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ARTES
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218176
VERITAS
SCIENTIA
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TCEBOR
|·QUÆRIS-PENINSULAM-AMINAM”
CIRCUMSPICE
NIMING
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HL
A

OP
FICH
Shipster Del. et Sculp
GEORGE LORD DARTMOUTH
Pub as the Act directs Aug 12 1797. by R. Faulder Bond Str
BIOGRAPHIA NAVALIS;
OR,
IMPARTIAL MEMOIRS
OF THE
LIVES AND CHARACTERS
OF
OFFICERS OF THE NAVY OF GREAT BRITAIN,
FROM THE YEAR 1660 TO THe present TimE;
DRAWN FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES, AND DISPOSED IN a
CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT.
BY JOHN CHARNOCK, Esq.
WITH PORTRAITS, AND OTHER ENGRAVINGS,
BY BARTOLOZZI, &c.
Nautæque, per omne
Audaces mare qui currunt, hâc mente laborem
Sefe ferre, fenes ut in otia tutà recedant.
HORACE, Sat. 1. Lib. 1.
IN FOUR VO UMES;
OUR
VOL. IV.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR R. FAULDER, BOND-STREET.
1796.
น
4-45
53243
:
BIOGRAPHIA NAVALIS, &c.
:
BE
1709.
EVERLEY, Thomas, was appointed captain of
the Strombolo, on the 10th of June 1709, as fuc-
ceffor to captain Brown. We do not find any other
mention made of him, during the reign of queen Anne;
nor, indeed, in that of George the First which fucceeded,
till the year 1718, when he was appointed captain of the
Montague, a fourth rate of fixty guns, and ordered for the
Mediterranean under fir George Byng. He very much.
diftinguiſhed himſelf in the engagement with the Spaniſh
fleet off Meffina, one of the enemy's fhips having ftruck
to the Montague, fupported by the Rupert. Captain
Beverley remained in the Mediterranean during the con-
tinuance of the war, but without meeting with any op-
portunity of diftinguishing himſelf beyond the ordinary
routine of fervice. He did not long furvive his return to
England, where he died on the 26th of June 1721.
BROWN, Charles, was introduced into the navy, as
it is faid, under the fpecial protection and patronage of fir
George Byng, afterwards lord Torrington. He was ap-
pointed captain of the Strombolo on the 18th of March
1709, but experienced a fate common to a number of
brave and diftinguished characters, for a very confiderable
A 24
part
4
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
part of the early period of his fervice paffed on, and he
remained totally undiftinguifhed and unnoticed. The firft
mention we ever find made of him, fubfequent to his
first appointment, is in the year 1717, when he com-
manded the York, of fixty guns, one of the fleet fent
into the Baltic under fir G. Byng. He did not long con-
tinue in the above fhip, nor do we know any to which he
was afterwards appointed, till the year 1726, when he was
made captain of the Advice, a fourth rate of fifty guns, alfo
one of the Baltic fleet, but now under the command of fir
Charles Wager. This fhip was, on the return of the fleet,.
ordered for Sheernefs to be laid up; and captain Brown
was, in the month of February following, appointed to the
Oxford, of fixty guns, in which we believe him to have
ferved again, under fir C. Wager, during his expedition to
the Mediterranean, for the protection of Gibraltar, which
was foon after formally befieged by the Spaniards.
His next appointment appears to have been to the
Buckingham, of feventy guns, about the year 1731, one
of the fleet which had been previously kept in a ſtate of
equipment for a confiderable ſpace of time, and was in
the above year ordered again for the Mediterranean under his
former admiral, fir C. Wager. We find no notice taken
of this worthy and brave man after his return till his
ap-
pointment, about the year 1738, to be commander of the
Hampton Court, in which ſhip he was ordered immediately
for Jamaica; on which ſtation he commanded as fenior
officer, with a fmall fquadron, till the arrival of Mr.
Vernon at the latter end of the year 1739. Previous,
however, to this taking place, the Spaniards having ma-
nifeſted ſtrong and frequent indications of an hoftile dif
pofition, Mr. Brown refolved at leaſt to retaliate on them
for infults fo, frequently repeated, and battered down a
fort which they were then erecting between the Matterfes
and the Havannah,, Left it may be thought he acted with
too much precipitation on the foregoing occafion, it may
not be improper to obferve, he acted not merely in confor-
mity to his own feelings but in ftrict obedience to inftruc-
tions he received from England, for as foon as it was
foreſeen a war was unavoidable, the Britiſh miniftry took
the proper meaſures for attacking the enemy in the Weft
Indies, the South Seas, and every other part of the world
where
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
5
}
where they were thought to be moft vulnerable. Orders
were ſpecially fent out to Mr. Brown to make every pof-
fible reprifal, and neglect no opportunity of diftreffing the
enemy to the utmoſt of his power. Mr. Brown having
joined the vice-admiral at Port Royal on the 28th of
October, the attack and conqueft of Porto Bello took place
immediately afterwards. This having been already gene-
rally related, and at fome length, it is needleſs to take
notice of this event otherwife than in fuch parts as the
commodore was more particularly engaged in.
The attack of the iron-fort was led by the commodore,
it being generally cuftomary, in finall fquadrons, to affign
that poft of honour to the fecond in command. Unfor-
tunately when the fhip came within a cable's length of
the object of affault, it was fuddenly becalmed by the high
land to windward, and before the guns could be brought
to bear on the enemy, was expoſed to a very ſmart can-
nonade. As ſoon, however, as the ſhip could get to its
proper ſtation and was brought to an anchor, it feemed, in
an inftant, as Campbell expreffes himſelf, a cloud of per-
petual thunder, and appeared to the reſt of the fleet to be
all on fire. This may eafily be credited, if we believe,
and as we have no reafon to doubt, the affertion of the
fame author, that four hundred cannon-thot were fired
from that fhip in the fpace of twenty-five minutes, All-
hiftorians are unanimous in beftowing the higheſt com-
mendations on this very brave and experienced officer;
and there are not wanting thofe who, with much appear-
ance of reafon on their fide, affert, without the finalleft
with of taking away from the merit of the renowned and
popular Vernon, that the commodore contributed, in at
leaft an equal fhare with him, to this very ſpeedy and im-
portant conqueſt.
1
After the reduction of the place; the demolition of the
Gloria caſtle, and St. Jeronimo fort, were particularly
committed to the commodore's fuperintendance by the
vice-admiral. · The whole of the fervice intended to be
effected by the foregoing expedition being completely car-
ried into execution, the fquadron returned to Jamaica;
and when Mr. Vernon failed in the month of February
following intending to bombard Carthagena, and to annoy
the Spaniards ftill farther by an attack on fort Chagre, he-
A·3
left
6
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
i
left Mr. Brown to command in his abfence, with the
Hampton Court, Worceſter, Diamond, and Torrington,
that force being deemed fufficient for its protection and
fecurity. Mr. Brown did not long remain at Jamaica,
returning to England, in the courſe of the fummer, with a
convoy, having removed his broad pendant, as we be-
liève, into the Diamond. He, almoſt immediately on his
arrival, again hoiſted a broad pendant, as commodore, on
board the Duke, of ninety guns: but nothing material took
place in the European feas.
On the promotion of Mr. Mathews to the Mediter-
ranean command, in the month of March 1741-2, the
office of commiffioner of the navy, refident at Chatham,
which he had previously enjoyed, became vacant. Mr.
Brown was appointed his fucceffor, and continued till his
death, which happened on the 23d of March 1753-4, to
fill that ſtation with the fame unblemished reputation
which had, in the more active line of ſervice, attended all
the former appointments he had ever received.
CARLTON, or CHARLTON, St. John. His
name being thus variouſly fpelt on different occafions,
was appointed captain of the Gofport on the 10th of
November 1709. He was very foon afterwards promoted
to the Montague, a fhip, which we believe, he continued to
command during the war, being principally employed as
a cruiſer in the Channel. He met with tolerable fuccefs
having captured feveral prizes, which, although they were
of inconfiderable value and confequence, prove him to
have been at leaſt an active, if not a fortunate commander.
We find no mention made of him after the conclufion of
the war till the year 1716: he then commanded the
Lively frigate, one of the cruifers ftationed off the weſtern
coaft of Scotland to prevent the introduction of any fup-
plies into that kingdom for the fupport of the Pretender
and his adherents. Here alfo he was equally active and
much more confequentially fuccefsful than when employed
on a fimilar ſervice in the preceding reign, having in-
tercepted ſeveral veffels*, laden with arms and ammuni-
tion, intended for the rebel army. We find no mention
*The most confequential of thefe was a fhip called the Duc de
Vendofme, mounting fourteen guns, taken about the latter end of
April.
made
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
7
made of him after this time till 1720, when he com-
manded the Kingſton, of ſixty guns, one of the fleet ordered
for the Baltic under fir J. Norris. He quitted this command
on the return of the fleet to England, at the cloſe of the
year; and we are again ignorant of any particulars con-
cerning him till he was, in the year 1734, appointed
captain of the Norfolk, of eighty guns, one of the fleet
collected for Channel fervice under his former admiral,
fir John Norris. This is the laſt commiffion we have
any proof of his having held, and we believe him to have
retired foon afterwards from the fervice. He died in
England fome time in the year 1742.
CLARK, William,-was, on the 8th of March 1709,
appointed captain of the Hector, and foon afterwards was
ordered for Barbadoes, on which ſtation he made feveral
prizes, and we believe continued during the remainder
of the war.
We find no other mention made of this
gentleman, the mere date of his death excepted, which
happened on the 27th of Auguft 1727.
DRAKE, Francis,-was, on the 21st of Auguſt 1709,
appointed captain of the Hunter firefhip. No other
mention is made of him till after the acceffion of king
George the Firft. In 1715 he commanded the Swallow,
of fifty guns, one of the fleet fent to the Baltic under fir
John Norris: after which time we are again ignorant of
any particulars concerning him till the year 1718, when
he was appointed to the Dunkirk, of fixty guns, one of
fir George Byng's fleet on the Mediterranean expedition,
and was confequently one of thoſe fortunate commanders
who had, by their bravery and good conduct, the happi-
nefs of contributing to the very memorable victory ob-
tained over the Spanish fleet. No mention is made of
his having been re-appointed to any other fhip after his
return to England. He died, as fome fay, in the year
1726; but, according to other accounts, not till the year
1729. In Hardy's lift he is faid to have been appointed
an admiral, and to have received the honour of knight-
hood: the first is evidently a miſtake; and the latter we
do not entirely credit. Á fir William Drake, who was
a baronet, was one of the commiffioners of the admiralty
during the latter part of the reign of queen Anne. This
A 4
circum-
¡
*
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
circumftance may probably have occafioned the confufion,
and the addition of the above ſpurious honours.
EATON, Nicholas, was, on the 11th of March
1709, appointed captain of the Winchelſea frigate; and
this is the only mention we find made of him during the
reign of queen Anne. A confiderable time, indeed,
elapfed, after the acceffion of king George the Firſt, be-
fore we find him holding any commiffion: the firft is in
the year 1717, when he was appointed to the Chefter, of
fifty guns, one of the fhips ordered to be equipped for
the Baltic under fir George Byng. We believe, how-
ever, owing to his having received his commiffion very
late in the ſeaſon, that the ſhip was not in a condition to
proceed on that fervice by the time the fleet failed. His
next command appears to have been that of the Dartmouth,
which, as well as the former, was a fourth rate of fifty
guns. In this ſhip he accompanied fir John Norris to
the Baltic in the year 1720, as he did again in the
following year, and, on the return of the fleet, was
promoted to the Kingfton, of fixty guns.
In 1726 he failed, for a third time, on the fame kind
of ſervice under fir Charles Wager, being then com-
mander of the Affiſtance of fifty guns. This is the laſt
mention we find made of him except the mere date of his
death, which happened, in England, on the 5th of April
1729.
GAY, or GRAY, Charles, is known only as
having been appointed captain of the Nightingale on the
23d of March 1709, and of the Dolphin early in the year
1712. He died fome time in the courſe of that year.
GORDON, George,-was, on the 9th of April 1709,
appointed to command the Loweftoffe frigate. He was
ordered immediately afterwards to North America; and
in the following year ferved under commodore Martin in
the fortunate expedition against Port Royal, fince called
Annapolis. Involved as he is in one common fate with a
multitude of other brave men, we can only repeat the regret
we have before frequently expreffed, at having fo little to
record concerning them, except the account of the fervices
on which they were from time to time employed. In
1715 he commanded the Advice of fifty guns, one of the
fleet ordered for the Baltic under fir, John Norris. In
1717
5
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
1717 he commanded the Pearl, of forty guns, one of the
thips ordered to be equipped for the fame fervice as the
preceding, under fir George Byng; but we doubt whether
he ever proceeded thither. We have no account of his
having held any commiffion after this time; nor, indeed,
have we been able to procure any other information con-
cerning him, except that he died on the 12th of July
1732.
HARDY, Sir Charles,-was, on the 28th of June
1709, made captain of the Dunwich, and ſtationed as a
cruifer in the German Ocean. The most confequential
information we have to record of him during the time he
was thus employed is, that in the month of February
1709-10, he captured a privateer which, though of no
greater force than ten guns, had done confiderable mif-
chief among the coafting trade. He was afterwards fent
to the Weſt Indies with the fquadron under the command
of commodore Littleton; but we have been unable to diſ-
cover the name of the ſhip he was captain of. Although
we believe him to have had many appointments in the
intermediate time, yet we find no mention whatever made
of him till the year 1718, when he commanded the
Guernſey, of fifty guns, one of the fquadron fent to the
Baltic under fir John Norris. In 1720 he was captain
of the Defiance, a fourth rate of fixty guns, one of the fleet
again fent on the fame fervice, and alfo under fir J. Norris.
He quitted that fhip on the return of the fleet to England,
and we are again ignorant of the fervices on which he was
employed, till the year 1726, when he commanded the
Grafton, of feventy guns, one of the fquadron intended to
be ſent, under the orders of fir Charles Wager, to the ſame
quarter with the preceding. On what particular account
we know not; but, either owing to indifpofition, or fome
other cauſe, he quitted this command before the fquadron
failed, and was fucceeded by Mr. Vernon.
He was very foon after appointed to the Stigling Castle,
of feventy guns, and ordered for the Mediterranean, where
he ferved, during the two fucceeding years, under the
admirals, Hopfon and fir Charles Wager, the latter hav-.
ing been, in the month of January 1727, fent out with a
reinforcement, and to take upon him the command, in
confequence of the attack menaced by the Spaniards on the
fortrefs
10
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fortress of Gibraltar. The events of this expedition were
almoſt too uninterefting to require any particular detail,
even in the memoirs of the adinirals who commanded it.
But ſo much is it the lefs neceffary to enter on it in the
preſent inſtance, or to record a dull routine of cruiſes un-
diſtinguiſhed by any event fo memorable as to be worth
relating.
He returned with fir Charles Wager to England in the
month of April 1728; and we find no other mention made
of him previous to his being, on the 6th of April 1742,
promoted to be rear-admiral of the blue, except that,
during a part of the above intermediate ſpace of time he
was captain of the Royal Caroline yacht, a ftation he held
when he experienced the above advancement. Just before
the time of his promotion to be a flag officer he received
the honour of knighthood: and after having been farther
advanced, on the 7th of December 1743, to be vice-ad-
miral of the blue, was, on the 13th of the fame month,
appointed one of the commiffioners of the admiralty.
Early in the year 1744, he was fent to command a
fquadron, confifting of eleven fhips of the line, ordered to
the Mediterranean to convey thither a confiderable number
of victuallers and ftorefhips for the relief of the British
fleet in that fea. Sir Charles put into Liſbon,
where he was for ſome time detained by contrary winds;
and the French, having intelligence of his arrival there,
diſpatched a ſquadron of fourteen fhips of the line, from
Breft, which blocked him up till he was relieved, in the
month of July, by admiral Balchen: they proceeded to-
gether to Gibraltar; and the object of fir Charles's expe-
dition being effected, he returned back to England.
During his abfence he was, on the 19th of June 1744,
again advanced to be vice-admiral of the red. He did not
long furvive and enjoy thefe fo rapidly progreffive promo-
tions, dying at his houfe, in the admiralty, on the 27th
of November 1744, with the univerfal reputation of a
truly honourable and worthy man.
HERBERT, James,-was, on the 30th of September
1709, appointed captain of the Looe. We find no other
mention made of him in the fervice, which he quitted on
May 22, 1716, refigning his half-pay at the fame time.
He was immediately afterwards chofen reprefentative in
6
parlia-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
II
parliament for the town of Queenborough. The time of
his death is unknown to us.
HOULDING, William,-was, on the 15th of June
1709, appointed captain of the Adventure; but no other
mention is made of him in the fervice. He died on the
15th of November 1731.
HUBBARD, Nathaniel,-is a gentleman whofe mif-
fortune it is to be equally unnoticed. He was, on the
27th of May 1709, appointed captain of the Fortune; and
died on the 30th of December 1731.
JACOBS, Thomas,-was, on the 26th of April 1709,
appointed captain of the Sweepſtakes *. During the time
he held this command he was principally employed in
convoying the trade to and from Portugal and the Weſt
Indies. No mention is made of him after this time till
the year 1717: he was then captain of the Diamond, a
fifth rate of forty guns, ordered to be equipped for the
Baltic, but which, not being ready in time, we believe
never proceeded thither. We do not find him mentioned
as holding any command after this time, and believe that,
during a confiderable part of the latter end of his life, he
had totally retired from the fervice. He died at Green-
wich on the 15th of February 1748.
LISLE, Toby,-was, on the 2d of September 1709,
appointed captain of the Succefs ftorefhipt. He was in
the following year promoted to the Diamond and ordered
for the Weft Indies, where, in the courfe of the enfuing
fummer, he had very confiderable fuccefs against the
* Captain Mead was taken, on the 16th preceding, in a fhip called
the Sweepſtakes, ſo that this veſſel muft either have been retaken, of
which circumftance no mention is made in hiftory, or that, to which
this gentleman was appointed, muſt have been a new fhip juft launched,
and fo named to ſupply the place of that which had been captured.
+ A gentleman of this name commanded the Refolution, a third
rate, one of the fhips loft on the coaft of Suffex, in the Great Storm,
on the 26th of November 1703. All the perfons on board were
faved. No other perfon of the name of Life appears to have beers
a naval commander previous to this time: but fuppofing this gentle-
man to have been one and the fame perfon with the commander of
the Refolution, he could at that time having been only an acting com-
mander, without the permanent rank of captain in the navy, the date
of his firſt commiſſion being as above given.
enemy,
!
1
1
1
!!
}
12
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
enemy, having captured many valuable ſhips under cir-
cumſtances which reflected on him the highest honour.
He returned to England foon afterward. In 1711, he
ftill continuing to command the Diamond, was ordered
to accompany fir Hovenden Walker, an hundred leagues
to the weftward of Scilly, when he failed on his unfortunate
expedition againſt Quebec: he then parted company, to-
gether with the Bedford galley and Experiment, having
under their protection a fleet of merchantfhips bound for
Lifbon. Little mention is made of him in the line of fer-
vice after this time; nevertheleſs we are confident he was
ſcarcely ever unemployed.
1
He commanded a frigate on the Weft India ftation im
the year 1719, and very unluckily fell into fome diſpute
with the maſter of a merchant-fhip: in confequence of
it, an affront of fo grofs a nature paffed between them,
that, what are called the laws of honour, rendered it ne
ceffary they ſhould appeal to the moſt common, but at
the fame time the worst of all modes, of deciding fuch dif-
ferences. Captain Lifle fell a victim to it, proving that
at leaſt he was not deficient in ſpirit, however he might
have himſelf offended, or been offended, according to the
laws of decorum.or politenefs.
1
}
NORBURY, Conningby, was, on the 12th of
January 1708-9, appointed captain of the Lark. We do
not find any other mention made of him during the reign'
of queen Anne, but in 1715 he was commiffioned to the
Bonadventure, of fifty guns, one of the fleet ordered to the
Baltic under fir John Norris. In the following year he
was appointed to the command of the Argyle of fifty guns,
under rear-admiral Cornwall, who was fent out to the
Mediterranean as fucceffor to Mr. Baker. He continued
on that ſtation ſeveral years; ferving, in 1718, under fir
George Byng, Mr. Cornwall on the arrival of the former
having removed his flag into the Shrewsbury. Captain
Norbury diftinguifhed himſelf exceedingly in the memor-
able action with the Spanish fleet, having led the detach-
ment, ordered under captain Walton, to purfue the divifion
of fix fhips of war, with the gallies and fmaller veffels,
commanded by the marquis de Mari, which feparated
from the Spaniſh fleet previous to the commencement of
the engagement.
K
17
}
Mr.
1
}
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
13
:
Mr. Cornwall removed his flag back into the Argyle
after the victory, being ordered to convoy the captured
fhips into Mahon and nothing memorable enough to
merit recital took place during the time Mr. Norbury
continued captain of the above fhip. We do not find
him in any other command till the year 1727, when he
was appointed to the Revenge, of feventy guns, one of the
thips compofing the fquadron, under fir John Norris,
which was ordered to the Baltic. On his return from this
fervice he was ſent to Gibraltar to convoy thither fome
victuallers and ftorefhips; and was inftructed to put him-
ſelf, on his arrival there, under the command of fir
Charles Wager. He continued there till the ſiege of
Gibraltar was raiſed, and the difpute with the Spaniards
was concluded; but without any opportunity of diſtin-
guiſhing himſelf, as the naval tranfactions during the
whole of the period alluded to, even when taken collec-
tively, afforded not fufficient intereft to excite particular
attention, or require any enlarged detail. Captain Nor-
bury returned to England with fir Charles, his admiral, in
the year 1728; and was, in the month of July, appointed
to the Kent. In the following year he commanded the
Berwick, which was alfo a third rate of feventy guns, one
of the fleet collected, alfo under fir Charles Wager, for the
purpoſe of checking thoſe depredations which the Spaniards
had met wantonly begun to renew. This fleet, how-
ever, did not proceed to fea. Captain Norbury retained
the fame command feveral years, and in 1731 accompa-
nied fir Charles Wager to the Mediterranean, on his being
fent thither with a fleet to fettle the difpute which ap-
peared to be arifing between the emperor of Germany and
the king of Spain, and to put the infant Don Carlos into
poffeffion of the Italian dominions bequeathed him by the
duke of Parma. We do not find captain Norbury to
have enjoyed any command after the above time, nor
do we meet with any other mention made of him, except
that he died on the 12th of July 1734.
OCKMAN, William. We know nothing of this
gentleman till his appointment, on the 8th of March
1709, to be captain of the Folkftone. We do not find
any mention made of him, after the time above-men-
tioned, till the year 1734, when he commanded the Or-
ford, of feventy guns; ſo that at leaſt the major part of his
inter
14
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
intermediate appointments must have been of very little
confequence, as none of them are particularly mentioned.
Captain Ockman did not long retain his command, for in
the month of June following we find captain Man, his
fucceffor in the Orford. No other particulars concern-
ing him have come to our knowledge, except that he
died fome time in the courfe of the year 1740.
PASTON, Robert,-was, on the 8th of June 1709,
appointed captain of the Feverfham, a frigate of thirty-
fix guns. He was, not long afterwards, fent on the North
American ſtation; and very much diftinguifhed him-
felf in the following year, under commodore Martin,
in the attack of Port Royal in Acadia, now called Nova
Scotia. He was ordered to join fir Hovenden
Walker, who, in the year 1711, commanded the
unfortunate expedition against Quebec. The frigate,
having been previoully fent to Virginia for fome pro-
vifions which had been collected and ftored in that colony,
and being moreover miferably deficient as to her compli-
ment of men, was not able to reach Cape Breton, his
appointed rendezvous, till after misfortune had compelled
the remains of that once formidable armament to return
to England. This unavoidable delay did not, however,
preferve captain Pafton from being involved in a more
miferable and untimely fate; haftening to carry his in-
ftructions into execution, and join fir Hovenden, his fhip
foundered in a gale of wind off Cape Breton, near the en-
trance of the river St. Lawrence, on the 7th of October
1711, the greater part of the crew perifhing with himſelf
and the fhip.
PURVIS, George,-was in the year 1707, made com-
mander of the Dunkirk's Prize, a frigate of twenty-four-
guns, but which was only rated as a floop of war, and
confequently did not entitle Mr. Purvis to the rank of
captain in the Navy. He was immediately ordered to
the West Indies, where he ferved with very diftinguished
reputation, under commodore, afterwards fir Charles
Wager. In the following year the commander-in-chief
received inftructions to fend captain Purvis to England
with the fquadron and convoy returning home under com-
modore John Edwards. The fhip, however, was in ſo
bad a condition that Mr. Wager did not think it prudent
to truft it on ſo dangerous a paffage at fo critical à feafon
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
15
of the year; and accordingly changing its deſtination,
ordered captain Purvis out on a fhort cruife, in company
with the Monmouth. In this little expedition, if it may
be fo termed, they had the good fortune to capture two
valuable prizes, bound from Rochelle to Petit Guavas,
Captain Purvis being ordered out foon afterward to cruiſe
on the north fide of Hifpaniola, unfortunately, through
the ignorance of the Pilot, ran on a ledge of rocks, being
at that time in chace of a French fhip which juſt before,
in hopes of faving herſelf, ran afhore near Cape Francois.
The Medway's Prize being in very bad condition, and
extremely weak, very foon bulged. This accident, un-
fortunate as it was to the fervice in general, proved the
foundation of the highest honour and fame to captain
Purvis, for having got, with fome of his men, on a ſmall
key, or low uninhabited ifland, within gun-fhot of the
French fhip, he prepared to attack the enemy with
his boats, and a canoe which he had got poffeffion of, fup-
ported by a platform he had haftily conſtructed, and
on which he had mounted two or three of the ſhip's guns.
The French ſeeing theſe cautious, and at the fame deter-
mined preparations, were too timid to reſiſt any longer;
they demanded quarter and furrendered the fhip on the
fingle condition of being fet on fhore. The fpirit of Mr.
Purvis on the foregoing occafion was the more deſerving
of praife, as upwards of twenty of his people refuſed to
affift him and join in the attempt, which they timidly
fuppofed it was impoffible to fucceed in. Thefe captain
Purvis left, very properly, to purſue their own inclinations;
and having embarked all his gallant followers and fup-
porters on board the prize, which they got off from the
Thore without much difficulty, arrived fafe with them at
Jamaica. Commodore Wager having tranſmitted the
account of the foregoing very gallant tranfaction to the
commiffioners of the admiralty, they very properly pro-
moted Mr. Purvis to the rank of captain in the navy,
appointing him, on the 22d of May 1709, to command
the Coventry frigate. He did not long remain in this
veffel, being advanced, on the 24th of September follow-
ing, to the more confequential command of the Portland,
a fourth rate of fifty guns. In 1710 he was employed in
this thip, under the orders of captain Aldred, on the
Newfoundland ſtation, and very much diftinguiſhed him-
felf
រ
!
t
}
16.
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
felf in the attack, of the French fettlements on that coaft,
of which fufficient mention has been already made in the
lives of captains Aldred and Pudner.
}
We do not, extraordinary and fingular as it may ap-
pear, find any mention made of captain Purvis after this
time, till the year 1721, when he commanded the Durfley
galley, a fmall frigate fitted out to accompany the fquadron
under the admirals Wager and Hofier, but which the
timely and prudent conceffion of the Portugueſe prevented
from ever putting to fea. He continued captain of the
fame veffel, without interruption, for feveral years, oc-
cafionally employed on fuch fervices as the neceffities of
government require in time of peace. In 1726 he ac-
companied fir Charles Wager to Gibraltar, on which
ſtation he continued to ferve during the fiege, but without
meeting with any remarkable occurrence, After his
return from thence, in 1728, he was appointed captain of
the Monmouth, of feventy guns, as fucceffor to Mr.
Balchen; but the fleet never appears to have put to fea
during the time Mr. Purvis retained the above appoint-
ment, and we have, no proof, that we can depend on, of
his having held any naval command after this time. In
1734-5 he was appointed comptroller of the treaſurer of
the navy's accounts, an office he held till the year 1740-1,
and in which fome inform us he died; but the date of his
deceaſe, as given us in rear-admiral Hardy's lift, is 1748.
REYNOLDS, Thomas,-was, on the 21ft of Sep-
tember 1709, appointed captain of the Coventry; and,
in 1715, we find him captain of the Royal Anne galley, a
frigate of thirty-four guns, one of the fleet in the North
Sea under fir Geo. Byng. No other mention being made
of him we have reafon to believe he never obtained the
command of a ſhip of the line. He died on the oth
of March 1719.
SAPSFORD, John,-is known only as having been
appointed captain of the Suffolk. Hag boat on the 18th of
March 1709.
Even the time of his death is unnoticed.
SAUNDERSON, Ralph,--was the eldeft fon of fir
W. Saunderfon, of Combe near Greenwich, in the county
of Kent, knight banneret, of whom we fhall have here-
after to give fome account, and Drury, one of the daugh-
ters and coheirs of fir William Wray, of Afhby in the
county of Lincoln, baronet. Mr. Saunderfon, haying
entered
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
17
•
entered into the fea-fervice, and regularly paffed through
the feveral fubordinate ſtations, was, on October 17,
1709, promoted to the command of the Mary galley, He
continued captain of the fame veffel, we believe till the
end of the war, principally employed, during that period,
as a cruifer in the Channel, a fervice he executed with
advantage to his country and emolument to himſelf, We
do not find any other mention made of him after the
acceffion of king George the First, except that he died in
England on the 30th of April 1718.
SMITH, Nicholas,was, on the 8th of March 1709,
appointed captain of the Enterprife frigate. He continued
commander of this fhip till the conclufion of the war,
employed nearly during the whole time as a cruifer, a
ſervice in which he had very fingular fuccefs, particularly
in the year 1712, having, in the month of February alone,
captured two valuable merchant- fhips, and a frigate, be-
longing to Rochfort, mounting 36 guns, called the Loire.
After the acceffion of king George the First he was
promoted to the Centurion, of fifty guns, and ſent to the
Baltic with the fleet under fir John Norris, as he was
again in 1717, with fir George Byng, being then captain
of the Jerfey, After this time we are ignorant of any
particulars concerning him, except that he died in England
on the 7th of July 1721,
STOREY, Edward,-was, on the 17th of June 1709,
made captain of the Charles galley. It is not improbable
he was the fon of captain James Storey, whom we have
formerly had occafion to give fome account of*; but of
this we have no proof to be implicitly relied on, This
gentleman is taken no farther notice of till the year 1717,
when he commanded the Chatham, a fourth rate of fifty.
guns, one of the fhips ordered, under fir John Norris, to
the Baltic, from whence he returned in the beginning of
November, a few days before the body of the fleet, hav-
ing, in conjunction with the Glouceſter and Hampshire,
the homeward-bound trade under convoy, Captain E.
Storey, as well as the former gentleman of the fame
name, is faid to have been a man poffeffed of an uncom-
mon fund of natural humour, aided by the ſtrongeſt,
though at the fame time moſt innocent excentricity of
VOL, IV,
* Vol. I. p. 298,
Ᏼ .
mind.
>
18
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
mind. A number of anecdotes, which it is foreign to our
purpoſe to relate, all exemplifying the above character,
are ſtill traditionally preferved among feamen. The
remembrance of his innocent gaiety and lively ſpirit
cauſed univerſal lamentation at his death, which happened
on the 14th of June 1727, and excited a degree of public
grief, which the moſt popular character might have beheld
with envy.
1
*
+
STEWART, James, was, on the 14th of January
1709, appointed captain of the Greyhound: he was after-
wards promoted to the Dartmouth, of fifty guns, and fent
to the Mediterreanean, where he continued during the
remainder of the war, but without meeting with any
memorable opportunity of diftinguifhing himſelf beyond
others his brave cotemporaries. In 1716 he was captain
of the Aldborough frigate, and employed in cruifing among
the Hebrides, or iflands off the western coaft of Scotland,
to prevent the introduction of any fupplies into that
country for the uſe of the rebel army. In 1717 he was
captain of the Royal Anne galley, a frigate attached to the
fquadron under admiral Aylmer, which convoyed the king
to Holland. Few men who have lived to attain the very
high rank in the ſervice which this gentleman afterwards
very defervedly reached, ever paſſed that part of their time,
during which they were private commanders in fuch com-
plete obfcurity, no mention being ever made of him, nor
can we find his name inferted in any of the lines of battle
made out, during the above period, as commander of any
fhip of two decks till the year 1741, at which time he
commanded the Cumberland, of eighty guns. We are
perfuaded notwithstanding, that he was very frequently
employed, moft probably in the command of guardſhips,
or ftationed frigates, which paſs totally unnoticed in time
of peace, unleſs fome very extraordinary occurrence should
bring them forward to public view. The extreme difficulty,
not to fay impoffibility of developing the employments,
*He commanded this fhip during the whole year, it was one
of thoſe compofing the fleet under fir J. Norris; and in ſome of the
lines of battle we have feen, is faid to have accompanied fir C. Ogle,
in the ſame ſtation, on his expedition to the West Indies.
and
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
19
}
and tracing the different tranſactions of perfons whoſe
conduct has not been in fome degree confpicuous, may
eafily be credited, and has proved one of the moſt infur-
mountable bars to the completion of the biographical
hiſtory of any particular class of men. The defect is not,
as we have before obſerved, to be remedied by any other
means than private communications from the immedi-
ate relations or defcendants of the perfon in queftion; and,
as in the preſent inftance, where that is wanting we can
only lament the deficiency.
Át length, after a long fervice of near thirty-four years
in the ſtation of a private commander, he was, on April 6,
1742, promoted to be rear-admiral of the blue. His ad-
vancement was now as rapid as it previouſly had been
flow; on the 9th of Auguſt 1743, he was appointed
rear-admiral of the white, and on the 7th of December
following vice-admiral of the blue. In 1744 he ferved
as fecond in command of the fleet fent to Lifbon, under.
the unfortunate fir J. Balchen, to relieve fir C. Hardy, who
was blocked up in the Tagus by a very ſuperior French
force; and, previous to his failing on that fervice, was, on
the 19th of June, advanced to be vice-admiral of the red,
He does not appear to have ever gone to fea as a naval
commander after his return to England; but, on the 15th
of July 1747, was made admiral of the white, and de-
clared, as it is faid by fome, on November 22, 1750,
admiral and commander-in-chief of the fleet. We rather
apprehend the above date to be erroneous as to the year,
the appointment having, as we believe, taken place on the
22d of November 1751, in confequence of the death of
fir Chaloner Ogle, who previouſly enjoyed it. Admiral
Stewart died in the above very elevated ftation on the 30th
of March 1757:
TREVOR, Robert,-was, on the 2d of March 1709,
appointed captain of the Royal Ann galley. No other
mention is made of him till after the acceffion of George
the First; a confiderable difficulty then arifes, there hav-
ing been two naval commanders of the fame name, and
no difcrimination being made in any account that is given
of their fervices: this confufion continues till the year
1723, when captain Robert Trevor is particularly diſtin-
guiled as commander of the Bredah, of feventy guns;
B 2
but
20
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
but of fo little confequence was the purpofe for which that
and other ſhips were at the fame time put into commiffion,
it is not even known whether they ever went to fea. In
1726 he commanded the Northumberland of feventy
guns, one of the fleet fent to the Baltic under fir Charles
Wager. No other particulars have come to our know.
ledge concerning this gentleman, except that he died at
Jamaica in the year 1740, being at that time commander
of the Chicheſter, of eighty guns, in which fhip he had
failed with fir Chaloner Ogle, when fent out with the
reinforcement to Mr. Vernon.
VANBURGH, Charles, was, on the 21st of Fe-
bruary 1709, made commander of the Feverfham frigate;
but no other mention is made of him during the reign of
queen Anne, nor indeed after the acceffion of George the
Firſt have we any proof of his having commanded a fhip
of the line till the year 1718, when he was appointed to
the Burford, a third rate of feventy guns, one of the fleet
ordered to the Mediterranean under fir George Byng.
He there had, with his other brave cotemporaries, a fignal
opportunity of diftinguiſhing himfelf in the action off
Cape Paffaro. This he appears to have improved to the
utmoſt of his power, which may readily be credited even
from our fimply relating that he was one of the cominan-
ders detached under captain, afterwards fir Geo. Walton,
in purfuit of the divifion commanded by the marquis de
Mari, the whole of which was either taken, burnt, or
deftroyed. He is not known to have had the good fortune
of meeting with any fecond opportunity of materially
benefiting his country, or acquiring renown to himſelf,
during his fubfequent continuance in the Mediterranean;
nor have we, after his return from thence, any account of
him till the year 1729, at which time he commanded the
Naffau, a third rate of feventy guns, employed as a guard-
fhip. He quitted that employment early in the fummer;
and we do not again find him in any command till the
year 1733. He was then captain of the Cornwall, an
eighty gun fhip; but we cannot find any trace of his be-
ing employed in any fervice worth commemorating,
The relative fituation of Britain at that time, as well with
reſpect to Spain, which nation was the principal object of
jealoufy, as other countries which were held in an inferior
I
light,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
21
light, compelled government to keep a formidable fleet
in an almolt perpetual ftate of equipment. The political
appearance of affairs conveyed the idea of an armed truce
with a conftant preparation for renewing hoftilities, rather
than what it was called, a time of profound peace. A
period like this is tirefome to the nation itſelf, irkſome as
well as diftreffing to the officer, and painful to the hifto-
rian; nothing occurs but a dull repetition of uninterefting
events and preparations, which have juft confequence
enough to awaken the attention, which is no fooner
roufed than difappointed. Captain Vanburgh is not
mentioned as having held any command after the above
time, nor any other notice taken of him, except that he
died in England on the 2d of November 174c.
WADE, Caleb,-was, on the 18th of November 1709,
appointed captain of the Adventure, He continued com-
mander of this fhip till the conclufion of the war. In the
early part of the year 1711 he was principally employed
as a cruifer at the entrance of the Channel, a fervice in
which he had fome fuccefs, having made two or three
prizes of no inconfiderable value. He was afterwards
ordered to Newfoundland, from whence he returned in
the month of November without having met with any
extraordinary occurrence. His name does not again
occur in the fervice till the year 1720: he was at that time
appointed to the Falmouth, a fifty gun fhip, one of the
fleet fent into the Baltic during that and the enfuing
fummer, under the chief command of fir John Norris..
After the end of the latter feafon he was ordered to join
the fleet collected under fir Charles Wager. This ar
mament, as we have already obferved, was prevented, by
the ſubmiſſion of the Portuguefe, whom it was intended
to chaftife, from ever putting to fea; and captain Wade
not long afterwards retired from his former line of fervice,
being appointed mafter-attendant at Portfmouth on the
3d of November 1722. He died, according to the infor-
mation afforded us by rear-admiral Hardy, fome time in
the year 1732; but, according to other accounts which we
believe more authentic, not till the year 1738.
WALDRON, Beaumont,was, on the 14th of Des
ceinber 1709, promoted to be captain of the Loo. He
never was fortunate enough to obtain any command more
B 3
confe-
22
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
conſequential than that of a frigate, or to be employed in
fuch a line of fervice as was likely to procure him re-
nown. He died on the 20th of March 1718-19, being
at that time commander of the Gibraltar, a frigate
ftationed as a cruifer in the Channel.
1710.
BASILLE, or BESSILLE, William,-was, on the
29th of Auguft in the above year, appointed captain of
the Roebuck. His name again occurs as taking poſt in
the Seahorſe from the 1st of Jan. 1712-13. We enter-
tain, however, fome doubts whether he is properly entitled
to a place here as having had his rank in either inſtance
confirmed. No mention is made of the time of his
death.
CHUNDWICK, or CHADWICK, Robert,-was,
on the the 23d of February 1710, appointed captain of
the Fowey. He continued to command this frigate many
years, at leaſt till after the year 1714. We find no other
notice taken of him, except that he died in England on
July 10, 1719, being at that time captain of the Guernſey.
COLE, Ambrofe,-was, on the 24th of March 1710,
made commander of the Ludlow Castle, being quickly
afterwards promoted to the Ranelagh. He died on the
27th of October 1711.
COLLIER, William, was, on the 10th of May
1710, appointed captain of the Mermaid. We do not
find his name again occur till the year 1717, when he
commanded the Falmouth of fifty guns, one of the fleet
ordered for the Mediterrancan under fir George Byng;
but we believe he never failed on that expedition in con-
fequence of his fhip not being in a proper ftate of equip-
ment when the rest of the fleet put to fea. No other
notice is taken of him, except that he died captain of the
Fubbs yacht on the 4th of December 1736.
•
ELFORD,
NAVAL
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
23
ELFORD, William,-was, on the 10th of October/
1710, appointed captain of the Hector. He continued
to command this hip till the peace of Utrecht, being
principally employed as a cruifer, in which fervice he
met with fome fuccefs. His prizes were, however, more
to be remembered on account of their number than their
confequence, the most confpicuous of them being only a
privateer, belonging to Bourdeaux, mounting eighteen
guns, which he captured in the month of February 1712.
His name does not again occur till the year 1720, when
we find the York, a fourth rate of fixty guns, belonging
to the fleet ordered for the Baltic under fir John Norris,
to have been commanded by a captain Elford, but have
been unable to fix, with precifion, whether it was the
identical William Elford, of whom we are now ſpeaking,
or his brother captain Matthew Elford, of whom we are
hereafter to give fome account. Captain William Elford
is no farther mentioned than as having died in the Weſt
Indies captain of the Lynn, on the 31st of March 1723.
FUZZER, or FURZER, John,—was, on the 16th of
March 1710, appointed captain of the Shoreham. No
farther notice is taken of him during the war; but after
the peace at Utrecht he was made commander of the
Kinfale frigate, and ſent to the Mediterranean, where he
continued fome time. In 1718 he was appointed captain
of the Dorſetſhire, a third rate of eighty guns, under rear-
admiral Delaval, who was commander in the third poſt dur-
ing the expedition to the Mediterranean under fir George
Byng. After his return from that ſervice, in which he was
engaged till the conclufion of the war, he was appointed
to the Hind, and was unhappily drowned, off Guernſey,
on the 7th of December 1721. The fhip having ftruck on
a funken rock, the greater part of the crew moſt unfor-
tunately perished with her.
JERMY, Seth, had a commiffion as a naval officer
before the revolution; and, as far back as the year 1692,
ferved as fecond lieutenant of the Northumberland, of
feventy guns, commanded by captain Cotton. He did
not, however, obtain the rank of captain till the 25th of
April 1710, when he was appointed to the Antelope. He
had attained fo advanced an age, that in the year 1712 he
was put on the fuperannuated lift with a penfion equal to
В 4
the
24
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
F
the half pay of captain of a fourth rate. He enjoyed this
till his death, which happened on the 3d of Auguft 1724.
LEY, Andrew, was, on the 26th of January 1710,
appointed to the command of the Bedford galley. On
the 23d of December 1712, this gentleman alfo was put
on the fuperannuated lift with a penfion equivalent to the
half pay of the captain of a fifth rate. The time of his
death is unknown.
*
MASTER, Streynfham, the great-grandfon of fir
Edward Mafter, of Eaft Langdon, in the county of Kent,
governor of Dover caftle, was the only fon of James
Mafter, of Gray's Inn, efq. and Joice, only daughter of
fir Chriftopher Turnor, of Milton Earneft, in the county
of Bedford, knight, one of the barons of the exchequer
in the reign of Charles the Second. He was born in the
year 1682, and was originally intended for the law; but
at the preffing inftance of fir George Byng, who had
married his eldeſt fifter, he entered into the fea fervice.
Having regularly paffed through the feveral fubordinate
ranks, and acquired a competent and full knowlege of
every branch of his duty as an officer, he was appointed
by his honourable relative, fir George Byng, to be mafter
and commander of the Fame Prize t. This commiffion
was dated on the 15th of July 1709; and, on the 22d of
March following, 1709-10, he was advanced by fir John
Norris, to the rank of poft captain, and appointed to the
Ludlow Caſtle. Both thefe appointments were progref.
fively confirmed by the board of admiralty. From the
manner in which the war was fuffered to languiſh after ;
this time, particularly in the European feas, captain
Maſter had no other opportunity of diſtinguiſhing himſelf
than all men have who are attentive to their duty. He
appears to have been almoſt conftantly in commiffion, and
employed as actively as the temper of the times permitted,
* His uncle, who was also named Streynfham, was a director of
the Eaft India company. Vide Gazettes, No. 3416 and 3453.
+ During a part of the time Mr. Mafter was captain of this veffel,
he was employed under vice-admiral Baker in cruifing off Meffina,
and had the good fortune to capture a French fhip of fome force.
This event is faid to have happened in the month of May 1710;
fo he could not have taken upon him the command of the Ludlow
Caſtle till fome confiderable time after the date of his commiſſion.
if
and
***
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
25
and the fervice of his country required. On the 7th of
April 1712, being then on the Liſbon ſtation under the
orders of vice-admiral Baker, he was appointed by him to
command the Ormond, a fourth rate. From that general
poverty of naval events which continued for fome years
afterwards, we have been able to collect nothing relative
to this gentl man till the year 1716, when he removed
into the Dragon, of fifty guns, one of the fleet ordered
for the Baltic under fir George Byng; but we are doubt-
ful whether he proceeded thither, owing to its having
been impoffible to put the fhip in a proper ſtate of equip
ment by the time the admiral received orders to fail.
On the 14th of March 1717-18, he was appointed cap-
tain of the Superbe, a fixty gun fhip, one of the fleet
ordered for the Mediterranean, as that for the Baltic had
been in the year before under the command of fir George
Byng. On the arrival of the fleet off cape St. Vincent,
captain Mafter was difpatched by the admiral to Cadiz.
with a letter to the Britiſh envoy; and he returned with
the first accurate and pofitive advice of the immenſe pre-
parations for war the Spaniards had been making at
Barcelona.
His gallantry in the ever memorable action with the
Spanith fleet off Cape Paffaro was highly confpicuous, and
hiſtorians have not neglected to do juftice to his merit.
"About one o'clock the Superbe, (lays Mr. Corbet in
his account of the expedition to Sicily) commanded by
captain Maſter, fupported by the Kent, captain Mathews
came up with and engaged the Spaniſh admiral, of feventy-
four guns, who, with two fhips more, fired on them, and
made a running fight till about three. The Kent then
bearing down under his ftern, gave him her broadfide and
fell to leeward. The Superbe, then putting forward to lay
the admiral a-board, fell on his weather quarter: and the
Spanish admiral then thifting his helm, the Superbe ranged
up under his lee quarter, upon which he ftruck his flag.
The above glorious victory was obtained on the 31st of
July 1718. The Spanish navy was nearly annihilated by
it; and captain Maiter had not only the honour of hav
ing moft eminently contributed to the defeat of the enemy,
but, as we believe, was the firft, and indeed only private
captain
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
26
captain who ever had the honour of making a comman-
der-in-chief of fo high a rank his prifoner.
Captain Maſter continued in the Mediterranean till the
conclufion of the war; and we have no reafon to fuppofe
he ever had any appointment after his return to England.
In the year 1724 he married Elizabeth *, only daughter
and heir of Richard Oxenden, of Brooke, efq. He un-
happily died of a fever on the 22d of June in that year,
after having been married only four months. He was
interred in the Brooke chancel, in the church of Wing-
ham, in Kent, where a monument is erected to his
memory. As to his character, fuffice it to fay, that as
his public conduct and courage justly entitled him to the
higheſt rank as a popular man, fo did the noble ſteadineſs
of his friendſhip and true benevolence of heart render his
premature death univerfally and fincerely regretted by all
who ever had been happy enough to be acquainted with
him.
A fracas, which happened between him and his coufin
colonel Turner, when they were both unhappily heated
with wine, may, from the fingularity of the circumſtance
attending it, deſerve relation. Captain Mafter broke an
inch and a quarter of the point of his fword in colonel
Turnor's forehead, between his eyes. It remained there
eighteen years; and what is, perhaps, more extraordinary,
the colonel lived two years after it was taken out by Sinall
the furgeon the piece of the fword is preferved as a
curiofity by Edm. Turnor, efq. F. R. S.
PEARSON, Robert,-was, on the 25th of December
1710, appointed captain of the Portland. We can meet
with no other information concerning this gentleman
except that he died in England, and we believe unem-
ployed, on the 30th of Auguſt 1723.
VANBRUGH, Philip,-brother to captain Charles
Vanbrugh, whom we have already noticed, was, on the
27th of November 1710, appointed captain of the Speed-
well. His next commiffion, far as we have been able to
*This lady died in the year 1759, leaving the manor of Brook to
fr Henry Oxenden, baronet, the prefent owner of it.
+ In the forty-third year of his age, leaving no iffue. His portrait,
late in the collection of lord Torrington, is now in the poffeffion of
Edm. Turnor, efq. of Panton Houfe, in Lincolnshire.
invefti
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
27
inveſtigate, was to the Charles galley, of forty guns, to
which he was appointed in the year 1716. He failed
immediately afterwards under the orders of vice-admiral
Cornwall, who was fent to Gibraltar with a ſmall fqua-
dron for the purpoſe of overawing the Salletines.
Nothing remarkable happened till the year 1718, when
the rupture took place with Spain: and on the arrival of
fir George Byng, with the fleet, off Gibraltar, the vice-
admiral joined him with the Argyle, his flag ſhip, and the
Charles galley.
Captain Vanbrugh was confequently prefent at the
well-known engagement with the Spanish fleet, though,
from the inferior fize of his fhip, it could not be expected
he ſhould have it in his power to effect any very confe-
quential fervice in fuch an encounter. After his return
from the Mediterranean, where he continued till peace
was concluded with Spain, he was, in 1721, appointed to
command the Breda, a third rate, under rear-admiral
Hofier, who was to have accompanied fir Charles Wager
on his expedition to Liſbon, had not the ſubmiſſion of the
Portugueſe rendered it unneceffary for the armament to
put to fea. We do not find him in any command after
this time till the year 1731, when he was captain of the
York, of fixty guns, one of fir Charles Wager's fleet ſent
to the Mediterranean in fupport of Don Carlos, and his
claim under the duke of Parma's will. In 1734 he was
captain of the Burford, of ſeventy guns, one of the fleet
put under the command of fir John Norris; and after he
quitted that fhip, is not known to have held any naval
Command. In 1739 he was appointed commiffioner of
the navy refident at Plymouth, and died in that office on
the 22d of July 1753.
1
BOYLE,
28
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1711.
BOYLE, Charles,-was, on the 27th of January 1711,
appointed captain of the Strombolo. We have no ace
count of his ever having commanded a two-decked fhip
till the year 1720, when he was appointed to the Wors
cefter, of fifty guns, one of the fleet ordered for the
Baltic under the command of fir John Norris. He died
foon after the fleet had reached the place of its deſtination,
on the 28th of June 1720.
COOPER, Francis,-was, on the 27th of January,
appointed captain of the Folkſtone. There is a wonder-
ful fimilitude between the earlier events of this and the
preceding gentleman's life, for being both appointed to
the rank of captain on the fame day, we are, equally in
refpect to both, unacquainted with any events of their
lives for the fame period of time. In 1720 captain
Cooper commanded the Suffolk, of feventy guns, and
was employed on the fame fervice with captain Boyle.
The parallel here however ceafes, for captain Cooper
furvived the expedition, and returned in the following,
year to the fame ftation, captain of the fame fhip. We
do not find any mention made of him after that time,
except that he died on the 27th of January 1733.
DOUGLASS, or DOUGLAS, Andrew. We have
already given the beft account we have been able to collect
of this gentleman *. His name occurs in the navy lifts
as having taken poft in the Arundel on the 25th of Janu-
ary. This circumftance, as well as his former difmif-
fion, together with the caufe of it, have been already ſtated
in the place alluded to: nor fhould we have again inferted
his name were it not to add ſome farther particulars con-
cerning him, which have come to our knowledge fince
the former account was printed. He continued captain
* Vol. II. p. 287,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
29
of the Arundel during the war; but the misfortunes.
which his mifconduct had before brought on him were
not fufficient to work a reformation in him. He was
fined three months pay by the fentence of a court martial,
held on him in the river Medway, on the 15th of De-
cember 1712, for ufing improper language, highly unbe-
coming a commander, to his officers, and confining fome
of them to their cabins without having any juft caufe of
complaint. There is no trace of his having been again
employed; nor is any mention made of him except that he
died on the 26th of June 1725:
ELFORD, Matthew, the brother of captain William
Elford, of whom we have before given fome account, was
appointed captain of the Experiment on the 5th of March
1711. His ſhip was employed, during the remainder of
the war, as a cruifer at the entrance of the Channel; and
in this fervice he had tolerable fuccefs*, We are under
#
confiderable difficulty after this time to difcriminate be-
tween this gentleman and his brother; this originates, as
we have already obferved, in the proper want of diftinc-
tion between them, in fuch documents as we have been
able to procure, we ſhall not, therefore, take upon us to
decide which of the two was, during the years 1720 and
1721, captain of the York, of fixty guns. The name of
Elford does not again occur in the fervice; but we find
this gentleman to have died on the 20th of September
4733-
FIELD, Arthur,-was, on the 22d of October 1711,
appointed captain of the Ormond. He continued in this
veffel only till the month of April following, being then
fucceeded by captain Mafter. No other mention is made
of him till the year 1718, when he was appointed to the
Rupert, of fixty guns, one of the fleet fent into the Medi-
terranean under fir G. Byng. He very much diftinguiſhed
himſelf in the engagement with the Spanish fleet, and had
the good fortune, aflifted by the Montague, captain Be
yerly, to capture the Volante, one of the fmaller two
decked fhips belonging to the enemy. After his return
from the Mediterranean he was, in 1721, removed inte
the Defiance, a ſhip of the fame force with that he before
* See Gazette, No. 5009,
30
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
commanded, and one of the fleet ordered for the Baltic
under fir John Norris. In 1723 he was made captain of
the Superbe, and continued in the command of that ſhip
till his death. In the year 1726 he was ordered to the
Weft Indies as one of the fquadron fent out under vice-
admiral Hofier, and was one of the multitude of brave
and ever-to-be lamented perfons who fell victims to that
climate, fo generally injurious to European conftitutions.
He died on the 26th of June 1726.
FLETCHER, John,-was, in the year 1709, com-
mander of the Rofe, a pink or floop of war, employed
principally as a coafting convoy. On the 7th of March
1711, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and ap-
pointed to the Roebuck. No other mention is made of
him, not even to inform us whether he ever afterwards
obtained any appointment. He died, having to a cer-
tainty retired from the fervice for many years, in the
month of May 1758.
GRAY, John,--is to be noticed only as having been,
on the 26th of January 1711, appointed captain of the
Folkftone. He is faid, in Mr. Hardy's lift, to have died
in England in the year 1736; but every manufcript lift
we have ſeen is filent concerning him.
MABBOT, Thomas, was, on the 2d of February
1711, appointed captain of the Mary galley. Towards
the clofe of the year he was ordered to accompany captain
Riddle, who commanded the Falmouth, to the coaft of
Guinea. On the 11th of March 1711-12, they fell in
with two French fhips of war, of force infinitely fuperior
to their own; and a very fpirited action took place in
confequence. The enemy's fhips were fortunate enough
to effect their efcape; and captain Mabbot, after having
exerted himſelf with the utmoſt gallantry, had the miſ-
fortune to fall in the encounter.
MAYNE, Covill,-entered into the navy immediately
after the revolution, under the very honourable protec-
tion and patronage of that great and gallant man fir
Cloudefley Shovel; among whofe papers we find the fol-
lowing letter, ſtrongly recommending him to the notice of
Mr. Ruffel, afterwards earl of Orford, who was at that
time firſt commiffioner of the admiralty.
"Having
'
}
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
31
"Having had the opportunity to examine the bearer,
Mr. Covill Mayne, touching his qualification to perform
the duty of a lieutenant, I find him to be a very pretty
feaman; and knowing him to be a very brifk forward
active young man, I believe him to be a perfon very de-
ferving of preferment, and one that will prove an extra-
ordinary officer and a brave man and I inuft needs fay,
it would be much for the honour of the fervice, that all
perfons employed therein were fo completely qualified.
I know having given him this character (which he really
deferves) I need ufe no other motive to recommend him
to your favour, fo remain,
"To admiral Ruffell,
Crutched Fryars, Feb. 22, 1695.
:
"Sir, &c.
"C. S."
Notwithſtanding this powerful fupport, a fupport his.
fubfequent conduct proved him in every refpect highly
deferving of, he was not advanced to the rank of captain
in the navy till the 11th of May 1711, when he was ap-
pointed to the Dolphin. During the long and uninterefting
period of peace, and languid hoftilities which fucceeded
the peace of Utrecht, we find no other mention made
of him except that, in 1717, he commanded the Strafford,
of fifty guns, one of the fleet fent into the Baltic under
fir George Byng, who left him to continue, for the better
protection of trade, on that ftation, with the Severn and
Lynn, as long as the weather would permit them, after
the return of the main body of the fleet to England.
In 1718 he commanded the Prince Frederic, on the
fame ſtation as the foregoing, under fir John Norris, as
he did alfo, under the fame admiral, in the following
year. We find no mention made of him after this time
fill the commencement of the war with Spain, in 1739:
he then commanded the Lenox. of feventy guns, one of
the ſquadron which failed from Spithead, in the month of
July, under the command of vice-admiral Vernon, who,
as it is well known, commanded the memorable expedi-
tion againſt Porto Bello. Captain Mayne did not pro-
ceed with him to his place of ultimate deftination, but
was left with the captains Durell and Falkingham, in
the Kent and Elizabeth, each of equal force with his own.
ship, the Lenox, to cruife, for thirty days, off Cape
Ortugal,
3
23
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
|
Ortugal, in hopes they would be able to intercept the
Spaniſh Azogues fhips.
In this expectation they were, however, difappointed;
and after having continued on their ſtation during the time
preſcribed in their inftructions, returned to England fuc-
cefslefs. As foon as captain Mayne had properly recruited
his ſtock of water and provifions, he was again ordered
out on a cruife, in company with the Kent, commanded,
as before, by captain Thomas Durell; and the Orford,
alſo a third rate of feventy guns, by the Lord Auguftus
Fitzroy. His prefent cruife was a much more fucceſsful
one than his preceding, for the English fhips had the good
fortune to fall in with the Princeffa, a Spaniſh ſhip of
war mounting feventy guns, commanded by an officer of
the higheſt eftimation in the enemy's fervice, who had under
him a chofen crew of fix hundred and fifty-four men. The
fhip itſelf was equal in fize to a British firſt rate, and of
a ftrength more than proportionable, for her fides were of
fo uncommon a thickneſs, that few of the balls penetrated.
Even thoſe which they received from the lower-deck
guns of the Britiſh fhips, were, generally fpeaking,
lodged; while thofe fired from the Spaniard paffed through
and through. This circumftance, added to the wonderful
advantage the derived from her height out of the water,
which laid the upper decks of her antagoniſts open to her,
reduced the great apparent fuperiority in numbers and
force to a mere nonentity.
Captain Mayne, who being the fenior officer acted as
commodore, got fight of the enemy about nine o'clock in
the morning. The Spaniard confiding in the ſtrength of
his ſhip*, and the uncommon weight and fize of his
guns
*The following defcription of the ſhip and action may not prove
unentertaining.
"The Princeffa was a fixty-eight gun fhip, high built, and there
fore had the uncommon advantage of ufing her lower tier of guns in
bad weather. There were on board her at the time of the action near
feven hundred men. The fhip was larger than the Britiſh firſt rates;
her guns were of an uncommon fize, and moſt of them brafs. In
fhort, fhe was univerfally deemed one of the finest veffels in the
Spaniſh navy. As the Britiſh ſhips approached the commander called
together his men and addreſſed them in nearly the following words
"When
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
33
guns appeared neither to fhun nor to feek an action.
Gallantry forbade the former, prudence the latter; for the
fuperior numbers of his antagoniſts certainly precluded all
hope of his being able to effect more than his own pre-
fervation. Under this idea, being a man of approved cou-
fage, and a knight of Malta, he refolutely brought his ſhip
to. And the English captains, on their parts, confidering
their victory as certain, crouded all the fail they could to
cloſe with him.
The action commenced about eleven o'clock, the Lenox
bringing to on the weather quarter of the enemy, while
the Kent, who followed immediately, ran to leeward and
engaged broadfide and broad fide. The Orford foon
afterwards got into action; but fuch was the ſtrong con-
ftruction of the Princeffa that ſhe received very little da-
mage from the two latter fhips. The Lenox was very
adroitly kept during nearly the whole of the action in a
pofition where the enemy was fomewhat more vulnerable;
but the conteft was long and obftinate, the Spaniard not
permitting his colours to be ftruck till a quarter paſt five
in the afternoon. The hardly contefted-for prize was
carried into Portſmouth; and the captors, as well as alb
thoſe who beheld her, fcarcely knew which moſt to ad-
mire, the admirable form and immenfe fize of the fhip
itſelf, the great damage fhe had fuftained before fhe had
furrendered, or the gallantry with which the had been
fo nobly defended.
Captain Mayne afterwards accompanied fir John
Norris on his ſhort and unſucceſsful cruife in the year
1740; and we believe remained in the fame fhip during
the enfuing ſummer: but we do not find him to have been
happy enough to have atchieved any exploit fufficiently
prominent to be recorded in hiftory. After he quitted the
"When you received the pay of your country you engaged your
felves to fland all dangers in her caufe. Now is the trial; fight like
men, for you have no hope but in your courage.'
??
The fhip was brought into Portfmouth: and when the people ſaw
her ftrength, and the damage fhe had fuftained before her commander
fubmitted, they applauded, in the higheſt terms, the gallantry of her
captors, notwithſtanding the fuperiority of their numbers might appear
to have leffened the glory of the action in the eyes of thoſe who were
not thoroughly acquainted with the circumftances attending it.
VOL. IV.
C
Lenox
34
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Lenox we believe him to have retired from the fervice, he
never having been raiſed to the rank of an admiral, altho
at the time of his death many, who were his juniors in
ſervice, had been promoted to be flag officers. Of the
reaſon why this honour was not extended to him we are
ignorant; but ſhall beg to remark, that whatever it might
be, it certainly reflected no difcredit on captain Mayne
himſelf, who on this account, at leaſt, was a man moré
finned against than finning." He died on the 25th of Au-
guft 1746, having attained an old age, rendered truly
venerable by a long and honourable fervice.
PULLEY, Jofeph,-was, on the 28th of Oct. 1711,
appointed captain of the Launceston. No other mention
is made of him except that he died in the Mediterranean
on the 2d of July 1715, remaining, as it is faid, captain
of the fhip above-mentioned.
ROSS, Walter, was, on the 2d of February 111,
appointed captain of the Garland. Nothing farther is
known of him except that he died in England on the 6th
of January 1714.
N. B. It appears rather a matter of doubt, whether
this gentleman's rank, as a captain in the navy, was con-
firmed by the admiralty board. His name is notwith-
ſtanding given in all the navy lifts, and on that account
we have thought it beft to follow their example, particu-
Farly as no obſervation of this kind is made in them.
KOUSE, Auguftus, - is almoſt in the fame predica-
meat on the ſcore of innotoriety with the gentlemen.
juſt
jft mentioned. He was on the 27th of June 1711,
appointed captain of the Dunkirk, and died on the 5th
of October 1714, being at that time captain of the
Sapphire, a frigate employed as a cruiſer off the coaſt of
Scotland,
COWLEY,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 35
1712.
COWLEY, William, was, on the 11th of July
1712, promoted to the command of the Feverfham.
After this time no mention is made of him till the year
1715, when he commanded the Moor, a fhip of fifty guns,
belonging to the fleet fent to the Baltic under fir John
Norris. Hiftory is totally filent concerning this gentle-
man after the time above-mentioned; we only find it no-
ticed in fome of the lifts of naval officers, that he died in
the courſe of the year 1740.
DALZIEL, James,-was the defcendant of a very
ancient and honourable Scottish family *. His naval life
was unhappily of very fhort duration, having been ap-
pointed, on the 13th of February 1712, captain of the
Seahorſe. He was unfortunately killed in a trivial en-
counter with a French privateer, off the rock of Liſbon,
* This noble family is of great antiquity in the ſhire of Lanark,
where they flourished; and matched with feveral of the moſt confider-
able families before they ſettled in Dumfries ſhire, where they now
have their chief refidence.
Some are of opinion that this is a local firname, and was firft affumed
by the poffeffors of the lands and barony of Dalziel; but the account
of their origin, given by Mr. Nifbet, and other hiſtorians, is,
"That in the reign of king Kenneth IId, a kinfman and favourite of
that king, being taken prifoner by the Pias, was put to death, and
hung up upon a gallows in view of the Scotch camp. King Kenneth
being highly provoked and incenfed at the affront, offered a confider-
able reward to any of his fubjects who would take down and carry off
the corpfe. But, for fome time, none would venture to undertake the
dangerous enterprize. At laft a gentleman of more fpirit and courage
than the reft faid, "dal zell," which, in the old scotch language, fig-
nifies "I dare." He effectually performed it to the king's fatisfaction;
who accordingly rewarded him nobly. His pofterity affumed the
word Dalzell for their firname; and that remarkable bearing, of a
man hanging on a gallows for their arms, with "I dare," for their
motto, in memory of the above brave action, though they now bear
only a naked man proper."
C 2
on
36
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
on the 14th of September following. What tended to
aggravate this accident was, that the peace of Utrecht
was then actually concluded, and the articles themſelves.
were on board the Seahorſe. A fpirit of honour, it may
be prefumed, prevented captain Dalziel from parleying
with a quondam enemy and making this circumſtance
known.
HOOK, Edmund,-in the year 1711, commanded the
Jamaica floop, on the Weſt India ſtation, under commo-
dore Littleton. He was, on the 30th of November 1712,
appointed captain of the Garland. In Hardy's lift of
naval officers he is mentioned as having taken poft on the
24th of June in the above year; but a note is added, in-
forming us that he is faid to have obtained that rank on
the 30th of November 1711, exactly twelve months be-
fore the true date. We do not find any ſubſequent men-
tion made of him till the year 1723, when he was ap-
pointed to the Dunkirk, a fixty gun fhip, ordered to be
fitted at Plymouth. He was, not long afterwards, pro-
moted to the Bedford, of feventy guns; and, in 1726,
ferved in the fleet ordered for the Baltic under fir Charles
Wager. At his return he was ordered to Portſmouth,
where his fhip was put out of commiffion and diſmantled.
We do not find him holding any command after this
time till the year 1731, when he commanded the Canter-
bury of fixty guns, one of the fleet ordered for the Medi-
terranean under the command of fir Charles Wager. In
the month of November 1733, he was appointed to the
Ipſwich, a third rate of ſeventy guns, which is the laſt
command we have any proof of his having held. Mr.
Hardy afferts that he died in the year above-mentioned;
but other accounts, with greater appearance of probability,
ſtate his deceaſe to have happened in the year 1745, he
having for fome years retired altogether from the fervice.
OGILVIE, The Honourable John, is fuppofed to
have been the fecond fon of David, third earl of Airly*,
* This noble family, remarkable for many inftances of loyalty to
their fovereigns and attachment to the intereft of their country, is
defcended from Gilbert, fecond fon of Gilibred, and brother of
Gilchrift, earl of Angus, a man of high diftinction in the reign of king
William the Lion, who fucceeded to the crown of Scotland, anno
1165; and died anno 1214.
9
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
37
and the lady Grizel Lyon, daughter of Patrick, earl of
Strathmore. By the death of his elder brother, who,
having unhappily engaged in the rebellion of 1715, was
attainted, but afterwards pardoned: he became the repre-
fentative of the family. No other particulars are known
relative to his naval fervice, except that he was, on the
29th of February 1712, appointed captain either of the
Garland or the Greyhound.
RICHARDS, James, was, on the 10th of March
1711, appointed, by captain Ryddel, to be commander of
the Mary galley, as fucceffor to captain Mabbot, who fell
in action with two French fhips of war on the preceding
day. He died on the 12th of July following, not having,
as it is faid, lived to have his rank confirmed by the board
of admiralty at home.
TEMPLE, John,-was, on the 24th of March 1712,
appointed captain of the South Sea Caftle. He was im-
mediately ordered to the Weft Indies with the fmall
fquadron fent thither under fir Hovenden Walker. The
day after they left Plymouth captain Temple had the good
fortune to capture a French privateer of fourteen guns and
one hundred men, which he carried into Lifbon, and
afterwards purſued his voyage according to his original
deftination. The above circumſtance, trivial as it was, was,
perhaps, as confequential as any that occurred during the
whole of the expedition. We do not find any other
mention made of him, nor is it by any means certain at
what time, or in what manner he died. In Hardy's lift
he is ſaid to have been killed in England ſometime in the
year 1734: while, in fome manufcript collections relative
to naval officers, he is faid to have died in the year pre-
ceding. By other perfons he is evidently confounded
with captain Dalziel, and is faid to have fallen in an
action with a French privateer after the conclufion of the
peace.
ARUNDEL,
C 3
38
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1713.
ARUNDEL, Charles,-with thirty three other gen-
tlemen, took rank as poft captains, by a general order,
from the 1st day of January 1712-13. We ftate this cir-
cumftance merely to avoid the dull repetition of giving
the fame date to their feveral commiffions. Captain.
Arundel was appointed to the Seahorfe; but no circum-
ſtance relative to him is known, his death excepted,
which happened on the 8th of November 1723.
BAKER, Hercules, was the fon of vice-admiral
Baker*, of whom a ſhort account has been already given.
This gentleman was appointed captain of the Seahorſe on
the fame day the preceding gentleman was, fo that a prior
command of a few hours only conftituted Mr. Baker his
fenior in rank. He was, not long afterwards, removed
into the Fox frigate, which fhip we find him captain of,
in the Mediterranean, in the month of October 1715.
Although there cannot be any doubt of his having ob-
tained many appointments fubfequent to that juſt men-
tioned, yet we do not find any of them fo particularized as
to warrant our mentioning them. In 1736 he was ap-
pointed treaſurer of Greenwich-hofpital, an office he
held till his death, which happened on the 27th of October
1744.
BRISCOE, John.-The name of this gentleman is
inſerted in rear-admiral Hardy's lift of naval officers as
having been appointed. captain of the Succefs on the fame.
day with the gentlemen above-mentioned, and as having
died commander of the fame fhip fometime in the year
1714.
BLACKET, Sir Edward,-was the fecond fon of fir
Edward Blacket, in the county of York, baronet; and
Mary, daughter to fir John York, of Richmond in the
aforefaid county, knight. Having entered into the naval
fervice he was made captain of the Phoenix; but we do
* See Vol. II. page 379.
not
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
39
not find any other mention made of him. His elder
brother, William, dying in the lifetime of his father, he
fucceeded to the title on the deceafe of the latter. This
happened on the 23d of April 1718; and it is moſt pro-
bable that the retirement of fir Edward took place at that,
if not at an earlier period. He married the daughter of
the Rev. Thomas Jekyll, of Weſtminſter, D. D. This
lady was the niece of the late fir Joſeph Jekyll, knight,
maſter of the rolls, and relict of fir Nicholas Roberts, of
London, merchant. Sir Edward died at Seaton Delaval,
of a mortification in his leg, on March 1, 1756.
CAYLEY, or CALEY, Tyrwhit, was appointed
captain of the Rofe frigate. So undiftinguiſhable were
the fervices and commands on which this gentleman was
employed, that we find no mention made of him till the
year 1741, when he commanded the Lancaſter of eighty
guns. We believe this to have been a guardſhip, as its
name is not inferted in any of the lines of battle made
out at that time. On the 7th of May 1745, he was ap-
pointed a commiffioner for fick and wounded feamen, and
for exchanging prifoners of war. On the 9th of January*
1748, he was appointed one of the commiffioners of the
victualling office, a ftation he held till the time of his
death, which happened on the 6th of December 1751.
CAMPBELL, James, or Joshua, was appointed
commander of the Squirrel; and, after a very unnoticed
fervice of fix years, died on the 2d of November 1718,
being at that time captain of the Wincheſter, or, as
others fay, the Winchelfea.
CAMPBELL, Matthew,was appointed to a frigate
called the Dunbar Caftle. No mention is made as to what
ſubſequent commiffions he held, or even whether he was
afterwards employed. He died at Leith on the 27th of
April 1723.
CODNER, John,-was appointed to the Deal Caſtle,
and was ſoon afterwards ordered to the Weſt Indies. He
died there on the 23d of April 1714, ftill retaining the
command of the Deal Castle.
DAVERS, Thomas, was made captain of the Sea-
ford; after which time his fervices are fo unnoticed that
we hear nothing of him till the year 1734, when he was
* Some accounts fay on December 16, preceding the above date,
C 4
made
40
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
made captain of the Grafton, of feventy guns, one of the
fleet collected at Spithead under the command of fir John
Norris. After the commencement of the war with
Spain, in 1739, he was appointed to the Suffolk, alſo a
fhip of feventy guns, and fent with fir Chaloner Ogle to
the Weſt Indies, on the expedition againſt Carthagena.
He was one of the commanders ordered to remain there
under Mr. Vernon, after the unfortunate failure of the
above enterprize; and was left commodore of the fhips.
at Jamaica when the vice-admiral failed on the expedition
againſt Cuba. He does not, however, appear to have
been concerned in any very material or confequential
fervice. Returning to England about the year 1742, he
was, on the 7th of December 1743, promoted to be rear-
admiral of the red, which was the firſt rank he ever held
as a flag officer. On the 23d of June 1744, he was ad-
vanced to be vice-admiral of the white, and was foon after-
wards appointed commander-in-chief of a fquadron, con-
fifting of four third rates, of feventy and eighty guns each;
five fourth rates, of fixty and fifty; three fifth rates, of
forty; befides two bomb-ketches and other fmall veffels,
ordered out to Jamaica.
He failed from St. Helen's on the 18th of November;
but having encountered dreadful weather on his paffage*,
did not reach Jamaica till the 11th of March. On the
23d of April following he was farther promoted to be
vice-admiral of the red, which was the higheſt rank he
ever lived to attain to, Although no opportunity offered
itſelf to the vice-admiral of ftriking a fignal blow, or
atchieving any very memorable exploit, yet he highly con-
tributed to diftrefs the enemy and protect the commerce of
his own countrymen, by a very able difpofition of his
cruifers, and the greateſt perfonal activity in directing the
operations of ſuch fhips as he retained under his own more
immediate command. He continued thus employed dur-
ing the remainder of his life, dying commander-in-chief,
at Jamaica, on the 16th of September 1747.
* He arrived at Madeira on the 18th of December, almoft in a
fingle fhip, having loft company with the greateſt part of his fleet and
convoy, in a gale of wind, the night after he left St. Helen's. He
was, in a few days indeed joined by a confiderable number of
ftragglers; and, on the whole, little injury was fuftained except that
of delay,
DAVIS,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
41
DAVIS, Richard,-was appointed captain of the Maid-
ftone. He did not live to attain to any command worth
commemorating, dying in the Downs, on the 2d of
Auguft 1718, being at that time captain of the Solebay.
·
DENNIS, or DENNET, Thomas. We have to
take notice of this gentleman only as having been ap-
pointed captain of the Glaſgow. All other particulars,
even that of the time of his death, being unknown to us.
FAIRLEY, George, was appointed captain of the
Hind. He was difmiffed from his command by the ſen-
tence of a court-martial, held at Chatham on the 17th of
December 1714, in confequence of his irregular conduct,
He was afterwards reſtored to his ſtation in the ſervice,
and allowed to take rank, as a poft captain, from the 10th
of March 1715. He was, a long time afterwards, made
captain of the Hawke, which, notwithſtanding his having
been regularly readmitted to his former rank, is faid to
have been only a floop of war. He was difmiffed from
this veffel alfo on the 30th of Auguſt 1724, probably
on account of fome farther miſdemeanour.
FALKINGHAM, Edward, was, on the 26th of
February 1712-13, appointed captain of the Weymouth.
The next ftation in which we have been able to find
him is in the year 1717, at which time he commanded
the Dartmouth, one of the Baltic fleet under fir
George Byng. Immediately after his return from that
expedition he was promoted to the Orford, of feventy
guns, and fent to the Mediterranean, where he very much
diſtinguiſhed himſelf under his former commander, Byng,
in the memorable encounter with the Spanish fleet off
Cape Paffaro. The Orford and the Grafton, being the
two beft failing fhips in the English fleet, came up firft
with the rear of the Spaniards; and, after having for
fome time patiently endured the fire of their ftern-chace
guns, began the action by attacking and clofing with the
Santa Rofa, of fixty-four guns, and the Prince of Afturias,
of feventy guns. The former ftruck, after a very gallant
refiftance, to the Orford. The naval operations of the
above ſcene of warfare were confined to the cafual de-
ſtruction of fome of the few ftraggling fhips which eſcaped
out of the action, and the blockade of others in the ports.
where they had taken refuge. No particular mention is
made
42
'LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
made of captain Falkingham during the remainder of the
expedition; nor do we again meet with him in command
till the year 1723, when he was appointed to the Prince
Frederic, of feventy guns, one of four thips of the line
ordered to be equipped at Portſmouth.
He continued in the fame command ſeveral years, having
in 1726, ferved under fir Charles Wager, who was fent
out to the Baltic and foon after his return from thence
was ordered out to join the fame commander, who had
been previouſly diſpatched with a fquadron to cover and
protect Gibraltar. It is needlefs to enter into any par-
ticular detail of the occurrences which took place during
the expedition alluded to, more efpecially as captain
Falkingham does not appear to have been ſpecially en-
gaged beyond the ordinary and regular routine of fervice.
The Prince Frederic being put out of commiffion imme-
diately after its return with fir Charles, in the month of
April 1728, Mr. Falkingham was appointed to the Royal
Oak, a fhip of the fame force with the former. He did
not long continue in this fhip, being, in the following
year, promoted to the Princefs Amelia, of eighty guns.
He, foon after this time, fo far attracted the notice of fir
Charles Wager, that, in 1729, he was appointed to com-
mand the Cornwall, of eighty guns, which was pitched
upon by that admiral for his flag fhip. The fleet then
equipped never went to fea; and we are ignorant as to
the length of time he continued to retain the fame com-
mand: but, in 1731, when a fleet was ordered for the
Mediterranean to fettle Don Carlos in his Italian domi-
nions, he was appointed to the Namure, of ninety guns, the
fhip on board which his former patron hoiſted his flag as
commander-in-chief.
The commiffions he held after the above time are not
particularly fpecified; and the naval tranſactions which
took place previous to the actual rupture with Spain, in
1739, were fo unintereſting, that we have little occafion to
complain of the deficiency. We do not find him engaged
in the fervice, after the commencement of the war, except
as captain of the Elizabeth, a third rate, and of the Royal
George, a firſt rate, which he commanded during the
*
*He failed with Mr. Vernon when that gentleman left England
on the expedition against Porto Bello; but was one of the captains
left to cruiſe off Cape Ortugal.
9
latter
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
43
latter end of the year 1740, and a confiderable part of the
enſuing; but from the circumſtance of the enemy having
no fleet at fea, he had no opportunity of diſtinguiſhing
himfelf: indeed there was but little opportunity, or time,
for his receiving any more active employment, as,
on the 10th of December 1742, he was appointed com-
miffioner of the navy refident at Port Mahon, a then
newly created office, rendered temporarily neceffary on
account of the repairs, and other affiftance in the civil line
of ſervice, wanted by the fhips employed on that ſtation.
In 1745 he returned to England, on being promoted
committioner-refident of the yards of Woolwich and
Deptford. In the following year he quitted that employ-
ment, and was made an extra commiffioner of the navy.
This office he held till the month of February 1755, and
was then advanced to be comptroller; but having attained
an advanced age, and being in rather a weak debilitated
ftate, he retired, in the month of November following, on
a penfion of 600l. a year. He enjoyed this honourable
teſtimony of his former meritorious fervice till his death,
which happened on the 18th of September 1757.
GARLINGTON, Thomas, was, on the 1ft of Ja-
nuary 1712-13, appointed captain of the Triton's Prize.
The first mention we find made of him, as captain of a
fhip of the line, was in the year 1720, when he com-
manded the Dorfetfhire, of eighty guns, under rear-admiral
Hopfon. He held the fame ftation during the following
year; both in that and the preceding having been employed
in the Baltic. We find no notice taken of him after
the above time till 1734, when he commanded the
Princefs Caroline, of eighty guns, one of the fleet equip-
ped and put under the orders of fir John Norris, but
which did not go to fea till the following year. We are
unacquainted with his having held a command after the
above time; and, indeed, of any other particulars relative
to him, except that, during a fhort part of the year 1740,
he commanded the Chicheſter, of eighty guns, one of the
fleet which was ordered to cruife in the Channel under fir
John Norris, but which was fo frequently compelled to
put back by contrary winds, as to become almoſt prover-
bial. He died in England on the 14th of December 1743.
GRAVES, Thomas,-was, on the fame day with the
preceding gentleman, appointed either to the Dunwich or
Dunkirk,
44
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
"
Dunkirk, a confufion arifing, moſt probably from fome
miſtake in the manufcript lifts which have been preſerved.
His feveral appointments were for many years of fo un-
diftinguiſhed a nature, that we find no mention whatever
made of him till the beginning of the year 1728, when
he was made captain of the Aſſiſtance, a fourth rate of fifty
guns. He continued in this fhip till the year 1732, but
does not appear to have been engaged in any fervice of the
fmalleft confequence. Lediard afferts the Afſiſtance was
one of the ſhips employed in the expedition to the Medi-
terranean under fir Charles Wager, in 1731, for the pur-
pofe of putting the Infant Don Carlos in poffeffion of his
Italian dominions, bequeathed him by the duke of Parma.
In this inftance he is however miſtaken, the Affiftance, as
well as many other veffels, given as part of the armament
in his account of the expedition alluded to, not having
proceeded on it.
In 1734 he was promoted to the Swallow, of fixty guns,
and ordered to join the fleet affembled, under fir John
Norris, at Spithead. Soon after the actual commence-
ment of the war with Spain, in 1739, he was appointed
captain of the Norfolk, of eighty guns, that fhip being
ordered to join the fleet fitting for the expedition againſt
Carthagena. He diftinguiſhed himſelf very much in the
attack of the forts St. Jago and St. Philip: and on the
failure of that expedition, returned to England with Mr.
Leftock. After this time he appears to have retired from
the fervice, no mention being made of his having been
appointed to any other fhip. On the 15th of July 1747,
He was promoted to the rank of a rear-admiral, and put
on the fuperannuated lift; by which he became entitled
to the half-pay of 17s. 6d. per day, during life. He died
on the 1st of December 1755-
GROME, or GRAHAM, William,-was appointed
captain of the Surprize, a frigate taken from the enemy
in the preceding war. This is the only reafon we
have to make mention of here, for we do not find him
holding any fubfequent command. He died in England
on the 9th of January 1717.
HADDOCK, William,-was, at the fame time with
the preceding gentleman, advanced to the rank of poft
* In 1740.
captain,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 45
captain, and appointed to the Port Mahon frigate. In
1718 we find him commander of the Dreadnought, of
fixty guns, one of the fleet fent into the Mediterranean
under fir George Byng. He acquitted himſelf with the
greateſt credit in the action with the Spaniſh fleet, but is
not otherwiſe mentioned in the courfe of the expedition.
In the year 1723 he was made captain of the Nottingham,
of fixty guns, a ſhip we believe to have been ſtationed as a
guardship till the year 1726, when captain Haddock was
ordered to the Weſt Indies with vice-admiral Hofier.
He there unhappily fell among the first victims to that
inhofpitable climate, which at that time proved ſo re-
markably deſtructive to inactive bravery. He died at the
Baſtimento's off Porto Bello, on the 26th of October
1726.
HARWOOD, Robert, was made captain of the
Biddeford. No other notice whatever is taken of him as
a naval officer; nor have we been able to collect any
particulars concerning him, except that he died in England
on the 6th of January 1747.
HERDMAN, Mungo,-is nearly in the fame predica-
ment; he was appointed captain of the Blandford: but we
know nothing farther concerning him, except that he is
ſaid to have been killed, on the 8th of March 1727, by a
fall from his horfe, he being at that time captain of the
Rofe. A private memorandum we have met with con-
cerning this gentleman, informs us that he died in the
month of March 1726, being then commander of the
Hampshire. But this account we believe to be totally
erroneous.
HOWARD, Thomas, -is mentioned only as having
been appointed captain of the Flamborough frigate.
Even the time of his death is unknown.
*
HUGHES, Thomas, was made captain of the Med-
way's Prize, and is as much unnoticed as any of his
cotemporaries, nothing being known concerning him
except that he died in England on the 31st of Auguſt
1731.
* A captain Hughes commanded the Chefter, of eighty guns, in
the year 1721; but we are unable poſitively to determine, whether it
was this gentleman, or one of his predeceffors, of whom an account
has been given. Vol. III. p. 165, and 232.
HUME,
46
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
HUME, Francis*,-was, on the 24th of July 1713,
appointed captain of the Triton's Prize. In 1718 he
commanded the Scarborough, a ſmall frigate employed on
the Weſt India ftation, where he had the good fortune to
capture a very ftout pirate fhip, mounting eighteen
guns, which had long infefted thoſe feas; an action,
eſpecially in the time of peace, which more particularly
deferves recording from the great ſcarcity of events which
arife, during ſuch a period, within the limits of our
accounts. In the year 1723 he was appointed captain of
the Bedford, a third rate of feventy guns, ordered to be
equipped at Portfmouth. He does not appear to have
retained this command for any confiderable length of time;
nor have we any fubfequent information, except that, on
account of fome private difcontent, the caufe of which
we are totally ignorant of, he put a period to his own
exiftence by fhooting himſelf. This melancholy event
happened in Scotland on the 8th of February 1753.
JONES, Arthur,-was another of the many officers.
promoted to the rank of poft captains on the Ift of Janu-
ary 1712-13. He was appointed to the Lizard. He
never appears to have been inveſted with any command
more confequential than that of a frigate, or to have been
employed on any memorable fervice. He died at Bar-
badoes on the 23d of April 1731, being at that time com-
mander of the Phoenix.
LLOYD, William, was appointed captain of the
Dunkirk Prize. This gentleman, as well as the former,
never had any higher command than that of a frigate.
He was unfortunately drowned, at Harwich, on the 12th
of May 1723, his boat overfetting with him when going
on board the Hawke floop of war.
MARWOOD, Thomas,-was appointed to the Grey-
hound. He continued almoſt conſtantly employed as
* He was the deſcendant of a very ancient and honourable family
in North Britain, indifcriminately called Home, or Hume. Gordon
remarks, that though the firname of this noble family is certainly
local, yet there are few in Scotland can boaft of fo high and princely
an origin as that of Home, being a branch of the great and illuftrious
houfe of Dunbar, earls of March, who were undoubtedly fprung from
the Saxon kings of England, and the princes and earls of Northum-
berland.
captain
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
47
captain of a frigate; but having been unhappily guilty of
fome irregularities in his conduct, was brought to a court-
martial, at Woolwich, on the 10th of January 1719, and
fentenced to pay a fine equivalent to three months pay.
He continued, however, to be employed, being immediately
reinftated in his command. He died at Jamaica on the
5th of September 1731, being then commander of the
Lyme.
MIDDLETON, Sir Hugh,-was the great-grandfon
of fir Hugh Middleton * of London, baronet, fo created
on the 22d of October 1662. The title appears to have
defcended to him through fir William Middleton, the
third fon of fir Hugh, whom we take to have been the
grandfather of the gentleman whom we are about to give
fome account of.
Having entered into the navy at an early age, he was,
after paffing through the feveral fubordinate ranks, ap-
pointed captain of the Medway's Prize; and afterwards
progreffively commanded feveral frigates, in particular
the Loweſtoffe, of thirty-two guns, in the year 1717, one
of the ſhips ordered for the Baltic under the command of
fir George Byng. Not having paid that attention to the
orders he received from the board of admiralty at the time
he commanded the Pearl, he was brought to a court-
martial on the 6th of October 1727, and ſentenced to be
difmiffed the fervice "for miſbehaviour and neglect of
He found out the filver mines in North Wales: but what ren-
ders his name famous to pofterity is, the undertaking to draw a trench,
or cut of water, from the fprings of Amwell and Chadwell, near
Ware, in Hertfordshire, to the north part of the city of London, (now
called the New River); but confuming a fair eftate in the charge and
expence of this great work, whereby he was difabled to accomplish the
fame, the mayor, commonalty, and citizens of London attempted it,
and in order thereto, obtained an act of parliament, A. D. 1605,
which fince has been confirmed, with new powers, by other acts of
parliament. The fame not only brings in a vaft fum, annually, to the pre-
fent proprietors; but is of vaft uſe to the city and fuburbs of London,
who are chiefly ferved with this water, at an annual rent.
Sir Hugh
gave a fhare in the river water to the company of goldfmiths, for the
benefit of the poor members of it, which is greatly advanced ſince his
death. The dividend of one half year (in 1704) amounted to 1341.
which dividends are cuftomarily beftowed upon the faid poor at 26s.
each.
duty."
48
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
duty." In Mr. Hardy's lift of naval officers, he is faid
to have been restored to the fervice, which we cannot dif-
prove; but we have not the leaſt authority to ſay he was
ever again employed. A manufcript memorandum we
have met with concerning him informs us, a penſion of
forty pounds a year was granted him in confequence of
his extreme poverty after his difmiffion, as above ſtated.
The precife time of his death is unknown; but certainly
did not happen till after the year 1740.
NURSE, Edward,-was appointed captain of the Fox
frigate. He was difmiffed the fervice, but in what year,
or on what occafion, is not known; nor is the time of his
death any where given.
OBRÍEN, Chriftopher,-of Ennyſtemmon, otherwiſe
Newhall, in the county of Clare, efq. was a collateral de-
fcendant from the very ancient and honourable Iriſh
ftock, whence the earls of Inchiquin and Thomond have
derived their origin *. He was appointed captain of the
Succefs ftorefhip, on the 11th of April 1713. In the
following year he is faid to have gone over to Ruffia, where
he entered into the ſervice of the Czar, who received him
with the greateſt attention, and almoſt immediately cre-
ated him a rear-admiral. He returned, indeed, to
England in a few years; not improbably on account of
the frequent indications of a rupture between the courts
of Mofcow and London.
