to run down and close with him; but she
seemed not to wish to leave her own shore at a greater dis-
tance ; and on the Imperieuse making all sail towards her,
she took in hers, and continued firing at long range. It was
now sunset, and every likelihood of a calm ; the British
therefore gave the headmost vessels a well-directed broad-
side, and stood off. The enemy hauled close under the land,
except the gun-boats, which, trusting to their oars, followed
the Imperieuse and Cephalus a short time, keeping up a dis-
tant fire. At day-light, on the 18th, Captain Duncan ob-
served that the whole had returned to their anchorage. It
was his intention, had the breeze continued, to have laid the
74 on board ; and with such men as he commanded there is
no doubt that she would easily have been carried. The en-
thusiastic zeal of the crews of the Imperieuse and Cephalus
exceeded any thing he had ever witnessed, and made him
" doubly regret, that the situation of the enemy would not
allow of his giving full scope to their valour V This spirited
affair took place before thousands of spectators ; and certainly
did not leave King Joachim much to boast of the improve-
ment of his navy. We believe the 74 bore his name ; she
fell into the possession of the British, by the capitulation of
Naples, in 1815.
Captain Duncan continued off Naples, with two frigates
under his orders, till the defects of the Imperieuse rendered
it necessary for her to leave that station in order to be re-
fitted. He then escorted a fleet of transports, having troops
on board, from Palermo to Alicant, and returned from the
latter place to Mahon, where his ship was hove down and
new coppered. Whilst there he received an appointment to
the Resistance 38, and was at the same time offered the Un-
daunted, another beautiful frigate of the same class, should
he prefer her to the other. The following genuine epistle
from his crew, however, prevented him from accepting
either : —
" Sir, — Being informed you are going to lave us, we have taken the
liberty at the unanimous request of all hands, to return you our most grate*,
ful thanks for your continued goodness and indulgence to us since we have
* See Captain Duncan's official letter to Sir Edward Pellew.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 997
had the happiness of being under your command. Your continued atten-
tion to our comforts is more than we ever experienced in any Ship, and
more than wposably can do with any other Captain-from gratitude for
your past goodness to us, we humbly hope our best services will still be
exerted under your command, and hope you will not lave us. Every one
is praying for your continuance with us. We humbly beg to say that we
will fight and spell the last drop of our blood under your command, more
willingly than any other Ship's Company up here will do, and only wish
we had the oppertunity of convincing you by the capture of any two
Frinch Frigates that we might be lucky enough to fall in with, and in as
short time and as much to your satisfaction, as any other frigate posaUy
could do— for in fighting under your command we fight under a Captain
.to whom we owe Eternal gratitude, and to whom we have the strongest
attachment. We humbly Beg Pardon for the liberty we have taken,
and remains with the greatest reapect and duty, Sir, your very humble
Servants.
(Signed) « THE SHIP'S COMPANY OF THE IMPERIEUSE."
In April 1813, Captain Duncan left Mahon, in the Impe-
rieuse, Sir Edward Pellew having not only yielded to the
wishes of her crew, but likewise added to their gratification
by appointing their favourite Captain to the command of a
squadron, consisting of three frigates and two brigs, employed
watching the Neapolitan marine, then composed of one 74,
two frigates, and a corvette, besides several smaller vessels of
war and numerous gun-boats ; to which was afterwards added
a second line-of-battle ship.
In addition to the duty of blockading Naples, Captain
Duncan was directed to annoy as much as possible the ene-
my's trade along the coast, between that city and Leghorn ;
but those orders were rendered nugatory in a considerable de-
gree, through his being obliged to pay particular attention to
the island of Ponza, which the enemy had threatened with an
attack. He, however, captured a French privateer, and one
or two merchant vessels ; nor did he quit that station without
giving the Neapolitans frequent opportunities to engage his
very inferior force. On one occasion we find him standing
in with his frigates, and challenging the line-of-battle ships
by firing several broadsides at them, as they lay at their an-
chors ; but although they got under sail, and he remained in
sight all the next day, they were not sufficiently high-minded'
to leave the bay, and resent so great an insult.
In Sept. 1813, a French convoy having collected at Port
VOL. ii. 3 x
998 POST -CAPTAINS OF 1806.
d'Anzo, Captain Duncan proceeded off' that harbour, and
waited for an opportunity to make a dash at the enemy ; but
none occurred previous to the arrival of the Edinburgh 74,
which ship had been despatched from Palermo, in conse-
quence of the intelligence he had sent thither by Captain
Manley, of the Termagant. The result of the attack has
been stated in our memoir of the Hon. George H. L. Dundas,
who, being senior officer, of course assumed the command ;
he, however, adhering to the judicious arrangements al-
ready made by the subject of this memoir, who had a few
days before lessened the enemy's means of resistance, by
causing the destruction of a strong martello tower *.
Towards the latter end of the same year, Captain Duncan
requested and obtained permission to accompany a squadron
under the present Sir Josias Rowley, who was then about to
make a descent on the coast of Italy. " The ready and use-
ful assistance" he afforded that officer " on every occasion,"
during the subsequent operations at Via Reggio and Leghorn,
was duly acknowledged by him in his official despatch, a
copy of which will be found at p. 424 et seq.
Soon after the termination of this expedition, Captain Dun-
can was appointed to the command of a squadron employed
on the coasts of Sardinia and Corsica ; but hearing that an
armament was preparing at Palermo to renew the attack
upon Leghorn, he again volunteered his services, and assisted
in escorting 5000 troops to that place, where they were landed
without opposition, the French garrison having been with-
drawn previous to their arrival.
The evacuation of Leghorn was speedily followed by the
reduction of Genoa and its dependencies ; but Captain. Dun-
can was prevented from joining the naval force employed on
that occasion, in consequence of a fever which broke out among
his gallant crew, and obliged him to proceed to Mahon, where
he was detained from April 10th till May 8th, 1814, previous
to which all military operations in Europe had terminated.
* See memoir of Commander EATON TRAVERS, and p. 423 et seq. of this
volume. N.B. Previous to this event, one of Captain Duncan's squadron
had taken a convoy, consisting of 3 gun-boats and 12 merchant vessels ;
and another captured a large French brig, and a privateer of 3 guns and
forty men.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 990
Providentially, of 250 men who went to the hospital, not a
single person died.