In the year 1718 we find him commanding the Rippon,
of fixty guns, one of the fleet fent to the Mediterranean
under the command of fir George Byng, with whom he
was confequently a participator in the memorable victory
obtained over the Spaniſh fleet off Sicily. On his return
from thence he was, in 1721, appointed to the Effex, a
ſhip of the fame force, which was ordered to Liſbon as one
of the fleet intended to be ſent thither under the command
of fir Charles Wager; but which, in confequence of the
fubmiffion of the Portugueſe, never put to fea. In 1726
* The family of O'Brien, one of the moſt ancient and noble in the
kingdom of Ireland, is faid to derive its deſcent from Hiberius, or
Heber, eldeſt ſon of Milefius, king of Spain, who was born in Egypt,
and, with his brother Heremon, began their reign jointly over Ireland
in the year of the world 2704.
he
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
49
commanded the Yarmouth, of feventy guns, one of the
fleet fent into the Baltic againſt that very nation, under
whofe banners captain O'Brien had formerly enlifted.
No hoftilities, however, took place. His next appoint-
ment was to the Dreadnought, of fixty guns, one of fifteen
fhips of the line ordered to be immediately got ready for
fea in the month of July 1728. He did not long remain
in this fhip, being promoted, early in the following year,
to the Kent, of feventy guns, one of the fleet kept, on
various occafions, in a conftant ſtate of equipment for
two or three years. In 1731, when it at laft put to fea
in order to fecure the Infant Don Carlos in the poffeffion
of his dominions in Italy, Mr. O'Brien proceeded thither
in the fame fhip. Not long after his return to England
he is faid to have again entered into the fervice of Ruffia,
which quitting a fecond time, he refumed once more his
original ſtation of captain in the Britiſh navy, being ap-
pointed, in 1742, to the Princefs Royal, a fecond rate.
In this command he died on the 11th of February 1743-
OWEN, William, was, on the ft of January,
appointed captain of the Solebay. We have nothing to
add relative to this gentleman, but that he died in England
on the 14th of Auguſt 1722, being at that time commander
of the Ipſwich.
PACE, John,-was, on the 27th of February 1713,
appointed captain of the Triton's Prize, but is not other-
wife mentioned.
PARKER, Chriftopher,-was a gentleman of a very
refpectable and ancient family in Ireland. On January 1,
1712-13, he was promoted to the command of the Speed-
well; but fo undiſtinguiſhed were his feveral fervices and
employments, that we have no information concerning
them till the year 1739, when he was appointed captain of
the Torbay, of eighty guns. In 1740 we find him cap-
tain of the fame fhip, which was one of the fleet equipped
for Channel ſervice, and put under the command of fir
John Norris. On its return into port, and fubfequent
order to fail to the Weft Indies with fir Chaloner
Ogle on the expedition againft Carthagena, captain
Parker quitted the command of the Torbay; and we find
no mention made of his having held any naval employment
or commiffion after that time. On the 1ft of September
VOL. IV.
174%,
D
50
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1747, he totally retired from the fervice with the rank of
a rear-admiral on half pay. He died in Henry-ftreet,
Dublin, on the 1ft of February 1765, having reached a
very advanced age.
PARR, John, was appointed to the Penzance; and is
no farther mentioned than as having died, in England, on
the 23d of May 1742.
POOLE, Charles,-was made captain of the Newport;
and is equally unnoticed, except that he is faid to have
died on the 26th of January 1738. A MS. memorandum
ftates him to have died one year earlier.
ST. LOO, John, -- was appointed to the Valeur.
After which he at different periods had the command of
feveral frigates, which, owing to the particular circum-
ftances of the times, were employed on fervices that have
paffed unnoticed, with the exceptions, that, in 1727, he
commanded the Ludlow Caftle on the Newfoundland ſta-
tion *; and, in 1729, was captain of the York, of fixty
guns, one of the fleet collected, under fir Charles Wager,
at Spithead, but quitted that ſhip in the following year.
In 1731, he was appointed to the Experiment,
a fhip of twenty guns, ordered to be equipped for the
Weſt Indies to protect the commerce of that part of the
world from the infults and depredations daily com-
mitted on it by the Spanish guarda coftas. We find no
mention made of him after this time till the year 1745;
when he commanded the Princeſs Royal, a fecond rate.
On the 15th of July 1747, he was put on the fuperannu-
ated lift with the rank and half pay of a rear-admiral; a
comfortable and honourable retirement, which he enjoyed
till his death, on the 28th of December 1757.
SAUNDERSON, or SANDERSON, Sir William,
-was the fon of captain Ralph Sanderfon, of whom we
have given a short account, Vol. I. page 314. He is
by many perfons confounded with, and fuppofed to
be the fame perfon with the fir William Saunderfon of
whom fome mention is alfo made, Vol. II. p. 192;
* In Gazette, No. 6665, is an addrefs prefented by this gentleman
to his majelly king George the Second, on his acceffion to the throne,
from the inhabitants of Placentia, and the ſeveral fettlements on the
fouthern coall of Newfoundland.
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
51
and while there are ſome reaſons * which ſtrongly militate
againſt ſuch an idea, there are many which appear to fa-
vour it. Captain Saunderſon was appointed to the Pere-
grine yacht; and having, after the demife of queen Anne,
had the honour of attending king George the Firſt to
England, on his firft arrival from Hanover after his accef-
fion to the crown, was knighted by that monarch, at
Gravefend, under the royal ftandard, before he landed.
This is the only occafion on which he appears in the cha-
racter of a naval officer; for quitting that line of fervice
immediately after receiving the above honour, he was
appointed gentleman-uſher of the black rod; and, on the
19th of July 1720, was created a baronet.
He married, firft, Drury, one of the daughters and
coheirs of fir William Wray, of Afhby, in the county of
Lincoln, baronet, by whom he had ſeveral children;
Ralph + and Edward, who were both fea officers, and died
before him without iffue; fir William, who afterwards.
fucceeded him; and a daughter, named Tufton. He
married, to his fecond wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sa-
muel Howe, efq. judge of the high court of admiralty,
which Elizabeth was the relict of Simon Dagge, of Derby,
efq. great-grandfon of fir Simon Dagge, knight, one of
the judges of the king's bench. By this lady fir William
* He (the first of thefe gentlemen) is ftiled fir William Sanderſon
in the year 1688; and the perfon of whom we are now ſpeaking cer-
tainly, had no right to that title till the year 1714. On the other
hand we may be induced to fuppofe this a miſtake or anachroniſm,
in fome of the tranfcribers of the MS. from which this information is
derived, occafioned by his having, at a fubfequent time, received that
honour. We are fupported in this belief by the circumſtance of his
fon, Ralph, having attained to the rank of poft captain ſeveral years
before him. If they are in reality one and the fame perfon, fir
William muſt have lived in total retirement from the fervice during
a period of twenty years; that is to fay, from the year 1693 to 1713,
a circumftance very extraordinary, and not a little improbable. There
are many reaſons of inferior confequence which might be urged on
both fides of the queſtion; but as the real ftate of the fact could not
even then be ſettled, we ſhall avoid entering into a long and unneceſ
fary detail.
+ Whom we have already noticed, page 16.
D 2
had
52
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
had no iffue. He died at Greenwich on the 17th of
May 1727*.
SHORTER, John, was appointed to the Gibralter.
We find no other mention made of him except that of
his death, which happened, in England, on the 2d of
May 1723.
WHORWOOD, or WARWOOD, Thomas,-was
appointed to the Queenborough frigate. We hear no-
thing more of him, notwithstanding we are perfuaded he
held many intermediate commiflions, till the month of
April 1723, when he was made commander of the Captain,
a third rate of feventy guns; in which fhip he continued
three or four years, being employed at home†, till the year
1726, when he accompanied fir Charles Wager to the
Baltic. His next confequential command was that of the
Cambridge, of eighty guns, to which fhip he was ap-
pointed, in 1739, on the expectation of a rupture with
Spain; and in the following year ferved in the fleet, col-
lected for Channel fervice, under the command of fir John
Norris. On his return into port he was promoted to the
Neptune of ninety guns, in which fhip he remained two
years. Not long after he quitted this command, he was,
on the 26th of May 1744, appointed commiffioner of the
* In the Engliſh baronetage are the following particulars relative
to the family, which, as fpecially relating to captain Ralph Sanderfon,
the immediate father of fir William, we have thought it may not be
improper to infert.
•
James, the third fon of Alexander De Bedic, being called Alex-
ander fon, whence came the family name of Sanderfon, married the
daughter of fir Walter Witton, and lies buried in Washington
church, the 10th of Richard II. 1387. After ten defcents more,
was William Sanderſon, (whofe father being killed in the unnatural
rebellion, temp Car. I.) he was, after the refloration, an officer in the
Dutch wars, in 1664-5, in which engagement, his foot flipping, he fell
down, and by which fall he died; but fuch was the great efteem that
prince had for him, that he buried him at Queenborough, under the
altar, at his own expence; and made his fon Ralph, the next day after
the engagement, lieutenant to fir John Harman. This William mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Smith, of old Buckenham, in Nor-
folk; by whom he had iffue Ralph Sanderfon, efq. who was made a
captain in the Weft Indies, by fir J Harman; and was captain of feveral
fhips of war in the laft Dutch wars. He married Ephraim, daughter
Garrett, of Norfolk, efq and had one fon and two daughters
William, Martha, and Elizabeth. He died 1699.
of
-
This is a miſtake, it ſhould be the Mediterranean.
+ As captain of a guard fhip,
navy
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
53
navy refident at Deptford, in which ſtation he died on the
13th of February 1745.
WOOD, John, was appointed to the Sun Prize, and
is no otherwife noticed than as having died in England on
the 8th of November 1725.
WRIGHT, Ezekiel,—is as little known as the pre-
ceding gentleman. He was appointed to the Nightingale,
and died, in England, fometime in the year 1736*.
1714.
DELGARNO, Arthur,-was, on December 18, 1714,
promoted to be captain of the Hind, of twenty guns.
In the courſe of the following year his fhip was ordered
out, as a cruifer, for the protection of commerce; and,
early in the year 1716, was fent to Lifbon, and the Me-
diterranean; where he was joined, in the month of June,
by 'vice-admiral Baker, and a ſmall ſquadron equipped
for the purpoſe of reftraining the depredations and info-
lence of the Salletines, and other piratical ſtates on the
coaſt of Barbary. Captain Delgarno had ſcarcely
reached his ftation when he had the good fortune, in the
* So confiderable a number of gentlemen having been appointed
captains on the fame day, we have added a lift of the order in which
they flood in point of feniority,
Sir William Sanderſon,
Thomas Hughes,
Thomas Tomkins,
N.B. The
name of this gentleman is in-
ferted as a captain in the navy,
but no mention is made even
of the ſhip he was appointed to
command.
Thomas Dennis, or Dennet,
John Parr,
John Wood,
William Græme, or Graham,
Richard Davis,
Matthew Campbell,
Charles Poole,
John Codner,
William Lloyd,
Chriftopher Parker,
Richard Garlington,
Thomas Graves,
Ezekiel Wright,
George Fairley,
Arthur Jones,
Thomas Howard,
John St. Loe,
James Campbell,
Sir Edward Blacket,
Robert Harwood,
Thomas Whorwood,
William Haddock,
Tyrwhit Cayley,
Thomas Davers,
William Owen,
John Shorter,
Edward Nurſe,
Mungo Herdman,
Thomas Marwood,
Sir Hugh Middleton,
Hercules Baker,
Charles Arundell.
D 3
month
54
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
month of May, to capture one of the Salletine corfairs,
which, although of a force apparently contemptible,
mounting only eight guns, had done confiderable mifchief.
In the month of October, while cruifing off Cape Can-
tine, he had the farther happineſs of falling in with one
of their principal veffels, carrying twenty-four guns, and
manned with a very numerous and chofen crew.
After a
very deſperate conteft, which continued without inter-
miſſion for two hours and an half, the pirate ſtruck; but
had previouſly received fo much injury in her hull, that
fhe had fcarcely furrendered half an hour when the funk;
the ſea at the fame time running fo high that her whole
crew periſhed with her, except thirty-eight men.
When the rupture took place with Spain, in the year
1718, captain Delgarno was appointed to the Sheerness;
and being ordered out as a cruifer off the coaft of Spain
during the enſuing ſeaſon, had the good fortune to capture
a Spaniſh packet-boat, or floop of war, mounting eighteen
carriage guns and fix pattararoes, bound from St. Do-
mingo to Cadiz, having on board a very valuable cargo of
cocoa, logwood, and other commodities, befides feveral
chefts of dollars. No other notice is taken of him, ex-
cept to inform us that he died, in Scotland, on the 18th of
May 1731.
GEDDES, Alexander, the defcendant of a reſpect-
able and ancient family in Scotland, was, on the 15th of
November 1714, appointed captain of the Blandford, or,
as others fay, though we believe with lefs truth, of the
Feverfham. After he quitted the Blandford, a command
we believe him to have retained for a few months only,
he is not known to have received any other commiffion till
the 3d of November 1726, when he was made captain of
the Portland. A variety of conjectures have been formed as
to the cauſe of this inactivity, for, from feveral coinciding
circumſtances, Mr. Geddes was, at that particular period,
a man more talked of than generally happens in the cafe
of fo young a commander, and what may, comparatively
Speaking, be called fo private a perſon.
Mr. Geddes was fufpected of being a ſtrong favourer of
the houſe of Stuart; and has actually been repreſented, by
many, as having ſeriouſly engaged in a confpiracy, with many
perfons of high rank, to introduce the pretended prince of
Wales
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
55
Wales into England, where an infurrection whichwas to have
taken place in many parts at the ſame inſtant in his favour,
is faid to have been projected as the moſt feasible means of
enſuring ſucceſs to the undertaking. Nothing, however,
beyond mere furmife and conjecture; that too, perhaps,
very ill-founded, and unwarrantably propagated, appears
to have attached to captain Geddes. In times, however,
like thoſe of which we are now ſpeaking, the flighteſt ſuf-
picion is taken, and actually punished, on many occafions;
as rigidly as the moſt apparent and pofitive guilt would
deſerve and it is not improbable the cauſe above ſtated
might be the reaſon why he continued fo long fecluded
from the ſervice.
:
This treatment appears, however, to have been at laſt
confidered fo harſh and unmerited, that, as already ſtated,
he was, in the year 1726, not only appointed to a ſhip of
fifty guns, but ordered to take rank from the date of his
first commiffion; fo it plainly appears, that, previous to
his latter command, he was for fome time confidered as
totally out of the fervice. In April 1729, he was ad-
vanced to the Dreadnought, a fourth rate of fixty guns.
in which ſhip he continued till after the year 1735; and,
in common with all other his cotemporaries, who held a
command in the fame armament, paffed a life of perfect
inactivity till the year 1731, when he accompanied fir
Charles Wager to the Mediterranean. In the year 1734
his fhip was one of the fleet affembled in the Downs,
in the month of June, under the command of fir John
Norris, and which afterwards lay at Spithead during the
remainder of the fummer. In the following year we
believe him to have accompanied the fame admiral on his
voyage to Liſbon; but find no other mention made of
him till after the rupture with Spain in 1739. In confe-
quence of that event he was, towards the latter end of
the year 1740, appointed to the Marlborough, a fecond
rate of ninety guns: in which fhip he ferved, during the
enfuing year, under fir John Norris, who had the com-
mand in the Channel; but where no tranfaction, in any
degree interefting took place, as the ſcene of war in
-Europe was almost totally confined to and centered in
the Mediterranean.
D 4
That
56:
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
That fhip being ordered foon after to join admiral
Haddock, who had the chief command on the ſtation juft
mentioned, captain Geddes quitted her; and we have not
been able to diſcover whether he was afterwards appointed
to another. On the 6th of April 1743, he was made
an extra commiffioner of the navy; but having attained an
advanced age, and become very infirm, he retired altoge
ther from public life in the month of June 1749. A
temporary penfion of 250l. a year was fettled on him, by
order of council, bearing date on the 28th of the fame
month, till, as was expreffed in the minute, he could be
better provided for. This honourable retirement he had
not the fatisfaction of enjoying for any length of time,
dying in England on the 24th of January 1750.
From the general conduct and fubfequent treatment of
this gentleman, the following uſeful and inftructive leffon
may be drawn, first, that the political principles of a man
of ſtrict honour can rarely or never become injurious to his
native county, however ftrongly they may militate againſt
the general opinion; and, fecondly, that oppreffion, though
frequently, is at the fame time too often wantonly charged
on thoſe who are entruſted with the management of public
concerns. Though, from the nature of their ſtations, they
may be compelled to be hafty and violent, even to a degree of
imprudence in their cenfures, refentments, and punishments,
yet
the inftant cool reafon fhall have fuperceded the impetu-
ofity they were, perhaps, reluctantly compelled to adopt;
nót afhamed of acknowledging their former error, they
are equally as eager in endeavouring to atone for it, as they
had before been to embrace, for poſitive proof, that very
doubtful and prefumptive evidence which led them into it,
WILLIS, Francis, was, on the 20th of September
1714, appointed captain of the Deal Caſtle, of twenty-
four guns. He continued in this fhip feveral years; and,
in 1717, was ordered, with fir George Byng, to the
Baltic, which appears to have been the first confequential
fervice in which he was employed. He afterwards com-
manded two or three fmall frigates on different unnoticed
fervices; and was at laft unfortunately loft, in a gale of
wind, off the Lizard, on the roth of November 1729,
he being at that time commander of the Royal Anne galley.
In this veffel he had been ordered to proceed to Barba-
does
-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
5-77
does with the lord Belhaven, who had been just before
appointed governor of the island. His lordſhip, and the
greateft part of the crew, perifhed with the veffel,
1715.
BRAND, Ellis, was, on the 19th of October 1715,
appointed captain of the Garland, and, extraordinary as
it may appear, is not ever afterwards noticed; fuch
commands, therefore, as he was happy enough to obtain,
muft, to a certainty, have unfortunately been of a
very trivial and undiſtinguiſhable nature. He was one of
the officers put on the fuperannuated lift, as a rear-
admiral, in purfuance of an order made on the 28th of
July 1747: an honourable penfion, which he confequently
enjoyed till his death, on the 22d of October 1759.
DENT, Digby,-was, on the 5th of October 1715,
promoted to be captain of the Lynn, a fifth rate of forty
guns. In this fhip he continued feveral years; and, in
1717, accompanied fir George Byng on his expedition to
the Baltic. We do not believe he obtained the command
of a fhip of the line previous to the year 1731, when he
was appointed to the Captain, of ſeventy guns, one of the
fleet ordered to the Mediterranean under fir C. Wager.
He continued, after his return, to command the fame fhip for
a confiderable length of time, at leaft, till after 1734, when
it was one of the fleet collected, in the Downs, under the
command of fir J. Norris. He was very foon after this
appointed commodore of the fquadron employed on the
Jamaica ftation, where he died on the 19th of Auguft
1737.
KENDAL, Charles, after having for fome time
commanded, as acting captain, the Exeter, of feventy
guns, was, on that fhip's being ordered to join fir George
Byng, appointed captain of the Queenborough frigate on
the 26th of July 1715. We have no particular account
of his having held any command after this time, till the
year
58
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
year 1726, when he was appointed to the Weymouth, of
fifty guns, one of the fhips fent into the Baltic under the
command of fir Charles Wager. With this gentleman
he continued to ferve, on his being ordered to the Medi-
terranean, during the fiege of Gibraltar; but is not in any
other way mentioned in the ſervice, nor do we even meet
with him named as commander of any fhip. He died,
according to Mr. Hardy, on the 19th of January 1743;
but other accounts place it exactly three years later.
PEARCE, Vincent, was, on the 5th of October
1715, promoted to the command of the Phoenix, of
twenty-four guns. In this fhip he remained a conſider-
able time, having, in 1717, accompanied fir George
Byng to the Baltic; and being ordered, in the following
year, to the Bahama Iſlands, to fupprefs a formid-
able band of pirates who had taken fhelter there and
committed numberless depredations on the fhips of all
nations which frequented the coaſt of Africa, the Weſt
Indies, or the American feas. By the diligence and acti-
vity diſplayed by himſelf and two or three other com-
manders who were employed in the fame kind of ſervice
this nuiſance was foon fuppreffed. After his return from
the laſt-mentioned ftation he was, in 1723, appointed
captain of the Rippon, of fixty guns, one of twelve
fhips of the line then put in commiffion, but on what
occafion, except for the purpoſe of guarding againſt any
fudden or unexpected infult, ftill remains a fecret. We
find no other mention made of him after this time, except
that he died on the 28th of May 1745, having, as we be-
lieve, retired from the fervice for feveral years.
PHILLIPS, Erafmus,-was, on the 23d of December
1715, promoted to be captain of the Blandford frigate.
This fhip being obliged, foon after the first appointment,
to be taken into dock for a thorough repair, he was, a
fecond time, commiffioned to her on the 12th of April 1717.
He was unfortunately drowned in the bay of Biſcay, the
fhip foundering, in a gale of wind, on the 28th of March
1719.
SMART, Thomas,-was, on the 26th of July 1715,
appointed captain of the Squirrel, of twenty guns, one of
the fhips ordered to attend fir George Byng, who had juſt
before been inveſted with the command, in the North Seas,
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
59
of a ftout fquadron, intended to prevent the introduction of
any fupplies into Scotland for the fupport of the rebel army
in that kingdom. He is no otherwiſe mentioned than
as having died on the 8th of November 1722.
WHITWORTH, Edward,-was, on the 2d of June
1715 appointed captain of the Blandford; in which fhip
he did not long continue, being, in the month of De-
cember following, promoted to the Ludlow Caſtle, and
ordered for Jamaica. After his return from that ſtation,
about the year 1719, he was made captain of the Adven-
ture, in which fhip he died on the 28th of April 1721.
WILLIAMS, Thomas, was, on the 9th of July
1715, appointed to the Launcefton. In 1720 he com-
manded the Warwick, of fifty guns, one of the fleet ſent
to the Baltic under fir John Norris. We believe him to
have retired not long after this time from the fervice; for
although he lived till the 21ft of July 1752, we do not find
any mention made of him after his command of the War-
wick. He was alſo omitted in the different promotions of
flag officers, the fenior of which *, the honourable George
Clinton, was, at the time of captain Williams's death,
his junior on the lift of captains. The above circum-
ftances appear fully to juftify this fuppofition.
1716.
CLINTON, Honourable Georget,
was the fecond
fon of Francis, fixth earl of Lincoln, and his fecond wife
Sufan
* Excepting admiral Stewart, admiral of the fleet.
+ This family took their name of Clinton from a lordſhip in Com.
Oxon, now called Glimton; and (as appears from a manufcript in
the Cotton Library, Tiberius, E 9.) defcended from William de
Villa Tancredi, chamberlain of Normandy, and Maud his wife,
daughter of William de Arches, whofe defcent is derived from
Wevia, fifter to Gunora, dutchefs of Normandy; which William had
iffue three fons, Ofbert, Renebald, and William, who all accompa
nied
60
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Sufan Penniſton, daughter of Anthony Pennifton, esq. of
the county of Oxford. This gentleman having entered
early in life into the navy, was, after a long fervice and
regular progreflion through the different fubordinate ſta-
tions, promoted, at the age of thirty-one, on the 16th of
June 1716, to be captain of the Speedwell. The next
command with which we can take upon us peremptorily.
to fay he was inveſted, was that of the Monk, a fourth
rate of fifty guns, one of the fleet fent into the Baltic,
under fir John Norris, in the year 1720. On the return
of the fleet to England, at the clofe of the year, it was
unfortunately overtaken by a dreadful tempeft, in which
all the fhips were in extreme danger, and the Monk was
unhappily loft. Her crew, however, with the greater
part of her provifions and ftores, were fayed. Captain
Clinton was, almoſt immediately after his arrival, ap-
pointed to the Nottingham, of fixty guns, a fhip em-
ployed on the fame fervice, and under the fame admiral
as in the preceding year. He quitted this command
about the year 1722; and we find no account of his hav-
ing had any fubfequent appointment till the year 1726,
when he was made captain of the Colchefter. In this
fhip he failed for the Mediterranean, under the command
of rear-admiral Hopfon. He continued on this ftation,
during the continuance of hoftilities with Spain, actively,
and as confequentially employed, by fir Charles Wager,
as the nature of the ſervice permitted*. In the month
nied William the Conqueror in his victorious expedition into Eng
land, A.D. 1066, and were rewarded by him with large poffeffions,
viz. the manors of Kenilworth, Colefhill, and Maxtoke, in Warwick
fhire, and the manor of Glimton, in Oxfordshire. Ofbert was de-
nominated de Tankervile, and had iffue William de Tankervile, his
fon and heir, whofe fon Renebal was of the fame place; which eftate
came by marriage of a female heir to William de Cantelupe; and
Renebald, fecond fon of William, having, by gift of the Conqueror,
the lordship of Clinton, in Oxfordshire, (with other lands) his des
fcendants affumed that firname.
* He was almoft conftantly employed in convoying ftorefhips be-
tween Gibraltar and the neighbouring ports, as Lisbon, Tetuan, &c.
but in the month of April 1727, was fent to eſcort the Turkey
fleet to Smyrna. He was alfo at intervals ordered out on fhort cruifes,
and on various little defultory attacks on different Spanish batteries in
the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, events too trivial to be particularly
entered into.
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
61
+
of September 1727, he was fent home to protect the
Turkey fleet from Gibraltár: and the Colcheſter being
órdered, on its arrival, to be difmantled and laid up,
captain Clinton was, in the month of July 1728, ap-
pointed commander of the Sutherland, a guard-thip, car-
rying fixty guns; in which fhip he continued till the
month of May 1729. We do not find him employed
any more till 1732, when he was appointed commodore
of the fquadron annually fent to Newfoundland, of which
iftand he was alfo made governor. In 1734 he com-
manded the Berwick, of feventy guns, one of the fleet
collected in the Downs under the command of fir John
Norris. He probably did not continue to retain this
ftation for any great length of time, for, in 1737, he was
fent out commodore and commander-in-chief of the fhips
in the Mediterranean: but we have no information that
we can pofitively rely on, as to the fhips he commanded,
till the commencement of the war with Spain, in 1739,
foon after which he was appointed to the Prince Frederic,
of feventy guns. In the following year we find him cap-
tain of the Marlborough, a fecond rate.
In 1741 he quitted the occupation of a naval comman-
der, being, on the 4th of July, appointed captain-general
and governor-in-chief of New York. He continued
there, as fome affert, till the year 1753, having in the
interim been promoted, on the 7th of December 1743,
to be rear-admiral of the red; and progreffively after-
wards, on the 19th of June 1744, the 23d of April 1745,
and the 15th of July 1747, to be vice of the white,
vice of the red, and admiral of the white. On his return
from America he was chofen member for the borough of
Saltash in the parliament which met on the 31st of May
1754; and, on the death of admiral Stewart in the month
of March 1757, became admiral of the fleet. Having
thus attained the higheft naval rank in the fervice with
unfallied reputation, and the juftly acquired character
of meriting, on all occafions, the good-will of his
This circumftance is contradicted by other perfons, who affert,
that in 1750, or 51, he was fucceeded by Mr. Delancey. We ap-
prehend, indeed, this to be a miſtake, and that Mr. D. was the lieute-
hans governor only,
countrymen,
62
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
countrymen, he died on the 10th of July 1761, in the 75th
year of his age. He married Anne, daughter and heir to
the honourable Peter Carle, major-general in the Britiſh
fervice, and general and engineer in that of Portugal; by
her he had three fons and three daughters, of which two of
each ſex died in their infancy. Mary, the furviving
daughter, was married to captain, afterwards admiral
Roddam: and Henry the fon, taking to a military life,
attained the rank of lieutenant-general, was a knight
of the moſt honourable order of the bath, and for fome
time commander-in-chief of his majefty's forces in
America.
HILDESLEY, John,-was, on the 14th of Septem-
ber 1716, appointed captain of the Flamborough. How
long he continued in this veffel, or what were his fubfe-
quent appointments, we have not been able to learn, or,
indeed, to collect any other particulars relative to him, ex-
cept that he was promoted to the rank of a rear-admiral,
on half pay, on the 24th of July 1747. He lived many
years in the above honourable retirement, not dying till
the 13th of February 1771.
MAN, Robert,-was, on the 22d of December 1716,
appointed to be captain of the Fox frigate. We do not
find him advanced to the command of any fhip of an higher
claſs till the year 1721, when he was commiffioned to the
Worceſter, a fourth rate, one of the fleet ordered to be
equipped, and diſpatched for Liſbon under the command
of fir Charles Wager, but which appears, in confequence
of the early fubmiffion of the Portugueſe, never to have
put to fea. In the month of April 1723, he was ap-
pointed to the Plymouth, of fixty guns, one of twelve
Thips which were at that time commiffioned, we be-
lieve as guardships. In this veffel he continued ſeveral
years, and, in 1726, accompanied fir Charles Wager to
the Baltic. His next appointment, far as we have been
able to learn, was to the Sutherland, of fixty guns, as
fucceffor to captain Clinton. This he obtained in 1729;
and we have no other intelligence concerning him till
1734, when he was made commander of the Orford, of
feventy guns, one of the fleet collected, in the Downs,
under the command of fir John Norris. This, probably,
was the last commiffion he ever held, for, on the 13th of
September
· 5
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
63
September 1737, he retired from the fervice on the ho-
nourable appointment of fecond captain in Greenwich
hofpital. On the death of captain Tudor Trevor, and
the confequent advancement of captain Charles Smith, to
be lieutenant-governor, captain Man was, on the 4th of
February 1739-40, appointed firft captain thereof. In
this ftation he died, juftly lamented by all who knew
him, on the 15th of December 1745.
ROSS, John,-was, on the 14th of September 1716,
appointed captain of the Seaford. No other particular
information concerning him has come to our knowledge,
except that he died in England on the 27th of March
1731.
ROWLEY, Sir William,-was, on the 26th of June
1716, made commander of the Biddeford frigate; but ſo
Jittle diftinguiſhed were the feveral fervices on which he
was employed during the long interval of peace, which,
with very few interruptions, continued till the year 1739,
that we find no public mention whatever made of his
feveral appointments; nor, indeed, are we better in-
formed for fome time after the actual commencement of
hoftilities, for he is no where particularly noticed till he
was ſent out to the Mediterranean with a ſtrong rein-
forcement to the fleet already there under the command
of vice-admiral Mathews. This appears to have been
early in the year 1742-3, at which time, if we may credit
hiftorians, he held the rank of rear-admiral of the blue:
but this is a manifeſt miſtake, as he was, at the time
above-mentioned, a commodore only. A private and
authentic memorandum of his promotions, informs
us the firſt flag he ever hoifted was that of rear-ad-
miral of the white, by commiffion bearing date December
the 7th, 1743.
!
He continued in the Mediterranean under the orders
of Mr. Mathews, and commanded the van of the
Britiſh fleet in the ever-memorable and difreputable en-
counter with the combined force of France and Spain.
No part, however, of the diſgrace was in any degree im-
putable to Mr. Rowley, he having, as well prior to the
commencement of the action, as during the continuance
of it, exerted himſelf in every refpect confonant to the
character of a gallant and able officer. The French
divifion
64
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
divifion, under monfieur de Court, which led the enemy's
van, manifeſted the ſtrongeſt difpofition of wishing to
avoid a cloſe action. Their admiral would for a fhort
time lay-to with much apparent refolution; but whenever
Mr. Rowley and his ſquadron approached him he fet all his
fails; and from the advantage of having all his fhips juft
out of port, and clean, was enabled for fome hours to
prevent the Britiſh fquadron from clofing with, and bringing
him to action. Thefe wavering and unfteady manoeuvres
were at laft, indeed, productive of the very confequence
they were intended to avoid. The Spanish fhips being
heavy failers, Mr. De Court was obliged to bring to for
them, or they would otherwife have fallen an eafy facri-
fice to the fuperior force of Mr. Mathews.
Mr. Rowley, therefore, in confequence of the above
circumftance, clofed with and began to engage the French
admiral and his fecond, aftern, about two o'clock. The
encounter continued with the greatelt vigour and refolu-
tion for near two hours; during which he was very ably
fupported by captain Ofborne, in the Princefs Caroline.
M. De Court finding, between three and four o'clock, that
he had decidedly the worst of the action, fet his forefail and
made off, leaving his two feconds to fecure his retreat in
the beſt manner they could. The conteſt with theſe fhips
did not continue longer than twenty minutes, when they
alſo followed the example of their commander-in-chief.
Theſe three were the only fhips of the French divifion
which were engaged, the remainder keeping their wind
with intention to tack upon and weather Mr. Rowley; a
manœuvre they were prevented from carrying into exe-
cution by the leading fhips of the van, which dexterously
and attentively purfued the fame meaſure. In the above
action Mr. Rowley had eighteen men killed and thirty
wounded; a lofs which, confidering its fhort duration,
very fufficiently proves the vigour and fpirit of the
contefting parties. Mr. Rowley continued in the Medi-
terranean after the above encounter, but, as it is well
known, no fubfequent engagement took place. On the
19th of June 1744, he was advanced to be vice-admirał
of the blue and admiral Mathews having, on the 21ſt of
Auguft following, ftruck his flag in Vado Bay, refigned
the chief command of the fleet to him. The fubfequent
I
naval
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
65
naval operations of that part of the world appear,
indeed, to have been principally confined to per-
petual cruifes, for the purpoſe of protecting the British
commerce by confining the enemy's fleets in port.
Nothing, indeed, can more ftrongly prove the vice-ad-
miral's fuperiority and fpirited conduct, than his having
with numbers far inferior to the fleet which France and
Spain had it in their power to collect in that part of the
world, failed from Mahon in queft of the enemy, who
were timid enough to fhrink from the conteſt by conti-
nuing in port.
The confequence of this very fpirited behaviour in Mr.
Rowley was, that being on the 18th of October joined by
Mr. Oſborne, and a diviſion of the fleet which had been
detached on a ſeparate fervice, he found himſelf fo com-
pletely maſter of thoſe feas, that ſcarcely a fhip of the
enemy could put to fea, without being in the greateſt
danger of capture or deftruction. During the month of
April 1745, on the 23d of which month, we have to ob-
ferve by the way, he was advanced to be vice-admiral of
the white, his cruifers. captured or deftroyed five-and-
twenty of the enemy's fhips and veffels, fome of them of
great value, and no contemptible force. He continued
thus employed till the latter end of September, when ſe-
veral of the petty Italian ftates, and particularly the Ge-
noefe, having fhewn, on many occafions, the greateſt par-
tiality for the caufe of France and Spain, and their con-
tempt of that candour and fair conduct which ought con-
ſtantly to regulate the public actions of neutral ſtates, it
was deemed neceffary, not only in vindication of the
national honour, but in puniſhment of the injuries refult-
ing from fuch behaviour, to bombard their towns, and
convince them practically, how dangerous it would be for
them to perſevere in fuch illiberal conduct.
Genoa, Finale, St. Remo, all felt the force of the vice-
admiral's juft refentment. The inhabitants very impro-
perly and indecently boaſted, they had received little injury
from the above defultory attack; and held forth, that, which
in truth was the effect of the vice-admiral's lenity, as a proof,
and a very imperfect one, of his inability of inflicting any
ferious puniſhment on them. It remains, however, in
proof, eſtabliſhed far beyond the reach of that national
VOL. IV.
ſophiſtry
E
66
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fophiftry which is fo frequently exerted on fimilar
occafions, that the power of the admiral extended far
beyond that point to which he appeared willing to exert
it; and that the delinquents in queftion were folely in-
debted to his lenity, having not the ſmalleſt pretenfion to
their ſafety on any other ground.
No other naval tranfactions took place in the Medi-
terranean confequential enough to merit commemoration.
Mr. Rowley, indeed, returned to England not long after-
wards, and does not appear to have ever again gone to fea.
On the 15th of July 1747, he was advanced to be admirał
of the blue; as he was, on the 12th of May in the follow-
ing year, to be admiral of the white. On the 12th of
July 1749, he received the honorary appointment of
rear-admiral of Great Britain; and, on the 22d of June
1751, was made one of the commiffioners for executing
the office of lord high admiral. In 1753 he was elected
one of the knights of the moſt honourable order of the
Bath, and continued to hold the office of commiſſioner of
the admiralty, through three commiffions, till the 20th of
November 1756. He returned again to the ſame ſtation
on the 7th of April 1757, but remained in it only till the
2d of July following.
The intereft and political confequence derived by lord
Anfon from his wealth, his ſucceſs over the French fleet in
1747, and the honours beſtowed on him as a reward for
his conduct on that occafion, procured that nobleman,
although junior in rank to fir William, the offices of vice-
admiral of England, and admiral of the fleet, in prefer-
ence to the latter. But on the death of his lordship, in
1762, fir William, as a matter of courfe, fucceeded to the
ſtation of admiral of the fleet, and on that occafion refigned
the office of rear-admiral of Great Britain. Having thus with
much honour and the moſt unblemished reputation attained
the higheſt rank in the fervice, he continued to live
ever afterwards in retirement; and died, as may be natu-
rally fuppofed from his length of fervice, in an advanced
age, on the 1st of January 1768.
SMITH, William,-was, on the roth of May 1716,
appointed captain of the Port Mahon frigate. He conti-
nued for many years to command this fhip, in which he
accompanied fir John Norris to the Baltic in the year
1720. While employed on that fervice he was, early in
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
87
the following year, promoted to the Dartmouth, of fifty
guns, as fucceffor to captain Eaton, who removed into
the Kingſton. In 1726 he commanded the York, of ſixty
guns, one of the fhips belonging to Mr. Hopfon's fqua-
dron in the Mediterranean. He continued there during
the enfuing year under fir Charles Wager; and after his
return was ordered to the Weſt Indies; on which ſtation
he became for a ſhort time, during the year 1729, com-
manding officer, he being the fenior captain after the deatht
of Mr. St. Loe. He returned from thence in the month of
Auguſt 1729; he then commanded the Feverfham, a frigate,
and brought home a fleet of 48 merchant fhips under
his protection. We do not find him in any command after
this time till the year 1741, and believe him then to have
been captain of the Romney, a fourth rate of fifty guns.
No other particulars are known, relative to this gentle-
man, except that he was advanced to the rank of a rear-
admiral, and put on the fuperannuated lift on the 21ft of
July 1747. He died on the 23d of February 1756.
STEVENS, John,-was, on the 10th of Auguſt 1716,
made captain of the Succefs ftorefhip. What fubfequent
commiffions he received we have been unable to procure
any information of, or, indeed, to collect any other par-
ticulars concerning him, except that he died in England
on the 3d of November 1731.
WHITNEY, Thomas,-was, on the 13th of October
1716, appointed commander of the Exeter, of fixty guns.
After this time we meet with no particulars concerning
him till the year 1726, when he was captain of the
Chatham, of fifty guns, one of the fleet ordered for the
Baltic under the command of fir Charles Wager. On
the return of the fleet into port, the Chatham was ordered
to Sheerness to be diſmantled and laid up: and we find no
farther mention made of captain Whitney till 1734, when
he was appointed to command the Britannia, of one
hundred guns, as fecond captain under fir John Norris.
He is faid, by Mr. Hardy, to have been firft captain to that
admiral. If that information is true, the appointment
muſt have taken place in the following year, when fir
Tankred Robinfon, who was, as we believe, firſt appointed
to that ſtation, was promoted to a flag. We do not know
that he held any fubfequent command. He died in Eng-
land on the 9th of December 1741.
E 2
NQ
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
68
1717.
NO promotions in the line of captains took place
during the above year.
4
}
1718.
ATKINS, Samuel, was, on the 3d of December
1718, appointed captain of the Charles galley. We do
not find him commanding any two-decked fhip till the
year 1728, when he was, on the 27th of July, cominiffioned
to the Falkland, of fifty guns, one of fifteen fhips which
were put into commiffion in confequence of the repeated
infulfs offered by the Spaniſh guarda cofta's, and that in
cafe of a rupture Britain might poffefs a fleet always ready
for immediate fervice. Mr. Atkins continued in the fame
command for a confiderable time; but no open rupture
taking place, does not appear ever to have proceeded to
fea. We find no farther mention made of him till the
15th of July 1747, when he was put on the fuperannuated
lift, with the half pay of a rear-admiral; an honourable
retirement, in which he ever afterwards lived. He died
on the 5th of September 1765.
CHADWICK, Samuel,-was, on the 14th of March
1717-18, appointed captain of the Kinfale. We have
nothing farther to record concerning him, except that he
died in England on the 26th of December 1728.
HUBBARD, John, was made commander of the
Garland on the 5th of December 1718; and in 1721 was
captain of the Windfor, a fourth rate of fixty guns.
Being afterwards appointed to the Rippon, a fhip of the
fame
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
69
fame rate as the Windſor, he was fent to the Weft Indies,
where he unhappily, with many others his brave cotem-
poraries, fell a victim to difeafe, encouraged by an un-
wholeſome climate, on the 12th of September 1728.
KNIGHTON, Francis, was, on the 17th of April
1718, appointed to the Succefs ftorefhip. We hear
nothing farther of him till the month of February 1727,
when he was captain of the Hampshire, of fifty guns,
one of the fleet ordered to be equipped for the Baltic under
the command of fir John Norris. He died in the above
ſhip on the 16th of July 1727, not having, as firſt in-
tended, accompanied fir John on the above voyage.
MARTIN, William, was ſent to fea in the year
1706 ander the fpecial patronage and protection of fir
Cloudefley Shovel. Having been, on the 24th of April
appointed by that admiral a midshipman on board the
Fowey, under captain Leſtock, he had the misfortune to
be taken in that fhip on the 14th of April 1709; but be-
ing exchanged in the month of Auguft following, was
appointed, on November 15, to ferve in the fame ftation
again, under captain Leftock, on board the Weymouth.
In this fhip he continued to ferve for fome years, firft on
the American, and afterwards the Weft India ftation.
Having remained in that ſtation the proper length of time
preſcribed by the eſtabliſhed rules of the fervice, and ac-
quired a thorough knowledge of his profeffion and duty
as an officer, he was, on the 5th of March 1714, pro-
moted to be third lieutenant of the Cumberland, the
ſhip on board which fir John Norris hoifted his flag as
commander-in-chief of the fleet ordered to the Baltic.
He was, on the 15th of March 1717, promoted to be
first lieutenant of the Rupert; from which thip, on
the 2d of April 1718, he removed, through the intereſt of
fir John Norris, who was his relation, and who, by his
perfect propriety of conduct on all occafions as an officer,
was rendered his friend alſo, to the fame ftation on
board the Cumberland, in which fhip fir John again
hoifted his flag as commander-in-chief in the Baltic.
Through the fame very honourable patronage he was, on
the 9th of October following, promoted to be captain of
the Cumberland, being then about twenty-two years old;
and, in the month of November, received a commiffion,
E 3
from
70
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
from the admiralty, confirming his appointment, bearing
date the 10th. He was afterwards made captain of the
Seahorſe frigate; and on the 9th of February 1719, was
removed into the Blandford. In this fhip he ſerved
during the year 1720 and 21, under his old commander
and patron, fir John Norris, who commanded the fleet
fent into the Baltic. He was next ordered out to
America for the purpoſe of fuppreffing the pirates who
very much infeſted that part of the world. He diſplayed
the greateſt activity, and was remarkably fuccefsful in a
number of little enterprifes against thofe freebooters, in-
fomuch that he not only received feveral addreffes from
the merchants more particularly interefted in the com-
merce of that part of the world, thanking him in the
handſomeſt terms for the fervices he had rendered them,
but was honoured with a public letter from the then
ſecretary of ſtate, expreffing the warmest approbation of
his whole conduct.
After his return he does not appear to have received
any commiffion till the 13th of February 1726-7, when
he was made captain of the Advice, of fifty guns, a fhip
commiffioned at Sheerness to be ready in caſe of any
fudden emergency. He was re-appointed to the fame
fhip on the 11th of Auguft, a new commiffion being ne-
ceffary in confequence of the demife of king George the
First. On the 18th of the fame month he was ordered to
take the Hampſhire and Affiſtance under his command,
and proceed with them to Gibraltar, where he was in-
ftructed to put himſelf under the orders of fir Charles
Wager. He continued to ferve there during the re-
mainder of the fiege, and the continuance of the war.
Returning to England with the divifion under captain
Stewart, he arrived at Spithead on the 28th of April
1728. On the 3d of June following he was, owing, as
it is believed, to the indifpofition of captain Nicholas
Haddock, ordered to take upon him the command of the
Grafton, of feventy guns. This fhip was one of the
fifteen fail equipped in cafe of any fudden emergency;
and his command was merely temporary, captain Had-
dock having refumed his ftation in the following month.
On the 3d of April 1729, he was a third time reappointed
to his former fhip, the Advice. He retained this com-
mand
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
71
mand for the three fucceeding years, attached to the fleets
annually collected at Spithead under the command of fir
Charles Wager. He is faid, by Lediard, to have attended
that adiniral to the Mediterranean in 1731, but in this
circumſtance that hiftorian is undoubtedly miſtaken, the
Advice having remained at home as guardfhip during the
above period.
On the 29th of November 1733, he was appointed
captain of the Sunderland, of fixty guns. During the
two following years he ferved in the fleets, collected under
fir John Norris, which, in the firft of thoſe ſeaſons, never
quitted Spithead, but in the fecond proceeded to Lifbon
for the protection of the Portugueſe, who were then
grievously threatened by their Spanish neighbours.
When the body of the fleet returned to England, after
having effected its purpoſe of protecting the impotent,
captain Martin was ordered to remain behind on the
Mediterranean ftation. He continued there till the year
1737, and after his return to England does not appear to
have received any fubfequent commiffion till the 16th of
May 1738, when he was appointed to the Ipfwich, of
feventy guns, and ordered for his former ftation, the Me-
diterranean, as a part of the fquadron fent thither under
Mr. Haddock. Here he continued without any extraor-
dinary occurrence prefenting itſelf till the 23d of January
1740, when, by the admiral's orders, he hoisted a broad
pendant as commodore on board the Ipfwich, and was
fent with a fquadron to cruife off Cadiz, after which time
he appears never to have again ferved as a private captain.
He is not known, however, to have been employed on
any confpicuous fervice till after the arrival of vice-admiral
Mathews, who appointed him, on the 25th of July 1742,
to command the expedition against Naples. As this
tranfaction not only forms a very interefting part of Mr.
Martin's life, but alfo makes a confpicuous figure in
hiſtory itſelf, it may not, perhaps, be unentertaining, to
give a detail at length, which is fo much the more curious
as being copied from Mr. Martin's own account, with
which we have been favoured.
£ 4
"Monday,
72
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
"Monday, the 9th of Auguſt 1742.
"This afternoon we turned into the bay of Naples,
the wind eaſterly, fometimes blowing pretty fresh and
fhifting continually between the N. E. and S. E. fo that
no two ſhips had the fame wind together; we could not get
the bombs anchored till paſt five in the evening, nor all
their tenders till it was dark. About two in the after-
noon the conful came on board to tell me that the firſt
miniſter of the king of the Two Sicilies had fent for him
to let him know, that an Engliſh fquadron was coming
into the bay, which he defired he would go on board of,
and aſk if they came in a friendly manner or not. The
bombs not being near in, nor their tenders, I deferred
fending afhore an officer till five, not being able to put
my orders in execution for want of them. At that time,
finding the bombs would get in, and I might begin to act
by the time my meffage would reach the king, I fent
captain De Langle and the conful afhore with the follow-
ing meffage.
"That as the king of the Two Sicilies has joined his
forces with thofe of the king of Spain, the declared
enemy of the king my maſter and his faithful allies, and
is at this inftant engaged in a war with the queen of
Hungary, and the king of Sardinia, in order to drive the
faid queen of Hungary out of Italy, and to put Don
Philip, a prince of Spain, in poffeffion of her faid majeſty's
territories in breach of all treaties, I ain fent here to de-
mand that the king of the Two Sicilies does agree forth-
with, not only to withdraw his troops now acting in
conjunction with thoſe of the king of Spain, in Italy, but
to forbear giving for the future any afliſtance of what kind
foever."
For the performance of this I demanded a cate-
gorical anfwer to be given in half an hour; and that
in the mean time they thould not directly nor indirectly
make preparations of any kind for acting offenfively or
defenfively against me; directing captain De Langle to
acquaint them, that upon a refufal to comply with thefe
moft juft and reaſonable demands of the king my maſter
and his faithful allies, I fhould act with what force I
had againſt them, and endeavour to compel them; but
that if it ſhould be faid the king was near at hand at any
place, or feat in the country, and a few hours was defired
1.
to,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
73
to acquaint him, he was then to let them know that it
would be granted upon giving their word, that in the mean
time no motion ſhould be made of troops or cannon, or
any meaſures taken for enabling themſelves to act
againſt me. Of this he was to return and acquaint
me immediately, or I fhould look upon his ftay as
a detention, and any preparations they made as a réfufal
of compliance.
"Captain De Langle having delivered this meffage
to the duke De Monteallegre, the prime minifter, he
told him that the king was gone out, but would be back
again in twenty-four hours, when he ſhould have an
anfwer; but in the mean time he could affure him, that
his majeſty was not to be threatened into a compliance
with any thing that was not reaſonable, and would facri-
fice every thing rather than be guilty of a breach of faith,
or do any thing that might tarnish his honour. That as
to his withdrawing his troops, he had already given orders
for it, to fecure his own dominions: but defired to know,
if his majefty was prevailed upon to promiſe to give no
farther affiſtance to the Spaniards, what fecurity he ſhould
have not to be molefted by the English, but be fuffered peace-
ably and quietly to poffefs his territories. He defired captain
De Langle would go off again with the conful to acquaint
me; and by the time he returned he ſhould have the king's
anfwer, faying, it was but reaſonable he ſhould have fome
fatisfaction on that head. I fent him word I had no
power to treat; nor could I give any anſwer farther than
for myſelf, who had orders to make fuch demands, and
did infift upon an anfwer being given to it in half an
hour. That if captain De Langle was not admitted to
the king, 1 did infift that he, the minifter, fhould give it
under his hand, in the name of the king his master- that
he did promife he would forthwith withdraw his troops,
acting in conjunction with thofe of Spain, and give no
farther affiſtance of any kind whatsoever. Upon this
meffage captain De Langle returned again with the conful
to let me know fuch a promiſe fhould be given in writing,
and in the mean time no preparations made either offenſive
or defenſive againſt me. The minifter defired alſo that
he would bring off general Bourk, to talk to me while he
Was
74
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
was preparing the letter, which fhould be ready againſt his
return.
"General Bourk told me he was fent off by the king, to
know whether if his majefty promiſed to withdraw his troops
and give no farther affiftance to the Spaniards (as 1 de-
manded), I would affure him that the Englifh fhould not mo-
left him in his dominions-that it was but equitable, if he
complied, he ſhould at leaſt be ſatisfied I would not now,
nor hereafter fhould any of the Britiſh fleet, commit hoſti-
lities against him, as it would weaken him fhould he break
with his allies, from whom after he could expect no affift-
ance, but would be expofed to his enemies in the moft de-
fenceless ftate. I told him I was fent as an officer to act, and
not a miniſter to treat, and could fay nothing with autho-
rity on that head: but that I was defired to put my orders
in execution, except the king of the Two Sicilies did
agree to thoſe moft juft and reafonable demands of the
king my maſter, and his moſt faithful allies, which certainly
did imply I was not to execute them if he did. He faid I
demanded a promife in writing; and if I would give them
no fecurity, how could the king be certain, that when I
brought him to break with his allies, and deprived him of
their affiftance, I would not take the advantage of it, and
with this very force I had with me, act against him. This
indicated a fufpicion of my dealing perfidioufly, which made
me repeat to him again, "that as I was directed to put my
orders in execution, if the king of Sicily did not comply,
it did imply I was not to do it if he did; that I was not
fent there to betray him, but to make this demand, which
was plain; and to which I required as plain an anſwer,
I infifted on a direct one to it in half an hour, afking
him, Do you underſtand me, fir?" To which he replied,
Yes, fir, I do; I underſtand you very well. Then turning
to captain De Langle and the conful, I faid, firs, do you go
afhore, and infift upon an anſwer being given to your mef-
fage-Yes, or no, in half an hour, or return without one,
which I fhall look upon as a refuſal of compliance, and put
my
orders in execution. General Bourk then went away
with captain De Langle, and the conful, who returned
again fometime after with a letter from the minifter, in
which he told him the king had promiſed to comply with
all I demanded: and when captain De Langle faid
there
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
75
was
there were fome expreffions in it that he
fure would not be fatisfactory, he promiſed him they
fhould be altered in the morning, if I difliked them; and
expreſſed in whatſoever manner I would have them, or,
(though it was very late) if he infifted on it, that he would
stay up till his return. This letter captain De Langle
brought off to me; and having made fome alterations in
it, I ſent it back to him in the morning; and, agreeable
to thefe alterations, the minifter wrote the following.
"Monfieur,
“Au Palais, 20 Août, 1742.
"Le Roy avoit deja refolû et ordonné que les troupes
que font unies a celles d'Efpagne fe retiraffent, pour
eveieller á la fureté des fes eftats et fa majefté m'ordonné
de vous promettre en fon nomme qu'elle va reiterer fes ordres
pour que fes troupes rentrent inceffament dans ce Roy-
aume, en fe retirant de la Romagne, ou elles fe trouvent
a prefent et qu'elle n'aidera, n'y affiftera plus celles
d'Eſpagne en aucune maniere dans la prefent guerre en
Italie j'ay l'honneur, &c.
"Le marquis de Salas.
"
"This letter general Bourk brought off himſelf, and
told me, when he delivered it, that, as his Sicilian maje-
fty had complied with every thing demanded, he hoped he
fhould now continue in friendſhip and undisturbed: that
the king very much defired to ſee me on fhore, where, he
affured me, I fhould be received with all the marks of
reſpect, and all compliments paid me that I could defire;
and that his majeſty would fend his coaches to wait on
me; the minifter alfo, by captain De Langle, preffed it
very much. But as I believed the defign of all their
civilities was to perfuade the people that a good harmony
and friendſhip fubfifted between the courts, and to take
off any thoughts or inclinations they might have of
declaring, upon a favourable opportunity, for the queen
of Hungary, I excufed myfelf by faying, I was tied up
by form, which would not adınit of my going out of the
fhip, when fent upon any particular fervice of confequence,
but where that fervice immediately required my preſence
and directions. That I was likewife reftricted by admiral
Mathews's
7
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Mathews's orders, and was very forry I could not, there-
fore, have the honour of waiting upon his majeſty. I
found my fuggeftion to be true from general Bourk faying,
immediately, the king would take it kindly of me, if I
made my ſtay but fhort, or no longer than was neceffary.
But I prevented his going further, by faying it was beſt
to omit any converfation on that head, as it might pro-
long my ſtay there, to fhew I acted under no constraint,
and was mafter of my own time and liberty. To which
he replied, conſtraint! no, fir, there is no conftraint; it is
plain to the contrary.
11
+
"He then faid, whatever refreshments were wanting
for the fhips, if I would let him know his majeſty would
give orders that they fhould be fent off to me. I told
him I was very much obliged by the offer, but that we
were well provided with every thing, and had no occafion
to give any trouble. General Bourk then took his leave;
at his going I faluted him with thirteen guns, and foon
after loofed the fore-top-fail."
* Mr. Martin, having executed this fervice in the above
handſome manner, returned to Leghorn, where he arrived
on the 29th; and on the 4th of September failed for Villa
Franca, to rejoin the admiral. He was afterwards em-
ployed in protecting the dominions of the duke of Tuf-
cany, from any attack on the part of the Spaniards. The
force put under his command, for this fervice, confifted
of fix fhips of the line, with a proportionate number of
frigates and bomb veffels, as well as a body of marines to act
as a land force, in cafe of emergency. The greateſt
confidence was repofed in him, by the admiral, on this
occaſion, for, delicate and confequential as the ſervice was,
his orders were to act entirely at his own difcretion, pay-
ing only a particular attention to the fafety of the city
and port of Leghorn. The Spanish troops were completely
kept in awe by theſe meaſures, and defifted from their
meditated attack.
*The force under commodore Martin, on the above expedition,
confifted of the Ipfwich, of feventy guns, commodore Martin; the
Panther, of fixty guns, captain Gideon; the Oxford, of fixty guns,
captain Pawlet; the Feveríham, of forty-four guns, captain Hughes; the
Durfley galley, of twenty guns, captain De L'Angle; four bomb veffels,
and four tenders.
4
Admiral
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
77
Admiral Mathews having received intelligence that the
Genoefe had permitted ſeveral magazines to be formed
in their territories for the uſe of the Spaniſh army, com-
modore Martin was ordered to Genoa, with a ſquadron,
having inſtructions to require the magiftrates to conduct a
party to Araffa, where the magazines which they were
The com-
to deſtroy were faid to have been collected.
modore was farther ordered, in cafe the magiftrates re-
fuſed to comply with his requifition, to bombard the city;
and land a detachment, under the fire of his line of battle
fhips, for the purpofe of forcing their way to the feveral
depots in queftion, and effecting the above purpoſe. This
fervice was carried completely into execution, without
moleſtation on the part of the Genoefe, in the month of
February following. It being alfo difcovered that the Ge-
noefe had permitted troops to be raiſed in Corfica for
the fervice of Spain, which were afterwards convoyed into
Italy to recruit their army there, Mr. Martin was fent
with a ſquadron to Ajaccio, where they found a Spaniſh
fhip of the line lying at anchor, and then actually employed
in that kind of fervice. The enemy, however, faved the
commodore the trouble of attacking them, by fetting their
fhip on fire and making their eſcape on fhore.
In the month of October 1743, Mr. Martin was or-
dered to return to England; and on his arrival at Portf
mouth received a commiffion, bearing date December the
7th, appointing him rear-admiral of the blue, accompa
nied by orders, to hoift his flag on board any ſhip that he
found lying there, and fhould judge proper for the above
purpoſe. On the 3d of February 1743-4, he was ap-
pointed to command a diviſion of the main or Channel
fleet under fir John Norris, and accordingly hoifted his
flag on board the Sandwich, of ninety guns. On the 19th
of June following he was advanced to the rank of vice-
admiral of the blue, and appointed to command in the
fleet under fir John Balchen. He accordingly removed.
his flag into the St. George, a fecond rate, and accompa-
nied that admiral to Lifbon. After his return he was, on
the 24th of January 1744-5, ordered to take upon him the
chief command of the fleet in the Channel, and hoifted:
his flag on board the Edinburgh, of feventy guns. On
the 23d of April enfuing, he was advanced to the rank of
vice-
L
78
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
vice-admiral of the white. During the time he held the
above command he difplayed a confiderable degree of
activity, both in the diftribution of his cruifers and the
exertions he made with that part of the fleet, which he
retained under his own more immediate orders. Theſe
laudable exertions and conduct were happily rewarded
with many prizes which were, at that interefting period,
of much national confequence, though tending but little,
perhaps, to enrich the captors, being principally laden
with arms and ammunition for the fervice of the Preten-
der's party in Scotland.
In the month of December he was ordered into the
North Sea to ferve under Mr. Vernon; and on the re-
fignation of that gentleman foon afterwards, took upon
him the chief cornmand, which he continued to exercife,
to the univerfal fatisfaction of all parties and defcriptions
of men, who were in any degree friends to their country
and its conſtitution. He retained the above ftation till 1747;
in which year, on July 15, he was farther promoted to be
admiral of the blue: but thinking himſelf in fome mea-
fure ill treated by thofe who then were intruſted with the
adminiſtration of public affairs, he requeſted leave to re-
tire. This was granted him, and he continued ever
afterward to live totally a private life, at his houſe at
Twickenham, where he died on the 17th of September
1756, being then about ſixty years old.
He is univerfally reported to have been a man of ex-
cellent talents, which he had improved and cultivated with
the greateſt care. In his youth he was well known to
and esteemed by that great ftatefman, lord Sommers, an
acquaintance and patronage which certainly conferred on
him the highest honour. He not only poffeffed a very
confiderable thare of claffical learning, but fpoke the
French, Spanish, Italian, and German languages with the
greateſt eafe and fluency In his perfon he was remark-
ably handfome, and particularly attentive to his dreſs,
manners, and deportment. When in command he
always lived in the greateft fplendour, maintaining his
rank in the higheſt ftile; fo that, viewing him in every
point, we ſcarcely know which moft to admire, the
finiſhed gentleman, the elegant fcholar, or the brave
commander.
PROTHEROE,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
79
PROTHEROE, George, was, on the 4th of De-
cember, appointed captain of the Loo. He was promoted
to the above ftation by fir G. Byng, having been, as it is
believed, lieutenant of the Barfleur, the fhip on board
which that admiral had hoiſted his flag as commander-in-
chief in the Mediterranean. In the month of June 1719,
he ſignaliſed himfelf exceedingly in an action with a very
large Spaniſh privateer, between the iflands of Capria and
Corfica. The action commenced in the evening of the
28th; but being interrupted by the approaching night
was renewed at four o'clock the next morning, and con-
tinued with the greateſt fpir till eight. The Spaniſh
captain being then wounded, and upwards of fourſcore of
the crew killed or diſabled, the veffel itſelf reduced alſo to
a mere wreck, the enemy was compelled to furrender.
As a convincing proof of the fuperior manner in which
the Loo was manoeuvred, that veffel had only two men
killed through the whole of the above defperate conteſt.
It is very fingular no other particulars are known relative
to captain Protheroe, nor are we even acquainted with the
time of his death.
YOE, John, -was, on the 22d of June, appointed
captain of the Lowestoffe, or, according to other accounts,
of the Greyhound. No fubfequent particulars are known
relative to him till the year 1734, when he commanded
the Exeter, of fixty guns, one of the fleet collected in the
Downs under fir John Norris. We are again unac-
quainted with any circumftances concerning him, except
that he was one of the many old officers put on the fuper-
annuated lift, with the rank and half pay of a rear-admi-
ral, on the 25th of July 1747. He died, in England, on
the 3d of December 1756.
1719.
30th of June 1719,
DAVIES, William,-was, on the
made captain of the Experiment. We hear nothing
farther of him till the year 1726, when we believe him to
have
80
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
have commanded the Tyger, of fifty guns, one of the
fhips fent out, in the month of December 1726, under
the command of fir Charles Wager, for the better pro-
tection of Gibraltar againſt any fudden attack. During
the fiege of that fortrefs, which took place immediately
afterwards, captain Davies appears to have been very
activ; and quitting, for a time, his naval command, to
have refided totally on fhore, for the purpoſe of directing
all affairs relative to the navy, fuch as the neceffary repairs
of ſhips, the care of ſtores, &c. We rather, indeed, con-
ceive him to have had fome temporary kind of appoint-
ment, as an extraordinary commiffioner; but cannot
find any better proof than circumftance* to warrant our
afferting it. However this may be, he refumed, in the
month of April following, the command of the Tyger,
having been ordered by fir Charles, on the 21ft, to take
the Portland under his command and proceed to the
Weſt Indies, where he was to put himſelf under the
orders of vice-admiral Hofier.
After the melancholy and fatal calamity of diſeaſe
which befel that once formidable armament, and reduced
it to a ſtate of total inactivity, the Tyger, as well in con-
fequence of that event as of the profpect of peace conti-
nuing, returned to England, captain Davies having been
one of the fortunate furvivors who lived to bear witneſs
to the untimely end of their brave cotemporaries. In
1731 he commanded the Suffolk, of feventy guns, one of
the fleet put under the command of fir Charles Wager;
but does not appear to have proceeded with him to the
Mediterranean. In 1734 he was captain of the Kent,
alſo a third rate of feventy guns, one of fir John Norris's
fleet both during that and the following year. This is
the laſt naval command we can, with any certainty, ſtate
him to have held. On the 29th of June 1744, he was
appointed one of the commiflioners of the victualling-
office, a ſtation he retained upwards of three years, till the
27th of July 1747. He was foon after that appointed +
* March the 18th. 1726-7. "This morning captain Petit came
to Landport with two letters, one for lord Forbes, the other for
captain Davies, about the exchange of prifoners."
MS. Journal of the Siege.
+ On the 19th of December.
COIN-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
81
commiffioner of the united yards of Woolwich and
Deptford. A new regulation being refolved on in
the year 1753, by which the management of thofe yards
was taken into the hands of the board of commiffioners
in London, captain Davis retired on a penfion of 4001.
per annum, granted him as a very honourable proof of the
uniform approbation entertained, both by his majefty and
his miniſters, of his paſt ſervices. He died on the 16th
of February 1759.
DELAVAL, Francis Blake, of Seaton Delaval, in
the county of Northumberland, was the eldeſt fon of
Edward Delaval, efq. and Mary his wife, daughter of fir
Francis Blake, of Coggs, in the county of Oxford, knight.
Having entered into the naval fervice; after neceffarily
paffing through the feveral fubordinate ſtations of mid-
hipman, lieutenant, and commander, during which period.
we have no account of him, he was, on the 26th of March
1719, promoted to the command of the Goſport, a fifth
rate of forty guns. In this fhip we find him, during the
following year, to have ferved in the Baltic under fir John
Norris. Having been promoted, in the month of Sep-
tember, to the Worceſter, a fourth rate, he again ferved, in
1721 with the fame fleet, under the fame admiral. This
is the laſt mention we find made of him in the fervice,
from which we believe him foon afterwards to have to-
tally retired. He married Rhoda, daughter of Robert ap-
Reece, of Washingly, in the county of Huntingdon, efq.
by his wife Sarah, third daughter of fir Thomas Huffey, of
Doddington Pigott, knight; and died at Seaton Delaval,
on the 11th of December 1752, of a mortification in his
leg, leaving iffue, by his lady, feven fons and five
daughters.
GREGORY, Edward,-was, on the 11th of March.
1719, made captain of the Biddeford frigate. After a
period of upwards of twenty years, ſpent irreproachably
in the fervice, without having, as we believe, been fortu
nate enough to obtain any command where he could
diftinguifh himſelf by any other means than by the
fuavity of his manners, he retired, on the 4th of
February 1739-40, with the honourable appointment of
fecond captain in Greenwich hofpital. This refpectable
VOL. IV.
F
fituation
Wy
82
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fituation he did not long live to enjoy, dying on the 12th
of Auguſt 1743.
WALDRON, or WALROND, John,-was, on the
13th of April, or, as others ſay, on the 30th of March
1719, appointed captain of the Gibraltar frigate, of twenty
guns. He was very foon afterwards removed into the
Greyhound. In this veffel he accompanied admiral fir
John Norris to the Baltic in the years 1720 and 1721.
After his return, at the end of the latter ſeaſon, he was
ordered to the Weft Indies, where, on the 15th of April
1722, he had the misfortune to fall in with a number of
guarda coftas, compofing a force infinitely fuperior to his
own by theſe he was overpowered and murdered, toge-
ther with his furgeon, and feven or eight of his people.
The lieutenant and feveral of the crew were wounded,
and the frigate plundered of every thing on board that
was valuable. Ŝated with theſe acts of piracy, the plun-
derers thought proper, on a remonftrance, to restore the
veffel itfelf.
1720.
DURELL, Thomas,-was, on the 9th of February
1720, made captain of the Seahorfe. His appoint-
ments we believe to have been totally confined to frigates,
employed on ſervices of little account, till the year 1731:
he was then commiffioned to the Exeter, of fixty guns, one
of the fleet fent into the Mediterranean under the orders
of fir Charles Wager. He quitted the Exeter foon after
the return of the fleet to England; and was commiffioned to
the Scarborough of twenty guns.. Being ordered to the
Weft Indies, he was fent to efcort a fleet of merchant
veffels, bound for the iſland of Sal Tortuga, to load Salt,
and while on this fervice, is faid to have been attacked
by two Spaniſh fhips of the line, which he moft gallantly
employed fo long, that thirty-two out of thirty-fix veffels
under his protection made their efcape, as he himfelf
alfo did, after feeing his convoy in fafety. On the eve of the
rupture with Spain, he was appointed to the Kent, of feventy
guns. This fhip was one of the fquadron ordered to ſea
under vice-admiral Vernon, when he failed on the expe-
dition against Porto Bello. Mr. Durell, however, was
left behind, together with captain Falkingham, to cruiſe
off
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
83
off cape Ortugal, for thirty days, under the command of
commodore Mayne, in the Lenox, in hopes they might be
able to intercept the Azogues fhips. They were
ordered, by Mr. Vernon, to return to England at the
expiration of that time; during which they were not for-
tunate enough to meet with the hoped-for prizes. As
foon as the thips were revictualled, and otherwife put in a
proper condition for fervice, captain Durell was again
ordered out under commodore Maine, in the Orford,
commanded by lord Auguſtus Fitzroy, being fubitituted
for the Elizabeth.
While abfent on this fervice they had the good
fortune to fall in with and capture, after a deſperate
action, the Princeffa, a Spanish fhip of war, of feventy
guns; the particulars of which encounter * have been
already related in the life of commodore Maine, and to
that we have therefore only to add, that captain Durell
had the misfortune to loſe his hand.
After his return from this cruife the Kent was ore
dered into dock to receive a thorough repair; and captain.
Durell was removed into the Elizabeth, a fhip of the fame
rate as the former. In this command he died at fea,
on the 23d of Auguſt 1741, having been ever afterwards
attached to the main fleet under the orders of fir John
Norris, but without having met with any farther op-
portunity of diftinguishing himself.
LUCK, or LUCH, James, early in the year 1720,
commanded the Bedford galley, a firefhip ordered out
with the fleet fent into the Baltic under the command of
fir John Norris. From this veffel he was, on the 29th
of May 1720, advanced to be captain of the Port Mahon
frigate, as fucceffor to captain William Smith, who was
himfelf promoted to the command of the Dartmouth.
In the month of September captain Luck was advanced
to the Gofport, of forty guns, one of the fleet fent again
in the following year on the fame ſervice and ſtation the
former had been. We hear nothing after this time till
the year 1728, when he was appointed captain of the
Winchefter, of fifty guns, one of the veffels kept in com-
miflion as guard-thips during two or three fucceffive
years. No intereſted detail, connected with the naval
fervice, can be expected during the period this gentleman
* See page 3º.
lived
84
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
[
lived to exercife the duties of a commander. He died at
Plymouth on the 21st of December 1736, being at that
time captain of the Canterbury.
MORRIS, Daniel,-was, on the 30th of September
1720, promoted to the command of the Port Mahon, a fri-
gate, at that time abfent on fervice with the fleet in the Bal-
tic. He continued in the fame fhip till after the year
1726, having been then employed on the fame ftation as
on the firſt occafion, with the difference only of being
under the orders of fir Charles Wager. After the return
of the fleet into port captain Morris was removed into
the Garland and fent to America. He died there on the
the coaft of South Carolina on the 11th of July 1728.
ORME, Humphry,-was, on the 1ft of June, ap-
pointed captain of the Winchelſea frigate. This is the
only circumstance we are in poffeffion of relative to this
gentleman, having even been unable to diſcover the time
or place of his deceaſe.
•
REDDISH, Edward,-was, on the 28th of September,
appointed captain of the Lion. How long he remained
in that ftation we know not, but in 1726 we find him
appointed to the Prefton, a fourth rate of fifty guns, one
of the Baltic armament commanded by fir Charles Wager.
He remained in England for fome time after his return
from this very unconfequential fervice; but in the year
1727 was ordered out to Gibraltar to join fir Charles
Wager. Hoftilities having, we believe, ceafed before his
arrival, he returned again to England, with the divifion of
the fleet under commodore Stewart, at the latter end of
April 1728. In the month of April 1729, he was once
more appointed to the Lion, of fixty guns, the ſhip in
which he had originally taken poft, and failed, as fome
fay, for the West Indies, about the latter end of June,
captain to rear-admiral Stewart, who had. hoifted his
flag on board the Lion as commander-in-chief on that
ftation. In 1731 he commanded the Princefs Amelia,
of eighty guns t, one of the fhips which accompanied fir
Charles Wager to the Mediterranean, on his expedition
thither, for the purpoſe of putting the Infant Don Carlos
This circumftance appears very doubtful, for we believe the Lion
to have been commanded by captain Lawes at the time above-mentioned.
+ Rear-admiral Balchen hoifted his flag on board this fhip as fecond
in command during the expedition.
in
8
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
83
in poffeffion of the dominions bequeathed him by the duke
of Parma. He retained this command many years,
and died on the 19th of Auguſt 1736, being at the time
of his death ftill the captain of the fame fhip.
SAUNDERS, Ambrofe, was, on the 24th of July,
appointed captain of the Hampshire. No other intelli-
gence relative to this gentleman has come to our know-
ledge, except that he died in Ireland on the 6th of March
1731*, being at that time commander of the Seahorſe.
TOWNSEND,Ifaac, (2d),-was, on the 9th of Febru
ary 1719-20, appointed commander of the Succefs frigate.
He was unfortunate enough, during the firit twenty years
of his employment as captain in the navy, never to have
obtained the command of any thip employed on fo con-
fpicuous a fervice as to caufe any particular mention to be
made of him. In 1739, immediately on the rupture
taking place with Spain, he was appointed to the Shrewf
bury, of eighty guns. In this thip he ferved, during the
fummer of the year 1740, in the main or Channel fleet,
commanded by fir John Norris. Rear-admiral fir Cha-
loner Ogle, who commanded the third or rear divifion,
having heifted his flag on board her. He afterwards ac-
companied fir Chaloner to the Weft Indies, when or-
dered thither to reinforce Mr. Vernon preparatory to the
attack on Carthagena. When the fleet arrived off that
port, the Shrewsbury, together with the Norfolk and
Ruffel, all fhips of eighty guns, were ordered to cannonade
the two forts of St. Jago and St. Philip, a fervice which
was executed with fo much ſpirit that in lefs than an hour
they were both filenced, and immediately afterwards taken
poffeffion of by a detachment of British grenadiers.
After the fiege was raifed, the Shrewibury was one of the
fhips ordered to return to Europe, and captain Townſend
was removed into the Berwick, in which fhip he ferved,
during the year 1742, on the Mediterranean ftation. He,
not long afterwards, returned to England, but not in the
above thip, which remained at Gibraltar; and we have
no other information concerning him till the time of his
promotion to be a flag officer.
* Other accounts fay, on the 6th of May 1730.
✦ The admiral ſhifted his flag into the Ruffel previous to his fail-
ing; and captain Townſend was ftationed in the line as one of his
feconds.
F3
This
86
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
This circumflance took place on the 19th of June 1744,
his first flag being that of rear-admiral of the red. In
the beginning of the following year he was fent into the
Mediterranean, where fo little opportunity of diftinguith-
ing himſelf preſented, that the beſt Engliſh hiftorians make
no other mention of his being there, than that having re-
ceived orders to proceed to the West Indies with a fqua-
dron, he failed from Gibraltar on the 2d of Auguft*, with
the following fhips under his command; the Lenox, of
feventy guns (his flag fhip), the Dreadnought, Worceſter,
and Kington, of fixty each; the Hampshire, Argyle, and
Severn, of fifty; the Gibraltar of twenty; and the Comet
bomb-ketch. With thofe fhips he arrived off Martinico
after a long paffage, on the 3d of October; on which day
he was joined by the Pembroke, of fixty guns, and the
Warwick of fifty; with two prizes, which they had juſt
before taken; one of them being a letter of marque, mount-
ing fixteen guns, whofe captain, being deceived by the
appearance of the Pembroke, fired two or three broadfides.
into her, which the former returning, carried away his
mizen maſt and killed the captain, together with ten of
his people. The ifland of Martinico being at that time
confiderably ftreightened for provifions, Mr. Townſend
continued to cruife on that ftation for the purpofe of
preventing the introduction of any fupplies thither.
Mr. Campbell is pleafed, on this occafion, as well as
others of a fimilar nature, to indulge his humanity, and
eaſe it, in a farcaftic remark, to the following effect.
"Admiral Townfend having received information that
the inhabitants of Martinico were in great diſtreſs for
provifions, determined to remain on this flation in order
to prevent their receiving any fupplies from France; for
though it be a maxim of honourable war, among Chrif
tian princes, not to murder fuch of each other fubjects as
do not bear arms, it is neverthelefs univerfally allowable
to deſtroy, by hunger, as many peaceable men, women,
and children as they can. Gofpel and political Chriftia-
nity are very different religions."-To this obfervation we
have on our parts to rejoin, that till the mutual conduct of
* On the 23d of April preceeding he was advanced to be vice-
admiral of the blue.
all
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
87
all nations at war with each other fhalljuftify forbearance
of this kind, an officer would be little juſtified in defiſting
from diftreffing them on fuch an occafion, and would well
merit the imputation of a traitor to his country, and an
enemy to that very humanity whofe caufe Mr. Campbell
fo ardently and induftriouſly undertakes, by protracting a
war, which, by a proper feverity, might be foon brought
to a conclufion.
On the 22d of October the vice-admiral, being clofe in
off the north end of the illand, difcovered fome fhips to
which he gave chace, and foon found two of them to
be privateer floops, with a prize they had taken, a
veffel, laden with provifions, from Dublin. The latter
was immediately recaptured, and one of the privateers.
funk. On the 31ft, about feven in the morning, the van
fhips of the Engliſh fquadron made a fignal for feeing a
fleet, confifting of upwards of forty fail, coming round
the fouth end of Martinico, and keeping clofe under the
fhore. The admiral immediately gave chafe, and foon
neared them fufficiently to difcover they were a French
convoy, under the protection of feveral fhips of war, five
or fix of which appearing to be large. The vice-
admiral made the fignal for his fquadron to draw into a
line; but foon perceiving the French commanding officer
was ufing every poffible endeavour to avoid him and get
off without an action, he hawled down the fignal for a
line, and hoifting that for a general chace, made the ut-
moſt expedition in purfuing and attempting to cloſe with
the enemy. This meaſure fucceeded in part fo well, that
many of the merchant-fhips were driven to leeward and
picked up by the fmaller fhips of the fquadron. Mr.
Townſend continued to purfue the efcort with the
main body; and about noon one of their fhips, called
the Ruby, having carried away her main-top-maft, was
forced on fhore by the admiral himſelf, in the Lenox, after
exchanging a few broadfides. Luckily for the enemy's
ſhip it grounded in a fandy bay, were it was protected by
a very formidable battery, fo that nothing farther could be
attempted towards its deftruction, which merely the
good fortune of the enemy prevented, there not being the
malleft want of exertion on the part of the adıniral and
thofe under his command.
F
The
88
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
The French commodore, who was on board a fhip of
eighty guns, called the Magnanime, eſcaped by running
under the guns of Fort Royal, by which, as well as a
battery on the oppofite fide of the bay mounting forty
heavy guns, he was effectually protected from a farther
attack; but having ran a-ground, owing to the extreme
confufion occafioned by his hafty flight, the fhip lay in a
very dangerous fituation for upwards of forty-eight hours,
and was not got off till after having fuftained very confi-
derable damage. The remainder of the day was employed
in cutting out feveral of their merchant-fhips which had
anchored near the fhore, and in burning others which
could not be got off: the lofs of the enemy in the courſe of
that afternoon amounting to upwards of twenty veffels, fif-
teen of which were captured. Early on the next morning the
vice-admiral ordered in the Dreadnought and Ipfwich to
attempt once more the deftruction of the Ruby, which
was ſtill a-ground: but this enterprize, after exchanging
two or three broadfides, was very reluctantly abandoned
as impracticable. On the following day, the vice-admiral
having received intelligence that a few more of the mer-
chant-ſhips had taken refuge in a ſmall bay not far diftant,
he ordered in the Ipfwich, Severn, and Argyle to deſtroy
them. Two veffels, one a fhip, the other a fnow, were
burnt; and a brigantine with feveral others being burnt
along thore by different detachments, on the whole
upwards of thirty were either captured or completely de-
ftroyed. Intelligence was foon afterwards received by
the admiral, that one of the enemy's fhips of war, a flout
frigate of thirty-fix guns, having efcaped the English, was
loft off Porto Rico; fo that the fate of very few fleets was
ever more diſaſtrous.
1
To complete the misfortunes of the enemy, a fupply
they had purchaſed at St. Euftatia, confifting of three fhips
laden with provifions, were intercepted on their pallage
to Martinico, together with a privateer which acted as
their convoy. The French were by thefe accumulated.
evils reduced to fo low an ebb as to be totally incapable
of continuing their ufual depredations on the British
commerce, and however Mr. Campbell, as an hiftorian,
may commiferate the diftreffes of individuals; much alfo
as we ourſelves may be induced to have, at leaft, the
fame
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
89
fame degree of compaffion for private mifery, the moſt
philanthropic mind cannot perfuade itſelf thofe diftreffes
were not induced by the former conduct of thoſe very
perfons on whom the punishment fell, afterwards, molt
grievoufly and defervedly.
The vice-admiral returned to Europe not long after-
wards; and was, on the 14th of July 1746, advanced to
be vice-admiral of the white; as he was, on the 15th of
July 1747, to be admiral of the blue. In 1754 he was
appointed governor of Greenwich-hofpital, a ftation in
which he died, on the 21ft of November 1765, having
in the intermediate time been appointed admiral of the
white.
WATERHOUSE, Thomas,-was, on the 24th of
April 1720, appointed captain of the Rupert. We hear
nothing more of him till the month of January 1728,
when he was appointed to the Loo, of forty guns. The
fervices on which he was, if ever, after the above time,
employed, were, unfortunately for him, fo little confe-
quential, that we find no other particular mention made
of him, except that he died fome time in the courſe of the
year 1742.
1721.
BEAUCLERK, Lord Vere,
was the third fon of
Charles, firſt duke of St. Alban's, and his wife, the lady
Diana Vere, eldeſt daughter, and, at length, fole heir to
the right honourable Aubrey de Vere, the twentieth and
laft earl of Oxford. He was born on the 14th of July
1699, and having entered into the navy, was, after regu-
larly paffing through the feveral fubordinate ftations with
the greatest reputation and honour, on the 30th of May.
1721, promoted to the rank of captain in the navy, and
appointed to the Lyme frigate, one of the veffels kept in
commiffion during the peace in readineſs to act on any
udden emergency. One appeared to prefent itſelf in the
month
90
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
month of December, when a fquadron was ordered to be
collected with the utmost expedition, under fir Charles
Wager, for the purpoſe of chaſtiſing the infolence of the
Portuguefe. The Lyme was ordered to attend this ar-
mament; which in confequence of a timely fubmiffion, was
never reduced to the neceffity of proceeding according to
its original deftination.
In the courfe, of the following fummer, he was
ordered to Lifbon and the Mediterranean; and after
touching at the former place, repaired to his ftation,
where he continued many years, employed as a cruifer, a
fervice which, in time of peace, can, at moft, furnish us
with nothing more than a few unintereſting dates. Ne-
vertheless, as we wish to infert all poffible information
that we can collect from every quarter foever, we ſhall
add the following extract from Collins, the materials of
which were not improbably furnished by his lordship
himſelf.
"His lordship left Gibraltar on September 31, 1722,
and from thence failed to Leghorn for intelligence. Being
afterwards at Genoa, he departed from thence on De-
cember 7, O. S. to cruize in the Mediterranean, and the
Streights. On January 11, N. S. 1723, his lordship
entered the harbour of Lifbon, and in the fame year re-
turned into the Mediterranean, where cruifing for fome
time, and leaving Port Mahon, he arrived from thence
at Liſbon on July 5, 1724. Having his ftation fill in the
Mediterranean, whither he returned, he came again from
Port Mahon on October 21, the fame year; and continn-
ing at Lisbon a fhort time, failed from thence for Genoa
in January, N. S. 1726, from whence he returned after
feveral trivial cruifesto Lifbon, on Auguſt 6, 1726. On the
12th he put to fea again for Gibraltar; and on September
ft, following, joined fir John Jennings's fquadron,
cruising with him off Cape Stellary. After continuing
in the mouth of the Streights during the months of Octo-
ber and November, he arrived at Liſbon on December 8,
from Gibraltar."
We have this farther account of his lordship in the
London Gazette, No. 6596.
"Whitehall, July 8, 1727. Yesterday arrived the
lord Vere Beauclerk, commander of his majefty's fhip the
Lyme,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
91
Lyme, difpatched the 18th inftant from Gibraltar, by fir
Charles Wager, with an account that he, having received
advice from M. Vandermeer, at Madrid, of the figning
of the preliminaries, had ordered the fhips under his
command to forbear all acts of hoftility, the Spaniards at
Cadiz, and in the bay of Gibraltar, having done the like.
With the lord Vere arrived alfo the lord Henry Beauclerk,
and the lord Charles Hay; the latter being fent by the earl
of Portmore, governor of Gibraltar, with advice that a
ceffation of arms had been agreed on between the ſaid
governor and the Conde de las Torres, general of the
Spanish army."
His lordship afterwards commanded the Hampton
Court, one of the fquadron under fir Charles Wager, that
failed from Spithcad on July 14, 1731, to introduce the
Spaniſh garrifons into Tuſcany. Before fir Charles left
Leghorn he fent lord Vere to the grand duke of Florence,
with his compliments of excufe to him for not waiting in
perfon, on account of the advanced feafon's making it
neceffary to haften his departure home. Accordingly, on
December 10, 1731*, fir Charles, with part of his fqua-
dron, (among which was the Hampton Court) arrived
in twenty days at St. Helen's from Gibraltar.-
His lordship was, after paffing through a regular fuc-
ceffion of inferior commands, advanced to the rank of
commodore in his majeſty's navy; and having refigned
that command, was, on March 7, 1737-8, conftituted one
of the commiffioners for executing the office of highr
admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, He continued
commiffioner of the admiralty, with intermiffionst,
till he voluntarily refigned in July
1749.
After
*. He was alfo charged with the arrangement of the falute with the
Spanish governor of Barcelona, a bufinefs he fettled very much to
the fatisfaction of the admiral, and perfectly confiftent with the honour
of the nation.
+ He quitted the admiralty, on the refignation of fir Charles Wager,
in the month of March 1742, and did not return to it again till the
appointment of the duke of Bedford to be firft lord commiffioner, on
the 27th of December 1744, as fucceffor to Daniel, earl of Winchel-
fea and Nottingham.
gradual
92
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
1
gradual promotions* his lordship was conftituted admiral
of the blue fquadron of his majeſty's fleet in 1748. His
lordſhip was, in 1727, elected one of the members for the
borough of New Windfor, in Berkshire, to the firſt par-
liament called by king George the Second; and fat for the
fame place in the next, which was convened for the dif-
patch of bufinef's on January 14, 1734-5, and was the
eighth parliament of Great Britain. At the general
election in 1741 he was returned for the town of Ply-
mouth, in Devonfhire; for which he was alfo chofen, in
1747, to the tenth parliament of Great Britain; but before
>the conclufion of that affembly, his late majefty was pleafed
to create him a peer of Great Britain, by the ftile and
title of lord Vere, of Hanworth, in the county of Middle-
fex, by letters patent, bearing date March 28, 1750†,
whereupon he was introduced into the houfe of peers,
and took his feat there on the 30th of the fame month.
On the refignation of his brother, then duke of St.
Alban's, in 1761, his lordfhip fucceeded him as lord lieu-
tenant and cuftos rotulorum of the county of Berks, an
office which he himſelf fome time afterwards alfo refigned.
In April 1736, his lordſhip married Mary, eldeſt daughter
and coheir of Thomas Chambers, of Hanworth, in the
county of Middlefex, efq. by his wife, the lady Mary
Berkeley, fifter of James, third earl of Berkeley; and by
her ladyship (who was fifter to the late countefs Teinple)
had iffue four fons; 1..Vere; 2. Chambers; 3. Sackville,
who all died young; and 4. Aubrey; and two daughters;
1. Elizabeth, who died young; 2. Mary, born December
4, 1743; married October 2, 1762, to lord Charles
Spencer, brother to his grace, George, the prefent duke
of Marlborough, His lordship having attained the very
advanced age of eighty-two, died on the 2d of October
* On the 23d of April 1745, he was promoted to be rear-admiral
of the red; on the 14th of July 1746, to be vice of the blue; on the
15th of July 1747, to be vice of the red; and on the 12th of May
1748, to be admiral of the blue.
On the 21st of July 1749, he refigned his rank as a naval officer,
as well as his ftation at the admiralty board. His fucceffor to the
latter was not, however, appointed till the 18th of November enfu-
ing. His retirement was not in confequence of any diſguſt, as appears
by the ſequel.
17812
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
93
1781, and was privately buried, according to the directions
given in his will, in the vault under St. James's church
Weſtminſter. The lady Vere, his widow, died fuddenly
on the 19th of January 1783.
CONSETT, Mathew, was, on the 19th of April
1721, appointed captain of the Experiment. The only
fubfequent command in which we find him was that of
the Dover, of forty guns, to which he was appointed in
the month of January 1728. No other mention what-
ever is made of him, except that he is faid to have died
ſometime in the courfe of the year 1749, having, as we
believe, quitted the fervice many years previous to his
deceaſe.
CUNDITT, John, -was, on the 20th of January
1721, appointed captain of the Dolphin *.
We have not
been able to learn any thing farther concerning him,
except that he died in England on the 26th of April
1724.
MEDLEY, Henry, was, in the year 1720, com.
mander of the Pool firefhip, one of the fleet fent into
the Baltic under, the orders of fir John Norris
He was, on the 17th of February 1721, promoted
to the rank of captain in the navy, and appointed to the
York, a fourth rate of fixty guns; in which fhip he agair
ferved on the Baltic ftation. After his return he was or
dered to join the fquadron intended to be fent to Liſbon
under fir Charles Wager, which, as we have frequently
obferved, never put to fea. Early in the following year
he was appointed to the Leopard, and fent to the Mediter
ranean, The only confequential mention we find made
of him while employed there is, having, in conjunction
with captain Scot, in the Dragon, feized a fhip called the
Revolution, lying within the mole of Genoa, upon infor-
mation of her being in the Pretender's fervice.
Mr. Medley's next command appears to have been that
of the Romney, a fifty gun fhip, put in commiffion as one
of the armament intended to be fent to the Mediterranean
under the command of fir Charles Wager, but which was
one of thoſe which did not proceed on that fervice, We
And no mention made of him from this time till the year
* Mr. Hardy erroneouffy fays the Greyhound.
1741,
94
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1741, when he commanded the Naffau, of feventy guns,
one of the fleet employed in the Channel under the orders
of fir John Norris. That admiral returning into port
with the principal part of the fleet in the month of August,
the Naffan was left with fome other fhips to cruiſe off the
coaft of Spain, as well in the hope of diftreffing the trade of
the enemy as protecting that of Britain. In this fervice he
was at leaſt very active, if not fuccefsful, having captured
feveral ſmall veffels, which, though of no great value,
fufficiently prove his diligence and affiduity in attending
properly to the fervice of his country.