The Imperieuse returned to England about the middle of
July, 1814 ; and Captain Duncan, immediately on his arrival,
was appointed to the Glasgow, a new frigate, mounting 50
guns ; in which he conveyed Viscount Melville from Ports-
mouth to Plymouth, at the commencement of October -, and
then cruised between Scilly and Cape Finisterre, until the
final conclusion of the war with America. He had not the
good fortune, however, to meet with . any of the enemy's
cruisers ; and the recapture of one British merchantman was
the only service which he had an opportunity of effecting.
On the return of Buonaparte from Elba, the Glasgow was
placed under the orders of Admiral Lord Keith; and after a
short cruise on the coast of la Vendee, Captain Duncan was
nominated by the Admiralty to the command of a squadron,
intended at first to be employed between Capes Finisterre and
St. Vincent, but ultimately sent to cruise across the Bay of
Biscay, in order to intercept the fugitive usurper. Hearing at
length of Napoleon's surrender to the Bellerophon, and ob-
serving the royal colours displayed at Brest, Captain Duncan
put into that port, where he remained four days, and then
returned to Plymouth.
From the foregoing statement, it will appear very evident
to our readers, that Captain Duncan, although he never had
the good fortune to encounter a frigate at sea, was both active
and successful in coast operations against the enemy : he did
as much along shore as any officer we have ever heard of.
Having no frigates to fight, he never lost an opportunity of
attacking the enemy's convoys in their own ports, destroying
batteries, and cutting out work for himself in every possible
shape. If the Captain of a British frigate meets an enemy's
ship of that description, he fights her, and he can do no less :
the officer who goes out of his way to cut out work for him-
self, has the credit of the planning to be added to that of the
execution of any particular enterprise. Having found it im-
possible to specify every individual capture made by Captain
Duncan, or at which he assisted, while commanding the Por-
cupine, Mercury, and Imperieuse, we must content ourselves
with giving the grand total of vessels taken and destroyed in
1000 POST-CAPTATNS OP 1806.
his presence between Sept. 1807 and Jan. 1814; viz. fifteen
gun-boats, one national schooner, three armed transports, two
privateers, three letters of marque, and upwards of two hundred
merchantmen, exclusive of six recaptures ; — he also assisted at
.the destruction of eight towers and thirteen batteries. For his
indefatigable exertions and valuable services,hewas deservedly
rewarded with the insignia of a C. B. in June 1815. The proof
uof the value of those services is, that they led to the promotion
of four Lieutenants serving under his immediate command *.
The Glasgow being paid off at Chatham, Sept. 1 following,
and Great Britain then at peace with all the world, Captain
Duncan did not attempt to obtain further employment until
June 1818, when he was appointed to the Liffey of 50 guns,
in which ship he conveyed Field-Marshal Lord Beresford
.from Portsmouth to Lisbon, and then proceeded on an anti-
piratical cruise round the West India Islands.
After touching at Port Royal, and the Havannah, Captain
.Duncan returned to Spithead ; and in the autumn of 1819, we
find him attending on his present Majesty, then Prince Re-
gent, during his aquatic excursion in that neighbourhood.
Whilst thus employed, the Liffey had the honor of hoisting the
royal standard, the Prince having condescended to visit her,
at the same time paying Captain Duncan the flattering com-
pliment of saying that he did so " because he had never
seen a ship that pleased him so much before."
The Liffey subsequently conveyed Sir Charles Bagot, H. M.
Ambassador to the court of St. Petersburgh, from North Yar-
mouth to Cronstadt ; and on her return from thence was des-
patched in company with the Active frigate, under sealed or-
ders,"tp Naples ; where she continued from the 6th. Oct. 1820,
until the end of Feb. 1821.
Captain Duncan was next sent to Lisbon, on secret service
of a highly important nature ; and whilst there he received
the thanks of the Cortes for his exertions in subduing a fire
which had broke out in one of the public buildings. He had
also the honor of a private audience with the King of Portugal,
when that monarch arrived in the Tagus, from Rio Janeiro,
after an honorable exile of nearly fourteen years.
* See p. 1001.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 1001
In Aug. and Sept. 1821, we again find the Liffey attending
upon our own sovereign, whom she accompanied first to Ire-
land, and afterwards to Calais. On her return from the latter
service, she was ordered to be paid off at Portsmouth ; and
Captain Duncan has not since been afloat.
Previous to their separation, Oct. 17, 1821, the officers of
the Liffey gave a superb entertainment to their late commander
— upwards of thirty persons sat down to dinner. The accus-
tomed patriotic toasts having been given, the President, after
an appropriate speech, in which he expatiated on the uninter-
rupted harmony that had reigned among all classes, proposed
" the health of the Hon. Captain Duncan, under whose com-
mand they had all enjoyed so large a portion of comfort and hap-
piness; who both in his public and private character, had ac-
quired, and would ever retain their utmost respect and esteem."
This toast was hailed with the most enthusiastic and long con-
tinued bursts of applause. — Captain Duncan, in an animated
speech, returned thanks ; and expressed his approbation .of
the conduct of all his officers, whose lot, he observed, it had
been to visit together several European capitals, in all of which
he was proud to say, they had left impressions highly favor-
able to the British name. Many other appropriate toasts fol-
lowed, and the evening was spent in the greatest concord
and conviviality.
Captain Duncan's great anxiety has always been, to push
on the officers serving under his command ; and in this re-
spect he has been particularly successful. Not one of his first
Lieutenants possessed interest, yet no less than five of them
were made Commanders, and a sixth individual may be said
to have obtained that rank through him. Lieutenants Price,
Pell, and Travers, whom we have already mentioned in the
course of this memoir, were promoted for their respective
services in the Porcupine, Mercury, and Imperieuse. The
action at Languilla and Alassio, June 27, 1812, led to the
advancement of Lieutenant William Walpole *. The Prince
Regent's visit to the Liffey was followed by the promotion of
Lieutenant William Henry Higgs ; and his successor, Wil-
liams Sandom, although not made until after the ship was paid
* See p. 995.
1002 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806.
off would in all probability have been a Lieutenant still, T?ut
for the fortunate circumstance of his having attracted Captain
Duncan's notice during the war, by which means alone he
obtained an appointment to the Liffey.
There is another point which Captain Duncan has great
reason to pride himself upon ; namely, his attention to Na-
val Gunnery ; and a recital of the circumstance which we
are told first led him to see the necessity of attending thereto,
may be a useful lesson to our young officers.