He did not long remain in the Naffau, that fhip being
fent to the Mediterranean, under Mr. Leftock in the fol
lowing year, commanded by captain Lloyd. We do not
know any thing farther concerning him, except that for a
fhort time he is faid to have been firft captain to fir John
Norris during the latter end of the year 1742, and the
beginning of the following year, till his promotion, on the
19th of June 1744, to be rear admiral of the white, whieh
was his first flag. In the month of November he was ap-
pointed to command a fmall fquadron ordered to cruife in
foundings; and failed on the 18th, on that fervice, in
company with vice-admiral Davers, who was proceeding
with a fquadron to Jamaica. Mr. Medley diligently kept
his ſtation, though at the moſt inhoſpitable ſeaſon of the
year, not having returned to Spithead till the 23d of Ja-
nuary. He met with fome good fortune, having captured
two or three valuable prizes; which, though a fuccefs by
no means adequate to his wifhes or deferts, was greater
than that which had attended many expeditions of greater
confequence, and under the command of men of the moſt
diſtinguiſhed popularity. On the 23d of April 1745, he
was advanced to be vice-admiral of the blue, having been
a few days before appointed to command a fquadron ſent
to the Mediterranean, where, on his arrival, he was to take
upon him the chief command.
The war in that part of the world had languiſhed for
fome time, as muft ever be the cafe where there is no
enemy, or at moft an impotent one, to contend with.
The cautious conduct purfued by France and Spain, ever
fince the encounter off Toulon, compelled the prefence of
a Britiſh armament in thoſe feas, at an enormous incon-
venience
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
95
venience and expence, but with very little difficulty or
trouble to themſelves. Their ſhips in a conſtant ſtate of
equipment continued in their ports without incurring
danger, or even rifk; and by employing fo large a portion
of the British naval force to watch them, afforded them
every afliſtance, which they could have derived from their
meeting it in open combat. This politic behaviour on
the part of the foe, although demanding the utmoſt dili-
gence and care on the part of the Britiſh admiral, afforded
him but little, or, indeed, no opportunity of acquiring
that degree of celebrity neceffary to eſtabliſh a popular
character. Nevertheless, the temperate part of his
countrymen cannot in juſtice withold from him that cool
and fober kind of applaufe, which is the undeniable tri-
bute due to every honeft, careful, and affiduous comman-
der. On the 15th of July 1747, Mr. Medley was ad-
vanced to the rank of vice-admiral of the red, and conti-
nued in the very unenviable ftation we have already
defcribed till the time of his death, an event which took
place at Vado, on the 5th of Auguft 1747, he then having
his flag flying on board the Ruffel.
WELLER, John, was, on the 7th of April 1721,
appointed captain of the Garland. His next promotion
was, as we believe, in the year 1726, to the command of
the Hampſhire, of fifty guns, one of the fleet fent into the
Baltic under fir Charles Wager. This gentleman ap-
pears to have had a very indifferent ftate of health, and
particularly to have been grievously afflicted with the ſtone,
a difeafe which in the end put a period to his exiſtence,
after having for many years endured, with the greateſt
firmnefs, all the torments attendant on the complaint
itſelf, and undergone one of the fevereft operations, per-
haps, in all furgery, in the hope of being cured. The
above misfortune will beft account for his not having been,
far as we have been able to difcover, ever engaged in any
active fervice. Not long after the commencement
of the Spanish war he was appointed captain of the
Dublin yacht, a ftation which he refigned to his fon in the
year 1748, in confequence of the ill health with which he
was afflicted. In rear-admiral Hardy's lift he is faid to
have died in England on the 27th of December 1752; but
very
10
96
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
in a private memorandum, the year 1756 is given as the
time of his deceaſe.
WINDHAM, James-was, on the 30th of May 1721,
appointed captain of the Solebay. He was afterwards
removed into the Diamond, and ordered to the Weft
Indies. He died in the bay of Honduras on the 3d of
January 1724-5.
1722.
BRAITHWAITE, Samuel,-was, on the 28th of
January 1721-2, promoted to be captain of the Exeter.
The only fubfequent command in which we find him
was that of the Kingſton, a fourth rate of fixty guns, one
of eight two-decked fhips put in commiffion on the 15th
of February 1727, and intended to form a part of the fleet
collecting for the Baltic. The deftination, however, of
feveral of the fhips was afterwards changed, and in this
number the Kingſton was included, being fent, in the
month of June following to Gibraltar, with a convoy of
tranſports, having troops on board for the reinforcement
of that garriſon. The Kingſton remained on that ſtation,
under fir Charles Wager, during the continuance of the
fhort rupture; and when that was concluded, was ordered,
with feveral other fhips of war, to convoy back to Ireland
the different regiments that had been drawn from thence
on the above emergency. We do not find captain Braith-
waite to have held any command fubfequent to that of the
Kingſton, and believe him to have totally retired from
the fervice many years before his death, which happened
in the month of June 1750, or, as others fay, 1751.
LAWES, Jofeph, was, on the 28th of October
1722, appointed captain of the Mermaid; and in the
month of February 1726-7, was promoted to the com-
mand of the Lyon, a fourth rate, fitted out with the fame
intention the Kingfton was, which we have already
noticed in the life of captain Braithwaite. The Lyon
I
alfo
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 97
alfo did not proceed to the Baltic, but accompanied the
Kingſton to Gibraltar, and failed from thence to the Weſt
Indies, in the month of December, with Mr. Hopfon*,
who was appointed to the chief command in that part of
the world. On his return from thence the Lyon was paid
off, and captain Lawes is not known to have held any
fubfequent command till the year 1731, when he was
made captain of the Flamborough, a fixth rate of twenty
guns, one of four veffels, all of the fame defcription,
ordered to be fuddenly equipped and fent to the Weſt
Indies for the purpoſe of reftraining the infults and depre-
dations then daily committed by the Spanish guarda cofta's
in that part of the world. Whether captain Lawes ever
proceeded on the above fervice does not clearly appear,
nor do we know any thing farther relative to him, except
that he died at Plymouth on the 19th of March 1733,
being at that time commander of the York, to which hip
he had been just before appointed.
MACCARTHY, Robert, commonly called Lord Muf-
kerry, was the eldeſt ſon of Charles Maccarthy, earl
of Clancarty, in the kingdom of Ireland. This unfortu-
nate nobleman having exerted himſelf in the moſt con-
fpicuous manner in fupport of the arbitrary meaſures of
king James the Second, was attainted by act of parlia-
ment. His fon, being born after the above event, was,
confequently, not implicated in his guilt, and was always
diftinguished by the fame honorary title he would have had
a legal right to, had not his father's delinquency deſtroy-
ed it. The family poffeffions being nearly annihilated
by the foregoing procedure, his lordthip entered early in
life into the navy, and was, on the 17th of March 1721-2,
appointed captain of the Solebay. We hear nothing of
him after that time till the month of January 1728, when
he was appointed captain of the Adventure, a large fifth
rate mounting forty guns. In 1729 that ship was one of
the fleet collected at Spithead, under fir Charles Wager.
From thence he was fent to the West Indies, where he
continued two years without any opportunity of figna-
lizing himſelf, for the behaviour and note of the Spaniards
was of late much altered: and though depredations in fome
degree continued, yet theſe were rather to be confidered
as the piracies of individuals than as a national infult, the
VOL. IV.
* See page 84.
G
court
98
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
court having given the moft pofitive and peremptory
orders to all the Spaniſh ſubjects to obſerve the moſt
peaceable demeanour towards the British. Many who
were hardy enough to act in contravention of that edict
were impriſoned and otherwiſe puniſhed in the moſt ex-
emplary manner.
The conduct of the Britiſh was of courfe equally ami-
cable and polite. Several Spaniſh fhips of war, with a
confiderable quantity of fpecie on board, having been
wrecked on Point Pedro fhoals, off the iſland of Jamaica,
all poffible exertions were made to fave the money.
Theſe were fo fuccefsful, that, in the month of April 1731,
two hundred and twenty thouſand pieces of eight, belong-
ing to the public treafure, were carried by his lordship to
Cadiz, together with an unregiſtered fum equal in value,
as it was faid, to the above. We are unacquainted with
any command his lordſhip held after the above time, not-
withſtanding we believe him to have been occafionally
employed, more particularly previous to the rupture with
Spain in 1739. Having then fallen under the unhappy ſuſ-
picion of being ſtrongly infected with thoſe principles and
attachments, which had on a former occafion proved the
ruin of his father; he was ordered to be ftruck off the
lift of naval officers on the 16th of July 1749. He after-
wards entered into a foreign fervice, fo that the time of his
death is unknown to us.
SOLGUARD, Peter,-was a gentleman of foreign
extraction, we believe Danifh; and having entered into
the Engliſh ſervice, was, on the 2d of July 1722, appointed
captain of the Greyhound. He remained in the fame
command ſeveral years, ferving in the Weſt Indies
under vice-admiral Hofier, where he had at leaſt an equal
ſhare with his cotemporaries in the feveral events which
took place there, and was not alfo without his portion of
fuccefs. His moft confequential fervice was the capture of
a Spaniſh ſhip, in June 1727, bound from the Havannah to
Teneriffe, with a valuable cargo, and upwards of feventy
thousand dollars in fpecic, and of a large pirate fhip
which had committed many depredations.
mainder of his fervices were, as well as thofe of all his
colleagues, confined to the mere act of cruifing during
The re-
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
'99
nean,
the continuance of the enfuing armed peace. In this
interval he commanded the Hector of forty guns on the
Mediterranean ſtation, and afterwards the Royal Oak of
70, one of the guardships. On the profpect of a rupture
with Spain, he was appointed captain, in 1739, of
the Berwick, of feventy guns, in which fhip he was
immediately afterwards ordered for the Mediterra-
Soon after his arrival at Gibraltar he was moft
unhappily feized with a fever of which he died at that
place on the 19th of March, 1740. Of this gentleman
we have briefly to remark, that as no man ever lived more
eſteemed, ſo did no one ever die more lamented. It
may be truly added, and without a figure, that at his fune-
ral, every feaman, every officer, under his command, be-
wailed him as affectionately as if each individual had loſt
a friend moſt truly beloved, or a parent moſt highly revered.
1723.
NO perſon appears to have been advanced to the rank
of poft captain between the 1st of January 1722-3, and
the first of January following.
1724.
ANSON, George, Lord, was the defcendant of a
very refpectable family long fettled in the county of
Stafford. He was the ſecond and youngeſt fon of Wil-
liain Anfon, efq. of Shugborough in that county, and his
wife Elizabeth Lane, one of the daughters and co-heirs.
of Ralph Lane, efq. and fifter to Mary, countefs of
Macclef
G 2
100
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
F
t
•
Macclesfield. Having very early in life difcovered the
strongest propensity to the naval fervice, he received the
education neceffary for fuch a purfuit; and paffing
through the fubordinate ſtations of midshipman and lieu-
tenant with much credit and reputation, was, in 1722,
advanced to the rank of commander of the Weazle floop.
He was, on the 1ft of February 1723-4, promoted to the
rank of captain, and appointed to the Scarborough frigate.
No mention is made either of the fervices or ſtations on
which he was employed, or even the ſhips he commanded,
till the year 1731, at which time he was captain of the
Diamond, a fifth rate of forty guns. This veffel was one
of thoſe originally intended to have been fent to the Me-
diterranean with fir Charles Wager, but never proceeded
thither. In 1737, till which time we have no farther ac-
count of him, he was appointed to the Centurion of fixty
guns, and fent as commanding officer, with a diftinguifh-
ing pendant, to the coaſt of Africa, from whence he paffed
to Carolina. On the eve of the rupture with Spain he
was pitched upon to command a fquadron, con-
fifting of five or fix two-decked ſhips, having on board a
body of land forces under colonel Bland. This force was
intended to be fent to the Eaft Indies, on an expedition
againſt the valuable Spanish fettlement of Manilla or Lu-
conia, one of the Philippine islands. This force, taking
its fuccefs as an abfolute certainty, was to be there joined
by a fquadron of equal force, commanded by the
brave and unfortunate captain Cornwall, who was
to have proceeded to the weftward round Cape Horn; and
after attacking and deftroying as far as poffible the Spaniſh
fettlements on the Weſtern coaft of America, was to have
formed the junction juſt ſtated; they were then jointly
to attempt any enterprize ftill greater, which their
own prudence and ability might fuggeft to them the pow-
er of carrying into execution with effect.
This plan, which appeared exceeding feafible and likely
to have been productive of the moſt folid advantages to
the nation, was in part fuddenly abandoned by admini-
ftration, for reafons which have never yet been made
public; the original deſtination of Mr. Anfon was changed,
and he was ordered to purfue the route and plan which
had been intended for the fquadron under Mr. Cornwall.
He received his commiffion on the 10th of January,
and
4
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
ΙΘΙ
men.
and though his inftructions bore date on the 31ft of the
fame month; through fome unaccountable and unpardon-
able delay, theſe were not delivered to him till the 28th of
June following. He repaired immediately to Portſmouth,
where he found his fquadron collected, but in no condi-
tion for fea, there being at leaſt a deficiency of three
hundred men in the different fhip's complements of fea-
This inconvenience the commodore was affured
ſhould be immediately remedied, by his having a number
equal to his wants turned over from on board the fleet then
lying at Spithead under the command of fir John Norris:
but this promife was fo far from being fulfilled, that fir
John peremptorily refuſed to part with a fingle man,
alledging the fervice in which he himfelf was employed
was molt confequential to the nation; and that, holding
himſelf reſponſible for events, he could not think of
rendering any part of his own force unfit for fervice by
complying with the requifition.
Thus were the fanguine hopes Mr. Anfon had enter-
tained of being able to proceed to fea without delay totally
fruſtrated; and at laſt, when he had waited with much im-
patience for a confiderable length of time, all the affiſtance
he was able to procure, as a fupply, inſtead of the numbers
actually due to his fhips according to the eſtabliſhment, was
a recruit of ninety-eight marines, forty feamen only that
could be ſaid to be in a condition fit to undertake ſo very
diſtant a voyage, and thirty-two convalefcents newly dif
charged from the hofpital: nor was the above the only
mortification to which the cominander of this unfortunate
fquadron was fubjected. According to the original plan
a complete regiment of foot, then commanded by colonel
Bland, and three independent companies, were to have
embarked as a land force, deftined first to attack Baldivia,
a very confequential fettlement, belonging to the Spani-
ards, on the western coast of South America. But even
this part of the armament was afterwards abandoned in
the moſt unaccountable manner; and inſtead of thoſe
troops which, had the fquadron failed in proper time to get
round Cape Horn without accident, might have affaulted
with fuccefs the rich town of Acapulco itfelf, adminiftra-
tion ſubſtituted a draft of five hundred out penfioners be-
longing to Chelſea hofpital. Two hundred and fifty-nine
G 3
only
102
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
?
only of thefe embarked, being thoſe moſt feeble and in-
capable of effecting their eſcape from a ſervice which their
comrades justly confidered as fending them to a certain.
death. We cannot refrain from affenting to a remark
made by Campbell on this occafion, that in cafes like the
prefent it is not eafy to determine which we ſhould moſt
execrate, the heads or the hearts of thoſe who are entruſted
with the management of public affairs. That it furely could
require but a very moderate fhare of underſtanding to know
that troops of fuch a deſcription fo far from being in any
degree ferviceable, muft neceffarily prove a burdenfome ob-
ftruction to the fuccefs of an expedition, which, from its
very nature, required health, ftrength, and vigour in its
utmoſt perfection. As to heart, could any thing be ima-
gined more inhuman, than treacherously dragging from
their peaceful habitations, and the enjoyment of a scanty
reward for paft fervices, a number of decrepit old men,
confcious of their own inability to render farther fervice.
to their country, and certain of a moft inglorious cata-
strophe.
To fupply the deficiency of the intended force occa-
fioned by the above deſertion, miniſtry, as if ſtill
refolutely bent on doing every thing in their power to
prevent even the poffibility of fuccefs, ordered three com-
panies of marines, confifting of two hundred and ten men,
to be embarked. Thofe, were newly raiſed, confequently
totally uninured to the fatigues, even of Channel fervice,
and ignorant of all military difcipline. Having received
this wonderful reinforcement the fquadron dropped down
to St. Helen's, on the 10th of Auguft, to take advantage
of the firft fpurt of fair wind. The abfurdity of the
meaſures which had been uniformly purfued in the ma-
nagement of the whole expedition was not yet complete,
for, as Campbell obferves, inſtead of ſuffering Mr. Anfon
to proceed and tide it down Channel, as he might have
done in light winds with his fmall fquadron, he was
ordered to fail from St. Helen's with the two fleets col-
lected there under fir Chaloner Ogle and admiral Balchen,
amounting to one hundred and forty-five fail. It being
impoffible for fo great a number of fhips to proceed to
fea fafely without an eaſterly or leading wind, a confider-
able time was in vain confumed in waiting for that op-
portunity:
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 103
:
portunity and when weary of fruitless expectation, the
lords juſtices at laſt ordered Mr. Anſon to make the beſt
of his way with his own fquadron without waiting for
the other fleets. He failed on the 18th of September with
a ligt wind, nearly weft, and in four days cleared the
Channel.
His force confifted of the Centurion, his own fhip, of
fixty guns; the Severn and Glouceſter, of fifty; the Pearl,
of forty; the Wager ftorefhip, an old Indiaman, mount-
ing twenty guns, purchafed into the fervice, and very
unfit to be fent on fo dangerous a voyage; and the Trial,
a fnow carrying eight guns: to thefe were added two
victuallers, one of four, the other of two hundred tons
burthen. The land forces, that is to fay the invalids,
and marines, amounting together to four hundred and
feventy men, were commanded by colonel Cracherode.
From what we have premifed it may be concluded, that
ali unprejudiced perfons could entertain but very flender
hopes of fuccefs. The force was in itfelf by no means
adequate to the magnitude of the undertaking; and the
extraordinary delay from the month of January, when the
expedition was firſt arranged, to the month of September,
when it proceeded to fea, not only enabled, as it was well
known, the Spaniards to equip and fend to fea a fquadron
of fuperior force to counteract its operations, but expofed
Mr. Anfon and his fhips to the extreme danger of making
their palfage round Cape Horn, and paffing through thofe
very inclement ſeas at the moft inhofpitable and improper
feafon; a circumftance that contributed more to the fub-
fequent fafety of the enemy's fettlements than their ability
of refiftance, either from the ftrength of their fortifica-
tions or that of Mr. Pizarro's fquadron.
Mr. Anfon being at length at liberty to purſue his
voyage, fteered for the island of Madeira; but as if Pro-
vidence had leagued with the authors of his former delay,
and united to effect the utter ruin of this apparently de-
voted fquadron, he was thirty-feven days on his paffage
thither, a run which is moſt frequently made, if the wind
prove favourable or moderate, in ten or twelve. On his
arrival there, on the 25th of October, he had intelligence
that a ſquadron, confifting of feven or eight Spanish thips
of the line and a Patache, had been feen cruifing to the
westward
G 4
104
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
weftward of that iſland for ſeveral days: this was in truth
the very fquadron, under admiral Don Pizarro, of which
we have already made mention. The commodore imme-
diately dispatched a ſmall veffel to reconnoitre; but the
having returned without affording him any information,
and the water of the fquadron being completed, he failed
on the 3d of November, fteering for the coaft of Brazil.
On the 28th he croffed the line, and on the 21st of De-
cember came to an anchor at the iſland of St. Catherine's.
The crews of the different fhips having become fickly
during the paffage, it was neceffary to remain at the port
above-mentioned for a fhort time, in the hope of recover-
ing them by the fuppofed falubrity of the climate, and the
conftant ufe of freth provifions. Mr. Anfon was, how-
ever, much deceived in thefe too fanguine expectations;
the climate itſelf not being by any means fo healthy, or the
Portugueſe fo hofpitable as they were generally repre-
fented; infomuch that the number of fick was actually
rather encreaſed than diminished during his continuance
there. Te fhips having fet up their rigging and com-
pleted other little neceffary duties and repairs, as well as
fufficiently recruited their ftock of provifion and water, the
commodore left St. Catherine's on the 18th of January
fteering to the fouthward, along the western coaſt of
America: and, as it was highly probable that, confider-
ing the inhofpitable climate, rendered ftill more hoftile by
the dangerous feafon of the year, the fquadron might be
ſeparated, three different places of rendezvous were, with
the most prudent precaution, appointed. The firſt, at
the port of St. Julian on the coaſt of Patagonia; the ſe-
cond, at the iſland of Socoro in the South Seas; and the
third, at Juan Fernandez. As had been foreſeen, the
Pearl ſeparated from the reft of the fquadron foon after it
failed from St. Catherine's, and did not rejoin it till a very
fhort time before they made the harbour of St. Julian.
During her abfence fhe was chaced, and very narrowly
eſcaped being taken by the Spaniſh fquadron, the moſt
perfe& account of Mr. Anfon's force and movements
having been fent to Pizarro, at Buenos Ayres, through the
treachery of the Portugueſe governor, at St. Catherine's.
This information was fo correct and precife, that the
Spaniſh commander was enabled to difguife his fhips fo
completely
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
105
completely as to enable them to pafs on all thoſe who
were not the moſt accurate judges for thofe under Mr.
Anfon; and the very form of the Commodore's broad, or
diſtinguiſhing pendant was fo perfectly imitated, that the
officers and crew of the Pearl were very near falling vic-
tims to the treacherous delufion.
The Trial floop having loſt her main-maft during her
paffage, the neceifary repair rendered their ſtay at the
ifland of St. Julian, where they arrived on the 18th of
February, longer than had been at first propoſed; but the
whole being accomplished by the 27th, the fquadron again
put to fea and paffed the ftreights le Maire on the 7th of
March. Thefe were confidered as the boundary of their
troubles, the entrance into the Pacific Ocean, where
they would have no ftorms to encounter, nor any other
occupation but that of diftreffing the enemies of their
country and enriching themfelves. The fhips, taking all
circumstances together, were far from being in a bad
condition for fervice, their crews not remarkably un-
healthy, and thofe who were oppreffed with difeafe would,
as it was hoped, foon recover under the benign influence of
a milder climate, and thofe repeated opportunities which
were expected of procuring fresh provifions, from their
foes or otherwiſe.
Theſe pleafing ideas were fcarcely raiſed ere they
vanifhed. The fternmoft fhips of the fquadron had not
cleared the ftreights when a moft tremendous hurricane
arofe which had nearly driven them on fhore. Having
eſcaped this imminent danger, they were inceffantly ex-
pofed, during a period of two months, to all the horrors
and dangers of a moſt impetuous tempeft. During this
time the ſhips fuftained the most ferious damage in their
mafts and rigging; their hulls were fo ftrained as, figura-
tively ſpeaking, to admit water at every feam; and the crews.
themſelves became fo weak and fickly as to have fcarcely
ſtrength and energy fufficient to work their crazy fhattered
veffels. Yet through all this complicated diftrefs, owing
to the prudent regulations and orders which had been
iffued to all the captains of the fquadron, and their ſtrict
and attentive obfervance of them, they for a long time bid.
defiance to the war of elements and kept together. The
fury of the ſtill encreaſing tempeft at laſt proved too ſtrong
for
106
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
for mortal exertion. All that remained for the feveral
fhips of the fquadron, difperfed as they were, was to make
every effort at reaching the place of appointed rendez-
vous. Two of them, the Severn and Pearl, were obliged
to put back; the Wager ſtore fhip refolutely perfevering
in the attempt, was wrecked; the commodore himſelf,
with the Gloucefter, the Trial floop, and Anna pink,
victualler, were all that made their paffage to the
iſland of Juan Fernandez.
To return to Mr. Anfon. After having with the moſt
incredible difficulty fucceeded in making his paffage round
Cape Horn, notwithstanding it was the opinion of every
man in the fhip that none had furvived the tempeſt but
themſelves, he proceeded for the first appointed rendez-
vous, where having cruifed in vain for upwards of a fort-
night, in hopes of meeting with fome thips of the fqua-
dron, and being difappointed, was confequently, together
with his people, ftrengthened in the first opinion. Still
did he hold it hi indifpenfible duty to perfevere while the
poffibility of fulfilling his first inftructions exifted: he ac-
cordingly fteered for the island of Juan Fernandez, and
on the 28th of May arrived actually in fight of it; but
from its appearance, in confequence of the ftate of the
atmoſphere at that time, it was deemed only a cloud.
The thip accordingly altered her courſe, and on the 30th
of May the crew were convinced of their former error by a
more perfect fight of the high land of Chili. Their
ftate was now become truly deplorable, water was grown
very fhort, and the people fo fickly that it was no uncom-
mon difafter for fix or feven of them to die in the courſe
of twenty-four hours. Thofe who furvived were ſo en-
feebled that they almoſt deſpaired of reaching the fertile
and falubrious fpot where their health might again be
renovated. The Centurion was, however, fortunate
enough to reach this object of general wifh on the 9th of
June. So reduced were her crew by the fcurvy and
fatigue, that of four hundred and fifty men who three
months before paffed the ftreights Le Maire, in what
might be called good health and vigour, ſcarce half that
number were alive; and ſo many of the furvivors confined
to their hammocks that, with the manual affistance of all
the officers, without exception, it was with the utmoſt
difficulty
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
107
difficulty they could mufter fufficient ſtrength to bring the
ſhip to an anchor on the following day.
The firſt buſineſs entered upon was, as might be rea-
fonably fuppofed, the landing of their fick; from the
fpeedy recovery of whom the commodore found the report
of the falubrity of the climate, and the vegetable produc-
tions of the iſland, particularly in cafes of perfons afflicted
with the fcurvy, by no means exaggerated; for though a
very confiderable number might be confidered, in the laſt
ſtage of that distemper, yet, after the two first days, ſcarce
ten perfons died during the time of their continuance on
the iſland, a period of three months.
The commodore was
fome time afterwards joined by the Glouceſter, Trial floop,
and Anna pink, victualler; the two former, if poffible, in a
worfe condition than the Centurion had been. The health
of the furvivors was, however, reſtored, and the ſhips re-
fitted as well as circumftances would admit. Such was
the ſtate of affairs when a ftrange fhip was difcovered in
the offing. The Centurion being in the moft forward ftate
of equipment, the commodore immediately flipped his
cable and ran out to fea in purfuit. The vetiel he had
feen efcaped for the night; but to make him amends for
this temporary difappointment, he fell in with and cap-
tured her on the following day. She proved to be a
Spanish merchantship with a cargo of confiderable value,
and fome fpecie, bound coaftwife. Finding, by letters
taken in the prize, as well the information of the people,
that fome confiderable captures might probably be made
before the coaft was fufficiently alarmed to keep their
veffels in port, the commodore, on his return to Juan
Fernandez, made every poffible difpatch in getting the
Glouceſter and Trial ready for fea, the victualler having
been condemned and broke up. They accordingly, as
well as himſelf, made every poffible difpatch in getting
ready for their final departure from the hofpitable ſpot
whence they had derived fo much fuccour.
The Centurion, and the Tryal floop*, together with
the Prize fhip, the Carmelo, which was fitted as a cruiſer
with the Victualler's guns, in the beſt manner circum-
* The Tryal failed in a very few days after Mr. Anfon's return;
the Commodore himſelf, with his prize, on the 19th of September.
ftances
108
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
ftances would permit, failed from Juan Fernandez with
the above intention, leaving the Gloucefter, which fhip
was not in quite fo forward a ſtate to follow them. The
Centurion was foon joined by the Tryal, with a very large
and valuable ſhip the had taken, but had fuftained fo much
damage in her mafts during the chace, and was moreover
found to be fo very leaky and defective as to be totally
unfit for fervice: it was therefore refolved to fcuttle her*,
and commiffion the prize as an English frigate, fhe
having been formerly employed as one in the Spaniſh fer-
vice. The commodore and his new confort afterwards
cruised in company, and were fuccefsful enough to take
two prizes of no inconfiderable value to the Spaniards,
but lefs to the captors, who had no means of difpofing of
them. The commodore finding, however, that the coaft
was alarmed, and little farther fuccefs was on that account
to be expected by continuing his former employment, and
having alſo received information that a confiderable trea-
fure was then lying at Paita, a Spaniſh town within a few
leagues of him, and by no means fo defended as to be capable
of making any confiderable refiftance, he immediately re-
folved to bend his courfe thither, and when at a convenient
diſtance to attempt furpriſing it, with his boats manned
and armed.
Having arrived on the ſtation he judged proper to com-
mence operations from, fifty-eight men were chofen from
the different crews, and put under the command of Mr.
afterwards fir Piercy Brett, the commodore's first lieute-
nant with a proper quantity of arms and ammunition :
The boats left the fhips two hours before midnight, and Mr.
Brett with his people managed their bufinefs with fo much
addreſs and ſpirit, that by the morning they were in com-
plete and undiſturbed poffeffion of the town, together with
a fmall fort which was its only defence. The commodore
and his ſhips ſtood after the boats under an eafy fail, and
at day break the next morning had the fatisfaction of learn-
ing the complete fuccefs of his detachment from the fight
of the Engliſh colours which were hoiſted on the enemy's
fort. The removal of every thing that was moſt valuable
This circumftance will be hereafter found more particularly
deſcribed in the life of fir Charles Saunders.
from
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 109
from the town, on board the fquadron, immediately took
place; and fo much diligence was uſed in the tranfporta-
tion of them, fuch care in properly barricading and
guarding the different avenues, that the whole bufinefs
was completed in three days without the fmalleſt inter-
ruption on the part of the enemy. The governor and
inhabitants, who all made their efcape and rendezvouſed
in great numbers on a hill at a ſmall diftance, having re-
fufed to ranfom the town, notwithſtanding many liberal
offers were made to them for that purpoſe, the commo-
dore, after having, according to his previous promiſe,
landed the prifoners he had made in the feveral prizes,
ordered it to be fet on fire. He immediately quitted the
bay after having funk five or fix veffels which he found
there that were of no ufe to him; and brought off a ſhip,
called the Solidad, which, having the character of a prime
failer, he thought might be uſeful in his future operations.
He failed from Paita on the 16th of November, and
was two days afterwards joined by the Gloucefter, who
had only taken two fmall veffels. The grand object and
point of their future operations was the capture of the
galleon, which, according to the common courfe of events,
was expected to arrive from Manila, at Acapulco, in the
month of January following. It was only the middle of
November, and it was therefore reaſonably expected that
the fquadron would be able to get into the neceflary lati-
tude in proper time. The force under the commodore,
including prizes, amounted to eight fhips; but two of them
weret found fuch indifferent failers, that, to prevent delay,
they were ordered to be cleared of the moſt valuable part
of their cargoes and then ſet on fire, as was a third imme-
diately afterwards. In the beginning of December the
ſquadron arrived at the iſland of Quibo, near the bay of
Panama. The commodore, while at Juan Fernandez,
had formed to himfelf hopes of procuring at this place a
reinforcement of men acroſs the ifthmus of Darien from
*The booty carried off amounted to about 30,000l. but the lofs
fuftained by the Spaniards, including the property deftroyed, was
moderately eftimated at a million and an half of dollars.
+ One of theſe was the Solidad, the fhip brought from Paita, fo
lile did the antwer the character given of her by the Spaniards.
Mr.
110
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Mr. Vernon, who he well knew was fent on the expedi-
tion againſt Carthagena. But thefe expectations were
annihilated by letters found on board one of the prizes,
from which he learnt that that enterprize had failed; fo
that, after a ſtay of eight days, the fquadron left Quibo,
fteering their courſe for the coaft of Mexico. Previous
to their departure the commodore diftributed to the cap-
tains and commanders of all the different fhips orders for
them, in cafe of feparation, to uſe their utmoft endeavours
to get a little to the northward of the harbour of Aca-
pulco, that being the track of the expected prize. But
though the fhips never loft fight of each other, they were
fo much retarded by calms, contrary winds, and other
cauſes, that they did not fall in with the coast of Mexico
till the 29th of January.
Now were the hopes of every individual in the fqua-
dron raiſed to the higheft pitch; each flattering himfelf
with the pleaſing golden dream of returning back to his
native country fufficiently enriched, according to their
different ftations, to make them amends for labour,
fatigue, and complicated mifery, induced by diſeaſe, all
which by far the greater part of them had felt in their
moft ſevere fhape. This happy delufion was foon fruf-
trated, or, at leaſt, the poffeffion of their expected riches
was for fome time poftponed, for the commodore learnt.
from three negroes, which were furprized in a canoe by
the crew of his barge, off the harbour of Acapulco, that
the galleon had arrived there on the 9th of January,
twenty days before he himſelf made the coaft. As a pal-
liative to this difappointment he learnt, through the fame
channel, that her failing from Acapulco on her return to
Manilla, was fixed for the 3d of March; and both him-
felf, as well as his people, comforted themſelves with the
reflection," that her cargo having, on her arrival at Aca-
pulco, been exchanged for filver, fhe would be a much
more advantageous capture than fhe would have been if
taken on her paffage to Acapulco." The interval paffed
fomewhat flowly, as might naturally be expected in
minds raiſed to the very tiptoe of expectation; their prin-
cipal employment was anticipating their future greatnefs,
and confidering the moſt likely meaſures to enſure its
completion. The arrangements made by the commodore
were
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
III
were, in every refpect, the moft judicious that could have
been conceived. He formed a line of twenty leagues, by
ftationing the feveral fhips of his fquadron, as well as the
cutters of the Centurion and Gloucefter, at equal diſtances
from each other, all at ſuch an offing from the ſhore that
they could not be obferved; the cutters had orders to
ſtand nearer the fhore every night, and work off again on
the approach of day, fo that it was actually impoffible for
any veifel to paſs in or out of the harbour unobferved.
On the expected dawn every eye was eagerly turned to-
wards the quarter from whence their treafure was expected
to approach, and ftrained in fruitlefs gazing. A fecond and
a third day fucceeded, and were equally unproductive of
fuccefs. Every cloud was converted by the credulous eye of
fancy into a fail; and a fire on the ſhore was chaced with
the utmoſt eagernefs during one whole night: during which
the moſt poſitive affertions were made, by different perfons on
board, of circumftances and appearances which, all prov-
ing fantaſtic, fufficiently demonftrate how much a mind,
blinded by prejudice, may be inclined to embrace and
affert, as an incontrovertible truth, the viſions of fancy
and vain credulity.
Nearly a month was ſpent in this torment of expecta-
tion and hope; and it was at laſt generally believed, what
afterwards proved to be really the cafe, that the barge,
when firft fent to diſcover the harbour of Acapulco, at the
time when the canoe with the negroes were feized, was
defcried from the ſhore, and the failing of the galleon was
of courfe deferred till the enfuing feafon. A multitude
of ſchemes were fuggeſted for poffeffing themſelves of the
hoped-for prize; but from the impoffibility of carrying
them into execution, were abandoned as foon as framed.
One of theſe was ſtarted by the commodore himſelf,
who propoſed fo attack the town of Acapulco, by
landing two hundred of his people, under the fire of the
fhips of war, which were to have run in cloſe for the
purpofe; but this alfo was given up, as the numbers re-
maining behind were by no means adequate to the in-
tended fervice. Having, however, continued on their
ftation as long as ever their ſtock of wood and water
would permit, the fquadron, unſucceſsful as it was, was
obliged to make for the harbour of Chequetan, about thirty
leagues
1
312
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
leagues to the weftward of Acapulco, where he arrived on
the 7th of April. All hope of farther fuccefs on the coaft
of America being now totally at an end, nothing remained
but to put their fhips in the beft poffible condition to croſs
the Pacific Ocean, and patiently wait for the enſuing
feafon, in the hope of intercepting their long-fought-for
prize on its paffage to Manilla. The united crews of
the whole fquadron amounted not to more than three
hundred and thirty perfons, a number far inferior to the
complement of the Centurion alone, and totally inade-
quate to the taſk of navigating five fhips over the immenfe
ocean which intervened between America and China, the
next land where they could, with certainty, rely on re-
ceiving fuccour after they quitted the former Continent.
The neceffary preparations were made to effect that pur-
pofe; and the Carmelo and Carmin, together with the
Tryal's Prize frigate, were, through neceffity, after hav-
ing been cleared of the most valuable part of what they
contained, towed into the offing, fcuttled, and funk. The
crews of the Centurion and Gloucefter being by the above
means fomewhat reinforced, and the neceffary recruit of
wood and water accomplished, the two remaining fhips
weighed anchor on the 28th of April; but fo much were
they delayed on their paffage, that it was the 8th of May
before they loſt ſight of the American coaft. This circum-
ſtance appeared as a prelude to their future misfortunes;
calms, fucceeded by repeated gales of wind blowing.
contrary to their courfe, fo much impeded their paffage,
that, on the 15th of Auguft, after having been nearly four
months at fea, they were reduced to the indifpenfible
neceffity of deſtroying the Glouceſter, as well for the
purpoſe of reinforcing the crew of the Centurion, already
miferably reduced by difeafe, as for the fafety of thoſe on
board the former fhip, which had ſuſtained ſo much injury
in her maſts and rigging, and was moreover fo leaky in
her hull, that it was dangerous to continue in her any
longer. The crew being accordingly removed, the veffel
was ſet on fire.
The Centurion, freed from that delay of neceffity in-
duced by attendance on the Gloucefter, which fhip had for
a confiderable time failed very heavily on account of the
injury ſuſtained in her maſts, made every effort with her
weak
NAVÄL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 113
weak and difpirited crew to reach the Ladrone Iſlands *
On being able to effect this, their only hope of pre-
fervation and fafety depended: but notwithſtanding every
exertion, encouraged by a conviction of not being far diftant
from thoſe falubrious fhores, they were not fortunate enough
to come to an anchor at Tinian till the 28th of Auguſt.
The commodore, and the miferable furvivors of his crew,
again experienced a fecond revival, and prefervation from
deftruction, for, from the ſtate to which they were reduced,
it was moſt probable that, had they been kept out at fea
fix days longer, they would not have had ſtrength enough
to work the ſhip, but muſt all have unavoidably perished.
The fick, amounting in number to one hundred and
twenty-eight, being landed with the utmoſt diſpatch, their
recovery was as expeditious; and the difeafe attended with
as little mortality, after they were put on fhore, as had
been the cafe before at Juan Fernandez. The crew were
in a tolerable ſtate of convalefcence when a very alarming
accident took place. A violent tempeft arofe, and drove
the Centurion to fea, the commodore and an hundred and
thirteen of his people remaining on fhore.
They all agreed in opinion that the Centurion muſt
have been inevitably loft; and their first care was, confe-
quently, to provide fome means of eſcape to China, as the
neareſt place of refuge. When they firft took poffeffion,
as it may be faid, of Tinian, they found there a Spaniſh
bark of fifteen tons burthen, fent thither to procure
a lading of falt, which is produced naturally in ponds
by the exhalation of the fun. This veffel was immedi-
ately hauled on fhore; and fuch ſpeedy meaſures were
uſed to lengthen and fit it for fea, that, on the return of
the Centurion, after an abfence of nineteen days, fo
confiderable a progrefs was made, that, in a very
fhort time longer, it would have been actually com-
pleted. When the hip came again to an anchor, the
commodore, and the greater number of his people, went
immediately on board, leaving only about forty perfons
To add to the diftrefs, the fhip about this time fprung a leak, a
dangerous inconvenience which every poffible effort was unequal to
the remedy of, though happily fo far palliated as to permit them to
reach Tinian, and afterwards China, in ſafety.
VOL. IV.
H
214
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
•
on fhore to finish the neceffary duties of wooding, water-
ing, and collecting different articles for their fea itore. A
fecond tremendous gale drove the Centurion once more to
fea. It was inferior in violence as well as thorter in du-
ration than the former; and the crew being not only much
stronger, but alfo animated by the prefence of their com-
mander, the fhip returned to its former anchorage after a.
much ſhorter abfence than the preceding. The Spaniſh
veffel had in this painful interval undergone a fecond
transformation; thofe who remained on fhore del pairing
of the Centurion's return, and thinking it an ufelefs
waſte of labour and time to attempt carrying the foriner
project into execution, when the veffel in its original
Itate would have been fufficient to tranfport them to China,
they immediately began to fit it for that expedition, and
had actually ſo far proceeded as to bring together again
the two ends of the veffel, which had on the former occa-
fion. been cut afunder in order to lengthen her. A very
fhort time would have enabled them to complete their
defign, when the fecond happy return of the Centurion
into the bay rendered it ufelefs. The health of the
whole crew being completely re-established, and the fhip
refitted as well as the fituation and exiſting circumſtances
would permit, every trivial duty remaining was haftened
with the greatest fpirit, as experience had taught the
commodore the danger of continuing any longer, at that
feafon of the year, in fo unfafe an anchorage.
Every thing being ready for departure, the Spanish
bark and all the materials collected for its equipment that
were not worth removal, were fet on fire; and the
commodore took his final leave of the enchanting ſpot,
where not only the health of his crew, but of himfelf
alfo, which on his arrival was in a very precarious ftate,.
had been completely re-established. The Centurion
failed from Tinian on the 21ft of October, fteering di-
ectly for Macao, a Portugueſe fettlement near the en-
trance of the river Canton, in China, where it was in-
tended to refit the fhip more completely. They made
the coaſt of China on the 5th of November, and without
any intervening accident or extraordinary occurrence,
anchored in the road of Macao on the 12th. The com-
modore had now to encounter a number of unforeſeen:
difficulties,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
115.
difficulties, delays, and diſappointments, from the ftrange
equivocating conduct of the Chinefe. Permiffion was at
laſt, however, obtained to refit his fhip and repleniſh his
nearly-exhauſted ſtock of provifions: but even when this
had been formally affented to by the government, impedi-
ments aroſe, not indeed of fo ferious, but fcarcely of a lefs
provoking nature.
It was not without fome difficulty the commodore
prevailed on the proper artificers to undertake the necef-
fary repairs; and in every tranfaction where it was pof-
fible to exhibit the leaft appearance of difhonefty or chi-
canery, thefe were always remarkably confpicuous in the
behaviour of the Chinefe. It has been elſewhere obferved,
with much truth, that more folly and impertinence were
diſplayed by the people there than could eafily be
conceived; and partly owing to this circumſtance, and the
cunning of intereſted perfons *, the commodore ex-
perienced the greateft difficulty in procuring the various
fupplies he ftood in need of. Perfeverance, caution, pru-
dence, and affability having at length overcome the ob-
ftacles already ftated, and the fhip being re-equipped and
ſtored, the commodore was enabled to fail from Macao
on the 19th of April 1743. During his continuance
there he had been fortunate enough to procure a finall and
neceffary reinforcement to his very reduced crew by en-
lifting a few Lafcars, or Indian-feamen; and his people,
notwithstanding the fatigues and thofe horrors of difeafe
which they had before encountered, were in good health.
and better fpirits. The capture of the Manilla galleon
had for a long time been, and always perhaps fince the first
and original object of the expedition had been defeated,
the point to which the commodore wifhed to direct his
attempts; hoping that the armament would not be faid to
have been fitted out in vain if it were poffible to deprive
* The Spaniards, who were informed of every tranfaction by the
treachery of the Chineſe, planned an attempt to burn the Centurion
while lying on the careen. Some difagreement among themfelves
prevented its proceeding. But the commodore, who on his part had
received an intimation of what was in agitation, took fuch precautions
to counteract an attack, that there is little doubt, if it had actually
been made, his diligence, aided by the gallantry of his little crew,
would have been fully fufficient to have repelled the open hoftilities
of one party, and fruftrated the treacherous defign of the other.
H 2
the
1
·
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
TIO
the enemies of his country of fo great and confequential a
treaſure.
During his continuance at Macao he had very induftri-
oufly and fuccefsfully propagated a report, that it was his
intention to proceed to Batavia, and from thence to return
to England. Nothing was farther from his intention; he
determined to meaſure back a confiderable part of that ocean
he had before fo uncomfortably paffed over, and cruife off
Cape Efpiritu Santo, in the hope of intercepting the fhip on
that ſtation when on her voyage from Acapulco. In pur-
fuance of this refolution, he had no fooner cleared the
land than he called his people together, and opened to them.
his intention. He reprefented in glowing terms the
value of the expected prize, and the eaſe with which he
doubted not but ſhe would fall into their hands, were they
èver fortunate enough to meet her. There was little oc-
cafion for elocution and perfuafion, at fuch a juncture, to
urge a body of feamen in the purſuit of fo favourite an
object. They hoped that the Acapulco fhip, having been
detained in port by the dread of the English fquadron
during the preceding feafon, there would now be two
inftead of one, and confequently that their riches would
be doubled, a circumftance which would make them ample
amends for their former difappointment. Nothing can
more thoroughly prove the ardour of the British nation
than this circumftance; a crew reduced by difeafe to very
little more than half their complement, fo far from wifhing
to avoid an enemy who fingly would have nearly trebled
their numbers *, they wished for nothing fo eagerly as to
meet with two galleons, fully confiding that they had
fufficient ſpirit and ability to effect a conquest of both.
The commodore, after he quitted the port of Macao,
food for fome days to the weftward, and on the 1ſt of
May had fight of the island of Formofa. Paffing the
Bafhee Iflands foon after, he arrived off Cape Efpiritu
Santo on the 20th. Here he cruifed for thirty-one days
till his own patience, as well as that of his crew, was nearly
exhauſted but their unremitting perfeverance was at
length happily rewarded at fun-rife, on the 20th of June,
* The galleons, as will be preſently fhewn, carried near fix hun-
dred men. The other galleon had failed from Acapulco a confider-
able time before, and arrived at Manilla before the Centurion reached
Her nation.
by
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
117
by a fight from the maft-head of the long-fought-for
object of purfuit. One only, indeed, appeared; but they
entertained hope of meeting with a fecond at a future
hour, from the circumftance of the galleon's firing a
gun and hoifting a flag at the fore-top-maft head as foon as
fhe became vifible from the Centurion's deck. The com-
modore reaſonably concluded that was a fignal to her
confort, for whom the had miftaken the Centurion, and
by way of continuing the delufion, ordered a gun to be
fired to leeward. The fuppofition of the miſtake made
by the commander of the galleon was in great meaſure
ftrengthened in the minds of Mr. Anfon and his crew,
from the circunftance of that veffel bearing down with
the greatest coolneſs and apparent unconcern to the Cen-
turion, for the English were yet ignorant of the real caufe
of this conduct; and that the Spaniards, well acquainted
with the enfeebled ftate and diminiſhed numbers of their
foes, had determined to attack them, in no degree defpair-
ing of becoming themſelves the conquerors.
The fubfequent circumftances of the action itfelf, as
well as what in part took place after his return to China,
cannot perhaps be more fatisfactorily defcribed than in the
following account given by Mr. Anfon himſelf.
"The fouth-weft monfoon being fet in on the coaſt of
China before I had refitted his majeſty's fhip, it became
impoffible for me to proceed to Europe till the month of
October. I therefore determined, although I had not
half my complement of men, to cruize for the king of
Spain's galleon, which was expected from Acapulco with
treaſure to Manilla. After having finiſhed the neceffary
repairs of my ſhip, on the 18th of April, I made the beſt
of my way for Cape Spiritu Santo, being the land to the
fouthward of the ftreights of Manilla, a fhore, which fhips.
generally fall in with. Having cruifed there thirty-one
days I got fight of her on the 20th of June, and gave
chace, fhe bearing down upon me before the wind.
When ſhe came within two miles the brought to to fight
me; and after an engagement of an hour and an half,
within less than piftol-fhot, the admiral ftruck his flag at
the main-top-maft head. She was called the Neuftra
Senora del Caba Donga, Don Geronimo Montero, admi-
ral; had forty-two guns, feventeen of which were braſs,
H 3
and
118
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and twenty-eight brafs pedereroes; five hundred and fifty
inen, fifty-eight of which were flain, and eighty three
wounded; her mafts and rigging were thot to pieces; and
one hundred and fifty fhot paffed through her hull, many
of which were between wind and water, which occafioned
her to be very leaky. The greatcft damage I fuftained.
was by having my fore-maft, main-maft, and bowfprit
wounded, and my rigging fhot to pieces. I received
only fifteen hot through my hull, which killed me two
inen, and wounded fifteen. Being under great difficulty in
navigating two fuch large fhips in a dangerous and un-
known fea, and guarding four hundred and ninety-two
prifoners; I was apprehenfive of lofing company, and
thought proper, for the fecurity of the galleon and the
great treaſure in her, which could not be removed, (the
weather being very tempeftuous) to give my firft lieute-
nant a commiffion to command her, with other proper
officers under him.
"I got into the river Canton on the 14th day of
July, and fent an officer with a letter to the vice king,
acquainting him with the reafon of my putting into his
port: that I intended to pay him a vifit, and defired a
fupply of provifions and ftores. A mandarine was fent
on board fome days afterwards, to acquaint me that the
vice king would be glad to fee me, with the captain of
the other fhip, and brought me a licence for fupplying
me with provifions from day to day. He mentioned to
me the payment of the duties and meafurage, which he
informed me, by the emperor's orders, were to be de-
manded from all thips, without excepting men of war. I
told him that the king of Great Britain's fhips were never
treated upon the fame footing with trading veffels, and that
my inſtructions from the king, my maller, forbid me to
pay any acknowledgement for his fhips harbouring in any
port whatſoever.
"Finding I could not obtain the provifions and ftores
to enable me to proceed to Europe, I was under a
neceffity of vifiting the vice king. The Europe-
ans were of opinion that the emperor's duties would be
infifted upon, and not knowing therefore what means they
might make uſe of when they had me in their power, I
gave orders to captain Brett, who upon this occafion I had
appointed
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
119
appointed captain under me, that if he found me detained he
hould destroy the galleon, (out of which I had removed
all the treaſure, amounting to one million three hundred
and thirteen thoufand eight hundred and forty-three.
pieces of eight, and thirty five thoufand fix hundred and
eighty-two ounces of virgin filver and plate) and pro-
ceed with the Centurion without the river's mouth, out of
gun-fhot of the two forts.
"The vice king received me with great civility and
politenefs, having ten thouſand foldiers drawn up, and his
council of mandarines attending the audience, he granted
me every thing I defired, fo that I had great reafon to be
fatisfied with the fuccefs of my vifit.'
* The commodore, after his return to the river of
Canton, had, as is briedy ftated in his letter, again to en-
counter
The following particulars relative to this action are given in
Mr. Anfon's voyage, we think them too intereſting to be omitted.
"At noon the two ſhips were within a league of each other. The
commodore had taken all poffible precautions to make the beſt uſe of
his ſtrength; placing thirty of his fureft markfmen in the tops, he
ordered two men to every gun for loading and divided the reft into
gangs of ten or twelve each which were ordered to keep perpetually
moving along the decks, and fire them one by one, as they were ready.
He had not men for any other method of fighting, and this háð
its advantages, for the Spaniards, who were accustomed to fall flat on
the deck at the difcharge of a broadfide, and rife again when it was
over, were by this method expoled in a manner unuſual to them, to
a continual fire. So that although this was an act of neceffity in com-
modore Anſon, who had not men enough for his guns, according to
the common way of fighting, it had its benefit ultimately.
"Some foul weather feparated the two fhips, and for a ſhort time,
about noon, hid the galleon from the fight of the commodore: but
when the weather cleared up. they faw her again refolutely lying to.
About one they were within gun-fhot; and the Centurion hoifling her
broad pendant and colours, fired upon the Spaniard with his bow-
chaſe. `As obſtinately as the commander had faced the danger, he
was not yet prepared for an engagement; his people were then in
the act of clearing their fhip, and throwing lumber overboard.
"The guns the commodere fired were aufwered in the fame
manner; and when he prepared for boarding, by getting the fprit-fail-
yard fore and aft, the Spaniard did the fame.
"The commodore now came within piftol fhot, and the engage-
ment began in earneft; while the great guns did great execution on
H 4
the
120
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
counter all the infolent chicanery of the Chineſe, but his
own perfeverance and fpirited conduct had the effect it
might naturally have been ſuppoſed to produce on a nation
fo impotent when oppoſed to any European power. Not
having a fufficient number of people to navigate the gal-
leon to England, he was obliged to difpofe of the veffel
at Macao for the paltry fum of fix thousand dollars, a fum
fcarcely amounting to one-tenth of her real value: and
after being detained by the above-mentioned manœuvres
for the ſpace of nearly five months, fell down the river of
Canton on the 7th of December. When he had, as
already obferved, concluded the fale of his prize,
he quitted the port of Macao, and finally took his
leave of the coaft of China on the 15th of the fame
month. He arrived at the Cape on the 11th of March;
and having obtained there a neceffary recruit of water and
provifions, as well as a ſmall reinforcement of men, who
entered with him at that place, he failed for England on
the 3d of April, and came to an anchor, at Spithead, on
the 15th of June, without having met with any finifter
accident, or, indeed, remarkable occurrence during his
paffage. Yet as if that Providence which had before fo
remarkably manifefted itſelf in the protection of this fhip,
and the poor remains of her once formidable crew, was
refolved to continue and make known its exertions to the
world, even to the laſt moment of the voyage, it was found
on the arrival of the commodore at Spithead, that he
paffed through the center of a French fquadron which was
then cruifing, at the entrance of the British Channel, for
the exprefs purpoſe of intercepting him. That he had
been inveloped as it were in a cloud, and obfcured from
their fight by a mift, fo thick as to excite the aftoniſhment
of every perfon on board; but which during its continu-
ance, little fenfible of their impending danger, they had
the hull, the markſmen placed in the tops made a terrible havock.
They, according to their directions, fingled out the officers;
taking aim at them as faſt as they appeared, their first volley having
driven the Spaniards from their tops. The havock among the prin
cipal perfons was fo great, that of all the officers who appeared upon
the deck, only one efcaped unhurt. In an hour and a half the con
teft ended in the furrender of the Spaniard."
confi.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
127
confidered as an event of the most inconvenient, and not
improbably unfortunate kind.
So high was the degree of credit acquired by the com-
modore in confequence of his conduct during the forego-
ing very perilous voyage, that, in eight days after his ar-
rival, he was advanced to the rank of rear-admiral of the
blue, It has been not unfhrewdly remarked, that the
greateſt talents are frequently configned by misfortune to
everlaſting oblivion, while fuccefs alone is fufficient to
fecure everlaſting fame; but it is neceffary this fuccefs
ſhould not be partial but complete in all points, for many
perfons have, in the particular inftance of Mr. Anfon,
rather invidiously obferved, that "though he was himself
enriched, and by an occurrence too, which they are
pleaſed to term accidental, yet that the British nation was
by no means indemnified for the expence incurred by it*,
and that the original defign was entirely defeated." The
expedition itself was one of thofe fpeculative attempts in
war which are always confidered as hazardous; and very
frequently prove unfuccefsful. Nothing ever induces
an adminiſtration to eſpouſe or encourage them but the
chance of deriving an immenfe advantage, if fortune
favours the undertaking; and fuftaining a lofs compara-
tively trivial if otherwife. Confiderable neglect and
delay took place in the equipment, circumftances the most
unpropitious that could have happened to the intention
with which the armament was fent out: and though upon
the whole that intention certainly failed t, yet was that
misfortune by no means imputable to Mr. Anfon, who
cer..
Some have farcaftically, though, perhaps, with fome truth on
their fide, remarked, that had the Manilla fhip eſcaped the vigilance
of the English commodore, he would, in all probability, have been
laid afide, on his return to England, as a fuperannuated captain, and
died in obſcurity; but his great wealth created confiderable influence,
and threw a new luftre on thofe talents which would otherwife have
paſſed unobſerved.
+ No expedition can be deemed unferviceable in its confequence
which creates an infinitely fuperior lofs or expence to the enemy.
This was truly the cafe with refpe&t to Spain, of the ſquadron ſent out
under Pizarro, confifting of five ſhips of the line, to counteract that
under Mr. Anſon, one only returned to Europe, and without the
finalleft advantage gained, on their part, to counterbalance fuch a dif-
after. The lofs of the English nation was, on the other hand, only
one
1
}
122
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
}
certainly diſplayed, through the whole of this long and
perilous adventure, the greateft prudence, perfonal intre-
pidity, perfeverance, and fpirit.
-
Although Mr. Anfon was raiſed to the rank of a flag
officer, and had through thofe very cauſes, perhaps, which
have juſt been ſtated, acquired a share of popular applaufe,
which minifters have, generally fpeaking, fome difficulty
in ſtemming the torrent of, yet he was not employed till
after a change of adminiftration had taken place; till
that time he declined not only taking upon him any com-
mand, but even accepting of the rank itfelf. The reafon
given for this conduct is, that thofe perfons who were
then commiffioners for executing the office of lord high
admiral, refuſed to confirm to captain, afterwards fir
Piercy Brett, the rank and commiffion of captain of the
Centurion, which, as the commodore himſelf relates.
in his letter, he had given him, in the river of Canton,
on the 30th of September 1743. When Mr. Anſon was
first appointed to command the expedition, he was offered
the honour, and, indeed, affiftance of a captain under him;
but this he modeftly, or, as fome infift, warily declined t
Subſequent reaſons, whether thofe publicly given, or other
inducements latent in his own breaft, we cannot pretend
to determine, caufed him to change his opinion and grant
the commiffion already mentioned: this the admiralty
board refufed to ratify, infifting it was an illegal act; and
that, although admitting the offer had been originally made
one fhip of fifty guns, an old Indiaman converted into a floreſhip, to-
gether with a ſmall fnow floop of war. As a counterpoife to this,
the country acquired an influx of determinate and pofitive wealth,
amounting to one million flerling; an advantage, confidered in a
public light, little inferior to that derived by the fortunate individuals
who were more particularly and immediately enriched by it.
*The commiffioners of the admiralty at that time were,
Daniel, earl of Winchelfea and Nottingham,
John Cockburne, efq.
Lord Archibald Hamilton,
Lord Baltimore,
George Lee, L.L.D.
Sir Charles Hardy, knight,
John Philipfon, efq.
+ On the ground, as the fame perfons affert, that it was more to his
private advantage to fhare, in refpect to prize money, in common with
the other captains, than to take as commodore and commander-in-
chief.
* ་ ་
2
to
1
!
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
123
to Mr. Anfon, yet no fuch power of appointment was dele-
gated to him by his inftructions, and that it was confe-
quently void.
On the 27th of December 1744, a very extenfive change**
in adminiſtration took place. The duke of Bedford was
-appointed first commiffioner of the admiralty †, and Mr.
Anfon was not only fatisfied, by a confirmation of the
commiffion granted by him to captain Brett, but was
himſelf honoured with a feat at the board. When
the above alteration in the political world took place,
Mr. Anfon moft willingly refumed the rank which had
been before beſtowed on him, and on the 20th of April
following was advanced to be rear-admiral of the white.
He retained his feat at the admiralty many years till he
was made firff commiffioner, of which hereafter, but
was not inveſted with any command till July 1746,
when, having been ‡ promoted to be vise-admiral of the
blue, he was appointed to command the Channel fleet
as fucceffor to vice-admiral Martin. No event however took
place that was in any degree confequential, for though he
continued at fea during a confiderable part of the winter,
in hopes of intercepting the Duc d'Anville's ſhattered fqua-
dron on its return from America, yet that commander,
having accidentally received information of Mr. Anfon's
ſtation, took the neceffary precaution to avoid him, and
was fuccefsful §.
-
Information being received early in the year 1747,
that two ſtrong fquadrons, with a number of hips
under their care were on the point of failing from
Breft, one deftined for the Eaft the other for the
Weft Indies, Mr. Anfon was ordered to fea with
*He was about this time chofen repreſentative in parliament for
Heydon, in Yorkſhire.
The other commiffioners were,
John, earl of Sandwich,
Lord Archibald Hamilton,
Lord Vere Beauclerke,
Charles, Lord Baltimore,
George Grenville, efq.
↑ On the 14th.
Except that the Namure chafed into the fquadron, by which it
was immediately captured; the Mercury, formerly a French fhip of
war, mounting fifty eight guns, but then ferving as an hofpital thip;
The left Chibo&ton, in Nova Scotia, with the duke and the miferable
remains of his force; but being a prime failer had parted company,
and was then ſteering for Breßt,
a ſtrong
124
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
a ftrong force for the purpoſe of intercepting them.
It had been originally intended that the united fquadrons
of Jonquiere and Lentendeur ſhould fail at the fame time,
and keep company together till they arrived at a certain fafe
latitude. The divifion of the latter commander not being fully
equipped, and the French court impatient of delay, monfieur
de Jonquiere was ordered to fea without waiting for him.
This refolution proved fatal to them, for though they
would in all probability have been defeated by the British
fleet, yet as their force, if united, would have been equal
in point of numbers, and fuperior in ftrength to their
antagoniſts, they would undoubtedly have been able to
make a much better defence; many would, in all proba-
bility, have eſcaped, inftead of falling, as they did, in
fucceffion, no very difficult prey to Mr. Anfon; and, as will
be hereafter fhewn, to Mr. Hawke.
Mr. Anfon failed, on the 9th of April, from Plymouth
for his ftation, being directed to cruife between Ufhant
*Confifting of the following fhips:
Prince George-Admiral Anfon-captain Bentley 90 guns.
Devonshire-R. A. Warren-Weft
Namur-Boscawen
Monmouth-Harrifon
Prince Frederic-Norris
Yarmouth-Brett
Princefs Louifa-Watſon
Defiance-Grenville
Nottingham-Saumarez
Pembroke-Fincher
Windfor-Hanway
Centurion-Dennis
66
74
64
64
64
60
60
60
60
60
50
5.0
50
40
10
Falkland-Barradel
Bristol-Hon. William Montague
Ambufcade-John Montague
Falcon floop-Guynot
Vulcan firehip-Pattigrew.
The French fquadron was compofed of,
Le Sereiux-Monf. de Jonquiere, commodore
L'Invincible-de St. George
Le Diamant-Hoquhart
Le Jafon-Beccard
66 guns.
74
56
52
52
44
30
30
20
18
I
and
Le Rubis-M'Carty
Le Gloire-Saleſle
L'Aolian-Santons
Le Philipert-Cellie
Le Thetis-Maçon
Le Dartmouth-Peneche
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 125
and Cape Finisterre. He remained off Ufhant and Breſt
till the 20th, and then ſtood to the fouth-weſt in order to
make Cape Finifterre. He cruifed off that place till the
3d of May, when, the Cape bearing S. W. diftant 24
leagues, he fell in with his object of purfuit, the French
fquadron and their convoy. De Jonquiere immediately drew
together his fhips of war which were nine or ten in number,
five of which, as is fhewn in the note, were of two decks,
and appeared prepared to make the best defence in their
power; while the fhips under their protection, amount-
ing to near thirty in number, including fix fmail frigates
or armed veffels, which remained with them as their
convoy, crouded all the fail they could in hopes of being
able to effect their efcape. Mr. Anfon at firit made the
fignal for his fquadron to form the line of battle; but
finding the French commodore ſo inferior in force, and
that he was uſing every poffible endeavour to get off, in-
tending only to divert the attention, by a fhew of reſolu-
tion, till his convoy was out of reach, he foon
ftruck his fignal for the line and hoifted one for a general
chace, and that each fhip fhould engage as fhe could get
up and cloſe with the enemy. About four o'clock in the
afternoon the Centurion began to engage the fternmost of
the enemy's fhips, and was very foon afterwards fupported
by the Namure, Defiance, and Windfor, which fhips
were very warmly engaged with the rest of the French
fquadron. The enemy defended themſelves with uncom-
mon fpirit, and, notwithstanding their very unequal
mumbers, maintained a conteft for three hours, when the
commodore himſelf having ftruck to rear-admiral Warren,
the Invincible, which was the most powerful fhip of the
fquadron, being difmafted, and Mr. Anfon himfelf up
with the remainder of his fquadron; the rest of the
ihips, very much damaged, all furrendered about feven
o'clock in the evening; the Diamant being the last
that fubmitted, after having been in clofe action with the
Bristol for nearly three hours *.
Mr.
* The ſpeech of monfieur de Jonquiere is too frongly characte-
riftic of French levity to be omitted.
Senting his fword to Mr. Anfon,
"Monfieur," faid he, in pre.
vous avez vaincu l'Invincible,
126
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Mr. Anfon immediately brought to with his fquadron
and the prizes, having foon after feven o'clock
diſpatched the Monmouth, Yarmouth, and Nottingham,
which fhips had fuftained no damage in the preceding
action, to pursue the convoy, which then bore weft by
fouth at the diſtance of four or five leagues. The Falcon
had been ordered to follow them from the commence-
ment of the preceding action, and that veffel continued, dur-
ing the night, to make ſignals to the fhips that were de-
tached, by burning falfe fires. The purfuers were in con-
fequence enabled on the morrow to capture the Vigilant and
Modefte, of 22 guns each, and fix other fhips of inferior
note; the remainder unfortunately made their efcape. This
blow was moſt ſeverely felt by France, who had vainly
flattered herſelf, that, by the means of that armament, the
fhould render herſelf miftrefs of the Indian feas; and by
that fuperiority be enabled to wreft, from the hands of the
British, their moſt valuable poffeffions in that part of the
world.
The admiral returned immediately to England, bringing
the captive fquadron with him to Spithead : and fo high
an opinion was entertained of the addrefs with which he had
conducted himſelf, that, on the 13th of June, he was cre-
ated a peer of Great Britain by the title of lord Anſon,
baron of Soberton, in the county of Southampton. On
the 17th of July he was advanced to be vice-admiral of
the red, and on the 12th of May 1748, to be admiral of
the blue. Immediately after this he was appointed to
command the fquadron that convoyed king George the
Second to and from Holland; but was not engaged in any
other material fervice till the year 1758, fometime after the
re-commencement of the war with France. In the
month of April 1748, his lordſhip married the lady Eliza-
beth York, eldest daughter of Philip, firft earl of Hard-
wick, and Mary his wife, daughter of Charles Cocks, of
et la Gloire vous fuit,” alluding to the names of two of the captured
Chips.
N. B. In the preceding action the lofs of the Engliſh amounted to
five hundred and twenty men killed and wounded; among whom was
captain Grenville of the Defiance killed, and captain Boscawen
wounded in the fhoulder by a muſket ball.
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
"
12I
the city of Worceſter, efq. Lady Anfon died on the 1ft
of June 1761, leaving no iffue.
To return to the account of his lordship's fubfequent
employments and promotions. On the death of fir John
Norris, in the month of July 1749, he was appointed
vice-admiral of Great Britain; and, on the 22d of June
1751, was, on the refignation of the earl of Sandwich, pro-
moted to be first commiffioner of the admiralty, a ſtation in
which he continued, with a very fhort intermiffion, till
his death. In 1752 he was named one of the lords
juftices for the adminiftration and direction of public
affairs during the abfence of the king in Germany; as he
was again, in 1754, on a repetition of the fame occafion.
About this time the conduct of the French court became
extremely fufpicious, fo that it was deemed prudent to
equip a number of fhips of war to be ready, in cafe of be-
ing obliged to proceed to extremities. The meaſures
taken by his lordship and his colleagues were fo ſpirited
and active, that England foon poifelfed a fleet, in a com-
plete ſtate of equipment, fuperior to any that could be
brought out by France. The confequence of this conduct
was, that, with the fingle exception of their fucceſs againſt
Minorca, a fuccefs not improbably as much owing to neg-
tect and deficiencies in other fervices and departments as
in that of the marine, France never was able, during the
whole continuance of that rupture, to make any head
gainst the British navy, or to carry into execution an
expedition of the fmalleft confequence.
The unfortunate conqueft made by the French of the
ifland of Minorca being however attributed, by many
perfons, to a neglect in his lordship's department, a
general clamour was excited which caufed his retire-
ment from that board on the 28th of November 1756:
from this time, till the beginning of July 1757, he
enjoyed a temporary relaxation from the fatigues of
public buſineſs. Mr. Pitt, who had, on the 29th of June
preceding, been restored, in compliance with the wishes of
the people, to the office of fecretary of flate, in which
quality he had the entire and fupreme direction of ali
public affairs, knew too well the value of his lordship's
ability and zeal for the ſervice of his country to fuffer him
to live any longer unemployed: he was accordingly, on
6
the
128
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the 2d of July, recalled to his former ſtation of first com-
miffioner of the admiralty. He had been a fhort time
Before advanced to be admiral of the white; and, in 1761,
on the death of admiral Clinton, was appointed' admiral
of the fleet, a mark of royal or public favour, very unpre-
cedented, as fir William Rowley, who was a fenior officer
to his lordſhip, was alive, and was, indeed, himſelf ad-
vanced to that very ftation after his lordship's deceaſe;
which he ought, according to the rules of the fervice, to
have received in the firft inftance.
To return to his lordship. In the year 1758, having
Hoifted his flag on board the Royal George, he took upon
him the command of the main fleet intended for Channel
fervice; and to amufe or oppoſe the principal naval force
of the enemy, while an inferior fquadron covered the
landing of a formidable body of British troops on the very
vitals of France. The force under lord Anſon confifted
of twenty-two fhips of the line, with a proportionate
number of frigates and ſmaller veffels. With this fleet he
failed from Spithead on the ift of June, fir Edward Hawke
Being his fecond in command. This plan of operation
completely anſwered the intended purpoſe. The French
ffeet was confined to the harbour of Breft, while the
Britiſh ſquadron, under commodore Howe, performed
every fervice that was required of it without the ſmalleſt
moleſtation on the part of the enemy. After having
executed this fervice his lordship refigned his command,
and continued on fhore occupied folely as a miniſter, till
after the acceffion of king George the Third. During
this period he had certainly the happineſs of reflecting,
that under no preceding adminiftration had the honour
and character of the British navy fhone forth with more
confpicuous luftre. Confined almoft without interruption
to their own ports, the navy of France faw the coafts of
that kingdom daily infulted, their towns plundered, their
harbours and fortifications deftroyed, without the ſmalleſt
opportunity or power of revenging the injury, or wiping
off the difgrace: and when at laft, by exertions almoſt
incredible, that nation made an effort at retaliation, fhe
found herſelf not only worſted, but her laft hope of
offence or refiftance almoft annihilated, and driven back
with terror and difinay to her own harbours, which it
had
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
129
J
had ſcarcely quitted with all the vaunts of proud and pre-
fumptive conquerors bending their way as to a certain
victory.
After the acceffion.of king George the Third, and his
conclufion of a treaty of marriage between himſelf and
the princeſs Charlotte of Mecklenberg Strelitz, his lord-
fhip was chofen to command the fquadron deftined
to convoy the intended queen from Germany; he accord
ingly failed froin Harwich on the 17th of Auguſt 1761;
and, after a very long and tempeftuous paffage from
Germany, happily landed his royal paffenger at the fame
port, on the 17th of September, having been just one
month abſent on that fervice. After this period his lord-
ſhip never went to fea. He had for a long time been in
a very languiſhing ſtate of health, and was adviſed by his
phyficians to drink the Bath waters, from which he was
thought to have received confiderable benefit; but foon
after his return was feized with a very fudden indifpofition,
having juſt before been walking in his garden apparently
in as good health as he had been for fome time paft. He
died, in confequence of that ftroke, at his feat at Moor
Park, in Hertfordshire, on the 6th of June 1762. By his
will he bequeathed the bulk of his fortune to his fifter's
fon, George Adams, efq. member for Saltafh, in Corn-
wall, who immediately affumed the name of Anfon, in
purfuance of his lordship's directions.
The following account of that celebrated publication,
the hiftory of his voyage, as well as the fhort trait of his
lordship's character, is extracted from the Biographical
Dictionary.
:
"As to his natural difpofition, he was calm, cool, and
fteady but it is reported, that our honeft undefigning
feaman was frequently a dupe at play and it was wittily
obferved of him, that he had been round the world, but
never in it. No performance ever met with a more fa-
vourable reception than lord Anfon's Voyage round the
World. Four large impreffions were fold off in a twelve-
month. It has been tranflated into moſt of the European
languages; and ſtill fupports it reputation. It was com-
poſed under his lordship's own infpection, and from the
materials which he furnifhed, by Mr. Benjamin Robins,
VOL. IV.
I
who
130
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
who defigned, if he had remained in England, to have
favoured the world with a fecond part of it."
CORNWALL, James, was, on the 3d of April
1724, appointed captain of the Sheernefs, after which time
we find no mention made of him till the year 1733, when
he was made commander of the Greyhound, a frigate of 20
guns; which, with two others of the fame force, were
fitted out for the purpofe of obtaining fatisfaction from
the Salletines for the infult offered to the nation, in the
capture of an English fhip, by one of their corfairs.
This little fquadron, of which Mr. Cornwall was com-
manding officer, failed from Portſmouth on the 3d of
March, and arrived, after a very quick paffage, at Gi-
braltar, on the 11th. They failed the next day for Te-
tuan, the Baſhaw of which place was fo much the friend
of peace, that he difpatched a fpecial meffenger to
Mequinez, to intercede with the emperor and induce him
to comply with the juft demands of the Britiſh court.
The matter would in all probability have been very
amicably and fpeedily fettled, had not a confiderable
number of Portuguefe been taken, a little time before, by
fome of their corfairs, and carried into flavery. Theſe
his Imperial majefty would not confent to the releaſement
of, and, in confequence of his refufal, the Britiſh fhips,
together with ſome of the Dutch nation, took their ſtations
off Tetuan, and blocked up the port fo completely that
none of the corfairs could put to fea.
Mr. Cornwall does not appear to have been engaged in
any other memorable fervice during the continuance of
peace; but immediately after the commencement of hof-
tilities with Spain, he was pitched upon to command a
fquadron intended to be fent into the South Seas, round
Cape Horn. A fecond armament of equal force was
to have been fent to the East Indies, under Mr.
Anfon, who was to be joined by Mr. Cornwall. This
plan, which in all probability would have been of the
higheſt confequence and utility, was afterwards moſt
ftrangely abandoned, and, as we have already fhewn in
the life of Mr. Anſon, one part only of the intended ar-
mament was diſpatched: this was put under that gentle-
man's command, who proceeded to the South Seas in-
Acad of Mr. Cornwall. No particular mention is made
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
131
of the latter till the year 1741, when he commanded the
Bedford, of feventy guns, one of the Channel fleet under fir
John Norris. The Spaniards having no force capable of
encountering it, nothing more remarkable took place
than the ufual operations of cruifing, as well for the
protection of British commerce against any ftraggling
thips or frigates which might flip out fingly from the
enemy's ports, as for the annoyance of that of Spain.
Mr. Cornwall was foon afterwards ordered to the Medi-
terranean*, where he was, on the refignation of captain
Graves, appointed to fucceed him in the command of the
Marlborough. He ferved with the moft diftinguished
reputation in the unfortunate encounter with the French
and Spanish fleets off Toulon, being ftationed as one
of the feconds to Mr. Mathews, the commander-in-chief,
whom he moſt nobly and gallantly fupported, till the fatal
moment that deprived him of life, and his admiral of fo
brave a coadjutor f.
The
* With Mr. Mathews, fee vol. iii. p. 255, the Burford being, by
miflake,flated as one of the ſhips fent out with him inflead of the Bedford.
The parliament, in gratitude to the bravery of this noble unfor-
tunate commander, voted a large fum of money for the erection of a
fplendid monument, in Weftminſter-abbey, to his memory.
"This beautiful monument (fays the defcription) is thirty fix feet
high, and has a bold bafe and pyramid of rich Sicilian marble: again
the pyramid is a rock, (embelliſhed with naval trophies, fea-weeds, &c.)
in which are two cavities: in one is a Latin epitaph; in the other a view
of the fea-fight before Toulon, in baſſo relievo; on the fore-ground
the Marlborough, of ninety guns, is feen, fiercely engaged with admi-
ral Navarro's fhip, the Real, of one hundred and fourteen guns, and
her two feconds, all of which are in the act of raking the Marlborough
fore and aft. On the rock fland two figures; one reprefents Britannia
under the character of Minerva, accompanied by a lion; the other figure
is Fame, who, baving prefented to Minerva a medallion of the hero,
fupports it whilft exhibited to publick view. Clofe to the medallion
is a globe, as are various honorary crowns due to valour. Behind
the figure is a lofty fpreading palm-tree, whereon is fixed the hero's
fhield or coat of arms, together with a laurel tree; both which iffue
from the naturally-barren rock, as alluding to fome heroic and un-
common event. In the front of the monument is the following
infcription.
Among the monuments of ancient merit,
In this facred cathedral, let the name of
JAMES CORNWALL
Be preferved, the third fon of HENRY CORNWALL,
Of Bradwardin cafle, in the county of Hereford, efq.
Who, from the very old and illuftrious flock of
The Plantagenets,
I a
Deriving
13-2
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
t
The annexed letter, written by an impartial perfon on
Board the Marlborough in a very few days after the action,
will beft explain the fhare that unfortunate fhip held in
the encounter. This muft certainly be confidered one of
the moſt authentic and curious documents that has ever
been hitherto made public relative to it, more particularly
as having been drawn up before the minds of men were fo
heated with the frenzy of party and attachment to one fide
of the queſtion or other, that little authenticity could be
expected from their accounts.
"Marlborough, Mahon harbour, 16 Feb. 1743-4-
• Sir,
"If you received mine of the 1ft inftant, with P. S. of
6th, you would not be furprized when informed of the
battle off Toulon; and though you probably will hear of
it before you have this, yet I believe a letter from one im
the battle will not be diſagreeable to you.
"On the 8th,.O. S. our cruifers off Toulon made a ſignal
that the French and Spaniſh fleets were preparing to come
out, which they did accordingly that evening and next
morning, when we likewife weighed; but the wind
blowing pretty freſh N. N. W. and the enemy having
the weather gage, we returned to Hieres in the afternoon
-Deriving a truly ancient fpirit, became
A naval commander of the first eminence,
Equally and defervedly honoured by the tears and
Applaufe of Britons, as a man
Who bravely defended the caufe of his country
In that fea fight off Toulon;
And being by a chain-fhot deprived
Of both his legs at a blow, fell unconquered
On the 27th of Feb. 1733, in the 45th year of his age,.
Bequeathing his animated example to his fellow
Sailors,
As the legacy of a dying Engliſhman,
Whole extraordinary valour could not be recommended
To the emulation of poſterity in a more ample eulogy
Than by fo fingular an inftance of honour;
Since the Parliament of Great Britain, by an unanimous
Suffrage,
f
Refolved, that a monument, at the public expence,
Should be confecrated to the memory
Of this moſt heroic-perfon."
5
and
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
133
་
and lay at ſingle anchor, intending, if the enemy fteered
towards Italy, to follow them by the eaftern paffage, and
hoping by that means to get to windward of them. They
ftretched to the fouthward, but were becalmed that night
at the back of the weftermoft illand. On the roth we failed
out again; and the wind changing to the eaſt, we had then
the weather gage. The Chicheſter and Boyne, of eighty
guns each, joined us that morning from England. That
day we could not come up to the enemy. In the night
the vice-admiral's divifion fell aftern. On the 11th, in the
morning, we were joined by the Royal Oak, of feventy
guns, the enemy about two leagues diftance in a very good
line, fometimes with an eafy fail, fometimes lying-to ex-
pecting us; our line in no order, the vice-admiral's divifion
being far aftern, and that of the rear-admiral not in their
ftations. Admiral Mathews made all the fail he could,
repeating the fignals for the line. About twelve, at noon,
his divifion and fome of the rear-admiral's came up within
gun-fhot of the enemy. His firft intention was to attack
the French admiral in the Terrible, of feventy-four guns,
our fhip and the Norfolk were to have been his feconds;
and accordingly paffed by within mufket-fhot of the
Real without firing at her: but finding the French.adıniral
ftretched away with all the fail he could in order to get to
windward, the admiral thought he might intercept fome of the
Spaniſh fhips, and ordered us to tack and engage the Real..
He likewife tacked and fired at, receiving one broadfide
from the Real himſelf, which wounded his main-maft and
hurt his rigging' very inuch, fo that he fell off, and could
not come up again till we were difabled. We were
within lefs than piftol-ſhot along-fide of the Real, who had
for her fecond a feventy gun fhip that lay upon our
quarter. We fired our first broadfide at one o'clock, and
Continued engaged with both thefe fhips, without any
affiftance, till thirty-five minutes after four; fometimes fo
near that our yard-arm touched that of the Real, and never
further than piſtol fhot: at laft, all the Real's guns were
filenced; at least they made no return to the fire we made,
and the went off: her fecond followed her and gave us a
broadfide at parting. The Real had her main-yard and
fore-top-maft fhot through in feveral places; two port-holes
beat into one. We likewife were difabled; our main-
I 3
maſt
134
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
}
:
maft and mizen-maft were shot away; our captain, Cornwall,
was killed, having both his leggs fhot off; captain Godfrey,
of Read's regiment, part of which was on board our ſhip,
was killed; our first lieutenant, Frederick Cornwall, had
his right arm ſhot off; our maſter, Caton, both his leggs,
and is fince dead; fifty men were killed; one hundred and
forty wounded; Dalrymple, enfign in Read's, had all his
cloaths torn, his back razed, and himſelf ſtunned by
a cannon ball; he was carried down as dangerously
wounded to the furgeon; but as foon as he recovered him-
felf, finding his wound but flight, returned with great
courage to his poft. Thus difabled, we faw five large
fhips of the enemy coming down upon us: we were in no
condition either to fight or make off, but fent to acquaint
the admiral with our ſtate; he had made a ſignal to the
Ann galley firefhip, Macky, to endeavour to burn the
Real and having refitted his rigging, was preparing, if
that failed, to attack her himſelf. The firefhip came
within a few yards of the Real: but the Spaniſh admiral
having perceived his intention, fent his launch full of men
to take the firefhip. In the fcuffle both launch and fire-
ſhip were burnt, and all in them. Our adiniral then bore
down upon the Real, which being perceived by the ſhips
who were going to attack us, they left us to affiſt their
admiral. This was followed by a very ſmart engagement
between ſome of our fhips and theirs, which lafted about
an hour, when the night parted them. The Berwick,
Hawke, totally difabled a Spaniſh man of war, of fixty
or feventy guns, fhooting away all her mafts: a French
man of war, of fixty guns, was funk: the Norfolk,
Forbes, obliged a fhip that engaged her to make off: the
rear-admiral fell in with the French admiral, three more
French men of war, and two Spaniards, and was very
feverely handled, but not difabled. That night our fhip
was in perpetual apprehenfion of being boarded by fome
of the enemy's firelhips; but the next morning we faw
the enemy about four leagues a-head of us; and the
Somerſet, one of our headmoft ſhips, engaged with one of
their's; who, after an hour's fight, made fail to their fleet;
when the Somerfet did not think fit to follow her. That
morning the Burford, of feventy guns, joined us; the ad-
miral, in a very good line, followed the enemy: the
vice.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 135
vice-admiral's divifion being at laft come up, the Oxford
was left to take care of us to Mahon. About eight at
night we faw, at about the diſtance of eight leagues, a
fhip blown up. The wind was easterly, and the enemy
to the weftward of Toulon, fo that we were fure they
could not recover their own port. The next day, the 13th,
the wind blew very hard, though fair. Our fhip having
very little fail, for our foremaft was alſo wounded, rolled
very much and put the wounded men to great pain, who,
in their agony, cried out, they withed they had died fink-
ing and funk by the Real. Wedneſday morning we got
fafe here, and have reaſon to bleſs God we had fo good a
paffage, for had the winds been contrary we had probably
perifhed. The Spaniards, both before and in the action,
behaved like Englishmen. Their admiral, Don Juan de
Navarro, was bred a lawyer, but has fhewn himſelf not
unworthy of the command he is entrusted with. The
French admiral, Le Court, was captain to count Thou-
loufe in the Malaga engagement, and is reckoned a brave
old man. Perhaps fome queftions may be asked of fome
of our captains-
"The French admiral commanded, the Spaniſh admi-
ral repeating the fignals after him: this was, I fuppoſe, to
fhew that they were under the protection of the French:
nor did they fire till we gave the first broadfide. The
enemy had twenty-eight fhips of the line; we twenty-nine,
reckoning the reinforcement mentioned above; but not
above ten of our's engaged. Had we been in a regular line
in all probability we muſt have totally routed them. As
to our killed and wounded I cannot give any particular
account. Captain Forbes was flightly wounded by a gun
over his foot, captain Ruffel, the admiral's captain, loft
his right arm; Darby, lieutenant of marines, in the
admiral's fhip, was blown up by fome powder in the
poop, but not killed; Carter, an enfign from Gibraltar,
in the Barfleur, loft an arm and an eye.
"Laft night our whole fleet appeared in fight of the
ifland; and this morning the hofpital fhip, lord Colvill,
came in, he ſays, that the fleets did not engage again on
Sunday; that the fhip blown up on Sunday evening was
one of the enemy's, which had been difabled; probably,
by the Berwick; out of which the enemy had taken
1 4
ali
136
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
all the men, except eleven, whom we made prifoners; and
then, by our boats, fet the fhip on fire. That the Real
was feen on Sunday in the fame fhattered condition
fhe left us, without a main-yard, and all her fails in rags.
That the fleets were feparated on the 13th by the hard gale,and
that Mr. Mathews had purfued the enemy to the coast of
Catalonia. That on the 17th the Firedrake bomb joined him
from Villa Franca, who had feen feven Spaniſh men of war
bearing to the northward; upon which Mr. Mathews had
changed his courfe in hopes of finding them. I heartily
wifh I could have fent you the news of a victory. Ours
had the advantage; but not fo much as might have been
expected. I can affure you we have loft no fhip; nor is
there any one difabled but the Marlborough. I am under no
fmall apprehenfion about the reports, which you will have.
from the French, about this battle, in England; and, as
they are well acquainted with all our fhips, make no quef-
tion but they will fay the Marlborough is loft or burnt.
"Nineteenth February, captain Cornifh, in the
Guernſey, came in his boat a-fhore this day, and fays, that
the fhip burnt had firſt ſtruck; that we took two hundred
prifoners, and then, as fhe was diſabled, fet her on fire.
That the Real had two thouſand men on board; and that
an incredible flaughter was made, according to the account.
given by the captain of the Spanish fhip that ftruck.
Captain Cornish adds, that he faw three fleets near Bar-
celona; from which we have reafon to fear, that the Breft
fquadron has joined them.
NORRIS, Mathew,-was, on the 3d of April 1724,
appointed captain of the Loweftoffe frigate. This is the
only mention we find made of him in any command; for
although he might have probably received ſeveral com-
miffions fubfequent to the above, yet, in time of peace,
little information is to be collected, except accidentally,
relative to thoſe that have not fomething remarkable to
diſtinguiſh them by. On the 9th of December 1737, he
was appointed commiffioner of the navy, refident at Ply-
mouth, as fucceffor to fir Nicholas Trevanion. He en-
joyed this appointment for a twelvemonth only, dying at
Bath on the 15th of December 1738.
MAYNE,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 137
1
1725.
+
MAYNE, Perry, the fon of captain Covill Mayne,
of whom fome account has been already given*, was, on
the 24th of September 1725, appointed captain of the
Dragon. We do not find any other mention made of him
till the rupture was on the eve of taking place with Spain,
in 1739; he was then captain of the Worceſter, of fixty
guns, one of the fhips fent with Mr. Vernon on the ex-
pedition againſt Porto Bello. Captain Mayne very con-
fpicuously diftinguished himſelf in the celebrated attack
of that fortreſs; and continuing afterwards in the Weſt
Indies under Mr. Vernon, was preſent at the unfortunate
expedition againft Carthagena, as well as thofe which took
place in the intermediate fpace of time previous to it.
After the failure he was, on the 25th of May 1741, pro-
moted to the Orford, as fucceffor to the lord Auguftus
Fitzroy, and remained on the fame ftation till the year
1745. On the 23d of April he was advanced to
be rear-admiral of the blue, and was on his return to
England in company with the Experiment, but was un-
fortunately wrecked in the windward paffage; the Orford
having ran on a reef of rocks, called the Hogfties, the fhip
was totally loft, but the crew all faved their lives. In the
beginning of the year 1746 he was appointed fecond in
command of the fleet in the Channel, under vice-admiral
Martin, and in the fame year was, as fucceffor to fir C. Ogle,
made prefident of the court-martial held for the purpoſe of
trying the admirals, Mathews and Leftock. During the
time he was thus employed he became involved in a ſerious
difpure with fir J.Willes, who was then lord chief juftice of
the court of common pleas. One of the members of the
court-martial having been ferved with a proceſs iffuing
from the civil power, which Mr. Mayne and his colleagues
deemed an illegal infringement of the privileges of perfons,
employed as they at that time were; they formed a ftring
of refolutions highly reflecting on the character and con-
duct of fir John, who in his turn.complained and took the
* See page 30 of the prefent volume.
proper
138
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
t
proper meaſures for the vindication of his own honour.
Matters were at laft accommodated to the mutual fatif-
faction of all parties: Mr. Mayne and his friends, fen-
fible of their miſtake, were not afhamed to acknowledge
it; thus this difagreeable affair immediately dro ped.
On the 14th of July 1746, he was adval. cu to be rear-
admiral of the red; as he was, on the 15th of July 1747,
to be vice of the white; and, on the 12th of May 1748,
to be vice of the red. He continued in this ſtation till
the 25th of February 1757, and then totally retired from
the fervice on a penfion equivalent to his half-pay as a vice-
admiral. He died in England on the 5th of Auguſt 1761.
PEYTON, Sir Yelverton,-was the eldeft fon of
Charles Peyton, of Grimfton, in the county of Norfolk,
efq, which Charles was the third fon of Thomas Peyton,
of Rougham, efq. only fon of fir Edward Peyton, bart. by
his fecond marriage. Sir Yelverton fucceeded to the
baronetage on the death of his coufin, fir John Peyton,
bart. without iffue, in the year 1721. He was, after
paffing regularly through the feveral fubordinate ftations,
appointed captain of the Diamond on the 22d of March
1725, and was very foon afterwards ordered, with the
fquadron under vice-admiral Hofier, to the Weft Indies:
he was then promoted to the command of the Dunkirk, a
fourth rate of fixty guns. He returned from that ſtation
in the enfuing ſpring, after the deceaſe of Mr. Hofier,
and arrived at Spithead about the middle of March 1728,
bringing the first advice of the arrival of vice-admiral
Hopfon, who was fent out thither to take the command.
In 1735 he accompanied fir John Norris to Lifbon, being
then captain of the Litchfield, a fourth rate of fifty guns.
This family, as Mr. Camden obferves, derive them felves from
the Uffords, earls of Suffolk, who defcended from William Malet, a
Norman baron, that was fheriff of Yorkſhire in the third of William Ift,
and from him received the grants of many lordships, and manors.
Among others he poffeffed thofe of Sibton and Peyton-hall, in Com.
Suffolk, at the time of the general furvey. Ifleham, fays the author
Art cited, formerly belonged to the Bernards, which came to the
family of the Peyton's by marriage: which knightly family of Peyton
flowered out of the fame male ftock, whence the Ufford's, earls of
Suffolk, defcended, albeit they affumed the furname of Peyton, ac-
cording to the ufe of that age, from their manor of Peyton-hall in
Eoxford, in the county of Suffolk.