A few weeks after the Porcupine was manned, Captain
Duncan chased a ship during the night in the Archipelago,
which proved to be an American merchant vessel. While
hailing her, and when the two ships were almost touching each
other, a gun on board the Porcupine went off by accident,
and a whole broadside followed. The guns were all double
shotted, and Captain Duncan naturally supposed the neutral
ship would be cut to pieces. Although happy to hear she
had not suffered, his surprise was very great to find that a
broadside could be fired so close without producing any effect :
from that moment he saw the absurdity of the common
form of exercise, which he had been accustomed to pay as
much attention to as is generally done ; and that real exercise,
and the greatest and most constant attention to it, was neces-
sary. In a short time the crew of the Porcupine became per-
fect gunners ; the Mercury's were the same ; and never, dur-
ing the war, did the firing of any ship surpass that of the Im-
perieuse. One day, under a battery, the captain of a gun
was asked by an officer why he did not fire ? The man re-
plied, " The quoin edgeways is too much, and not enough
put in flat; lam chipping a bit of wood for it." This an-
swer shews how cool and correct his people were in handling
their guns — they used to say themselves, that they would cut
a frigate asunder in fifteen minutes. Unfortunately they
never had an opportunity of displaying their skill in sO highly
desirable a manner ; but no battery they were ever opposed
to could stand their fire many minutes. We should here re-
mark, that very few of Lord Cochrane's men were then re-
maining in the Imperieuse : it is true his Lordship first taught
that frigate's crew how to use great guns with skill and dex-
terity : it is also certain that Captain Duncan completed
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 1003
them in that important science ; and it is but justice to both
to add, that Captain Duncan has been often heard to declare
how much he admired and how much he had profited by
his Lordship's system of gunnery. Lord Cochrane proba-
bly did not think otherwise of Captain Duncan's, when he re-
commended him as his successor to his favorite ship, although
unacquainted with him until they had met on service a few
months before *. The crew of the Glasgow, perhaps the finest
set of men eirer collected on board a ship, were well trained
to their guns under Captain Duncan ; and the perfection to
which he brought the Liffey's firing, aided by Sir William
Congreve's sights, is sufficiently shewn in the extract from
his journal, published in a treatise on that subject by the latter
ingenious officer.
Captain Duncan married, April 22, 1823, Mary Simpson,
only daughter of Captain James Coutts Crawford, R. N. and
grand-daughter of the late Alexander Duncan, of Restalrig
House, near Edinburgh, Esq. by whom he has a son, born
June 23, 1824 ; and a daughter, born May 31, 1825.
sfgent.—J. Woodhead, Esq.
HENRY VAUGHAN, ESQ.
THIS officer, a descendant of the late Earl of Carberry,
was born in 17^7- He entered the naval service as a Mid-
shipman on board the Boyne of 70 guns, commanded by
Captain Broderick Hartwell, in 1774 ; and afterwards joined
in succession, the Foudroyant 80, Captain John Jervis ;
Galatea 20, Captain J. Jordan f ; Ardent 64, Captain James
Gambier ; and Sandwich, a second-rate, bearing the flag of
Sir George B. Rodney; by whom he was appointed first
* During a debate on naval affairs in the House of Commons, Lord
Cochrane complained that the Admiralty did not pay attention to the re-
commendation of officers. Mr. Croker said in reply, " that his Lordship
should be the last to make such an accusation, as the Board had attended
to his recommendation, even so far as to the appointment of a successor
to his ship/' or words to that effect. We state this from memory, conse-
quently cannot give the exact date when the conversation alluded to took
place.
f The Galatea assisted at the reduction of New York in Sept. 1776.
1004 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
Lieutenant of the Panther 60, Captain John Harvey, imme-
diately after the defeat of Don Juan de Langara, in Jan. 1780.
His commission was confirmed by the Admiralty, Oct. 3d, in
the same year.
Soon after Mr. Vaughan's promotion, the chief command
of the naval force employed in the defence of Gibraltar, de-
volved on Captain Harvey; and never perhaps was cool
judgment and firm resolution more necessary, than in the
dangerous situation he was soon placed in. During the night
of June 6, 1780, a bold and well-concerted effort was made
by the Spaniards to destroy the British squadron ; several
fire-ships were sent over for that purpose, attended by a large
number of boats. Don Barcello's squadron lay at the entrance
of the bay to intercept the British, if they should cut their
cables and endeavour to escape. Many favorable circum-
stances seemed almost to ensure success : the wind was mo~
derate from the N. W., the night cloudy, and, considering the
season of the year, uncommonly dark : the foremost of the
fire-ships was within hail of the Enterprise frigate before they
were discovered — not a moment was to be lost, the danger
was instant and alarming : to endeavour to avoid it by
putting to sea, was to fall into the hands of the enemy.
Captain Harvey, with great coolness and presence of mind,
ordered all his boats out to grapple the fire-ships, and tow
them on shore — the largest, equal in size to a 50-gun ship,
drove past the New Mole head within the distance of 150
yards ! Not only the size of the ship, but the violence of the
heat, rendered it impracticable for the boats to grapple her :
had she got within the mole, every vessel lying there, to-
gether with the storehouses in the naval yard, must have been
destroyed. Three others were secured together with chains
and cables ; yet with uncommon resolution and activity, the
British seamen separated, and towed them ashore. The
Panther was in the utmost danger : three of the enemy's ships
were directed towards her : one, notwithstanding the exertions
of the boats, came so near as to melt the pitch on her side j
and as some of the sails were set for canting her, part of the
crew were constantly employed in wetting them. By the
strong light of these seven ships, all blazing at one time, two
other vessels of the same description were seen on the larboard
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 1005
bow of the Panther ; but so heavy and well-directed a fire did
she keep up, that their crews were obliged to abandon them
before they could be placed in a situation to produce any
mischievous effects. Thus was the attempt of the enemy
rendered ineffectual by the valour of British seamen, under
the guidance of Captain Harvey, Lieutenant Vaughan, and
other resolute and skilful officers.
Orders having been sent from England, about this period,
for the Panther to take the first opportunity that offered for re-
turning home, she slipped out of the bay, with an easterly
wind, during the night of July 2d, succeeded in eluding the vi-
gilance of DonBarcello, captured a Spanish packet in her pas-
sage, and arrived at Spithead on the 25th of the same month.
Lieutenant Vaughan subsequently accompanied Captain
Harvey to Barbadoes, and was present at the reduction of St.
Eustatius, Feb. 3, 1/81. A few hours after that event, the
Panther assisted at the capture of a Dutch convoy, richly
laden, as will be seen by the following letter from Captain
Francis Reynolds (afterwards Lord Ducie) to Sir George B.
Rodney :—
" Monarch, off 'Sada, Feb. 5, 1781.