Ne
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 139
No other mention is made of this gentleman till after
the recommencement of hoftilities with Spain, in the
year 1739; he then commanded the Hector, of forty
guns, one of the fhips fent to Gibraltar, and afterwards
Itationed on the coaft of Virginia. In this fervice hist
conduct was fo reprehenfible, that, on his return to
England in 1742, he was brought to a court-martial,
which was held on board the St. George, at Spit-
head, on the 9th of June; Mr. Cavendish being pre-
fident. He was fentenced to be difmiffed the ſervice, and
adjudged incapable of ever ferving again in the royal navy.
He died, according to Mr. Hardy, on the 10th of October
1749; but a private memorandum fays, on the 10th of
August 1748.
1726.
CHAMBERLAIN, Charles. This gentleman is
barely compriſed in the lift of that clafs of officers whofe
memoirs are here given. He had ferved with the moſt
diſtinguiſhed reputation as commander of a floop of war;
and is, by many perfons, confounded with captain Peter
Chamberlain, of whom fome account has been given *.
Having become too infirm for active ſervice, he was, on
the 9th of March 1724-5, appointed one of the captains.
in Greenwich-hofpital; and, as an honourable teftimony
of the general eſteem in which he was held, as a man and
as an officer, was, notwithstanding he might be confidered
as totally out of the fervice, appointed, pro forma, on the
25th of January 1725-6, to be captain of the Hampſhiret.
This commiffion was granted him for no other purpoſe
than that of giving him the rank of captain in the navy,
and is therefore to be confidered as merely honorary: he
of courſe never went to fea; but continuing to retain his
appointment at Greenwich, died there on the 6th of
April 1737.
* Vol. III. p. 244.
+ Other accounts fay the Weymouth.
COT.
40
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
;
}
COTTERELL, Charles, was, on the 29th of June
1726, appointed captain of the Diamond frigate, as fuc-
ceffor to fir Yelverton Peyton. We do not find him in
any other command till the year 1731, when he was cap-
tain of the Princefs Louifa, a fourth rate of ſixty guns.
We are again deftitute of any information concerning
him till the year 1739, when, foon after the rupture had
taken place with Spain, he was appointed to the Lion,
which was, like the fhip he before commanded, a fourth
rate of fixty guns. During the fummer of the year 1740
he ferved under fir John Norris in the Channel fleet; and
afterwards accompanied fir Chaloner Ogle, when ſent out
to the West Indies for the purpofe of reinforcing Mr.
Vernon, and proceeding on the expedition againſt Car-
thagena. He continued there fome fhort time after the
failure of that enterprife; and on his arrival in England
was appointed, in the beginning of the year 1742, to the
Canterbury. He was next fent to Gibraltar, where he did
not continue long; and foon after his return was advanced
to the command of the Royal George, a first rate.
This fhip was not employed in any fervice beyond that
of cruifing in the Channel, fo that we have nothing to
commemorate farther than the mere record of his com-
miffion, which is faid to have been the last he ever re-
ceived. In the month of July 1747, he retired totally
from the fervice, being put, with a number of other
gentlemen, on the fuperannuated lift, with the rank and
half pay of a rear-admiral. He died in England on thẹ
28th of July 1754.
DANSAYS, Francis,in the latter end of the year
17.25 commanded a floop of war belonging to the fqua-
dron which was ordered for Holland, to efcort from
thence king George the First, who was on his return
from his German dominions. They failed from Helvoet-
fluys about one in the afternoon on new year's day, 1726,
with a fair wind at north east; but a moft violent ftorm,
accompanied by hail and rain, aroſe about feven o'clock
in the evening, and feparated the whole fleet, fo that the
veffel commanded by Mr. Danfays was the only one
which could keep company with the Royal Yacht: this
he was fortunate enough to effect through the whole
tempeft, which continued upwards of thirty-fix hours.
The exertions made on this occafion immediately under
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
143
the royal eye, procured his promotion, on the 25th of
January 1726, being a few days only after his arrival in
England, to be captain of the Swallow, of fifty guns.
He was immediately ordered for the Mediterranean,
where he ſerved under the admirals Haddock and fir C.
Wager, as well previous to the rupture with Spain, as during
the fubfequent fiege of Gibraltar. He did not return with
the divifions under fir Charles Wager, or commodore
Stewart, in April 1728, after the fiege was concluded,
but remained on that ftation till the month of June.
Immediately on his arrival in England he was advanced
to the command of the Kingfton, of fixty guns, one of
fifteen two-decked fhips put into commiffion on the 27th
of July.
He continued to command the above fhip till the end
of the year 1729, when it was ordered to be put out of
commiffion, with eleven others, of two decks, felected
from the fleet which had been kept, during the two pre-
ceding fummers, at Spithead, ready for immediate fer-
vice, under the orders of fir Charles Wager; but which,
wing to the temporifing conduct of the different furround-
ing ilates, never proceeded to fea. Captain Danfays
was, fome little time after this, appointed to the Cen-
turion, a fhip employed on fome unnoticed fervice. He
was, on his quitting this command, made captain of the
Catherine yacht, in which ftation remaining when the
princefs of Saxegotha, betrothed to Frederic prince of
Wales, fon to king George the Second, arrived in Eng-
land, he had the honour of attending her: and
was, at fome fubfequent period, removed into the Fubbs.
yacht. He continued to command this veffel till the year
1745*, when he was, on the 16th of December, appointed
fecond captain of Greenwich-hofpital. On the death of
captain Thomas Lawrence, on the 8th of December 1747,
he fucceeded him as firft captain, and on the 4th of Au-
guſt was advanced to be lieutenant-governor thereof. He
retained this ft tion till his death, on the 5th of Auguit
£754, and was buried in the maufoleum erected purpofely
to receive the remains of the officers of that eſtabliſhment.
PROCTOK, George,-was, on the 31st of March
1726, appointed captain of the Afliſtance, a fifty gun fhip,
* In this year he had the fingular office of conveying the marshal
de Belleille to France in the Fubbs.
one
142
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
one of the fleet ordered to the Baltic under the command
of fir Charles Wager. No other mention is made of him
except that he died at Liſbon in 1736, being at that time
captain of the Centurion.
1727.
ANNESLEY, Henry. This gentleman is inferted
în rear-admiral Hardy's lift of naval commanders as hav-
ing been appointed to the Diamond on the 2d of June 1727,
and is faid to have died in the Weft Indies captain of the
fame fhip, on the 19th of June 1738. We have to
obferve, that we cannot find the fmalleſt mention made of
this gentleman by any other perfon; and his name is
omitted in every MS. lift of officers we have been able to
procure. During a confiderable part of the period
affigned for this gentleman's having held the above com
miffion, the Diamond was commanded by Mr. Anfon.
ARNOLD, Thomas, was the defcendant of a re-
fpectable and flouriſhing family long fettled at Lowestoft,
in the county of Suffolk*. He was fent to fea under the
very honourable patronage of fir George Byng: and after
having ferved a confiderable time in a fubordinate ſtation,
* "The Arnolds have been a flouriſhing family in that town ever
fince the reign of queen Elizabeth, for we find that, in 1584, Natha-
niel Arnold was one of the feoffees for Ann Girling's donation.
Thomas, his fon, loft 3751. 135. by a great fire there in 1664.
Matthew, fon of Thomas, married Coe, probably daughter of
Robert Coe, (of an old family in the fame town) who loft 2721. by
the great fire in 1644. From Matthew defcended, 1ft. Matthew,
father of Aldous Arnold, efq. who hath iffue. 2d. Thomas, captain
in the navy, deceaſed; who left iffuc, Thomas, who went round the
world with commodore Anfon; and other children. 3d. Coe, father
of the late Matthew Arnold, common brewer, who was the father of
Aldous Arnold, an eminent furgeon; and other iffue (and who was
alfo brother of John Arnold, another fon of Coc's, deceafed, who
left iffue). 4th. John, deceafed; and, 5th. Henry, a mariner, de-
ceafed, without iflue.". History of Lowefloft.
was,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
143
1
-
was, in the year 1718, appointed firft lieutenant of the
Superbe, commanded by captain Streynfham Mafter. We
have already related in general terms the honourable ſhare
that ſhip had in obtaining the well-known victory over
the Spaniſh fleet off Sicily: and the following additional
particulars relative to it are extracted from the Hiftory
of Lowestoft, the author of which, we make no doubt,
had good authority for his account of that part of the
action in which Mr. Arnold was more immediately con-
cerned.
"Captain Maſter," fays our hiſtory,
being diffident
as to the moſt ſucceſsful method of attacking the Royal
Philip, confulted his first lieutenant, Mr. Arnold, who
replied, that as the eyes of the whole fleet were upon him,
expecting the moſt vigorous efforts in the diſcharge of his.
duty in that critical moment, he advifed him to board the
Royal Philip immediately fword in hand. The counfel
of Mr. Arnold was immediately put in execution; and as
his office of first lieutenant obliged him, he himfelf
headed the affailants and carried his point. In the above
fervice Mr. Arnold received a wound fo dangerous, in one
of his hands and arms, as rendered them almoft ufelefs
during the remainder of his life." It is added, "that as it
is customary at Lowestoft to hang flags acroſs the ſtreets
at weddings, the colours belonging to the Royal Philip,
taken by lieutenant Arnold, have been frequently made
ufe of upon thofe occafions."
Soon after the above action, the gallantry of Mr.
Arnold was rewarded by an appointment to be comman-
der of the Spy Sloop of war, in which he was fent exprefs
to the Weſt Indies. This veffel is reported to have been
in fo bad a condition, that the greateſt fears were enter-
tained for his fafety. He was, however, fortunate enough
to return to England without having experienced any dif
after. On the 19th of September 1727, he was promoted
to the rank of captain in the navy, and appointed to the
Fox, in which fhip he was immediately ordered out on the
Carolina ftation. Finding, on his return to England,
that his old friend and patron, the lord viſcount Torrington
was dead, in confequence of which accident his hopes of
future advancement were fruftrated; and the infirmities
occafioned by his wound becoming daily more grievous,
6
he
244
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
he came to a refolution of refigning his command in the
navy. He afterwards went to great Yarmouth, in Nor-
folk, where he died, on the 31st of Auguft 1737, in the
Afty-eighth year of his age. He was interred in Lowe-
ftoft church, where an handſome monument is erected to
his memory, with an infcription *, conveying a
prefentation of the character of this brave and worthy
man, as well in public as private life.
re-
BERKELY, Honourable William, was the fecond
fon of the right honourable William, lord Berkely, of
Stratton, and Frances his wife, daughter of fir John
Temple, of Eaſt Sheen, in the county of Surry; he was
confequently nephew to thofe eminent naval characters
John and Charles, lords Berkely, of Stratton, in fuccef-
fiont. Purſuing the ſteps of thofe great men, he entered
early in life into the fea fervice. Having ſerved á fuffi-
cient time in the ſeveral ſubordinate ſtations, and acquired
a proper knowledge of the duties of his ftation fo as to
enable him to fill it with credit to himſelf and advantage
to his country, he was, on the 11th of December 1727,
appointed captain of the Superbe, but other accounts fay
the Rippon. His naval life was unhappily too fhort, and
the fervices on which he was employed too diſadvanta-
geous for a gallant man, to permit him to difplay thoſe
* In memory of captain THOMAS ARNOLD,
Who ferved in the royal navy forty years,
And in every flation
Diftinguished his conduct and bravery;
Worthy to command the British fleet.
As an huſband, a father, and a friend,
Tender, indulgent, fincere.
After various toils and hazards,
Poſſeſſed of every comfort
(Tho' ready, in his declining years,
To facrifice his eaſe, and even his life,
In his country's cauſe)
He died in hopes of a joyful refurrection,
Augst ye 31st A.D. 1737, aged 58.
•
The arms of ARNOLD.
Sable-A Chevron, Arg. between 3 Dolphins, Naiant of the Same.
Creft-On a Wreath, a Dolphin, Naiant, Arg,
+ See: Vol. II. p. 87, and 181,
talents
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
145
talents which graced his noble anceſtors, and which we
have no doubt of this gentleman's having poffeffed with
undiminiſhed luftre. In 1732 he was appointed to the
Tyger, and ordered to the coaft of Guinea, from whence.
he was afterwards to proceed to Barbadoes. He unhap-
pily died at fea, on his paffage thither from Africa, on the
25th of March 1733.
BRETT, Timothy,was, on the 4th of May 1727,
appointed captain of the Deal Caftle frigate. We do
not find any other particulars concerning him, except that
he died in England on the 3d of May 1739, being at that
time captain of the William and Mary yacht.
BYNG, The Honourable John. This unfortunate
man was the fourth fon of George, firft lord viſcount
Torrington, and Margaret his wife, daughter of James
Maſter, of Eaſt Langdon, in the county of Kent, efq.
He was born at Southill in the year 1704, and entered
into the ſea ſervice, under the aufpices of his father, at
the age of thirteen years. After paffing regularly through
the feveral fubordinate ſtations, he was, on the 8th of
Auguſt 1727, appointed captain of the Gibraltar frigate,
one of the fhips at that time employed on the Mediterra-
nean ſtation. We do not find his name again particu-
larly mentioned till the year 1741, when he commanded
the Sunderland, of fixty guns. On the 13th of March
1741-2, being ftill captain of the fame fhip, he was
appointed governor and commander-in-chief in and over
the island of Newfoundland, the fort of Placentia and all
other its dependencies. On his return to England he
was removed into the Wincheſter, of fifty guns, one of
fhips employed in the Channel; and, on the 8th of
Auguſt 1745, was proinoted to be rear-admiral of the
blue.
After the commencement of the rebellion in Scotland
he was appointed commander-in-chief of a ſquadron
ftationed on that coaft, for the purpoſe of preventing the
introduction of any fupplies from France for the uſe of
the infurgents. During the whole time he was employed
on this fervice he difplayed the greateſt attention, activity,
and fpirit. The caufe and meaſures of the rebels were
not only confiderably impeded, but the friends and ad-
herents to government experienced the greateſt fuccour,
VOL. IV.
K
coun-
146
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
countenance, and protection: he was afterwards ordered
to the Mediterranean; and, on the 15th of July 1747,
was advanced to be vice-admiral of the blue. On the
5th of Auguft following he fucceeded, on the death of
Mr. Medley, to the chief command; and continued to act
on every pollible occafion in concert with the Auſtrian
general; confirming, while employed on the above fervice,
that character which he had before acquired. Nothing
remarkable, however, took place during the con-
tinuance of the war; nor have we any thing farther to
record previous to the re-commencement of hoftilities
with France, except his having been, on the 12th of May
1748, advanced to be vice-admiral of the red. At the
end of the year 1755 being appointed to command a
fquadron equipped, as well for the Channel fervice as to
cruife off Cape Finifterre, and in the bay of Bifcay; he was
fent out to relieve fir Edw. Hawke, who had been previ-
ouſly employed on that ſtation. Mr. Byng on this occa-
fion hoifted his flag on board the Ramillies, the fame fhip
he retained during his continuance, unfortunately for
himself, in command.
The hoſtile intentions of the French court became now
very evident and apparent even to the meaneft capacity.
Intelligence was repeatedly received by adminiftration,
that a very powerful armament was in a forward ſtate of.
equipment at Toulon: even as far back as the month of
September pofitive information was faid to have been fent
to the ſecretary of ftate, that it was to confift of twelve,
fourteen, or fifteen fhips of the line, with a confiderable
number of tranſports under their convoy, and a formid-
able land force well provided with a train of artillery, and
all the ftores and implements neceffary for a fiege. The
French induſtriouſly ſpread a rumour that this armada
was deftined either for the attack of the British colonies
in America, or the invaſion of England itſelf. Common.
reafon and French political prudence militated ftrongly
againſt the laſt attempt, and pofitive notice that the fleet
was victualled only for two months, might have convinced
government that the firft was, under thofe circumftances,
impoffible; nevertheleſs, no meaſures were taken either
to re-inforce the garrifon of fort St. Philip, which was
known to be very weak, fo as to enable it to ftand a fiege
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
147
and defend itſelf, or to fend a naval force fufficient to
prevent the invaſion of the iſland itſelf.
Expreſs followed exprefs from Engliſh perſons ſettled
in that part of the world, all corroborating each other and
agreeing as to the devoted fpot on which the cloud and
gathering ftorm of war was deſtined to vent its fury;
official information, to the fame precife effect, was re-
ceived from the Britiſh confuls at Genoa and Carthagena.
Still did adminiftration continue perfectly torpid; deaf to
repreſentation, and blind to the fenfe of danger; the
winter paffed on without the ſmalleſt effort being made to
parry the intended ftroke. At length the pofitive affur-
ances of general Blakeney, that the fquadron of the enemy
was ready for fea; that its deftination was Minorca; and
that his garrifon was very inadequate to refift fo formid-
able an attack, appeared to awaken miniftry from their
trance: Mr. Byng was accordingly advanced to be admiral
of the blue, and appointed to command the ſquadron de-
ftined for this important fervice.
There appears to have been fomething worfe than a
natural and ordinary fatality in the whole arrangement
of the buſineſs; misfortune ſeems to have been courted:
and, from the conduct of all who were concerned in the
management of affairs; foreigners might not unnaturally
be induced to conclude, from an impartial view of the whole
tranſaction, that it was actually predetermined Minorca
fhould be fuffered to fall into the hands of the French,
by way of employing fo confiderable an armament; and
that any check given to it, as it might probably have
transferred the tempeft to fome more vital part, would,
on that account, have been confidered as a ferious diſap-
pointment. Mr. Byng was an officer by no means po-
pular: he was a very ftrict difciplinarian, and though we
moft ſeriouſly believe him to have been by no means de-
ficient in perfonal fpirit, and that intrepidity fo neceffary
to form a great commander, yet, it having been his mif-
fortune never to have met with any of thoſe brilliant
opportunities of diftinguifhing himſelf which would have
established his fame far beyond the power and malice of
his enemies, he did not poffefs that love, that enthuſiaſtic
refpect and popular kind of adoration, which are at times
Andi penfibly neceffary to enable the beſt commanders to
furmount
K. 2
348
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
furmount the difficulties attendant on their fituation. His
force was, perhaps, in point of common prudence, never
equal to the fervice on which he was fent: it confifted only
of ten fhips of the line, ſome of them in a very ill condition
for fea, and all of them indifferent manned. He
was even refufed a repeating frigate, though he failed not
to make the ſtrongeſt repreſentations, and follicitations or
that head. This conduct was the more glaringly repre÷
henfible, becauſe, at the very time Mr. Byng failed, there
were, exclufive of his fquadron, feventeen fhips of the
line, and thirteen frigates ready for fea, befides eleven fail
of the line, and nineteen frigates that were nearly equipped,
It could not be urged that it would have been improper
to have fent, at least fuch a part of the above fleet, with
him, as would have given him a decided fuperiority, for
it was well known that the whole French naval force to
the weftward of the Streights, confifted of no more than
eleven fhips of the line, thefe too, miferably deficient in
their complement of men, and deftitute of almoſt every
article neceffary to their equipment.
..
Mr. Byng, however, failed with his fquadron, fuch as
it was, on the 7th of April. Calms and contrary winds
fo impeded his voyage that he did not arrive at Gibraltar
till the 2d of May. He was fortunately joined there by
commodore Edgcombe, who had luckily got out from
Mahon with the Princefs Louifa, of fixty guns; the
Portland, of fifty; the Cheſterfield and Dolphin frigates,
and the Fortune floop: Had it not been for this circum-
ſtance, which was entirely owing to what might be called
chance, the Politeffe of the French, or, to ſpeak feriouſly,
their with that thofe fhips fhould efcape them, rather than
continue in the harbour and reinforce the garrifon with
their crews, he would not have had a force in any degree
capable of facing fo formidable a fquadron as Mr. de
Galliffonieres; every fhip of which was in the moft per-
fect state of equipment, juft out of port, confequently
clean, and all of them prime failers. Mr. Byng failed
from Gibraltar, as he himſelf ſtates in his diſpatches, on the
8th of May; and the fubfequent events, including thoſe of
the action itself, will be beft explained by his own letter,
which we have inferted at full length, marking with in-
verted comma's fuch parts as adminiftration, not very
3
fairly
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
149
fairly we must confefs, thought proper to withhold from
the public eye.
Sir,
Ramilies, off Minorca, 25 May 1756.
I have the pleaſure to defire you will acquaint their
lordfhips, that, having failed from Gibraltar the 8th, I got
off Mahon the 19th. Having been joined by his majesty's
hip Phoenix, off Majorca, two days before, (here are in-
ferted in the Gazette theſe words) viz. when the enemy's
feet appeared to the ſouth eaſt) [" by whom I had con-
firmed the intelligence I received at Gibraltar, of the
ftrength of the French fleet, and of their being off Mahon.
His majeſty's colours were ftill flying at the caftle of St.
Philip's, and I could perceive feveral bomb-batteries
playing upon it from different parts. French colours we
faw flying on the weft part of St. Philip's. I difpatched
the Phoenix, Chefterfield, and Dolphin a-head, to recon-
noitre the harbour's mouth; and captain Hervey to en-
deavour to land a letter for general Blakeney, to let him
know the fleet were here to his affiftance, though every
one was of opinion we could be of no ufe to him, as by
all accounts no place was fecured for covering a landing,
could we have fpared any people. The Phoenix was allo
to make the private fignal between captain Hervey and
captain Scrope, as this latter would undoubtedly come off,
if it were practicable, having kept the Dolphin's barge
with him. But the enemy's fleet appearing to the fouth-
eaft, and the wind at the fame time coming ftrong off the
land, obliged me to call thofe fhips in, before they could
get quite fo near the entrance of the harbour as to make
fure what batteries or guns might be placed to prevent our
having any communication with the caftle."] Falling
little wind it was five before I could form my line, or
diſtinguiſh any of the enemy's motions, and not at all to
judge of their force, more than by their numbers, which
were feventeen, and thirteen appeared large. They at
first flood towards us in a regular line, and tacked about
feven, which I judged was to endeavour to gain the wind
of us in the night; ſo that being late I tacked in order to
keep the weather gage of them, as well as to make ſure of
the land wind in the morning. Being very hazy, and not
above five leagues off Cape Mola, we tacked off towards
K 3
the
150
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the enemy at eleven; and at day light had no fight f
them, but two tartanes, with the French private fignal,
being cloſe in with the rear of our fleet, I fent the
Princeſs Louifa to chace one, and made the ſignal for the
rear-admiral, who was the neareſt the other, to fend thigs
to chafe her. The Princefs Louifa, Defiance, and Cap-
tain, became at a great diſtance, but the Defiance took
her's, which had two captains, two lieutenants, and an
hundred and two private foldiers, who were fent out the
day before with fix hundred men on board tartanes, to
reinforce the French fleet. On our then appearing off
the place, the Phoenix, on captain Hervey's offer, pre-
pared to ſerve as a firefhip, but without damaging her as
a frigate, 'till the ſignal was made to prime, when the was
then to fcuttle her decks, every thing elfe being prepared
as the time and place allowed of. The enemy now began
to appear from the maſt-head. I called in the cruifers;
and when they had joined me I tacked towards the
enemy and formed the line a-head. I found the French
were preparing theirs to leeward, having unfuccessfully
endeavoured to weather me. They were twelve large
hips of the line, and five frigates. As foon as I judged
the rear of our fleet to be the length of their van, we
tacked all together, and immediately made the fignal for
the fhips that led to lead large, and for the Deptford to
quit the line, that ours might become equal in number
with theirs. At two I made the fignal to engage, as I
found it was the fureft method of ordering every fhip to
cloſe down on the one that fell to their lot. And here I
muſt expreſs my great fatisfaction at the very gallant
manner in which the rear-admiral fet the van the example,
by inſtantly bearing down on the fhip he was to engage,
with his fecond, and who occafioned one of the French
fhips to begin the engagement, which they did by raking
ours as they went down. I bore down on the fhip that
lay oppofite me, and began to engage him after having
received the fire for fome time in going down.
Intrepid "unfortunately" in the very beginning had her
fore-top-maſt ſhot away; and as that hung on his forefail
and backed it, he had no command of his fhip, his fore-
tack and all his braces being cut at the fame time, fo
that he drove on the next thip to him, and obliged that,
The
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
151
and the ſhips a-head of me, to throw all aback: this obliged
me to do ſo alſo, for ſome minutes, to avoid their falling
on board me, though not before we had drove our adver-
fary out of the line, who put before the wind, and had
feveral ſhot fired at him from his own admiral. This
not only caufed the enemy's center to be unattacked, but
left the rear-admiral's divifion rather uncovered for fome
time. I fent and called to the fhips a-head of me to
make fail on, and go down on the enemy
down on the enemy; and ordered
the Cheſterfield to lay by the Intrepid, and the Deptford
to fupply the Intrepid's place. I found the enemy edged
away conftantly; and as they went three feet to our one,
they would never permit our clofing with them, but took
the advantages of deftroying our rigging; for though I
clofed the rear-admiral faft, I found I could not again
cloſe the enemy, whofe van were fairly drove from their
line; but their admiral was joining them by bearing
away. By this time it was paft fix, and the enemy's van
and ours were at too great a diſtance to engage. I per-
ceived fome of their fhips ftretching to the northward, and
I imagined they were going to form a new line. I made
the fignal for the headmoft fhips to tack, and thoſe that
led before with larboard tacks, to lead with the ſtarboard,
that I might, by the firft, keep (if poffible) the wind of
the enemy; and, by the fecond, be between the rear-
admiral's divifion and the enemy, as his had fuffered moſt;
as alſo to cover the Intrepid, which I perceived to be in a
very bad condition, and whofe lofs would very greatly
give the balance againſt us, if they had attacked us the
next morning, as I expected. I brought to about eight
that night to join the Intrepid, and to refit our fhips as
fast as poffible; and continued fo all night. The next
morning we ſaw nothing of the enemy, though we were
ſtill lying to. Mahon was north-north-weft about ten
or eleven leagues. I fent cruizers out to look for the
Intrepid and Cheſterfield, who joined me the next day;
and having, from a ftate and condition of the fquadron
brought me in, found that the Captain, Intrepid, and
Defiance (which latter has loft her captain) were much
damaged in their mafts, "fo that they were endangered
of not being able to fecure their malts properly at fea;
and alfo, that the fquadron in general were very fickly;
K 4
many
152
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
many killed and wounded; and no where to put a third
of their number, if I made an hofpital even of the forty-
gun fhip, which was not eafy at fea." I thought it
proper, in this fituation, to call a council of war before I
went again to look for the enemy. I defired the attend-
ance of general Stuart, lord Effingham, and lord Robert
Bertie, and colonel Cornwallis, that I might collect their
opinions upon the preſent fituation of Minorca and
Gibraltar, and make fure of protecting the latter, fince
it was found impracticable either to fuccour or relieve the
former with the force we had; for though we may juftly
claim the victory, yet we are much inferior to the weight
of their fhips, though the numbers are equal; and they
have the advantage of fending to Minorca their wounded,
and getting reinforcements of feamen from their tranf
ports, and foldiers from their camp; all which, undoubt-
edly, has been done in this time that we have been laying-
to to refit, and often in fight of Minorca; and their fhips
have more than once appeared in a line from our maſt
heads. I fend their lordships the refolution of the council
of war, in which there was (in the Gazette, "at" is infert-
ed inſtead of "in," and "council" inftead of "there was")
not the least contention or doubt arofe. "I hope, in-
deed, we ſhall find ſtores to refit us at Gibraltar, and if I
have any reinforcement, will not lofe a moment's time
to ſeek the enemy again, and once more give them battle,
though they have a great advantage in being clean fhips,
that go three feet to our one, and therefore have the choice
how they will engage us, or if they will at all, and will
never let us cloſe them, as their fole view is the difabling
our fhips, in which they have but too well fucceeded,
though we obliged them to bear up." I do not fend their
lordſhips the particulars of our loffes and damages by this
as it would take me much time, and that I am willing
none ſhould be loft in letting them know an event of
fuch confequence. "I cannot help urging their lord-
fhips for a reinforcement, if none are yet failed, on their
knowledge of the enemy's ftrength in thofe feas; and
which, by very good intelligence, will, in a few days, be
ftrengthened by four more large fhips from Toulon,
almolt ready to fail, if not now failed to join thefe." I
difpatch this to fir. Benjamin Keene by way of Barcelona,
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
153
and am making the beſt of my way to "cover" Gibraltar;
from which place I propofe fending their lordships a
more particular account.
I am, fir,
Your moſt humble fervant,
To the hon. John Cleveland, efq.
JOHN BYNG.
P.S. I muft defire you will acquaint their lordships,
that I have appointed captain Hervey to the command of
the Defiance, in the room of captain Andrews flain in
the action.
I have fent the defects of the fhips, as I have got it
made out whilſt I was cloſing my letter.
To this letter was added, in the London Gazette, the
following lift of the killed and wounded in both ſquadrons,
without faying from whence it was taken.
State of the Engliſh and French fleets, in the late action
in the Mediterranean, with the number of perfons killed
and wounded in each fhip.
ENGLISH.
Ships.
Commanders.
Guns.
killed. Wounded
Ramilies-Ad". Byng-Gardner, 90
Buckingham-Adm. Weft-Everit, 70
3
7
Culloden-Ward,
74
Captain-Catford,
70
6
30
Revenge-Cornwall,
7༠
Lancaſter-Edgcombe,
Trident-Durell,
66
I
14
64
Intrepid-Young
64
9
Kingston-Parry,
60
Princefs Louifa-Noel,
60
Defiance-Andrews,
60
Portland-Baird,
50
Deptford-Amherſt,
50
I ofw 1
14
6
20
!
36
13
45
Cheſterfield-Lloyd,
Experiment-Gilchrift,
Dolphin--late Scrope,
Phoenix-Hervey,
Fortune-Maplefden,
40
24
I
1
24
2 of
14
11
974
43
168
FRENCH.
454
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Ships.
Le Foudroyant
LeRedoubtable
FRENCH.
Commanders.
S LaGalitfoniere; ?
lieut. general,
Glandeves, chef
Guns.
Killed. Wounded.
84
2
10
d'efcadre,
74
3
La Couronne
S La Clu, chef
d'efcadre,
74
3
Le Temeraire-Beaumont,
74
15
Le Guerrier-La Broffe,
Le Lion-St. Agnan,
74
43
64
2
7
Le Sage-Duruen,
L'Orphée-Raimondis,
6+
.00
64
IQ
Le Triton-Mercier,
Le Content-Sabran,
L'Hippotame-Rochemaure,
64
5
19
64
5
14
50
2
10
Le Fier-D'Herville,
40
La Junon-Beauffier,
46
1 1
4
La Rofe-Coftebelle,
26
La Gracieuſe-Marquizen,
24
La Topaz-Carne,
24
La Nymphe-Callian,
24
I
944
21
133
According to this lift of killed and wounded in the two
adverfe fquadrons, as publifhed in our Gazette, it appears
there were in the Britiſh fquadron forty-two killed and an
hundred and fixty-eight wounded; whereas in the French
fquadron there were but twenty-one killed and an hundred
and thirty-three wounded. On board admiral Byng's
own fhip there was not fo much as one man either killed
or wounded. This circumftance, merely accidental, did
his character a great deal of harm among the people in
England; and as to effect this purpoſe it was moft probably
publifhed, fo it was rendered one of the chief caufes perhaps
of the fate that afterwards attended him. Every one from
thence concluded that he had not attacked the enemy in fo
brifk and cloſe a manner as he ought to have done: and
thofe who examined not minutely, or confidered only
the number of fhips in each fleet heard, with indig-
nation, that a British fhould retreat from a French
fquadron
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 155
Squadron confifting of no fuperior number of fhips. "Thus
(repeating in the words of a very fenfible anonymous
author, what we have almoft in the fame terms obferved
from ourſelves) was raiſed an immediate popular clamour
against him; and this clamour, induftriously propagated,
was artfully continued to the very laft, by thofe who had
been the cauſes of his difgrace, and were afterwards baſe
enough to facrifice this unfortunate man to their own fafety,
which is one of the ſtrongeſt motives by which the human
nind can be influenced.
The foregoing account is faid to have been received on
June 16, if not earlier. A report, of what the French were
pleaſed to call a victory, having found its way through
Holland fome days previous to its arrival, the minds
of the people were in no inconfiderable ftate of ferment
at an event fo totally difgraceful to national confequence:
they fcarcely knew, in their first paroxyfms, whether to
vent their fury on the admiral himſelf, as the oftenfible
victim, or on thofe under whofe direction he acted, as the
primary cauſe of the misfortune which had enraged them.
This popular fury was foon indeed moft dextroufly tranf-
ferred to this devoted commander; his caufe was pre-
judged; and the difgrace of being hanged in effigy, the
customary mark of contempt and hatred inflicted on
public delinquents, reiteratedly carried into execution
even before his return to England. We have already
ftated that Mr. Byng's letter arrived on the 16th of June;
but, as if the public fury had not then reached a fufficient
degree of fermentation to become an ardent fpirit, it was
withheld from the world till the 26th. During this inter-
mediate ſpace his enemies were not idle, their clamours
were too fuccefsful, and his deſtruction was irrevocably
refolved on.
The firſt ſtep taken by adminiftration was, indeed, the
moft proper that could have been devifed; it was that
which fhould have been adopted in the beginning: this
was, to ſend out two commanders, whofe known fpirit
of enterpriſe and former fucceffes had acquired them the
love and confidence of thoſe they were to command. Men,
under fuch leaders, will be always ready to encounter difficul
jies which, without the molt perfect union of fentiment
and
155
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and harmony in every action, would, perhaps, be infur
mountable. The perfons chofen on this occafion were,
fir Edward Hawke and Mr. Saunders. They failed from
Portfmouth, in the Antelope, on the 16th of June, feveral
days before the publication of Mr. Byng's diſpatch, and
were inftructed to fend home, by the fame conveyance,
the unfortunate admiral himſelf; Mr. Weft, his fecond
in command; and general Fowke.
When Mr. Byng arrived at Gibraltar, in purfuance
of the refolution mentioned in his letter on the 19th of
June. He there found commodore Broderick with a
reinforcement of five fhips of the line, difpatched from
England in confequence of certain intelligence being re-
ceived that the French were bufily employed, at Toulon,
in equipping feveral large fhips of the line to join Gal-
liffoniere. On finding himſelf and his fquadron not
totally abandoned to the mercy of the enemy, he loft
no time in forming a refolution to return to Minorca, in
hopes, that by defeating the French fleet, he might ftill re-
lieve that unfortunate garrifon. But while he was making
every poffible exertion to carry this gallant determination
into execution, fir Edward arrived with his letters of
recal. He accordingly embarked, with the two other
gentlemen already mentioned, on the 9th of July, and
arrived at Spithead on the 26th.
Orders had not only been difpatched to all the ports
where it was probable he might arrive to put him imme-
diately under a cloſe arreft, but this meafure was, in the
moſt extraordinary manner, publicly notified to the world
in the Gazette, as if minifters felt themſelves bound to
keep alive that popular clamour, which they had induſtri-
oufly raiſed, by thus publicly avowing their ex parte opinion,
that he was a delinquent of the blackeft kind. If we may
judge from circumftantial evidence only, it is certainly
not unfair to fay, that he was appointed only for his dif
grace, which nothing fhort of the moft unqualified victory
could poffibly have averted. Several days before it was
known, even by report, that an encounter had taken
place, ludicrous paragraphs began to make their appear
ance in the newfpapers; whimfical advertiſements offer
ing rewards to thoſe who ſhould find a loſt admiral and
his
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
157
bis fleet*, fucceeded to thefe; and when his diſpatches
arrived, confirming the report that an action had really
happened
* Let us examine on the fairest grounds the propriety or decency
of this implied charge of delay. Mr. Byng failed from Spithead with
a fquadron, many of the fhips compofing it being foul, and others
heavy failers, on the 7th of April. He arrived at Gibraltar on the
2d of May. Sir Edward Hawke, whom no perſon ever dared to accuſe
of delay, when employed in the fervice of his country, and whole
pallage was not thought tedious, left the fame place in a fingle fhip,
chofen for difpatch, clean, and efteemed at that time of day a fwift
failer, on the 16th of June, and did not reach Gibraltar till the 3d of
july; fo that, notwithstanding the great difadvantages under which,
as we have juſt ſtated, Mr. Byng lay on the fcore of diſpatch, he was
only eight days longer on his paffage than fir Edward. What muft
be the condition of that commander, when the impediments of the
weather, the act of God; the unfitneſs and inequality of his fhips tỏ
the fervice propofed, which is, probably, the premeditated act of his
enemies, fhall be urged againſt him as irrefragable proofs of mifcon-
duct and criminality.
Mr. Byng had very imprudently irritated the minds of his noble
employers by his letter, written from Gibraltar on his firft arrival, in
which he, in pretty plain terms, reflects on the conduct of miniftry, in
fending him out too late to prevent the landing of the enemy on the
illand itfelf. "If (faid he) I had been ſo happy as to have arrived
, at Minorca before the enemy had landed, I flatter myfelf I fhould have
had it in my power to have hindred them from eftabliſhing a footing
there." To this unguarded cenfure it is not improbable the admiral
owed his ruin, which, if before in doubt, was, from that moment, de-
termined on. He had been weak enough to speak the truth, that he
had been ſent out too late; and that the opportunity of faving the
fortrefs was irrevocably loft. This was a crime of fo dark a nature
as not to be forgiven. Thofe whom he had thus obliquely charged
with remiffnefs, found it their intereft to declare against him, and en-
deavour, by any means, to throw off the imputation of negligence with
which they were charged. This was not the only act of indifcretion
Mr. Byng had been guilty of in his letter: he proceeded to inform
administration of their own negligence, which they could not be un-
conſcious of, that Gibraltar was deftitute of the magazines necellary to
fapply the exigencies of his fquadron; that his fhips could not be
cleaned there; that the pits, careening-wharfs, and fore-houfes were
gone to decay and almoft ufelefs. He proceeded farther to ſtate, that
even admitting it poffible, in the fituation of affairs at that time, to
throw a fmall number of men into Mahon, this ftep would only be
productive of a greater lofs in the deftruction or impriſonment of
men, who must fall a facrifice to the fuperiority of the enemy, who
were in actual and indiſputable poſſeſſion of the whole ifland, the fort
excepted.
" But
*58
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
happened, they were ludicrously parodized in miferable
doggerel and fet to vulgar tunes, which being chanted about
the
"But (continues the admiral) it does not appear that this is in any
degree feaſible at this time, fince the engineers and artillerifts concur
with me in opinion, that the French batteries, fuppofed to be erected
at the mouth of the harbour, muft effectually prevent any fuch mea-
fure, by rendering the paffage of boats to the fally port of fort St.
Philip utterly impracticable. Under the preffure of thefe confider-
ations it was determined in a council of war, held at Gibraltar by the
governor and principal officers, " that it was not expedient to detach
any force from that garrifon to the ifland." This refolution ought,
certainly, not to have been charged to the admiral's account; yet after
that was taken, we cannot conceive how the utter annihilation of the
French fleet would, in a primary point of view, have relieved the fort
of St. Philip's from the preffure of the fiege, which it became the in-
tereft of the alfailants to urge with the utmoft vigour that they might
obtain fome cover, by which they might, in their turn, defend them-
felves, if attacked by the English. But Byng had loft Minorca, at
leaft he was to be charged with it, though it must be evident to every
impartial perfon, that its fate was decided before he quitted
Spithoad.
If otherwiſe, if even the fmalleft probability of fuccefs, and lighteſt
hope of being able to baffle the projects of the enemy remained,
what fhall we fay of the conduct of thoſe who fent the commander of
their choice to fea, in fpite of every remonftrance, without taking all
the means in their power to encourage him in a fpirit of enterprize
by a proper fuccour, and by affording them the best means of palliat-
ng misfortune fhould it take place? What fhall we fay of men,
who could venture to order him out without a firefhip, an hoſpital
thip, a tranfport for the troops, or a fingle frigate? The foldiers he
carried with him, inconfiderable as their numbers were, formed a part
of his different crews, which, even with that addition, were deficient:
and one of the principal points urged against him was, not having
landed thofe people in fpite of every obflacle; of not having rendered
his hips ftill more deficient in point of force than they naturally
were, and voluntarily making himſelf leſs capable of facing the Toulon
fquadron.
"So indecifive were the meaſures of adminiftration, fo precarious did
the intelligence received appear in the eyes of minifters, that even the ad-
miral's orders and inftructions were vague implications; not founded on
the certainty of intelligence, but framed to acquire information; as the
tenor of them commanded him, on his arrival at Gibraltar, to make
ftri& enquiries, whether any French ſquadron had paffed through the
Streights. Notwithſtanding the repeated and numberless advices, from
printed public papers, foreign and domeftic; from the letters of ambaf.
fadors, minifters, envoys, confuls, refidents, agents, factors, and officers;
difpatches affuring the certainty that a ſtrong fquadron of twelve ſhips of
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
159
the streets among the very refuſe of the people, wonder-
fully recruited the number of his enemies, by enrolling
under their banners all thoſe who were incapable of ex-
amining the truth, or did not chufe to give themſelves the
trouble of being undeceived. On the other hand, thofe
who were hardy enough to attempt counteracting his
enemies by a fimilar procedure, were imprifoned or pu-
nifhed with the utmolt rigour.
The admiral himſelf obeyed the letters of fupercedure
and recal with the utmolt pleafure and fatisfaction
to himſelf: he confidered it as what he ought moſt to
have withed, affording him the propereft means of
juſtifying his character, which had been moft wantonly
and maliciouſly afperfed. What must have been his
aftoniſhment at finding him felf treated like a criminal
already condemned, confined, treated with every mark of
contempt malevolence could invent, hooted in every place
he paffed through by the mob; and, in fine, completely
given up as a facrifice by thofe who had ruined, and were
confequently, in common juftice, bound to have defended
him? He was conveyed from Portfmouth to Greenwich-
hofpital, the place deftined for his prifon previous to his
trial, with all the infult narrow minds were capable of
contriving. He was guarded with all the folemnity and
pageantry of care beltowed on a traitor of the worlt
complexion. His prifon was fortified with the mot
fcrupulous attentions and this circumftance was moſt in-
duftriouſly made known, as if to convey an infinuation
that the greatest precautions were neceffary to prevent his
efcape from juftice, and imprefs on the minds of the
unwary that the admiral himſelf was afraid to meet the
injured countenances of his countrymen. Nothing could
the line, with only two months proviſions, were ready to fail from
Toulon, and confequently could never import an intended defcent an
our American plantations; the admirals orders proceeded to enjoin.
that "as it is probable the fquadron may be intended for North Ame
rica, you are to draught fo many of your hips as, when joined with a
fquadron going to Halifax, fhall become fuperior to the enemy's (quz•
dron; and this done, you are to difpofe of them under rear-admiral
Well, whom you fhall order to haften his voyage to Louifbourg."
The care of Minorca was a fecondary and merely conditional object.
Fatal thefe inftructions were becauſe unintelligible, calms and con-
trary winds co-operated with every other circumftance to deftroy the
effects of his expedition.
be
160
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
be farther from the real truth; he was fo far from conte
ceiving himſelf criminal in the ſmalleſt degree, that he
wifhed for nothing with fo much eagernefs and anxiety
as the commencement of his trial, confidering it as the
period of his fufferings, and the malice of his enemies,
which had been difplayed with fuch uncommon invete-
racy against him.
Every action of his mind indicated an innate conviction
that he went to a certain and moſt honourable acquittal,
when, in the month of December, he was removed back
to Portfmouth with the fame degree of parade he had been
brought from thence. The court-martial, which was
held on board the St. George in Portſmouth barbour,
affembled on the 28th of December*, and continued till
the 27th of January following. For brevity fake, we
fhall endeavour briefly to analyze the charges, with their
feveral anſwers, and the evidence adduced in fupport of
both.
The general facts that remained indifputable
were,
That the admiral was within three miles of St. Philip's,
and had ſent out fome frigates to land a letter for general
Blakeney, when he difcovered the French fleet.
As foon as the French fleet was diſcovered he called in
the frigates and cruifers, and ftood towards the enemy.
When the British fleet firft fteered for that of the French,
the ſhip which was fternmoft in the engagement was firſt
a-head, fo that the fhips which afterwards formed the rear
then formed the van.
This order continued till the fignal was made to tack.
When the ſignal was made to tack, the Britiſh fleet had
ftretched beyond the enemy with the van, but the rear
was juft even with them.
After the British fleet had tacked, the admiral's divifion,
which then became the rear, was fomething aftern of the
* The members of this court were,
Admirals, Smith, Prefident,
Captains, Bentley,
Holbourne,
Norris,
Broderick.
Captains, Holmes,
Boys,
Simcoe,
Dennis,
Geary,
Moore,
Douglafs,
Keppel.
French
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
161
French rear; but Mr. Weft's divifion, which then be-
came the van, was not a-ftern of the van. The two fleets
were not parallel to each other in either divifion, there
being only one mile diſtance between the headmoſt ſhip
of the Britiſh van, and the headmoſt ſhip of the enemy;
and three miles diftance between the fternmoft fhips of
the Britiſh rear, and the ſtern moſt of the French. The
diftance between the two divifions of both fleets was about
three miles, fo that the rear divifion of the French was
three miles a-ſtern of their van; and the Britiſh rear divi-
fion about the fame diftance a-ftern of the Britiſh van,
though the distance of the French rear was either a little leſs
than three miles, or the diftance of the Britiſh rear a little
more, as our rear was fomewhat a-ftern of the enemy's.
While the two fleets were in this fituation the fignal to
engage was made, and the ſignal for the line of battle
a-head was continued, which determined the order to be
preſerved during the whole action. The Intrepid, the
fternmost fhip of the van divifion, was difabled in the
beginning of the action.
The evidence againſt the admiral may be reduced to the
following points:
Firft. It was infifted, if the admiral had taken the men
on board that were ordered to be ſhipped at Gibraltar, and
landed them at fort St. Philip's, the place might have held
out till the arrival of admiral Hawke.
Second. If he had landed the officers and recruits,
to the number of about one hundred, which he had on
board, it would have been a fignal fervice to the garrifon.
Third. The men might have been landed at any
time during the fiege*, with great eaſe and little hazard.
Fourth.
We
* General Blakeney depofed on the trial, that on the 20th of May
boats might have paffed between the fleet and the garrifon with great
Safety; and that if the troops ordered for his relief had been landed,
he could have held out till the arrival of fir Edward Hawke.
very much doubt both theſe affertions. The worthy veteran was,
perhaps, too fanguine in his hopes and expectations. But that Mr.
Byng acted according to the beft of his judgement is very apparent
from the following letter written by him to the general.
.. Sir,
"I fend you this by captain Hervey, of his majefty's fhip Phoenix,
who has my orders to convey it to you, if poffible, together with the
VOL. IV.
L
inclofed
162
LIVÉS AND CHARACTERS OF
1
Fourth. No attempt was made to land thefe officers
and recruits.
To theſe charges we have, by way of parenthefis, to an-
fwer, that they appear very weakly founded. The land-
officers, who were beft acquainted with the fituation of the
place, were decidedly of opinion, in the council of war held
at Gibraltar, that all efforts to throw fuccours into the gar-
rifon would be of no avail. But granting for a moment the
enemy had been neglectful enough to omit raifing the bat-
teries neceffary to prevent the introduction of ſuch aſſiſtance,
what was the mighty reinforcement that was to render the
fortreſs of St. Philip's impregnable to the affaults of an
army confifting of twenty thousand men? Why, thirty or
forty officers, the greater part of them fubalterns only,
and about one hundred recruits!
Fifth. If each fhip had made fail in proportion to
her diſtance from the fhip fhe was to engage, all would
have been in action nearly at the fame time, and the
engagement would have become general during the
time the French lay to..
inclofed packet, which he received at Leghorn. I am extremely con
cerned to find that captain Edgcombe was obliged to retire to Gibraltar
with the ſhips under his command, that the French are landed,
and that St. Philip's caftle is inveſted, as I flatter myſelf, had I fortu-
nately been more timely in the Mediterranean, that I fhould have been
able to have prevented the enemy's getting a footing in the ifland of
Minorca. I am to acquaint you that general Stuart, lord Effingham,
and colonel Cornwallis, with about thirty officers, and fome recruits
belonging to the different regiments now in garrifon with you, are on
board the fhips of the fquadron; and fhall be glad to know by the
return of the officer, what place you will think proper to have them
landed at. The royal regiment of English fuzileers, commanded by
lord R.Bertie, is likewife on board the ſquadron, deſtined, agreeable to
my orders, to ſerve on board the fleet in the Mediterranean, unleſs it
fhould be thought neceffary, upon confultation with you, to land the
regiment for the defence of Minorca; but I muſt alſo inform you,
fhould the fuzileers be landed, as they are part of the fhips comple-
ments, the marines having been ordered, by the lords commiffioners of
the admiralty, on board of other fhips at Portſmouth, to make room
for them; that it will difable the fquadron from acting against that of
the enemy, which I am informed is cruifing off the iſland: however,
I fhall gladly embrace every opportunity of promoting his majeſty's
fervice in the most effectual manner, and fhall affift you to diftrefs the
enemy and defeat their deſigns to the utmoſt of my power."
Sixthly.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
163
Sixth. The wind and weather was fuch as admitted
each ſhip's making fail in proportion to her diſtance from
the enemy; and if they had done fo the line might have
been kept as well as with the fail they made.
Seventh. When the fignal to engage was made, the
van bore right down upon the French van, and their whole
fleet was then lying to, waiting to receive the British.
Eighth. The rear did not bear right down upon the
enemy, but flanting; and foon after the fignal to engage
was made, the admiral feeing that the Louifa and Trident,
the ſhips next a-head of him, did not make fail, he attempted
to back his main and mizen top-fails, and hauled up the
forefail to give time for them to get into their ſtation.
{
Ninth. The fail made by the van carried them about
three knots an hour, but they might have made fuch ſail
as would have carried them fix.
Tenth. The rear, though they were three times the
diſtance from the fhips they were to engage, made no
more fail than the van, confequently muſt have been three
times as long in coming equally near to their opponents.
Eleventh. As the van went right down, and the rear
flanting with the fame fail, the rear would not have been
fo near the enemy as the van in equal time, fuppofing the
diſtance at firſt to have been the ſame.
Twelfth. The admiral, while he was yet at a great
diftahce from the enemy, began to fire; the men were
obliged to lower the metal and fire at an elevation, fince not
being in point blank diftance the fhot would, if fired
horizontally, have dropped and taken the water before it
reached the enemy's fhip.
Thirteenth. While he was thus firing to no effect,
at more than half a mile diſtance from the enemy, he
ordered his fails to be laid a-back, and made a fignal for
the fhips a-ftern of him to fhorten fail.
Fourteenth. It was near twenty minutes after this
before he made fail again with his divifion; and the
French having filled and ftood on foon after his laying his
fails a-back, i. e. within about forty minutes after the
fignal to engage, he never afterwards engaged them at all.
Fifteenth. When the French center and rear were
obferved to out-fail the British, no fignal, or example, was
given to crowd kail and cloſe with the van, without regard to
order
L 2
164
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
order of battle, though, if this had been done, he might
have prevented the damage that was fuftained from the
fire of the French fhips as they came up.
Sixteenth. He did not make the general fignal to
chafe after the engagement.
Seventeenth. He did not return off Mahon, nor make
any farther attempt to affift the caſtle of St. Philip.
We ſhall now ftate the evidence, and fair anfwers tend-
ing to juſtify theſe facts, or controvert them in favour of
the unfortunate admiral; they may be reduced to the fol-
lowing points, anſwering to the feveral articles of the
charge.
Ift. The admiral was by no means anfwerable for not
taking the men on board from Gibraltar, but the com-
manding officer of the garrifon, who refuſed to fend them
on board.
2d. It would have been imprudent in the highest degree
to have attempted landing thefe men after the French fleet
was diſcovered; and it was a right meaſure immediately
to call in all the frigates, and cruiſers.
3d. 4th. It is granted that men might have been landed,
but this does not affect Mr. Byng, becauſe he had no op-
portunity to attempt it: neither could thefe men have
done more fervice in the garrifon than they did on board
the fleet, which, upon the whole, was fhort of comple-
ment, having many fick and unſkilful hands.
5th. 6th. It is granted, that if each fhip had failed in
proportion to her diſtance from the fhip the was to en-
gage, a general engagement would have been brought on
while the French lay to; and that the wind and weather
permitted fuch fail to be made: but as the enemy was
lying-to, the fail which the admiral did make was the moſt
proper upon the whole; for the fail he made was a ſignal
what fail the other ſhips fhould go down with; and a croud
of fail would have been attended with great difadvantages
and hazards: befides, there was the greateſt reafon to
fuppofe the French would continue to lie-to, as they were
then known to be at least equal to the British; and if they had
continued to lie-to, the admiral would by the courſe and
fail he made have brought their center and rear to action,
fo as effectually to have fuccoured his van; nay, he would
have done fo if no impediment had happened while they
did lie-to.
7th
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
165
7th. The van went right down becauſe they were not
a-ftern of the enemy.
'
8th. The rear did not bear right down becauſe they
were a-ftern of the enemy; and if they had borne
right down they would have left the enemy a-head; be-
fides, in going right down the veffels are expofed to be
raked by the enemy; and a rifk is run of being beaten
before it is poffible to engage, fo that the rear went down
properly both as to courfe and fail; and though the admi-
ral might have left the Louifa and Trident instead of
fhortening fail for them, yet in that cafe he muſt have gone
down without his proper force.
9th. Ioth. 11th. Thefe articles, granting the facts, are
all anfwered in the articles five and fix; but the difference
between the time when the van engaged was not forty
minutes. When the admiral was impeded by an accident,
he would have been very near the enemy in a very fhort
time without altering his courfe or making more fail.
12th. The people on board the Ramilies began to fire
without orders, but not till a quarter of an hour after the
enemy had ftruck her with their fhot. The metal was
lowered becauſe the fhip bore down a little on that fide,
and therefore it was neceffary to lower the metal to bring
the guns parallel with the horizon.
13th. That the admiral, when he was yet at too great
a diſtance properly to engage, laid his fails a-back is true,
but this was made neceffary by the accident, and the con-
currence of many circumftances with it. The fignal for the
line of battle a-head was continued the whole day, be-
cauſe it was thought moft advantageous to preferve that
order during the action, and it was the order in which
the enemy themſelves lay-to, till fome rifing circumſtances
afterwards made a different fignal neceffary.
When the Intrepid, the fternmoft fhip of the van divi-
fion was diſabled, the Revenge, which was the headmoft
ſhip of the rear divifion, came cloſe up to her, but could
not pafs her, becauſe the fignal for the line of battle
a-head required him to keep his ftation behind her.
For the fame reafons the fhips next a-ftern of the
Revenge, which were the Louifa and the Trident, were
obliged to fhorten as they must otherwife have paffed the
L 3
~3
Revenge
166
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Revenge and Intrepid, which would have broke the line
and carried them out of their ſtation.
+
In the mean time the people on board the admiral's
ſhip, which was next a-ftern of the Trident, began
to fire, and the fmoak preventing the admiral from feeing
what had happened to the Intrepid, he made no fignal for
her to quit the line; being prevented alfo by the fame cauſe
from feeing that the Trident had laid her fails a-back, he
continued his courfe till he brought her under his lee bow.
This fituation of the Trident made it neceffary for the
admiral to ſuſpend his fire, otherwiſe he muſt have fired
into her. It alfo became neceffary that he ſhould lay his
fails a-back, and make the fignal for thofe a-ftern of him
to do the fame, or elfe he would have been foul of the
Trident, and the fhips a-ftern would have been foul of
him. It is urged against him, that he might have kept
clear of the Trident by going to leeward of her without
fhortening fail; but it is alledged in his defence, that he
could not do this immediately becauſe he did not fee her;
and that all circumftances confidered, it was impoffible
for him to get clear of the Trident without laying his
fails a-back.
14th. As foon as ever he was difengaged from the
Trident he made fail, and ordered the fhips a-ftern to do
the fame, but was not afterwards able to engage the enemy
as they out-failed him.
15th. The admiral, when he faw the French going,
did make a fignal for more fail; but it was not in his
power to join the van before the French had got the
length of them.
16th. He had not force fufficient to juſtify making the
general fignal to chafe, which he lamented to thofe about
him.
17th. He did not return to Mahon becauſe he was not
in a condition to come to a fecond engagement; and if
the French had come back to him he would probably have
fuffered a total defeat.
The admiral in his defence obferved, that he was allowed
to have been guilty of no delay in getting from St. Helen's
to Gibraltar, or from Gibraltar to Mahon; and gave as
reaſons for that part of his conduct which has been thought
blameable, that as he had on board no more than one
hundred
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
167
hundred officers and recruits, he did not think the land
ing them was a fufficient excufe for lofing any time, or
delaying to attack the enemy when in fight, eſpecially as
theſe very men were neceffary to a fleet entering into
action badly manned in general, with three hundred and
feventy-one men fick on board.
He ſtood beyond the rear of the enemy before he tacked
that every fhip might have an opportunity to lead ſlant-
ing down to that ſhe was to engage, and not be liable to
be raked.
Juft before he tacked he hauled in his main-fail, and
took in his top-gallant fails, apprehending a crowd of fail
inconvenient and improper to preſerve the order to engage
with, and unneceffary, as the enemy appeared to wait for
him under top-fails, with their main-top-fails fquare.
After the fleet had tacked he obſerved that the leading
ſhip did not ſteer away with the enemy's leading ſhip, as
is required by the 19th article of the fighting inftructions;
he therefore fired a gun to lead to ftarboard, and after-
wards another gun to put the leading captain in mind of
theſe inſtructions.
The leading ſhip did not yet fteer down fufficiently,
and by that means was drawing the van a-breast of the
enemy's van, and altering the difpofitions the admiral had
made for attacking the enemy by fteering down in a
flanting courſe to avoid being raked; he therefore thought
it neceſſary to make the fignal to engage, to bring on the
action, and impower the fhips to fire refpectively as they
got within a proper diſtance.
Upon the fignal being made to engage, the leading ſhip
bore down more, as did the van in general. The Intrepid
bore right down before the wind, fo that being expofed to
be raked, fhe was diſabled almoſt as ſoon as ſhe could fire.
He continued his courfe with the rear, which he
thought moſt proper to fall in with and engage the enemy
properly, who had head way.
Soon after the enemy began to fire, their fhot paffed
through his rigging; but he referved his fire till he could
get cloſe to the enemy, and declared his intention to
do fo but fome of his people being impatient at receiv-
ing the fire of the enemy without returning it, fired with-
out orders. The admiral being then within half a mile
:
L 4
of
768
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of the enemy, with a fine breeze, and apprehending that
a very little time would bring him down, permitted the
firing to continue, as it muft prevent the enemy from
taking direct aim, and difabling him before he could
come to cloſe action.
Soon after this firing began he was impeded by the
Trident, which the fmoke prevented him from feeing till
he was almoſt foul of her; and there being a neceffity for the
rear to brace-to left they ſhould all be foul of each other,
and no ſignal for the rear only to brace-to, he was obliged
to make the general fignal to brace-to, the rear to brace-
to first; but this fignal was hauled down before it was
poffible for the van to repeat it.
As foon as he difcovered the cauſe of the ftop, and
knew what had happened to the Intrepid, he made the
fignal for the rear to make more fail and clofe the line,
that the ſhips a-ftern of the Intrepid might paſs her.
During the delay occafioned by this accident the French
made fail and out-failed him.
As a confiderable part of the fleet was unable to pur-
fue, he judged it improper to purfue with the reft, as the
enemy, who at firft were fuperior, were all fit for action.
Here it may be remarked that the admiral, when the
French rear first made fail and ran, did not, nor could
know that any part of his fleet, except the Intrepid,
could not purfue, being at too great a diftance from the
van to judge of the damage it had received; and as the
rear of the French made fail, he had more reafon to think
that their van was diſabled and beaten, than that his own
was unfit for the purfuit. The conclufion, therefore, from
theſe premifes is obvious.
In theſe circumftances, and in confequence of the una-
nimous opinion of the council of war, he returned with
the fleet to Gibraltar.
Whether the charge againſt the admiral is, or is not
obviated by thefe reafons, or by any facts that were
proved on his behalf, we are not now to determine; the
opinion of the gentlemen by whom he was tried, who
muſt be more particularly acquainted with the facts, as well
as the circumſtances under which they happened, and confe-
quently better able to judge of them, will appear by the
following articles felected from their refolutions.
The
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
169
The court are of opinion,
That the admiral, having on board many officers who
muſt have been much wanted in the caſtle of St. Philip's,
he ought to have fent them a-head in one of the frigates
to be landed, if poffible, though he did fee the French
fleet.
That when the Britiſh fleet on the ſtarboard tack had
ſtretched a-breaſt of the enemy's line, the admiral ſhould
have tacked it altogether, and conducted it on in a direct
courſe for the enemy, the van for the van, and the rear
for the rear, under ſuch fail as might have enabled the
worft failing ſhip, under all her plain fails, to preſerve
her ſtation.
That upon the fignal to engage, his van divifion bore
down properly for the ſhips oppoſed to them, and engaged
till the five headmoſt ſhips of the enemy went away out of
gun-ſhot.
That after the fignal to engage, the admiral feparated
the rear from the van, and retarded the rear from cloſing
with the enemy by fhortening fail, that the Trident and
Louiſa might again get a-head of him.
That inſtead of this, he ſhould have made the Trident
and Louifa's fignal to make more fail, and ought to have
fet fo much fail himſelf as would have enabled the floweſt
ſhip to have kept her ſtation with all her plain fail, in
order to have got down to the enemy as fast as pollible,
and properly fupported the van.
That the admiral acted wrong in fuffering the fire on
board his ſhip to continue before fhe was got to a proper
diftance to engage, becauſe he not only threw away his
fhot, but occafioned a ſmoke which prevented his feeing
the motions of the enemy, and the pofition of the fhips
immediately a-head of his own.
That after the damaged fhips had been repaired as much
as poffible, he ought to have returned off St. Philip's, and
have endeavoured to open a communication with the
caſtle, and uſed all the means in his power to relieve it.
That, during the engagement, he did not do his utmoft
to take, feize, and deſtroy the fhips of the French king,
and affift fuch of his thips as were engaged.
The court-martial came therefore to a refolution,
"that he fell under part of the 12th article of an act of
parliament
170
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
parliament of the twenty-fecond year of Geo. II. for
amending, explaining, and reducing into one act of par-
liament, the laws relating to the government of his maje-
fty's fhips, veffels, and forces by fea; and as that article
pofitively preſcribes death, without any alternative left to
the difcretion of the court under any variation of circum-
ftances, the court did therefore unanimoufly adjudge the
faid admiral Byng to be fhot to death, at fuch time, and
on board fuch ſhip as the lords commiffioners of the admi-
ralty fhould direct. But as it appeared, by the evidence
of lord Robert Bertie, lieutenant-colonel Smith, captain
Gardiner, and other officers of the fhip, who were near
the perſon of the admiral, that they did not perceive any
backwardneſs in him during the action, or any marks of
fear or confufion either from his countenance or behaviour,
but that he ſeemed to give his orders coolly and diftinctly,
and did not feem wanting in perfonal courage, and from
other circumſtances the court did not believe that his
mifconduct arofe either from cowardice or difaffection,
and did therefore unanimously think it their duty moſt
earneſtly to recommend him as a proper object of
mercy."
Article XII.
"Every perfon in the fleet, who, through cowardice,
negligence, or difaffection, fhall, in time of action,
withdraw, or keep back, or not come into the fight, or
engagement, or fhall not do his utmoſt to take or deſtroy
every fhip which it fhall be his duty to engage, and to
affift and relieve all and every of his majeſty's fhips, or
thofe of his allies, which it fhall be his duty to aſſiſt or
relieve, every fuch perſon ſo offending, and being con-
victed thereof, by the fentence of a court-martial, fhall
fuffer death,"
When the court-martial tranfmitted a copy of their
proceedings to the board of admiralty, they likewiſe ſent
their lordfhips a letter, which concluded in theſe terms:
"We cannot help laying the diftreffes of our minds
before your lordships on this occafion, in finding ourſelves
under a neceffity of condemning a man to death, from the
great feverity of the 12th article of war, part of which he
falls under, and which admits of no mitigation, even if
the crime fhould be committed by an error in judgment;
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
178
and therefore for our own confciences' fake, as well as in
juſtice to the priſoner, we pray your lordships, in the
moft earneſt manner, to recommend him to his majeſty's
clemency."
The lords of the admiralty, inſtead of complying with
the requeſt of the court-martial, tranfmitted their letter to
the king, with copies of their proceedings; and a letter
from themſelves to his majefty, fpecifying a doubt with
regard to the legality of the fentence, as the crime of
negligence, for which the admiral had been condemned,
was not expreffed in any part of them; at the fame
time copies of two petitions from George, lord vif-
count Torrington, in behalf of his kinfman, admiral
Byng, were fubmitted to his majefty's royal wifdom and
determination. All the friends and relations of this un-
happy man employed and exerted their influence and
intereft for his pardon; and, as circumftances had
appeared ſo ſtrong in his favour, it was fuppofed that
the royal mercy would be extended for his prefer-
vation. But infamous arts were uſed to whet the ſavage
appetite of the populace for blood. The cry of venge-
ance was loud throughout the land. Sullen clouds of
cruel malevolence interpofing were faid to obftruct
the genial beams of the best virtue that adorns the
throne; and the fovereign was given to underſtand, that
the execution of admiral Byng was a meaſure abfolutely
neceffary to appeaſe the fury of the people. His majeſty,
in confequence of the repreſentation made by the lords of
the admiralty, referred the fentence to the confideration
of the twelve judges, who were unanimoufly of opinion.
that the fentence was legal. This report being tranf-
mitted from the privy council to the admiralty, their
lordſhips iffued a warrant for executing the fentence of
death on the 28th day of February. Admiral Forbes
alone refuſed to fign the warrant, for the following very
honourable and confcientious reaſons:
"It may be thought great prefumption in me to differ
from ſo great authority as that of the twelve judges; but
when a man is called upon to fign his name to an act
which is to give authority to the thedding of blood, he
ought to be guided by his own confcience, and not by the
opinions of other men.
C In
172
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
"In the cafe before us, it is not the merit of admiral
Byng that I confider; whether he deferves death or not,
it is not a queſtion for me to decide; but whether or not
his life can be taken away by the fentence pronounced on
him by the court-martial, and after having fo clearly ex-
plained their motive for pronouncing fuch a fentence, is
the point which alone has employed my moft ferious confi-
deration.
"The 12th article of war, on which admiral Byng's
fentence is grounded, fays, (according to my underſtand-
ing of its meaning)" that every perfon, who, in time of
action, fhall withdraw, keep back, or not come into fight,
or do his utmoſt, &c. through motives of cowardice, neg-
ligence, or difaffection, ſhall fuffer death." The court-
martial does, in exprefs words, acquit admiral Byng of
cowardice and difaffection, and does not name the word
negligence. Admiral Byng does not, as I conceive, fall
under the letter or defcription of the 12th article of war.
It may be faid that negligence is implied, though the word
is not mentioned, otherwiſe the court-martial would not
have brought his offence under the 12th article, having
acquitted him of cowardice and difaffection. But it muſt
be acknowledged that the negligence implied cannot be
wilful negligence; for wilful negligence, in admirał
Byng's fituation, muſt have proceeded either from cow-
ardice or difaffection; and he is exprefsly acquitted of
both thefe crimes; befides, thefe crimes, which are implied
only, and not named, may indeed juftify fufpicion` and
private opinion, but cannot fatisfy the confcience in cafe
of blood.
"Admiral Byng's fate was referred to a court-martial,
His life and death were left to their opinions. The court-
martial condemn him to death becauſe, as they exprefsly
fay, they were under a neceffity of doing fo by reaſon of
the letter of the law, the feverity of which they complain
of, becauſe it admits of no mitigation. The court-martial
exprefsly fay, that for the fake of their confciences, as
well as in juftice to the prifoner, they muſt earneſtly re-
commend him to his majeſty for mercy. It is evident
then, that, in the opinions and confciences of the judges,
he was not deferving of death.
The
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
173
"The queftion then is, fhall the opinions or neceffities
of the court-martial determine admiral Byng's fate? 1f
it should be the latter he will be executed contrary to the
intentions and meaning of his judges; if the former, his
life is not forfeited; his judges declare him not deferving
death; but, miſtaking either the meaning of the law, or
the nature of his offence, they bring him under an article
of war, which, according to their own defcription of his
offence, he does not, I conceive, fall under; and then
they condemn him to death, becauſe, as they ſay, the law
admits of no mitigation. Can a man's life be taken
away by fuch a fentence? I would not willingly be
mifunderstood, and have it believed that I judge of admi-
ral Byng's deferts; that was the bufinefs of a court-martial,
and it is my duty only to act according to my confcience;
which, after deliberate confideration, affifted by the beſt
light a poor underſtanding can afford it, remains ftill in
doubt; and therefore I cannot conſent to fign a warrant,
whereby the fentence of the court-martial may be carried
into execution, for I cannot help thinking, that however
criminal admiral Byng may be, his life is not forfeited by
that fentence. I do not mean to find fault with other
men's opinions; all I endeavour at is, to give reaſons for
my own; and all I defire or wifh is, that I may not be
miſunderſtood. I do not pretend to judge adıniral
Byng's deferts, or give any opinion on the propriety of
the act.Signed, 6th Feb. 1757, at the Admiralty,
J. FORBES."
1
Though mercy was denied to the victim, the crown
feemed refolved to do nothing that ſhould be thought incon-
fiftent with law. A member of parliament*, who had fat
upon the court-martial at Portfmouth, rofe up in his place
and made application to the houſe of commons, in behalf of
himſelf and feveral other members of that tribunal, praying
the interferance of legiflature to releaſe them from the oath
of ſecrecy impoſed on courts-martial, that they might
diſcloſe the grounds on which fentence of death had paſſed
on admiral Byng, and, perhaps, difcover fuch circum-
tances as might fhew the fentence to be improper.
Although this application produced no refolution in the
houfe, the king, on the 26th day of February, fent a
* Mr. Keppel,
6
meſſage
174
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
meffage to the commons, by Mr. Secretary Pitt, import-
ing, that though he had determined to let the law take
its courfe with relation to admiral Byng, and refifted all
folicitations to the contrary, yet, as a member of the
houſe had expreffed fome fcruples about the fentence, his
majefty had thought fit to refpite the execution of it,
that there might be an opportunity of knowing, by the
ſeparate examination of the members of the court-martial,
upon oath, what grounds there were for fuch fcruples;
and that his majefty was refolved ftill to let the fentence
be carried into execution, unleſs it ſhould appear, from the
faid examination, that admiral Byng was unjustly con-
demned. The fentence might be ftrictly legal, and at
the fame time very fevere, according to the maxim, fum-
mum jus fumma injuria, in fuch cafes; and, perhaps, in
fuch caſes only the rigour of the law ought to be foftened
by the lenient hand of the royal prerogative. That this
was the cafe of admiral Byng appears from the warm and
eager interceffion of his jury; a fpecies of interceffion
which hath generally, if not always, prevailed at the foot
of the throne, when any thing favourable for the criminal
had appeared in the courſe of the trial: how much more
then might it have been expected to fucceed, when ear-
neftly urged as a cafe of conſcience, in behalf of a man
whom his judges had exprefsly acquitted of cowardice
and treachery, the only two imputations that rendered him
criminal in the eyes of the nation. Such an interpofition
of the crown in parliamentary tranſactions was irregular,
unneceffary, and at another juncture might have been
productive of violent heats and declamation: at prefent,
however, it paffed without cenfure, as the effect of inat-
tention rather than a defign to encroach upon the privi-
leges of the houſe.
The meffage being communicated, a bill was immedi-
ately brought in to releaſe the members of the court-
martial from the obligation of fecrecy, and paffed through
the lower houſe without oppofition; but in the houfe of
lords it appeared to be deftitute of a proper foundation.
They fent a meffage to the commons, defiring them to
give leave that fuch of the members of the court-martial,
as were members of that houſe, might attend their lord-.
fhips, in order to be examined on the fecond reading of
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
175
the bill: accordingly they and the reft of the court-martial
attending anſwered all queftions without hefitation.
As they did not infift upon any excufe, nor produce any
fatisfactory reaſon for fhewing that the man they had
condemned was a proper object of mercy, their lordships
were of opinion there was no occafion for paffing
any ſuch bill; which, therefore, they almoſt unanimouſly
rejected. It is not eaſy to conceive what ftronger reafons
could be given for proving Mr. Byng an object of mercy
than thoſe mentioned in the letter fent to the board of
admiralty, by the members of the court-martial, who
were empowered to try the imputed offence, confequently
muſt have been deemed well qualified to judge of his
conduct.
The unfortuate admiral being thus abandoned to his
fate, prepared himſelf for death with refignation
and tranquillity. He maintained a furpriſing chear-
fulneſs to the laſt; nor did he, from his condemnation to
his execution, exhibit the leaft fign of impatience or ap-
prehenfion. During that interval he had remained on board
of the Monarque, a third rate ſhip of war, anchored in
the harbour of Portſmouth, under a ftrong guard, in cuf-
tody of the marfhal of the admiralty. On the 14th of
March, the day fixed for his execution, the boats be-
longing to the fquadron at Spithead, manned and
armed, containing their captains and officers, with a
detachment of marines, attended this folemnity in the
harbour, which was alſo crouded with an infinite number
of other boats and veffels, filled with fpectators. About
noon, the admiral having taken leave of a clergyman, and
two friends who accompanied him, walked out of the
great cabin to the quarter deck, where two files of marines
were ready to execute the fentence. He advanced with a
firm deliberate ſtep, a compofed and refolute countenance,
and refolved to fuffer with his face uncovered, until his
friends reprefenting that his looks would, poffibly, inti-
midate the foldiers and prevent them from taking aim
properly, he ſubmitted to their requeſt, threw his hat on
the deck, kneeled on a cuſhion, tied one handkerchief
over his eyes, and dropped the other as a fignal for his
executioners, who fired a volley fo decifive, that five balls
paſſed through his body, and he dropped down dead in an
inftant.
4
176
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
inftant. The time confumed in bringing this tragedy to
a conclufion, that is to fay, from his walking out of the
cabin till his remains were depofited in the coffin, did not
exceed three minutes.
Such was the unhappy end of the unfortunate John Byng,
who, as it has been frequently remarked, feems to have
been rafhly condemned, meanly given up, and cruelly fa-
crificed to the fafety or popularity of men who had no juft
claim to either. His own fentiments of his fate he
avowed when on the verge of eternity, and there was no
longer any cauſe of diffimulation, in the following decla-
ration, which, immediately before his death, he delivered
to the marshal of the admiralty.
"A few moments will now deliver me from the vi-
rulent perfecution, and fruftrate the farther malice of my
enemies ; nor need I envy them a life fubject to the fen-
fations my injuries, and the injuftice done me muſt create,
perfuaded as I am that juftice will be done to my reputation
hereafter; the manner and caufe of raifing and keeping up
the popular clamour and prejudice againft me will be feen
through; I fhall be confidered (as I now perceive myſelf)
a victim deſtined to divert the indignation and reſentment
of an injured and deluded people from the proper objects;
my enemies themſelves muſt now think me innocent.
Happy for me, at this my laſt moment, that I know my
own innocence, and am confcious that no part of my
country's misfortunes can be owing to me. I heartily
with the fhedding my blood may contribute to the hap-
pineſs and ſervice of my country, but cannot refign my
juft claim to a faithful diſcharge of my duty, according to
the beſt of my judgement, and the utmoft exertion of my
ability for his majeſty's honour, and my country's fervice.
I am forry my endeavours were not attended with more
fuccefs, and that the armament under my command proved
too weak to fucceed in an expedition of fuch moment.
Truth has prevailed over calumny and falfehood, and
juſtice has wiped off the ignominious ftain of my fuppofed
want of perfonal courage, and the charge of difaffection.
My heart acquits me of theſe crimes; but who can be
prefumptuously fure of his own judgement? If my
crime is an error in judgement, or differing in opinion
from my judges; and if yet the error in judgement should
be
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
177
be on their fide, God forgive them, as I do; and may the
diſtreſs of their minds, and uneafineſs of their conſciences,
which in juſtice to me they have reprefented, be believed,
and fubfide, as my refentment has done. The Supreme
Judge fees all hearts and motives; and to him I muft fub-
mit the juftice of my cauſe."
Minifters, indeed, could not, perhaps, have made a worſe
choice than they did in appointing Mr. Byng to his laſt
command. It ended in the deftruction of his own fame
and life, and tended, at leaſt in the minds of all impartial
men, to excite the higheſt indignation againſt thoſe who
had first appointed, and afterwards difpatched him on a
fervice, which certainly not his force, nor it may be his
abilities, were competent to the execution of. As a com-
mander he was, as has been already obſerved, far from being
popular. He was auftere, rigid, almoſt to a degree of
undue oppreffion, and proud even beyond compariſon;
deftitute, by nature, of thofe conciliating qualities which
create love and eſteem, fortune had, on her part, denied
him the means of acquiring admiration and popularity,
by withholding from him all opportunities of creating to
himſelf either. Though we cannot by any means ac-
quiefce in what his enemies moft indecently, violently,
and untimely infifted on, that he was deficient in perfonal
activity of mind, or what in plainer terms is called cou-
rage, yet we cannot but fairly confefs, we do not imagine
him to have poffeffed that ardent ſpirit of enterpriſe which
might have enabled him to furmount the feveral difficul-
ties that unfortunately furrounded him; the evidence.
adduced against him, on his trial, fully confirms and
ftrengthens us in this opinion.
Mr. Weft, whoſe character remained perfectly unim-
peached by all parties, a circumftance rather uncommon
for a colleague in an unfortunate command, declared, on
the trial, he faw no reaſon why the rear diviſion, com-
manded by Mr. Byng, could not have engaged the enemy
as cloſe as the van; and that no fignal was made to chace
when the French gave way. Captain Young alfo, of the
Intrepid, corroborated this evidence, and depofed, that
the lofs of his fore-top-maft did not appear to prevent
the rear divifion from bearing down upon the enemy.
Captain Gardiner, when called upon for his teftimony,
VOL. IV.
proved,
M
178
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
proved, that he advifed Mr. Byng, repeatedly, to bear
down, but without effect; for that, on the day of action,
the admiral took the entire command of the fhip upon
himfelf.
Thefe circumſtances were infifted on with much firm-
nefs as ſo many proofs of backwardneſs and timidity.
This was certainly judging too harshly, for all the
officers who were near his perfon during the action, and
who, confequently had the fairest opportunity of forming
an accurate judgement of the ſtate of his mind, which on
fuch occafions is certainly not to be concealed, were
unanimous in agreeing, that he diſcovered not the ſmalleſt
figns of confufion or want of perfonal courage, but gave
his orders through the whole buſineſs very diftinctly, and
with the greatest apparent coolness. The truth, candidly
and impartially fpeaking, appears to have been, that he was
too great an obſerver of forms, ancient rules of diſcipline,
and what, if we may be allowed the term, may be called
naval etiquette *. He deſerved rather the character of a
parade officer than of a great commander; this is very evi-
dent from his too ftrict attention to that practice which on
many occaſions has been undoubtedly neceflary, and from his
unfortunate perfeverance in keeping the fignal for the line
of battle flying, inſtead of hoifting that for a general chace.
From the first moment of his difcovering the French fleet,
fill the commencement of the action, he is faid to have
repeatedly exclaimed, "that he would not fall into that
error with which Mr. Mathews was charged, and which
proved his ruin," that of gallantly engaging the enemy
before his line of battle was formed. Thus we fee, how
delicate ought to be the conduct, how clear the judge.
ment, and decifive the execution of a naval commander,
when the fame fyftem and meaſures, which on one occa-
fion are ruinous and deftructive, both to the country and
the commander, would at a fubfequent time, if perfevered
in with ſpirit, have, probably, preferved the former from
difgrace, and the latter from an ignominious death.
Reviewing the whole tranfaction, future ages can
ſcarcely avoid confidering Mr. Byng as a true victim, to
* Ordering the Deptford to quit the line, becauſe he had one fhip
more than the enemy, is alſo a very fufficient proof of this.
3
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
179
the miſtakes of others, beſtowing on them the lighteſt
term. In whatever reſpect he really might be deficient
as a commander, the blame certainly attaches, in a much
ftronger degree, to thofe who fent him on fuch a fervice,
than to himſelf, who was, if at all, naturally incompetent
to the taſk impofed on him. But if it be admitted that
the failure primarily, if not entirely, arofe from a real
deficiency of force, or its being inadequate to the ſervice
on account of its ill-equipment, then the malice of his
enemies is completely manifeft, and the innocence of the
admiral becomes too apparent even for cavil or doubt.
Of the latter this unfortunate man appears to have enter-
tained the ſtrongeſt innate conviction, for at the moment
of his condemnation he had made every preparation to
leave Portſmouth with that degree of triumph, which a man
might be ſuppoſed to difplay when delivered honourably
from the malice, and vengeance of his enemies.
EDWARDS, John,-was, on the 9th of November
1727, appointed captain of the Pearl Frigate. He was
foon afterwards fent, in the fame fhip, to the Weſt
Indies, where he died, on the 1ft of September 1731.
GASCOIGNE, John,-is faid to have been promoted
to the rank of captain in the navy, and appointed to the
Greyhound on the 5th of December 1727: but this ap-
pears, from fome private circumftances, rather a matter
of doubt. We believe him to have been only acting
captain of the Greyhound, and not to have been advanced
to the above rank till the 25th of January 1728, when he
was commiffioned to the Aldborough frigate. He had no
confequential appointment after this till the rupture had
taken place with Spain, in 1739; he was then made captain
of the Buckingham, of feventy guns. When the rein-
forcement was ordered to the Weſt Indies, under fir
Chaloner Ogle, in order to enable Mr. Vernon to under-
take the expedition againſt Carthagena, Mr. Gafcoigne
was removed into the Torbay, of eighty guns, as fucceffor
to captain Chriſtopher Parker, who retired; he was confe-
quently prefent at every operation of that unfuccefsful
armament, and returned to Europe with Mr. Leftock in
1741: for fome time he remained on the Britiſh ſtation,
where there being no enemy to contend with, he confe-
M 2
quently
180
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
་
quently had not an opportunity of diftinguiſhing himſelf.
In 1743 he was ordered to the Mediterranean with a rein-
forcement to the fleet there. He was prefent at the well-
known encounter off Toulon, being ftationed as one of
the ſeconds to Mr. Leftock. He efcaped, however, being
in any degree involved with his principal, even in that
degree of obloquy which inveloped many who were not
criminally charged.
He continued in the Mediterranean for a confiderable
time after the action, and in the beginning of the year
1745 had, occafionally, a temporary command under vice-
admiral Rowley of a divifion of the fleet; but the fervices on
which he was employed do not require any particular
commemoration. Soon after his return to England he
appears to have retired from the fervice, as it does not.
appear he ever received a ſubſequent commiffion. In the
month of July 1747, he was put on the fuperannuated lift,
with the rank and half-pay of a rear-admiral. He died in
England on the 29th of May 1753.
HERVEY, Hon. William, was the third fon of
John, firft earl of Briftol, and Elizabeth his wife, fole
daughter and heirefs of fir Thomas Felton, of Playford,
in the county of Suffolk, baronet, comptroller of the
houſehold to her majefty queen Anne. He was born on
the 25th of December 1699, and having entered into the
ſea ſervice, was, after paffing through the uſual ſtations of
probation, appointed captain of the Poole on the 2d of
June 1727. He was very foon afterwards promoted to
the Kinfale, a fifth rate of forty guns, one of the fleet
collected under the command of fir Charles Wager dur-
ing the years 1729 and 30, but which never proceeded to
fea during that period. He accompanied the fame ad-
miral on his expedition to the Mediterranean in 1731.
·
When the fleet arrived off Cape St. Vincent, captain
Harvey was charged, by the admiral, with a compliment
to the governor of Cadiz, giving him notice of the fleet's
arrival. He was moreover inftructed to declare to his ex-
cellency, that fir Charles would falute the town of Cadiz
with fifteen guns, provided he could be affured an equal
number would be returned. The governor received this
meffage with the greateft civility, and readily agreed to
the propofal. Captain Harvey was afterwards difpatched
to Leghorn on an errand almoſt fimilar, and was equally
happy
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
181.
happy in adjuſting all matters relative to the introduction
of the Spanish troops into the feveral garrifons belonging
to the territories bequeathed, by the duke of Parma, to
don Carlos of Spain. We find no other mention made
of him till after the cominencement of hoftilities with
Spain in 1739. During the following fummer he com-
manded the Superb, of fixty guns, one of the fleet em-
ployed in the Channel under the command of fir John
Norris. He was afterwards ordered to accompany fir
Chaloner Ogle to the Weft Indies, when fent with the
reinforcement to Mr. Vernon. That fleet was, foon
after it quitted the Britiſh Channel, overtaken by a violent
tempeft, in confequence of which captain Hervey, toge-
ther with the captains Townſend and Oſborn, of the
Shrewſbury and Prince of Orange, were compelled to put
into Liſbon; captain Hervey afterwards proceeded to the
Weſt Indies in the month of February; but was not pre-
ſent at the attack of Carthagena*.
This gentleman, though fo nobly defcended and ho-
nourably educated, appears to have been very ill-qualified
for a naval command; auftere in his difpofition, even to
a degree of cruelty, he became at once an object both of
terror, and hatred to his people. The natural violence of
his difpofition encreaſed to an height no longer to be
endured: having treated his officers, particularly lieu-
tenant Hardy, with the moſt unmerited and unwar-
rantable ſeverity, and the crew in general with a rigour
bordering on barbarity, a general complaint was prefer-
red againſt him on his return to England: he was, in con-
fequence, put under an arreſt, and brought to a court-
martial, which was held at Spithead on the 19th of Au-
guft 1742. He appears to have been very defervedly
fentenced to be cafhiered, and was declared incapable of
holding any fubfequent command in the navy.
He married, on the 27th of November 1729, Elizabeth,
daughter of Thomas Bridge, of Portsmouth, in the county
of Southampton, efq. This lady died in childbed, on the
13th of July 1730, of a daughter, named Elizabeth. Mr.
Hervey himſelf lived to the advanced age of feventy-feven,
and died in the month of January 1776.
* In the month of September he captured, after ſome reſiſtance, the
Conftant, a Spanish register fhip, mounting 24 carriage and 10 fwivel
guns, having on board a very valuable cargo of gold, dollars, and cocoa.
LONG,
M 3
182
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
LONG, Robert,-was, on the 21st of March 1726-7,
appointed captain of the Shoreham frigate. We find
very little mention made of this gentleman, his name
never occurring till upwards of two years after the
commencement of the war with Spain, in 1739; he was
then appointed to the Ruffel, of eighty guns, one
of the fhips ordered for the Mediterranean under Mr.
Rowley, as a reinforcement to admiral Mathews. He
was prefent at the action off Toulon, being ftationed as
one of the feconds to vice-admiral Leſtock. He was not,
however, in the fmallest degree, involved in the number
of thoſe unfortunate men who contributed to the difgrace
of that day. On the evening of the action Mr. Mathews,
finding his own fhip, the Namur, very much diſabled,
ſhifted his flag on board the Ruffel, which is is the only
particular mention we find made of that fhip. Mr. Long
continued to ferve in the Mediterranean for fome confi-
derable length of time after this; but on his return to
England appears to have retired from the fervice, being
one of the many officers put on the fuperannuated lift,
with the half-pay and rank of a rear-admiral, on the 21st
of July 1747. He died, in England, on the 6th of July
1771.
MEAD, Samuel, (2d)—was on Auguſt 29,1727,appoint-
ed captain of the Deal Caftle, or as other accounts fay, of
the Dolphin. He is faid, by Mr. Hardy, to have been, in
the carly part of his life, in the fervice of the South Sea
company; but we rather apprehend this employment to
have been fubfequent to his taking rank as a poft captain
in the navy. He is very little known in the fervice as an
officer, but appears to have been a perſon of confiderable
efprit and confequence, as a man of Letters and under-
ftanding. The only fubfequent mention we find made of
him in the fervice, is, that in the year 1741 he was
commander of the Duke, of ninety guns (moſt pro.
bably as captain under commodore Brown) one of the
Channel fleet under fir John Norris. From the 9th of
September 1742, he totally retired from an active em-
ployment as a naval officer, being at that time appointed
one of the commiffioners of the customs, a ftation he
retained til his death, and was, for the pace of
thirteen years, fenior captain on the lift, as he continued,
notwith-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
183
notwithſtanding his civil appointment, to retain his naval
rank. Several years previous to his deceaſe he was elected
a fellow of the royal fociety, and died in an advanced
age on the 21st of October 1776.,
MILLER, William,-was, on the 18th of November
1727, appointed captain of the Solebay, and does not
appear to have ever obtained an higher command than that
of a frigate. In the year 1736 he fell into a very violent
and unhappy derangement of mind, from which he is not
believed ever to have recovered. He died fometime in the
year 1749.
PITMAN, Samuel.-The name of this gentleman is
inferted by Mr. Hardy, as well as in fome MS. lifts, as
a captain in the navy; but it is omitted in the greater
number of thoſe of the latter defcription. According to
Mr. Hardy he was appointed captain of the Pearl frigate
on the 9th of November*, and died in the Weſt Indies
(a private account fays at Antigua) on October 5, 1728..
POCKLINGTON, Chriftopher,-was, on the 14th
of November 1727, appointed captain of the Port Mahon.
Notwithſtanding we entertain no doubt of his having held
many other commands, we do not find any of them par-
ticularly ſpecified, except that of the Deptford, a fourth
rate of fixty guns; to which fhip he was appointed, in
confequence of the rupture with Spain, in 1739. In the
early part of the fucceeding feafon he commanded the
fame fhip, employed in the Channel under fir John
Norris, He quitted it when the fleet returned in port,
on that ſhip being ordered for the Weſt Indies under fir
Chaloner Ogle. Not finding him in any fubfequent
command, it may be not unreaſonably prefumed he quit-
ted the line of active ſervice, which we know him to have
retired from altogether, in the month of July 1747, being
put on the fuperannuated lift, with the rank and half-pay
of a rear-admiral. He died, in England, in the month of
October 1766.
PRICE, John. This gentleman is faid to have been
appointed captain of the Superbe, by the commander-in-
chief in the Weſt Indies, on the 2d of June 1727. He
died there on the 27th of December following; and there
appears fome doubt whether his rank was ever confirmed.
* A Memorandum in a MS. lift ftates this to be a miftake, and that
the above commiffion was dated on the 10th of October.
M4
TREVOR,
184
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
TREVOR, John,-was, on the 15th of February
1726-7, appointed captain of the Succefs ftorefhip.