" Sir,— I have the pleasure to inform you, that yesterday morning I fell
in with the convoy you did me the honor to send me in pursuit of. About
ten o'clock I ordered the Mars, a Dutch ship of 60 guns, to strike her
colours ; which she refusing to do, occasioned some shot to be exchanged.
The Monarch received no damage, excepting 3 men wounded : I am not
informed of the number the Dutch had killed and wounded j but among
the former is thftr Admiral, though his flag was not hoisted at the time of
the action. From some shot in her masts, I have ordered the Panther to
take her in tow.
" By the activity of Captain Harvey, and Lord Charles Fitzgerald *, we
were enabled to take possession of the whole, and to make sail with them
by four o'clock in the afternoon."
From this period to the 1st Aug. 1781, the Panther conti-
nued cruising among the different islands : when, as she was
an old ship, considerably weakened by being constantly at
sea, Sir George B. Rodney sent her home with the Triumph
74, as convoy to a large fleet of merchantmen. In Jan. 1782,
she was ordered into dock at Portsmouth ; and we find no far-
ther mention of Mr. Vaughan until the commencement of the
* His Lordship commanded the Sybil of 28 guns.
1006 POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806.
French revolutionary war, when he was appointed first Lieu-
tenant of the Russell 74, commanded by Captain John Willet
Payne, with whom he continued until his promotion to the
rank of Commander, which took place immediately after the
glorious battle of June I, 1794.
In 1801, Captain Vaughan was appointed to the Imogene
of 18 guns, then employed cruising against the smugglers ;
but subsequently sent with important despatches to the Cape
of Good Hope, where she arrived after a passage of only 58
days. He was afterwards employed on the coast of Guinea,
and at the Leeward Islands, from which latter station he
sailed for England with the homeward-bound fleet at the com-
mencement of 1805. His post-commission bears date Jan.
22, 1806; since which date he has not been afloat. In 1807
he was appointed to the Sea Fencible service in Ireland,
where he continued until the dissolution of that corps, in
1810.
Captain Vaughan married the eldest sister of Captain Jamey
Katon,R.N.*
Agent. — John Chippendale, Esq.
THOMAS CAMPBELL, ESQ.
THIS officer was made a Commander in 1794 ; and advanced
to the rank of Post-Captain, Jan. 22, 1806. He commanded
the Wright, hired armed ship, previous to the peace of
Amiens ; and obtained the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital,
Aug. 19, 1817.
JOSEPH LAMB POPHAM, ESQ.
THIS officer is a half-brother of the late Rear- Admiral Sir
Home Popham, K. C. B. He was made a Lieutenant in 1794,
advanced to the rank of Commander in 1797, and posted Jan.
22, 1806. He married, June 17, 1801, Miss Wallis, of Tre-
varno, near Helstone, in Cornwall.
* See p. 450.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
JOHN SURMAN GARDEN, ESQ.
THIS officer is the eldest son of the late Major Garden, a
member of the Templemore family in Ireland, by Miss Sur-
man, of Treddington, near Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire,
at which place he was born on the 15th Aug. 1771.
At the commencement of the dispute with our colonies, Mr.
Carden, senior, (then a Lieutenant in the army) proceeded to
America, where his services on many occasions were so con-
spicuous as to obtain him the rank of Major in a provincial
regiment, "The Prince of Wales's Royal Americans/* During
his absence, her late Majesty, Queen Charlotte, attending to
the recommendation of General Rooke, commanded Mrs. Car-
den to return from Ireland, and take charge of one of the royal
progeny, as nurse ; at the same time nominating her son, the
subject of this memoir, a page to the King, and procuring
him an ensigncy in his father's regiment. Unfortunately,
however, Mrs. Carden declined accepting the proffered situa-
tion until she could receive her husband's consent \ a re-
fusal which put an end to the youngster's prospects of
advancement, either at court or in the army ; his name being
immediately erased from the list of pages, and subsequently
struck off the strength of his regiment, which extreme youth
had prevented him from joining, although repeatedly ordered
to do so. Mrs. Carden shortly after departed this life, at the
age of 26 years ; and was soon followed by the Major, who
died of wounds received in action with the enemy, leaving two
sons and two daughters.
Mr. John Surman Carden having ultimately determined
to become a sailor, and obtained an introduction from the
late Duke of Beaufort to Captain Charles Thompson of the
Edgar 74, was received as a Midshipman on board that ship,
in 1788. In the following year we find him proceeding to
the East Indies in the Perseverance frigate, Captain Isaac
Smith, with whom he returned to England at the commence-
ment of the French revolutionary war ; when he joined the
Marlborough 74, commanded by the Hon. George C. Berke-
ley, under whom he continued to serve until his promotion to
1008 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
the rank of Lieutenant, which took place immediately after
Lord Howe's battle, June 1, 1794*.
Lieutenant Garden, whose sight had been mater ially in
jured by an explosion of gunpowder during the above en-
gagement, subsequently followed Captain Berkeley into the
Formidable, a second-rate ; and on leaving that ship, joined
the Barfleur, another three-decker, commanded by the late
Vice-Admiral Dacres. His next appointment was to the
Queen Charlotte, of 100 guns, bearing the flag of his friend,
Sir Charles Thompson, through whose influence he became
first Lieutenant of the Fisgard frigate, fitting at Plymouth,
in Sept. 1798. His commission as Commander, dated Oct.
25, in the same year, was presented to him on account of his
gallant conduct in an action with I'lmmortalite, of 42 guns
and 580 men, the capture of which ship has already been de-
scribed in our memoir of Sir Thomas Byam Martin, K. C.B. f,
from whose official letter to Lord Bridport we make the fol-
lowing extract : —
" I should wish to recommend the steady good conduct of Mr. Garden,
first Lieutenant of the Rsgard, on this occasion, but not to the prejudice
of any other person, as every officer and man on board behaved with that
courage and intrepidity which at all times distinguish his Majesty's sub-
jects in the presence of an enemy."
In the summer of 1800, Captain Garden was appointed to
the Sheerness, a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, attached to the
expedition then about to sail for the H elder, where he com-
manded a division of boats at the debarkation of the army*
under cover of a warm and well-directed fire from the bombs,
gun-brigs, and other small vessels J.
During the remainder of the war, he appears to have been
employed in co-operation with the French royalists, on the
coast of la Vendee ; and conveying troops to the Mediterra-
nean and Red Sea, for the purpose of reinforcing the British
army in Egypt.
This latter service afforded Captain Garden an opportunity
of crossing the desert of Suez, and visiting Grand Cairo, from
whence he returned to his ship, bringing with him, as volun-
* See note f at p. 15 of this volume.
t See vol. I. p. 493.
+ See id. note at p. 415.
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 1009
teers for the different regiments in India, many of the very
men whom he had previously landed at Minorca. On his
return from the Red Sea he surveyed the ports of Zeyla and
Barbora, in the Arabian Gulf (ports which had never before
been entered by any European ship), and with much difficulty,
as well as personal risk, succeeded in establishing a source of
supply for his countrymen, should any reverse have obliged
the army to approach that quarter. His exertions at this pe-
riod are thus noticed in a letter written by the late Rear-Ad-
miral John Sprat Rainier, dated Dec. 23, 1820 :
" My dear Garden, — I look back with pleasure to our arduous services
in the Red Sea and India ; though being performed in that remote region,
they are unknown and unnoticed in this quarter of the globe. The Gover-
nor of Bombay attributed the preservation of the magazines, arsenal, and
dock, almost entirely, to the zealous and active exertions of the navy, when
that rich and combustible city was nearly reduced to ashes : your distin-
guished conduct on that occasion, I well remember. But our exertions
did not terminate here ; we rescued the property of thousands, and the lives
of many, at the extreme peril of our own. I imagine Sir Home Popham,
if alive, would have borne testimony to the value of your assistance in that
remarkable and most essential service of enabling the British army to cross
the desert between Cossire and the Nile, which it is allowed would have
been impracticable but with the aid the squadron afforded at the very crisis
of commencing their march *." * * * *
The fire alluded to by Rear-Admiral Rainer, broke out at
Bombay on the 1/th Feb. 1803, and burnt down the greater
part of the town, leaving only the dock-yard, arsenal, castle,
and European buildings. In the midst of the conflagration,
Captain Garden distinguished himself by his intrepidity in
forcing open a magazine, the outer door of which had already
caught fire, and setting a noble example to his men, by seizing
the nearest barrel of gunpowder, carrying it, covered with his
jacket, to the ramparts, and throwing it from thence into the
ditch. By this daring act, the lives of many hundred persons
were saved ; yet, strange to say, the only reward Captain
Garden ever received was the thanks of the Governor and
Council, conveyed to him, in common with other officers,
through the naval commander-in-chief. He was soon after
obliged to invalid in consequence of hepatitis, brought on by
his great exertions, and return home as a passenger on board
an Indiaman.
* See the remainder of Rear-Admiral Rainier's letter at p. 1010.
1010 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
Captain Garden's next appointment, which took place im-
mediately after his arrival in England, was to command
the Sea Fencibles quartered on the borders of the Frith of
Forth, where he continued until appointed to the Moselle
brig in Dec. 1804. Previous to his quitting North Britain,
he was presented with the freedom of the united boroughs
of Burntisland, Kirkaldy, Kinghorn, and Dysart. His post-
commission bears date Jan. 22, 1806 ; but he does not appear
to have given up the command of the Moselle until the
month of March following. A letter from Captain George
Mundy, bearing testimony to his attentive and able conduct
while engaged in the blockade of Cadiz, will be found at p.
336 of this volume.
In Jan. 1809, we find "Captain Garden commanding the
Ville de Paris, a first-rate, and assisting at the embarkation of
the unfortunate army which had entered Spain under Sir
John Moore. Speaking of this service, his friend, Rear-Ad-
miral Rainer, continues his letter in the following terms : —
<«»*## gjr Davhj Baird will join me in this *, as well as in the
estimation of your services at Corunna. The services of the navy upon
this occasion, have been depressed by the misfortunes of the period, in-
cluding the state of the weather, which caused the fleet to disperse, and
was destructive of all order ; and they have been obscured by political
misrepresentations. The fact was this, that with the boats of the men of
war and transports only, and under the disadvantage^ a gale of wind, and
night operations, we embarked the whole army, amounting, if my memory
be correct; to 24,000 men, in about 36 hours. In all this, you performed,
as upon other occasions, a zealous and important part. Believe me ever,
my dear Garden, most truly yours,
(Signed) " J. S. RAINIER."
Captain Garden was afterwards appointed in succession to
the Ocean 98, Mars 74, and Macedonian frigate. His cap-
ture, by an American man of war, is thus described by him
in a letter to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated at sea, Oct. 28,
1812 :—
" Sir, — It is with the deepest regret I have to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that H. M. late
ship Macedonian, was captured on the 25th instant, by the U. S. ship United
States, Commodore Decatur, commander : the detail is as follows :
* See p. 1009.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 1011
" A short time after day-light, steering N. W. by W. with the wind from
the southward, in lat. 29° N. and long. 29° 30' W., in the execution of
their Lordships' orders, a sail was seen on the lee beam, which 1 imme-
diately stood for, and made her out to be a large frigate under American
colours. At 9 o'clock, I closed with her, and she commenced the action,
which we returned ; but, from the enemy keeping two points off the wind,
I was not enabled to get as close to her as I could have -wished. After an
hour's action the enemy backed and came to the wind, and I was then
enabled to bring her to close battle. In this situation I soon found tho
enemy's force too superior to expect success, unless some very fortunate
chance occurred in our favor ; and, with this hope, I continued the battle
to two hours and ten minutes ; when, having the mizen-mast shot away by
the board, top-masts shot away by the caps, main-yard shot in pieces, lower-
masts badly wounded, lower rigging all cut to pieces, a small proportion
only of the foresail left to the yard, all the guns on the quarter-deck and
forecastle disabled but two, and filled with wreck, two also on the main-
deck disabled, and several shot between wind and water, a very great pro-
portion of the crew killed and wounded, and the enemy, who had now shot
a-head, comparatively in good order, and about to place himself in a raking
position, without our being enabled to return his fire, being a perfect wreck
and unmanageable log ; I deemed it prudent, though a painful extremity, to
surrender his Majesty's ship ; nor was this dreadful alternative resorted to
till every hope of success was removed, even beyond the reach of chance j
nor till, I trust their Lordships will be aware, every effort had been made
against the enemy by myself, my brave officers, and men : nor should she
have been surrendered whilst a man lived on board, had she been manage-
able. I am sorry to say our loss is very severe j I find, by this day's muster,
36 killed, 3 of whom lingered a short time after the battle ; 36 severely
wounded, many of whom cannot recover ; and 32 slightly wounded, who
may all do well. Total 104 ».
" The truly noble and animating conduct of my officers, and the steady
bravery of my crew, to the last moment of the battle, must ever render them
dear to their country.