Some accounts make this gentleman to have been captain.
of the Revenge, one of the fhips of the line put in com-
miffion in the month of November 1733, as a guard
against any fudden rupture with Spain. This circum-
ſtance is not, however, very clearly and pofitively eſtab-.
lifhed, for there were at that time four gentlemen of the
name of Trevor captains in the navy; and the ſtricteſt
enquiry cannot, in many inftances, lead us to any certain
difcrimination between them. In the year 1735 this
gentleman commanded the Defiance, of fixty guns, one
of the fhips compofing the fleet fent to Liſbon under fir
John Norris. In this fhip he continued many years*,
and was employed, under Mr. Vernon, in the expedition
againſt Carthagena: he was afterwards ftationed as a
cruifer off the coaſt of Cuba, where he had the good for-
tune to capture a Spanish packet with a confiderable
quantity of fpecie on board. He died at fea, while thus
occupied, before the conclufion of the year.
WARREN, Sir Peter, K. B.-was the defcendant of
an ancient and refpectable family in Ireland. Having
betaken himſelf to a naval life, he was, on the 19th of
June 1727, appointed to command the Grafton, one of
four fhips of the line fent out, under fir George Walton,
to join fir Charles Wager, who had at that time the Me-
diterranean and Lifbon command. He did not long con-
tinue in this ſhip, having been, foon after his arrival at
Gibraltar, removed into the Solebay frigate, for the pur-
poſe of carrying out, to the Welt Indies, the king of
Spain's orders for executing there the preliminaries of
peace ftipulated and agreed upon on his majeſty's part,
which having received, he proceeded on the above ſervice
on May 5, 1728, N. S. Having executed his commiffion
far as related to the Weft Indies, he proceeded, in compli-
ance with his inſtructions, to Carolina †, from whence he
returned
* In 1740 he proceeded to the Weft Indies as one of the convoy to
a numerous fleet of merchant fhips.
+ Whitehall, November the 15th. By a letter from captain
Warren, commander of his majefly's fhip the Solebay, dated at South
Carolina, October 1, we have the following account, " that, purfu-
ant to commodore St. Loe's orders, he failed on the 10th of June from
Port Royal, and the 3d of July anchored at La Vera Cruz; from
thence
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 185
returned in the following year, and was, immediately on
his arrival in England, appointed to the Leopard, of fifty
guns, one of the fleet which, during the current and enfuing
year, rendezvoufed at Spithead under the command of fir C.
Wager. He commanded this fhip till after the year 1735,
in which year he accompanied fir J. Norris to Liſbon.
We do not find any farther mention made of him till.
after the rupture with Spain, when, as late as the year
1741, he had no higher command than that of the Squirrel,
a twenty gun fhip, on the American ftation. In 1742
he commanded the Launcefton of forty guns; but the only
memorable mention we find made of him is, his having
captured the Peregrina privateer, mounting fourteen
carriage and four fwivel guns, in company with cap-
tain Edward Aylmer of the Port Mahon. He was
fometime afterwards promoted to the Superbe, of fixty
guns; and being ordered to the Weft Indies, was left, by
fir Chaloner Ogle, commodore of a ſmall fquadron on the
Antigua ftation. He very much diſtinguiſhed himſelf by
his extraordinary exertions while employed in this fervice,
for, having taken a ſtation off Martinique, his fquadron in
a very ſhort time captured upwards of twenty valuable prizes,
one of them a regiſter ſhip, taken by the Woolwich, va-
lued at 250,000l. In the year 1745, a project having
been formed at Boſton, in New England, to furprize the
city of Louisbourg, the capital of Cape Breton, Mr.
Warren was ordered to repair to America with his little
fleet, confifting, exclufive of his own fhip, only of the
Launceston and Eltham, of forty guns each, which were,
ſoon after his arrival on the coaft, joined by the Mermaid
of the fame force. He arrived at Canfo, in Nova Scotia,
on the 25th of April, and found the troops encamped,
they having reached the place of rendezvous upwards of
three weeks before, under convoy of ten private armed
thence he fent the king of Spain's orders to his viceroy at Mexico,
the receipt of which that viceroy owned by the return of the poft,
affuring captain Warren that he had given directions to the proper
officers to uſe all poffible diligence and diſpatch in the reftitution of
the South Sea company's fhips and effects, which had been feized in
the port of La Vera Cruz. Agreeable to which, on the 20th of July,
the Prince Frederick and two of the company's fnows were put into
poffeffion of their agents there. On the 12th of Auguft the fupercargoes
were defired to begin to receive the cargo of the Prince Frederick."
veffels.
1
186
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
veffels. On the 29th the troops reimbarked, and the
whole of the armament came to an anchor in Gabarus bay,
about a league diftant from Louisbourg, on the 30th,
Nothing could exceed the confternation into which the
inhabitants and garrifon were thrown by this very unex-
pected vifit: the governor feebly endeavoured to prevent
the landing of the troops, by fending out a detachment of
one hundred men for that purpoſe; but the ſpirit with
which the invaders attacked them, compelled them to
retire almoſt without a blow. The debarkation was
effected without lofs, and the city formally inveſted on the
land fide.
Mr. Warren, who was foon afterwards joined by the
Canterbury and Sunderland, of fixty guns each, and the
Cheſter, of fifty, all from England, blocked up the har-
bour ſo cloſe, that fuch ſhips as attempted to get in were
captured, and the place was, confequently, foon reduced
to the greateſt diftrefs. The Vigilante, of fixty guns.
which was known to be on its paffage from Breft, deeply
Faden with provifions and military ftores, was their laft
hope this veffel was decoyed by one of the frigates into
the center of Mr. Warren's fquadron and captured, almoſt
without refiftance*. On the 11th of June the naval
:
force
We have the following different official accounts of the repeated
fucceſs of this diligent and fortunate commander not only during the
fiege alluded to, but after the conclufion of it, as it was then unknown
to the enemy that the place was in the hands of the Engliſh,
Gazette, No. 8450.
The letters from commodore Warren inform us," that he, in
company with the Mermaid, had taken a French fhip of war, of
xty-four guns and five hundred and fixty men, called the Vigilant,
the marquis de Fort Maiſon commander, bound from Breſt to Louif-
bourg, with a great number of fmall cannon and ordnance ftores.
That he had allo, in company with one of our cruifers, taken a fecond
fhip with provifions, bound from France to Louifbourg. That there
was now a regular blockade of Louifbourg both by fea and land; and
that he had put the faid Vigilant into commiffion for his majeſty's
Service."
"July 25, 1745.
"On the 18th inftant one of the colony cruifers brought in a
large French ſchooner from Quebec, laden with flour and other pro-
vifions. On the 29d a large fhip appeared in the offing, which I
took to be a fixty gun fhip; and the next morning, at daylight, I fent
out the Princess Mary and Canterbury, and had the pleaſure to fee
them, from the ramparts, take her without oppofition. She proves
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
187
+
force receiving a confiderable augmentation by the arrival
of the Princefs Mary, the Hector, and the Lark, the
fiege was preffed with fo much vigour, that on the 15th
the city, and with it the whole ifland of Cape Breton,
furrendered. Soon as the news of this fuccefs arrived in
England Mr. Warren was promoted to be rear-admiral
of the blue, his commiffion bearing date Auguft the 8th,
1745.
After his return to England he appears to have enjoyed
ſome ſhort repofe from the fatigue of public buſineſs
during the enfuing year; in the courfe of which he was,
nevertheleſs, on the 14th of July, advanced to be rear-
admiral of the white. In the beginning of the year
1747, he was appointed fecond in command of the fqua-
dron fent out, under Mr. Anfon and himſelf, for the
purpoſe of intercepting the united French fquadrons,
bound to America and the Eaft Indies, which were re-
ported to be on the point of failing from Breſt. The
latter of theſe armaments was reſerved for a future victory,
that bound to America, under the command of monfieur
de Jonquiere, being the only one that put to fea. Its
deſtination was the recapture of Louiſbourg; and its dif-
comfiture and capture muft, on that ground, have been
to be the Charmante, a French Eaſt India ſhip, of about 500 or 600
tons, twenty-eight guns, and ninety-nine men, commanded by M.
Nouvel de la Contria, who affures us that he is (except Mr. Anfon's)
as good a prize as has been taken this war."
"Auguft 1, 1745.
"The Cheſter and Mermaid have brought into Louifbourg the
Heron, a French Eaft India fhip from Bengal, pretty rich. By her
we learn that the Triton is on her paffage, and that this is the ap-
pointed rendezvous for their India trade; therefore it is to be hoped
more of them will fall into our hands.”
(6
Auguft 8, 1745-
"On the ad inftant the Sunderland and Chefter brought in a
French fhip, called the Notre Dame de la Deliverance, captain
Pierre Litant, of twenty-two guns, and about fixty men, from Lima
in the South Seas, for which place fhe failed from Cadiz in the year
1741. She has on board, in gold and filver, upwards of three hun.
dred thouſand pounds fterling, and a cargo of cocoa, Peruvian wool,
and Jefuits bark. She came from Lima with two others, each of
them much richer than this; and near the banks of Newfoundland
they met with two ſhips which took the other South Sea man, while
this with difficulty eſcaped."
parti-
188
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
particularly grateful to Mr. Warren. The operations of
the Britiſh armament have been already related in general.
terms in our account of Mr. Anfon: fuffice it therefore
to ſay, on the prefent occafion, that Mr. Warren had
happily, an opportunity of fignalifing himſelf very re-
markably in the courfe of the action alluded to. The
Devonshire, of fixty-fix guns, on board which fhip he
had hoifted his flag, got up with monfieur de Jonquiere
himſelf, on board the Serieux; and after receiving his
fire, which was well directed, clofed within piftol-fhot
and continued to engage till the Serieux ftruck.
Mr. Warren having filenced this antagoniſt proceeded
to engage the Invincible, commanded by the commodore
de St. George, the ſecond officer in the French fquadron,
and, after a fhort time, had the fatisfaction of feeing
himſelf ſo well feconded by the Briſtol, captain Monta-
gue, that their opponent was quickly difmafted. The
iffue of this memorable encounter is well known, and
may be compriſed in very few words, "the whole of the
French fquadron, confifting of fix fhips of two decks, in-
cluding the Gloire, of forty-four guns, befides four fri-
gates, were taken."
Mr. Warren was not forgotten on
this occafion; his gallantry was rewarded with the order
of the Bath, a remuneration for his fervices, which being
honorary only, was, in all probability, more grateful to
a man of his known open and generous turn of mind,
than would have been one of a more ſubſtantial, and lucra-
tive nature. In the month of July following fir Peter,
being ſtationed with a fquadron to cruife off Cape Fini
fterre, fell in with, on the 21ft of that month, four valu-
able merchant-fhips, convoyed by two French fhips of
war, which ran into a bay on the iſland of Sifargo. Sir
Peter purſuing them, the whole ran afhore; one of the
ſhips of war, mounting forty-four guns, was fired by the
crew and blew up before the boats of the fquadron could
get on board; but the merchant-fhips were got off the
next day, and brought into Plymouth. On the 15th of
July following he was advanced to be vice-admiral of the
white.
Sir Peter failed again from Spithead, on a cruiſe, on
the 2d of September; but falling fick was compelled to.
quit his command and retire to his country feat, at Weft-
bury,
NAVÁL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
189
1
bury, in Hampſhire. This was the laft fervice he ever
lived to perform, for peace being concluded in the enfu-
ing year the fleet was of courfe difmantled; and he lived
not to ſee a renewal of thofe times, when fervices like
his own were needed. Few men ever attained, or better
deferved fo great a ſhare of popularity. He had not only
the fingular happineſs of being univerfally courted,
efteemed, and beloved, but had the additional confolation
of having paffed through life without making, far as we
can inveſtigate, a fingle enemy. At the general election,
in 1747, fir Peter was chofen repreſentative in parliament
for the city of Weſtminſter; and, on the 12th of May
1748, was promoted, to be vice-admiral of the red. In
1752, the death of the lord mayor (Thomas Winterbot-
tom, efq.) of London, producing a vacancy of alderman
for Billingfgate ward, the citizens, who had at a previ-
ous meeting, to fhew their refpect for fir Peter Warren,
prefented him with the freedom of the city, and of the
Goldfmith's company, on account of his gallant behaviour
at fea, nominated him for their alderman.
As foon as fir Péter was informed of their intentions
The very politely begged leave to decline accepting their
offer, urging, that his character in life muft undoubtedly
prevent his being able to diſcharge, with propriety, the
duties of that important office. In confequence of this,
the deputy and common council fent him the following
letter, dated Billingfgate ward, June 9, 1752.
"Honoured fir,
"You have given us the utmoſt concern in telling us,
that it is inconfiftent with your duty, and other avocations,
to honour us in being our alderman. Ourfelves in par-
ticular, and the inhabitants in general, of the whole ward,
are ſo truly fenfible of the greatneſs of your character
and true worth, that unanimity in your election would
have expreffed how highly we thought ourſelves honoured
by your acceptance of our choice; and it is with the
greateſt reluctance that this diſappointment fhould occa-
fion us, fo early as to day, to return you our fincereft
thanks for the great civilities you have fhewn us, and for
the further affurance you have been pleaſed to give us of
the honour of your friendſhip; on which reliance we beg
leave to make this application to you, moft earneſtly
defiring
190
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
defiring you to re-confider this matter, hoping fome
lucky incident may ftill induce your acceptance, that we
may have a more joyful caufe for our expreffion of the
zeal we have for your high abilities and diftinguithed
merit, and to affure you that we fhall ever retain the higheſt
ſenſe of the obligation you will thereby confer on,
CC
Sir,
"Your moſt obedient humble fervants."
Sir Peter, in return to this, immediately fent the deputy
and common council the following anfwer.
"To the deputy and common-council-men of the ward
of Billingfgate.
"Cavendish-ſquare, June 9, 1752.
"Gentlemen,
"I am extremely obliged to my worthy friends, the
inhabitants of your ward, for the diftinguished mark of
their favour, and to you for the warm expreffions of regard
contained in your letter of this date; but as the accept-
ance of a civil office would interfere with the military
one, that I have the honour to hold, in which I ſhall
ever be ready to ferve my king and country, I hope I fhall
ftand excuſed in declining the fingular honour fo unani-
mouſly and obligingly conferred on,
“Gentlemen,
* Your moft obedient
" and obliged humble fervant,
" P. WARREN."
With this letter the admiral fent the common council
of Billingsgate ward 2001. one moiety to be diftributed
amongſt the poor of the faid ward, and the other to be dif
poſed of at their difcretion.
The deputy and common council, not fatisfied with this
anfwer, waited on fir Peter in perfon, hoping they might
prevail on him to accept the office. He received them
with great politenefs, but ſtill refufed complying with
their requeſt, faying, it was incompatible with the duty he
owed to his king and country as a naval officer.
Notwithstanding this, he was choſen alderman of Bil-
lingfgate ward; but on the 23d of June fent a meffage
to the court of aldermen, defiring to be excufed from
ferving
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN, 191
ferving the office to which he had been elected, and paid
the fine of 5ool. for that purpoſe.
Immediately after the above event fir Peter repaired to
his native country, Ireland, where he was unhappily
feized with a violent inflammatory fever, which put a
period to his existence on the 29th of July 1752. He
was uniformly lamented by all perfons, who agreed there
could not exist a better, and honefter man, or a more
gallant officer. A fuperb monument of white marble is
erected to his memory in Weſtminſter-abbey, executed by
that great mafter of his time, Roubiliac. Againffthe wall
is a large flag hanging to the flag-ftaff, and fpreading in
natural folds behind the whole monument. In the front
is a fine figure of Hercules placing fir Peter's bust on its
pedeſtal, and on one fide is a figure of navigation with a
wreath of laurel in her hand, gazing on the buft with a
look of melancholy mixed with admiration. Behind her,
is a cornucopia pouring out fruit, corn, the fleece, &c.
clofe to it is a cannon, an anchor, and other decorations.
In the front of the monument is the following infcrip-
tion.
Sacred to the memory of
Sir PETER WARREN,
Knight of the Bath, vice-admiral of the red
Squadron of the Britiſh fleet, and
Member of Parliament
For the city and liberty of Weſtminſter.
He derived his deſcent from an antient
Family of Ireland ;
His fame and honours from his virtues and
Abilities.
How eminent thoſe were diſplayed,
With what vigilance and ſpirit they were
Exerted,
In the various fervices wherein he had the honour
To command,
And the happineſs to conquer,
Will be more properly recorded in the
Annals of
Great Britain.
On this tablet affection with truth muft fay,
That, defervedly eſteemed in private life,
And
192
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
And univerſally renowned for his publick
Conduct.
The judicial and gallant officer
Poffeffed all the amiable qualities of the
Friend,
The gentleman, and the Chriftian;
But the Almighty,
Whom alone he feared, and whofe gracious
Protection
He had often experienced,
Was pleaſed to remove him from a place of
Honour
To an eternity of happineſs,
On the 29th day of July 1752,
In the 49th year of his age.
}
1728.
BAKER, Edward, -was, on the 15th of March,
appointed captain of the Aldborough. The only confe-
quential command in which we find this gentleman, was
in the years 1744 and 5, when he was captain of the
Princefs Amelia, of eighty guns. This trivial circum-
ftance is all we have been able to collect relative to the
life of this gentleman, far as it was connected with the
naval fervice. On the 23d of July 1747, he was one of
that confiderable number of naval officers who were put
on the fuperannuated lift, with the rank and half-pay of a
rear admiral. He died fome time in the year 1751.
BERKELEY, George, was, on the 27th of May
1728, appointed captain of the Bredah. No other men-
tion is made of him till the year 1740, when he com-
manded the Windfor, of fixty guns, one of the fhips em-
ployed on the Weſt India ſtation under Mr. Vernon. He
accompanied that gentleman on the expedition againſt
Carthagena, and returned home in the month of July
1741 with Mr. Leftock. His next appointment was to
2
the
J
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
193
the Revenge, of feventy guns, in which fhip he was fome
time afterwards ordered to the Mediterranean. In the
encounter with the French and Spaniſh fleets off Toulon,
he was ftationed to lead the fleet on the ftarboard tack.
As he confequently clofed the rear of Mr. Leſtock's divifion
he was not in the action itſelf, and happily uninvolved in
the diſgrace that attended it. He did not long furvive his
return from the above ſtation, dying in England on the
15th of January 1746.
BRIDGE, Timothy, was, on the 27th of May
1728, appointed captain of the Lyon, by commodore
St. Loe, to whom the chief command in the Weſt Indies
fell, on the death of admiral Hopfon. Captain Bridge
returned to Europe foon afterwards, and is not known to
have received any fubfequent commiflion till the 16th of
January 1734, when he was appointed to the Antelope,
of fifty guns. He was foon afterwards promoted to the
Dunkirk, a large fourth rate, and ordered to Jamaica,
where, on the death of commodore Dent, on Auguſt 19,
1737, he became commanding officer; but did not long
enjoy this honour, dying himfelf on the 6th of October
following.
BROČKE, Edward, was, on the 12th of February
1728, appointed captain of the Southampton, or, as other
accounts erroneously fay, of the Anglefea. We have no
other information concerning him, except that he died in
England fome time during the year 1738.
DRAKE, Duncombe, was, on the 11th of January
1728, appointed captain of the Gofport, of forty guns,
one of ſeven ſhips, all of the fame force, put into com-
miffion at that time. He was afterwards promoted to the
cominand of the Argyle, in which ſtation he died on the
22d of May 1734.
He is buried in the chancel of the
church of Upper Deal, in the county of Kent, a plain
flat ſtone being laid over his remains. On it is the follow-
ing epitaph, which we have inferted as containing an
epitome of his life and connexions.
VOL. IV.
N
DUNCOMBE
194
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
DUNCOMBE DRAKE, Efq. fon of fir Francis Drake, of
Buckland, in Com. Devon, bart. by the daughter of fir
Henry Pollexfen, lord chief juftice of the common
pleas. He married Grace, daughter of fir Nicholas
Trevanion, commiffioner of his majeſty's dock-yard at
Plymouth. He was one of his majefty's commiffioners
of appeals, and commander of his majesty's fhip Argyle
man of war. As he lived beloved, he died lamented by
all that knew him on the 22d of May, in the
his age 40-of our Lord 1734.
year of
FLEMMING, William Henry,was, on the 26th of
July 1728, appointed commander of the Severn. This
commiffion was probably granted merely to give this gen-
tleman the rank of captain, for we have not the fmalleft
proof of his having been ever again employed. All the
information we have concerning him is derived from
rear-admiral Hardy's Navy Lift, from which we learn that
he died in England on the 18th of May 1771.
FORRESTER, John *,-was, on the 6th of March
1728, promoted to the command of the Durfley galley.
In 1734 he was captain of the Kinfale, of forty guns, one of
the hips belonging to the fquadron collected at Spithead,
and which failed for Liſbon, in 1735, under the command
of fir J. Norris. He was afterwards ordered in the fame
fhip to Jamaica, and unhappily died there on the 12th of
July 1737:
FOWKES, Henry, in the year 1727, commanded
the Happy, a fnow floop of war on the Weſt India ſtation,
and had the melancholy employment of bringing
home the corpfe of vice-admiral Hofier, with which he
arrived at Spithead in the month of December. Imme-
diately afterwards, that is to ſay on the 4th of Jan. 1728,
he was promoted to be captain of the Chatham, and
ordered back for the West Indies, where he himſelf
unfortunately died on the 1ft of December 1729.
This firname, which is of great antiquity, is taken from the office
of Foreſter, or keeper of the king's foreſts, their armorial bearings be-
ing hunting horns, &c.
There was an ancient family of the firname of Forrefter in the
Merfe, defigned of Renton, which long ago ended in an heiress,
married to Ellim, of Ellimford; which family again ended in another
heirefs, married to the anceſtor of fir John Home.
LEE,
F
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
195
LEE, Hon. Fitzroy Henry,-was the ninth fon of fir
Edward Henry Lee*, of Ditchly, in the county of Oxford,
baronet, created earl of Litchfield by king Charles the
Second, on his marriage with lady Charlotte Fitzroy, one
of the natural daughters of the aforefaid king, and Barbara
Villiers, dutchefs of Cleveland, Mr. Henry Lee having
attached himſelf to a naval life, was, after having received
a fuitable education, and paffed through the feveral fub-
ordinate ſtations, appointed, on the 25th of October, to
be captain of the Looe. In 1735 he commanded the
Falkland of fifty guns, and was afterwards appointed
commander-in-chief, with a diftinguishing pendant, of
the Newfoundland fquadron, and governor of that iſland.
He probably continued in the fame employment during
the two or three fucceffive years, which is the time gene-
rally limited for an officer to retain fuch a command, for
we find no other mention made of him till a fhort time
before the rupture with Spain in 1739: he was then ap-
pointed to the Pembroke, of fixty guns, and ordered to
the Mediterranean, where he ferved under the admirals,
Nicholas Haddock and Mathews †, the latter of whom
captain Lee joined at Villa Franca in the month of
* This family of Lee, which hath been very ancient in the county
palatine of Chefter, took its firname, as is prefumed, from the lord-
fhip of Lee, in the parish of Wibonbury in the ſaid county; of which
family was fir Walter at Lee, knight, who lived about the latter end of
the reign of Edward III and left iffue fir John at Lee, of Lee-hall,
knight, to whom fucceeded another John, and to him Thomas, father
of John Lee, of Lee-hall, efq who by Margery his wife, daughter of
fir Ralph Hocknell in com. Ceft had iffue Thomas Lee, of Lee hall,
from whom the Lees, now of Lee-ball, are defcended.
Another fon of the faid John, and Margery his wife, was Benedict
Lee, who, about the beginning of the reign of Edward IV came out
of Cheſhi e, and ſettled at Quarendon in the county of bucks, anti by
Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir to John Wood, of the county
of Warwick, efq. had iffue Richard Lee, of Quarendon; which Ri-
chard altered his arms to Arsent a Fefs between three Crefcents Sable,
and had iffue, by Elizabeth his wife, one of the daughters and co heirs
of William Sanders, of the county of Oxford, efq four fons, viz.
Sir Robert Lee, of Burton, in the county of Bucks, knight, Benedi&
Lee, of Hullcotte, efq. Roger Lee, of Pickthorn; and John. from
whom the Lees of Binfield, in Berkſhire, derive their deſcent.
+ He made fome confequential prizes while on that ftation, and
proved himself to have deſerved, on every occafion, the character of
an active and diligent officer.
N 2
September
196
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
September 1742, but did not continue on the ſame ſtation
for any length of time afterwards. In 1744 he com-
manded the Edinburgh, but on what ftation is not
known. In the month of March 1745-6, he was ap-
pointed commodore of a fmall fquadron fent to the Weft
Indies, hoifting his broad pendant on board the
Suffolk; but not having, during his continuance there,
lived in perfect harmony with the inhabitants, a circum-
tance by no means uncommon, fome complaints were
raiſed againſt him, and tranfinitted home*, fo that his pro-
motion to a flag was fufpended till the matter was properly
inveſtigated. His arrival foon filenced the ill-founded
clamour; and the charge, being even without the cere-
mony of a legal inquiry, difcovered to be totally ground-
lefs; Mr. Lee was, on the 15th of July 1747, promoted
to be rear-admiral of the red, which, owing to the circum-
itance already ſtated, was his first flag.
On the 12th of May 1748 he was advanced to be vice-
admiral of the white, which was the higheft rank he ever
attained. He had been an imprudent, or what is gene-
rally called a free liver. Though far from having reached
an advanced age, his conftitution became fo much impaired;
that he received a fevere ſtroke of the palfy, of which he
died on the 18th of April 1751. As to his character, he
was, particularly among the feamen, far from being po-
pular. This diſguſt had arifen from his fuppofed too
great feverity, and appears to have been in great meaſure
improperly conceived; for we are told, and from good
authority, that an intimate friend mentioning this diſlike
with a good deal of furprife, the admiral anſwered, very
feriouſly, he himſelf was as much aſtoniſhed as any perfon
could be, for though he totally difregarded and defpifed
the calumny, he could boldly defy the world to prove he
had ever committed an ungenerous or an ill-natured action.
LINGEN, Joſhua, or Jofeph,-was, on the 26th of July,
appointed captain of the Ludlow Caſtle. We hear nothing
farther of him till the year 1740, when he commanded
the Argyle; and in the following fpring was promoted to
the Cambridge, of eighty guns, one of the Channel fleet
commanded by fir John Norris. On the death of captain
* The principal charge was, that he had ſuffered an enemy's convoy
to paſs him unmoleſted.
Durell
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
197
Durell he fucceeded him in the Elizabeth, and ſoon after-
wards was ordered for the Mediterranean, where he was
not fortunate enough to meet with any particular or
memorable opportunity of diftinguifhing himſelf. He
was prefent at the encounter with the French and Spaniſh
fleets off Toulon ; but his being the rear fhip of Mr. Le-
ftock's divifion, except one, was, confequently, not engaged.
He nevertheleſs remained totally free from all cenfure, but
does not appear to have held any command after his return
to England, and, on the 15th of July 1747, retired altoge-
ther from the fervice, with the rank, and half-pay of a
rear-admiral. He died in Ireland fome time in the
courſe of the year 1752.
OSBORNÉ, Henry, -was, on the 4th of January
1727-8, commiffioned as captain of the Squirrel. His next
appointment, far as we have been able to collect, was to
the Portland, which fhip he commanded in the Channel
about the year 1734. In 1739 he was captain of the
Prince of Orange, and was fent to the Mediterranean,
whence he foon afterwards returned to England, and was
removed into the Litchfield, one of the fhips ordered to
be equipped for the Weſt Indies under fir Chaloner Ogle.
Before the failing of the fleet he returned back to his for-
mer fhip, the Prince of Orange, in which he proceeded
to the Weſt Indies, as it is believed, by fome*, but cer-
tainly was not prefent at the attack of Carthagena, under
Mr. Vernon. In the engagement with the French and
Spaniſh fleets in 1744, he commanded the Princefs
Caroline, of eighty guns, one of the feconds to Mr.
Rowley, whom he very ably and gallantly fupported, and
is accordingly mentioned, in very high and deferving
terms, by Campbell and other hiftorians.
In the following autumn he was appointed commodore
of a fquadron ſtationed off the Italian coaft t, and on this
occafion removed into the Effex. The force under his
command conſiſted of fix fhips of feventy guns, four of
* The Prince of Orange fuftained fo much damage in the ftorm
which the fleet encountered foon after it quitted the Channel, as to
be one of the ſhips which were obliged to run for Liſbon; and from
thence, we imagine, proceeded for the Mediterranean, by a fubfequent
order from England; but of this we are not certain.
+ He was afterwards employed on a variety of fervices, but thefe
were too trivial to require any enlarged detail.
N 3
fifty,
198
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fifty, and three of forty; but no occurrence took place
memorable enough to demand particular notice. In the
months of April and May he commanded a fquadron of
twelve ſhips ftationed to cruife between Cape St. Vincent's
and Cadiz, in order to watch the Spaniſh fleet in that
port. He returned to England in the month of June, on
board the Barfleur, and arrived at Portſmouth on the 19th
of that month. On the 15th of July 1747, he was pro-
moted to be rear-admiral of the red, as he was, on the
12th of May following, to be vice of the white; but peace
almoſt immediately fucceeding, he had no farther oppor-
tunity either of diitinguifhing himfelf, or even being em-
ployed till after the fubfequent rupture with France, in
1756. In the month of May 1759, he was advanced to
the rank of vice-admiral of the red*, and appointed to
command a ſmall fquadron ordered for the Mediterranean.
His outſet was rather unfortunate, he being driven back
by ftrefs of weather and obliged to put into Plymouth; but
failing a ſhort time afterwards he made his paffage
without any farther inconvenience. The object of this
armament was the attack or blockade of fome of the ſmall
French fquadrons which were faid to be ready for ſea at
Toulon, or different ports on that coalt, intended to
fail ſeparately for America, Breft, and other places of their
deſtination, in the hope, that by thus dividing their force,
they might produce the fame effect on that of Britain, and
probably have an opportunity of eluding the vigilance
of its commanders.
9
Early in the year 1758 Mr. Ofborne, who then lay off
Carthagena, where he had for fome time kept M. de la
Clue and his fquadron impounded, received information
that a fm.ll detachment, confifting of three fhips of two
decks, and a frigate, were on the point of failing from
Toulon, under the marquis du Quefne, in the hope of
joining De la Clue, whole force would, in cafe that
junction was accompliſhed, have become fufficient to
have enabled him to have conteſted the point with ſome
appearance, or hope of fuccefs. The neceffary arrange-
ments were accordingly made to prevent it; and ſo judi-
ciouſly and happily, that the fhips juft mentioned, falling
* As he was very foon afterwards to be admiral of the blue,
in
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
199
in with the Britiſh fquadron on the 28th of February, two
of them, the Foudroyant, of eighty guns, and Orphee, of
fixty-four, were purfued and captured by different fhips,
as will be hereafter found more particularly related in the
lives of captains, Gardiner and Storr. The Oriflamme,
of fifty guns, was driven on fhore under the caſtle of
Aiglos, on the coaft of Spain, by the captains, Rowley
and Montague, who were prevented from effecting any
farther injury to the enemy, by the refpect always paid
to a neutral port; the Pleiade frigate alone, made her
eſcape by outſailing her purfuers.
Mr. Ófborne, after having difpatched the feveral fhips
in purfuit, as already ftated, flood in for Carthagena with
the remainder of his fquadron to watch the motions of
De la Clue, who continued quietly at anchor without
making the ſmalleſt attempt to refcue his companions, by
puſhing out and engaging Mr. Ofborne *. This was the
laft
* The following is the official account given by the admiral of the
foregoing brilliant fuccefs.
;
"On the 28th of laſt month, between Cape de Gatt and Cartha-
gena, I fell in with M. De Quefne, in the Foudroyant of eighty, the
Orpheus of fixty-four, the Oriflamme of fifty, and the Pleiade of
twenty-four guns, which were the four fhips fent from Toulon to
reinforce M. De la Clue at Carthagena. On their feeing my fquadron
they immediately difperfed, and fteered different courfes; on which
I detached fhips after each of them, whilft, with the body of my ſqua-
dron, I ſtood off the bay of Carthagena to watch their ſquadron there
and about leven in the evening captain Storr, in the Revenge of fixty-
four, fupported by captain Hughs, in the Berwick of fixty-three, and
captain Evans, in the Prefton of fifty guns, took the Orpheus, com-
manded by M. de Herville, with five hundred and two men. Cap-
tain Gardiner, in the Monmouth of fixty-four, fupported by captain
Stanhope, in the Swiftfure of feventy, and captain Harvey, in the
Hampton Court of fixty four guns, about one in the morning took
the Foudroyant, on board of which was the marquis de Quefne, chef
d'efcadre, with eight hundred men. Captain Rowley, in the Monta-
gue of fixty, and captain Montague, in the Monarch of ſeventy-four
guns, ran the Oriflamme on fhore, under the caftle of Aiglos; and had
it not been for violating the neutrality of the coaſt of Spain, they
would have entirely deftroyed her. The Pleiade, of twenty-four
guns, got away by meer out-failing our fhips.
In this action we have had the great misfortune to lofe captain
Gardiner; and captain Storr has loft the calf of one of his legs. And
on this occafion I fhould do the officers and feamen great injuftice if
I did not mention to their lordships their very alert, gallant, and brave
behaviour
N4
200
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
laft confequential fervice he was able to perform. In a
very fhort time afterwards he was obliged to refign his
command to fir Charles Saunders, in confequence of a
very fudden and melancholy indifpofition, of which we
have the following plain and unaffected account, in a
private letter, written by an officer belonging to the
fquadron.
"I muſt now lament the condition of that excellent,
brave, and able officer, Mr. Ofborne. He came in here
yeſterday, but the weather is too bad to permit his being
landed yet. A fortnight fince he loft, fuddenly, the ufe of
one eye; and three days ago was ftruck, on one fide, dead
with the palfy. His fenfes are clear and entire yet; but
they do not expect he can live above two days. As he is
not landed yet, his flag is not ftruck, though he has re-
figned the command to Mr. Saunders, who is with the
fleet expecting the French at the back of the hill. The
fatigues and anxiety the poor gentleman underwent, the
lofs of reft for fo many nights, and grief for Gardiner's
fate, (for he burst into tears when he heard it) were too
much for his years, and delicacy of conftitution. No man
can die more fincerely and juttly lamented."
•
"P. S. March 31. I have juft time to cloſe this, firft
giving you to know that Mr. Ofborne is fo well recovered.
as to give out orders as ufual; though this being the day
he landed, he is not able to get on board again fhould the
enemy appear.
behaviour: and I muft, in a very particular manner, recommend lieu-
tenant Carket, of the Monmouth, for his bravery, after his captain's
death, in engaging and difabling the Foudroyant, in fuch a manner as
to oblige her to ftrike as foon as the other fhips came up, and whom I
propoſe to give the command of the Foudroyant to, as a reward for
his conduct."
A private letter, from an officer on board the fleet, adds the follow.
ing particulars to the above relation.
After our fuccefs we continued to cruiſe off Carthagena, and
frequently food in fo near as to have a fair view of the French fleet,
which confifted of one fhip of eighty guns, four of feventy-four, two
of fixty-four, and one of fifty-four, befides two frigates. Six of our
fhips at this time being abfent, our whole force confifted of two of
ninety guns, one of feventy-four, one of fixty-four, three of fixty, one
of fifty, and a frigate: yet they dared not come out to engage us,
though they had an equal number of the line, and one more frigate,
with a greater number of guns and much heavier metal.”
Although
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
201
Although the ſtrength of his conftitution enabled the
admiral to eſcape the immediate effects of a ſtroke fo
violent, which rarely fails to prove fatal, yet he found his
health fo much impaired that he requeſted permiffion to
refign his command: he did this in the month of July,
arriving at Spithead on the 21ft, in the St. George, of go
guns, accompanied by the Montague. On the meeting of
parliament the houfe of commons unanimouſly voted him
their thanks, which being communicated to him by the
ſpeaker, he returned the following modeſt anſwer.
Sir,
"I want words to expreſs my fenſe of the honour the
houſe of commons has been pleaſed to confer upon me,
and only hope that you, fir, will be as gracious to me in
repreſenting my gratitude to that auguft affembly, as you
have been in acquainting me with their favourable ac-
ceptance of my fervices. I have done no more than my
duty, I have only been the humble, though happy inftru-
ment of executing the wife meaſures directed by his
majefty.
"I have no title, fir, to any glory, but what is com-
mon to me as a feaman; and as an Englishman zealous
for the fervice of my country, which is pleafed to reward
me with this inftance of their approbation. From the
fituation of my health, fir, I can flatter myſelf with hav-
ing but few opportunities of employing the remainder of
my life in grateful exertion of my abilities for the honour
and intereft of my country; but as the houſe of commons
is fo gloriously watchful to encourage the greateſt merit,
by rewarding the leaft, England can never want good
officers and however honoured I am by this diftinction,
may my fervices be the most inconfiderable that ſhall be
thus acknowledged.
"I am, with the greateſt reſpect,
"Sir,
"Your moſt obedient, and
“Dec. 8, 1758.
"Moſt humble fervant,
"HENRY OSBORNE."
Notwithſtanding he had in fome degree recovered his
health, he never was again appointed to any active or
actual command afterwards; but, as a very convincing
proof
202
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
proof of the high fenfe retained of his paft fervices, he
was, on the 4th of January 1763, on the death of lord
Anfon, appointed his fucceffor, as vice-admiral of England
and admiral of the white fquadron. His former appoint-
ment he refigned in 1765, and had a penfion granted him,
on the Iriſh eſtabliſhment, of 1200l. per annum, which he
retained till his death, on the 4th of February 1771.
The family of Ofborne is fuppofed to have been ori-
ginally of northern extraction, and in later days to have
fettled in Effex, as we find fituate at Purleigh in that
county, in 1442, temp. Hen. VI. Peter Ofborne, who,
befides feveral other children (of which one was a priest,
another a nun at Malden) left Richard Oſborne his heir.
Henry Oſborne, of whom we are ſpeaking, was the third
fon of fir John Ofborne, bart. the fecond who bore that
title, and was in the ſeventh deſcent from Peter Oſborne
firft mentioned.
As to his character we find in it much to praiſe,
and, alas! (it is not in human nature to be void of blame)
fome things to cenfure. His bravery, his attachment to
the cauſe of his country, and his diligence while employed
in its actual ſervice, have never been even queftioned; but
thoſe who were his warmeſt friends could not deny him
to have been of a cold faturnine difpofition, ill-habituated
to the warmth of fincere friendſhip, or even to thoſe at-
tachments which men are generally, from their very
nature, prone to form. Having fcarcely ever made a friend,
though poffeffed of habits not actively inclined to create.
enemies, it is little to be wondered at, that his public
virtues fhould not have had ſufficient weight to anni-
hilate what were thought private deformities; but on
the other hand, it is certainly no flender proof
of his worth, confidered as a profeffional man, that
thoſe admitted it who feelingly felt the coldneſs
of his difpofition, they themfelves, perhaps, poffeffing
hearts overflowing with benignity; that thofe did not
deny it, who ſmarted under his auſterity, which ſcarcely
knew how to diſtinguiſh between tyranny, and the exaction
of due obedience, from perfons who were fubordinate to
him; and lastly, that thofe fhould not be infenfible of hist
merit, who was himſelf, probably, as little attentive to that
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
203
1
of others, as any man who ever had the honour of holding
a naval command.
REDDISH, Henry,-was, we believe, the brother of
captain Edward Reddith of whom a fhort account has
been already given *. He was appointed captain of the
Experiment on the 11th of January 1727-8, but the
ſtation on which that fhip was employed is unknown.
In 1733 he commanded the Fox frigate, one of the Lee-
wad land fquadron; and after that time is unnoticed
till the rupture took place with Spain, in 1739; he was
then commiffioned to the Anglefea, of forty guns, and
ordered to Jamaica, where he was inftructed to put himſelf
under the command of vice-admiral Vernon. On his arrival
at Port Royal he found that gentleman had already failed
on the expedition againſt Porto Bello, leaving inftructions
for the Angleſea, and fuch other fhips as fhould come in
during his abfence, to follow him thither. Captain
Reddith reached Porto Bello on the 29th of November,
and confequently had no fhare in the reduction of that
place, the conqueft having been concluded fome days before.
He did not remain in the Weft Indies any confiderable
length of time, but after his return to England continued
captain of the Anglefea, at leaft till the end of the year
1741. He was moft probably prevented, by death, from
receiving any other commiflion, fuppofing him to have
quitted the Angleſea before that time; of this circumſtance
we are uncertain, as well as of the precife period when it
happened, knowing only that he died in London during
the courſe of the year 1742.
SMITH, John (2d),-was, on the 13th of January
1727-8, appointed captain of the Sapphire, of forty guns,
one of ſeven ſhips of the fame force ordered to be
equipped for fervice with the utmoſt expedition. He
was fent immediately to the Weft Indies, and unhappily
died at Antigua on the 18th of August 1729, at which
time he continued captain of the Sapphire.
SMITH, William (3d),-was, on the 13th of June
1728, appointed, as fome accounts ftate, captain of the
Succefs; but we apprehend this 10 be a mistake, and that
* See page 84.
Mr.
204
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Mr. Hardy is moſt correct * in faying he was commif-
fioned to the Experiment, as we find him in that ſhip be-
fore the conclufion of the month, attached to the fleet.
collected at Spithead under fir Charles Wager. How
long he continued either in this command, or the ſervice,
we do not know; all the information we have been able
to procure concerning him is that given by Mr. Hardy,
who tells us he refigned his rank, but without giving us
any reaſon or date. The time of his death is alfo
unknown.
STANLEY, John,-is known only as having been.
appointed captain of he Gibraltar frigate, or as other
accounts fay, of the Princeſs Louiſa, a fourth rate, on the
26th of July 1728. He died in England in the courſe of
the
STAPLETON, Miles,-was, on the 20th of June
1728, appointed captain of the Diamond. His next com-
mand we believe to have been that of the Sheerneſs, in
which ſhip he was fent to the Weſt Indies in the year
1732. We believe him to have continued there a very
confiderable length of time; but we have no other particular
account of him till his promotion, after the rupture took
place with Spain, in 1739, to be captain of the Princefs
Louifa, a fourth rate of fixty guns. He was then, to a
certainty, in the Weſt Indies, having received his appoint-
ment to this fhip from Mr. Vernon, after the reduction of
Porto Bello, who had the chief command there; and we
believe Mr. Stapleton to have continued on that ſtation,
during the whole intermediate ſpace of time, as captain of
a frigate. We have been informed, and we believe from
very good authority, he remained in the Weft Indies till
the year 1745 or 6, and then returned to England captain
of the Prince of Orange. This appears to have been the
laft commiffion he ever received, and is indeed the laſt in-
formation we have been able to procure concerning him,
except that, on the 23d of July 1747, he was put on the
fuperannuated lift with the rank and half-pay of a rear-
admiral. The precife time of his death is no where
mentioned, but certainly happened foon after his retire-
ment, as he was not living at the end of the year 1750.
*He might not improbably have taken poft in the Succefs, and
have been removed in a day or two afterwards into the Experiment.
TOLLER,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
205
TOLLER, John,-was, on the 20th of November
1728, appointed captain of the Pearl. He continued in
fame fhip till after the year 1733, having been her com-
mander at that time on the Leeward Ifland ftation. Soon
after the commencement of hoſtilities with Spain, in 1739,
he was appointed to the Warwick, a fourth rate of fixty
guns, and ordered to the Mediterranean in 1740 or 41, to
reinforce Mr. Haddock, who commanded-in-chief there
with a force inadequate to the fervice he was employed
on.
In 1743 Mr. Toller quitted the Warwick, and was
fucceeded by Mr. Weft. After this time we have no
account of his having held any commiffion. He is ſaid to
have ſhot himſelf in England on the 8th of May 1747;
but the cauſe of the difcontent or diftrefs of mind which
induced him to commit that rafh action is no where
related.
1729.
BARNSLEY, John, -received a confiderable part of
his naval education under the aufpices and protection of
that worthy and gallant officer Mr. Haddock, with
whom he afterwards ferved as a lieutenant. In the begin-
ning of the month of January 1728, he was promoted to
the ſtation of mafter and commander, and appointed to
the Otter floop, of ten guns. He was advanced, on the
9th of April 1729, to the rank of poft captain, being
commiffioned to the Scarborough, a fmall frigate of
twenty guns, belonging to the fleet collected at Spit-
head, during the enfuing fummer, under the orders of
fir Charles Wager. What intermediate commands he
might have held, we know not, but we have no other in-
telligence concerning him till the year 1734, when he was
taken by his old patron, rear-admiral Haddock, to com-
mand the Namur, under him, when he hoifted his flag
on board that ſhip as third in command of the fleet col-
lected in the Downs under fir John Norris.
6
1
Captain
206
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Captain Barnefly continued in the fame ftation with
Mr. Haddock during that and the enfuing year. When
the fleet was ordered to Lifbon, and the admiral was,
in 1738, pitched upon to command the Mediterranean
fquadron, Mr. Barnefly was again appointed his captain,
in the Somerſet. In 1740, two years after the fleet had
been out on the ſtation above-mentioned, he was removed
to the Port Mahon frigate. We have on this occaſion to
obſerve, leſt ſuch an appointment may be thought by fome
a degradation to a man who had, with much reputation,
commanded a ſecond rate, that, according to the regula-
tions of the navy at that time, fuch a command was much
more lucrative, and confequently, on fome accounts, much
more eligible than his former. It was given him by the
admiral as a mark of his ſpecial favour, and purpoſely
it the hope of his being able to enrich himſelf by his
fuccefs againſt the enemy. Whether this hope and good
intention of his patron was actually realifed does not
appear. He is ftated in fome accounts to have again
commanded the Somerſet in 1741; but though this is a
circumſtance we have reaſons, and are inclined to difbe-
lieve, there are others which convince us of the truth of it,
fo far as to warrant our afferting, that in 1742 he com-
manded the Somerſet *. We have not any other intelli-
gence that can be depended upon relative to this gentleman,
except that he died in England on the 7th of Auguſt 1745.
DAVIS, Arthur, was, on the 11th of November
1729, promoted to the Sapphire, of forty-four guns. His
next command we believe to have been that of the Edin.
burgh, a third rate of feventy guns, to which he was ap-
pointed, in 1734, as captain to vice-admiral Stewart.
When the fleet failed for Liſbon in the enfuing year, Mr.
Stewart was one of the admirals left behind for the pro-
tection of the Channel, with a very ftout fleet. Captain
Davis was, in 1738, re-appointed to the Edinburgh, which
was ordered to be fitted as a guard-fhip. He refigned
this command, however, as ſoon as the fhip was com-
* Being concerned with many other fhips of war in the capture of
a very valuable Spanish veffel, called the St. Jofeph, of eight hundred
and fifty tons burthen, commanded by the don Chrifloval de Loide,
carried into Gibraltar.
pletely
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
207
pletely manned, and we do not know that he ever held
any fubfequent commiffion. He died in England * on the
2d of May 1743•
DOUGLASS, William,-was, on the 31st of De-
cember 1729, appointed to command the Anglefea. In
the month of November 1731, he was removed into the
Phoenix, a ſmall frigate of twenty guns, ordered, together
with three other veffels of the fame force, and two floops
of war, to be equipped and fent to the Weft Indies, as a
check to the infolence of the Spaniſh guarda coftas. His
next command, far as we have been able to inveſtigate,
was that of the Falmouth, a fourth rate of fifty guns, one
of the Weſt India fquadron in 1740, under the command
of Mr. Vernon. He ferved with that gentleman at the
fiege of Carthagena, being one of commodore Leftock's
divifion, and was one of thofe unfortunate commanders
who fell a victim to the infalubrity of that deftructive
climate. He died fometime in the month of May 1741.
ONLEY, John, was, on the 18th of January 1728,
appointed captain of the Lively frigate. He was dif-
miffed from the command of this fhip, and declared inca-
pable of holding any fubfequent commiffion in the navy,
by the ſentence of a court-martial held in Portſmouth
harbour on the 3d of December 1728. A private MS.
memorandum fays 1738; but we apprehend this to be one
of thoſe miſtakes to which all documents of that nature
are more particularly fubject. His offence appears to
have been a diſobedience of orders, in not cruiſing accord.
ing to his inftructions. The time of his death, as is
commonly the cafe with thofe officers who are previouſly
out of the fervice, is unknown.
SPARKES, Ifrael, was, on the 9th of April,
appointed captain of the Solebay frigate, one of the vef-
fels attached to the fleet which rendezvouſed at Portſmouth
foon afterwards, under the command of fir C. Wager.
In the month of June the Solebay was converted into a
bomb-ketch, and Mr. Sparkes ftill continued to command
her; but no mention is made of her having ever proceeded
to fea while he continued in that ftation, nor have we
* A private memorandum fays in the marſhalfea; whether this is
authentic we cannot pretend to determine.
any
208
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
any reafon to believe him to have been again employed.
We fuppofe him, for many years previous to his deceaſe,
to have retired totally from the fervice, as he was omitted
in the very extenfive promotion of officers, to the rank
and half-pay of a rear-admiral, on the fuperannuated lift,
which took place in the month of July 1747. This
omiffion would moſt probably not have happened had he
been confidered, in confequence of his fituation, as
liable to be called into active fervice, and entitled to fuch an
advancement. He died in England, at that time holding.
the rank of captain in the navy on the 22d of Auguſt
1753.
SYMONDS, Richard,-was, on the 22d of February
1728-9, appointed captain of the Succefs. We have no
other fubfequent information concerning him, except that
he died, at fea, on the 23d of October 1740, being then
on his return to England from the Weſt Indies, as
captain of the Colcheſter, a fourth rate of fifty guns.
VINCENT, Philip,-was, on the 18th of July 1729,
appointed captain of the Torrington, a fifth rate of forty
guns; in which fhip he failed for the Straights in the
month of December following, having on board the earl
of Kinnoul, who was appointed ambaffador to the Porte.
It is moſt probable he quitted this veffel on his return to
England, as we find it, very foon afterwards, commanded
by another gentleman (captain Fytch). In the month of
January 1732, he was appointed to the Dolphin of twenty
guns, a fhip put into commiffion, for the Weſt India
ſtation, to protect the commerce of that part of the world
from the infolence of the Spaniſh guarda coftas. No
farther mention is made of captain Vincent till the year
1740, when he commanded the St. Alban's, a fourth rate
of fifty guns, a fhip employed in the Bay of Bifcay as a
cruifer, and afterwards on the Mediterranean ftation.
While in the former occupation, we find him a claimant
in the capture of the Princeffa Spanifh fhip of war,
mounting feventy guns. This affertion was afterwards
fet afide, it being proved, to the fatisfaction of the court,
that he was not in fight at the time of the action. On his
arrival in the Mediterranean he was fent to the Levant as
convoy to the Turkey trade. On his return to England.
he was appointed to the Royal Oak, of ſeventy guns, and
ordered
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
209
ordered, with Mr. Leftock, for the Mediterranean. Soon
after his arrival there he quitted his former line of pro-
feffion as a naval officer, and was employed on the coaft
of Italy, at Villa Franca, Nice, and the intermediate poſts
between thoſe places, as an engineer, or fuperintendant
of fortifications. He returned to England by land, and
did not long furvive his arrival, dying, in London, on the
11th of December 1746.
1730.
COCKAYNE, Samuel,-was, on the 19th of Septem-
ber 1730, appointed captain of the Garland, or, as fome
accounts fay, not improbably owing to an error in the tran-
ſcriber, the Greyhound. We have no other information
concerning him, except that he died in the West Indies;
but in that circumftance reports vary, Mr. Hardy ftating
England as the place of his deceafe, fome time in the
course of the year 1735.
SMITH, Thomas, generally known among feamen
by the quaint name of Tom of Ten Thoufand. A fingular
circumftance, well deferving relation, occurs in the life of
this gentleman. When lieutenant of the Gofport, his captain
being at the time alluded to on fhore, a French frigate put-
ting to fea from Plymouth, paffed very near him without
paying the ufually exacted compliment of lowering his
top-fails. Mr. Smith very fpiritedly fired at the French
ſhip, and compelled her commander to perform this
act of complaifance, the failure of which had, on a former
occafion, involved England in a war with Holland.
However ftrictly confiftent this might be with the national
character, and ſpirit of an Englishman, as the greateſt har-
mony at that tiine fubfifted between the courts of England
and France, a ſerious complaint was made by the ambaſſador
of what was termed an outrageous act of violence. Mr.
Smith was accordingly brought to a court-martial; and
it being impoffible, to deny or controvert the fact, was
accordingly broke. His conduct was, neverthelefs, fo
highly acceptable both to the fovereign and the nation,
that, although political reafons rendered the above appa-
rent cenfure indifpenfibly neceffary, he was advanced, on
VOL. IV.
Q
the
210
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the following day, to the rank of poft captain without
ever paffing through, or occupying the intermediate fub-
ordinate itation of commander of a floop of war.
He was accordingly, on the 5th of May 1730, ap-
pointed captain of the Succeſs frigate; but the fervice on
which this veffel was employed is no where mentioned.
In the month of March 1733, we find him commanding
the Durfley galley, one of three frigates ordered for the
Streights, to reftrain and punish the infolence of the dif-
ferent piratical flates on the coast of Barbary. We be-
lieve him to have retained the fame command till the
beginning of the year 1741, he was then promoted to the
Romney, and appointed commander-in-chief on
Newfoundland ſtation, and governor of that ifland. He
continued thus employed and occupied, both in regard to
his command and office, till after the year 1743; and was,
we believe, at ſome time during the above period, brought
to a court-martial on a very ill-founded and ridiculous
charge of rapacity, in improperly converting to his own
ufe provifions and neceffaries which ought to have been
diftributed among his people. Such a complaint could not
have been laid against any commander with a greater
fhare of improbability, as to the truth of it, than in the
prefent inftance. Open, liberal, generous in the extreme,
his general character ought to have placed him far above
fo baſe, and unworthy an afperfion. But we fhould recol-
lest that there are certain ignoble characters exiting, who
appear never ſo happy as when attempting to depreciate,
and injure the virtuous and noble. The court-martial,
however, of which Mr. Cavendish was prefident, did
ample justice to his honour and reputation, by acquitting
him in the most ample and unequivocal manner. He was
afterwards appointed to the Princefs Mary, one of the
fleet ſtationed in the Channel; and the enemy not having
any weſtern ſquadron at fea, no opportunity afforded itſelf
by which he could particularly distinguish himſelf. On
the eve of the rebellion in Scotland, which broke out in
the year 1745, he hoisted a broad pendant, at the Nore,
on board the Royal Sovereign, a firſt rate, and was foon
afterwards appointed to command a ſquadron on the north
coalt, the better to prevent the introduction of any fupplies
from France. He difplayed, as he had on every former
occafion, the greateft diligence and zeal for the fervice of
his
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
211
his country, while employed on the above ftation; but
the operations of war being afterwards contracted into a
very fmall compafs, and the opportunities of any fingular
exertion but few, we find no other mention made of him
during its continuance *, except that he was, on the 15th
of July 1747, very defervedly advanced to be rear-admiral
of the red.
On the 12th of May 1748 he was ftill farther promoted
to be vice-admiral of the white; but peace having taken
place, became an additional and more forcible reaſon for
his non employment. In the year 1756, he was ap-
pointed prefident of the court-martial held at Portſmouth
for the trial of Mr. Byng. In 1757, he was again ad-
vanced and made admiral of the blue; but was not ever,
far as we have been able to learn, inveiled with any active
command. Having continued to live a life of retirement,
rendered truly honourable by the general notoriety of his
gallantry, honour, and unthaken integrity, he died, at laſt,
on the 28th of Auguft 1762, univerfally lamented by all
who ever had enjoyed the comfort as well as fatisfaction,
either of his acquaintance or having been under his com-
mand, and regretted by all the rest of his countrymen who
had only heard but confequently admired his character.
1731.
AUBIN, David,-was, on the 24th of November
1731, appointed captain of the Deal Caſtle, a frigate of
twenty guns, ordered to be equipped for the West Indies
to protect the commerce of that part of the world from
the infolence and depredations which were daily commit-
ted by the Spanish guarda coftas. Not long after he
reached his deitined ſtation, he fell in with a very valuable
Spanish merchant-veifel, which he detained by way of re-
prifal. This was one of thofe fpirited ſteps, which being
occafionally taken, convinced the Spaniards of the fupe-
* We must not omit, that in 1745, he was one of the members
of the court-martial held on board the London, in Chatham river,
for the trial of the officers charged with mifbehaviour under Mr.
Mathews,
0 %
riority
212
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
riority of British naval power, and that it was not to be
long trifled with merely by making pacific declarations and
promifes. Mr. Aubin, on what particular occafion is not
mentioned, removed fome time afterwards into the Spence
floop, in which veffel he died, at Barbadoes, in the month
of February 1735.
BARNET, Curtis.-We do not precifely know under
whofe aufpices this brave and worthy officer went firſt to
fea; but in 1726 we find him ferving as lieutenant under
fir Charles Wager, who held the chief command of the
Baltic fleet. He was entrusted by the admiral, on many
important occafions, as a confidential perfon*, on whofe
conduct and prudence he could implicitly rely; and fo
well established that good opinion which fir Charles very
defervedly entertained of him, as to excite in him a moit
cordial friendship and efteem, which he ever afterwards,
through life, continued to manifeft towards him.
After having thus paffed through the feveral fubordinate
ftations and appointments, with the higheft reputation and
credit, he was, on the 26th of January 1731, very deferv-
edly promoted to the rank of poft captain, and appointed
to the Biddeford frigate. About the year 1734 or 5, he
was advanced to the Nottingham, of fixty guns; but that
having been employed folely as a guard-fhip, we have
nothing particular to record of this gentleman till after the
commencement of hoftilities with Spain, in 1739, when
we find him commanding the Dragon, of fixty guns, one
of the fleet ftationed in the Mediterranean under Mr.
Haddock. Mr. Barnet's behaviour while acting under
the orders of that gentleman, as it was most exemplary
and meritorious, fo had he the fatisfaction of obtaining
the moſt cordial and unqualified approbation of it.
Soon after his arrival in the Mediterranean, being de-
tached on a cruife, in company with another British thip
of the line, they fel in with three French thips of war off
Cadiz, which they imagined were register fhips laden with
treafure from the Spanish Wett Indies. Mr. Barnet
accordingly hailed them, but received no fort of anſwer
till after a third repetition of that mode of enquiry; even
*He was fent in the Port Mahon frigate to Cronflot, with the dif
patches to the empress of Ruſſia and admiral Apraxin, a buſineſs on
which the event of the expedition entirely turned.
then
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
213
then it was fo diffatisfactory and equivocating, that captain
Barnet was the more confirmed in his original opinion: he
accordingly fired a fingle fhot a-head of the French fhips,
which the chevalier de Caylus, who commanded, returned
with a broadſide. A fharp conteſt enſued; and, after a con-
tinuance of two hours, the French, who had loſt one of
their captains and a confiderable number of men, beſides
having upwards of feventy defperately wounded, thought
proper to defift, and come to a proper explanation. They
were fo feverely handled as to be obliged to put into
Malaga to refit. Mr. Barnet and his coinpanion, on their
parts, fuftained confiderable injury in their mafts and
rigging; but had only four men killed, and fourteen
wounded, feveral of them only flightly.
Although he continued to perfevere in that uniformly
honourable line of conduct which ever graces the life of a
brave and good man, under Mr. Haddock's fucceffor, Mr.
Leftock, he was not happy enough to pafs, even the ſhort
time during which the latter gentleman held the fupreme
command on the above ftation, free from anxiety, trouble,
and unmerited reproach.
We have already alluded to the circumftance of which
we are now ſpeaking in the life of Mr. Leftock, Vol. III.
page 340, and thall only add, on the prefent occafion, that
as no man could be more undeferving of cenfure at all
times than Mr. Barnet, fo could no one repel the in-
folence of a man, ridiculouſly proud of his elevated ftation,
with more firmnefs, fpirit, and decency; obferving at the
time he defended his own character, the greatest decorum
to his fuperior in fervice, who had moft illiberally and wan-
tonly attacked him. This affair cannot be better explained
than by inferting the correfpondence which paffed between
theſe gentlemen at full length: the fact will then ſpeak
for itſelf, and the behaviour of each fhew itfelf in proper
colours to the world, without requiring the fmalleft com-
ment on our part.
We have to begin with the peremptory and violent
order iffued by Mr. Leftock, which occafioned Mr.
Barnet's fpirited and proper reply.
"
Captain Hodfoll,
"Go to the Lenox, Naffau, Royal Oak, Romney, and
Dragon, tell them I am the centre from whence the line
of battle is to be formed; and if any fhip or fhips cannot
0 3
get
214
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
get into their ſtations, I am to find remedy for that; but
thoſe who can, and do not get into their ſtations, are
blameable; and that a line of battle is not to be trifled
with, nor mifunderſtood, go with this yourſelf to the fe-
veral captains, from,
" Sir,
"Neptune, at fea,
14 April, 1742.
"Your most humble fervant,
"Richard Leftock."
An enemy in fight would not admit of this
"P. S.
deliberation."
To this Mr. Barnet returned the following anfwer:
"Ann galley.
"I thought that all the fhips of a fleet, or fquadron,
were to fail in their proper divifions. I have heard and
read of divifions getting late into the line; not in time to
have any part in the action; but never knew till now that
it was my duty to leave the flag, or officer repreſenting
one, in whofe divifion I am, without a particular order, or
fignal; I therefore kept my ftation in the divifion, not
with a deſign to trifle with the line of battle.
"I am, &c.
"To Mr. Leſtock.
"C. Barnet."
This occafioned the following paffionate and ridiculous
reply from Mr. Leſtock *:
"Sir,
"I have your letter of the 15th inftant, in anſwer to
mine I fent to you and feveral other captains, by captain
Hodfoll, on the 14th inftant, at the time the fignal was
out for the line of battle a-breaſt of each other. Your
not getting into the line, "and" when you could have done
it, gave me that occafion by the fire-fhip.
You fay you thought that the fhips of a fleet, or
fquadron, were to fail in their proper divifions; and you
have heard and read of divifions getting late into the line
* Mr. Leflock appears in his vehemence of rage, to have been
guilty of a few literary omiffions and miſtakes, which we have fup-
plied and corrected, in italics, in order to render his meaning more
intelligible.
not
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
215
not in time to have any part of the action; but never till
now knew, that it was your duty to leave the flag, or
officer reprefenting one, in whofe divifion you are, with-
out a particular order or fignal.
"Let us fuppofe you are in a divifion, and a ſignal for
the line of battle is made; the commanding fhip of that
divifion, by bad failing, could not get into the line; all the
reft of the fquadron could have got into the line, but did
not; that divifion makes one-third of the fquadron.
"I will ask you; Is it your duty to fee two-thirds
of the fquadron facrificed to the enemy, when you could,
and did not join in the battle? But an admiral in ſuch a
cafe would leave the bad-failing thip for one that could
get into the action, or fend to you fuch orders as ſhould
juſtify you at a court-martial, for not coming into the
action when you could have done it.
"Captain Rowley, indeed, has not the power either to
ſhift his fhip or to ftop you with him.
"Such an account would tell but ill to our country,
after the lofs of a battle; but I hope fuch a thing can
never happen to an Engliſhman: and the puniſhment.
inflicted on a breach of the 12th article of the ftatute of
Charles the Second, relative to thofe who withdraw, or keep
back, or do not come into the fight and engage, would
be what muft follow in ſuch a caſe.
"So I will fay no more of trifling, nor miſunderſtand-
ing of a line of battle, as theſe are, and muſt be the con-
fequences of, of a not trifling want of duty, weighing cir-
cumſtances, in regard to battle, for that is the cauſe why
lines are formed.
"The 13th article of the fighting inftructions leans that
way alſo: fo having, I think, anfwered your letter,
"Neptune, at fea,
16th April, 1742.
"I am, fir,
"Your most humble fervant,
"Richard Leftock.”
This produced a rejoinder from Mr. Barnet, to which
Mr. Leftock did not deign to make any anſwer.
Dragon, 16th April 1742.
Sir,
"As you have given yourſelf the trouble to anſwer the
letter I thought neceffary to write in excufe for my conti-
nuing in my ſtation in the diviſion of which I am, when
04
YOU
216
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
you made the ſignal for the line of battle a-breaſt; and in
it are pleafed to fay," Is it your duty to fee two-thirds
"of the fquadron facrificed to the enemy, when you could
"and did not join in the battle?" I answer, that I ſhould
readily concur in punishing rigidly any man, who could,
and did not join in the battle. But as the commanders of
divifions will, I imagine, always expect that the captains,
in their reſpective divifions, fhould in any thing like the
late cafe take directions from them, and, as we are
to fuppofe, every officer of that diftinction neither want-
ing in zeal or capacity, I can make no doubt but fuch
orders would be immediately given as could be moſt effen-
tial for his majeſty's fervice; and that a ſignal or order
might be expected for the fhips to make fail into the line,
if the commander of the divifion could not get up with his
own ſhip, and did not think proper to remove into another.
Without fuch an order, or a proper fignal, I could not
in my confcience condemn any man for remaining with his
divifion, or think that he fell under the 12th article of the
ſtatute of Charles the Second, or the 13th of the fighting
inftructions; for a man in his ftation cannot be faid to
withdraw, keep back, or not uſe his endeavours to engage
the enemy, in the order the admiral has prefcribed. In
this manner I fhould judge, were I to fit at a court-martial
on fuch an occafion; but in this manner fhall no longer
act, fince you have been pleafed to tell me captain Rowley
has not the power to fhift his fhip or ſtop me.
"I prefume there are inftances both of whole divifions
going down to the enemy too foon, and of coming in fo
Late as to have no part in the action; but I never heard
that the private captains, who kept their ftations in thofe
divifions fell under the leaſt cenfure; and as I was neither
called, or fent from the divifion, by order or ſignal, I had
no apprehenfion of being blameable.
"With regard to what you are pleaſed to ſay of feeing
the fquadron facrificed to the enemy, that cannot happen
while you, fir, command it, who will never go down to
the enemy in an improper manner, with more fail than
the principal fhips of the line can keep you company.
With reſpect to the line of battle, one thip a-head of
another, the matter appeared to me in a different light;
and when the ſignal was made for thoſe to lead, who are
to
1.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
-217
1
to lead with ftarboard tacks, I being the leader of the
diviſion went immediately into my ftation, in the rear of
your divifion, as when that fignal is made, after bearing
down in the line a-breaft, we were to be fuppofed in pre-
fence of the enemy, and on the point of engaging.
"I hope nothing may ever with juftice be faid of me,
that will tell but ill to our country. I acknowledge my
want of experience, through which I may miſtake; but I
have too much refpect for you to attempt to trifle, and
too good an opinion of your judgement and experience
not to be concerned, when I am fo unhappy as to mifun-
derſtand your orders, or fo weak as not duly to weigh
circumftances.
"To Richard Leftock, efq.
"I am, &c.
"C. Barnet."
It is fomewhat fingular that the principal points on
which the foregoing correfpondence turns, were nearly
fimilar to thoſe, mutatis mutandis, which afterwards became
the fubject of difpute between Mr. Mathews and Mr.
Leftock. It appears, could we perfuade ourſelves to fuch
a belief, that Mr. Barnet had an intuitive knowledge of
what was hereafter to happen, and had been ſtudying his
proper rebuke for his admiral's conduct, when he made
ufe of the following farcafin-" I preſume there are in-
ftances both of whole divifions going down to the enemy
too foon, and of coming in fo late as to have no part in the
action." Mr. Leftock, as we have already ſaid, deſiſted on
finding Mr. Barnet a man of too much firmneſs to endure
the fhadow of infult, and too good an underſtanding to
fuffer himſelf to be impofed upon, or betrayed into a con-
feffion of having been in the wrong, when he knew not
only the integrity of his own heart, but was in every re-
fpect a competent judge as well of the duties of a private
captain, as of the admiral under whofe orders he then acted.
Mr. Barnet did not, however, remain long on the fame
ſtation; and foon after his return to England was appointed
commodore of a fall fquadron ordered for the Eaſt
Indies, in confequence of a repreſentation made by the
company to the lords of the admiralty. His force con-
fifted of the Deptford (his own fhip) and Medway, of
fixty guns each; the Preſton, of fifty; and the Diamond
frigate,
کی
218
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
frigate, of twenty. He failed from Portſmouth on the
5th of May 1744, and arrived at Porto Praya, in the iſland
of Jago, on the 26th. He found there a Spanish privateer,
mounting fourteen carriage and twelve fwivel guns, called
the Amiable Maria, and a Britith pink of two hundred and
fifty tons, a prize, both under Spanish colours. Mr. Barnet
at firſt took no notice of them, not having the ſmalleſt in-
tention of violating the neutrality of the port which pro-
tected them: but being foon informed that the privateer
herſelf, defpifing, all forms and the laws of civilifed
nations, had captured the pink, together with a brigan-
tine, and burnt two other Britiſh veffels at the Iſle of May,
another of the Cape de Verde iflands, all which were
entitled to the fame protection fhe now wifhed to ſhelter
herfelf and her illegal prize under, he immediately in-
formed the governor of the circumftance, and at the fame
time acquainted him that, finding "the privateer had fo
notoriously and flagrantly violated the neutrality of the ifle
of May, he did not think himſelf any longer bound to
obſerve any reſpect with regard to her."
He accordingly fummoned the privateer and her prize
to furrender, which they did without heſitation, and were
immediately taken poffeffion of. He then difpatched the
pink to the Iſle of May for the maſters and crews of the
different veffels which had, as juft ftated, been either taken.
or deſtroyed; but the brigantine, which had been driven to
fea before his arrival, being ſeen in the offing, he diſpatched
his boats to take poffeffion of her. They executed thefe
orders without interruption, the Spaniards on board having all
quitted her, and made their efcape to the town of St. Jago
in their boats. On the return of the pink he reinstated
the maſters and crews in poffeffion of their different veffels,
making to them the fulleft reftitution of every thing they
could claim, which the Spaniards, as is cuftomary among
privateers, had plundered them of, and taken on board
their own fhip. Having thus executed juftice, and re-
lieved the different fufferers to the utmoſt of his power,
the commodore continued his voyage to the Eaſt Indies.
He first put into Madagaſcar, where having procured
the fupply of water and provifions, which he much needed,
he profecuted his voyage to his original deftination. In
a fhort time after he quitted Madagaſcar he divided his
little
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 219
little ſquadron into two parts, his own fhip and the Preſton
paffing through the ftreights of Sunda, and from thence to
Banca; while the Medway and Diamond fteered for the
ftreights of Malacca. Mr. Barnet took every poffible
precaution to diſguiſe both his own fhip and his con-
fort, by painting and adorning them after the Dutch
faſhion. After having been for fome time ſtationary
in the ftreights of Banca, on the 25th of January 1744,
he got fight of three large French-built fhips, of which
he fuppofed two to be merchant veffels from China,
and the third a French fhip of war mounting fifty
guns, from Pondicherry, which he had information was
in thoſe feas. Mr. Barnet immediately got under fail,
accompanied by the Prefton, in order to attack them;
and fo perfect was the deception, that the enemy had no
doubt of their being Dutch ſhips, till they were within
muſket-ſhot of them, and, ftriking their Dutch, hoiſted
English colours. The French fhips were not, however,
furpriſed, though deceived, for they were all completely
ready for immediate action. Mr. Barnet was miſtaken
in the first opinion he had formed of them, for the fhip
of fifty guns was not in company, and the veffels he at-
tacked were the Dauphin, Jafon, and Hercules, large fhips
of ſeven hundred tons burthen, each mounting thirty guns,
and carrying one hundred and fifty men, deeply and richly
laden, from China, with cargoes of tea, China-ware, and
filk.
Mr. Barnet ordered lord Northefk, in the Preſton, to
board one of the fhips, while he himſelf prepared to act
in the fame manner againſt that which was apparently of the
inoft force, and which he accordingly fuppofed to be the
commodore. While, however, they were both endea-
vouring to carry this meaſure into execution, an unlucky
fhot from the enemy's fhips cut both the tiller ropes, when
they were on the point of fheering on board them. This
unfortunate accident delayed the capture for fome time;
but being repaired with all poffible expedition, the
enemy's fhips were all fecured, after a very ftout, and,
indeed, more determined reſiſtance than could have been
expected, of two hours continuance. They were all
prizes of confiderable value, the cargoes being valued at
upwards of three hundred thousand pounds, had they ar-
rived
220
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
rived fafe in Europe. The prizes were fent to Batavia,
and the commodore himſelf, with his confort, purſued his
voyage to the British fettlements in India.
During the enfuing feafon he afforded the moft perfect
protection to the British commerce, and effected confider-
able miſchief on that of the enemy. In the month of
October, having detached two of his fquadron, the Preſton
and Lively, to cruife off Cape Palmiras, they had the good
fortune completely to effect the purpofe on which they
were fent by Mr. Barnet, having captured all the French
thips bound into the river Ganges, confifting of two thips
of lix hundred, and one of four hundred tons burthen, all
of them armed for defence; the two former mounting
eighteen, the latter twelve guns. In the month of
January he repaired to Pondicherry, where his preſence
completely baffled a project formed by the French for the
attack of fort St. David. They had marched out of
Pondicherry with a corps of one thoufand infantry, four
hundred of which were Europeans, together with forty
horfe, and a fufficient number of cannon. They en-
camped within a mile of fort St. David's; but on Mr.
Barnet's arrival, and his making apparent difpofitions for
landing, by fending his boats to found, and practising
every other oftenfible manoeuvre preparatory to that in-
tent, the enemy decamped with the utmoft expedition from
fort St. David's; thinking it an happinefs to get, by
forced marches, once more into Pondicherry, which they
felicitated themſelves in having been the caufe of preferv-
ing from the deſtructive arms of the English.
The Medway and Lively joined the commodore on the
31st of January, having completed the fuccefs of the
fquadron under his command, by capturing the Expedi-
* The governor was fo alarmed as to prefs Mr. Barnet's return with
the utmoſt vehemence and eagerness. But a report being at the fame
time molt induftrioufly propagated by the French, that they hourly
expected four fhips of the line in Pondicherry road, the commodore
prudently confidered this as nothing more than a manœuvre to draw
him from his ſtation; he accordingly only fent the Dolphin, to which
the governor was inftructed to make the neceffary fignals, in cafe of
being abfolutely reduced to extremities. The commodore affured
him he would, in that cafe, repair to his affiftance on the moment
be received fuch intelligence. The event fully proved the wildom
of Mr. Barnet's arrangement.
tion,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
221
tion, of fourteen guns, the only cruifer which at that time
remained to the French in the Indian feas*. Theſe were
unfortunately the laft fervices Mr. Barnet lived to afford
his country, a premature indifpofition having put a period
to his existence, when in the very prime of life, on the
29th of April 1746.
BEAUCLERCK, Lord Aubrey,-was the eighth fon
of Charles, firit duke of St. Alban's, and the lady Diana
Vere. He was confequently brother, and the youngeſt
of the family to the lord Vere Beauclerck, whom we
have already had occafion to give fome account of in page
89. Having, as well as his elder brother, entered into
the navy and paffed regularly through the feveral fubordi-
nate ſtations, he was, on the firit of April 1731, promoted
to the rank of polt captain, and appointed to the Ludlow
Caffle. We meet with no fubfequent information rela-
tive to his intermediate appointments, or any mention made
of him till ſome fhort time after the rupture had taken place
with Spain, in 1739, he then commanded the Weymouth,
but was immediately afterwards promoted to the Prince
Frederick, of feventy guns. At the end of the following
year he was fent cut, under fir Chaloner Ogle, to rein-
force Mr. Vernon preparatory to the expedition againſt
Carthagena. Being ordered, on the 23d of March, under
the command of commodore Leftock, with a detachment
of five thips, to attack the caftle of Boca Chica, he unfor-
tunately fell in a renewal of the allault on the following
dayt. A very handfome monument has been erected
to his memory in Wettminfter-abbey, very properly
ornamented with arms, trophies, and naval enfigns. In
an oval niche, on a pyramid of dove-coloured marble, is
a buft of this promifing young nobleman, thus prematurely
fnatched from life, and the fervice of his country. Ou
* We believe Mr. Barnet to have removed into the Medway on
the arrival of that fhip. Mr. Hardy flates him to have ftill continued
in the Deptford till his death; but that is evidently a miſtake, the
Deptford having left India nearly three months before the commo-
dore's deceaſe, and arrived at St. Helen's on the 96th of Auguſt, in
company with the Dolphin, and fix Eaft India fhips under their
convoy.
+ Mr. Hardy erroneoufly flates him to have died on the 17th of
December 1741.
the
22
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
*
the pedeſtal is the following infcription, which we have
inferted as affording not only a brief and modeft account
of the leading tranfactions of his life, but as delineating
elegantly a character, which any attempt of ours would
certainly do lefs juftice to.
The lord Aubrey Beauclerck was the youngeſt ſon of
Charles, duke of St. Alban's, by Diana, daughter of
Aubrey de Vere, earl of Oxford. He went early to fea,
and was made a commander in 1731. In 1740 he was
fent upon that memorable expedition to Carthagena, under
the command of admiral Vernon, in his majeſty's fhip the
Prince Frederick, which, with three others, was ordered
to cannonade the caftle of Bocca Chica; one of theſe be-
ing obliged to quit her ftation, the Prince Frederick was
expoſed not only to the fire from the caſtle but to that of
fort St. Jofeph, and to two fhips that guarded the mouth
of the harbour, which he fuftained for many hours that
day, and part of the next, with uncommon intrepidity.
As he was giving his command upon deck both his legs
were fhot off; but fuch was his magnanimity, that he
would not fuffer his wounds to be dreffed till he had com
municated his orders to the firft lieutenant, which were to
fight his fhip to the laſt extremity. Soon after this he
gave fome directions about his private affairs, and then
refigned his foul with the dignity of a hero and a chriſtian.
Thus was he taken off in the 31st year of his age, an illu-
ftrious commander of fuperior fortitude and clemency,
amiable in his perfon, ſteady in his affections, and equal-
led by few in the focial and domeftic virtues of politenefs,
modefty, candour, and benevolence.
Over the inſcription are the following lines.
Whilft Britain boafts her empire o'er the deep,
This marble fhall compel the brave to weep;
As men, as Britons, and as foldiers mourn,
'Tis dauntless, loyal, virtuous Beauclerk's urn:
Sweet were his manners, as his foul was great,
And ripe his worth, tho' immature his fate.
Each tender grace that joy and love infpires;
Living, he mingled with his martial fires;
Dying, he bid Britannia's thunder roar,
And Spain ftill felt him when he breath'd no more.
He
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 223
He married the daughter of fir Henry Newton, knight,
and widow of colonel Francis Alexander, but had no illue
by her. She died October the 30th, 1755-
BENNETT, Edward,—was, on the 7th of December
1731, appointed captain of the Flamborough frigate, and
being foon afterwards ordered to Jamaica, died there on
the 23d of December 1732. Mr. Hardy ftates this gen-
tleman to have taken poft in the Garland, but we decid-
edly are of opinion this is a miſtake.
CRAWFORD, Hon. Charles*,- was the fifth and
youngeſt ſon of John, firſt lord viſcount Garnock, of the
kingdom of Scotland, and lady Margaret Stewart, daughter
of James, earl of Bute. Having attached himſelf to a
naval life, he was, on the 6th of September 1731, ap-
pointed captain of the Lynn frigate. We find him com-
manding the fame fhip in 1737: whether he had retained
this ſtation and command during the whole of the in-
termediate time we have not been able to diſcover; but
in that year he appears to have accompanied Mr. after-
wards lord Anfon, to the coaſt of Guinea, and was ordered
from thence, by that Gentleman, to proceed to Jamaica.
In n 1741 he commanded the Roebuck, a fourth rate of
forty guns, in which thip Mr. Hardy has incorrectly
ſtated him to have first taken poft. No mention is made
* The firname of Crawford is of great antiquity in the weft of
Scotland, it is certainly local, and was affumed by the proprietors of the
lands and barony of Crawford, in Clydfdale, as foon as firnames began
to be uſed in this country. The immediate anceſtor of this noble
family was Gualterus de Crawford, who flouriſhed in the reign of
king William the Lion. He was cotemporary with Galfridus, an-
ceftor of the Crawfords, lords of that ilk.
Thus Gualterus was witnefs to a charter of Roger, bishop of St.
Andrew's, confirming a donation to the monaftery of Coldinghame,
inter 1189 et 1202, in which laſt year the biſhop died.
The eighteenth in defcent from Gualterus de Crawford was John
Crawford, of Kilbirnie, who coming early into the revolution, was
chofen member of parliament for the fhire of Air, anno 1693, and
continued in that flation during the life of king William.
Upon the acceffion of queen Anne to the throne, he was again
chofen member for the county of Air, and was appointed one of the
privy council to her majefty, who was pleaſed to dignify him with the
title of vifcount of Mount Crawford, which he afterwards changed
for the title of Garnock, the patent being provided to his heirs male
whatever.
of
224
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of the ſervices on which he was employed, fo that it is
moſt probable they were unimportant. Nor have we
been able to collect any other information relative to this
gentleman, except that he died in Scotland fometime in
the courſe of the year 1745•
FYTCHE, Robert,-was, on the 10th of May 1731,
appointed to command the Torrington, of forty guns, oné
of the veffels which was originally intended to have failed.
with the fleet under fir Charles Wager to the Mediterra-
nean; but on what account we know not, did not proceed
thither. In the month of December he was appointed
to the Sheerness, a fixth rate of twenty guns, and ordered
for the Weſt Indies, to protect that part of the world from
the piratical depredations then frequently committed by
the Spanish guarda coftas. Sometime after his return to
England he was appointed to the Ruby, a fourth rate of
fifty guns, on board which fhip he put a period to his ex-
iftence by fhooting himſelf, on the 1st of October 1740,
being at that time in the Briſtol Channel. Other accounts,
though we believe not fo authentic, palliate this difafter,
and ſay he threw himſelf overboard, under the effect of
temporary delirium, and was drowned.
GRIFFIN, Thomas,-was, on the 1st of April 1731,
promoted to be captain of the Shoreham frigate *. He
commanded the Blenheim, of ninety guns, as captain to
Mr. Cavendish, who had his flag on board as vice-admiral
of the red, and commander of one of the diviſions of the
The family of Griffin was not improbably of Welch extraction;
its pedigree was drawn up by fir Richard St. George, knight, Lancaſter
berald, and perufed and approved by the learned William Camden,
Clarencieux king of arms. There is a pedigree now in the poffeffion
of lord Howard, of Walden, beginning with Griffin of Gomundley, in
Leicestershire, whofe eldeſt fon, fir Richard Griffin, knight, flouriſhed
in the reign of king John. The prefent lord Howard de Walden is the
reprefentative of the family, and in the feventeenth defcent from
Richard Griffin, knight, juſt mentioned.
Admiral Griffin was not immediately related to the later defcend
ants of the family, but was certainly defcended from the fame original
flock. Rear-admiral Matthew Griffin, otherwife Whitwell, was the
next brother to the lord Howard de Walden, and has been, in confe-
quence of the fimilitude of names, confounded by many perfons with
the gentleman of whom we are now to give fome account. Of rear-
admiral Whitwell we fhall have hereafter occafion to ſpeak.
fleet
:
!
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
225
fleet left for the protection of the Channel, when fir John
Norris failed for Liſbon in the year 1735. In 1739 he
commanded the Oxford; and in the following year was
promoted to the Princefs Caroline, of eighty guns, one of
the ſhips employed, in the Channel, during the ſummer,
under the command of fir John Norris. On his re-
turn into port, the Princefs Caroline was ordered
out to the Weſt Indies under fir Chaloner Ogle. On
the arrival of the fleet at Jamaica, Mr. Vernon, whom
it was fent to reinforce, hoifted his flag on board the
Princefs Caroline; and Mr. Griffin removed into the
Burford, out of which ſhip the admiral himſelf came.
C
After the failure of the expedition Mr. Griffin returned
to England with the convoy and fquadron under the orders
of commodore Leftock: and his next appointment, far
as we have been able to inveſtigate, was to the Captain.
While in this ſtation and command, he was, we believe,
principally employed as a cruifer. In the beginning of
the year 1745, he was thus occupied, with three other
fhips of the line, he himſelf being the fenior, or command-
ing officer, and fell in with two French fhips, alfo of the
line. As the affair made no little noife at the time, and
one of the captains (Mr. Moftyn, of the Hampton Court)
was fo much cenfured, that his conduct became the fub-
ject of ſerious inveſtigation, we ſhall ſtate the tranſaction
at fome length. The firft intimation was received in a
private letter from Dartmouth, and was to the following
effect: "That a privateer, belonging to that place, had
been taken by two French men of war, on January the 4th,
and on the 6th was re-taken by the Captain man of war,
captain Griffin. The veffel arrived at Portfmouth, and
brought certain advice, that on the 6th inftant, the Hamp-
ton Court, Captain, Dreadnought, and Sunderland, were
left in chaſe of two French men of war, of feventy guns
each, and twenty fail of French merchantmen under con-
voy, in latitude 48; that the four men of war gained ground
upon them, particularly the Hampton Court, who was left
within about two miles of the French." The privateer
alluded to was the Mars, commanded by Mr. commonly
called commodore Walker, who was himſelf on board the
Floriffant, the ſmaller of the French fhips, by which he
had been unfortunately taken a few days before.
P
VOL. IV.
The
226
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
i
The following plain unadorned account is taken from
the hiſtory of that gentleman's voyages, a book, we be-
lieve, now very little known; and however it may be de-
ficient in elegance, it certainly is a curious and unbiaffed,
as well as authentic account of the tranfaction alluded to.
"It was," fays the author," on a Friday we went on
board the Floriffant, at break of day. On the Sunday
morning following we faw four fail of large fhips a-ftern,
which greatly alarmed the French, efpecially as their
gaining ground upon us was every half hour more and
more vifible. This panic of the French arofe from
their concern for the great value of their cargo, as they
were bringing home all the French and Spaniſh treaſure
from the Weſt Indies, to the amount of near four millions
fterling: their fhips were befides in no order for fighting,
as they had come fo long a voyage; and were likewife
very fickly. In lefs than two hours we could plainly
perceive the four fhips a-ftern to be Engliſh men of war.
The French crowded all the fail they could to get away,
and the English were as brifk in purfuit of them. The cap-
tain of the Floriſſant, who had by this time become familiar
with Mr. Walker, addreffed himſelf to him to this effect,
"That if it had not been for the trouble Mr. Walker
had given him, by obliging him to go out of his courſe,
he might now be farther on his way, out of reach of the
fhips in view" he ſaid that, " at the time, he thought it
ill-judged of the cominodore to make the ſignal for chafing,
confidering his treafure on board," of which he made no
fecret. "It is feldom," fays he, "any great accident
happens from ſingle caufes, but by a chain or feries of
things: thus, if we be here overcome, our lofs will be
owing to the wafpifhneſs," as he called it, " of a fingle
frigate, which would not ceafe fighting fo long as it had
a fting in its tail." This being faid, though peevishly, with
fome pleafantry, and being rather complimentary than
otherwiſe, was received by us with equal eafe. We had
certainly no reaſon to be out of temper, as the ſcene of
fortune was now clearing up in our favour, for the Engliſh
drew near. The fhips were the Hampton Court, Dread-
nought, Sunderland, and Captain. The French officer on
board the Mars judicioufly bore away to the leeward, in
order to draw off one of the ſhips in purſuit of him. This
had
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
227
had the intended effect, for his majefty's fhip, the Captain,
failed off in chaſe of him, and retook him, but did not
afterwards return to the fleet; fo our fhip, the Mars, was
brought back to England. The Sunderland loft her main-
top-maſt in coming up, by which accident ſhe fell a-ſtern;
but the Hampton Court of feventy guns, and Dreadnought
of fixty, a little a-ſtern of her, came up alongſide by ſun-ſet.
As an engagement now appeared unavoidable to every
body, the captain of the Floriifant again, with great polite-
nefs, fpoke to Mr. Walker and defired the English to quit
the quarter deck, faying, "that he hoped we would excufe
the neceffity of things, but as an engage:nent was expected, it
was not uſual to admit ſtrangers on their decks." Mr.
Walker anſwered, "Sir, I go off with great pleaſure on
the occafion, as I am now certain of my liberty; and I
hope to have the fatisfaction of feeing you again in being.
We were then all conducted to the cockpit, where we
difcovered the fad fituation of the fhip, there being
above one hundred and ninety of the people then lying
fick, unable to ſtir, fo that their confufion was very great;
but no engagement beginning that evening, Mr. Walker
was very foon called up. All that night and the next day
the French kept on their way, the Hampton Court
and Dreadnought clofely following; when the fecond
evening coming on the English altogether diſappeared.
As this affair has been already fettled under the fanction
of a court-martial, we refer to that better examination of
the cauſe of ſuch proceedings."
We have but little obfervation to make on the foregoing
account. As to Mr. Griffin, he appears to be little impli-
cated in the buſineſs, though he was the fenior, and, con-
fequently, the officer moft accountable. He chafed one of
the fhips, which he captured, and by that conduct feparated,
perhaps unavoidably, from the reft of his companions.
The only poffible ground on which his enemies could attach
blame to him was, that he did not chaſe the largeſt; but, to
ſay the truth, the most clamorous, in reſpect to the difap-
pointment alluded to, were tolerably filent as to Mr.Griffin.
He continued occupied, as before, for a confiderable time,
and appears to have been very diligent; but his moft con-
fequential fuccefs was nothing greater than the capture of
a large privateer belonging to St. Maloe's, called the
Grand
P 2
228
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
Grand Turk; and a fecond, called the Achilles, which he
took, in company with the Princeſs Louifa*, on the 4th
of June following the tranfaction juft related. He re-
mained occupied, as before, till the month of March
1746; and his employment was then interrupted only by
his being appointed prefident of two court-martials,
affembled in fucceffion on board the Tilbury and St.
George, for the trials of captains, the lord Forreſter and
Cofby, a more particular account of which will be here-
after given in their lives.
It being deemed neceffary to fend a ſquadron to the
Eaft Indies foon after this time, the command of it was
given to Mr. Griffin with the rank of an eſtabliſhed com-
modore. His firſt operation was the blockade of Pondi-
cherryt, the reduction of which place was the principal
* Admiralty-office, May 29.- His majefty's fhips, the Captain
and Monmouth, being on a cruize in the Channel, on Sunday the 26th,
in the morning, they faw two fail in the S. E. quarter, to which they
immediately gave chafe; the Captain to the largeft, and the Monmouth
to the other. At five o'clock in the evening the Captain came up
with the chaſe, and gave her a broadfide; upon which the immedi-
ately ftruck, being then between Portland and the Gaſketts. She
proves to be the Grand Turk of St. Malo, with thirty-two guns and
two hundred and forty men; but had only twenty-four guns mounted,
having thrown eight overboard.