" My first Lieutenant, David Hope, was severely wounded in the head,
towards the close of the battle, and taken below j but was soon again on
deck, displaying that greatness of mind, and exertion, which, though it may
be equalled, can never be excelled ; the third Lieutenant, John Bulford,
was also wounded, but not obliged to quit his quarters ; the second Lieu-
tenant, Samuel Mottley, and he, deserve jny highest acknowledgments.
* -"In bearing down to attack the American ship, the whole of the Mace-
donian's carronades on the engaging side, had their chocks, which, in this
frigate, were fitted outside, cut away by the raking fire of the United States.
Thus was disabled the entire upper-deck battery of the Macedonian, before
she had well begun the action."— See JAMES'S Nov. Occ. p. 154.
1012 POST-CAPTAINS OP 180G.
The cool and steady conduct of Mr. Walker, the Master, was very conspi-
cuous during the battle ; as also that of Lieutenants Wilson and Magill, of
the marines.
" On being taken on board the enemy's ship, I ceased to wonder at the
result of the battle. The United States is built with the scantling of a 74
gun-ship, mounting thirty long 24-pounders (English ship guns) on her
main-deck, and twenty-two 42-pounder carronades, with two long 24-
pounders on her quarter-deck and forecastle, howitzer guns in her tops *,
and a travelling earronade on her upper-deck ; with a complement of 478
picked men.
" The enemy has suffered much in masts, rigging, and hull, above and
below water; her loss in killed and wounded I am not aware of, but I
know a Lieutenant and 6 men have been thrown overboard f.
(Signed) " JOHN S. GARDEN.'*
* Eight-pounders, one in each top.
f " The loss of the United States is stated by Commodore Decatur at
no more than 5 killed and 7 wounded. Among the latter is included,
' Lieutenant Funk, who died four hours after the action.' Mr. Clark
(editor of a naval work published at Philadelphia, Jan. 3, 1814), also notices
one of the seamen as having been mortally wounded ; which coincides with
Captain Garden's statement, that a Lieutenant and 6 men had been thrown
overboard. According to the proportions between the killed and wounded,
the American slightly wounded cannot have been enumerated ; a circum-
stance that receives confirmation from the fact, that the American officers,
when questioned on the subject of their loss, told each a different story." —
See JAMES'S Nav. Occ. p. 158.
By reference to the minutes of the court-martial afterwards held on Cap-
tain Garden, &c., it will be seen that one of the Macedonian's quarter-mas-
ters, an old British seaman, ^ade oath, that he served his time with many of
the United States' crew, out of an English port ; that his first cousin was one
of the traitors, and that they had declared to him that the American ship had
18 persons slain in the action. Captain Garden, in a letter to Mr. James,
dated May 17, 1824, and afterwards published in the Hampshire Telegraph,
says, that the United States was pumped out every watch till her arrival in
port, from the effect of shot received under water, and that two 18-pounders
had passed through her main-mast in an horizontal line ; he adds, " had
such mast been the size only of the Macedonian's, that is the same diameter,
it would most probably have fallen early in the action, five of her main
shrouds having been cut away by the Macedonian's shot, on the side en-
gaged." In reply to Mr. James's assertion, " that the British frigate bore
down to the attack in a heedless and confident manner, and that the United
States opened a fire from her long twenty-fours, almost every shot of which
struck either the hull or the masts of the Macedonian," (see Nav. Hist.
v. 5> p. 304,) Captain Garden declares, that every shot of the enemy's
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 1013
As no correct account of the Macedonian's armament has
hitherto been published, we shall here give an authentic state-
ment, shewing the comparative force of that ship and her
formidable opponent.
MACEDONIAN. UNITED STATES.
Main-deck ... 28 long eighteen-pounders ..... 30 long twenty-four-pounders.
ter-deck, ~J f}6 thirty-two-pounder carronades, ~l f"22 forty-two-pounder carronades,
nnd \.J 2 long twelve-pounders, and W and
Quarter-deck,
nnd
Forecastle, J ^ 2 ditto brass eight-pounders *. J ^ 2 long twenty-four-poundm
Total 48 guns, exclusive of a boat's car- 54 guns, exclusive of three howit-
ronadc. cer-pieces in the tops, and
a travelling oarronade.
Officers ..... 23} f 80
szer.MaT'6?[T°'«^t • •
Boys ...... 35 I _ I. I
Size in tons ........... 1081 ........ . ... 1670 1,
broadside fell far short, and that one of the first that struck her was a
/0rty-*e#0-pounder, which killed the serjeant of marines. The inizen top-
mast was shot away at the cap about the same time, and fell forward into
the main-top.
* The two brass 8-pounders (prize guns) were only fired once — the
solder by which pieces of metal for securing the locks had been affixed to
them having run the first discharge, and filled the touch-holes.
•f Among the Macedonian's crew were many men said to be native
Americans, and other foreigners, eight of whom refused to fight, and were
consequently sent below. This reduced the number actually at quarters to
289 officers, men, and boys : few of the latter were worth ship room in
time of action.
+ There is no rating for landsmen allowed in the American navy.
§ Captain Garden, in his official letter, gave the United States a com.
plement of 478 men ; but he did not include in that number 30 officers,
whose names were not entered in her victualling book, from whence he
took his account.
|| Taken from the register of New York dock-yard.— The United States
was superior to any ship of her class in the American navy. Her sides,
on the cells of her main-deck ports, were of the same scantling as our
74-gun ships on their lower-deck port-cells, composed of live-oak; and her
sides such a mass of this wood, that carronade grape would scarcely pene-
trate them. She was termed the « Waggon of the American Navy," from
her thick scantling, having been originally intended for a larger class ship ;
and her masts were precisely the same dimensions as those of our tl
second class seventy-fours.
VOL. II. 3 U
1014 POST-CAPTAfNS OF 1806.
The manlier in which Captain Garden was received by his
generous enemy, after the surrender of the Macedonian, is
worthy of mention. On presenting his sword to Commo-
dore Decatur, the latter started back, declared he never could
take the sword of a man who had so nobly defended the honor
of it, requested the hand of that gallant officer, whom it had
been his fortune in war to subdue, and added, that though he
could not claim any merit for capturing a ship so inferior, he
felt assured Captain Garden would gain much, by his perse-
vering and truly gallant defence *. The Commodore subse-
quently gave up all the British officers' private property,
extending his generosity to even a quantity of wine, which
they had purchased at Madeira for their friends in England.
Captain Garden, his officers, and surviving crew, returned
to Bermuda in Mar. 1813 ; and on the 27th May following,
a court-martial was assembled on board the St. Domingo 74,
to inquire into their conduct during the above action, and to
try them for surrendering their ship. The following is an
extract from the sentence : —
" The Court having most strictly investigated (during its sitting of four
days) every circumstance, and examined the different officers, and many
of the crew, and having very deliberately and maturely weighed and con-
sidered the whole and every part thereof, is of opinion —
" That, previous to the commencement of the action, from an over
anxiety to keep the weather gage, an opportunity was lost of closing with
the. enemy ; and that, owing to this circumstance, the Macedonian was
unable to bring the United States to close action, until she had received
material damage ; but as it does not appear that this omission originated
in the most distant wish to keep back from the engagement, the Court is
of opinion, that Captain John Surman Carden, the officers, and ship's
company, in every instance throughout the action, behaved with the firmest
and most determined courage, resolution, and coolness, and that the co-
lours of the Macedonian were not struck until she was unable to make
further resistance. The Court does, therefore, most honorably acquit Captain
John Surman Carden, the officers and remaining company of his Majesty's
late ship Macedonian ; and they are MOST HONORABLY ACQUITTED ac-
cordingly.
* The national legislature voted their thanks to Commodore Decatur, the
officers, and crew, of the frigate United States ; also a gold medal tojCom-
modore Decatur, and silver medals to each of the officers, in honor of the
brilliant victory gained by ih&t frigate over the Macedonian ! See JAMES'S
Nuv, Occ. Appendix, p. xxxi.
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 1015
" The Court cannot dismiss Captain Garden, without expressing its ad-
miration of the uniform testiradny which has been borne to his gallantry
and good conduct throughout the action ; nor Lieutenant David Hope, the
other officers, and ship's company, without expressing the highest appro-
bation of the support given by him and them to their Captain, and of their
courage and steadiness during the contest with an enemy of very superior
force ; a circumstance, that whilst it reflects high honour on them, does no
less credit to the discipline of the Macedonian. The Court also feels it a
gratifying duty to express its admiration of the fidelity to their allegiance,
and attachment to their King and Country, which the remaining crew ap-
pear to have manifested, in resisting the various insidious and repeated
temptations which the enemy held out to seduce them from their duty,
and which cannot fail to be fully appreciated."
The President, Commodore Henry Hotham, on returning
Captain Garden his sword, highly extolled the distinguished
valour displayed by him, and concluded hy saying, that
whenever the honor of the British flag should be entrusted
to him, he felt assured it would receive additional glory .
The approbation of an enormously thronged court, on this
occasion, was enthusiastic to a degree. Captain Garden was
immediately charged, by the commander-in-chief, with de-
spatches for the Admiralty, and he arrived in London the
very morning previous to a discussion in the House of Com-
mons * on the " despondent and heartless state of t/ie British
navy" when the gallant defence made by the Macedonian
appears to have been adduced by Ministers as the criterion
of British valour, as well as to confute the unjust charge pre-
ferred by Lord Cochrane, the framer of the motion ; in reply
to whose animadversions, Mr. Croker, Secretary to the Ad-
miralty, expressed himself in terms to the following effect : —
'* He would assert, without the fear of eontradiction, that no person in
that House, or in the Country, except the noble Lord himself, ever thought
of attributing the captures made from us by the Americans, to the de-
spondent spirit and heartless state of our crews, and not to the superior
dimensions and weight of metal of the enemy's ships. What would be the
consequence, were the noble Lord's assertions to be admitted by the
House ? What was the fact with regard to the Java and the Macedonian ?
Were the brave and gallant men who fought the Macedonian against an
overbearing superiority of size and numbers, and an overwhelming supe-
riority of metal, despondent, faint, and heartless ? The Macedonian had
been fought with such determined gallantry, and such persevering intre^
* July 5, 1313.
3 u2
1016 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
pidity, as to give the officers and men an honor, that was as justly me
rited as it wag pure and untainted ; and it was only now attempted to, be
blown upon by the noble Lord. He would state one fact respecting the
courageous and dauntless character maintained by the crew of that frigate
in the extremity and crisis of danger. — Immediately before the surrender
of the Macedonian, loud, cordial, and repeated cheering was given — he
could not better describe the nature of these cheers, nor more adequately
praise the noble spirit displayed by her crew, than by assuring the House,
that the cheering proceeded from the cockpit ; and that the wounded and
the dying were those who raised the patriotic shouts. Would the noble
Lord call these men depressed and heartless, who were not only suscepti-
ble of such manly and generous feelings, but who were capable of giving
to them, even in the bitter moments of bodily anguish, and inevitable
death, the energetic tone and expression so truly characteristic of British
On the day after the debate alluded to, several members of
the House of Commons waited upon Captain Garden, congra-
tulated him on his arrival in England, and declared they had
never witnessed more enthusiastic applause than the recital of
his gallant defence had the night before created. On revisit-
ing his native place he was received with unbounded accla-
mations of joy and respect ; and soon after honored with the
freedom of Worcester, Gloucester, and Tewkesbuiy. The
following is an extract from the Naval Chronicle, vol. 30,
p. 182 :—
" On the 23d Aug. (1813), the Earl of Coventry entertained the Mayor
and Corporation of Worcester with a splendid dinner at Croome ; after
which a most interesting ceremony followed, in the presentation of the
freedom of that city to the gallant Captain Garden, by the Earl of Co-
ventry, at the head of the Body Corporate, who had previously voted it
to him at a Chamber Meeting. Upon which occasion the noble Earl ad-
dressed Captain Garden in the following words :—
" Captain Garden, — I feel proud to have the honor of presenting the
Freedom of the ancient and loyal City of Worcester, conferred on you by
this respectable assembly, in testimony of the high sense they entertain of
the signal and meritorious services you have so eminently and repeatedly
displayed in the defence of your King and Country ; and more particu-
larly for your gallant and memorable defence of H. M. S. Macedonian,
against so superior and overwhelming a force. The sentence of the court-
martial on this occasion has afforded universal satisfaction ; and I doubt
not that an early opportunity will be offered you of adding fresh lustre to
the renown already acquired by the exercise of those professional talents
and valour hitherto so conspicuous, and on which I have this day the hap*
pineas to congratulate you."
POST-CAPTAINS OP 1806. 1017
On looking over Mr. James's account of the battle between
the Macedonian and United States, we find that gentle-
man, after commenting upon what he terms the ineffectual
fire of the British, frigate, expressing himself as follows :—
" A Captain, where he knows that his men, for want of prac-
tice, are deficient in gunnery, should strive his utmost to
close with his antagonist ; especially when he also knows,
that that antagonist excels in an art, without some skill in
which, no American ship of war would trust herself at sea."