Admiralty-office, June 4. His majefty's fhips, the Captain and
Princeſs Louifa, being on a cruiſe in the Channel, on the 30th paft, at
feven in the morning, faw two fail to the S. W. of them, to which
they immediately gave chaſe. One of the fhips, which was an Engliſh
privateer, flood towards the Captain, and told them the other fhip
they were in chafe of was a privateer of St. Malo. The Captain and
Princefs Louifa continued the chaſe, and at eight in the evening came
up with the fhip, which ftruck without firing a gun. She proves to
be the Achilles privateer, of St. Malo, of twenty-two guns and one
hundred and forty-eight men, and is fent into Plymouth.
+ Venice, Feb. 16, N. S. There is juft arrived in this port, on
board a Venetian fhip, come from Alexandria, Mr. Peifsley, a fuper-
cargo of the Eaft India company, who having loft his paffage, came
from Bombay to Aleppo by land; by him we learn that he left
India in April laft, when they had received advice that commodore
Griffin, with fifteen fhips of war, fitted out at Bengal, was arrived be-
fore Pondicherry. The day that Mr. Peiſsley left Surat they inter-
cepted a packet defigned for the French commander; by which they
difcovered the ftations of their men of war, as alfo that they were
flarving at Pondicherry for want of provifions, particularly rice, which
was not to be procured at any price.
object
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
220
object which the armament was intended to accom-
pliſh. It failed, however, in its execution; but the
junction of Mr. Griffin's fquadron with the fhips which
had been employed on that ftation, under the orders of
Mr. Peyton, previous to his arrival, enabled him to pro-
tect the British fettlements from falling into the hands of
the enemy, as they moft probably would have done, had it
not been for that timely fuccour. His fubfequent opera-
tions were not confequential enough to demand any par-
ticular relation. While abfent he was, on the 5th of
July 1747, promoted to be rear-admiral of the red, and on
the 12th of May 1748, was farther advanced to be vice-
admiral of the blue.
At the latter end of July 1748, Mr. Boſcawen, who
had been invefted with the rank of commander-in-chief
on the coaſt of Coromandel, arrived there with a ſtout
fquadron; and Mr. Griffin having refigned to him the
command, proceeded to Trincomalè, in the middle of
Auguft, to clear and refit his fhips preparatory to his re-
turn to Europe, as foon as the change of the monſoon
would permit him. He reached England without acci-
dent; but it being conceived that his failure againſt Pondi-
cherry was entirely owing to mifconduct, and ſeveral other
fubordinate charges being alfo made againſt him, in parti-
cular that he did not endeavour, to his utmoft, to bring the
French fquadron to an action off the coaſt of Coromandel,
he was tried by a court-martial, convened at Chatham
on the 1st of December 1750, which was as ſoon as the
neceffary witneffes could be collected and brought from
India. The charge againſt him proved to be fo far well-
founded that he was fentenced to be fufpended from his
rank and employment, as a flag officer, during his maje-
fty's pleaſure.
He was afterwards reftored to his former ftation, but,
as it is faid, under the exprefs ftipulation, that he ſhould
never receive any higher rank. His minifterial friends,
however, adviſed him to try his fortune in endeavouring
to procure himſelf to be chofen reprefentative for the
borough of Arundel. In this he fucceeded for that time,
but was not re-elected in any fubfequent parliament;
nevertheleſs the intereft he acquired by following the advice
of his friends, enabled them to exert their influence fo far
P 3
iu
230
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
in his favour that the former ftipulation was forgotten;
and after paſſing regularly through the feveral intermedi.
ate ranks, he at laſt attained that of admiral of the white.
Having, for a great many years previous to his deceaſe,
lived totally retired from public life, he died at laft (in
the courſe of the year 1771) in Wales, where he is ſaid to
have for fome time refided.
The following is given, but by an author of no great
confequence, as the reafon of his failure in the expedi-
tion againſt Pondicherry.
"It was in Auguſt that commodore Griffin appeared
before the place; he found it ftrengthened by many new
works; the fortifications mounted with one hundred and
eighty pieces of heavy cannon, and the exterior works
flanked with fix confiderable forts; the magazine and
arſenal well ſtored; and the garrifon, with the armed
Indians, amounting to near five thousand men.'
LAWS, William,-was, on the 5th of March 1732,
appointed captain of the Seaford frigate. We meet with
no other information concerning him, except that, at the
end of the year 1741, he was fent out to Jamaica, with a
fmall force, to protect thither a reinforcement of troops,
and in 1744 commanded the Greenwich, of fifty guns.
On the 24th of July, 1747, he was put on the fuperannuated
lift with the rank and half-pay of a rear-admiral. The
time of his death is unknown.
MITCHEL, Cornelius, was, on the 14th of June.
1731, appointed captain of the Lark, of forty guns; and
afterwards either of the Norwich, or Rochefter; which of
the two is uncertain. Soon after the rupture with Spain
we find him commanding the Kent, a third rate of ſeventy
guns, one of the fquadron ftationed in the Weſt Indies,
under Mr. Vernon, in the year 1741. He continued
employed, principally, we believe, in the fame part of the
world, till the year 1746; no mention is at leaft
made of him till that time; and happy had it been for
himſelf and his reputation, if he had paffed on in the fame
undiſtinguiſhed ſtream through life, or that hiſtory had
not been reluctantly compelled to affix on him the ftigma
of infamy.
About the latter end of the month of July vice-admiraļ
Davers, who then commanded-in-chief on the Jamaica
ſtation,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
231
ftation, received intelligence that monfieur Conflans was
hourly expected at Martinico, from France, with a ſqua-
dron of four fhips of war, one of ſeventy-four, another of
fixty-four guns, with a fifty-four and a forty-four, having
under their protection a fleet, confifting of ninety mer-
chant-fhips, laden with ftores, ammunition, and provi-
fions, as well for the fupport of the colony as its defence, he
in confequence immediately detached Mr.Mitchell to inter-
cept them, with the following very fufficient force under
his command: the Lenox, of fixty-four guns; the Staf-
ford, his own fhip; the Plymouth, and Worceſter, of fixty
guns each; the Milford, of forty-four; and the Drake
floop. The commodore fell in with the enemy on the
3d of Auguft, and at feven in the evening was a league to
windward of them, when, inftead of inftantly bearing
down and engaging them, he made a fignal for the cap-
tains of the ſeveral fhips to come on board him, the ma-
jority of whom, it is faid, were of opinion that it would
be better to defer the encounter till the next morning.
Campbell threwdly, and, generally ſpeaking, with much
truth, obferves, "that councils of war feldom forebode
much heroiſm; for when a man calls his friends about
him on the eve of an engagement, and afks them whether
he fhall fight then or ſtay till the next day, there is much
reaſon to believe he had rather not fight at all." Orders
were, however, iffued to all the fhips to keep the enemy
in fight during the night, and to be ready for action as
foon as day-light ſhould appear. Thus was the appear-
ance, at leaſt, of fpirit kept up; but the fequel, Campbell
obferves, unhappily proved it to be only appearance, for
the caution of Mr. Mitchell was fo great, that when night
came on he ordered his fhips to carry no lights, left, as
hiftorians fay, the French fquadron fhould be fo rude as
to give him chace.
With all due deference to authority fo refpectable as that
of Mr. Campbell's opinion and judgement, we muft, in thẻ
preſent inſtance, obferve, that though we cannot diſprove
fuch to have been the motive of Mr. Mitchell's conduct,
yet it is by no means incontrovertibly eſtabliſhed that it
was fo. He might certainly have iffued the foregoing
order from an intention diametrically oppofite to that
fuggefted, and in the hope, that by concealing the lights
P 4
of
}
232
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of his fquadron he might get nearer the enemy than they
otherwife would permit him to do. Whatever were, indeed,
the reafons which influenced his conduct, the event proved
unfortunate, for the French merchant-fhips made their
efcape during the night, and in the morning monſieur
Conflans, with the fhips of war, followed their example,
after exchanging a few diftant fhot with the Britiſh fqua-
dron. Mr. Mitchel's conduct was afterwards inveſtigated
by a court-martial, held at Jamaica on the 28th of
January; and their opinion confirmed the propriety
of Mr. Campbell's remarks, for he was fentenced to be
difmiffed the fervice, and was declared incapable of being
ever again employed. He was, however, fome little time
afterwards, reſtored to his half-pay, of ten fhillings per
day. He did not long furvive his difgrace, dying,
as Mr. Hardy informs us, in the courfe of the year
1749.
SWALE, William, was, on the ift of September
1731, appointed captain of the Rye frigate; in this veſſel he
was ordered out to Barbadoes, in 1733, having on board,
as a paffenger, lord Howe, who had juft before been
appointed governor of that iſland. In the year 1737 he
was fent to the coaft of Guinea, being then captain of
the Oxford; and having had the misfortune to break his
leg while employed on that ſtation, died, in confequence
thereof, on the 9th of November 1737, being on his
paffage from thence. Mr. Hardy, in his naval liſt, ſtates,
from what authority we know not, that he died at ſea on
the 8th of November 1736.
·
1732.
BOUTFLOWER, William,
is ftated in Mr.
Hardy's, and in ſome of the MS. lifts of naval officers, to
have taken poft in the Flamborough frigate on the 23d of
December 1732; and to have died in the Weſt Indies on
the 23d of December 1733, being at that time captain of
the Wolf floop.
CAVE, Clemſon (2d), — is a gentleman nearly of the
fame defcription, His name is given by Mr. Hardy, but
is not to be met with in any of the MS. lifts of naval officers
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 233
f this year. He is faid to have been appointed, on Janu-
ary the 24th, to the Port Mahon. No farther notice is taken
of him even by the fame authority; and it is not impro-
bable he is confounded with the perfon of whom a
ſhort account has been given, vol. iii. p. 125. The
fingularity of the primitive, as well as that of the firname,
encourages the idea, at leaſt, of their confanguinity; and
a private MS. memorandum confirms to us the belief, that
a gentleman of that name was appointed captain in the
navy at the time as ſtated.
COULSELL, William, was, on the 1st of April
1732, appointed captain of the Rofe frigate. No other
mention is made of him, or notice taken, except to inform
us that he died in England; the time not being mentioned.
OGILVIE, John,-is ſuppoſed to have been the third
fon of fir Alexander Ogilvie, of Forglen, fecond fon of
George, fecond lord Bamff, who was created a baronet
anno 1701, and appointed one of the fenators of the col-
lege of juftice anno 1706. This account is, however,
merely fuppofititious, formed on fuch circumſtantial infor-
mation as we have been able to procure. All we know
with any degree of certainty is, that he was, on the 13th
of January 1732, appointed captain of the Kingſton;
from which fhip he was, if ever commiffioned, very foon
afterwards removed. He died at Lifbon on the 18th of
May 1734, being then captain of the Hector. A private
memorandum informs us he was, in the firſt inſtance,.
appointed to the Hector.
PARRY, William,-was, in 1731, appointed com-
inander of the Otter floop, on the Newfoundland ſtation.
He was from thence, on the 18th of April 1732, promoted
to be captain of the Torrington, and ordered to the coaſt
of Africa. Not long after his return to England he was
appointed to the Charlotte yacht; and fome time previous
to the year 1745 to the William and Mary yacht. He
continued in this ftation till his deceafe, which happened
on the 6th of February 1753.
TOWRY, John, -was, on the 7th of November
1732, made captain of the Shoreham, and was employed
againſt the Salletines. He effected a very fignal piece of
fervice, in conjunction with captain Wyndham of the
Rofe, having furprized and burnt two of their largeſt crui-
fers, mounting twenty-fix guns each: in the fame fhip he
1
con-
234
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
continued till the year 1735 or 6. Having been in one
of thoſe ſeafons at Canfo, fometime after hoftilities had
commenced with Spain, he was promoted to the Buck-
ingham. This was about the year 1742; and he was,
almoſt immediately on his appointment, ordered to the
Mediterranean, where he continued till fome time after
the action off Toulon. The Buckingham, having been
one of the fhips belonging to Mr. Leftock's divifion, was
not engaged, fo that he underwent the mortification,
which must be a great one to a gallant man, of looking
on, without being perfonally concerned in fo great an
encounter. In the following year, 1745, he was ordered
home, being one of the witneffes fummoned, on the part
of the crown, at the trial of Mr. Leftock. On the 25th
of February 1747, he was appointed a commiffioner of
the navy refident at Mahon. This was a temporary office
created in confequence of the powerful fleet, which it had
become neceffary to maintain in the Mediterranean, and
was intended to ceafe at the conclufion of the war. Mr.
Hardy afferts, and his information is in fome degree con-
firmed by a MS. memorandum, that in the month of July
or December following, this gentleman was put on the
ſuperannuated lift of admirals; but we are notwithſtanding
well convinced this is a mistake. It is not, however, impro-
bable that, after peace had taken place, he had, as a reward
for his paft fervices, a penfion fettled on him equivalent to
the half-pay of a rear- admiral; and this circumftance may
have given occafion to the error juſt ſtated. He died in
England on the 20th of March 1757.
TREVOR, Thomas,-was commander of the Thun-
der bomb-ketch in 1729. This veffel was attached to the
fleet, which was collected at Spithead in that year, under the
orders of fir Charles Wager, but never proceeded to fea.
On the 26th of February 1732, he was promoted to be
captain of the Kingſton, probably a guardship. From
this veffel he removed, about the end of the year 1734,
into the Defiance, a fhip of the fame rate and force,
which was one of the fleet fent, in 1735, under the orders
of fir John Norris, to Liſbon, previous to the commence-
ment of hoftilities with Spain. In 1739 he was appointed
to the Strafford, of fixty guns, one of the fhips put under
the command of Mr. Vernon, when he was fent out on
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
235
the expedition againſt Porto Bello. Captain Trevor was,
confequently, concerned in that as well as the fubfequent
defultory enterpriſes which took place previous to the
arrival of fir Chaloner Ogle; theſe were the firſt at-
tempts made on Carthagena, in 1740, as well as thoſe
which immediately, and with more fuccefs, followed them
againſt the Spaniſh fettlement on the river Chegre. Mr.
Vernon hoiffed his flag on board the Strafford; but that
ſhip was little concerned in the attack, having had the
misfortune, as Campbell expreffes it, to be retarded by
an accident which happened to his fore-top-fail yard, and
prevented his getting in to an anchor till ten o'clock at
night.
*
Mr. Trevor ftill continuing in the Strafford was alfo
preſent at that more unfortunate expedition, becauſe more
confequential and attended with much greater deſtruction of
men, which proceeded for the fecond time againſt Cartha-
gena in 1741. Mr. Hardy and fome other MS. accounts
agree, that this gentleman died on July 3, 1743, being then
commander of the Duke. But a private memorandum we
have ſeen contradicts this circumſtance, ſo far as to place
the time of his deceaſe two years later, and that at the
time of his death he was captain of the Leviathan. We
muſt, however, in reply to this account, confefs we do not
find any ſhip of that name in the royal navy at the time
ftated.
WINGATE, John,-was, on the 6th of April 1732,
appointed captain of the Torrington. This commiffion
was given him merely that he might take rank as eom-
mander of a poft fhip from the time juſt mentioned, for
in twelve days afterwards he was fucceeded as captain
of the Torrington by captain Parry. No fubſequent
mention is made of him in the ſervice, nor have we been
able to collect any farther information concerning him,
except that he was the deſcendant of a family of ſome con-
fequence in the county of Bedford, and died in England on
the 19th of May 1760.
BURRISH,
236
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1733.
1
BURRISH, George. This unfortunate man entered
into ‍the naval fervice under the protection and patronage
of that very great naval character, the earl of Berkeley, hav-
ing obtained the king's letter, a mode of entering into the
fervice which we have before explained, when that noble-
man went to ſea, in March 1718-19, as commander-in-
chief of the fleet, with an appointment little inferior to
that of high-admiral. After paffing through the intermedi-
ate ranks, he was, on the 7th of May 1733, appointed
captain of the Blandford. At the end of the year 1735
he carried over his excellency general Oglethorpe to
Georgia, he being then moft affiduoufly occupied in ſet-
tling that colony. Mr. Burrish remained in the fame
fhip till the year 1738, when it was put out of commiſ-
fion for a fhort time, in order to undergo a thorough
repair. This being completed, Mr. Burrifh was imme-
diately re-appointed to her; but we do not find any
mention made of the fervice, or ſtation on which he was
employed, although we know him to have retained the
fame command till after the year 1741.
On his quitting the Blandford we believe him to have
been promoted to the Dorfetfhire, of eighty guns; in
which fhip he was, moft probably, immediately ordered
to the Mediterranean; and being charged with very im-
proper behaviour, in the action with the French and
Spanish fleets off Toulon, was one of the officers put
under an arreft, but not till a confiderable time after the
action. He was ordered home for trial in the following year.
The court-martial confifted of the following members;
admiral fir C. Ogle, prefident; rear-admiral Mayne; com-
modore Thomas Smith; with the captains, Parry, Wind-
ham, Chambers, Rentone, Allen, Frankland, fir William
Hewitt, Coleby, Laton, Hamar, fir Charles Molloy,
Geary, Callis, Rodney, Erskine, Pitman, Elliot, Spragge,
Swanton,
لا
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
237
1
Swanton, Stewart, and Orme; affembled on board the Lon-
don, a fecond rate, in Chatham river, on the 25th of
September, when the following charges were exhibited
againſt captain Burrish.
Ift. For not engaging within point blank, with-
drawing from the battle, and being out of his proper ftation
in the line.
2dly. For not bearing down and engaging in his
ftation, notwithſtanding admiral Mathews fent him, dur-
ing the engagement, two feveral orders to bear down, and
engage the enemy; in return to which orders, the ſaid
captain Burrish pretended he had no powder filled, altho'
an engagement had been expected for ſeveral days before.
3dly. For firing when he was fure of not reaching
the enemy, upon a point blank, contrary to his inftruc-
tions and duty.
4thly. For not affifting and relieving the Marlboro'
(though the next fhip to him, he being capable of affording
her affiftance) agreeable to his inftructions, and to two feveral
orders fent to him, by lieutenant Bentley, from admiral
Mathews.
5thly. For not covering and conducting the firefhip,
whereby the blew up without doing execution, notwith-
ftanding the deceafed captain of the firefhip did hail him,
and requeſt affiftance from him.
A variety of witneffes were examined in fupport of
thefe charges, as well as in defence of Mr. Burrith; and,
perhaps, never was greater contradiction manifeſted on
any trial whatſoever; fome having borne the moſt unfa-
vourable teftimony to the conduct of captain Burrish, and
others, on the contrary, having as pofitively afferted, that
no fhip in the fleet behaved better than the Dorſetſhire,
and no officer more gallantly than captain Burrifh. The
moſt honourable teftimony in his favour appears to have
been that of captain De Langle, admiral Rowley's captain:
but this was merely to character, and not to facts. He
depofed, that when captain Burriſh was put under arreſt,
by admiral Rowley, in confequence of orders from Eng-
land, that the crew unanimoully teftified the greateſt ſur-
prize, and lamented in the ſtrongeſt terms the injuſtice
done to their captain.
2
Captain
238
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Captain Burrish, when called upon for his defence, and
offered a reaſonable time to prepare it, replied, “that what
he had to ſay flowed from truth and juſtice, that he wanted
no body to prompt him; and that what he had to obſerve
was fo very fhort, that it was not worth while to adjourn."
He then proceeded to anfwer the particular points given
in evidence againſt him. "There are many contradictions,"
faid he, "even in perfons that belong to one fhip. I am
charged with not being within point blank of the enemy;
but I have to obferve, that my officers have proved,
a fhot went through the main-maft, and that it paffed
directly through in a line; therefore I muft at that time
have been within point blank, becauſe, if I had not, it
would have gone through in a curve; I therefore hope
this is an anſwer to that article in the charge.
"I am charged with the loſs of the firefhip. I never
had any orders to go down to cover her; and I
never knew where fhe was going till fhe paffed me:
then, though ſhe was going to the rear, I took care
to give her all the ſervice that was in my power, by fend-
ing my barge to take up her men.
"I am charged with not being in my ſtation; but I
believe I have proved, that I was always in a line with
the admiral, or rather to leeward of him. Here I
beg to obferve, that, ſuppoſe I had not been within point
blank when I fired upon the enemy, yet, as the fignal was
abroad for the line of battle, I hope the court will con-
fider, and I will fubmit to them, whether I fhould not
have fired upon the enemy, if I was in a line with the
adıniral, though I was not at that time within the reach
of point blank.
I am charged with not affifting the Marlborough ;
but hope I have fully proved that I gave her all the affift-
ance I was capable of. I am forry fhe was diſabled; and
furely it was owing to the greateſt raſhneſs in a commander
that ever was known; for had not fhe, by the raſhneſs of
her commander, gone in between the Namure and the
Real; had fhe kept a-ftern of the Namure, they muſt have
deftroyed or taken the Real; but by that rafhnefs fhe
rendered the Namure entirely incapable of any ſervice. It
has been aſked why I did not go a-ftern of the Marlbo-
rough before I had my orders: but I beg leave to
obſerve,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
239
obferve, that it has been given in evidence, I was even then
to leeward of the admiral; and I truft it has been allo
proved, that as foon as I had orders from the admiral, I
went immediately down to the affiftance of the Marlboro'.
I hope, and ſhall take it as a particular favour, if the court
would give me an opportunity to clear up the fituation of
the Dorſetſhire from the reprefentations given by Mr.
Leftock in his draughts."
The court here interrupted him and faid, "none of theſe
draughts have been given in evidence againft you here;
they are of no weight in this court, and are no foundation
of the charge againſt you."
The prifoner proceeded, "If Mr. Mathews had thought
me the leaſt culpable he would have fufpended me before
he came home: and as a farther proof that I was not ſuſ-
pected of misconduct by any of the commanders, Mr.
Rowley afterwards trufted me with a very confiderable
command there: and now to be loaded with ſo much in-
famy, it is too much for a man to bear. I had rather be
fhot. I will fubmit to the court." He then burst into
tears, and was going to withdraw.
The court aſked him if he would recollect himſelf
and make any farther obfervations." He replied, "He
had nothing farther to fay, but would fubmit to the court,”
and then withdrew.
After two days deliberation the following judgement
was given.
“October the 9th.-In purſuance of an order from
the lords of the admiralty, dated the 11th of September,
the court have proceeded to enquire into the conduct of
captain George Burrish, commander of his majeſty's ſhip
the Dorfetfhire, on the 11th of February 1745, in the
engagement between his majeſty's fleet and the com-
bined fleets of France and Spain, he has been tried
upon a charge exhibited againſt him, on behalf of the
crown; and the court having ftrictly examined into the
matter, having heard all the witneffes, as well on be-
half of the crown, as of the faid George Burrish, and hav-
ing duly confidered thereof, it appears to the court, that
when the Dorſetſhire first brought-to the was not in a line
with the admiral; but after the admiral hauled off the was
in a line, or rather to leeward of the admiral. That the
I
Dorfet-
240
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Dorſetſhire, after the Marlborough's mafts were gone, lay
inactive for half an hour; and that fhe had not then re-
ceived damage to make her lying inactive neceffary. That
when captain Burrish received a meffage from the admiral
to bear down and affift the Marlborough, he bore down,
but foon after he hauled up again for a little time, upon a
miſtaken information that he had no powder filled; that being
cleared up he foon bore away, and affifted the Marlborough,
by engaging the Real till fhe bore away. That as he had
no orders to cover the firefhip, by fignal or otherwife, he
is not chargeable with the lofs of that fhip. That a bar-
fhot came on board the Dorſetſhire in the first part of the
engagement, and as ſhe did not afterwards haul off, the
Dorſetſhire muſt have been within extreme point blank
during the greateſt part of the engagement; that by reafon
of his lying inactive as above, and not being in a line
with the admiral when he firſt brought to, he is guilty of
the charge exhibited againſt him, as he did not do his ut-
moſt to burn, fink, or deſtroy the enemy, nor give the
proper affiftance to the Marlborough till after the meffage
which he received from the admiral; and that he is guilty
of a breach of the 12th and 13th articles of the fighting
inftructions, contained in an act of parliament made in the
thirteenth year of the reign of king Charles the Second;
and therefore the court do adjudge him, the faid captain
Burrish, to be cafhiered and for ever rendered incapable
of being an officer of his majeſty's navy; and it is ordered
that the marshal do diſcharge the faid captain Burriſh out
of his cuftody."
Notwithſtanding the above fentence, to the juſtice and
propriety of which, from the very well known and ho-
nourable character of his judges, we cannot in the ſmalleſt
degree except, it is the part of candour to obſerve, that no
man had ever lived with a fairer and more honourable
character, previous to the unfortunate event, which, as we
have feen, did fuch irreparable injury to his reputation.
Many of his cotemporaries, men in the higheſt popular
eftimation, who knew him well, could fcarcely credit what
were indifputably eſtabliſhed as facts, and declared, with
the utmoſt aftonishment, they believed it next to im-
poffible for captain Burrish to behave otherwife, than as a
man of gallantry and intrepidity." He does not appear
to
!
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
241
to have been ever reftored even to his half pay, nor is the
time of his death known.
FANSHAW, Charles,-when a maſter and comman-
der, was appointed to the Hawke loop of war. We be-
lieve him to have been promoted from thence, on the 11th
of January 1732-3, to be captain of the Solebay frigate;
from which he was afterwards removed into the Phoenix.
So immaterial and unconfequential were his feveral appoint-
ments that we do not find any mention whatever made of
him till the year 1739, when he was ordered to Carolina, in
company with the Hector, commanded by fir Yelverton
Peyton. On his return to England a charge of mifcon-
duct, while employed on that ſtation, was exhibited againſt
him; in confequence of which he was tried by a court-
martial, of which admiral Cavendish was preſident, held
on board the St. George, at Spithead, on the 9th of June
1742, and ſentenced to forfeit fix months pay for the uſe
of the cheft at Chatham. He does not appear to have
ever again entered into actual fervice; but it is not im-
probable the above decifion was thought fomewhat fevere,he
having been, on the 15th of July 1747, put on the fuper-
annuated lift, with the rank and half-pay of a rear-admi-
ral. He died in England on the 16th of February 1757.
GOODERE, Samuel.-This unhappy man was the
third and youngeſt ſon of fir Edw. Goodere, of Burhope,
in the county of Hereford, bart. and, only daughter
of fir Ed. Dinely, of Charlton, in the county of Worceſter,
bart. by Frances his wife, fifter to Thomas, marquis of
Rockingham. He was from his earlieſt youth deſtined,
by his father, for fea; and his first entrance into that way
of life was in the fervice of the merchants. There is a
ſhort account ftill extant of this gentleman, written im-
mediately after his execution, by fome perfon apparently
very well acquainted with every private circumftance
worth recording, relative to his life. It informs us that,
having learnt the first rudiments of navigation practi-
cally, after being properly furniſhed with the theory at
fchool, he made feveral voyages, during which, by his
uniform propriety of conduct, he gained the good word
and good will of the different captains he failed with. After
being duly qualified for fuch a truft he obtained the command
of a veffel in the merchant fervice himfelf. In that ftation
he
VOL. IV.
е
242
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
he made two or three voyages with fuccefs; but his views
enlarging with his years and experience, he was deter-
mined, if poffible, to get preferment in the navy; and,
in purfuance of this refolution, entered himſelf on board a
fhip of war, in the reign of queen Anne. His father, foon
after his embracing the fervice, procured him a ftation fir-
ting his birth; and when he had ferved his time, accord-
ing to the rules preſcribed by the ſervice, was promoted to
be a lieutenant before the acceffion of George the First.
All this time he conducted himſelf ſuitable to his rank, to
his own hopes of preferment, and to fir Edward Goodere's
wishes and expectations.
As an officer, he behaved in the moſt becoming manner
to all of fubordinate rank, and with the propereſt defer-
ence to thoſe who were his fuperiors in command. He
was confequently beloved by both officers and failors, fhew-
ing great intrepidity and refolution upon all occafions.
He ferved in the royal navy, as a lieutenant, in 1719,
having, on the 24th of May, in that year, failed from
Plymouth Sound, in the Winchefter, on an expedition
against the Spaniards, with whom Britain was then at
war. On the 30th of May he arrived at St. Sebaftian's,
where he received an order to command the boats, and was
fent with them to cruiſe in fhore, each boat having in it a
junior lieutenant. The first prize he made was a
Spanish fhallop, from Fonteravia; the next day he took
another fhallop, with forty deferters, two were killed in the
action, and two jumped overboard. He was afterwards
employed to block up the caftle of St. Sebaſtian's by fea, and
gave a full account of the ſtrength of that place to the com-
manding officers, he having every other day been on
command with the boats, who went upon the fervice juſt
ftated.
On the 23d of June he made one hundred and fifty French
foldiers prifoners, and attempted to furprize the iſland of
St. Clare; but coming within mufket-fhot, the Spaniards
began to fire. He did not return their falute till he came to
the ufual place of landing; when finding the water upwards
of fix feet deep, and no place to land a man, fo as to be of
any fervice, he ordered the boat to be winded, and went
through their fire back again, getting on board with the
lofs of eight men; four killed, and four who died of their
wounds
I
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
243
wounds before he got to his fhip. On the 9th of July
he was ordered to go into St. Oviedo and reconnoitre
that place. The Spaniards fired very brifkly at him, but
he received very little damage, having only one man
fhot through the mouth, and two fhot which paffed thro'
the boat. When coming out he took a Spaniſh launch
laden with wheat for St. Sebaftian's. On July 12, the
fquadron anchored in a fandy bay to the weftward of St.
Antonio; and the fignal being made for the foldiers to
land, it was effected, though not without much difficulty.
Neither officers or foldiers were very eager to go on
fhore, but colonel Stanhope jumping out of his boat,
emboldened fome of them to follow him, and others were
thrown overboard by the feamen. The English fhips fired
very brifkly at two batteries, and difmounted the guns. The
Spaniards then ran away; on which the Wincheſter and
Antelope fent forty English feamen, who took poffeffion
of the Spanish works. At ten they entered the town of
St. Antonio, when they burnt three fhips on the ſtocks,
one of feventy and two of fifty guns each. They likewiſe
deftroyed all the king's magazines, ftorehouſes, and what
they contained; togetherwith all the planks, mafts and yards,
that were in the yard; the forts were taken and demolished;
their cannon fpiked up, the carriages burnt, and whatever
could be of uſe to the enemy thrown into the fea.
July 20, Mr. Goodère was ordered to go and recon-
noitre Ferrol and Decoina, in order to find a place to land
a body of men, which were to march to the back of the
Groine. He proceeded accordingly, and landed a little
way from Decoina, of which town he took poffeffion, and
found in it one hundred and fixty families. Ten or twelve
of the English having ftraggled in a diforderly manner,
emboldened the Spaniards to rally, which the English per-
ceiving, inftantly fired; and having killed twenty at the
firſt diſcharge, the reft of them ran away to the mountains.
On July 22, he cut out of the harbour of Quares a
privateer of twelve guns, which had a commiſſion, figned
by the Spaniſh ambalfador, dated at the Hague the oth
of Auguft, N. S. the captain's name Sullivan, and the
lieutenant's Galloway; the complement of men eighty.
They all got afhore, and left a train to blow her up, but
Mr. Goodere prevented it. In the fame harbour he took
Q2
a bark
244
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
a bark laden with provifions for the men of war at the
Groine; a bark in ballaft, and another laden with onions.
He afterwards landed his men, and took off two hundred
and forty fheep.
On the 17th of September (as he relates in his journal)
at half an hour after twelve, we anchored in the bay of
Ribardue; the caftles and fhips fired very brifkly on us
for three hours, and we at them. The commodore fent
for me, and giving me a commiffion for the Greyhound,
ordered me to go with the boats and tow her out: I im-
mediately jumped into the boat, and commanded the reſt
of the men to follow me, which they did to the number
of one hundred and fifty. We landed juft by the weſtermoft
caftle, which we took, and hoifting English colours,
fired the guns on the town. I then went in a barge in
order to go on board the Greyhound; but when we were
about one hundred and fifty yards diſtant ſhe blew up; and
the other Spanish man of war was fet on fire. I then
went on board the merchant fhip, where I found a train
to blow her up, which I prevented.
September 18, the Town of Ribardue capitulated, and
delivered hoſtages. In the afternoon we attacked Caftro-
pel, a town two miles up the river, and took it, bringing
off hoſtages for the payment of contributions.
Next day (added Mr. Goodere) I went with all our
boats, manned and armed, to Ribardue, and Caſtropel, to
force them to perform what they had promifed the day
before. We took what we could get, which were five
hundred piltrois from Ribardue, and one hundred and fifty
from Caftropel. We exchanged hoſtages, and demolished
their fortifications, throwing the guns into the fea. The
fame afternoon we embarked all our feamen, and failed
out of the harbour.
On the 14th day of October following the fquadron ar-
rived in Plymouth Sound, fo that nothing more worthy of
notice is to be found in his journal, out of which the
foregoing particulars are extracted, and are conſequently
to be credited as facts.
We have no fubfequent information concerning him
till his promotion, on the 13th of November, to be cap-
tain of the Antelope, of fifty guns; and are again ignorant.
of any particulars relative to his life, till his unforty-
nate
}
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
245
}
nate advancement to the command of the Ruby. Wė
call it unfortunate, inasmuch as that fhip being ſtationed
in the Briſtol channel, he was the better enabled to carry
a moft infernal project into execution*, which, even
though
* We have the following particulars of his behaviour in private
life, and have been induced to infert them, as a proof how the ftrange
contrarieties of honourable conduct, and infamy in its blackeſt ſhape,
may exist in one and the fame character.
"If he behaved well abroad, he did the fame at home, and became his
father's favourite fon, the fon in whom he moft confided, with whom he
converfed moſt frequently, and the fon he ſeldom or never chofe to
enter upon any thing of confequence or moment, after the death of his
lady, without having firft confulted. As his judicious behaviour, and
dutiful carriage to his own parent, gained him his fincere regard and
affection; fo his fobriety, good nature, free converfation, and candour,
diſcoverable upon all occafions, gained him the love of his acquaint-
ance, and the general efteem of the whole country. We may, therefore,
with great truth, affert, that till he became guilty of the late direful
action, the unhappy captain Goodere had as valuable, as well eſtab-
liſhed a character in Herefordſhire, and, in every other place where
he came, and was known, as any gentleman of his ftation in life, could
hope for or defire.
"Soon after he was made a lieutenant, he was, with the conſent
of relations on both fides, married to a young gentlewoman of a
worthy family, who is much too good and valuable in herſelf,
to have her maiden name mentioned upon this miferable, melancholy
occafion, inconfoleable as fhe is for the dreadful difafter hefallen her
brother-in-law, for the diſgrace and infamy brought upon her children,
and for the more dreadful doom her wretched huſband brought upon
himself.
"The captain had a handfome fortune with this lady, equal to
the eftate his father fettled upon him. They were as happy in each
other, always living as comfortably together, as thofe always do, whofe
hearts as well as interefts are united, and make it their continual ftudy,
by every act of kindneſs in their power, to endear themſelves to each
other. He muft, indeed, have been à brute to have acted otherwife
to Mrs. Goodere, who is, by univerfal confent, allowed to be a
woman of the higheft character, and moft confummate worth."
From the fame fource we derive the following information relative
to the cauſe of that deadly and diabolical hatred which produced the
murder of one brother, and, confequently, the juft and ignominious
death of the other.
"A moft irreconcileable enmity took place between the captain:
and his brother, the late fir John Dinely having conceived, as the cap-
tain faid, a cauſeleſs and an unjuſtifiable antipathy at him, and mani-
fefted it whenever he had it in his power. In fhort, they oppofed
Q 3
each
246
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
though premeditated, a proper reflection might, perhaps,
have induced him to abandón. The ſteps he took pre-
VIOUS
each other upon all occafions, when it was poffible for them to fhew
their private refentment; and appeared in public in as different interefts
as if they were determined the world fhould be witneſs to their invete-
rate hatred of each other.
"The captain was not the only perſon whom fir John Dinely uſed
ill; and it was thought that his having flood-forth as the protector of
lady Dinely againft fir John's unkind ufage of her, was one of the
principal reaſons of his perfecuting him with fo much ill nature and
rancour.
"Such was the difference in the behaviour of the two brothers; but
all who knew him condemned that of fir John. The father not
abating of his fondnefs for the captain, added fuel to that flame which
already burnt but too fiercely, and made a compromife of their differ-
ences more difficult than otherwife, perhaps, it might have proved.
Sir John's high ſpirit could not brook this fort of treatment, and he
gave into the fatal refolution; fatal indeed, as it has fince proved to
himſelf, of cutting off the entail of his eftate, as foon as his fon fhould
be of age to join with him in it, and difinheriting his brother, if his
fon died without iffue male.
"The late fir John adhered to what he had fo rafhly refolved on; and,
when the young gentleman attained manhood, obliged him to join with
him in his defign of difinheriting his uncle. He cut off the entail
accordingly, and fettled the eftate upon his only fifter, who was mar-
ried to one Mr. Foote, a gentleman belonging to the law, and after her
deceaſe upon her eldeſt fon.
"This was undoubtedly a tranfaction which irritated and exafpe-
rated captain Goodere more than any thing his brother had done be-
fore, or could have done, that excepted, the more fo when he heard
of the death of fir John Dineley's fon, who died prefently afterwards,
It is much to be apprehended this unhappy man then meditated the
direful revenge he has fince taken for fuch an indignity as well injury
offered to him, and his children, by this unkind act. He, however,
fmothered his resentment for feveral years, till the death of old fir
Edward Goodere, their father, when the captain met with freſh
difappointment, and matter, to enrage him ftill more. It is believed
he at that time became more abfolutely determined than ever he
had been, to carry his bloody defign into execution, whenever he
ſhould be favoured with an opportunity of performing it effectually.
"There were many other quarrels between the two brothers,
which, as we have hinted, we could enlarge upon and give the world
all the particulars of; but thoſe, we think, fhould now be buried in
everlaſting oblivion. If the unfortunate fir John Dinely was to blame,
as undoubtedly he was in many of them, he has paid dearly for his
having been fo; and we would not diſturb his aſhes with any recapitu-
lation of his weakneſs, and mifcarriages in times paft. If the captain
has likewife been to blame, we would equally avoid adding to the grief
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
247
vious to the actual commiffion of the horrid crime for
which he paid the forfeit of his life, are pretty fully ex-
plained in the confeflion he inade to the clergyman who
attended him after his condemnation. This we have
ſubjoined*, not only as affording a perfect account of the
horrid
of his afflicted family, by a rehearsal of his faults; he having accounted
for them all, and received from the juftice of bis country a punifh
ment equal to the-crying fin he has been guilty of, if it is within the
power of man to inflict a puniſhment adequate to ſo heinous an
offence."
* Confeffion of captain Goodere.
>
"As to the murder of my brother, it has been premeditated; and
fome people have been ill-natured enough to tell me idle ftories
relating to him, though God forbid I fhould fay any body did ſo with
intent to make me deſtroy him. As I ufed to walk on the tolzel, at
Briffol, I have heard things fpoken of him, as if he intended to do me
all the prejudice that lay in his power: yet I cannot fay but he was a
good natured man; though our family differences were fomented to fuch
a degree, that we mortally hated one another. Pray God grant all
families may be united, and that Brothers may never have fuch quar,
rels as we have had. I own I was greatly to blame in many things,
and fo was he; pray God forgive us both. When I first heard my
brother was at Bath, and that he was to be at Mr. Smith's, on college
green,Briſtol, I applied to that gentleman, and he was ſo kind as to in
troduce me to my brother, and rejoiced to fee us reconciled. I fat down,
and drank wine, after fhaking hands with my brother: I parted with him
in a friendly manner. All this time William Hammond, Charles
Bryan, and Edward Macdonald, with Matthew Mahony, &c. were
at Mr. Hobb's, the fign of the white hart, on college-green, oppofite
St. Augufline's church, fronting Mr. Smith's: and when my bro
ther and myſelf came out of that gentleman's houfe, he went on, I
ordered thefe men not to touch him then, but to dogg him, and fee
where he houſed: I then went into a coffee-honſe, near the change, the
better to fecrete myfelf. Mahony came to the coffee-houſe, and told
me my brother was gone on; and that he thought it would be proper
to feize him, there being at this time, with the before-mentioned per-
fons, George Beft, cockftern of the barge, and greatest part of the
barge's crew. They laid hold of him juft as he came under St. Au-
guftine's church-yard wall, and forcibly hurried him over captain
Day's rope-walk, and fo on to the hot well, not far from which my
barge lay. In coming along I kept a little behind; and a foldier,
who was in the crowd, aſked, what the man had done: I told him he
was a murderer, and going on board the ſhip to be tried. My brother
then faid, I with Mr. Smith knew how you uſe me; and called out
murder, feveral times, and faid his name was fir John Dineley. But
I took care to ftop his mouth, to prevent his fpeaking, and when
I had got him into the barge, I ordered my bargemen to row away.
We
Q 4
>
248
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
horrid tranfaction, but as an implied proof of his finceret
and genuine repentance; it being a maxim very generally
eſtabliſhed, that no man confeffes that crime which he is
not convinced of the wickedness of.
1
>
He
We quarrelled in the barge, when the deceafed called me coward, and
afked me, if I was not afhamed to ufe him in fuch a manner. My
heart relented a little; but I thought I had gone too far to retract, or
curb my fixed refolution. When we had got him on board, I told
the crew he was mad; and ordered Mr. Jones to carry candles into
the purfer's cabin, which I had fome days before cauſed to be cleaned
for my brother's reception. When he came into the cabin he ſeemed
uneafy, and looked fatigued, begging I would not uſe him fo. I
afked him to drink a dram, (and my fteward brought up a bottle of
rum) but he would not drink any of it: he ftill kept complaining of
a pain in his limbs, caufed by our hurrying him along in fuch a
manner, and faid his head ached.. Mr. Duggen, the furgeon, went,
by my order, to feel his pulfe, and faid it was pretty regular. Sir
John ftill kept groaning; I went up to fupper, having firft or-
dered Mr. Weller, the carpenter, to put two ftrong bolts on the cabin
door, where my brother lay, as he continued to make a great noiſe in
the cabin. I told the people, who heard him, that he was mad, and
would cry out in the middle of the night when his mad fits came on him
but they must not mind him. When I returned from fupper I went
to carry him a clean pair of ſtockings, that: I might the better fee
how he lay, and which way we ſhould murder him; at the fame time
ordering the centry not to be furprized, if he tore the cabin down in
the morning. Between two and three o'clock I ordered Mahony_to
call up Charles White (for Elisha Cole, who was intended to affift
Mahony in this murder was dead drunk) and to bring him into my
cabbin. White came preſently, and I believe I made him drink a
quart of rum out of gill glaffes. When he was near drunk, Į
afked him if he would kill a Spaniard. The poor fellow feemed fur-
prized; but Mahony and myfelf worked him up to a proper pitch, fo
that he was ready enough to affift. All the night long Mahony was
to and fro in the deceafed's cabbin; and the centry thought he was
fent, by me to affift and help fir John to any thing he might want in the
night. I muft own that Mahony was unwilling to commit the mur-
der; but I infifted, that, as he had undertaken it, he ſhould 80 thro'
it. I immediately gave him a handkerchief, and a piece of half-
inch rope, about ten foot long, bidding him and White follow me.
The rope was to ftrangle him, and the handkerchief to thrust into his
mouth to ftap his 'making a noife. When we came to the cabin door
I ordered the centry to give me his fword, and ordered him to go up on
deck, which he did: I then opened the cabbin door, and Mahony and
White went in. I faw my poor brother lying on the bed in his clothes.
White feized him by the throat; and, he having his ftock on,
almoſt frangled him. But he cried out murder, as well as he could,
?
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
249
He was equally ingenuous to thoſe his particular friends
who vifited him while under confinement: and every
effort to procure his pardon, as certainly, on all fimilar
occafions they juftly ought to be, proving ineffectual, he
became perfectly refigned to his fate. As to his behaviour
it was in every refpect as exemplary as could be expected
from a man in his unhappy fituation; and as the parti-
culars attending his execution have nothing to diftinguish
them from all occurrences of the fame nature, it may,
and help, for God's fake. I flood at the cabin door with my fword
drawn ; and gave
the lanthorn, which hung up in the cabin, juſt as
they had got the rope about his neck. They told me to keep back. And
the centry, whofe place I had taken, feeing me without a candle,
brought one to the cabin door; but I held my fword to his breaft, and
ordered him away: this was the very time that my poor brother was
giving his laft gafp, for about a minute before I heard him fay, Oh, my
poor life! which were the laft words he ever ſpoke.
he was.
"In a minute or two after the deceaſed expired, both Mahony and
White came out of the cabin, and I afked if he was dead. They faid
I then went into the cabin, and felt my brother's corpfe.
Having afterward locked the cabin door, I put the key into my pocket,
and ordered White and Mahony to attend me in my cabbin, where I went
and fat down. Mahony came in firft, and faid, D-mn me, captain,
we have done it, boy. Then Mahony gave me my brother's gold
watch, and I gave him in return a filver one, which I wore. As to the
money they took out of his pockets, they fhared it, each having up-
wards of fourteen pounds, though White had the moſt caſh, becauſe
Mahony had the watch. About four o'clock they went into the yaul,
and got on fhore, I having promifed to fend them tickets for three
weeks or a month's abfence from the fhip.
"As to the difpofal of the deceafed's body, we intended to have
concealed it till the fhip failed, and flung it over-board fewed up in a
hammock; or if it had been diſcovered before, then I intended to
have proved, by Mahony, that the deceafed ftrangled himſelf, and
thought I could have influenced a jury to have brought him in lunatick.
"I cannot help reflecting on my conduct in this unhappy affair;
and what makes a great impreffion on me is, when my brother was
first brought into the boat, he told me he knew my intent was to
murder him; and (fays he) why don't your men throw me overboard
now, and then you may go a-fhore and hang yourſelf in the boat's
fore-fheet. Juftice has moft defervedly overtaken me; and what
gives me the greateft concern is, that the death of theſe two poor
creatures, Mahony and White, lies at my door. Pray God forgive
me; for fure never was any man guilty of fo much wickednefs.
to what the witneffes fwore on my trial, I can contradict no part of it.
They did their duty, and I forgive them, as I hope, through the merits
of my dear Saviour, the Almighty will forgive me."
As
perhaps,
250
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
perhaps, be better to conclude this melancholy narrative
with the following remark, which, extraordinary as it
may appear, is ftrictly true. Thofe very perfons on
whofe evidence he was moft clearly convicted felt indivi-
dually the fevereſt forrow, that fate had made them the
inftruments and means by which he was to receive the
puniſhment due to his crime, lamenting his fate with
grief as poignant as though he had been a friend, a re-
lative of their own. How conciliating, how worthy muſt
be the conduct of that man, who has fo ftrongly acquired
the affections of all thofe he commanded. He paid the
forfeit to juftice on the 4th of April 1740.
HARRISON, Robert, was, on the 10th of July
1733, appointed captain of the Tyger, or, according to
Mr. Hardy's account, of the Looe. We have no farther
information relative to this gentleman fufficiently authen-
tic to warrant our inferting it. By Mr. Hardy he is
afferted to have died in England on the 6th of July 1739;
but a MS. memorandum places it on the fame day of the
year in 1745.
1
HERBERT, Richard,-in 1729 was commander of
the Pool firefhip. He was, on the 20th of November
1733, promoted to be captain of the Diamond frigate, and
ordered to the coaſt of Africa. After this time we
know nothing of him till his promotion, immediately
on the rupture with Spain in 1739, to the command of
the Norwich, a fourth rate of fifty guns. This fhip was
one of the ſmall ſquadron put under the command of Mr.
Vernon, when ordered to the Weft Indies on the expedi-
tion againſt Porto Bello. Mr. Herbert diftinguiſhed
himſelf in the moſt ſignal manner while employed on
the above fervice, by the very able and gallant fupport
he afforded commodore Brown, who led the attack.
the enfuing year his behaviour was equally confpicuous in
the various little defultory expeditions which Mr. Vernon
projected, and executed with different fuccefs, againſt the
Spanish fettlements, previous to the arrival of fir Chaloner
Ogle. He is particularly to be noticed for his gallant
conduct at the attack of fort St. Lorenzo, at the
entrance of the river Chegre, as, in confequence of Mr.
Vernon's fhip, the Stafford, having fprung her main-yard,
he was ordered to lead the fquadron when the affault was
In
on
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
251
on that inſtant taking place, and the ſmalleſt alteration in
the difpofition might have been productive of confuſion.
We labour under no inconfiderable degree of difficulty
relative to this gentleman. Mr. Hardy ftates captain
Herbert to have died in the Weft Indies commander of
the Norwich, on the 26th of December, 1740; and we
are rather inclined to believe this account to be true:
nevertheleſs, we cannot help obferving, that we find,
early in the following year, an officer of the name of
Herbert captain of the Tyger, of fixty guns, on the ſame
ftation. It is barely poffible that the gentleman juſt
mentioned may be a Mr. Edward Herbert, of whom we
ſhall hereafter have occafion to give ſome account.
WINDHAM, Charles,-was promoted from the rank
of lieutenant, without ever exercifing the intermediate
office of commander of a floop of war, to be captain of
the Loweftoffe, on the 12th of January 1733. He re-
ceived this appointment merely to give him the rank of
poft captain, being immediately afterwards removed into
the Rofe; in which fhip he is (though erroneously) faid,
by many perfons, to have taken poft according to the date
already given. He was in a few days ordered to Sallee,
in company with captain Cornwall in the Grey-
hound, and captain Smith in the Durfly galley, for the
purpoſe of obtaining ſome fatisfaction for the infults then
almoſt daily committed by their corfairs. He was re-
markably active and fortunate while employed on this
ſervice, having deſtroyed ſeveral of thofe piratical cruifers,
in particular two mounting twenty-fix guns each, in
company with captain Towry, of the Shoreham, about
the month of July 1734.
After having executed this piece of juftice he was ordered
to Carolina, ftill retaining the command of the Rofe. He
afterwards was captain of the Greenwich on the Weſt
India ftation, and returned home in the courſe of the
year
1740. We do not find any other mention made of this
very brave and deferving officer till the year 1741; he then
commanded the Monmouth. In the month of May
1743, in conjunction with captain Cockburn, in the
Medway, and a frigate of twenty guns, attacked the town
of Santa Cruz, the chief town of the iſland of Gomera, one
of the Canaries; but after a very brifk cannonading,
from
252
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
from which the enemy fuftained confiderable damage, it
being found abfolutely impracticable to land any men, the
farther profecution of the defign was given up. Captain
Windham with his colleague ftood out to fea and con-
tinued his cruife, without having received any injury
worth remarking. In 1745 he fat as one of the members
of the court-martial, held at Chatham, on the captain's
charged with misconduct in the action with the French
fleet off Toulon. Early in 1746 he was captain of the
Lenox, and was from thence, fome time before the month
of October, promoted to the Duke of ninety guns. Early
in the enfuing year he was advanced to the rank of com-
modore, and hoifted his broad pendant, on board the Duke,
in Portſmouth harbour, on the 10th of April. He imme-
diately afterwards removed into the Kent, a new ſhip, of
feventy guns, juft before launched. He did not long fur-
vive the appointment, dying at Bath, of the gout, in the
courfe of the following month.
1734.
AMBROSE, John,-was, on the 27th of March 1734,
appointed captain of the Greyhound frigate, one of the
fmaller veffels attached, during that and the following
year, to the fleet collected under the command of fir John
Norris, which, in the latter end of thoſe ſeaſons, pro-
ceeded under his orders to Lisbon. We hear nothing
of this gentleman fubfequent to the above period till
the year 1741, when he commanded the Rupert, of
fixty guns, a fhip employed, during that fummer, as a
cruifer. In this occupation no man could have been more
alert, and his fortune was equal to his very high deferts.
He appears to have been principally, if not entirely, when
out on fervice, ftationed in the Bay of Bifcay. His acti-
vity and exertions foon became remarkably confpicuous;
and though the feveral events are not, perhaps, of a rank
to be claffed among the most memorable and prominent
tranfactions
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
253
tranſactions in war, yet they certainly merit particular
notice; and the more fo on account of that unfortunate
charge which he afterwards fell under, as will be preſently
feen. His firft fuccefs was the capture of two privateers
which had done confiderable injury to the British com-
merce. They were both fitted out from St. Sebaſtian's:
one of them, called the St. Anthonio de Padua, carrying
fixteen guns and one hundred and fifty men; the other the
Biscay, of ten carriage and two fwivel guns, with one
hundred and nineteen men. The latter alone had cap-
tured twenty-three English prizes fince the commence-
ment of the war. On the 19th of September he had the
good fortune to make prize of the moft confiderable private
thip of war belonging to the Spanish nation; it was cal-
led the duke de Vendofme, mounting twenty-fix guns, and
manned with a crew confifting of upwards of 200 men.
The circumftances attending this fuccefs were ſuch as
reflected the greateſt honour on the conduct, activity, and
gallantry of captain Ambrofe; for though the force of the
Thip he commanded was naturally fo fuperior as appa-
rently to render the ſmalleſt refiftance, on the part of the
enemy, an act of romantic rafhnefs, bearing more the ap-
pearance of a paroxyfm of madneſs, than the fair impulfe
of a brave and intrepid mind; yet this great difproportion
of force was moft confiderably leffened by the tempeftu-
ous weather, and the confequently heavy fea, which pre-
vented captain Ambrofe from opening any of his lower
ports, thereby confiderably impeding the fhort conteſt
which thoſe diſadvantages, under which he laboured, per-
mitted the enemy to fuftain. Captain Ambrofe first got
fight of this veffel on the evening of the 18th; it was then at
fo confiderable a diſtance as to be visible only from the
maft head, and had the additional advantage of being directly
to windward. Not, however, difcouraged by this very
diftant profpect of fuccefs he immediately gave chace; and
after a purfuit continued for twenty-fix hours, during
which time he ran upwards of feventy leagues, at laft,
fucceeded in clofing with him. The very great difpro-
portion between the lofs of the enemy* and his own, dif-
* The loſs of the enemy amounted to twenty-nine men killed, be-
fides the commander; twenty were, moreover, fo deſperately wounded
very few of them recovered: while, on the other hand, only one
man was killed on board the Rupert, and four were wounded.
that
played
254
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
played his ability in action, as much as his immediately
preceding conduct did his activity in purfuit.
The prize was a ſhip new from the ſtocks, fitted in the
completeſt manner, and equal to any veffel of the fame.
force in the British navy. On the 7th of November fol-
lowing, having in the interim convoyed his prize into port
and returned back to his former ftation, he himfelf gave
chace to two veffels which were to windward, and at the
fame time obferved a large Spanish privateer, mounting
twenty-four carriage and twenty fwivel guns, in chace of
the Rupert. Captain Ambrofe was not, however, to be
diverted from his firſt object. On coming up with thoſe
he chaced, and fending his boat on board without firing à
gun, he found them to be Dutchmen, whom he immedi-
ately apprifed of his intention to entrap the enemy into à
belief, that he himſelf was of the fame nation. He ac-
cordingly trimmed his fails, and manoeuvred his fhip in
fuch a manner, as to induce a complete belief, on the part
of the Spaniard, that the Rupert was a confort of the veffels
juft mentioned. The enemy accordingly crowded fail, and
at the cloſe of the day got up within two leagues. Captain
Ambroſe now brought his fhip to to wait for his anta-
gonist, who, on his nearer approach, difcovering his
danger, and the force of the fhip he had before ſuppoſed
to be unarmed, hauled upon a wind and made every
effort to eſcape.
Captain Ambrofe now purfued in his turn, and about
two o'clock in the morning of the 8th was within gun- fhot
of the Spaniard; but, a fquall coming on, he loft fight of
him before he could clofe, and fecure him. At day-break
captain Ambrofe again had fight of him; and again the
enemy was fortunate enough to effect his eſcape. On
the 9th he once more diſcovered him, and chaced the
whole day. About half an hour paft midnight he was for
near as to begin the engagement. The enemy maintained
a running fight till two o'clock in the morning, when
captain Ambrofe having worked up fo clofe as to enable him
to board, the privateer ſtruck*. In this encounter, which
proved very bloody on the part of the Spaniard, captain
* In a few days afterwards he captured a fmaller privateer called the
Nueftra Lenora D'El Camien, mounting fourteen carriage and fix
fwivel guns, with a crew of one hundred and eighty-one men.
Ambrofe
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
255
Ambrofe himſelf loft only one man, who fell accidentally
into the fea, when endeavouring to board the Spaniard.
The merchants of London thought fo highly of the vigi-
lance and ſpirit of captain Ambrofe on the foregoing oc-
cafions, as well as of the fervice he had actually rendered
them by the capture of fo many of their enemies, that they
prefented him with a very magnificent filver cup: nor
were the people of Briſtol lefs grateful, they alſo preſent-
ing him with à piece of plate of one hundred guineas
value.
He was fome time after this ordered to the Mediterra-
nean, where he behaved very much to the fatisfaction of
Mr. Mathews, and afterwards of Mr. Rowley, who fuc-
ceeded him.
In the month of February 1742-3, he was ftationed off
the coaſt of Valentia, as a cruifer, in company with the
Feverfham frigate; and while thus employed captured a
very confiderable number of prizes, fome of which were
veffels laden with ftores and provifions for the uſe of the
French and Spaniſh fleets then impounded in the harbour
of Toulon. He alfo made an attack on the town of
Vineros, in the kingdom of Valentia, where he deſtroyed
feveral fettees, and other Spanish veffels, which were
hauled on fhore for greater fecurity; doing much
other injury to the enemy, to the amount of upwards of
fifty thousand dollars. No reprehenfible mention was
made of his conduct in the action off Toulon, even by
Mr. Mathews himſelf, who might have been fuppofed the
perfon moſt likely to obferve and complain of any impro-
priety. He not only continued to retain his command,
but, in the month of November, fubfequent to the action,
was appointed commodare of a ſmall fquadron detached to
cruife in the Streights, and occafionally to rendezvous at
Gibraltar. He met with his ufual good fuccefs on the
above ſtation, having captured ſeveral valuable prizes, and
funk a French privateer of fourteen guns.
In the month of January he was ſtill more fucceſsful in
point of private advantages, having, when on his paffage
to Lifbon, in company with the Guernſey, captured a
regiſter ſhip, called the Maria Fortune, bound from Cadiz
to Buenos Ayres, having on board a cargo valued at up-
wards of one hundred thoufand pounds. He returned
immediately from Liſbon into the Mediterranean; and in
the
2
256
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
:
the month of April captured, funk, or otherwiſe deſtroyed,
near to Port Maurice, feven veffels belonging to the
enemy, all valuably laden with arms, military ftores, and
provifions. His fquadron was immediately very confider-
ably reinforced, he being ordered, in the month of May, to
cruiſe to the weftward of Genoa, for the purpoſe of watch-
ing a ſmall ſquadron of three French fhips of the line, which
were then lying in Villa Franca. He was foon afterwards
ordered to England, in confequence of the refolution of the
houſe of commons *; and was brought to trial before the
court-martial, affembled on board the London, in Chatham;
the following charges being preferred against him.
Ift. For not doing his utmoft to take, fire, kill, and
deſtroy his majeſty's enemies, as he might and ought to
have done; but instead thereof, withdrawing or keeping back
from the fight, to windward of the enemy during all or
the greateſt part of the engagement.
2d. For firing at the enemy when he was not in the
reach upon a point blank, and not even in reach of
random fhot.
3d. For not affifting the Marlborough, according to his
inftructions, as the Dorfetfhire, and Effex did not keep in
their ftations in the line to fuccour and relieve her; but,
inſtead of giving affiftance, withdrawing from the fight.
4th. For not conducting and covering the firefhip when
gowing down upon the Real, knowing the improbability of
her doing any execution without being covered and con-
ducted, through which means the firefhip was burnt, funk,
or otherwiſe deſtroyed.
5th. For difobedience to his majefty's inftructions, and
the fignals and commands of the admiral; neglect of naval
military diſcipline, and being one of the principal caufes
of the mifcarriage of his majefty's fleet.
:
Some contrariety was obfervable, as is ufual in fuch
cafes, between the evidence given on behalf of the pro-
fecution, and in favour of the prifoner. In his defence
he urged, that he was charged with not clofing the line
and affifting the Marlborough; but that, according to the
tenor of the fighting inftructions, it was the duty of the
next ſhip to aflift the Marlborough, and could not extend
to him, who was three fhips a-ftern: and as he found the
* See vol. iii. page 269.
Real
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
257
Real with her fecond were likely to fall into the hands of
the fhips a-head of him; as alſo that there were others of the
enemy's fquadron coming up, it would have been impru
dent in him to have left his ftation to affift the Marlborough,
efpecially as her diftrefs did not appear till after he was
warmly engaged himfelf: as to the firefhip he had no
orders to cover or conduct her; and if he had had any,
he could not have acted her better than he did, having
prevented the five fhips from deftroying her*.
The
* He urged farther in his defence the following points. "If the
witneſſes that I have produced to this court, who are the chief officers,
the oldeſt, and beſt ſeamen in the ſhip, are not ſufficient to make
plainly appear a captain's conduct and behaviour, when his honour,
is called in queftion, where is the captain, however brave and inno-
cent, who is not liable to be undone, when, through pique or malice,
or the hidden views of his enemies, he is loaded with infamy, and
called to an account, in the manner I have been?
"Had I behaved in that fcandalous manner that I have been re-
prefented to this honourable court, moft certainly vice-admiral Le-
ftock is too penetrating an officer to let my behaviour efcape his ob-
fervation, and would certainly have fired a fhot at the Rupert, to put
me in mind of my duty, at the fame time he did at the Dunkirk and.
Cambridge; without doubt he would have fent a letter of complaint
to admiral Mathews, for fuch a notorious breach of my duty, when he
was induced to prefer one againft captains Purvis and Drummond: but,
on the contrary, my behaviour that day was thought of fo well, that, in a
fhort time after, I was fent with a command of fixteeh fail of his maje-
fly's fhips to Villa Franca, to affift the king of Sardinia, on the enemy's
attacking that place. I hope, without the leaft tincture of vanity,
I may affert, that through my vigilance' I faved his whole army, by
landing a detachment of the marines and troops from on board each
fhip, and placing the ſhips in fuch a manner, that I fecured the paffes,
and covered the retreat of his army.
"I acknowledge my fervices were no more than what my duty
exacted; but this honourable court will permit me to fay, that they
were fuch as his Sardinian majeſty condefcended to take notice of,
and admit they were for the public good. I received a prefent from
his majefty worthy of fo great a monarch: and as a farther proof of
his being fatisfied with my conduct, he gave, even after my difgrace,
pofitive orders to his miniſter at the Britiſh court, to recommend me to
the king, my mafter, as worthy both of rewards and favour. This was
an honour, of which 1 declined taking any advantage, until my conduct
had been publicly, legally, and minutely examined into, that my ene-
mies might have no opportunity to tax me with any endeavours to
VOL. IV.
R
avoid
258
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
The court, however, weighing the feveral points of
evidence in ſupport of the charge, as well as thoſe urged
by
avoid a fair and open trial, by fheltering myſelf under his Sardinian
majeſty's favourable opinion.
I have had the honour of twenty-two different commands in the
Mediterranean.
"
Firſt, from admiral Leftock; next, from admiral Mathews; and,
laftly, from admiral Rowley. I had not the pleaſure of being known
to any of thofe gentlemen till I came under their command; and have
the fatisfaction to think, that my conduct and proceedings were always
agreeable to them.
"Admiral Rowley fent me to command on the Gibraltar ftation
with a fquadron of fhips, where I was abfent from him fix months;
and on his judging proper to proceed to that ftation himſelf, with the
reft of the fleet, he detached me, with a ftrong fquadron of his maje
fty's fhips, to command on the coaft of Italy and Riviere off Genoa,
where I had nothing more at heart than the glory of my mafter's arms,
and the good of the cominon caufe. Aafter a fuccefsful command of
three months. I was made a prifoner, at the head of that command, on
the 1ft of June: I have been kept fince a cloſe prifoner, and brought
here an unhappy ſpectacle, as you now fée me.
יך
"As you, fir, have been a witnefs of my former behaviour, having
had the honour to ferve under your command, my faying any thing
farther to my character may be thought altogether unneceffary; but as
I have more than life at ftake, my reputation, allow me to fay, it is a
pleaſure to me, that I can look back into my conduct, and be able to
aver, that from the time I had the honour of his majeſty's firſt com-
miffion, till this accufation against me, I never had any blemiſh upon
my character, or reflection upon my conduct. When I bore
away
for
five fhips of the enemy, the Real was fo difabled, that it was the opinion
of all my officers, as well as myſelf, that, as fure as there was a God in
heaven, fhe would fall in half an hour; and I thought I could not do
a more commendable fervice to my king and country, than by the en-
gaging thofe five fhips. If I had been well feconded by the rear
divifion, they must inevitably have fallen into our hands."
He con-
cluded-
"Having done with the obfervations which feemed neceffary for
me to make upon the evidence before the court, and relative to my
cafe, I will, fir, only beg ſo much more of your time as may ferve to
clofe my defence, by affuring you, that as I have looked with great
fatisfaction upon the trouble which fome members of this honourable
court have been pleafed to give themfelves, in the courſe of my trial,
by taking of notes of the evidence for the crown, and for myſelf; and
that, as I am fully perfwaded the whole court will confpire to the
diftinguifhing and feparating the direct, clear, and well-fupported parts
af that evidence, from thofe which are either doubtful, inconſiſtent,
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
-259
by Mr. Ambrofe in his defence, paffed the following
fentence.
"November 7, 1745. The court, purſuant to an
order from the lords commiflioners of the admiralty, to
fir Chaloner Ogle, dated the 11th of September 1745,
proceeded to enquire into the conduct of captain Ambrofe,
who commanded his majesty's fhip the Rupert, at the
time of the engagement between his majefty's fhips and
the combined fleets of France and Spain, off Toulon, in
the Mediterranean, on the 11th of February 1745. He was
accordingly tried for the fame, upon a charge prepared
against him by the profecutors for the crown. It appears to
the court, after having examined all the witneffes, as well
-in behalf of the crown, as on the part of the faid captain
Ambrofe, and having duly confidered and weighed the
matter on both fides, that quickly after the admiral bore
down, the Rupert bore down alfo, and continued to do fo
for fome time after the admiral brought up: that when the
Rupert herſelf brought up there was no fhip belonging to
the enemy properly in the line for her to engage, inafmuch
as there was a large opening between the Real and the five
fternmoft fhips of the enemy then coming up; that after-
wards the Rupert bore down towards the enemy's line
and began to engage the headmoft of the five fhips of the
enemy, and continued in action with her, and the ſecond till
admiral Mathews, in the Namure, wore, and engaged the
enemy in paffing: that when the Rupert firft brought up
fhe was not in the line, but was afterwards as far to
leeward as any of the other fhips, while they engaged on
the larboard tack, though not within point blank of the
enemy, nor at a proper diftance to do execution. That
the court' are of opinion that he, captain Ambrofe, had it
in his power to engage clofer, without going to leeward of
or contradictory in themfelves, fo I promiſe myſelf, that the matters
in queſtion between the crown and me will then receive a well-found-
ed, juft, and equitable determination, or, in other words, fuch as will
be fuitable to that candour, that impartiality, that honour, that dignity,
which ever ought, and which, I hope, ever will attend the proceedings
of a British naval court-martial."
R. 2
the
· 200
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the line; and that he did not act in conformity to the fight-
ing inftructions from the time the adıniral and Marlboro'
firſt began to engage; that therein he failed of his duty,
and is guilty of part of the charge exhibited againſt him.
That as to his going to the affiftance of the Marlborough, the
court are of opinion he ought not to have ſhot a-head to her
affiftance, either before, or after her maſts were gone. The
court are farther of opinion, that as he had no orders to
cover or conduct the firefhip, he is not guilty of that part
of his charge: that on account of the above failures of his
duty the court are of opinion, that he falls under part of
the 12th article of war, contained in an act of parliament
made in the 13th year of king Charles the Second; but in
regard he hath both before and fince the engagement bore
the character of an experienced and diligent officer, and
that his failure of duty feeins to have proceeded from a
miſtake in judgment, the court do adjudge him to be ca-
fhiered, and to be incapable of ſerving as an officer in his
majefty's navy during pleaſure; that he be alfo mulcted one
year's pay. The court do therefore hereby adjudge
him to be cafhiered during his majeſty's pleaſure; and he
is alfo muleted one year's pay, as captain of the Rupert, to
the ufe of his majeſty's cheft at Chatham."
In confideration, however, of his former ſervices, and
that not only irreproachable, but excellent character, he had
on every other occafion acquired, and fupported, he was
reftored to his rank of captain in the navy, by order of
council, bearing date the 12th of May 1748. But the
kingdom being at that time in a ftate of profound peace,
he was not invefted with any command; and on the
17th of April 1750, retired altogether from the ſervice
with the rank, and half-pay of a rear-admiral on the ſuper-
annuated lift.
1
He died on the 25th of March 1771. In juftice to his
memory we cannot but briefly obferve, that the error, if
any, committed by him, was certainly deemed, by thoſe
who held the power of punishment, as one of the moſt
venial kind. A life on every other occafion uniformly
ſpent in the purfuit of honour and the ftricteft attention
to the fervice of his country, muft entitle him to the
compaffion of all good men, filencing the clamour even
of thoſe who are moſt rigid in their ideas of ſtrict diſci-
plines
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
261
pline, and the neceffity of enforcing it on all occafions
whatfoever.
BRADLEY, Thomas, was, on the 5th of March.
1734, promoted to the command of the Princefs Louifa.
He was, not long afterwards, removed into the Diamond
frigate; in which fhip he had the misfortune to be wrecked
on the Hynder, a fand at the entrance of the port of
Helvoetfluys, on the coaft of Holland, fometime in the
year 1737. He was afterwards, at his own folicitation,
being in rather narrow circumftances, appointed to the
Grampus, a ſmall veffel fent to'the Mediterranean, which,
though of inferior rate, was, according to the regulations of
the navy exifting at that time, of more advantage, in a
pecuniary light*, than a more confequential command.
He did not long enjoy this ſtation, returning to England
foon afterwards, and dying, in London, in the courfe of
the year 1741.
BUTLER, Sir Roger, was, in the month of June
1734, lieutenant of one of the fhips fent, under fir John
Norris, to Lifbon, moft probably that of the admiral
himſelf. On the death of captain Ogilvie, at that port
he was, on the 3d of June 1734, promoted to the com-
mand of the Hector, as his fucceffor. He was afterwards
captain of the Chefter; and foon after the commence-
ment of hoftilities with Spain, in 1739, was appointed to
the Plymouth. In this fhip he was immediately ordered
to the Mediterranean, and did not long furvive his arrival
on that ſtation, dying at Gibraltar fome time in the
year 1741.
COMPTON, James,-was, on the 13th of December
$734, promoted to the rank of poft captain, and appointed
to the Seahorſe. We do not find any fubfequent men-
tion made of him till after the commencement of the war
with Spain, and then only as having commanded the
Lenox, of feventy guns, in the year 1741, under commo-
dore Mayne. In that ftation he attended fir John
Norris, during his different cruiſes in the Channel in the
courfe of that fummer. On the 6th of April 1743, he
was appointed an extra-commiffioner of the navy, an
* The captains of fhips or veffels of that defcription acting in the
twofold capacity of commander and purfer.
R 3
office
262
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
office he refigned in the month of January 1747, and
was allowed his half pay. In the year 1754 he had a
penfion of 400l. a year granted him, as a fuperannuated
commiffioner of the navy. He is faid, by Mr. Hardy, to
have put a period to his exiftence, by cutting his throat,
fometime in the year 1775. This melancholy accident
is faid to have happened at Hampton, but the caufe of it
is not even fuggefted.
DURELL, John, -was, on the 8th of November
1734, made captain of the Gibraltar frigate. In the fol-
lowing year he failed for Lifbon fome fhort time after the
•fleet had proceeded thither under fir John Norris, and was
there promoted, by that admiral, to command the Cen-
turion, after the deceaſe of captain Proctor. We have no
information concerning him, after that appointment, till
the year 1741, when he commanded the Mary galley, a
fifth rate of forty guns. In 1745 he was captain of the
Eltham, a fhip of the fame rate and force; but does not
appear to have had any particular opportunity of diftin-
guishing himſelf in either of thoſe commands. He died
in England either at the latter end of the year 1748, or
the beginning of the enfuing, different dates being affigned
to this circumſtance.
HAWKE, Edward, Lord, was the only fon of
Edward Hawke, of Lincoln's-inn, efq. barrifter-at-law,
and Elizabeth his wife, relict of Col Ruthven*, and
daughter of Nathaniel Bladen, efq. alfo of Lincoln's-inn,
and of the fame honourable profeffion with his fon-in-
law. His lordſhip being from his earlieft youth in-
tended for the ſea, received an education fuited to fuch
allotted purfuit. After having, with the greateſt reputa-
tion, paſſed through thoſe inferior and ſubordinate ſtations
which were neceffary to qualify him for the command
of a fhip of war, in which he acquired a perfect
knowledge of every branch and particular of his duty.
He was, about the year 1733, made commander of the
Wolf floop of war. On the 20th of March 1733-4, he
*This lady was the fifter of colonel Martin Bladen, one of the
commiffioners of trade and plantations, and reprefentative in parlia-
ment for Portſmouth. Her mother was Ifabella, daughter of fir
William Fairfax, of Stockton, in the county of York, knight.
was
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
263
was promoted to the rank of poft captain, and appointed
to the Flamborough. In the year 1740 he commanded
the Lark, of forty guns*, on the Leeward Ifland ftation,
and on his return to England was inade captain of the Port-
land, of fifty guns. He was not long afterwards ftill far-
ther advanced to the command of the Berwick, of ſeventy
guns, one of the thips ordered for the Mediterranean to
reinforce the fleet under Mr. Mathews.
Captain Hawke, during theſe, his early years of fervice,
laboured under a misfortune which has not unfrequently
attended the braveft and beft of men; and as no perfon ever
lived to acquire a more juſt or honourable title to fame
even to a degree of popular adoration, fo may it to
other brave men who pafs a confiderable part, if not the
whole of their lives, almolt in, actual obfcurity, or at leaſt in
a ſtate of inactive and unnoticed fervice, highly-grating to a
generous and warlike fpirit, afford fome confolation when
they reflect that a commander, fo renowned as Hawke,
laboured under the fame inconvenience for ten years after
he attained the rank of captain.
The encounter off Toulon afforded this gallant man
the first opportunity of rifing from that level line of fer-
vice to which many of the braveft officers are unfortunately
confined. The Berwick, which he cominanded, was one
of the few ſhips which were particularly diſtinguiſhed on
that unfortunate occafion, in fo great a degree that,
it is certain, the combined fleets of France and Spain
would have been nearly annihilated, if every other fhip in
the fleet had been as warmly engaged as herſelf. It is
almoſt needleſs to repeat the feveral circumſtances attend-
ing that part of the action in which Mr. Hawke was parti-
cularly and individually concerned, as they have been already
given in the life of Mr. Mathewst; but we must beg to re-
mark, we can ſcarcely think fufficient tribute has been paid
to his gallantry in the account of that action publifhed by
authority, for no notice is there taken that the Poder, of
fixty guns, a Spanish fhip of war, which was the only one
*This appears rather a doubtful circumftance. In the beginning
of the year 1741 he commanded the Portland, as above flated, and
was them on the Barbadoes flation. :
+ Vol. iii. Page 262, es feq.
R 4
which
264
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
J
which fell into the hands of the British, was engaged and
taken by the Berwick, and, as appears from feveral con-
current teftimonies, without the leaft affiftance from any
other ſhip in the fleet. Collins, in his account of this
noble lord, informs
us, “ that the Poder had, in the ear-
lier part of the action, 'driven the Princeffa and Somerſet
out of the line, which being perceived by captain Hawke,
he gallantly bore down upon her till he got within piſtol-
fhot; when diſcharging his whole broadfide, he killed
twenty-feven of her people, and difmounted feven of her
lower-deck guns. Continuing the attack with the fame
fpirit he had commenced it, the Poder in a very ſhort time
furrendered."
The fubfequent fate of the prize is well known, and
and we can only join in a lamentation, which all admirers.
of gallantry muft be uniform in making, and feel a forrow
even at this diftant period, that 'fo much bravery fhould be
deprived of its reward, by the defertion, or want of proper
exertion in thoſe who refuſed to follow the path to victory,
fo clearly pointed out to them, that they could not,
except through perverfenefs, have poffibly miſtaken it. It
is reported, but on what ground we have been unable to
diſcover, after the strictest enquiry, fo that we indeed totally
diſbelieve the whole ſtory, it is that he was brought to a court-
martial for his conduct in the foregoing encounter, and
fentenced to be difmiffed the fervice, for breaking the line
and fighting without orders; but as a palliative to what
would, but for that, have been a difgrace, that he was im-
mediately restored to his rank, by the exprefs command of
his majefty, king George the Second. However unac-
countable it may appear, it is no lefs fo than true, that we
have nothing related of this very renowned, and worthy
character till the year 1747, when he was, on the 15th of
July, promoted to be rear-admiral of the white. He was
immediately afterwards appointed to command a ſtrong
fquadron ordered to fea, in the hope of intercepting a
numerous fleet' of merchant-fhips collected at the Iſle of
Aix, and intended to be convoyed to America by a very for-
midable force under the command of Mr. de L'Etendiere,
chef d'efcadre. Mr. Hawke failed from Plymouth, on the
9th of Auguft, with the following fhips under his com-
mand.
Ships.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
255
Ships.
3d Rates.
Commanders.
Men. Guns,
Devonshire-
{
rear-adm'. Hawke
captain Moore, S
555
66
Kent-Fox
480
64
Edinborough-Cotes
480
70
Yarmouth-Saunders
500
64
Monmouth-Harrifon
480
70
4th Rates.
Princefs Louifa-Watfon
400
60
Windfor-Hanway
400
60
Lyon-Scot
400
60
Tilbury-Harland
400
60
400
60
4C0
60
400 60
300 50
Nottingham-Suamarez
Defiance-Bentley
Eagle-Rodney
Gloucefter-Durell
Portland-Steevens
•
300 50
A very dull and unconfequential cruife of fome
continuance was at laft repaid to Mr. Hawke by a
fight of the French ſquadron, on the 14th of October,
at feven in the morning. He was then in latitude
47° 49, longitude from Cape. Finiſterre 1° 2′ W. when
the Edinburgh made a ſignal for ſeeing ſeven fail in
the S. E. quarter. A general chace immediately com-
menced, and in an hour's time the fquadron had fight of a
very confiderable number of fhips, fo crouded together
that the eye could, with the greateft difficulty, feparate or
count them. At ten Mr. Hawke began to form the
line of battle a-head; and foon afterwards the Louifa,
which was the headmoſt as well as the weathermoft fhip,
made a ſignal for feeing eleven fhips of the line belonging
to the enemy. At half paſt ten captain Fox, who com-
manded the Kent, hailed the admiral and informed him he
diſcovered twelve large fhips of war, with a fleet of mer-
chant veffels, or tranfports, under their protection. The
latter were foon perceived to be crowding away with
all the fail they could fet, while the fhips of war endea-
voured to form a line a-ftern for their protection, and
hawled near the wind under their topfails and forefails,
and ſome of them with their top-gallant-fails fet.
Mr.
566
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Mr. Hawke finding, according to his own expreffion,
that he loft time by endeavouring to form the line, as the
enemy was at that time ftanding away with all the fail
they could fet; at eleven o'clock he began a general chace
with the whole fquadron. In half an hour the headmoſt
fhips had neared the enemy fo confiderably that they were
within a proper diftance to engage, and Mr. Hawke
making the neceffary fignal, the encounter commenced.
The Lyon and Princefs Louifa, which were the headmoſt
of the Britiſh fquadron, began the action, the other fhips
fupporting them as faft as they could get up, and cloſe.
In a very short time it became general from van to rear.
The French ſquadron was inferior in point of force, but
had the advantage of the weather-gage; and a very briſk
and conſtant fire being maintained on both fides, the
fmoak, of neceffity, prevented every perfon prefent from
obferving the number and-manoeuvres of the enemy, or
even what paffed among the fhips of his own fquadron.
As to Mr. Hawke, after having previously received the
diftant fire of ſeveral fhips while in the act of going down
and endeavouring to clofe with the enemy, he at laft fue-
ceeded in bringing the Severn, of fifty guns, which, as it
happened, was the fmalleft fhip in the French line to a
clofe action. His fire was too formidable' to be withſtood
for any length of time; the Severn was, accordingly, the
firft fhip which ftruck, and Mr. Hawke, without
waiting to take poffeffion of his prize, immediately on her
furrender, left her to fomne of the fmaller fhips which
were coming up, and hawled his wind in order to affift the
Eagle and Edinburgh, which were then warmly engaged,
the latter having loft her fore-top-maft.
This gallant attempt was fruftrated by the Eagle's
falling on board the Devonshire, having had her wheel
fhot to pieces, all the men at it killed, and her braces and
bowlings gone, fo that the fhip was abfolutely ungovern-
able. Mr. Hawke was,in confequence, obliged to bearaway,
and was by that accident prevented from attacking either
the Monarque, of ſeventy-four, or the Tonnant, of eighty
guns, fo cloſe as to afford any profpect of bringing the
conteft to a ſpeedy decifion. The admiral, however, en-
deavoured to engage them both in fucceffion, and had very
nearly fucceeded in clofing with the latter; but as foon as
he
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
267
he had began to open his fire, the breechings of feveral of his
lower deck guns gave way, and he was obliged to ſhoot
a-head till the new breechings were feized, for the upper
and quarter deck guns could effect but little ſervice at the
diſtance they then were, againſt ſo formidable a ſhip as the
Tonnant.
The enemy perceiving that fome accident prevented
Mr. Hawke from attacking them as he intended, employed
themſelves in firing fingle guns, carefully pointed, in hopes
of diſmaſting him before the injury he had ſuſtained was
fo far repaired as to enable him to come again into action.
Captain Harland, who commanded the Tilbury, per-
ceiving this attempt of the enemy, very gallantly ran be-
tween the Devonshire and the Tonnant and began to fire
very brifkly on the latter to take off her attention. The
Devonshire was foon in a condition to renew the action,
but by that time had ran fo far a-head as to be nearly
alongſide of the Trident, of fixty-four guns, which ſhip
he immediately began to engage, and foon filenced.
The admiral about this time made the fignab for cloſe
action, in-confequence of his having obferved fome of the
fhips of his fquadron engaged, as he thought, at too great
a diſtance; and having himfelf foon afterwards clofed with
the Terrible, of feventy-four guns, the ſurrender of that
ſhip, about feven at night, in a great meaſure put an end
to the action. Six of the enemy's fhips had by this time.
furrendered; and as the Britiſh fquadron was a good deal
difperfed, Mr. Hawke thought it moft prudent to make
the fignal for bringing to; but a confiderable firing conti-
nuing at fome diftance aftern, he was not without hopes
that the remaining fhips of the enemy's fquadron were cap-
tured. In the morning however he had the mortification of
learning, that inſtead of that fuccefs, captain Saumarez,
of the Nottingham, had unfortunately fallen in that ren-
counter, and that the Tonnant had efcaped during the night
by the affiftance of the Intrepid, which fhip haft fuftained
little or no damage in the preceding action,
Mr. Hawke on the morrow called a council of war;
and as it would have been highly imprudent and improper
to have detached any fhips after the French convoy, either
at firſt, or pending the action itſelf, except frigates, which
it would alſo have been dangerous in the extreme to have
fent
268
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fent on that ſervice, the merchant fhips being cautiously
left under the protection of the Content, of fixty-four guns,
and feveral frigates, fome of them mounting thirty-fix
guns; fo did he now take the only meaſure poffible to
promote fuccefs, by difpatching the Weafle floop exprefs
to the Weft Indies for the purpofe of alarming commo-
dore Pocock, who commanded there, and whither it was
found the enemy's fhips were bound, that he might take
the proper meaſures to intercept as many of them as
poffible.
The event fully anfwered the expectation, and repaid
the care taken by the adiniral on this occafion, for a very
confiderable number of them fell into the hands of the
Britifh fhips in that part of the world. The enemy's veffels
having in general ſuſtained confiderable damage in their
mafts and rigging, three being completely difmafted,
two others left with their fore-mafts only ftanding, and the
Severne alone, of all the prizes, being in a condition to
make fail, the admiral was compelled to lay to for two
days in order to get up jury-mafts, and put them in a
condition to reach England. The hips taken were,
Le Terrible*
Le Neptune *
Le Monarque
Le Trident*
Le Fougeux
1.
Men. Guns.
686
74
686
74
686
79
6:50
64
650
64
550
50
La Severne *
The ſhips marked thus were under orders for Marti
nico, from whence they were to have returned with a
convoy. The fhips which eſcaped with M. de L'Eten,
diere, the chef d'efcadre, were.
Le Tonnant
L'Intrepide
Guns. Men,
80
822
74
686
Mr. Hawke arrived at Portfmouth with his prizes on
the 31st of October; and, as a reward for his very great
bravery and good conduct on the foregoing occafion, was,
in the month of November, elected one of the knight's
companions of the moſt honourable order of the bath,
* Mr. Legge, who was fuppofed to have been commanding officer
on that ſtation, having died there a few days before the action took
place in Europe.
but
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
269
but was not inſtalled till the 23d of June 1749*. In the
month of January 1747-8, he was again ordered out
with a fquadron to cruife in foundingst; two of his
fhips, the Nottingham and Portland, were fortunate
enough to capture, on the 31ft, the Magnanime, a French
ſhip of war, of ſeventy-four guns, which having loſt her top-
maſts two or three days before, when bound to the Eaft Indies,
in company with two other two-decked fhips and a frigate,
was then returning to breft to refit. Nothing more re-
markable took place during the cruife; and peace being
concluded not long afterwards, he finally returned to Spit-
head on the 24th of July. The fquadron being diſmant-
led, and the proſpect of affairs perfectly pacific, it might be
expected that a life of retirement would naturally have
fucceeded thofe more active ſcenes in which we have of
late feen him engaged. This, however, was far from
being the caſe, he was defired to hold himſelf in conſtant
readineſs to take upon him any command the exigencies.
of the ſtate might require his employment in; and ac-
cordingly, in 1749, was appointed to the fquadron ſent
to convoy the tranfports, with the intended new fettlers of
the province of Nova Scotia: on this occafion, as Collins
very juftly obferves," he performed this duty with all that
integrity and care, that could be expected from a perſon
of his honour and veracity."
The fame heraldic author proceeds, after having in-
formed us that he afterwards was prefident of ſeveral
courts-martial §, to obferve," that he always took the
greatest
par-
* In the month of December he was chofen reprefentative in
liament for the borough of Portſmouth; and in the following year
was elected one of the elder brethren of the trinity-houſe.
+ He then removed his flag into the Kent, and failed from St.
Helen's, for Plymouth, on the 11th of January, having the Anfon,
Centurion, and Crown, under his command. He arrived at Plymouth
on the 14th, and failed from thence two days afterwards, with a fqua-
dron of nine fail of the line.
On the 12th of May 1748, he was advanced to be vice-admiral
of the blue.
On the 6th of July he fat as prefident of a court-martial, that
was held on board the Invincible, at Portſmouth, for the trial of
Samuel Couchman, the firſt lieutenant, and John Morgan, lieutenant
of marines; with ſeveral other officers and feamen, for a confpiracy to
´ſeize his majeſty's ſhip, the Cheſterfield, and carry her off from the
coaft
3
270
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
greatest care to diftribute juftice without any regard to
rank or connections. The innocent were fure to meet
with his protection, and the guilty to feel the rod of pu-
nifhment." Accounts of fuch avocations conftitute all
the information we can expect to collect of any naval
officer during a recefs of peace; and it is fufficiently
valuable, were it only that it affords us the opportu-
nity of reporting the very juft and well-deferved en-
comium beſtowed on his conduct on occafions that
otherwife have very little intereft to excite our atten-
tion. In the year 1750 he was appointed to the Portf-
mouth command; and on the 15th of Auguft entertained,
on board the Monarch, his flag fhip, then lying at Spit-
head, their royal highneffes the prince and princefs of
Wales, with feveral of their children, an honour no ad-
miral had at that time ever before received. In the month
of December following he was appointed prefident of the
court-martial affembled for the trial of Mr. Griffin, on a
charge, already related in the account of that gentle-
man. We find no other mention made of him till
the fufpicious conduct of the French court, in 1755, in-
duced adminiſtration to arm feveral fquadrons, to be ready
for immediate ſervice on the firft emergency. At the very
beginning of the year fir Edward was advanced to the
rank of vice-admiral of the white; and on the 21ft of July
failed from Portſmouth, having under his command a fleet,
confiſting of eighteen fhips of war, under orders to cruiſe
in the Bay of Biſcay. He returned into port on the 29th
*
coaſt of Africa, with a piratical intent. At this court-martial
Couchman and Morgan were fentenced to be fhot; and the carpenter,
carpenter's mate, the quarter-mafter, and one feaman, to be hanged;
on all whom the fentence was afterwards executed.
He was alſo in the fame year appointed preſident of a court-martial on
board the Monarch man of war, at Portſmouth, for the trial of an
officer of rank, on a charge of difobedience of orders, of which he was
convicted, and fufpended for a year.
In the month of December 1749, he fat in a court-martial, held on
board the Charlotte yacht, at Deptford, for the purpofe of enquiring
into the conduct of rear-admiral Knowles, in an action between a fleet
under his command, and a Spaniſh fquadron off Hifpaniola.
He alfo fat at a court-martial, held at Deptford, in February 1750,
for the trial of captain Holmes and captain Powlet, who were accufed,
by admiral Knowles, for mifbehaviour in 'the fame action, when they
were both acquitted with great honour.
On the 9th of January.
6
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 271
of September, being relieved by the unfortunate Mr.
Byng; and continued on the fame uninterefting ſervice
alternately relieving and relieved till Mr. Byng had failed
for Minorca. The report of the unfortunate en-
counter which had taken place in the Mediterranean,
induced miniſters, as is well known, to recal that gentleman,
and appoint fir Edward as his fucceffor.
He accordingly failed from England, in the Antelope,
on the r6th of June, and on his arrival at Gibraltar took
upon him the command: but the object which the French
court had in view being effected, their fquadron retired back
to its harbour, leaving to fir Edward the poor fatisfac-
tion and empty honour of continuing on the fame ſtation
mafter of the fea* during the remainder of the year. His
-next appointment was to command the fquadron fent to
convoy the body of troops commanded by fir John Mor-
daunt on the expedition againft Rochfort. He accord-
ingly failed on the 8th of September 1757; and this ap-
pears to have been the leaſt ſucceſsful fervice on which
this brave and deferving officer was ever employed. The
fleet and expedition was detained by thofe impediments
which commonly arife when two diftinct authorities are
employed to effect one end and purpofe. It's force was
fufficiently formidable to ftrike all France with difinay.