That the crew of the Macedonian were constantly exercised
at the great guns, whilst commanded by Captain Carden, is
sufficiently proved by the letters which he received from his
late third and first Lieutenants, the present Captain George
Richard Pechell, and Commander David Hope. The follow-
ing are extracts from those letters : —
" AldwicTi, Chichester, May 14, 1824.
*' My dear Sir, — From having served as junior Lieutenant iu the Mace-
donian, for nearly two years, under your command, till within a few weeks
of the action with the United States, I cannot refuse myself the satisfac-
tion of declaring, that in no ship in which I had served, was the exercise
of die great guns so constantly attended to, as in the Macedonian. That
nearly every afternoon whilst at sea, the guns were cast loose and practised,
and the system altogether, striking me at that time as so extremely beneficial,
that I instantly adopted the same principle of exercise when commanding
his Majesty's sloop Colibri, which took place three months from my quit-
ting the Macedonian. So far did I consider the crew of the Macedonian
from being deficient in gunnery, and so confident was her commander of
the result of his continued exertions in training his crew, that whilst em-
ployed in shore of the squadron in Basque Roads, every opportunity was
as eagerly seized, and as confidently anticipated, to bring the enemy's ad-
vanced frigates to battle. Scarcely was there a day in which the Mace.
<lonian for months was not engaged, either with the batteries, or stopping
the convoys, and not an enemy's vessel in that roadstead even moved
without the Macedonian's signal being made to advance ! — which alone
gave repeated occasions for manoeuvring and firing. And nothing but the
intricacy of the navigation, and the shallowness of the water, prevented the
success which otherwise would have attended this harrassing service. The
precision of the fire from the Macedonian was never more observable than
on the evening of the 6th of August, 1812, when a French lugger was chased
on shore under the batteries, near 1'Isle d'Aix, which vessel was brought
out the same evening, by the boats you did me the honor to place under
my command ; and to recapture which an attempt was made by the enemy,
with two frigates, the following morning ; but which, on the Macedonian's
approaching to gun-shot, instantly retreated to their anchorage ; and it
1013 POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806.
may here be only proper to remark, in refutation of Captain Garden's wish
to keep at Ion? range, (which in the passage above Mr. James alludes
to) — that on approaching the French frigates close to the batteries of 1'Isle
d'Aix, a gun accidentally went off, (when at long range), which drew forth
from Captain Carden, a most severe reprimand, to those who had been
guilty of such apparent want of caution, as compromising the dignity of
a British man-of-war. — I am, dear Sir,
" Your very humble and most obedient servant,
" GEO. R. PECHELL."
" To Captain J. S. Garden, R. N."
" Newton, by Musselburgh, June 22, 1824.
" Dear Sir, — I have just received your letter of the 10th instant, in
which you mention that Mr. James, in his Naval History, has stated that
you knew the ship's crew of the Macedonian were, for want of practice,
deficient in gunnery. That statement is certainly totally unfounded ; as in
no ship in the British service could there have been more attention paid to
the practical part of gunnery than was done by you to the crew of the Ma-
cedonian : the cruise previous to our unfortunate capture we were under the
command of Sir P. C. Durham, in Basque Roads, and stationed in-shore,
where we were almost every day engaged with the enemy. They were not
only well-trained, but the greatest attention was paid to every department
relating to the guns. The magazine was examined every week by the first
Lieutenant, to see that the cartridges and powder were in good order,
and ready for action ; there was general exercise every evening before sun-
set ; a division exercised through the day, and frequently fired at a mark ;
in fact, every thing was done to make the ship in all respects ready to
meet the enemy.
" As to the state of discipline in the ship, that has been so strongly ex-
pressed by the sentence of the court-martial, where the evidence was exa-
mined upon oath, that any comment of mine would be unnecessary, were I
not called upon by you to state my opinion. I now do so, as an officer
who has served his country nearly twenty-eight years ; and having been
frequently in action with the enemy, in no instance did I ever see men
more devoted to the honor and service of their country than the ship's
company of the Macedonian. *•*»«.
" And you must recollect that circumstance, Sir, which happened to-
wards the end of the action, when the United States was observed making
sail to get from under our lee j and as we had not a yard standing except the
foreyard, with a small piece of the foresail, the hehn was put a weather as
a last resource, to try and lay her on board on the weather quarter, when
the fore brace was shot away, and the sail fell aback and prevented us.
At that moment every man was on deck, several, who had lost an arm,
and the universal cheer was, ' Let us conquer or die*
" I remain, dear Sir, yours obediently,
** DAVID HOPE."
" To Citptain J. 6\ Garden, R. N."
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1806. 1019
That Britons were opposed to Britons, in the Macedonian's
action, is no less true than lamentable. Most of her gallant
defenders recognised old shipmates in the British navy
among those who had fought under the American flag. We
have already stated, that a quarter-master discovered his first
cousin in the person of a traitor. Two other seamen met
with brothers from whom they had been long separated ; and
Mr. James, in his Naval History, informs us, that an officer's
servant, a young lad from London, named William Hearne,
found his own brother among the United States' crew ; that
the hardened wretch, after reviling the English, and applaud-
ing the American service, used the influence of seniority, in
trying to persuade the lad to renounce his country ; and that
the loyal youth, with tears in his eyes, replied : — " If you
are a d — d rascal, that's no reason why 1 should be one."
It is also worthy of remark, that many of the guns on board
the United States were named after British ships and some
of our most celebrated naval commanders. Captain Garden
observing fe Victory" painted on the ship's side over one
port, and (e Nelson" over another, asked Commodore De-
catur the reason of so strange an anomaly — he answered,
" the men belonging to those guns served many years with
Lord Nelson, and in the Victory. The crew of the gun named
Nelson were once bargemen to that great chief, and they
claim the privilege of using his illustrious name in the way
you have seen I" The Commodore also publicly declared to
Captain Carden, that there was not a seaman in his ship who
had not served from five to twelve years in a British man of
war! These indisputable facts being duly considered, as
also the disparity of force above stated, we feel assured that
our readers will join with us in allowing that, although vic-
tory did not attend the exertions of Captain Carden and his
brave companions, the Macedonian " did all that human
nature could effect, and that the names of her defenders de-
serve to be handed down to posterity with love and ad-
miration
Agent. — John Chippendale, Esq.
* See Lord DARNLEY'S Speech in the House of Peers, May 14, 1813.
END OF VOL. II.
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