It confifted of fixteen fhips of the linet, tws homb-ketches,
ope
two
* The only circumftance deferving notice, that occurred during the
cruife, is thus related by Campbell.
"A French privateer having taken an Engliſh veffel on the coaft
of France, brought her to an anchor under the guns of Algezire, a
Spanish fort in the bay of Gibraltar. Sir Edward Hawke, whoſe
quadron was at this time riding in the bay, and lord Tyrawley, go-
vernor of Gibraltar, inmediately fent to demand the reftitution of the
prize, which the governor of Algezire pofitively refuſed. The
English officer who carried this demand, being attended by a number
of armed boats, with orders to cut the fhip out and to bring her off at
all events, proceeded to execute his orders, and carried his point; but
the caftle gave him fo warm a reception that above a hundred of his
men were either killed or wounded. The court of Spain approved of
the governor's conduct, and pretended to be violently offended with
that of fir Edward Hawke.
Guns.
+Royal George capt. Buckle 100
Ramilies-adm! Hawke, Hobbs go
·
Gans.
Neptune-Galbraith 90
Namure-Dennis
99
Royal
272
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
two firefhips, two buffes, one ftorefhip, and fifty-five
tranfports, exclufive of the Jafon, of forty guns, employed
as a tranſport; and the Cheſterfield, as a repeating fri-
gate. The land force confifted of ten regiments of in-
fantry, two of marines, a fquadron of light horfe, and a
proportionate train of artillery.
The fleet failed from St. Helen's with a fair wind and
bore away to the weftward. On the 20th, being then off
the iſle of Oleron, fir Edward ordered Mr. Knowles, who
was appointed to cover the landing, to proceed for that
purpoſe with his divifion, and the tranſports, to Baſque
road. The conqueft of the isle of Aix was to be firſt
attempted. Campbell is exceedingly fatyrical on this
occafion; but whether the contemptuous light in which
both himſelf and other authors treat the aſſault and cap-
ture of the fortrefs is juſt or otherwiſe, is not our preſent
confideration. It is an undeniable and certain fact, that
nothing farther was attempted till the afternoon of the
23d, when rear-admiral Broderick, with the captains
Dennis, Douglas, and Buckle, were ordered to found the
coaft and reconnoitre a proper fpot for the debarkation of
the troops. A difference of opinion arofe, principally
among the land officers, and proved the bane of the expe-
dition, for in a council of war called on the 25th, on board
the Neptune in confequence of that want of neceffary
unanimity, was determined,
was determined, "that the attempt on
Rochfort was neither adviſeable nor practicable.
!
Royal William-Taylor
Barfleur-Graves
Princefs Amelia-Colby
Guns.
84 Coventry-Scrope
80 Cormorant-Clive
"
Guns.
28
28
85
18
74
18
74
Pelican O'Hara
16
74
Efcort-Inglis
14
Poftillion-Cooper
Beaver-Gascoigne
Magnanime-Howe
Torbay Keppel
Dublin-Rodney
Burford-Young
Alcide-Douglas
America-Byron
Achilles-Barrington
Medway-Proby
Dunkirk Digby
Frigates.
Southampton-Gilchrift
70
64
Bombs.
Firedrake-Edwards
60 Infernal-Kenzie
+8888
Firefhips.
60 Pluto-Lindsay
60 Proferpine-Banks
Bufs.
32 Canterbury-Lamptiere
J
6
A ſtrange
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
273
A ftrange degree of irrefolution appears to have per-
vaded the minds of thoſe to whom the more active parts,
and abfolute execution of the plan was to be entruſted.
Spirited meaſures foon fucceeded to thofe of torpidity, and
the actual determination of immediately profecuting the ori-
ginal intention of the expedition followed an abandonment
· of it almoſt like cauſe and effect. On the 28th, in the after-
noon, fir Edward made a fignal from the Ramillies for all
the commanding officers of regiments, or corps, to repair on
board his fhip for orders, which were accordingly iſſued at
eight o'clock that evening, for the troops immediately to
prepare for landing in the courfe of the night. The
utmoſt expedition and alacrity was uſed by the fubordinate
officers in preparing for an attempt, which it was hoped
might efface the remembrance of the former delay, by
cauſing this formidable armament to return back to its na-
tive country crowned with honour, and triumphing in the
defeat of its enemies; but the wind unfortunately frefhing
foon after midnight, an order was iffued about three o'clock
in the morning for the troops to return to their respective
tranſports.
Sir Edward, wearied at laſt by repeated diſappointments,
did, on the 29th of December, declare, by letter, to fir
John Mordaunt, the commander-in-chief of the army, that
if he had no active or immediately decifive operations to
propoſe, he, fir Edward, intended to proceed with the fleet
to England. The general declining any farther attempt,
immediately approved of the admiral's intention; and the
whole fleet having failed on the 1ft of October, for Eng-
land, came to an anchor at Spithead on the 6th. The
people were extremely diffatisfied at this fruitlefs and
expenfive attempt; but though it ought to have been very
apparent to every body that no part of the blame refulting
from the failure could fairly be attributed to fir Edward;
*
Lieutenant-colonel, afterwards general, Wolfe, paid fir Edward
the higheſt tribute of applauſe, in the evidence he gave at the trial of
Ar John Mordaunt: and Collins concludes the fhort mention he
makes of the ill fuccefs of this expedition in the following terms.
"Sir Edward Hawke engaged to do every thing in his power to affift
the land forces in their attempt againft Rochfort; but nothing was
done except taking the fmall ifland of Aix, though the gallant admiral
exerted himself to the utmost to anſwer the intention of the expedition.
VOL. IV.
yet
S
274
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
yet the bafer part of his countrymen, forgetful of his former
fervices, neglectful of that gallantry which had on fo many
occafions been the object of their admiration and delight,
inftead of receiving with a confolatory tendernefs, or
fympathifing with him, on an occafion, which, doubtlefs,
gave him an equal if not fuperior concern to what it did
any other individuál in the kingdom: they aggravated the
diftrefs he certainly felt as a patriotic character, wiſhing
the welfare of his country, by infulting him with the vul-
gar affront of a dumb peal. A mortifying reception when
compared to thofe acclamations he had always been ac-
cuſtomed to be greeted with.
So much for popular opinion and the critically difcri-
minating voice of what is called the nation. Sir Edward
failed again for the coaft of France on October 22, in order
to prevent any of their fhips of war from putting to fea.
He continued employed on that fervice during the winter,
except at fuch intervals of return as the neceffary recruit
of provifions and water rendered indifpenfibly neceffary*.
No particular opportunity of diftinguishing himſelf oc-
curred till the month of April following. He had
failed from Spithead on the 11th of March 1758, with a
quadron confifting of feven fhips of the line, with ſome
frigates, and made the light of Ballines, on the ifle of
Rhè, about nine at night, on the 3d of April. The
fquadron continued plying off and on till three in the
morning on the 4th, and then made fail for Bafque road.
At day-break fir Edward difcovered a numerous convoy
belonging to the enemy, a few leagues to windward of
him. He immediately gave chace; but the wind baffling
him, the convoy, together with the three frigates that
escorted it, all effected their efcape into St. Martin's, on
the iſle of Rhè, except one brig, which was burnt by the
Huffar. After this diſappointment he bore away at noon
for Bafque road, in a line of battle a-head, and at four in
the afternoon difcovered a fquadron and convoy, belong-
ing to the enemy, lying off the ifle of Aix. He foon
diſtinctly made their force to confift of one ſhip of feventy-
four guns, the Floriffant; three of fixty-four, the Hardi,
* In the month of December he repaired to London for a few days,
attend the court-martial held on general fir J. Mordaunt.
Sphynx,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
275
Sphynx, and Dragon; one of frxty, the Warwick; fix or
feven frigates; and about forty merchant-fhips or tranf-
ports. This armament, on board which were embarked,
as it was afterwards known, upwards of three thouſand
land forces, was to have been joined by fome other ſhips
from Bourdeaux, and then to have proceeded to America,
for the protection of Louifbourg, and the other French.
colonies: its deftruction confequently became an object of
the higheſt importance*. At half paſt four fir Edward
made the ſignal for a general chace to the S. E. At five
the enemy began to cut and flip their cables, endea-
vouring to make their efcape, but in the utmoft con-
fufion. At fix the commodore himfelf began to fly,
fome of the ſhips belonging to the Britiſh fquadron having
worked up within little more than gun-fhot of him.
Many of the first fugitives were by this time faſt in the
mud and the admiral being aware that there was not a
depth of water fufficient to permit him to follow them, at
half past fix came to an anchor off the iſle of Aix.
As
At five the next morning all the enemy's fhips were ſeen
aground and nearly dry, at the diftance of five or fix miles.
A confiderable number of the merchant-fhips, and fome
of the ſhips of war, had fallen on their broadfides.
foon as the tide of flood made, fir Edward putting his
beſt pilots on board the Intrepid and Medway, fent them
nearer in fhore a full gun-fhot: they then came to an
anchor, and founding a-head at high water, found they
* The following account was given of the fuccefs of this attack,
in a private letter from France, written immediately after it hap-
pened.
"We find admiral Hawke with ten fhips of the line paffed tha
Pertuis d'Antioche, and about five in the afternoon failed towards
the ifle of Aix, where we had one feventy-four gun-fhip, three or four
of fifty and fixty guns which were not entirely armed, and two fri-
gates. About half an hour after five, admiral Hawke went with his
whole fleet to attack, and was about one league from them. About
three quartets after five our merchant-fhips endeavoured to run afhore,
and the men of war were trying to get into the river Charente; but as
it was then growing dark nothing could be feen. They write it is
impoffible that one fhip could be faved, as they could not get into the
river Charente. This is afferted by people that faw all that paffed that
day." The enemy were, however, in fome degree, lefs unfortunate
than they themselves expected.
S 2
bad
276
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
•
had but five fathom, or thirty feet, of which the tide rofe
eighteen. The enemy were now diſcovered to be extremely
bufy in getting boats and launches from Rochfort to aſſiſt in
drawing their fhips through the foft mud, as foon as they
fhould be water-borne. In the interim they were pre-
paring for that operation in the best manner poffible,
by carrying out warps, and throwing every thing
overboard they could get at. They in confequence dif-
burthened themſelves of their guns, their ftores, their bal-
laſt, and even their water. So induftrious and indefati-
gable were they in their endeavours to fave themſelves,
that in the courſe of the day the greater part of their ſhips
of war got as far as the mouth of the river Charente,
without its being poffible for the admiral to intercept, or
prevent them. As for the merchant-ſhips and tranſports
they were aground near the ifle Madame, but fo protected
were they by the ſhoal-water, that no other injury could be
done them, except that of cutting away eighty buoys which
they had laid down on their guns, anchors, and other un-
periſhable articles, which they had thrown overboard.
This fervice was effected by the boats belonging to the
frigafes. On the 5th captain Ewer of the marines, was
detached, with one hundred and forty men, to the ifle of
Aix, with orders to deftroy the new works which the
enemy was bufily employed in erecting there, as a ſubſti-
tute for the fort deftroyed by the Engliſh in the preceding
autumn. This fervice was effected without interruption,
and by fir Edward's efpecial and peremptory command,
without giving the fmalleft difturbance to the inhabitants.
The primary object of the expedition was thus executed, far
as circumſtances would admit, and the Engliſh admiral was
obliged to be content with the fatisfaction of having com-
pletely frustrated the expedition to America, thereby
giving a decided fuperiority to the arms of Britain in that
quarter.
Sir Edward quickly afterwards returned to England, and
was appointed to ferve as ſecond in command of the fleet
put under the orders of lord Anſon, for the purpoſe of
covering the deſcent made on the coast of France, near
Cherbourg. He ftill continued in his former ſhip, the
Ramilies, and failed upon the fervice juſt mentioned on the
ift of June; but being unhappily feized with a violent fever
foor
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
277
foon after the fleet got into the Bay of Bifcay, was obliged
to quit his command, and repair to England for the reco-
very of his health. He arrived at Portfinouth on the 19th
and immediately ftruck his flag. This indifpofition pre-
vented fir Edward from accepting any command during the
remainder of the year. In the beginning of the enfuing
he was nominated commander-in-chief of the very power-
ful fleet equipped, to oppofe an equally formidable force
which the French were then very bufily employed in
equipping, at Breft and other ports, for the purpoſe of
invading Britain. He failed from Portſmouth on the 18th
of May, and was fo diligent and attentive to his duty,
that, for the ſpace of nearly fix months, the enemy were
effectually prevented from putting to fea.
While they
thus fuffered themfelves to be inglorioufly blocked up,
they underwent not only the national mortification of
ſeeing their coafts infulted, but with the aggravated cir-
cumftance of having their merchant-fhips taken in their
figh', and fome of them even cut out of the port where
this formidable armament, their dernier refort, lay, with-
out having it in their power, or even daring to attempt
their reſcue. A ftrong wefterly wind at laft effected the
enemy's temporary deliverance, by driving fir Edward
from his ftation on the 12th of October. After ſome
fruitless attempts to regain it, he at laft put into Plymouth
Sound on the 8th of November; and the enemy feized on
this opportunity, unfortunate as it proved to them, of
putting to ſea.
The marquis de Conflans failed from Breft on the 14th
of November, and ſteered for the bay of Quiberon, in
hopes of being able to effect, as a prelude to future fuccefs,
the deſtruction of a ſmall Britiſh fquadron, confifting of
fifty gun-fhips and frigates, which lay there at anchor, under
the command of commodore Duff, watching a large fleet
of French tranfports which were affembled for the purpoſe
of taking on board a very confiderable land force, with can-
non and camp equipage, deitined for the invaſion of
Ireland. Sir Edward, as it were fympathetically, failed
from Torbay, in purſuit of them, on the fame day, having
hoifted his flag on board the Royal George. The event is
well known, and cannot be more fatisfactorily or clearly
S 3
defcribed
278
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
defcribed than in the account given by that gallant admiral
himſelf, of this memorable and glorious encounter.
<<
Royal George, off Penris-point, Nov. 24, 1751.
"In my letter of the 17th, by exprefs, I defired you
would acquaint their lordships with my having received
intelligence of eighteen fail of the line and three frigates,
of the Breft fquadron, being diſcovered about twenty-four
leagues to the N. W. of Bellifle, ſteering to the eastward.
All the prifoners, however, agree, that, on the day we
chaced them, their ſquadron confifted, according to their
accompanying lift, of four ſhips of eighty, fix of ſeventy-
four, three of feventy, eight of fixty-four, one frigate of
thirty-fix, one of thirty-four, and one of fixteen guns,
with a ſmall veffel to look out. They failed from Breſt
the 14th inftant, the fame day I failed from Torbay.
Concluding that their firſt rendezvous would be Quiberon,
the inftant I received the intelligence I directed my courfe
thither with a preft fail. At the firft, the wind blowing
hard at S. by E. and S. drove us confiderably to the weft-
ward; but on the 18th and 19th, though variable, it proved
more favourable: in the mean time, having been joined
by the Maidſtone and Coventry frigates, I directed their
commanders to keep a-head of the fquadron, one on the
ftarboard and the other on the larboard bow. At half
paſt eight o'clock in the morning of the 20th, Belleifle, by
our reckoning, bearing E. by N. 1-4th N. the Maidſtone
made the fignal for feeing a fleet. I immediately ſpread
abroad the ſignal for a line a-breaſt, in order to draw all
the fhips of the fquadron up with me. I had before ſent
the Magnanime a-head to make the land: at three quarters
paſt nine ſhe made the fignal for an enemy. Obferving,
on my difcovering them, that they made off, I threw out
the fignal for the feven fhips neareſt them to chace, and
by drawing into a line of battle a-head of me, endeavour to
ftop them till the reft of the ſquadron fhould come up. The
other thips were alfo to form as they chaced, that no time
might be loft in the purfuit. That morning the enemy were
in chace of the Rochefter, Chatham, Portland, Falkland, Mi-
nerva, Vengeance, and Venus, all which joined me about
eleven o'clock; and, in the evening, the Saphire, from Qui-
beron Bay. All the day we had very frefhigales at N. W.
1
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
279
and W. N. W. with heavy fqualls. M. Conflans kept
going off under fuch fail as all his fquadron could carry,
and at the ſame time keep together, while we crowded
after him with every fail our fhips could hear. At half
paft two P. M. the fire beginning a-head, I made the
fignal for engaging. We were then to the fouthward of
Belleifle, and the French admiral headmoft; he foon after
led round the Cardinals, while his rear was in action.
About four o'clock the Formidable ſtruck, and a little after
the Thefee and Superbe were funk; about five the Heros
ftruck, and came to an anchor, but it blowing hard no boat
could be ſent on board her. Night was now come on, and
being on a part of the coaft, among iſlands and fhoals, of
which we were totally ignorant, without a pilot, the greateſt
part of the fquadron being in the fame fituation, it alfo blow-
ing hard on alee-fhore, I made the fignal to anchor, and came
to, in fifteen fathom of water, the illand of Duiet bearing
E. by N. between two and three miles, the Cardinals W.
half S. and the ſteeples of Crozie S. E. as we found next
morning.
"In the night we heard many guns of diftrefs fired,
but the violence of the wind, our want of knowledge of
the coaft, and whether they were fired by a friend or an
enemy, prevented all means of relief.
By day break on the 21ſt we difcovered one of our
fhips difmaſted on fnore, the French Heros alfo, and the
Soleil Royal, which, under cover of the night, had an-
chored among us, cut and ran afhore to the weftward of
Crozie. On the latter's moving, I made the Effex's
fignal to flip and purfue her; but fhe unfortunately got
upon the Four, and both fhe and the Refolution are irre-
coverably loft, notwithstanding we fent them all the
affiſtance the weather would permit. About fourfcore of
the Refolution's company, in fpite of the ſtrongeſt re-
monftrances of their captain, made rafts; and, with ſeve-
ral French priſoners belonging to the Formidable, put off,
and, I am afraid, drove out to ſea. All the Effex's are
faved (with as many of the ftores as poffible) except one
lieutenant and a boat's crew, who was drove on the
French fhore, and have not fince been heard of. The
remains of both fhips are fet on fire. We found the Dor-
fetſhire, Revenge, and Defiance, had during the night of the
$ 4
20th,
280
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
20th, put to fea, as I hope the Swiftfure did, for fhe is ftill
miffing. The Dorfetthire and Defiance returned next
day; and the latter faw the Revenge without. Thus,
what lofs we have fuftained has been owing to the wea-
ther, not the enemies, feven or eight of whofe line of
battle-fhips got to fea, I believe the night of the action.
"As foon as it was broad day-light in the morning of
the 21st, I diſcovered feven or eight of the enemy's line
of battle-fhips at anchor, between point Penris and the
river Villaine, on which I made the fignal to weigh, in
order to work up and attack them; but it blowed fo hard
from the N. W. that, inſtead of daring to caſt the ſqua-
dron loofe, I was obliged to ftrike top-gallant mafts.
Moft of their fhips appeared to be aground at low water;
but on the flood, by lightening them, and the advantage
of the wind under the land, all, except two, got that
night into the river Villaine.
"The weather being moderate on the 22d, I fent the
Portland, Chatham, and Vengeance, to deftroy the Soleil
Royal and Heros. The French, on the approach of our
fhips, fet the first on fire; and foon after the latter met the
fame fate from our people. In the mean time I got under
way and worked up within Penris-point, as well for the
fake of its being a fafer road, as to deſtroy, if poffible, the
two fhips of the enemy which ſtill lay without the Villaine;
but before the fhips fent a-head for that purpoſe could get
near them, being quite light, they got in with the tide
of flood.
"All the 23d we were employed in reconnoitring the
entrance of that river, which is very narrow, with only
"twelve foot water on the bar, at low water. We difco-
vered, at leaft feven, if not eight, line of battle fhips,
about half a mile within, quite light; and two large frigates
which appeared to have guns in. By evening I had twelve
long boats, fitted as firefhips, ready to attempt burning
them, under cover of the Saphire and Coventry; but the
weather being bad, and the wind contrary, obliged me to
defer it, till at leaſt the latter fhould be favourable; if they
can by any means be deftroyed, it fhall be done.
In attacking a flying enemy, it was impoffible, in
the ſpace of a fhort winter's day, that all our fhip's fhould
be able to get into action; or all thofe of the enemy
brought
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
281
brought to it. The commanders and companies of ſuch
as did come up with the rear of the French, on the 20th,
behaved with the greateft intrepidity, and gave the ſtrongeſt
proofs of a true Britiſh ſpirit: in the fame manner, I am
fatisfied, thofe would have acquitted themſelves, whoſe
bad going thips, or the distance they were at in the morning,
prevented from getting up. Our lofs by the enemy is
not confiderable, for in the fhips which are now with me,
I find only one lieutenant and thirty-nine feamen and
marines killed, and about two hundred and two wounded.
When I confidered the ſeaſon of the year, the hard gales
on the day of action, a flying enemy, the fhortneſs of the
day, and the coaft we were on, I can boldly affirm, that
all that could poffibly be done, has been done. As to the
lofs we have ſuſtained, let it be placed to the account of
the neceffity I was under of running all risks to break this
ftrong force of the enemy. Had we had but two hours
more day-light, the whole had been totally deſtroyed, or
taken, for we were almoſt up with the van when night
overtook us.
66
Yefterday came in here the Pallas, Fortune floop,
and the Proferpine firefhip. On the 16th I had diſpatched
the Fortune, to Quiberon, with directions to captain Duff
to keep ſtrictly on his guard. In his way thither fhe fell
in with the Hebe, a French frigate of forty guns, under
jury mafts, and fought her feveral hours. During the
engagement lieutenant Stuart, 2d of the Ramillies, whom
I had appointed to command her, was unfortunately kil-
led. The furviving officers, on confulting together, re-
folved to leave her, as fhe proved two ftrong for them.
I have detached captain Young to Quiberon Bay with five
ſhips, and am making up a flying fquadron to fcour the
coaft to the ifle of Aix, and, if practicable, to attempt any
of the enemy's fhips that may be there.
"I am, fir, &c.
" EDWARD HAWKE."
Lift
-282
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Ships.
Royal George-{
Lift of fhips with fir EDWARD HAWKE.
Commanders.
{ }
Guns.
Men.
Adm¹ Hawke,
capt. Campbell
100
880
Union-Adm' Hardy, capt. Evans
90
770
Duke-Graves
90
750
Namure-Buckle
90
780
Mars-commodore Young
74
600
Warfpite-fir John Bentley
74
'600
Hercules-capt. Fortefcue
74
630
Torbay-Keppel
74
700
Magnanime-lord Howe
74
700
Refolution-capt. Speke
74
600
Hero-Edgcumbe
74
600
Swiftfure-fir Thomas Stanhope
༡༠.
520
Dorfetfhire-Denis
70
520
Burford-Gambier
7༠
520
Chichefter-Willet
70
520
Temple-Waſh. Shirley
70
520
Revenge-Storr
64
480
Effex-Obrian
64
480
Kingſton Shirley
60
400
Intrepid-Mapleſden
Montague-Rowley
Dunkirk-Digby
Defiance-Baird
The following frigates joined fir Edward between Uſhant
and Belleifle.
60
420
60
420
60
420
60
420
Ships. Captains.
Rochefter-Duff
Portland-Arbuthnot
Guns: Men,
50
350
50
350
Faulkland-Drake
50
350
Chatham-Lockhart
50
Minerva-Hood
350
32
220
Venus-Harrifon
36
240
Vengeance Nightingale
28
200
Coventry-Burflem
28
Maidſtone-Diggs
200
28
200
Saphire-Strachan
32
220
A lif
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
183
A lift of the French fquadron which came out of Breft,
Ships.
Nov. 14, 1759.
Commanders.
Soleil Royal-admiral Conflans ✦
Tonant-vice-adm¹ Beaufremont 80
Formidable-rear-adm¹ du Verger
L'Orient
L'Intrepide
Le Glorieux
Le Thefee
Le Heros
La Robufte
Le Magnifique
La Jufte
Le Superbe
Le Dauphin
Le Dragon
Northumberland
La Sphinx
Le Solitaire
Le Brilliant
L'Eveille
La Bizarre
L'Inflexible
La Hebe
La Veſtale
L'Aigrette
La Calipfo
7
Guns.
Men.
80
I 200
1000
80
1000
80
1000
74
815
74
815
74
815
74
815
74
815
74
815
7༠
800
7༠
800
70
800
64
750
64
750
64
750
64
750
64
750
64
750
64
750
64
750
40
34
36
16
Le Prince Noir, a ſmall veffel to look out.
The above fhips were all in company when the action
began except the Hebe *.
Sir
* The following additional particulars are given in ſome collateral
accounts, as well as letters, and are believed to be as authentic, as they
certainly are curious.
"Before three o'clock the firing on both fides became very brifk,
and fo intermixed were the fhips that it was almoft impoffible to
diftinguifh thofe of each nation. The French rear-admiral, in the
Formidable, bore a very heavy cannonade from the Refolution; and
when the Royal George came up hawled down his flag; but it is but
jußice
284
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Sir Edward returned with his victorious fleet to Ply-
mouth on the 17th of January 1760; and on the 21st,
having
1
juftice to fay this was merely a point of honour, as he would certainly
have furrendered to the Refolution if no other fhip had been
in fight. The Royal George continued to advance, and fir Edward
ordered his maſter to carry him cloſe alongfide the French admiral.
It is reported the mafter obferved to him, that he could not
obey his orders without the most imminent risk of running upon a
fhoal, and that the admiral replied, "You have done your duty in
pointing out the danger; you are now to obey my commands, and
Tay me alongſide the Soliel Royal." But we believe the following
to have been the converfation which took place, and infert it, as every
trivial circumftance that occurs on fuch an occafion is intereftingly
curious, as being highly characteristic of the mind of fo great and gal-
lant a man. The mafter repreſented in reſpectful terms, "that if he
ran in much nearer they would certainly be on fhore." Sir Edward
coolly answered, "that may be, but the enemy will be on fhore first;
at all events their fleet muft be defroyed." Campbell, in confor
mity with the account given by all other hiftorians, afferts, "that
when fir Edward was on the point of clofing with the French admiral,
the Thefee, a French fhip of feventy guns, generously interpofed itſelf
between the two admirals, and received the fire which Hawke had
deſtined for a greater occafion. In returning this fire, the Thefee
foundered, in confequence of an high fea that entered the lower-deck
ports." This is contradicted in a letter from a perfon on board the
fleet, and confequently a nearer witnefs of the tranfaction.
Torbay," fays he, was at this time clofely engaged with the Thefee,
of feventy-four guns, and preſently afterwards fent that unfortunate
fhip to the bottom. The two commanders-in-chief were now very
near, and M. Conflans gave the Royal George his broadfide. Sir
Edward returned the uncivil falutation: but, after two or three ex-
changes of this kind, the marfhal of France declined the combat, and
heered off. The French vice-admiral likewife gave fir Edward his
fire, but foon followed the example of his fuperior. Another and
another did the fame; but the fifth fhip efcaped not fo well, the
Royal George poured her whole fire into her at once; and, repeating
the fame, down the went along fide of her. The Royal George's
people gave a cheer, but it was a faint one; the honeft failors were
touched at the miferable fate of fo many hundred poor creatures. She
was named the Superbe, of feventy guns, with upwards of feven hun-
dred and eighty men on board, only twenty of whom were faved,
which were taken up the next morning from the wreck.
"The
"There were now feveral fhips at once upon the Engliſh admiral,
who ſeemed to be got into the very center of the French rear. Every
obferver pitied the Royal George. It feems, indeed, a kind of degra-
dation to fo noble a ſhip to be pitied; but really her fituation would
have been lamentable, if the enemy had preferved any degree of com-
pofure, or fired with any fort of direction: for their confufion was fo
greata
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
205
having repaired to London, was introduced to his majeſty,
who, as it may be naturally fuppofed, received him with
the moſt cordial affection, and diftinguifhed marks of
favour*. A penfion of 2000l. per annum was immedi-
ately afterwards fettled on him for his own and the lives
of his two fons, with a continuation to the furviver of
them. The public applauſe and favour with which he
was received, was at least equal, if not fuperior to what
had ever before been manifefted on a fimilar occafion.
This popular tribute must have been particularly grateful
even to the nobleft mind defpifing fuch vague, fluctuating,
and not unfrequently ill-beftowed proofs, and teftimonies
of worth. The fame all-powerful voice which, on the
firſt news of the victory had been fo loud in the praife of
the worthy admiral, had, on the very day it was gained,
been as violent in its cenfure. It being a curious fact,
that a lawleſs mob, while fir Edward was gloriouſly ex-
erting himſelf, as we have already feen in his country's
fervice, were at that very inftant occupied in expreffing
their abfolute deteftation of this worthy man, by hanging
him in effigy, and branding him with every contemptuous
epithet that could be thought difgraceful to a man of honour
and courage. No fatisfaction is, perhaps, more grateful to
an honest and properly feeling mind, than an enemy's
felf-acknowledged conviction of his own unworthinefs,
and an open confeffion of former improprieties, extorted
by the intrinfic merit of the perfon injured, which com-
pels the malicious, in fpite of natural inclination, to
purfue a conduct diametrically oppofite to it.
On the 28th of January, fir Edward attending the houſe
of commons, in his place as repreſentative for the town of
Portſmouth, a truft in which he had, without intermiffion,
continued ever fince his first election in the month of De-
great, that amongst two thoufand fhot I do not believe that more than
twenty or thirty ftruck the ſhip.
"The English vice-admiral, with the Mars, Hero, and feveral
other fhips, were crowding to the admiral's affiftance, when the ob-
fcurity of the evening put an end to the engagement; an happy circum-
fance for the enemy, as an hour's daylight more would have brought
on their total ruin."
"His majefty meeting him as he entered the room, and thanking
him for the fervices he had rendered his country."- -Collins.
/
cember
486
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
cember 1747, the Speaker informed him, that the houſe
had unanimously refolved," that their thanks fhould be
given him for the late fplended victory he had obtained
over the French fleet, and accordingly delivered them to
him in the following terms."
"Sir Edward Hawke,
"The houſe has unanimously refolved, that their
thanks be given to you, for the late fignal victory obtained
by you over the French fleet.
"You are now, fir, happily returned to your country,
after a long but moſt important fervice; you are returned
victorious, triumphant, and full of honour. You meet
the applauſe of your countrymen in their minds and hearts,
and which they had manifefted before in all the outward
demonſtrations of public joy and congratulation.
"Your expedition was of the neareſt and moſt affect-
ing concern to us-the immediate defence of his majefty's
kingdom, againſt a difappointed and enraged enemy,
meditating, in their revenge, our deſtruction at once.
Your truft, therefore, fir, was of the higheft nature; but
to which your characters of courage, fidelity, vigilance,
and abilities, were known to be equal. You foon freed
us from fears, and have anſwered all our hopes, that bra-
very and conduct could give, or turbulent feas and feaſons
would adınit of; even the laſt did not diſturb or diminiſh
your ſpirit and vigour. You had overawed the enemy in
their ports, in their chief naval force, till fhame, perhaps,
or defperation, brought them forth at laft. You fought
them, fubdued them; and, in their confuſion and diſmay,
made thoſe, who could efcape, to feek their fecurity in flight
and difgrace.
"Thus their long preparing invaſion was broken
and difpelled, and which cannot but bring to our remem-
brance the defign and the fate of another armada (in a
former age of glory) whofe defeat was at that time the
fafety of England, and the lafting renown of the Engliſh
navy.
Theſe, fir, are your late eminent ſervices to your
king and country, and have been now enumerated; not
from any imagination that they are unknown any where,
or can be ever forgotten, but that your prefence with us
makes
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
28-7
1
makes them to rife, with their firſt ftrength, in our
thoughts, as the recounting of them muft give us a freſh
fpirit of joy in our acknowledgments of them: our ac-
knowledgments then, fir, you have, for theſe your paſt
fervices. Permit us to add our expectations too of what
may be your future merits, in the defence of the rights
and honour of your country, wherever you ſhall again
command.
"It is a very pleafing office to me, to convey thefe
thanks of the houfe to you; and I do give you, in the
name of the commons of Great Britain, their thanks, for
the late fignal victory, obtained by you, over the French
Acet *"
Upon which fir Edward Hawke faid,
"Mr. Speaker, -
1
"I own myſelf greatly at a lofs, as to the proper
manner of acknowledging the great honour conferred on
me by this auguſt houſe, in their diftinguiſhed approbation
of my conduct, on the 20th of November laft. In doing
my utmoſt, I only did the duty I owed my king and
country, which ever has been, and fhall be, my greateſt
ambition to perform faithfully, and honeftly, to the beſt of
my ability. I can only affure this honourable houſe, that
* This fpeech, and the anſwer to it, is remarkable, for a circum-
fance then almost new in the parliamentary hiftory of Britain, and on
that account deferving of relation.
"It was ordered nem. con. that what had been then faid by Mr.
Speaker, together with fir Edward Hawke's anſwer thereto, fhould be
printed in the votes of that day, as it accordingly was. Having
been from thence re-printed in fome of the London newfpapers, com-
plaint was made to the houſe, on Friday the 1ft of February, that theſe
newſpapers contained printed accounts of the proceedings of that
houfe, in contempt of the order, and in breach of the privilege of that
houfe. Upon this the printers of all the newſpapers, fo complained
of, were ordered to attend that houſe on the Monday following, when
they made different excufes; but all confeffed themfelves forry that any
fuch thing fhould have been done. Being however all declared guilty
of a breach of the privilege of that houfe, it was ordered, that they
should be then brought to the bar of that houfe, and, upon their knees,
reprimanded by Mr. Speaker for their faid offences; which they ac-
cordingly were, and then diſcharged, paying their fees.”
receive
288
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
I receive this mark of honour with the greateſt reſpect,
and fhall ever retain the most grateful fenfe of it.
"Before I fit down, permit me, fir, in particular, to
return you my moſt reſpectful thanks, for the obliging
manner in which you have communicated to me the great
honour done me by this houfe, which I fhall always eſteem
as the higheſt obligation."
No other remarkable occurrence took place till the month
of Auguft following; and that merely the circumftance of his
having been reinvefted with the command of the fleet in
the bay of Quiberon. He failed from Spithead on the
15th, having his flag on board the fame fhip (the Royal
George) in which he had before acquired fo much honour*
and relieved Mr. Bofcawen, who had been previously em-
ployed on the fervice, of watching the miferable remains
of the French armament, with fome few intervals except-
ed, ever fince the month of January, The enemy were
too much afraid of the vigilance of fir Edward to attempt
putting to fea by ftealth. Their former misfortunes had
taught them fufficient prudence to avoid the poffibility of
fuch a repetition of defeat; and their naval force was too
much ſhattered and reduced to afford them any profpect of
being able to conteft the fovereignty of the fea in fair
encounter. Under thefe circumſtances it cannot be
wondered at, that the feafon for naval operations paffed
on without any event taking place that can much intereſt
us; the only operation in any degree extraneous from the
confinement of the enemy's fhips in port, which was the
immediate object of the cruiſe, being the deftruction of the
the ſmall fort on the French ifland of Dumet, which was
ordered to be attacked by lord Howe, in the Magnanime,
in conjunction with the Prince Frederic and Bedford,
* His fleet confifted of the following fhips:
Guns.
Guns.
Royal George
100
Conqueror
70
Duke
90 Edgar
70
Sandwich
90
Chichefter
70
Union
90
Burford
70
Magnanime
74
Bedford
64
Torbay
74
Monmouth
64
Hero
74
Modefte
64
Warfpight
74
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
289
and furrendered as foon almoft as the two latter fhips
had brought to, with their broad fides againſt it.
*
In 1761 fir Edward was ordered to fea on the fame kind of
fervice; and we cannot on this occafion help expreffing
our concern that a candid and impartial hiſtorian like Mr.
Campbell ſhould be fo far forgetful of limfelf as to make
an obfervation, both illiberal and untrue, relative to fir
Edward's conduct on this occafion. "Four frigates (ſays
he) had been appointed, by the French, to proceed to the coaſt
of Guinea and attempt the furprize of James fort, at the
mouth of the river Gambia; but two of them had been
intercepted by fir Edward Hawke's fquadron ftationed in
the bay of Quiberon; yet this unimportant capture, and
that of a few merchantmen, of little value, did not juftify
to the nation that inactivity in which the Britiſh fquadron,
on the coaſt of France, had been allowed to remain.
Something of greater confequence was expected from
ſuch a powerful armament, under the direction of fuch
naval commanders as fir Edward Hawke and fir Charles
Hardy. But in the month of March, to the general fur-
prize and indignation of the public, the two admirals.
returned to Spithead, and another fquadron was ſent to
occupy that ftation."
To this implied charge of neglect, we have briefly to
anſwer, that the only fervice capable of being effected by
the fleet under his command, namely, that of blocking up
the French ports, was executed in the completeft manner;
that, unaided as he was by a land force, he was not able,
had his inftructions been fo ridiculous as to authorife an
attempt of that kind, to make any defcent or attack, even
on the meanest of their fortified towns. As to any other
fervice we can only add, in the words of Collins, which, while
they account for the inactivity, charged, as already ſtated,
form, perhaps, the beſt eulogium on his character that could
have been deviſed. "Sir Edward was not in any other
engagement during the war, becauſe the French navy was
fo much reduced by defeat that they could not equip a
fleet of fufficient force to hazard another battle." On the
9th of March fir Edward and fir Charles, with their fleet,
*The Annemane and Sardoine.
VOL. IV.
T
arrived
}
}
f
290
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
arrived at Portſmouth, and the former is not particularly
mentioned in the fervice during the remainder of the year.
On April 22, he was unanimously elected one of the
elder brethren of the trinity-houfe, and, in the following
month was honoured with the freedom of the city of
Dublin; circumftances trivial in themſelves, but which,
nevertheleſs, prove, the high eftimation he was held in
by all bodies of people; and that thofe who were in-
capable of converfing with, and biaffing each others opi-
nion, were unanimous in their fuffrage of applaufe, and
in beftowing their tribute of honours.
In 1762 fir Edward was ordered to fea, about the latter
end of May, with feven fhips of the line, and two frigates,
having under his command the duke of York, as rear-
admiral. The object of this armament was the inter-
ception of M. De Ternay, who had efcaped out of Breſt,
under cover of a fog, with a ſmall fquadron confifting
of two fhips of the line, a forty-four, and a frigate, with
a body of troops under their convoy, deftined for the
attack of Newfoundland. After cruifing unfuccefsfully'
for fome time at the entrance of the Channel, he returned
into port; and was next appointed to command a fqua-
dron of ten fhips of the line and three frigates*, ordered
to Liſbon for the fupport of the Portugueſe, who were
then very feverely threatened, as the ally of England, both
by France and Spain. Suffice it to fay, that Portugal was
fufficiently protected from any naval attack by the mere
appearance of the British force; and this may account for
the feafon of action having paffed on in the fame unintereſt-
ing routine the two former had done. Peace fucceeded not
Jong afterwards, and, as we have already obferved, without
any opportunity occurring in the European feas by which
he could diftinguish himself farther. On January 4, 1763,
fir Edward received the honorary civil appointment of
rear-admiral of England; and on the 5th of November
* He failed on the 25th of June with the following fhips: the
Royal George, of one hundred guns; the Princefs Amelia, of eighty;
the Prince and Ocean, of ninety; the Magnanime, of feventy-four;
the Prince of Orange, of feventy; the Lancafter, of fixty-fix; the
Naffau and Effex, of fixty-four; the Achilles, of fixty.
Frigates, the Launcelton, of forty; the Eolus, of thirty-two; and
the Tartar, of twenty-eight.
1765,
}
1
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
291
1765, was, on the refignation of Mr. Ofborne, advanced
to be vice-admiral thereof. He ftill uninterruptedly
continued reprefentative in parliament for the town of
Portſmouth; and on the 2d of December enfuing his ap-
pointment to be vice-admiral of England, was named firſt
commiffioner for executing the office of lord high admiral.
He retained this high ſtation till the 9th or 10th of Janu-
ary 1771, and then voluntarily refigned it.
This brave and truly worthy man, for no one ever pof-
feffed more true gallantry or unfullied integrity, retired in
a great meaſure after this time from what might be called
public life, intermixing no farther with the adminiftration
of public affairs than what belonged to him, firſt as a member
of parliament, and afterwards as a peer of the realm. In
confideration of the very great and eminent fervices he
had rendered his country, he was advanced, by letters
patent, bearing date May the 20th, 1776, to the dignity of
a peer of Great Britain, by the ftile and title of baron
Hawke, of Towton, in the county of York. Purſuing
the fame line of conduct to the laft moment of his
life, he died at laft univerfally refpected and lamented,
on the 17th of October 1781, at Sunbury, in Middleſex.
He was buried at Swaithling, near Botley, in the county of
Hants.
His lordship married Catherine, daughter of Walter
Brooke, of Burton-hall, in the county of York, efq. and
by that lady, who died on the 28th of October 1756, had
iffue three fons and one daughter.
It becomes an intrufion almoft impertinent to attempt
any delineation of a character ſo well known and fo highly
revered as that of his lordship. To fay he was prudent,
circumfpect, and brave; able, as a naval commander, and
honeft, whether confidered as a private gentleman or a
fenator, would be only a faint outline of thofe high
merits all men must allow him to have poffeffed, and at
the fame time would affert nothing neceffary to be made
known to thoſe who are in any degree acquainted either
with the general hiſtory of their native country, or thoſe
particular tranfactions intimately connected with the life of
this great and noble perfon: but if any fhould exift who are
really uninformed of that tribute of gratitude they juſtly
T 2
Owe
292
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
7
owe to their renowned countryman, we ſhall beg leave to
fay, briefly, that to the moft confummate courage and moſt
active fpirit, he joined a cool deliberate temper, not to be
ruffled by accident, or fhaken by any unforeſeen and
fudden misfortune. A fingular proof of this habitude of
mind was exhibited during the time his flag was on board
the Royal George: owing to a collection of foot in the
funnel of the ſtove, the ſhip took fire in the great cabhin.
Sir Edward was at that time very cooly occupied in dreffing
himſelf; and when this circumftance, which to men lefs
firm would have been of the moſt alarming nature, was
difcovered by him, he went out on the deck, and, taking
the first lieutenant afide, calmly faid to him, in a low tone.
of voice, “Sir, the fhip is on fire in my cabbin, give the
neceffary directions to the people to put it out.
39
In fervice he was always a fteady enforcer of difcipline,
but at the fame time the conftant friend and patron of
merit. If thoſe who were remifs in their duty met an
implacable foe, thofe of a contrary defcription always
found a warm and moſt zealous friend; fo that, to fum
up his character in very few words, bad men feared him,
good men loved him, and the natural enemies of his native
country ſtood in awe of him.
On the monument erected to his memory at Stoneham
is the following epitaph, the juftice and truth of which,
we truft, no man who knew his character will ever dare
deny.
D.O.M.
This monument is facred to the memory of
EDWARD HAWKE,
Lord Hawke, baron of Towton, in the county of York,,
Knight of the Bath,
Admiral, and commander-in-chief of the fleet,
Vice-admiral of Great Britain, &c. &c,
Who died October 17, 1781,
Aged 76.
The bravery of his foul was equal to the dangers he en-
countered; the cautious intrepidity of his deliberations,
fuperior even to the conquefts he obtained; the annals
of his life compoſe a period of naval glory, unparallelled
in later times, for wherever he failed victory attended
him: a prince, unfolicited, conferred on him dignities
He diſdained to aſk.
This
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
293
This monument is alfo facred to the memory of
CATHARINE Lady HAWKE, his wife,
The beauty of whofe perfon was excelled only by the
Accomplished elegance of her mind.
She died October 27, 1756,
Aged 36.
In the conjugal, parental, and focial duties of private life
They were equalled by few,
Excelled by none.
KNIGHT, William, was, on the 12th of May
1734, appointed captain of the Deal Caftle; and we have
no farther information relative to him till the year 1741;
he then commanded the Torrington, of forty guns, on the
Weft India ftation, and was, not long afterwards, ad-
vanced to the St. Alban's. In the month of June 1744,
he was fent, with captain Coleby in the Falmouth, by
vice-admiral fir Chaloner Ogle, to demand reſtitution
from the governor of Porto Bello, of the floop Triton and
her cargo, which had been taken by a Spanish armed
veffel off Garote, on the 7th of January preceding, not-
withſtanding the mafter had a regular licenfe to trade,
granted by the governor of Santa Fee. The Spanish com-
mandant trifled with them, and evaded giving an an-
fwer for fome days, holding out, notwithstanding, re-
peated hopes that fair reftitution would be made, without
obliging them to refort to compulfive meaſures.
Wearied, however, with reiterated difappointment, and
there being no profpect that he ever really meant to
keep his word, captain Knight and his companion began
to fire upon the town, they continued that chaſtiſement for
fome hours, till they had done fufficient mifchief to the
place to balance the fatisfaction required; and had demo-
Îifhed by their cannonade feveral houfes, among which
was that of the governor's.
On their return to Port Royal, where they arrived on
the 8th of Auguft, they captured and brought in with
them a French veffel, mounting eight carriage, and four-
teen fwivel guns, captured at the Grand Baru; and a large
thip, called the Tamerlane, carrying twenty-two carriage
and twenty-four fwivel guns, taken near the river Sinu,
Тз
with
294
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
with a confiderable quantity of fpecie, and a valuable cargo
of merchandize. Captain Knight unhappily did not long
furvive this piece of good fortune, the St. Alban's being
loft in a hurricance before the conclufion of the year, and
all the perfons on board perifhing.
SCLATER, SLATER, or SLAUGHTER, George,
-for thus differently is his name fpelt, but the latter is
faid to have been the proper mode, was on the 25th of
July, 1734, appointed captain of the Argyle. No farther
mention is made of him till 1741, fome time after the
rupture had taken place with Spain; he then commanded
the Chefter, of fifty guns. In the beginning of 1742 he
was captain of the Somerfet, of eighty uns, one of the
Mediterranean fleet, commanded by Mr. Haddock. He
remained on the fame ftation fome time, ſerving afterwards
under Mr. Mathews. Mr. Slaughter joined the fleet on
February 3, fix days before the action, in which he bore
a very diſtinguiſhed fhare. On the firſt day of the en-
counter he was very warmly engaged with feveral fhips of
the Spanish divifion; and on the ſecond having, by car-
rying a prefs of fail, advanced three or four miles ahead of
his own fquadron, he brought the Hercules, a Spaniſh
fhip of feventy guns, which had accidentally feparated
from her companions, to action. He would in all proba-
bility have captured her, had not feveral of the fhips belong-
ing to M. De Court's divifion, tacked upon Mr. Slaughter,
and reſcued the prize his gallantry deſerved, though not
till fhe had fuftained confiderable damage: he is faid to
have afterwards removed into the Dunkirk, but we find no
other mention made of this gentleman, except to inform
us that he died in England ſome time in the courſe of the
year 1750.
SHORTING, Robert,-from being lieutenant of one
of the ſhips of war on the Weſt India ſtation, was, on the
2d of March 1734, promoted to be captain of the Deal
Caftle. He did not long furvive this advancement, dying
in that command on the 11th of May following.
WILLIAMS, Edmund, entered into the navy to-
wards the latter end of the reign of king William, and
experienced very little promotion for upwards of thirty
years at laft he was, in 1731, made commander of the
Grampus
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
295
Grampus floop of war, one of the finall veffels put into
commiffion, and ordered to the Weft Indies, to protect
the Britiſh commerce in that part of the world, from the
piratical depredations of the Spanish guarda coftas. On the
2d of April 1734, he was advanced to the command of
the York, of fixty guns, one of the fleet collected and put
under the command of fir John Norris, which in the
enfuing year proceeded with him to Liſbon: he was after-
wards captain of the Rochefter. His next command, as far
as we have been able to inveſtigate, was that of the Jerſey,
a fourth rate of 60 guns, one of the fleet under fir J. Norris,
ſtationed in the Channel. In 1740 he quitted this ſhip,
on its being ordered to the Weft Indies with fir Chaloner
Ogle, at the conclufion of the year. We hear nothing
farther of him, his name not occuring in any command,
till we find him captain of the Royal Oak, of feventy guns,
one of the Mediterranean fleet under the orders of Mr.
Mathews. His conduct in the encounter off Toulon
having been deemed reprehenfible, he was one of the
officers tried by the court-martial, affembled on board the
London, in Chatham river, in the month of October
1745.
The fubftance of the charges made against him were,
that he did not endeavour to take, fire, kill, and enda-
mage the enemy; but instead thereof, withdrew and kept
back from the fight; keeping and continuing with his
majefty's fhip under his command, to windward of his
ftation in the line of battle, during all, or the greateſt part
of the engagement.
That he did not engage within point blank, but fired,
when not even in reach of the enemy, at random fhot.
That he did not affift the Marlborough, which ſhip was
hard preffed having loft her main and mizen mafts.
The witneffes in fupport of theſe points of accuſation,
proved that the Royal Oak had fired when not within point
blank fhot; but admitted that captain Williams bore
down till he had received the fire of three of the enemy's
thips, and was at laſt forced to haul off in order to fave the
fhip, which had received one thot in the head of her main-
maſt, and another in her bread room, which rendered her
very leaky.
Captain Williams urged in his defence, that about two
o'clock in the afternoon, on the day of the encounter, he
T 4
had
295
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
had engaged the fhip in the enemy's line a-ftern of the
Hercules, and in little more than half an hour drove her
from her ſtation, to which ſhe never again returned : that
he afterwards progreffively engaged three or four more
fhips of the enemy's fleet, and was at laſt obliged to retire
for want of due fupport, as he alledged, from the Rupert.
He obſerved farther, that the witneſſes both for the crown
and in his defence, had fufficiently proved he bore down
immediately when the admiral did, and got into action in a
ſhort time after the Namur and Marlborough: the reaſon
why he did not engage fooner was, becauſe Mr. Mathews
altering his courfe, he did not know which way he meant
to ſteer, having a fignal out for the line of battle a-head,
which he kept flying. That he had no notice of his inten-
tion of altering his courfe; that when he did engage, it
was with the hip which he thought was in the proper
fituation oppofite to him; and that he fought her for an
hour, till fhe bore away, in which he hoped he had done his
duty.
That it would have been abfurd for him to have gone
out of his ftation to the affiftance of the Marlborough, as
not only the admiral was cloſe to her, but the four fhips
a- ftern of him, were all between the Royal Oak and the
ſhip in queſtion; thefe were the fhips which ought to have
engaged thoſe which preffed the Marlborough, That there
were none but the Real and Hercules for them to engage,
and it would have been very improper for him to have
quitted his ftation, as there were four other fhips of the
enemy then coming up.
That as there had been many queſtions afked concerning
his not going to the affiftance of the Marlborough, he would
obferve, that by the 13th article of the fighting inftructions,
after the fignal being made to engage, every fhip was to
cloſe with the enemy in the order prefcribed into them by
the admiral; and that by the 22d article, if any fhip was
in diſtreſs, ſhe was to make proper fignals in confequence
of it; the next fhip was then to go to her affiſtance, That
by the 24th article, no fhip was to leave her ſtation, on
any pretence whatever. That he hoped he had performed
the 13th article, by engaging in his ſtation, till he obliged
the fhip he engaged with to bear away; and if he had then
gone to the affiftance of the Marlborough he muſt have
broken the 24th article, by which he was required to
I
keep
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
294
keep his ſtation. That as to the 22d article, the next
fhip was to affift the Marlborough, but the Marlborough
did not make any fignal of diftrefs; that when he laft faw
her he was warmly engaged himſelf, and could not go to
her affiftance. It had been ſtrongly objected against him
that he was not in a line with the Marlborough; but he
never apprehended the Marlborough to be any direction
for him, as the admiral's fignal for the line of battle
ahead was then flying; that he thought it his duty to
engage the four fhips of the enemy which were coming
up; that he did engage them, not doubting of affiſtance
from the vice-admiral's diviſion: that he was in action with
thoſe ſhips for an hour; and they intending to weather him,
he thought it moſt adviſeable to get nearer the Rupert, in
order to prevent her falling into their hands.
That it cannot be doubted but he was within point
blank, becauſe many fhot went over him, and ſeveral
hulled him, though the evidences againſt him had ſworn
he was not within point blank, notwithſtanding they were
themſelves a great way diſtant from him; he nevertheleſs
hoped the court would think him near enough.
That he only joined the fleet the morning before the
engagement began; and had no other orders from the
admiral, than to go to his ſtation between the Rupert and
Dunkirk, which he did, and then engaged the enemy, as
it was his duty.
That he had been forty-five years in the fervice, and
believed his character never deſerved to be attainted; that
he had been under the directions of feveral gentlemen,
who had approved his conduct during all the time he had
been in the ſervice. As a proof of it he had received
feveral favours from them: that it had been proved he
did not withdraw through fear, but was willing to engage
longer if any other fhip had borne down to him; that if he
had been guilty of any thing, it was to be remembered
he had received a fevere wound in the action, which
rendered him incapable of remembering every paffage; but
by what he could recollect, if it was to happen again, he
would act in the fame manner he had done, and therefore
fubmitted to the court, which he hoped and trufted would
do him juſtice.
The
298
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
The court after a deliberation of nearly two days came
to the following determination, a determination, in the
formation of which the judges appear to have paid every
poffible and equitable attention to the feelings of perfonal
honour and the dictates of public juſtice.
J
It appeared that the Royal Oak bore down upon the
enemy foon after the Namure and Marlborough, and en-
gaged the fhip aftern of the Hercules till fhe bore away to
the leeward: that the Royal Oak was fome time out of
action till the headmoſt of the four Spaniſh fhips came
up; fhe then engaged that ſhip, and continued in action
fome time, receiving the fire of three, if not of all the four
ſhips; that foon after, the admiral wore, and the Royal
Oak engaged the Spanifh fhips again in paffing. That
when the Royal Oak firft brought up fhe was not in a
line with the admiral; that the continued at too great a
diſtance, during the greateſt part of the engagement,
that the afterwards came up, and then engaged properly,
confidering her fituation.
"That as captain Williams was not in a line with the
admiral when he firft engaged, and not within a proper
diſtance of the enemy, he failed in his duty, as he did not
do his utmoſt from the time of the beginning of the
action, to cloſe with the enemy at a proper diſtance to do
execution. That as to his going to the affiftance of the
Namure and Marlborough, the court are of opinion
it was his duty, after the first ship he engaged with, had
bore away, to continue in a proper ftation to receive the
other four fhips that were coming up; that it therefore was
not requiſite for him to have made fail ahead of the other
ſhips, nor to go to the affiftance of the Marlborough.
"That the court do agree, he is guilty of part of
the charge, and falls under the 12th article of war:
but in regard to the long fervices of captain Edmund
Williams, in the navy, confidering that his eye fight was
very defective, that he manifefted his eagerness to engage
the enemy, that he had already fuffered a confiderable
puniſhment by the lofs of his thip, and his long confine-
ment, that he came into the fleet but just before the
action and received only a verbal order from the admiral
to fall into the line between the Rupert and Dunkirk;
and in regard that, of the nineteen members of which
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
299
the court is compofed, nine are of opinion that he was in
a line with the Namure when he firft brought up: the
court are of opinion, and do only adjudge him to be unfit
to be employed any more in his majefty's fervice by fea;
but the court do alfo unanimously recommend him to the
lords of the admiralty, in order to his being continued upon
his half pay, according to his feniority, and order the
marthal to diſcharge him out of cuftody."
The recommendation of the court-martial was fo far
fucceſsful, that on the 3d of May 1750, he was raiſed to
the rank of rear-admiral and put on the fuperannuated
lift: he confequently became entitled to a comfortable
penfion during life, but which he did not long live to
enjoy, dying on the 6th of March 1752.
1735.
NORRIS, Richard,-was the unfortunate fon of ad-
miral fir John Norris, a character ever to be revered for
his gallantry and very diftinguished conduct, as a naval
commander of the firſt rank; but the virtues of the father
appear to have been very ill copied by his defcendant.
He was brought up to the fea fervice, as may naturally be
ſuppoſed, under the aufpices and immediate protection of
fir John, who was then an admiral, and afforded him,
both by precept and example, an opportunity of becoming
an ornament to his profeffion, and attaining an elevated
rank in the lift of the naval defenders of his native country.
Mr. Norris was appointed captain of the Gibraltar on
the 7th of October 1735; and during the four fucceeding
years we find no other mention made of him. On the
rupture taking place with Spain, in 1739, he was appointed
captain of the Gloucefter, of fifty guns, one of the fqua-
dron ordered to the South Seas under Mr. Anſon; but
alledging, when the fhips reached Madeira that he was in
an ill ſtate of health, the commodore readily permitted his
return to England, where, almoſt immediately on his
arrival,
300
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
arrival, he was appointed to the Argyle, a ſhip of the ſame
force with the Gloucefter. He did not long retain this
command, being, in the ſpring of the year 1741, pro-
moted to the Kingſton, a large fourth rate of fixty guns :
before the conclufion of the year he was advanced to be
captain of the Effex, a third rate of feventy guns, ſo
that he experienced every incitement to perfect propriety
of conduct that promotion could induce.
Early in the year 1741-2, he was ordered to the Medi-
terranean with Mr. Leftock and the reinforcement to the
fquadron already on that ftation, under the command of
Mr. Haddock. He was employed, more particularly after
the arrival of Mr. Mathews, on feveral fervices of no in-
confiderable importance, and acquitted himſelf in a man-
ner perfectly unexceptionable. The moſt confequential
of theſe appears to have been the blockade of the
Spanish gallies in the neutral port of St. Tropez; and he
executed it with all the ſpirit and prudence of a gallant and
good officer. The Spaniards having forfeited all claim
to the reſpect uſually paid to a friendly port, where even
an enemy has taken refuge, and wantonly beginning to
fire on the Engliſh fhips, captain Norris ordered in cap-
tain Callis, of the Duke firefhip, to attempt their deftruc-
tion. This command was very expeditiouſly and ſpiritedly
executed; but the honour of it has been very improperly
given, by the generality of hiftorians, folely to captain
Norris, who certainly could claim no other merit than
the good fortune of having had fo fuccefsful and gallant an
enterpriſe executed under his orders*: his conduct, how-
*The following fhort official account will fully explain this tranf
action.
་་
By letters from vice-admiral Mathews, dated the 14th of June,
in Villa Franca harbour, and brought by captain Callis, commander
of the Duke firefhip, there is advice that captain Norris, upon his
cruife between Cape Rous and Villa Franca, having had notice of five
Spanish gallies which had failed from Margaretta to St. Tropes, he
immediately followed them thither with his majeſty's fhips under his
command, in order to detain them there till he fhould receive orders.
from the admiral concerning them: but that the faid Spanish gallies
having began to fire upon the king's fhips, and thereby broken the
rules which are uſually obſerved in a neutral port, captain Norris had
immediately given orders to the Duke firefhip to fet fire to them;
which being accordingly executed by the faid captain Callis, they
were all immediately deftroyed."
ever,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
301
ever, remained in every reſpect irreproachable till the en-
counter with the French and Spaniſh fleets off Toulon.
The admiral indeed appeared to have entertained the
higheſt opinion of his judgment and activity, having, on
the evening preceding the action, ordered him to watch
the motions of the combined fleet during the night, a ſta-
tion honourable, delicate, and highly confidential. Mr.
Mathews, in the account of the engagement tranfmitted
by him to England, makes no mention of captain Norris
during the action itſelf; but on the following day we find
him ordered to burn the Poder, a Spanifh fhip of the
line, which had been captured by the Engliſh, Mr.
Mathews not deeming it prudent, while in fight of the
enemy, to detach any of his fleet to convoy the prize into
Mahon.
Captain Norris executed this order in a manner
not in any degree incurring the cenfure of the comman-
der-in-chief. Notwithſtanding his conduct in the action
itſelf had been fo far impeachable as to occafio:: his after-
wards quitting the fervice in a way far from honourable,
he was not only continued in his command, but employed,
during the time he retained it, in many fervices far from
infignificant. In the month of May 1744, he had the
good fortune to effect the deftruction of a confiderable part
of a Spaniſh embarkation, or convoy, from Majorca and
Barcelona, of which he gave the following account, in a
letter to admiral Mathews, who tranfmitted it to England
as the best method of doing juftice to what he deemed an
act of gallantry, and entitling Mr. Norris to praiſe.
<6
"Effex, off Toulon, May 22.
Yeſterday morning, at half an hour after three, we
ſaw twenty-fix fail of xebecks and fettees plying to the
eaftward. Upon their difcovering us to windward of
them, and they not being able to fetch Ciotat, they bore
away, part for Caffi creek and part for Marſeilles. As I
judged them to be a Spaniſh embarkation, I thought it
my indifpenfable duty to endeavour at deſtroying them.
About ten o'clock I came to an anchor within two cables
length of Caffi, and about a piftol-fhot from a creek to
the weſtward thereof, where they put in to fhelter them-
felves. I fent in my yawl first with an officer to recon-
noitre
302
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
noitre the place. He foon returned and informed me,
that he thought what I had propofed, with regard to
fcouring the eaſtern fide of the creek, and landing the
marines under ſhelter of the cannon, was very practicable,
that we might drive the enemy from their veffels, and fend
the boats to take poffeffion of them. I accordingly landed
the marines, who were attacked by a party of the Spani-
ards; but as foon as the officer could form them, they
forced the enemy to retreat; at the fame time the boats
boarded a'xebeck and a Tartan, and warped them out to
me. I immediately fent the boats in again with combuf-
tibles to fet the reſt of the embarkation on fire, as I found
it impracticable to get them out; and I have the pleaſure
to acquaint you, that we had the good fortune to burn
three xebecks and eight fettees. The xebecks were all
armed veffels to convoy the fettees, and I believe in their
ballaft. The fettees were laden with powder, cannon,
other ordnance ftores, and fome provifions, bound to
Antibes, where they were to receive farther orders from
the marquis de las Minas; and by what I can learn from
the priſoners we have taken, they were to embark troops
for Italy. I am the more confirmed in this opinion,
as we found flings in them for hoifting in their horfes.
They came from Majorca and Barcelona.'
Notwithstanding Mr. Mathews does not appear to have
himſelf preferred any complaint againſt captain Norris,
his conduct was fo loudly cenfured by others, that it was
very evident the rules and honour of the fervice rendered
it neceffary to enter into a proper and legal inveſtigation of
it. Captain Norris, in all probability confcious of his
own demerits, and confequently fearing to meet the in-
jured countenances of his countrymen, or fubmit his caufe
to that determination which would either have vindicated
his honour or punifhed his delinquency, thought proper
to withdraw himſelf from Port Mahon*. He ever after-
wards continued to paſs a life of obſcurity, as it is faid, in
Scotland; but, as may naturally be fuppofed in all çafes
of retirement fimilar to the prefent, even the time of his
death is unknown.
ROBINSON, of ROBERTSON, Nicholas,-was, on
the 8th of May 1735, appointed captain of the Aldboro'.
* Other accounts fay he abfconded after his arrival in London.
5
We
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
303
We have no ſubſequent information concerning him till
the year 1741, when we find him commanding the Effex,
of feventy guns, one of the fleet then ſtationed in the
Channel, under the orders of fir John Norris. He quit-
ted this fhip on the return of the fleet into port, when the
winter approached, being fucceeded by captain Norris
laft-mentioned. We do not know what particular
command he was afterwards invefted with, though it is
very apparent he was quickly appointed to fome other fhip,
for, on the 16th of June 1743, he was brought to a court-
martial, at Sheernefs, on a charge of defrauding govern-
ment, by falfe accounts, of the fum of 1381. 18s. He
was fentenced to pay a fine equivalent to twelve months
pay; and we have no proof of his ever having been again.
employed in the fervice. He died in England on the 1ft
of February 1753.
1736.
CHAMBERS, William,-was, on the 5th of October
1736, made captain of the Leopard. This is the only
mention we find made of this gentleman till the year 1740,
when he was appointed to the Montague, one of the hips
put into commiffion to form a part of the formidable ar-
mament fent out, at the end of the year juſt mentioned,
under fir Chaloner Ogle, to the Weft Indies; he was of
courſe preſent at the memorable and ever to be lamented
expedition againſt Carthagena; after the failure of which,
the Montague being one of the fhips ordered to remain on
the Weſt India ſtation, he, in 1741, accompanied Mr.
Vernon when he proceeded againſt Cuba, an enterpriſe as
unſucceſsful in its termination as the preceding one had
been. Mr. Chambers remained in the Weft Indies fome
years after this, retaining, during that period, the com-
mand of the Montague. His time was principally occu-
pied in cruifing for the protection of the British com-
merce;
304
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
merce*; as experience had taught the commanders-in-chief
that the force allotted to them, confidering the difadvan-
tage of the climate, and other caufes, was, in all proba-
bility, inadequate to the reduction of fuch Spaniſh fettle-
ments as could be deemed important enough to anſwer the
mere expence of capture.
No mention is made of Mr. Chambers after his return
to Europe, which in all probability happened in the year
1745, till his promotion, on the 15th of July 1747, to be
rear-admiral of the white. Immediately on his advance-
ment he was appointed to command a fquadron of nine
ſhips of war ftationed in the Channel. But the enemy not
attempting to fend any ſquadron to fea* for the purpoſe of
oppofing fuch naval operations as the British govern-
ment thought proper to undertake, he paffed through this
command as little noticed as though he had been inveſted
with it in a time of profound peace. On the 12th of
May 1748, he experienced a farther promotion to be rear-
admiral of the red, which appears to have been the higheſt
rank he ever lived to attain. On the conclufion of the
peace he was mentioned as the admiral to be inveſted with
the command in the Weſt Indies, of the ſmall ſquadron
The following little enterprize, trivial as it is in itſelf, does Mr.
Chambers too much credit, as a naval officer, to be omitted. So
much adroitnefs, activity, and fpirit, merited more enlarged fuccefa
than he was happy enough to meet with.
"Port Royal harbour, Jamaica, May 8, 1744.
"His majefty's ſhip Montague arrived the 3d inflant from her
cruife off the Tortuda bank, near the gulph of Florida, and brought in
with her a Spaniſh brigantine, of ten guns, and as many fwivels, with
twenty-four men, commanded by a lieutenant of a man of war,
which ſerved at that time as a tender to admiral de Torres. Captain
Chambers, who commanded the Montague, fays, that the morning
before he took this tender, being the 3d of April, he fell in with the
Spaniſh fquadron, confifting of nine large fhips of the line, a frigate of
twenty guns, and this brigantine, about five in the morning, in the
latitude of 24, bearing W. and by N. ten leagues from the Tortuda
bank that they were about four leagues to windward of him when he
firft faw them; and his fhip being clean, he made fail to windward in
chace of them all that day and night, in hopes one or other of them
might have fallen to leeward; that the next morning he picked up
this tender, in fight of five large fhips about four leagues to windward,
not one of which attempted to bear down upon him."
:
* Except that commanded by L'Entendiere, defeated by admiral
Hawke in the month of October.
always
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 305.
always ftationed there in cafe of any fudden emergency or
infult.. We do not, however, correctly know, whether he
ever proceeded thither; nor have we indeed been fortu-
nate enough to collect any other particulars relative to this
gentleman, who appears, even from the trivial mention
made of him, to have been a very brave and excellent
officer, except that he died in England on the 9th of Ja-
nuary 1753 MOND Charles*,-was, on the 12th of Ja-
DRUMMOND
nuary 1736, appointed captain of the Loweſtoffe frigate.
He continued in this fhip for many years, having in 1741
commanded her on the Leeward ifland ftation. Soon
after his return from thence, the precife time of which we
cannot afcertain, he was, in all probability, promoted to
the command of the Cambridge. In that ship we find
him on the Mediterranean ftation, ferving under Mr.
Mathews in the engagement with the French fleet off
Toulon. He was ftationed in the line as one of the fe-
conds to rear-admiral Rowley: and though his, was one of
the ships not engaged, he appears to have totally eſcaped
the obloquy that, from the fanguine fpirit of popular
opinion, might be fuppofed to attach to fuch a circum-
ftance. He continued to ferve for a confiderable time.
afterwards in the fame ftation and ſhip; and returning to
England with the other captains ordered home, was,
in 1746, examined, on behalf of the crown, as one
of the evidences on the trial of vice- admiral Leftock. We
know not whether he received any appointment after he
quitted the Cambridge, but are rather inclined to believe
he did not, as we find him on the 21st of July 1747, put on
the fuperannuated lift with the rank and half-pay of a rear-
admiral. He confequently lived ever afterwards in retire-
ment, far as related to the ſervice; fo that no other parti-
The family of Drummond has been always ranked amongst the
moft ancient and illuftrious of the Scotch nation; it is highly diftin-
guifhed by a long train of worthy ancestors, no lefs remarkable for the
noble alliances they made, and the dignities conferred upon them, than
for perfonal merit.
They have the honour to be, in ſeveral inftances, nearly related to
the royal houfe of Stuart; and can boaft, what few fubjects can do,
that moſt of the crowned heads in Europe are deſcended from them.
VOL. IV.
U
culars
1
306
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
culars relative to him are known, except that he died, in
England, fome time in the courfe of the year 1771.
FAULKNER, Samuel,-was, on the 26th of May
1736, appointed captain of the Britannia, and is believed
to have procured this commiffion at the fpecial recommen-
dation and inſtance of fir John Norris; who having ob-
ferved in him, while in a fubordinate ſtation, every quality
neceffary to conftitute a good officer, feized this opportu
nity not only of rewarding merit, but of procuring a
command under himſelf, for a man whoſe conduct he had
fo much approved of, and whom he confequently knew he
could fo well place an implicit confidence in.
Captain Faulkner appears never to have quitted this
particular and very honourable line of fervice, we mean
the command of a firſt rate, and, generally fpeaking, the
ſtation of captain to an admiral or commander-in-chief.
In the beginning of the year 1741 he was captain of the
Royal Sovereign, and early in the fpring removed into the
Victory, on board which fhip fir John Norris hoiſted his
flag as commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet, during
the enfuing fummer. Captain Faulkner unfortunately
continued in the fame command during life, and the cir
cumſtances attending his fervice were, not only from the
conduct of the enemy, remarkably trivial, but have been
related already in the lives of the different admirals under
whom he ſerved. In 1744 he attended admiral Balchen
in his unfortunate voyage to Lifbon, which ended, as it is
well known, in the lofs of that noble fhip, and all the gallant
perfons who failed in her, to the amount of eleven hun-
dred, many of them young volunteers, and relatives of the
moft illuſtrious families in the kingdom. This melancholy
event took place off Guernſey, as it is generally ſuppoſed,
on the 4th of October 1744.
FITZROY, Lord Auguftus, was the third fon of
Charles, fecond duke of Grafton, and the lady Henrietta,
daughter of Charles Somerſet, marquis of Worceſter.
He was born on the 16th of October 1716; and having
chofen a fea life, was, when fcarcely twenty years old,
appointed captain of the Eltham, a forty-gun fhip, on the
zd of November 1736. Collins afferts," that in the
month of September preceding he was appointed to, and
took poft in, the Kennington frigate." We have, how-
ever,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
307
ever, no evidence corroborating this affertion; and be-
lieve, fuppofing him really to have held that appointment,
that it was merely a temporary command, as acting cap-
tain only. Collins adds, "that he afterwards commanded
feveral other fhips of war previous to his being appointed
captain of the Orford;" but this alfo is a mistake: he
continued in the Eltham till the end of the month of Oc-
tober 1739, and was promoted out of that ſhip into the
Orford. During the very fhort time which intervened
between the commencement of hoftilities, and his removal
as juſt ſtated, he was employed as a cruifer off the coaſt of
Spain, and had the good fortune to capture a valuable mer-
chant-fhip,called the Nueftra Senora D'el Carmin, which he
brought fafe into Portfmouth. It was on his arrival there
that he received the appointment already alluded to.
He was immediately ordered to fea on a cruiſe with the
captains Mayne and Durell, the former of whom was the
commanding officer. Soon after their arrival on the appointed
ſtation they fell in with and captured, after a very defperate
refiftance, on the part of the enemy, the Princeffa, a Spaniſh
fhip of war, which, though mounting only feventy guns,
was confiderably larger than any of the British firft rates,
according to the dimenfions then uſed. The particulars
of the action have been already given in the life of captain
Mayne*, fo that it is totally unneceffary to repeat them,
or fay any thing farther concerning it, except that a trifling
difpute is faid to have ariſen between his lordſhip and
captain Mayne, in confequence of the former having re-
ceived the fword of the Spaniſh commander, which the
latter thought a compliment due to him, not only as having
been longer in action, but as commodore or fenior captain.
This buſineſs was, however, compromifed without much
difficulty, and during the enfuing ſeaſon he ſerved under fir
J. Norrisin the Channel fleet. On its return into port, at the
approach of winter, he was ordered to the Weft Indies,
with fir Chaloner Ogle and the reinforcement deſtined for
Mr. Vernon there. Nothing material occurred while the
fleet was on its voyage to Dominica; but when paffing
from thence to Jamaica, the headmeft fhips fell in
with four large French fhips of war under the iſland of
* See page 32.
U 2
Hifpa-
308
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Hifpaniola. The admira! made a fignal for an equal
number, of which his lordfhip was fenior, or commanding
officer, to give chace. On coming up during the night
with the marquis D'Antin, who was the French commo-
dore, he peremptorily refuſed to bring to, his lordship there-
fore, without heſitation, gave him his broadfide, which being
inſtantly returned, a general action took place, and conti-
nued, with very short intervals, during the remainder of
the night. When day-light appeared the French fhips
hoifted their colours and defifted from firing; the British
fhips purfued the fame line of conduct; and the com-
manders feparated, after making apologies for what was
called a miſtake; for though it was well understood that
the marquis D'Antin had been ſent from France for the
exprefs purpoſe of reinforcing the count De Torres, the
Spanish admiral, and affifting him in the attack of the
British fhips and fettlements, yet no war having been de-
clared between the courts of London and Verſailles, the
affair ended merely in the mutual lofs of feveral of the
crew killed and wounded.
Little notice is taken of his lordship at the fubfequent
attack of Carthagena. He was ftationed in the line to
lead admiral Vernon's divifion, and is only mentioned as
having been ordered into the harbour, with captain Griffin
in the Burford, to cut off from the Spaniards all commu-
nication, by water, with Caftillo Grande. His lordfhip did
not long furvive this unfortunate expedition, dying at Port
Royal on the 24th of May 1741, five days only after the
arrival of the fleet in that harbour. His complaint was
an indifpofition contracted in the unwholefome climate of
Carthagena, which, as Campbell properly obferves, that of
Jamaica did not contribute to the removal of.
His lordſhip had when a lieutenant, and not quite eigh-
teen years old, in the month of March 1733-4, married
Elizabeth, daughter of colonel William Cofby*, fometime
governor of New York, a younger fon of Alexander
* This brave and gallant young man was of a very amorous difpo-
fition, having, juit before he failed for Carthagena, been condemned
in very heavy damages for an intrigue with a lady of rank. The
crime therefore drew on itſelf its own puniſhment, and became a
Infficient palliative for the indifcretion.
Coſby,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
309
Cofby, of Strodbell, in the kingdom of Ireland, efq.
By her (who after his deceaſe married James Jeffrys, eſq.)
he had three fons, Charles, born at New York, 1734,
who died there aged only fourteen months; Auguftus
Henry, now duke of Grafton; and the honourable Charles
Fitzroy, fince created a peer by the title of lord South-
ampton. In the month of February 1738-9, he was
chofen reprefentative in parliament for the borough of
Thetford, a ftation he held till the time of his death.
He did
RUSSEL, John,-was, on the 22d of July 1736, pro-
moted to be captain of the Pearl frigate. After which
time we are ignorant of any particulars relative to him
till the year 1740, at the latter end of which we find him
commanding the Oxford, a fourth rate of fifty guns, on
the Mediterranean ſtation, under Mr. Haddock.
not long remain in this fhip, being fucceeded by captain
Powlet, afterwards duke of Bolton. We are again unac-
quainted what command he held till after the appointment
of Mr. Mathews to the Mediterranean ſtation, when
we find him to have been captain of the Namur, under
that admiral. He diftinguifhed himfelf very remarkably
in the memorable encounter with the French and Spaniſh
fleets off Toulon, and was fo defperately wounded, in ad-
dition to having loft his right arm clofe to his body, that
he died at Mahon, in confequence of thoſe honourable
injuries, in a few days after the action. Confiderable.
hopes were at firſt entertained of his recovery, but theſe
unhappily proved delufive.
TREFUSIS, Thomas,-the defcendant of a very an-
cient and honourable Cornish family, was, on the 25th of
December 1736, appointed captain of the Torrington.
This is the only naval command in which we have ever
been able to diſcover this gentleman. In the month of
May 1740, he was appointed commiffioner of the victu-
alling office, a ftation he retained till the 29th of June:
1744, and then quitted, on being appointed extra com-
miffioner of the navy refident at Mahon. This was a
temporary office erected in confequence of the war, and
the principal ſcene of naval operations being transferred.
to the Mediterranean.
He quitted this ſtation at the end of the year 1747 ; and
on the 24th of July 1748, was put on the fuperannuated
U 3
lift
310
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
lift with the rank and half pay of a rear-admiral. This
appointment, generally ſpeaking, clofes our account of
all thoſe gentlemen who have obtained that honourable
teſtimony of their paſt ſervices, when age or infirmities
prevent their continuing any longer in public life; fo
does it in the prefent inftance; and we have nothing far-
ther to add, except that he died, in England, on the 16th
of April 1754.
1737.
BOSCAWEN, the Honourable Edward,-was the
third fon of Hugh, firft lord viscount Falmouth, and
Charlotte,
*The following heraldic account of the family of Boſcawen is
given by Collins.
"Its anceſtors, according to the cuſtom of ancient times, had de
nomination from the lordſhip and manor of Boſcawen Rofe, in Corn-
wall, of which they were owners, in king John's reign.
"The firft mentioned, in the viſitation of the heralds, in the office
of arms, is Henry De Bofcawen, who had two fons, Robert and Alan,
who had iſſue John, the father of Mirabel, his only daughter and heir.
"Robert De Bofcawen, eldeft fon of Henry, was living in the
reign of king Henry IIId, and left iffue Henry De Bofcawen, living
in 1292, who, by his wife, Hawife, relict of William De Trewoofe,
had iffue Henry De Bofcawen, his fon and heir, who was living in
1327; and by Nicha de Lulyn, his wife, was father of John De Bof-
cawen, who came to the eftate in 1334. This John married Johan,
daughter and heir of John de Tregothnan, of Tregothnan, with whom
he had that eftate, and iffue by her two fons; John, his fon and heir,
and Otho, fecond fon, who died without iffue; and a daughter, Amy,
the wife of John Chiderton.
"The faid John De Bofcawen fucceeded his father in 1357. He
wedded Johan, daughter and heir of Otho De Abalanda, lineally de-
fcended from fir Ofbert De Abalanda, knt. who, by his wife Eufada,
daughter of John Refkyner, had a fon, Ewryne; who, by his wife
Florence, daughter and heir of Walter Pother, had a fon Ofbert, who by
Alice his wife, daughter and heir of fir Laurence Arundel, of Lamayel,
had a fon, Ofbert, who was father to Ewryne; who, by his wife Alice,
daughter and heir of Otho De Trevayle, had Otho; who, by his
wife Margery, daughter and heir of Ralph Kafel, was father of the
faid
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
311
Charlotte, eldeſt of two daughters, and coheirs of Charles
Godfrey, efq. by Arabella Churchill his wife, fiſter to
John, duke of Marlborough. He was born on the 19th
of Auguſt 1711; and having betaken himſelf to a naval
life was, after paffing through the feveral fubordinate
ſtations with the higheſt credit, promoted, on the 12th of
March 1737, to be captain of the Leopard, a fourth rate.
of fifty guns. How long he continued in this command
does not appear; nor have we any ſubſequent information
concerning him till the year 1739, when we find him
commanding the Shoreham frigate, employed on the Ja-
maica ftation as a cruiſer, at the commencement of the
war with Spain. His fhip wanting fome repairs, and be-
ing unfit for fea at the time Mr. Vernon failed on the
expedition againft Porto Bello, Mr. Bofcawen very fpirit-
edly defired to ferve under him as a volunteer; and after
the reduction of the fortrefs, was one of the officers em-
ployed in fuperintending and directing its demolition. We
do not find any particular mention made of him during
the enfuing year; but in 1741, he ftill continuing
captain of the fame fhip, was attached to the fleet of
Mr. Vernon, when employed on the expedition againft
Carthagena. Here this brave and gallant officer had the
firft opportunity of difplaying that fpirit of enterpriſe and
true contempt of danger, which fo ftrongly marked his
conduct in every future tranfaction of his life. He was
appointed to command the detachment of three hundred
failors which were ordered with two hundred foldiers, to
attack a faſcine battery, erected by the enemy on the iſland
faid Johan, and bore, for his arms, gules, three bends, argent, as his
anceſtors had done. By this match a great eſtate accrued to their fon
and heir, John Bofcawen, efq. who, by Rofe, his wife, daughter of
William Brett, efq. had iffue Hugh Boscawen, efq. his fon and heir,
who fucceeded him in his eftate, and married Johan, only daughter of
Ralph Trenouth, and heir of her mother Maud, daughter and heir of
Tregarick, of an ancient family in Cornwall."
* On the 15th of February captain Bofcawen and captain Knowles
were fent, by the vice-admiral, to the governor of Port Louis, with a
meffage, the purport of which was, that his fleet being forced by ftrong
breezes into that bay, the admiral defired to wood and water there.
They returned with a very polite anfwer, and at the fame time brought
an account that the marquis d'Antin with his fquadron had failed for
Europe.
U 4
af
312
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of Baru, which confiderably impeded the operations of the
army againſt the caftle of Boca Chica.
The execution of this project was to have taken place
on the 17th of March, but was obliged to be deferred, in
confequence of the violence of the wind, till the 19th.
The boats left the fhips about midnight, and rowed to the
ſhore about a mile to leeward of the Barradera battery,
which they were to attack. This meaſure had been
agreed on and fettled, as the most likely mode of avoiding
being feen, or difcovered by the noiſe of their oars. The
feamen, led by their high-fpirited commander, landed with
the greateſt alacrity in a fmall fandy bay, to which there
was a narrow channel between two reefs of rocks. To
defend this paffage was a battery of five guns, of which
the affailants were fo totally ignorant that the men landed
under their very muzzles. They had not formed
when the enemy opened their, fire, upon them; but the
Engliſh, though furpriſed at this very unexpected recep-
tion, immediately recollecting that their fuccefs, and,
indeed, fafety, depended on their refolution, rushed for-
ward with the utmoſt impetuofity, with their leader at
their head, and entering through the embra fures, drove
the enemy from their guns before they had time to make
a fecond difcharge, fo that this very important advantage
was obtained with a lofs truly inconfiderable.
1.
The Spaniards at the Barradera battery, when informed
of the misfortune, turned three pieces of cannon on the
victorious affailants, against whom they commenced a very
briſk fire with grape fhot; but their guns being too much
elevated, Mr. Bofcawen and his gallant party ſuſtained
very little injury. Pufhing on with their former intrepi
dity, they very foon drove the Spaniards from their fecond
and principal poſt; and carrying the battery on the inſtant
of affault, they fpiked the guns, tore up and burnt the
plat-forms, together with the carriages, guard-houfes, and
magazines, and returned to their fhips with fix wounded
prifoners. The Spaniards, fenfible of the fupport and
affiſtance afforded them by the battery juft mentioned,
were indefatigable in their attempts to repair it, and re-
mount it with cannon. Having in a few days ſo far
fucceeded as to be able to re-commence a fire from fix
guns, captain Bofcawen was again ordered to attack it, but in
a different line of fervice to that which he had been be-
fore
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
313
fore engaged in. His fhip, the Shoreham, together with
the Princefs Amelia, and Litchfield, were fent to
anchor as near the battery in queſtion as poffible, and
bring their broadfides to bear on it, in fupport of a de-
tachment of feamen, commanded by the captains Watſon,
Cotes, and Dennis, who were ordered to ftorm it. Thefe
meaſures, taken with fo much prudence and deliberation,
appearing to defy misfortune and ill-fuccefs, fo effectually
intimidated the Spaniards, that they fled without firing a
ſhot, as ſoon as ever they perceived the ſhips had brought
to, near the battery, and the boats were preparing to land
the men.
After the death of lord Aubrey Beauclerk, who unhap-
pily fell in the attack of Boca Chica caftle, he is believed
to have been promoted to the command of the Prince
Frederic, of feventy guns; and when the idea of any far-
ther attack was given up, Mr. Bofcawen was again em-
ployed in the fame kind of ſervice he before had been at
Porto Bello, being appointed to affift in demoliſhing the dif-
ferent forts which the Engliſh had made themſelves maſters
of. The ſubſequent naval operations which took place dur-
ing his continuance in the Weſt Indies were extremely un-
important, ſo that it cannot be thought extraordinary we
do not find him particularly mentioned. He returned to
England in May. 1742, and came to an anchor at St.
Helen's, in the Prince Frederic, on the 14th, after a paf-
fage of nine weeks from Jamaica, bringing advice that the
fleet and army, under Mr. Vernon and general Went-
worth, were, at the time he parted company with them,
under fail on the expedition againſt Panama, in the South
Sea, intending to be executed by marching the troops
acroſs the ifthmus of Darien.
We believe Mr. Bofcawen to have been principally, if
not entirely employed, after his return, till 1745, as a
cruifer in the Channel: but do not find any other parti-
cular mention made of him, except that, at the latter part
of that time, he commanded the Dreadnought, of fixty
guns. While thus occupied he captured the Medea,
a French frigate, commanded by Mr. He Hocquart.
About the end of the year juſt mentioned he was
appointed captain of the Royal Sovereign, then lying as a
guardship at the Nore; and is faid to have been made
com-
314
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
commander-in-chief of all the armed veffels hired by
government, as cruifers, during the rebellion. We rather
conceive this to be a miftateinent, or that he was only
inveſted with the office of fuperintendant; and inſtructed,
as they were principally, if not entirely, fitted in the river
Thames, to infpect them as they paffed the Nore, for the
purpoſe of examining whether they were properly equip-
ped for his majeſty's fervice.
In the month of January 1746, he was made captain
of the Namur, formerly a fhip of ninety guns, but now,
after receiving a thorough repair, reduced to a third rate.
Nothing in any degree material appears to have occurred
till November, when, being appointed commodore
of a fmall fquadron ordered to cruife at the entrance of the
Channel, he had the good fortune to capture two con-
fequential prizes; one of them the Intrepid, a ftout pri-
vateer fitted out from St. Maloe's, carrying twenty guns,
and two hundred men; the other a difpatch boat, fent to
Europe by M. de Jonquiere, the commander of the French
fquadron on the American ftation, with the advice of the
death of the duc D'Anville, and the total failure of the
whole expedition.
i
In the year 1747 he ferved as a private captain
in the fleet fent out under admirals Anfon and Warren,
and fignalifed himſelf in a very particular manner, dur-
ing the encounter with the French fquadron under Mr.
de Jonquiere, on the 3d of May. He was among the firft
commanders who was in action, and moft eminently
contributed to the complete fuccefs which attended it, by
ftopping the enemy till his companions got up. He
was feverely wounded in the fhoulder by a maſket
ball; but this was the laſt occafion on which he
ever ferved as a private captain, having, on the 15th of
July following, been defervedly advanced to be rear-admi-
ral of the blue. He immediately afterwards was inveſted
with a very extraordinary command, which were every other
evidence wanting, proves, in the moft confpicuous manner,
the very high opinion entertained by the fovereign, by his
minifters, and by the people in general, of his extenfive
and exalted abilities. The commiffion to which we allude,
appointed him not only admiral and commander-in-chief
of a ſquadron ordered for the East Indies, confiſting af
fix fhips of the line, but general alfo of the land forces
employed
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
315
employed on that expedition. No amphibious kind of
commiffion like this had been granted to any perſon fince
the time of Charles the Second, except the earl of Peter-
borough. It had always been deemed improper, and,
particularly in the inftance juſt mentioned, was much, though
probably undefervedly, cenfured. If Mr. Boscawen received
this high truft without roufing the clamorous voice of
party, and tho' unſucceſsful, as he proved, in carrying it into
execution, excited neither murmur nor reproach, it is not,
perhaps, urging too much to affert, that it was the greateſt
encomium that could poffibly have been paid to his high
merit and extenſive abilities.
The earlier part of the tranfactions of this expedition
are extracted from Collins, and are the more curious as
having been communicated to him by his fon, who was
an officer in that very expedition, and confequently an
accurate witneſs of every minute circumſtance that hap-
pened.
"On November 4, 1747, the fquadron failed from St.
Helen's with a fair wind, which only ferved for that day;
but admiral Bofcawen, anxious to get out of the Channel,
chofe rather to turn to windward with the fleet than to
put back. Meeting with hard gales of wind they were
obliged to anchor in Torbay, where the fleet arrived about
eleven o'clock on November 10th; but at four in the
evening, the wind ferving, failed again and proceeded to
the Land's End, when it turned again; but, ftruggling
with the winds, came to an anchor in the road of Madeira
on December 13th. Hard gales of wind had feparated
feveral fhips, which, however, on the 17th joined the
admiral, who uſed all poflible means to get the fleet in a
condition to fail; this being completed on the 22d,
they failed on the 23d. On March 29, 1748, the fleet
came to an anchor in Table Bay, at the Cape of Good
Hope. On the 30th the ground was pitched on to encamp,
and men were ordered on fhore to clear it; but the wind
blowed fo fresh that the forces could not land till April
6, when the whole encamped in good order and difcipline,
being three battalions, with artillery: on the right were
four hundred marines, making one battalion, fix English
independant companies of one hundred and twelve men were
on the left, and fix Scotch companies in the centre.
The
men
316
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
men made a good appearance; and no pains were fpared, asto
difcipline and refreshment, in order to fit them for their better
performance in action. The admiral, by his genteel beha-
viour,entirely gained the love of the land officers; and never
was greater harmony among all degrees of men than in this
expedition, every one thinking they were happy in being
under his command. The time they ſtayed at the Cape
was of great ſervice to the land and fea forces, who had
freſh meat all the time; but their ſtay was longer than
intended, occafioned by five India fhips, with forces on
board, parting from the fleet, purpoſely to get first to the
Cape, in order to fell their private trade to better advan-
tage, but they were miſtaken, as they did not arrive till April
14; and thoſe India fhips that were with the admiral had
fupplied the Cape with all that was wanting."
On the 8th of May the rear-admiral failed from the
Cape of Good Hope with the fquadron under his com-
mand, together with fix fhips belonging to the Dutch Eaſt
India company. After a fatiguing paffage, occaſioned
by a ſeries of contrary winds, very unufual at that feafon,
on the 23d of June, at day break, they made the iſland of
Mauritius, having parted from three of the Dutch fhips.
in the bad weather during their paffage. When in fight of
land the admiral called a counſel of war, aſking the advice
of his captains as to which they thought the moſt proper
paffage for the ſhips to take, in going in. It being deter-
mined to run between Long Island and the Gunners
Coin, the men of war to lead in line of battle, and the
India fhips to follow them, orders were given accordingly.
The greateſt part of the fleet anchored the fame night in
a place called Turtle Bay, between the river of that name
and Tomb river, about two leagues to the eaſtward of the
harbour, the reft got in the next day, having been fired
at in their paffage from two fafcine batteries of about fix
guns each, but without receiving any material damage.
At day light the enemy began to fire from other
fafcine batteries they had raiſed on each ſide of the
entrance of the two rivers; and were perceived to be
very hard at work in the wood oppofite to where the
* He was advanced by commiffion, bearing date the 12th of May,
to be rear-admiral of the white.
fquadron
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
317
fquadron lay, in throwing up intrenchments, as well as
raifing other defences. Several large fhips were alſo ſeen
lying in the harbour.
In this ftate of affairs the Pembroke, which lay
neareſt in ſhore, was ordered to fire and diſturb them at
their work. The Swallow floop was at the fame time
fent, with captain Lloyd, of the Eltham, the two princi-
pal engineers, and an artillery officer, along the ſhore to
reconnoitre the coafts, in order to difcover what place
would be moſt convenient for landing the troops. On
their return they reported that the enemy had fired on them
in their paffage from eight different batteries, as well as
from the forts at the entrance of the harbour; that a large
ſhip with two tier of guns lay with her broadfide acroſs the
mouth of it; that there were thirteen other fhips within
(feveral of them large) fitted, or fitting for the fea; and that
they thought it impracticable to land any where to the
eastward of the harbour, on account of the thickneſs of
the woods which came down cloſe to the water fide. It
was therefore judged moſt prudent to attempt landing be-
yond the great river, to the weftward of the town. As
foon as it was dark the mafters of the fix line of battle
fhips were ordered to go in the barges and found all along
the fhore to afcertain the depths of water, and fee particu-
Jarly whether it was practicable to land at the place pro-
pofed. On their return they declared that a reef of rocks
ran along ſhore at the diftance of twenty yards from it,
which made it impoffible for boats to land, except at the
river's mouth oppofite to where the fleet lay, or at the
harbour, where the Channel was not above an hundred
fathoms wide, and very difficult to get in, the wind always
blowing off fhore. This determined the admiral to call
a council of war, compofed of the principal fea and land
officers, that he might lay before them theſe reports, with
his instructions, far as they related to the attack of Mau-
ritius, and to confult with them what was beft to be done,
It was agreed, that, as they were unacquainted with the
ftrength of the enemy on the ifland, three ten-oar'd boats
fhould be fent, under the command of major Cuming, to
endeavour at furprizing, and getting a prifoner from the
fhore. This was accordingly attempted, but in vain.
The council being met again next morning, it was re-
folved
318
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
folved that the reduction of the island of Mauritius
not being the principal defign of the expedition, as
there was ſuch a ſtrength of fhips in the harbour, and the
preparations which the enemy had made along the coaft
made it certain the attack muſt be attended with confider-
able lofs, that no farther attempt fhould be made, but
that the fquadron fhould proceed with the utmoſt expedition
to the coaft of Coromandel, fo as to begin the operations
there before the monſoons fhifted."
Two days elapfed before the fleet could leave the
island, there being ſuch a ſcarcity of bread, fire-wood, and
water, as to make it neceffary to divide thofe articles
equally among the fhips. Juft as they got under fail one
of the Dutch fhips that had parted company joined them,
but the other two were not heard of. When the fleet
cleared the iſland the Dutch fhips_took their leave, and
ſtretched away to the fouthward. The admiral being de-
firous, in purſuance of the reſolution of the council of
war, to make the ſhorteſt paffage poffible to the coaſt of
Coromandel, paffed through the iſlands, and fands to the
northward of Mauritius, and on the 29th of July the whole
fquadron arrived ſafe at fort St. David.
It was immediately determined to undertake the fiege
of Pondicherry; the neceffary ftores and troops were
accordingly landed from the fhips, and a camp formed
about a mile from the fort. The people continued
very healthy, as they had done the whole voyage,
a circumſtance principally to be attributed to the ufe of
air pipes, which were found to be of infinite ſervice.
The marines ferving in the fquadron under the command
of rear-admiral Griffin, then at fort St. David, being
joined to thofe of Mr. Bofcawen, a very good battalion
was formed, confifting of ſeven hundred men.
On the ift of Auguft the Exeter was fent to anchor
off Pondicherry; and two days after the Cheſter, Pem-
broke, and Swallow floop joined her. Captain Powlet, of
the Exeter, was directed to take the foundings, and afcer-
tain how near the fhips could come to the town upon
emergency, in order to cut off all communication upon
that fide.
Every thing being prepared, the army began its
march on the 8th of Auguſt, Mr Boscawen heading it
8
himſelf.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 319
himſelf. He left the command of the fquadron to
captain Lifle, of the Vigilant, with orders to anchor with
his whole force two miles to the fouthward of the
town, and remain there till farther orders.
The army continued their march on the 9th and
10th without any appearance of an enemy. On the 11th
a body, confifting of three hundred foot and fome horſe,
made their appearance at an intrenchment they had thrown
up, but abandoned it at the approach of the Britiſh. This
poft was fituated near a ſmall river, and was very defen-
fible. About a mile from it, on the other fide of the
water, was the fort of Aria Coupan, near a river, from
whence it takes its name.
The admiral here having learned, by a deferter, that the
garrifon of the fort of Aria Coupan confifted only of one
hundred men, whites or people of colour, refolved to
make an attempt next morning, with the grenadiers and
piquets, to gain a lodgment in the village contiguous to it,
and there erect a bomb battery, as it was faid the garri-
fon greatly dreaded a bombardment, their magazine not
being bomb proof. In this project the admiral would
have fucceeded, having foon got poffeffion of the village,
but the blacks, who were employed in carrying up the
intrenching tools, all ran away on a fhot coming among
them. Upon this the enemy began to fire brifkly from
two batteries they had raiſed on the other fide Aria Coupan
river. Theſe completely flanked the Britiſh poſition,
fo that it was then thought adviſable to retire towards the
ſea, in order to open a communication with the ſhips, and
get on fhore cannon, together with proper materials for
raiſing batteries to deſtroy thofe of the enemy above-men-
tioned, as well as carrying on approaches againſt the fort
in form. They now found it to be regularly defended
with a ditch, and covered way, and therefore fome little
precaution was neceffary to be obferved in the attack of the
village. The admiral had one lieutenant killed, and four
officers wounded; amongſt them was major Goodyer, the
commanding officer of the artillery, who loft his leg by a
cannon-ball, and died foon afterwards. The abfence of this
officer was the greateſt misfortune the army could have fuf
tained, as he was univerfally reputed a very able man, and
would probably, as it is faid, have carried on their ap-
proaches
320
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
proaches in a different and more fuccefsful manner than
what the furviving engineers did. The detachment lay
on their arms all night; and the next morning the whole
army marched to join them. In the afternoon eleven.
hundred feamen, whom the admiral had cauſed to be dif-
ciplined on board the fleet, and exerciſed in platoons under
the command of captain Lloyd, were landed. Theſe
mounting guard, as well as doing all other duties with the
regular troops, were a confiderable relief to this little
army.
Four twelve and four eighteen pounders being landed
on the 16th at night, a battery of four guns was marked
out and completed by next morning; but being placed by
the engineers in a different pofition from what was ori
ginally intended, became of no manner of uſe, a cluſter of
trees between the battery and the fort fo intercepted the
view, that an angle only of the latter could be feen.
The next morning a battery built by the artillery
officers was opened with great advantage. The enemy, with
a troop of fixty European horfe, fupported by as many
foot, and fome Seapoys, made a defperate attempt to de-
ftroy it, but without fuccefs; for though the advanced
guard in the trench adjoining to the battery at firſt gave
way, they foon rallied and repulfed the enemy with great
lofs, the commanding officer of the horfe being taken.
Soon afterwards the enemy's battery blew up,and deſtroyed
(as the admiral was afterwards informed) upwards of one
hundred men. Some royals were immediately brought
into the village, and fhells were thrown from them into
the fort, which, about two o'clock in the afternoon, blew
up likewife. The army marched directly and took pof-
feffion of it, but found that the garrifon were withdrawn
in great hafte, having left their clothes and every thing
behind them.
On the 20th the admiral removed his camp to Aria
Coupan; and from that day to the 25th the people were
employed in repairing the fort, which being completed
they croffed the river of Aria Coupan, and the fame
evening took poffeffion of a ſtrong poſt in the bound hedge
of Pondicherry; about a mile from the walls, the enemy
having, to his great furpriſe, abandoned it on his advanc
ing, though it was very capable of being defended by a
fmall
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
321
fmall number of men, and fo fituated as to have coſt a
great many in the attack, had the poffeffion of it been dif
puted.
This poft being on the north-weft quarter of the
town, the admiral ordered the fhips down to the northward
of it; and opening on the 28th a communication that
way, began to land intrenching tools, and other necef-
faries, in order to break ground before the place. He
ordered the engineers to reconnoitre and lay their plans
for carrying on the attack, before him: one of them pro-
ducing a ſcheme which ſeemed feazible, he was ordered to
carry it into execution immediately; and the trenches were
opened accordingly on the 30th, at night.
On the 1ft of September the enemy made a fally
with five hundred whites, and fix or eight hundred blacks,
but were repulfed by the advanced guard of one hundred
men with confiderable lofs. M. Paradis, their chief
engineer, and director of all the military affairs, was
mortally wounded; three or four other of their beft officers
killed, and about one hundred men killed or wounded.
The engineers continued working every night,
without making much progreſs; and the batteries were not
completed till the 25th of September, when they began
to fire. They confifted of, one mounting 8 guns, viz. fix
twenty-four, and two eighteen pounders; one of 4 guns,
two twenty-four and two eighteen pounders; one bomb
battery of five large mortars, and fifteen royals; with an-
other of fifteen cohorns.
The enemy were not idle on their part, having raiſed
three faſcine batteries to play upon the trenches, which
they enfiladed, and annoyed the affailants very much, ſo as
to put them to the neceffity of making two batteries, one
of three, the other of two guns, to play againſt them till
the grand batteries were finifhed. Thefe laft-mentioned
were built by the artillery officers, who voluntarily under-
took the office that the engineers might not be diverted
from the main point.
When the befiegers first broke ground, the admiral
directed captain Lifle to order in the bomb-ketch to bom-
bard the citadel night and day. This was continued for
a little time with fome fuccefs; but in a few days the
enemy began to throw fhells at the ketch, and got her
diſtance fo exactly, that one fhell ftaved the boat aftern of
VOL. IV.
X
her,
}
322
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
her, and another threw the water in upon her decks, fo
that the was obliged always to heave off in the day time.
The feafon being now far advanced, and the enemy
having formed an inundation in the front of the works,
which rendered it impoffible to carry them on any farther, the
admiral found there was no probability of reducing the
place but by endeavouring to annoy it as much as poffible,
and thereby compelling the garrifon to the neceffity of fur-
rendering. With this view he ordered captain Lifle
to extend the men of war before the town in a line
of battle, and warp in to cannonade the works, on the
morning after the batteries were opened. This was exe-
cuted with great precifion: the enemy at first returned the
fire very brifkly, but foon after flackened. Their batte-
ries from that time remained filent towards the fea, though
they continued to fire brifkly on the land fide.
In this cannonade the thips expended a confiderable
quantity of ammunition; but the admiral finding it did
not anfwer his end, ordered captain Lifle to haul off in the
night out of gun-fhot, and remain in a line as before, in
order to be ready to warp in again. This, tho' he attempted
to effect, the wind having come in from the fea in the night
prevented his getting out far enough; and the enemy began
to cannonade and bombard the thips in the morning, but
without doing much damage, except killing one man on
board the Vigilant, together with captain Adams, of the
Harwich, whofe thigh was carried away by a cannon ball,
and whofe death was much regretted, he being a brave, and
excellent officer.
The affailant's batteries continued firing, and beat
down great part of the defence where the attack was
intended; but as they could not carry on approaches,
in confequence of the inundation before-mentioned, and
the admiral had not men fufficient to begin a new attack,
or carry on the fiege, he could only endeavour to make
a breach in the curtain at the diſtance he then was. This
was alfo found impracticable, the enemy having opened a
mafked battery of fix guns in the very curtain where the
befiegers were then attempting to make a breach, and were
conftructing another in the curtain adjoining, fo that their
fire became much fuperior to that of the affailants, nine
of whofe guns were difabled. The admiral hereupon
called
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
323
called a council of war on the 30th of September, in which
the ſtate of affairs being taken into confideration, and it
appearing that the ſtrength of the army was reduced above
feven hundred men fince taking the field, that it was hourly
leffening by ſickneſs occafioned by fatigue; that the
fhips of war could be of no fervice againſt the enemy's
works, having cannonaded a whole day without apparent
effect; that the monfoon, and rainy feafon were daily ex-
pected, which would not only oblige them to raiſe the
fiege with the lofs of the artillery, and ſtores, but in all
probability render the rivers impaffable, deſtroy the roads,
and cut off the retreat of the army to fort St. David, to
ſay nothing of the rifk of the fhips being driven off the
coafts; it was therefore unanimouſly refolved, after re-em-
barking the ftores and cannon, to raiſe the ſiege.
From the 1st of October to the 4th the befiegers
were employed in getting off the cannon and ſtores from
the ſhore. On the 5th the failors fet fire to the batteries
and reimbarked. On the 6th in the morning the army
began to march for fort St. David; and having demolished
the fort of Aria Coupan in their way, arrived the next
evening at fort St. David.
Several little rivers which the army had to paſs on the
laſt day were fo fwelled, and the roads fo full of water,
occafioned by the heavy rain that fell the night before, that
it became evident the troops had moved but juſt in time,
for another equally heavy fall would have rendered them
impaffable in many places.
The garrifon of Pondicherry, by the beft accounts
the admiral could procure, confifted of eighteen hundred
or two thouſand Europeans, and nearly three thouſand
blacks. His whole ftrength, when he marched from fort
St. David, (exclufive of one hundred and twenty Dutch,
lent from their fettlements, and two thouſand blacks)
confifted of 2690 European troops, one hundred
and forty-eight artillery people, with one thoufand and
ninety-feven feamen; out of which were loft, during the
fiege, ſeven hundred and fifty-feven foldiers, forty-three
artillery men, and two hundred and fixty-five feamen.
As to the blacks, though they were fo numerous, they
were of no other uſe than to lay on the fķirts of the camp
to prevent its being furprized or harraffed by the blacks of
the
X 2
334
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the enemy, for they never would maintain any poft they
were put in, without Europeans being continually fent to
fupport them. The enemy are faid to have loft five hun-
dred Europeans in the courſe of the fiege.
The foregoing account is taken principally from that
officially published; and differs not very materially, but is
much to be preferred, as being more particular and minute
than that given by Collins, from the information of his fon.
That gentleman adds however a very juft though fhort
encomium on the admiral's conduct. "He conducted
his retreat fo ably that the enemy never ventured to moleſt
him, and through the whole of this unſucceſsful expedi-
tion, fhewed himſelf as able a general, or land officer, as
he before had done in his own proper line of fervice; for
no commander whatever could have done more than him-
felf with the finall and inconfiderable force he had under
his orders."
Intelligence was received in the Eaſt Indies foon after
the above (event, that peace was concluded at Aix la
Chapelle; but circumstances rendered the continuance of
the admiral in that part of the world neceffary for fome time.
This, as it happened, was rather an unfortunate circum-
ftance, for a violent ftorm arifing on the 13th of April
1749, the Namur, of feventy-four guns, which was the
admiral's flag fhip, together with the Pembroke, and Apollo
hofpital-fhip, as well as the greater part of their crews,
ere unhappily loft on the following day. The Namur
was at anchor in the road of fort St. David when the gale
commenced, and put to fea, after having fhipped a confi-
derable quantity of water, at feven in the evening of the
13th. The admiral himſelf was providentially on fhore,
and about ſeventy of the crew were fick in the hoſpital.
The ſhip, unable to contend with fo tremendous an hurri-
cane, foundered in nine fathom water. Captain Mar-
fhall who commanded her, together with Mr. Gilchriſt the
third lieutenant, the captain of marines, the furgeon,
purfer, chaplain, boatfwain, and about forty private ſea-
inen, being all that were faved out of nearly fix hundred.
Fort St. George being delivered up, and taken pof-
feffion of by the admiral, every other ftipulation on the
part of the enemy being alfo complied with, according to
the articles of peace, Mr. Bofcawen failed from fort St.
David's
+
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
325
;
David's on the 19th of Oct. 1749, and came to an anchor at
St. Helen's on the 14th of April following, without meeting
with any accident more unfortunate than that of having
parted company, in a gale of wind, two or three days before
his arrival with fome of the fhips of his fquadron, which,
nevertheleſs, came in very ſafe in a few days afterwards.
Notwithſtanding he found on his return his native country
in a ſtate of what might be called profound peace, he did
not paſs into that retired way of life which is generally
embraced by the braveſt and beſt of men, after the labo-
rious fatigues of public fervice in the particular line of
their profeffion; he had reprefented the borough of Truro
in parliament ever fince the month of June 1741*, and
regularly attended, after his return, in difcharge of
that truft. His well-known abilities in the line of his
profeffion were too attractive not to excite the attention
of minifters, and cauſe an earneft defire of having a man
for their colleague who was capable of advifing, and, in-
deed, directing, all particulars relative to the naval branch
of adminiſtration: he was accordingly, on the 22d of
June 1751, appointed one of the commiffioners for exe-
cuting the office of lord high admiral, a ſtation he conti-
nued to hold during life. He was about the fame time
elected one of the elder brethren of the trinity-houſe.
On the 4th of February 1755, he was advanced to be
vice-admiral of the blue. Intelligence was foon after-
wards received that, notwithſtanding the profeffions of
friendſhip with which the French miniftry endeavoured to
amufe the court of London, they had encouraged and even
commanded their officers in America to commit the moſt
flagrant acts of hoftility, as alſo that they were then actually
employed in equipping a formidable naval force in their
different ports. This fleet was to be commanded by monſ.
Bois de la Motte, and was intended to confift of twenty-
five fhips of the linet, befides a number of frigates, having
* In the tenth parliament of Great Britain, which first fat for dif-
patch of buſineſs on the 12th of November 1747. He was returned
for the borough of Saltafh, as well as Truro; but made his election for
the latter place, which he continued to reprefent till the time of his
death.
+ But nine of the largeft fhips returned back to Breft under Mr.
Macnamara, after having feen their colleagues to what was deemed a
fafe latitude.
X 3
under
326
1
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
under their convoy a fleet of tranſports, on board which
as well as the ſhips of war, a land force, powerful enough
to deſerve the name of an army, was embarked, with a
ſufficient train of artillery, ſtores, and camp equipage,
equal to the profecution of an offenfive campaign. This
armament was deftined as well to fupport the ambitious
views of France, as to enable her by reinforcing her own
garrifons in fo great a degree, to preclude all danger
of a retaliated attack.
Mr. Boscawen was chofen as the propereft perſon to
watch the motions of fo enterprifing, and deceitful an
enemy. He accordingly failed from Plymouth on the 27th
of April, with eleven fhips of the line and a frigate, having
two regiments of foldiers on board, under orders to cruiſe
off the banks of Newfoundland, in hopes of being able to
intercept the French fquadron, in its attempt to enter
the river St. Lawrence. The fogs which fo frequently pre-
vail on that coaſt, more eſpecially at the ſeaſon of the year al-
luded to, preyented the two fquadrons from difcovering each.
other and the French commandant, probably aware that
he was purſued, divided his force into two parts; one
divifion made for the river St. Lawrence by the ordinary
route, while the other went round, and entered the fame
river by paffing through the ftreights of Belleifle, a courſe
never before attempted by fhips of the line. Mr. Bofcawen
lay with his fleet off Cape Ray or Wrath †, the moſt ſouthern
point of Newfoundland, which was deemed the propereſt
ſtation for intercepting the enemy. They however effected
their eſcape, two ſhips only of the fquadron excepted; theſe
were the Alcide and Lys, the former of fixty-four guns,
and four hundred and eighty men, the latter, armed en
flute, being pierced for fixty-four guns as well as her com- .
panion, but mounting, when taken, only twenty-two, the
being then uſed as a temporary tranfport, and having on
board eight companies of foldiers.
Thefe fhips had feparated from their companions on
the 9th of June, in a fog; and fell in, the next day, with
* He was inftructed to treat the French as an enemy, and attack
them wherever he met them. On intelligence being received
that the French armament had actually failed, and in the force above-
flated, rear-admiral Holbourne was ordered out to follow him with a
reinforcement of fix ſhips of the line and a frigate.
+ As it is frequently called.
the
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 327
1
the Dunkirk and Defiance, both of them fixty-gun fhips.
The enemy made a very brave and refolute defence, not
furrendering till after a conteft of nearly five hour's contî-
nuance. Several officers of diftinction were made pri-
foners in the Lys; and her capture was rendered ftill more
valuable from the circumftance of her having on board
fpecie to the amount of 80,000l. fterling. A circum-
ſtance relative to the life of Mr. Bofcawen attended the
capture of theſe veffels, which is too fingular to be omitted.
Monfieur Hocquart, commander of the Alcide, became, for
a third time, his prifoner, he having taken that gentleman,
firſt when captain of the Medea, in the year 1744*, he
himſelf, as already ftated, commanding the Dreadnought;
and, fecondly, in the year 1747, when captain of the
Diamond, that fhip having ftrick to the Namure. Mr.
Boscawen returned immediately to England with his
prizes, and fifteen hundred prifoners.
In 1756 he was advanced to be vice-admiral of the
white, as he was not long afterwards to the fame rank
in the red fquadron, but did not accept of any command
till the beginning of the year 1758; when having been, on
the 8th of February, declared admiral of the blue, he was
alſo appointed commander-in-chief of the feet equipped
to cover the deſcent at, and fiege of Louifburg. The mag-
nitude and confequence of the expedition will be beft ex-
plained by ftating the force of this formidable arma-
inent; it confifted of the following fhips.
Ships.
Commanders.
Námur-Hon. Ed. Bofcawen, capt. Buckle
Royal William-Sir C. Hardy, capt. Evans
Princefs Amelia-Phil. Durell, efq. capt. Bray
Invinciblet-Capt. Bentley
Terrible-Collins
Guns.
go
84
80
74
+
74
*It is worthy of remark, that the Medea was the firft king's fhip
taken in that war...
+ The Invincible, which was one of the 'fineft fhips in the fleet,
miffed ftays in turning out, and unfortunately running on a fhoal was
loft. She was replaced by the Dublin, a fhip of the fame rate and
force, commanded by captain, afterwards lord Rodney, who was dif
patched for that purpoſe.
X 4
Northum-
328
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Ships.
Commanders.
Gunge
Northumberland-Rt. hon. lord Colvil
70
Vanguard-Swanton
70
Orford-Spry
70
Burford-Gambier
70
Somerſet-Hughes
70
Lancaſter Hon. G. Edgecumbe
70
Devonshire-Gordon
66
Bedford-Fowke
64
Captain-Amherſt
64
Prince Frederic-Man
64..
Pembroke
Simcoe
60
60
Kingſtone Parry
York-Pigot
Prince of Orange-Ferguſon
Defiance-Baird
Nottingham-Marſhall
Centurion-Mantell
Sutherland-Rous
(
Frigates.
•
ба
60
60
69
54
50
Juno, Diana, Boreas, Trent, Gramont, Shannon, Hind,
Port Mahon, Nightingale, Kennington, Squirrel, Beaver,
Hunter, Scarborough, Hawke, Etna, Lightning, Tyloe.
When the admiral arrived at Halifax he was there
joined by general Amherſt and the army. The neceffary
arrangements being made, the fleet failed from thence on
the 28th of May. Including the tranfports, with the
ſhips of war, it amounted to one hundred and fifty-feven
fail; the army which it conveyed confifted of upwards of
twelve thouſand men, eleven thoufand nine hundred and
thirty-fix infantry, officers included, and three hundred
and twenty-four of the artillery. On the 2d of June the
fleet anchored in the bay of Gabarus, about feven miles to
the weftward of Louisburg; and the fiege was preffed with
ſo much vigour, that, on the 26th of July, the chevalier
Drucour, who commanded in the fortrefs, propofed to
furrender. The terms of capitulation were, without much
difficulty, fettled with the Britiſh commanders-in-chief;
and the garrifon, confifting of near fix thouſand men, be-
came prifoners of war.
}
1
It
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
329
It is needlefs, and, indeed, extraneous, to enter into a
detail of the ſeveral circumſtances attending this fiege, as
Mr. Boscawen could, from the very nature of his fitua-
tion, be only generally concerned in them*: but his dili-
gence and attention, which were the moſt uſeful qualities
he could difplay on fuch an occafion, were fo confpicuous,
that the houſe of commons came, on the 6th of December
1758, to an unanimous refolution, that the thanks of the
houfe fhould be given to him. Accordingly, Mr. Onflow,
the Speaker, addreffed him in the following terms:
"Admiral Boſcawen, the houſe have unanimouſly re-
folved, that their thanks fhould be given to you for the
fervices you have done to the king and country in North
America; and as it is my duty to convey their thanks to
you, I wish I could do it in a manner fuitable to the
occafion, and as they ought to be given to you, now
ſtanding in your place, as a member of this houfe-but
were I able to enumerate, and fet forth in the beſt manner
the great, and extenfive advantages accruing to this nation
from the conqueft of Louifburg, with the iflands of Cape
Breton and St. John's, I could only exhibit a repetition
of what has already been, and is the genuine, and uniform
ſenſe, and language of every part of the kingdom: their
joy too has been equal to their fentiments upon this inte-
refting event; and in their ſentiments, and joy they have
carried their gratitude alſo to you, fir, as a principal in-
ftrument in theſe moſt important acquifitions: you are
now, therefore, receiving the acknowledgments of the
people, only in a more folemn way, by the voice, the
general voice, of their reprefentatives in parliament: the
moft honourable fame that any man can arrive at in this or
* Having detached fome fhips, with a fufficient body of troops
under the command of Andrew lord Rollo, to take poffeffion of the
iſland of St. John, and left a fquadron fufficient for the defence and
protection of Nova Scotia, the admiral, together with fir Charles
Hardy, his vice-admiral, returned to England, having with them only
four fhips of the line, including thoſe they were themſelves on board
of. Thus were they fituated, when, at the latter end of October, fome
leagues to the weftward of Scilly, they fell in with fix large French fhips
of the line: but the enemy declined an action; and their fhips being
far better failers than his, Mr. Bofcawen was not able to overtake and
force them to one.
any
330
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
any other country. It is on thefe occaſions a national ho-
nour from a free people, ever cautiously conferred, in order
to be the more efteemed, and be the greater reward, a
reward which ought to be referved for the moft fignal
ſervices to the ſtate, as well as for the most approved merit
in them, fuch as this houfe has ufually, and very lately,
made their object of public thanks. The ufe I am per-
fuaded you will make of this juft teftimony, and high
reward, of your fervices and merit, will be the preferving
in your own mind a lafting impreffion of what the com-
mons of Great Britain are now tendering to you, and in a
conſtant continuance of the zeal, and ardour for the glory
of your king and country, which have made you to deferve
it. In obedience to the commands of the houfe, I do, with
great pleaſure to myfelf, give you the thanks of the houſe,
for the fervices you have done to your king and country,
in North America.".
To which admiral Bofcawen, with his ufual modefty,
made the following reply.
"Mr. Speaker, I am happy in having been able to do
my duty, but have not words to exprefs my fenfe of the
diftinguiſhing reward that has been conferred upon me by
this houſe; nor can I enough thank you, fir, for the po-
lite and elegant manner in which you have been pleaſed to
convey to me the reſolution.”
Mr. Bofcawen having, by his conduct and fuccefs on
the foregoing occafion, completely eſtabliſhed that repu-
tation which he had before fo defervedly acquired, and
convinced the world that his judgement was as folid,
as well adapted to cool deliberation, as his abilities in the
heat of action were dazzling and fplendid, he was, by his
majeſty's command, fworn a member of the privy council
on the 2d of February 1759, and took his feat at the board.
He was immediately afterwards inveſted with the com-
mand of a ſquadron, confifting of fourteen fhips of the
line and two frigates, ordered for the Mediterranean.
He failed from St. Helen's on the 14th of April, and
immediately after his arrival on his ftation repaired to
Toulon, off which port he cruifed for fome days, in hopes
of provoking Mr. de la Clue, who lay there with a ſqua-
dron confifting of twelve large fhips, and three frigates, to
come out and engage him. The deſtruction of this fleet
was the principal object which caufed the equipment of that
Mr.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
331
Mr. Boscawen commanded. It was a point of the
moft ferious, and confequential national concern, Mr. de
la Clue, being under orders to repair to Breft, and put
himſelf under the command of the marquis de Conflans,
whofe operations were extremely difconcerted by the
demolition of this formidable reinforcement.
Mr. Boscawen finding that no infult he had hitherto
offered, proved fufficient to roufe or provoke the chef
d'efcadre to hazard an action, refolved to try his temper
and patience ſtill farther, by fending the Culloden, Con-
queror and Jerſey, clofe into the harbour's mouth, to
attempt the deſtruction of two French fhips which lay
there. Captain Smith Callis, an officer who in the for-
mer war had fignalized himſelf extremely in an enterpriſe.
nearly fimilar, had the command; and though unfuccefs-
ful in this his fecond attempt, yet the very ſpirited manner
in which the attack was made, could not but impreſs the
enemy with the moſt awful refpect, as well towards the
admiral himſelf, who had the boldnefs to iffue the orders,
as towards the officers who immediately attempted to exe-
cute them. The fire of ſeveral very heavy maſked bat-
teries, which were not known to the affailants till they
felt the weight of their fhot, compelled the Britiſh detach-
ment to defift, after having in the moſt ſpirited manner
perfevered in the attack for upwards of three hours. They
attempted with equal gallantry to deftroy two forts which
defended the entrance, and cannonaded them for a confi-
derable time with the greateſt vivacity; but finding at
length the great fuperiority of the enemy rendered all
attempts ineffectual, the feveral commanders were reluct-
antly obliged to abandon an enterprize, in which they
could not be faid to have gained any thing but honour.
The ſhips being, though not without fome difficulty,
towed off from the very center of the enemy's fire, it be-
came neceffary for the admiral to repair to Gibraltar for
the purpoſe not only of refitting thofe fhips which had on
the above occafion fuftained damage, but recruiting the
water and performing other neceffary fervices required by the
fquadron in general. This was not perfectly completed when
Mr. de la Clue, taking advantage of the abfence of the
Britiſh fquadron, put to fea in hopes of being able to elude
Mr. Bofcawen's vigilance, whom he knew, by good infor-
mation, was bufily employed in the neceffary duties juſt
2
ftated.
332
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
ftated. The extreme vigilance and care of the admiral
rendered this attempt abortive, nearly half of the
French fquadron was captured or deftroyed*, and the
founda-
* Of this memorable difcomfiture the admiral gave the following
account.
"I acquainted you in my laft of my return to Gibraltar to refit.
As foon as the fhips were near ready, I ordered the Lyme and Gi-
braltar (the only frigates ready) the first to cruiſe off Malaga, the
laft from Eftepona to Ceuta point, to look out, and give me timely no-
tice of the enemy's approach.
"On the 27th, at eight in the evening, the Gibraltar made the
fignal of their appearance, fourteen fail on the Barbary fhore, to the
eastward of Ceuta. I got under fail as faft as poffible, and was out of
the bay before ten, with fourteen fail of the line, the Shannon frigate.
and Etna firefhip. At day-light I faw the Gibraltar, and foon after,
feven large fhips lying to; but on our not anfwering their fignals they
made fail from us. We had a fresh gale that brought us up with them
faft till about noon, when
it fell little wind. About half an hour paſt
two fome of the headmoft fhips began to engage, but I could not get
up to the Ocean till near four. In about half an hour the Namur's.
mizen-maft, and both top-fail-yards were fhot away. The enemy then.
made all the fail they could. I fhifted my flag to the Newark; and
foon after the Centaur, of feventy-four guns, ftruck.
"I purfued all night, and in the morning of the 19th faw only four
fail ftanding in for the land (two of the beſt failers having altered their
courfe in the night) we were not above three miles from them, and
not above five leagues from the fhore, with very little wind. About
nine the Ocean ran among the breakers, and the three others anchored.
I fent the Intrepid and America to deftroy the Ocean. Captain
Pratten having anchored, could not get in, but captain Kirke performed
that ſervice alone. On his first firing at the Qcean, ſhe ftruck, and
Captain Kirke fent his officers on board. M. de la Clue having one
Jeg broke, and the other wounded, had been landed about half an
hour; but they found the captain, M. le compte de Carne, and ſeveral
officers and men on board. Captain Kirke, after taking them out,
finding it impoffible to bring the flip off, fet her on fire. Captain
Bentley, of the Warfpight, was ordered against the Temeraire, of
feventy-four guns, and brought her off with little damage, the officers,
and men all on board. At the fame time vice-admiral Broderick,
with his divifion, burnt the Redoubtable, her officers and men having
quitted her, being bulged; they brought the Modefte, of fixty-four
guns, off, very little damaged.
"I have the pleafure to acquaint their lordſhips, that most of his
majefty's fhips under my command failed better than thofe of the
enemy.
"Ínclofed I fend you a lift of the French fquadron found on board
the Modefte.
"Herewith
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
333
foundation laid for the total fubverfion of the vifionary
ſchemes, formed by the French court, for the attack of the
Britiſh dominions in their moſt vital part.
"Herewith you will alfo receive the number of the killed and
wounded on board his majeſty's fhips, referring their lordships for far-
ther particulars to captain Buckle."
Liſt of the French ſquadron under the command of M. de la Clue.
L'Ocean, 80 guns, M. de la Clue; Le Redoubtable, 74 guns,
M. de St. Agnan, burnt; Le Centaur, 74 guns, Sabran Grammont,
taken; Le Souveraine, 74 Guns, Panat; Le Guerrier, 74 guns,
Rochemore, efcaped; Le Temeraire, 74 guns, Caſtillon l'Aine, taken;
Le Fantafque, 64 guns, Caftillon Cadet, loft company; Le Modefte,
64 guns, Du lac Monvert, taken; Le Lion, 64 guns, Colbert Turgis,
Le Triton, 60 guns, Venel; Le Fier, 50 guns, Marquiſan; L'Ori-
flamme, 50 guns, Dabon, loft company coming through the Streights;
La Chimere, 26 guns, Sauchet; La Minerva, 24 guns; Le Chev.
d'Opede; La Gracieufe, 24 guns, La Chev. de Fabry, loft company
coming through the Streights.
An abstract of the number of men killed and wounded on board his
majefty's following fhips under my command, the 17th of Aug. 1759-
Ships.
Namur
Prince
Culloden
Killed. Wounded.
Ships.
America
Killed. Wounded.
16
3
Edgar, in charge of the prize fhip
Centaur, loll company
13
44
4
15
Warfpight
11
40
Jerfey
Swiftfure
5
32
Portland
Newark
5
Gurnley
Intrepid
6
10
Conqueror
2
6
St. Alban's
6
2
6
12
14
56 196
" EDWARD BOSCAWEN.
The tranflator of the Treatife on Evolutions and Naval Tactics,
written in French by monsieur De Morigues, makes the following
remark on the above action.
"We might have been able to have illuftrated the above method
-by an opportunity that offered to our fleet of putting it in practice laft
war, as we were double the number of ſhips to the French, which, by
fome ill judged feparation the night before, was reduced only to feven
fail the next day, when we engaged them, after a long chace off Lagos,
in the month of Auguft 1759. Had we divided our fhips (about
fourteen in number) into three fmall divifions, the better to furround
the enemy, we fhould, in all probability, have prevented any of them
from efcaping, or running a fhore at laft, as they did on the coaft of
Portugal, or rather, had our headinoft fhips refolutely continued on
their courfe, and not flopped from executing what was impatiently ex-
pected from them by the admiral, that of bringing to the headmoft of
the enemy, whilft the rest of the fleet was coming up with all the fail
they could crowd, we ſhould have equally fucceeded."
This
334
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
This important victory was rendered more grateful by
the reflection, that it was obtained with a lofs, compara-
tively ſpeaking, trivial; when, on the other hand, the
French chef d'efcadre, in his letter to the ambaffador at
Liſbon, acknowledged, that one hundred men were killed
on board his own fhip only, and feventy dangerously
wounded. The object of the expedition being accom-
pliſhed, in the glorious manner already related, Mr. Boſ-
cawen's continuance in the Mediterranean was rendered
unneceffary; he therefore returned to England, and ar-
rived at Spithead on the 1ft of September, with that part of
his fquadron he thought neceffary to bring back, together
with two of his prizes, the Modeſte and Temeraire, which
he had taken. Two days afterwards he waited on his
majeſty at St. James's, and, it is almoſt needleſs to add,
was moft graciously received. He had not long reached
England when the Dutch thought proper to complain of
his having cauſed fome of their fhips to be fearched which
were fufpected to be laden with warlike ftores; but the
admiral repelled the moft diftant idea of any impropriety
in his conduct on the above occafion, by writing the fol-
lowing letter to the ſecretary of the admiralty, giving a
fuccinct account of the whole tranſaction; and we have
inſerted it not only in juftice to the admifal himſelf, but
to fhew how treacherouſly and infolently feveral of thoſe,
who in time of war are called neutral powers, have con-
ducted themſelves towards Britain.
CC
Sir,
"In answer to your's of the 4th inftant, concerning a
memorial of Meffrs. Hopp, Boreel, and Meerman, com-
plaining that I caufed fome Dutch merchantmen to be
fearched near Cape Palos, who were under convoy of the
Prince William man of war, captain Betting; and farther
alledging, that, notwithstanding the reprefentations of this
captain, I detained ſome of them, I muſt obſerve, that,
having certain advice that the Dutch and Swedes carried
cannon, powder, and other warlike ftores to the enemy, I
gave particular orders to the captains of all the fhips under
my command, carefully to examine all the veffels of thoſe
nations bound to the ports of France. On the day men-
tioned in the memorial, being near Cape Palos, I made the
fignal for the Warfpight, Swiftfure, America, and Jerſey
to
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
335
to intercept fome veffels then in fight, and which, on their
approach, were found to be fome Dutch fhips, under
convoy of the Prince William, bound to different ports
in the Mediterranean, particularly two to Marfeilles
and two to Toulon. They were as ftrictly fearched as
could be done at fea, in the ſpace of an hour; but as no
pretext was found for detaining them, they were ſuffered
to proceed on their voyage; and the captains affured me
that every thing paffed with great civility and good order.
I never received any complaint on this ſubject from cap-
tain Betting, nor indeed had he an opportunity to make
me any, as he continued his courfe to the Mediterranean,
and I fteered for Gibraltar, from whence I came foon after
to England. As it is well known that the Dutch mer-
chants affift the king's enemies with warlike ftores, I
think I did no more than my duty in fearching the veffels
bound to thofe ports.
“I would have anſwered your letter fooner, but I was
willing to inform myſelf first, from the captains who are
now in England, whether any thing had happened on oc-
caſion of this ſearch, which they had omitted to mention
in their report to me.
"E. BOSCAWEN."
As a proper reward for thoſe eminent fervices which we
have juft recorded, he was, on the 9th of December fol-
lowing, declared general of marines, with a falary of 3000l.
a year. The magiftrates of Edinburgh about the fame
time withing to fhew the high fenfe they, in common with
the rest of the people, entertained of his great merit and
deferts, prefented him with the freedom of their city.
In the month of January he was again inveſted with a
command, and failed for Quiberon Bay, with a ſmall
fquadron, to watch the fhattered remains of Conflans's
fleet, which had, in the month of November preceding,
been defeated by lord Hawke. He was not, however
long able to keep his ftation, being driven back to Spit-
head, by tempeftuous weather, before the end of the
month. Eager to return to that ſpot where his fpirit and
abilities were likely to be ferviceable to his country, he put
to fea a ſecond time, on the 6th of February; but being
again unfortunate enough to meet with continued and
violent
·336
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
violent gales of wind, blowing contrary to his courſe, he
was obliged, on the 15th, to put into Plymouth, ſeveral of
the ſhips belonging to his ſquadron being very much ſhat-
tered, and the Ramillies, of ninety guns loft. During the
enfuing fummer he commanded alternately with fir Edw.
Hawke, the fquadron ftationed in Quiberon Bay for the
purpoſe already mentioned ; added to the fervice of diftreffing
the commerce of the enemy, we cannot do his conduct,
while thus employed, greater juſtice than by defcribing, it
in the very words * made uſe of by Collins. He being,
unhappily
* Having no object to exert his military talents, he fhewed his be-
nevolence to mankind by poffeffing himſelf of a fmall island near the
river Vannes, cultivating and planting it with vegetables for the
ufe of the men afflicted with fcorbutic diſorders, arifing from falt
provifions, fea air, and want of proper exercife. That was the laſt
public fervice done by this brave officer, who, if he had an equal, had
no fuperior, for he was cut off by a bilious fever on January 10, 1761.
He lies interred in the parish church of St. Michael, at Penkevel, in
Cornwall, where a monument of exquifite workmanship, defigned by
Mr. Adam, and executed by Mr. Ryfbrack, ftands created to his
memory, with the following infcription.
(
Here lies the right honourable
EDWARD BOSCAWEN
Admiral of the blue, general of marines,
Lord of the admiralty, and one of his
Majefly's moft honourable privy council.
His birth, though noble,
His titles, though illuftrious,
Were but incidental additions to his greatneſs.
Hiftory
In more expreffible and more indelible
Characters,
Will inform lateſt pofterity,
With what ardent zeal,
With what fuccefsful valour,
He ferved his country,
And taught her enemies
To dread her naval power.
In command
He was equal to every emergency,
Superior to every difficulty.
In his high departments, mafterly and upright.
His example formed, while
His patronage rewarded,
Merit.
With
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
337
unhappily for his country, fnatched foon afterwards by a
premature death, from difplaying thofe virtues and quali-
ties which were both its ornament and defence. We have
nothing farther to add to our too feeble account of this brave
and truly worthy character, except that, in the month of
December 1742, he married Frances, daughter of Wil-
liam Evelyn Glanville, of St. Clere, in the county of Kent,
by whom he left three fons and two daughters. Edward
Hugh, born on September 13, 1744, died, unmarried, at
Spa, in Germany, July 17, 1774; William Glanville,
born on Auguft 11, 1751, but was unfortunately drowned,
when bathing in a pond, at Jamaica, A.D. 1769; George
With the highest exertions of military greatnefs
He united the gentleft offices of humanity.
His concern for the intereft, and unwearied
Attention to the health, of all under
His command,
Softened the neceſſary exactions of duty,
And the rigours of difcipline,
By the care of a guardian, and the tenderneſs
Of a father.
Thus beloved and revered,
Amiable in private life, as illuftrious in publick,
This gallant and profitable fervant of his
Country,
When he was beginning to reap the harveſt
Of his toils and dangers,
In the full meridian of years and glory,
After having been providentially preferved.
Through every peril incident to his profeffion,
Died of a fever,
On the 10th of January, in the year 1761,
The 50th of his age,
At Hatchland's-park, in Surry,
A feat he had juſt finiſhed (at the expence
Of the enemies of his country)
And amidst the groans and tears
Of his beloved Corniſhmen, was
Here depofited.
His once happy wife infcribes this marble,
An unequal teftimony of his worth,
And of her affection.
The admiral was remarkable for an extraordinary inclination of the
head on one fide; an habit he is ſaid to have contracted when a youth,
by mimicking an old fervant in the family, and which he could never
afterwards diveſt himſelf of.
VOL. IV.
Y
Evelyn,
338
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Evelyn, now lord vifc. Falmouth, born on May 6, 1758;
Frances, born on March 7, 1746, and married July 5,
1773, to the hon. John Levefon Gower, brother to the
prefent earl Gower, and then a captain in the royal navy;
and Elizabeth, born on May 28, 1747, married January 2,
1766, to Henry Somerfet, the prefent duke of Beaufort.
DENNISON, Charles,-was, on the 26th of April
1737, promoted to the command of the Orford, or, as
other accounts fay erroneously, the Seaford. No other
mention is made of him till 1740, when he was captain
of the Ruffel, of eighty guns. At the latter end of that
year he was appointed to the Augufta, a fourth rate of
fixty guns, on the Ruffel being taken by fir Chaloner
to be his flag fhip, and ordered for the Weft Indies under
that admiral. The Augufta, on her arrival in the Weft
Indies, was ftationed as the third in Mr. Vernon's
divifion, and accordingly put to fea with that gentleman
from Port Royal, on the 26th of January 1741. The
wind dying away the whole fquadron was obliged to come.
to an anchor in the ſtream, and the Augufta fell fo far to
leeward as to trail on a fhoal which lay aftern of her, when
fhe anchored. She beat off her rudder, and ftruck fo hard
as to render her fo extremely leaky, that fhe was obliged
to be ordered back into port to refit. Mr. Dennifon was,
confequently, not preſent at the expedition againſt Car-
thagena. The Augufta had, indeed, fuftained fo much
injury by the preceding accident, as not to be ready for,
fea in the middle of July, but was ordered to follow the
admiral, when he failed on the expedition againſt Cuba.
No other information has come to our knowledge rela-
tive to captain Dennifon, except that he died, as it is faid,
in England, fome time in the courfe of the year 1742.
FORBES, The Honourable John.-This brave and
worthy man was the ſecond ſon of fir George Forbes, 3d
Earl of Granard*, who lived to attain the highest rank
in the naval fervice. The first part of his naval education
he received under fir John Norris, with whom he ſerved,
acquiring in that ſtation the higheſt reputation. On March 7,
1737, he was promoted to be poft captain in the royal
४
* See vol. iii. page 330.
navy,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
339
navy, and appointed to the Poole. We believe him to
have been employed in fome fervice which, owing to its
being a time of profound peace, is not mentioned, and to
have remained in this fhip till the 24th of October 1738:
he was then removed into the Port Mahon, a frigate of
twenty guns, employed on the Irish ftation. On the roth
of Auguſt 1739, he was promoted to the Severn, a fourth
rate of fifty guns, at that time principally employed as a
cruifer in the Channel; a fervice in which Mr. Forbes
had little fuccefs, the moſt confequential being the capture
of a Spaniſh privateer, mounting fourteen guns, which
had done much mischief to commerce. On the 9th of
July in the following year he was removed into the Tyger,
a fhip of the fame rate, and force as the former. In 1741,
he commanded the Guernſey, which, as well as the
two preceding, was a fhip of fifty guns, and was ordered to
the Mediterranean, with fome other fhips, as a reinforce-
ment to Mr. Haddock. Here he continued to ferve many
years, and was defervedly held in the higheſt eſteem, both
by the admiral juft mentioned, and Mr. Mathews who
fucceeded him.
After the arrival of Mr. Mathews in the Mediterranean,
captain Forbes was promoted to the Norfolk, of eighty
guns, and ſtationed by the admiral as one of his feconds in
the encounter with the French and Spaniſh.fleets off
Toulon. He behayed with the moft diftinguished gal-
lantry, having compelled the Spaniſh admiral's fecond,
Don Auguftine Eturiago, in the Conftant, to break the
line and bear away with all the fail he was able to fet.
All the letters written from on board the fleet immedi-
ately fubfequent to the action, many of which are ftill
extant, bear the fame uniform teftimony to the intrepidity
and very diftinguished conduct of this gentleman; and the
tribute of popular applauſe appears to have been very
equally divided between himſelf and the very brave but
unfortunate captain Cornwall. Hiftorians have followed
their honeft example, and been equally grateful in the
teflimony they have borne to his merit.
Captain Forbes remained in the Mediterranean during
the continuance of hoftilities, and was employed on the
most important fervices the torpid manner in which the
caution and. fhynefs of the enemy continued the war
Y 2
in
340
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
that part of the world would permit. On Nov. 29, 1746,
he commanded the finall veffels and pinnaces which fup-
ported the Auftrian army under count Brown, in forcing
the paffage of the Var. The force under Mr. Forbes
confifted of the Phoenix frigate, the Terrible floop, a bar-
colongo, on board which a party of German foldiers were
embarked, and eight armed pinnaces. Thefe veffels
were ſtationed along fhore to the weftward of the Var,
and at day-break on the 30th, commenced a very briſk fire
on the French poft to the left of the village of St. Laurent.
General Brown beftowed the highest encomiums on the
conduct of captain Forbes, and declared, in the warmeſt
terms of gratitude, that the affiſtance he received from the
English had been the principal caufe of his fuccefs.
On the 15th of July 1747, he was promoted to be rear-
admiral of the blue, and not long afterwards became, for a
fhort time, as it is faid, commander-in-chief in the Me-
diterranean. On May 12, 1748, he was advanced to be rear-
admiral of the white, as he was not long afterwards to be
rear of the red; but peace having fucceeded to the long
and expenfive war, and Mr. Forbes not being appointed
to any command, we have nothing to relate till the 4th of
February 1755, when he was advanced to be vice-admiral
of the blue. On the 11th of December 1756, he was no-
minated one of the commiffioners for executing the office
of lord high admiral, an honourable ſtation, which he did
not uninterruptedly continue to enjoy, and the reaſon re-
flected on him the higheſt honour, as a man of the mildeſt
manners and moſt conſcientious integrity. On the condem-
nation of the unfortunate admiral Byng, he was the only
member of the board who refufed to fign the warrant for car-
ryingthe ſentence into execution; and he was honourable
enough to ftate openly, coolly, candidly, and firmly the
motives of his heart * which urged him to decline fanc-
tioning, by his acquiefcence, what he confidered as an act
of manifeft injuftice. He quitted the admiralty board, a
new commiffion being fealed and publifhed, on April 6,
1757: but as virtue is in general fuccefsful enough to main-
tain a fuperiority over its enemies, fo was Mr. Forbes
* Theſe have been already given at large in the life of admiral
Byng, fee page 171.
4
recalled
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
341
A
recalled to his former ftation with a brilliancy of charac-
ter the world might probably have been lefs acquainted with,
had not fuch an opportunity offered of making it, without
the leaſt affectation or oftentation, fo generally known.
He continued commiffioner of the admiralty till the 23d
of April 1763, having met with during that interval no
occurrence worthy of commemoration, except that, on the
31st of January 1758, he was promoted to be admiral of
the blue. On the 6th of Auguft following was married
to the lady Mary Capel, fourth daughter of William,
third earl of Effex, and the lady Jane Hyde his wife, eldeſt
furviving daughter of Henry, earl of Clarendon and
Rochefter.
On his quitting the admiralty board he was appointed
general of marines; and in the latter part of his life, a
circumſtance is ſaid to have occurred relative to his hold-
ing that appointment, which is far too honourable to him.
to be omitted*.
"To detail the meritorious deeds of the venerable
character before us would lead to difcuffion too extenſive;
but the writer of this tribute to departed greatneſs cannot
conclude it without inferting an anecdote well known in
the naval and political circles, and which, it is believed,
even majeſty itſelf will recollect with fuch feelings as are
excited in benevolent minds, by acts of genuine fpirit, and
difintereſtednefs.
"During a late adminiftration it was thought expe-
dient to offer a noble lord, very high in the naval profeffion,
and very defervedly a favourite of his fovereign, and his
country, the office of general of the marines, held by
admiral Forbes, and ſpontaneouſly conferred upon him by
his majefty, as a reward for his many and long fervices;
a meffage was fent by the minifters, to fay it would for-
ward the king's fervice if he would refign, and that he
fhould be no lofer by his accommodating government,
as they propofed recommending to the king to give him a
penfion, in Ireland, of 3000l. per annum, and a peerage
to defcend to his daughter. To this admiral Forbes fent
* We have extracted this relation from a very ingenious and can-
did account given of him in the European Magazine for the month of
March 1796.
Y 3
an
342
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
an immediate anfwer. He told the minifters the general-
ſhip of the marines was a military employment, given
him by his majeſty as a reward for his fervices; that, he
thanked God, he had never been a burthen to his country,
which he had ferved, during a long life, to the beft of his
ability, and that he would not condefcend to accept of a
penfion, or bargain for a peerage: he concluded by laying
his generalfhip of marines, together with his rank in the
navy at the king's feet, entreating him to take both away
if they could forward his fervice; and at the fame time
affuring his majefty, he would never prove himſelf un-
worthy of the former honours he had received, by ending
the remnant of a long life as a penfioner, or accepting of
a peerage obtained by political arrangement. His gracious
mafter applauded his manly fpirit, ever after continued
him in his high military honours, and, to the day of his
death, condefcended to fhew him ftrong marks of his
regard."
In the year 1770 he was advanced to be admiral of the
white; and, on the death of lord Hawke, in 1781, fuc-
ceeded that nobleman as admiral of the fleet. He conti-
nued to live totally in retirement, rendered truly honour-
able by his former faithful and moſt perfect diſcharge of
all private and public duties, whether confidered as an
officer, or as a man, dying at laſt, at the advanced age of
82, on the roth of March 1796, reſpected, revered, and
lamented by all.
We fhall, in juftice to his inanifold virtues, add the
following well-deferved character of him, extracted from
the fame periodical publication whence we have borrowed
the relation of the anecdote already giv s.
"He was remarkable, above all other men, for his
extenſive and univerfal knowledge of naval affairs, having
ftudied them, in all their branches, with a perfeverance,
and obferved upon them with an acuteneſs and judgment
altogether unparalleled; his mind was capable of embrac-
ing the greateſt and moſt complicated objects; and, having
bent it towards the ftudy of that profeflion, of which he
was allowed, by the univerfal voice of his cotemporaries,
to be a principal ornament, he attained fuch a fummit of
nautical kill, as rendered him the oracle of all thoſe who
were moſt eminent, whether in the direction of the fleets
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
343
of this nation, or in the equally arduous taſk of fuperin-
tending the civil departments of the different branches of
the marine.
"In the earlier part of his life he was peculiarly noticed,
as an able, enterprifing, and intrepid officer: fo bright was
his honour, and fo clear his reputation in the moft turbu-
lent days, that though his evidence on the trial of the ad-
mirals went wholly againſt admiral Leftock, yet that officer
was often heard to declare, that Mr. Forbes's teftimony
was given like an officer and a gentleman.
"Such are the outlines of the public character of ad-
miral Forbes. Infirmity deprived him of exerting his
great talents in his latter days publicly for the ſervice of his
country, but all who had the happineſs of his acquaintance
will agree, that in private life he continued, to his laft
breath, an example of the brighteſt virtue which can adorn
the human character."
罾
​FOX, Thomas, was, on the 6th of Auguſt 1737,
appointed captain of the Kinfale, or, as other accounts
fay, though erroneously, of the Dunkirk. We have no
farther account of this gentleman till the month of Sep-
tember 1740; he then commanded the Newcaſtle, of fifty
guns, at that time employed as a cruifer, but does not
appear to have met with much fuccefs in that line of fer-
vice. At the end of the year he was ordered to join the
fleet fent to the Weſt Indies under fir C. Ogle; but this
was countermanded before the armament failed. We
believe him to have continued in the Newcaſtle, and to
have been employed principally in the manner already
ftated,' till the year 1745; he was about that time promoted
to the Kent, of fixty-four uns. Nothing, however, very
material occurred to him till April 1747, when he
was ſent out commanding officer of a finall ſquadron,
confifting of the Kent, Hampton Court, Eagle, Lion,
Cheſter, and Hector, with two firefhips, ordered to cruiſe
between Ufhant and Cape Finisterre, for the purpoſe of
intercepting a large fleet of St. Domingomen which were
expected in France. After continuing for a month on his
appointed ſtation he fell in with the prize he was waiting
for; the convoy confifted of one hundred and feventy fhips
valuably laden with cochineal, cotton, indigo, and other
valuable articles. They were protected by four fhips of
Y 4
war,
344
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
war, which deferted them on the approach of the Eng-
lifh fquadron, fo that forty-fix were captured without
moleſtation, and the remainder fo diſperſed and ſcattered
that feveral of them were made prizes of by different
cruising fhips.
Captain Fox was, after his return into port, ordered to
join the fquadron collected under the command of Mr.
Hawke, who failed in the month of Auguſt to lay in wait
for the fleet and fquadron bound from Breft to the Weft
Indies, under the command of monfieur L'Etendiere.
The particulars of that action have been already given in
the account of Lord Hawke, fo that we have only to repeat
what has been before ſtated in his lordship's own relation
of that encounter*, that the conduct of captain Fox on
that occafion gave the admiral ſo much offence as to in-
duce him to complain to the board of admiralty, and
defire his behaviour might be enquired into by a
court-martial: he was accordingly tried, and fentenced
to be difmiffed from the command of the Kent. He
remained under this ftate of fufpenfion nearly two years,
and was judged by many to have been treated with no
fmall degree of feverity. He had ſerved in a fubordinate
ſtation, without reproach, for a confiderable number of
years. He had not obtained promotion till very late in
life; and his fight was faid to have grown remarkably de-
fective. All theſe confiderations undoubtedly pleaded in
extenuation of his offence; and though the rules, and,
indeed, honour of the fervice undoubtedly require that
not the ſmalleſt neglect or breach of duty fhould be
fuffered to paſs unnoticed, yet it is alſo certain that there
are exifting cafes, in which puniſhment becomes an un-
due act of ſeverity.
Such was it deemed by the lefs rigid part of the world
in the caſe of Mr. Fox. He was accordingly reftored to
his former rank, but was not inveſted with any command.
On the ift of July 1749, he was raifed to the rank of
rear-admiral, and put on the fuperannuated lift, in confe-
quence of which he became entitled to the half-pay of
17s. and 6d. per day. He enjoyed this honourable kind
of penfion till the time of his death, which took place in
the month of February 1763.
* See page 266, et feq.
KNOWLES,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
345
KNOWLES, Sir Charles,-is faid by fome to have enter-
ed into the navy on or before the commencement of the war
with France in the reign of queen Anne, and to have ſerved
as a midshipman under fir J. Norris when captain of the
Orford, at the time of the Malaga fight*. His rife in the
fervice was confequently but flow, for it was not till Feb.
4, 1737, that he was promoted to the command of the
Diamond frigate. He continued in the fame veffel a con-
fiderable time; and at the end of the year 1739 was, a fhort
time previous to the open commencement of hoftilities
with Spain, ordered to the Weſt Indies, with ſome other
fhips fent thither, to reinforce Mr. Vernon. When cap-
tain Knowles arrived at Jamaica he found the vice-ad-
miral had failed on the expedition againſt Porto Bello,
leaving orders behind him for the commanders of fuch
fhips as thould arrive out, during his abfence, to follow
him thither. Theſe inftructions were immediately com-
plied with, but the Diamond was not fortunate enough to
get into Porto Bello till the 27th of November, five days
after the place had ſurrendered.
The arrival however of captain Knowles, though the
conqueft was previouſly effected, was particularly pleaſing
to the admiral. He was a man of ſtrong natural parts,
which he had improved with all the diligence generally
exerted by an enquiring mind. He had, exclufive of his
duty as a naval officer, obtained a decent knowledge of
various parts of the military fcience, and in particular
was eſteemed ſomewhat ſkilful as an engineer. He was
accordingly employed as chief fuperintendant of the mines
formed for the demolition of the Spaniſh fortifications.
This was a taſk of fome difficulty for a young and un-
practiſed artiſt to undertake, as the walls were fo well
conſtructed that the workmen employed could ſcarcely make
any impreffion on them. Mr. Knowles nevertheleſs con-
trived to execute his taſk completely, and with ſo much
adroitneſs, that, during the whole of his continuance under
Mr. Vernon's command, that admiral entertaining the
higheſt opinion of his abilities, not only principally con-
fulted him in all his fubfequent land operations, but con-
fided to him the execution of all fuch enterpriſes as he
* Theſe circumſtances, though delivered to us as authentic, appear
not only very doubtful, but improbable in the highest degree.
deemed
346
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
deemed beſt ſuited to his particular knowledge, and bent of
genius.
When the fquadron returned to Jamaica captain
Knowles was left to cruife off Carthagena for the purpoſe
of preventing any fupplies from entering that port, and
at the fame time of watching the motion of the galleons.
The condition of the fhip made it foon afterwards necef-
fary captain Knowles fhould return to Jamaica to refit. The
re-equipment not being finithed when the admiral failed
from Port Royal, on the 25th of February, to bombard
Carthagena, he was not able to join him till the 13th of
March, when Mr. Vernon had carried his first projec
into execution, and had repaired to Porto Bello for the pur-
pofe of refitting the fquadron, as well as completing his
water. Captain Knowles was immediately ordered on board
the Succels firefhip, in which veffel he was fent, accom-
panied by the Tender, toreconnoitre the entrance of the river
Chagre, and make the neceffary obfervations, how the
fort, which defended it, might be affaulted to the greateſt
advantage; and whether it would be moſt advifeable to
attack it with the fhips of the fquadron, or to bombard it.
Having fatisfied himself of theſe particulars, according
to the best of his judgement, he was then to inform him-
felf of the different foundings, and depth of water; in fhort,
of every other circumftance his own prudence as well
as judgement fhould fuggeſt to him the propriety of col-
lecting. The fquadron failed from Porto Bello on the 22d,
and was joined by Mr. Knowles while on its paffage to the
place of attack. He was appointed by the admiral to com-
mand the firefhips, together with the bomb-ketches and
fmall craft, which he was ordered to place in fuch convenient
ſtations as he thought most proper or likely to annoy and
reduce the caſtle of St. Lorenzo, which was the name of the
fort already mentioned. In short, the whole direction of
that branch of the attack was given to him. Having
made his difpofitions, he brought his veffels to an anchor
about three o'clock in the afternoon, covering the bomb-
ketches with the Diamond and other fhips, whoſe com-
manders were put under his direction; the cannonade and
bombardment commenced inftantly. About ten at
night the admiral, with two other fhips of the fquadron,
got in to fupport him. This fpirited affault was
conti-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
347
continued, without interruption, till the next day, when
the Spaniards difplayed a flag of truce as a fignal of their
fubmiffion.
Captain Knowles was immediately chofen by the ad-
miral as a negociator; and being fent athore, quickly
returned with the governor, between whom and Mr. Ver-
non the terms of capitulation were fettled without much
difficulty. Theſe being .adjufted, captain Knowles had
the honour of being appointed governor of the fortreſs
which he had, certainly, in a very eminent degree, con-
tributed to the reduction of. He had a force allotted to
this fervice confifting of five lieutenants and one hundred
and twenty men. The firit meaſure taken by him was to
place a strict guard on the custom-houfe, which happened
to be at that time full of the most valuable commodities
destined for the partial lading of the Spanish galleons.
Thefe were embarked without delay; and the works of
the caftle being, under the infpection of Mr. Knowles,
demoliſhed on the 29th, the whole fquadron failed on that
day for Porto Bello. This gentleman was employed
during the greateſt part of the year merely in cruifing,
and does not appear to have met with much fuccefs,
the only prize we know him to have made being a
merchant veffel, called the Neuftra Senora de Guadeloupe,
which he carried into Jamaica about the beginning of
October.
Immediately after this he returned to Europe, and was
on his arrival promoted to the Weymouth, of fixty guns,
one of the fhips which had belonged to the fleet under fir
John Norris, and was then under orders to proceed to the
West Indies with fir Chaloner Ogle. He reached the
West Indies a few days before the fleet, having parted
from it 300 leagues to the eastward of Barbadoes. On his
arrival he was received by his former patron and friend
with all the cordiality and affection the roughn fs of his
character was capable of difplaying. He was, as before,
employed in the moft confidential fervices; and it is but
juftice due to his character to ſay, acquitted himſelf in
a manner every way meriting fuch a truſt.
He was, as his first occupation, fent with Mr. Bof-
cawen to the governor of Port Louis, apologizing for the
fleet having anchored in that bay. Previous to the actual
com-
348
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
commencement of the fiege of Carthagena, he was em-
ployed in reconnoitering that place; a fervice he executed
with ſo much accuracy and precifion, that his advice was
implicitly relied on by the admiral, who formed every
meaſure on his information; and the fuccefs of thofe in which
the navy was concerned is a very fufficient as well as indif-
putable teftimonial of his merit. He was a fecond time
ordered, with the captains Laws, Renton, and Cooper, to
found the entrance of the harbour without the Tierra Romba.
Upon his report the plan of attack was definitively fettled;
and it was refolved to make a general affault on the Beca
Chica caftle. Captain Knowles was appointed to command
the detachment of feamen who were ordered to make a di
verfion, or falfe attack, for the purpofe of distracting or
drawing off the attention of the enemy, and thereby faci-
litating the approach of general Blakeney, who commanded
in chief the main or real affault.
Captain Knowles obferving the confternation into
which the Spaniards were thrown, refolved to profit of fo
favourable an opportunity to diftinguith himfelf, and at-
tempt fort St. Jofeph, fituated on a ſmall low ifland almoſt
at the entrance of the harbour. This fuddenly conceived
project he executed with much refolution, and the moſt com-
plete fuccefs attended it, the Spaniards after a very trivial
refiſtance having abandoned their defences. Mr. Knowles
was not ſatisfied with this fuccefs, glorious as it was,
while there ftill remained behind a poffibility of effecting
any thing farther. Having left captain Cotes to take
poffeffion of the fort, he rowed off to the Gallicia, of
feventy guns, the Spaniſh admiral's fhip, which ftill re-
mained undeftroyed, and on board which his flag was then
flying. He was very ably fupported in this new enterprize
by captain Watſon, of whom hereafter, and having
boarded the enemy, took poffeffion of the fhip nearly
without refiftance, all the crew having quitted her except
the captain, two or three inferior officers, and about fixty
of the people.
He was again ordered on the reconnoitering fervice;
and having diſcovered the Spaniards exceedingly occu-
pied in the neighbourhood of Caftillo Grande, another of
the Spanish forts, he reported that circumſtance to the
admiral without delay: he was in confequence ordered to
weigh
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
349
weigh his anchor and run clofe in to the caftle, which he
was immediately to cannonade, in hopes, by the fudden-
nefs of the affault, to intimidate the Spaniards from refift-
ance. This had its defired effect, the caftle did not return
a fhot; and captain Knowles fending his boats on thore took
poffeffion of it without oppofition. This fortrefs was
imounted with nearly fifty pieces of heavy cannon; and the
acquifition of it was of the greatest confequence to the
future operations of the army, as it enabled the troops to land
within a league of the town, when otherwife they would
have been compelled to a long and tedious march, in one
of the most inhofpitable climates perhaps in the world.
It is thus that enterprifes, apparently the moit arduous,
are accomplished with the greatest cafe by cool and de-
termined valour.
The victor was, as a very proper reward for his fpirit,
appointed governor of the cattle: this was merely a
temporary command. As foon as the admiral and fome
of the feet had worked through the pailage he returned to
his thip; and fucceeded, on the 3d of April, in getting
into the harbour himfelf through the various impedi-
ments the enemy had unfuccefsfully placed at the en-
trance of it. He was immediately ordered to attack the
batteries at Pallo Cavallos, a creek which feparated the
Grand Baru from the main land, and through which a
confiderable part of the provifions with which Carthagena
was fupplied, of neceffity palled. This fervice he effected
with his accustomed diligence and ſpirit, ſo that a fecure
and eafy place of difembarkation was procured for the
army. This was the lait operation in which the abilities
of Mr. Knowles were capable of rendering any fervice,
far as related to the reduction of the place. The affault
on fort St. Lazar proving unfuccefsful, and the troops
being now confiderably diminished by difeafe, nothing
remained for the furvivors but to reimbark. The deftruc-
tion of the different forts was, as a cuftomary kind of
fervice, allotted to captain Knowles; and it is needlefs to
add, that, although he had to encounter much difficulty
in the operation, he executed it with his uſual diligence.
Captain Knowles is faid, foon after the fleet returned
to Jamaica, to have removed into the Litchfield, of fifty
guns. This fhip was one of the fquadron left, under the
command
350
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
command of commodore Davers, for the protection of
Jamaica, when Mr. Vernon failed on his next unfortunate
expedition against Cuba; he was confequently preferved
from the mortification of being concerned in that inglo-
rious attempt: nor have we been able to collect any thing
farther relative to him worth remembering till after Mr.
Vernon had departed for Europe, refigning the chief
command to fir Chaloner Ogle. Succefs now appears to
have, for a time, deferted this commander, who, however
the main attack might have mifcarried, had been fo for-
tunate in thoſe partial, and particular points of ſervice that
were immediately entruſted to him.
In the month of February 1743, being at that time.
captain of the Suffolk, of feventy guns, he was ordered,
by admiral Ogle, to take under his command the Burford,
a third rate of feventy, the Affiftance, Norwich, and
Advice, of fifty guns each, and Scarborough of twenty;
with thefe fhips he was to proceed to Antigua, where he
was to be joined by the Eltham, of forty, and Lively, of
twenty guns; with this united force he was to attempt
the town of La Guira, on the coaft of Caraccas. His
land force confifted only of four hundred men belonging
to Dalziel's regiment; but when, on the other hand, the
ſtrength of the fquadron, which confifted of eight ftout fhips
of war and three floops, is confidered, and it is remembered
that the principal hope of fuccefs was founded on thoſe ir-
refiftible incentives to fubmiffion, the cannon of the ſhips,
the commodore cannot be ſaid to have been ordered on a
forlorn hope, or, to ſpeak more intelligibly, a deſperate
undertaking.
:
He failed from Antigua on the 12th of February, and,
after touching at St. Chriftopher's, proceeded on his ex-
pedition againſt La Guira. Delay, that general bane of
fuccefs, was, in this inftance, particularly contributive to
the want of it: the governor of the Caraccas had received
intelligence of the expedition nearly two months before,
and had been very actively employed in preparing for a vigo-
rous defence, by erecting new batteries and augmenting
his garrifon with a number of Indians, mulattoes, and
negroes, whom he properly trained, ſo as to render them
extremely ferviceable. He had alfo prevailed on the
Dutch governor of Curaçoa to fupply him with a confi-
derable
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
35x
derable quantity of ammunition, of which he ftood fo
much in need, that his recruited numbers would have
rendered him but little fervice had it not been for the
friendly affistance he received from his neighbours. This
was the fituation of affairs when, on the 18th of February, the
British fquadron arrived in fight of the place. The com-
modore began the attack about twelve at noon with much
vigour, and experienced as fpirited a refiftance on the part of
the enemy. An heavy fwell prevented the fhips from
proaching the town nearer than a mile, ſo that it was faid
to be impoffible to land the troops, or make any other
attempt than by a cannonade, too diſtant to produce any
decifive effect.
ap-
Almoft at the commencement of the attack a ſhot car-
ried away the enemy's flag-ſtaff, a circumſtance deemed,
by the fuperftitious part of the affailants, as a certain omen
of fuccefs, but which certainly proved, on the preſent oc-
cafion, extremely delufive, for little injury was done to
the fortifications, the miſchief fuftained by the enemy be-
ing confined merely to the deftruction of their churches
and habitations. Three veffels were at that time in the
harbour, and an attempt was made to cut them out, or
deftroy them; but even this was unfuccefsful, the boats
fent on the above ſervice being obliged to return to their
hips without having been able to accompliſh it. The
attack was continued, nevertheless, till eight o'clock at
night, but without producing any event favourable to the
attempt, except the demolition of one of the Spaniſh
magazines, which blew up towards evening. When the
darkneſs had compelled, at leaſt a temporary ceffation of
hoftilities, the Burford, Norwich, Eltham, and Aſſiſtance,
were found to be fo entirely difabled, that the commodore
was under the neceffity of ordering them immediately to
Curaça to refit, and of retiring himſelf with the re-
mainder of his fhips, fome of which had fuftained con-
fiderable injury. Nor had the Spaniards any great
reafort
* The following is an abftract of the damage fuftained by the
fquadron.
Ships.
Suffolk of
Burford
Guns. Shot received. Killed.
Wounded.
70
146
99
80.
70
94
84
50
Aftance
352
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
reafon to be elated with their fuccefs in baffling the fore-
going attempt, having, as it is faid, loſt ſeven hundred
men in defence of their town.
Commodore Knowles having refitted his fquadron at
Curaçoa, and being fomewhat reinforced by a few Dutch
volunteers, refolved to undertake fome enterprize in hopes
fuccefs might at leaſt palliate his former misfortune: he ac-
cordingly refolved to make an attempt on PortoCavallo. The
Spaniards were extremely well prepared to receive them:
their garrifon is faid by fome to have amounted to fifteen
hundred Europeans*, and four thouſand Indians and per-
fons of colour. Campbell, indeed, ftates the force of the
enemy to have amounted to no more than two thouſand
men of all deſcriptions; but he admits the harbour to have
been well fecured by a number of veffels purpoſely funk
by the enemy, and commanded on all fides by a number of
fafcine batteries. The fquadron failed from Curaçoa on
the 20th of March; but, in conſequence of meeting with
a very ſtrong lee current, was not able to reach the keys
of Barbarat, a little to the eaſtward of Porto Cavallo, tilt
the 15th of April.
The Spaniards had hauled twelve of their ſmalleſt ſhips
and three gallies up to the head of the harbour out of gun-
fhot: two larger fhips, one mounting fixty, the other forty
guns, were moored cloſe over to the fhore, oppofite to the
caſtle a large fhip lay ready to be funk at the entrance of
the harbour, with a mooring-chain from her ſtern to the
caſtle, and another from her head to the main to keep her
fteady in the proper pofition. Flanking the entrance were
three heavy fafcine batteries newly erected; and on a low
point of land, called Punta Brava, two others, one
mounting twelve, the other feven guns. The commodore
Ships.
Guns. Shot received. Killed.
Wounded.
Affiftance
50
54
13
71
Eltham
40
41
14
55
Norwich
50
9
1
11
Advice
50
10
15
Lively
20
10
24
Scarborough
20
3
2
* Viz. Twelve hundred feamen from their fhips, and three hun-
dred regular troops.
obferving
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 353
obſerving that, from their injudicious pofition, they might
be eaſily flanked, immediately conceived it would be no
difficult project to make himſelf maſter of them, and turn
their guns againſt the enemy. It was accordingly agreed
at a general council of war, held on the morning of the
16th, to ſend in two fhips to cannonade the batteries, and
then land a volunteer detachment of four hundred fea-
men, and Dalziel's regiment, together with the marines
and the Dutch. The two corps laft-mentioned were to
have ſtormed the batteries, as foon as filenced, under cover
of the Affiſtance, of fifty guns, which fhip was ordered
to anchor within piftol fhot of the fhore for that purpoſe.
The Lively and Eltham, which were the two fhips
ordered on the fervice first mentioned, nearly effected it
about funfet; and when it became dark the firing ceaſed
on both fides, as if by mutual confent. The men deftined,
according to the plan agreed on, for the attack, and
amounting, in number, to about twelve hundred, were
accordingly landed. They were to march along the
beach; and, for their better encouragement, the commo-
dore himſelf accompanied them, keeping cloſe along fhore
in his barge. About eleven o'clock the van of the British
column feized one of the Spaniſh batteries; but the cen-
tinel firing his piece the garrifon took the alarm, and all
the other works were immediately manned. Two guns
being fired on the affailants threw them into fuch imme-
diate and violent diforder, that they not only retreated, but
fired at each other; even their officers caught the infection,
and a number of anecdotes relative to the diſorder of the
retreat found their way into public converfation, but which
are too ludicrous to enlarge upon. The hiftorian con-
tents himſelf with briefly relating, that they fled with the
utmoſt precipitation, each man taking his comrade for a
Spaniard; nor did they recover from the effects of this
fhameful flight till they found themſelves ſafe on board.
On the 21ft a general council of war was held; the late
unfortunate mifcarriage was taken into confideration; and
it was determined, as a laft hope, to make a general attack,
with the fhips and troops, againſt the cattle and faſcine
batteries. In confequence of this refolution, a breeze of
wind favourable for the purpoſe ſpringing up on the 24th,
in the afternoon, the commodore made the fignal to weigh,
VOL. IV.
Ꮓ
and
354
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and bore down with his fquadron in the following
order; the Affiftance, Burford, Suffolk, and Norwich,
which were ordered to attack the caftle; the Scarborough,
Lively, and Eltham the two fafcine batteries. The
cannonade commenced with great fury at eleven in the
morning, and continued without intermiffion till paſt
nine at night, being maintained with the greateſt obſtinacy
on both fides. The fire of the Spaniards fometimes
flackened, while that of the English did confiderable.
execution, demolishing feveral of the embrafures, and
totally filencing, for a time, the fafcine batteries: but on
the approach of night the fire of the enemy confider-
ably increaſed, and did much execution, fo that,
fome of the ſhips having expended the whole of their
filled ammunition, and all of them the greater part of it,
their rigging and mafts being alſo much thattered, the
commodore made a fignal to cut, and drop beyond random
fhot. The fquadron fuftained in this encounter the lofs
of two hundred men ; but the Spaniards were ſtill greater
fufferers, and during the attack were fo much intimidated
as to induce them to fink fome fhips at the mouth of the
harbour; a circumſtance which very fufficiently indicated
their terror.
On the next morning the fquadron brought to, under
the keys of Barbarat, to refit; and in the afternoon were
joined by the Advice, which fhip had parted company with
the commodore three days after he had failed from Curaçoa.
In a council of war, held on the 28th, it was unanimouſly
agreed, that the fhips were no longer in a condition to act
offenfively against the Spaniards; fo that after fending
away his ftationed cruifers, and making an exchange of
priloners with the Governor of Porto Cavallo, the com-
modore was content to return unfuccefsful to Jamaica..
Here Campbell adds, that he remained inactive during
the remainder of the year. This circumftance, although
ftrictly true, is faid with more degree of ſarcaſm than we
think decent in the cafe of an unſucceſsful officer. We
meet with few other particulars relative to this gentleman
worth
*
*In the month of September 1744, we find him cruifing off Marti-
nico with a ſquadron confifting of five fhips of war; and the e following
account of a little enterprife in which he was concerned, is given in a
private letter we have ſeen, dated Antigua, October the 18th.
"A large
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAINAİN.
. 355
worth commemorating, till the month of September
1745, when, having in the interim returned to England,
he was appointed captain of the Devonshire, a ſhip of
eighty guns, juft rebuilt*. In the month of January 1746,
he ferved as commodoret with the fleet then ftationed in
the Downs under vice-admiral Martin; but did not long
retain
"A large Spaniſh fhip, bound from Cadiz to Carthagena, with the
governor on board, has lately been burnt by commodore Knowles.
Her outfit was 160,cool. therefore it was a pity he could not take
her before the went on fhore. She run under a battery of three
guns, on the fouth fide of Martinico, for protection. Above
her was a cliff where about 2000 of the inhabitants foon poſted
themſelves to defend her, within piftol-fhot of the veffel, but to no
purpoſe, for the commodore went in with his ſquadron and demolished
the battery, which, with the ſhip, made a ſtout refiflance. At length
the crew, with the governor, quitted her: and it being impoffible,
from the fire of the people on the cliff, to bring her off, he fent his
boats crews to burn her, who found on board the captain and his fon,
with fix of the crew: fome of their boats were deftroyed in con-
fequence of powder and other combuftibles, which they carried
with them, going off untimely. There were a great many killed on
the cliff by the fire from the fhips."
In the month of April 1745, he commanded on the Leeward
Iſland ſtation, having under him a ſmall ſquadron, conſiſting of four
fifty-gun fhips.
He being then in the Canterbury.
‡ The following letters was written by him to the admiralty, he
having been ſent to reconnoitre the enemy's coaft.
"Since my laſt I have been over to Boulogne and Calais, and had
as diftinct views of what is in thoſe places as it is poffible, unleſs I had
been on ſhore in perfon. At Boulogne I flood within half a mile of
the pier heads, fo that even a privateer floop's ſhot went over me. The
battery from the pier head, which mounted five guns, fired many ſhot,
but none did execution. It was not poffible to count the veffels as
they lay, not knowing how to diftinguish thofe of two mafts, or thoſe
of one; but upon the whole, I am of opinion there are not fixty veffels
of all kinds in the harbour, and my brother captains do not think there
are fo many the largeſt of theſe was a galliot hoy, whofe very gaff
was much higher than any of the other veffel's maft heads; for there
was not a fingle one which had a top fail yard rigged aloft.
"This morning, about eight o'clock, I was within two or three
miles of Calais town, and faw three or four fmall top-fail veffels in the
pier, the reft were all galliots and fiſhing boats, and did not exceed
thirty in number.
CC
By captain Gregory's account of the fame date, who was fent to
take a view of the preparations at Dunkirk, it appears there are but
five or fix veſſels in the road, and a very few in the harbour."
Z 2
Extrac
356
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
retain this command. Having previously repaired to
Portſmouth, on the 21ft of March he fhifted his broad
pendant on board the Edinburgh, and proceeded as far ast
Plymouth with the outward-bound trade under his convoy.
On his arrival there he immediately removed into the
Norwich, of fifty guns, and failed for Louifburg on the
31ft, with the Canterbury and Ruby, having received a
commiffion appointing him governor of that important
fortrefs. Here he remained, far as we have been able to
learn, nearly two years, and employed himſelf principally
in erecting new works, which rather injured his reputa-
tion, as an engineer, a cavalier, which had coft an im-
menfe fum in the erection, being deftroyed by the Engliſh
with the greateſt eaſe, in the fiege which took place during
the fubfequent war.
Mr. Knowles, who on the 15th of July 1747*, had
been promoted to be rear-admiral of the white, returned
fome time afterward to Jamaica, on which ſtation he was
appointed commander-in-chief. He failed from Port
Extract of a letter from commodore Knowles, in the Downs, dated
Feb. 21, 1745.
"This morning, in a very hard gale of wind, I met with two
French fhips, the Bourbon and la Charite, and took them both: they
came from Oftend last night, and have on board count Fitz-James, and
M. la Route, major-general, with about five or fix hundred of Fitz-
James's regiment, having all their faddles, arms, and horſe-furniture,
and fome ammunition. I underſtand there are fome other officers of
diftinction."
About this time he was involved in a very ferious difpute with
the people of Boſton, as thus related in a letter from Louiſburg, dated
Nov. 17, 1747.
1
"We have advice from New Hampshire, that there has been an
infurrection at Bofton, occafioned by admiral Knowles, ordering a
fchooner to be advertiſed to go as a privateer on the Spaniſh main, for
which they beat up for volunteers, and a great number of men enliſted;
but when he was ready with his fhips to fail he declared the fchooner
a fhip of war, and immediately impreffed all the men from the mer-
chantships in the harbour that were ready to go under his convoy.
This exafperated the people to fuch a degree, that they detained fome
of his officers on fhore and carried their barge up into the ſtreets.
Governor Shirley retired to the caſtle, and the admiral had ordered his
Thips up to the town, threatening to fire upon it if they did not re-
cafe his officers and barge; but was prevented by the winds fhifting
while he was under fail, otherwife great miſchief might have enfued ;
the people being in poffeffion of the batteries of the town,"
Royal,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
357
Royal, having his flag on board the Canterbury, on the
13th of February*, with eight ſhips of two decks and twọ
Hoopst, having planned an expedition againſt St. Jago de
Cuba. Contrary winds preventing him from making that
ifland; he was obliged to turn his arms on Port Louis, in
Hifpaniola, before which place he arrived on the 8th of
March. Its ftrength was formidable, confifting of a large
well-conſtructed fort mounting ſeventy-eight heavy guns,
and defended by fix hundred men, under the command of
monfieur de Chateaunoye. The admiral began the attack
immediately on his arrival; and, after an heavy cannonade
of three hours continuance, completely filenced the fort,
which furrendered on condition the garrifon fhould not be
made prifoners of war. It was however ftipulated by the
admiral, that they were not to ferve either againſt Britain
or her allies during the ſpace of one year. This fucceſs
was atchieved with the lofs of feventy men killed and
wounded on board different fhips of the fquadron; and the
admiral having deſtroyed the fortifications, refumed his
former intention of attacking St. Jago de Cuba.
He arrived off that place on the 5th of April. The
Plymouth and Cornwall were ordered to lead into the
harbour, but, to their great furprife, found a ſtrong boom
laid acroſs, and four veffels, filled with combustibles, moored
within it, ready to be fired whenever the boom itſelf
fhould be forced; fo that, after difcharging a few broad-
fides at the latter, it was deemed prudent to defiſt from
any farther attempt, and the fquadron returned to Jamaica.
The British, as well as the Spanish fquadron were, for
fome months, mutually employed in cruifing for the de-
* Admiral Knowles having concerted meafures with governor
Trelawney, was accompanied on this expedition by his excellency
himſelf, with 240 men belonging to his regiment.
+Ships. Commanders. Guns. Ships. Commanders.
Cornwall - {capt. Chadwick
Plymouth-Dent
Elizabeth-Taylor
Canterbury-Brodie
Stafford-Rentone
Warwick-Innes
Guns.
60
80
60
60
Worcester-Andrews
60
64
Oxford-Toll
50
60
Weafel and Merlin floops.
On the 12th of May 1748,
rear-admiral of the red.
Mr. Knowles was advanced to be
Z 3
ftruction
358
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
ftruction of each others commerce, and vice verfa the
protection of their own. About the latter end of Auguſt
Mr. Knowles received intelligence that the annual fleet
was daily expected at the Havannah from Vera Cruz,
and accordingly failed with his fquadron for the Tor-
tugan banks in expectation of intercepting them. The
Spanish admiral, Reggio, informed of the above circum-
ftance, and alarmed for the fafety of what would have
proved fo valuable a prize, put to fea from the Havannah
with a refolution to fight the Engliſh fquadron * rather
than fuffer Mr. Knowles to bear it off with impunity. On
the 29th of September the Spaniſh admiral faw at fome
diſtance fourteen English merchant-fhips, under 'convoy
of the Lenox, captain Holmes, and another English fhip
of war. He immediately gave them chace; but the Bri-
tifh fhips were fortunate enough to effect their eſcape,
having difperfed by fignal from captain Holmes, who
joined admiral Knowles.
On the Ift of October, one day only intervening, Mr.
Knowles himſelf fell in with the Spanith fquadron, then
not far diftant from the Havannah. In the number of
fhips the fquadrons were equal, but the Spaniards had a
trivial fuperiority in guns, and a very confiderable one in
point of men; probably influenced by theſe oftenfible con-
fiderations the admiral did not feem remarkably ftrenuous.
and eager to engage, although he poffeffed the advantage
of the weather gage. The fquadrons having neared each
other confiderably, the Spaniards began to fire about two
*The Spaniards were evidently fuperior in force, as will appear by
the following authentic ftatement of their force.
British fquadron. Guns:
Cornwall-adm. Knowles,
capt. Taylor
Guns.
Spanish fquadron.
Africa—admiral Reggio
Invincible—rear-adm.Spinola 74
Conqueftadore Jufto
— {
Dragon-De la Pas
74
80
Lenox-Holmes
56
S Don de St.
64
Tilbury-Pawlet
60
Stafford-Brodie
60
64
Warwick-Innes
60
New Spain-Barella
64
Canterbury-Clark
60
Royal Family-Terreftal
-
64
36
Oxford-Toll
50
426
Men 2900
440
Men 4150
o'clock.
Galga-Garrceocha
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
359
o'clock. Mr. Knowles immediately made the fignal for
the fhips of his fquadron to bear down; and in lefs than
half an hour the greateſt part of them were cloſely en-
gaged. The two admirals were engaged with each other
for the ſpace of half an hour. Mr. Knowles having then
fuftained fome damage fell aftern, and quitted the line.
On the part of the enemy, the Conqueſtadore being much
fhattered, at least in refpect to her hull and rigging, was
driven out of the line, and before the could refit was
attacked by Mr. Knowles himfelf, in the Cornwall, he
having replaced his yard and main-top-maft which he had
- loft in action with the Spaniſh admiral. A fpirited action
took place, but don de St. Jufto, her commander, being
killed, and the ſhip herſelf reduced almoſt to a wreck, ſhe
at laſt ſurrendered to the Cornwall. The action between
the remainder of the two fquadrons continued till eight
in the evening. The Spaniards then began to give
way, retreating towards the Havannah; which port all
their fhips fafely reached, except the Conqueftadore,
which was captured, as juſt before related, and the
Africa flag fhip, which being entirely difinafted was run
afhore and blown up by the Spanifh adiniral, in order fo
prevent her falling into the hands of the English.
The lofs on the part of the Spaniards confifted of three
captains and eighty-fix feamen killed, one hundred and
ninety-feven were wounded, and among them were
admiral Reggio and fourteen other officers of rank; while
that of the Engliſh amounted to only fifty-nine killed and
one hundred and twenty wounded, among whom they
were not unfortunate enough to number a fingle officer.
The conduct of the different officers concerned in the
foregoing encounter, as well that of the admiral himſelf as
of his private captains*, foon became a fubject of violent
and
* It feems to be pretty generally admitted that all was not, which
might have been effected by men cordially united, and equally eager in
the fervice of their country. The moft ferious point of impropriety
we have ever heard urged against the admiral is, that he took private,
and confequently unwarrantable means to propagate charges againſt
individuals under his command, which they, when informed of, on
their part honourably repelled, and proved the failure to have been
principally, if not entirely occafioned by the conduct of the admiral
2 4
himſelf.
360
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and general difpute; each man accufed the other of mif-
conduct, and the most ferious confequences attended the
violence with which fome of the parties defended and en-
himſelf. As the foregoing action, trivial as it was, caufed as much
party difpute as any to be found in the annals of England, we ſhall
fubjoin the account given by Mr. Knowles himſelf of the tranfaction,
although it will not be found to differ very materially from that we
have inferted, after examining all the accounts, both public and pri-
vate, that could be collected for the purpoſe of elucidating this affair.
"Admiralty-office, Nov. 29, 1748.
"Extract of a letter from rear-admiral Knowles, dated on board the
Cornwall, off the Havannah, October 2, 1748.
"Since my laſt I met with captain Holmes, of the Lenox, who not
being able to get to windward with the convoy from Jamaica, bore
away to get a paffage through the gulph. The day before he joined me
he had been chaced by feven fail of Spaniſh men of war, who took one
of his convoy upon this intelligence I ordered him to join me,
and flood over immediately for the Cuba fhore in hopes of meeting
them. Accordingly the next morning, at break of day, I fell in
with them, and about three o'clock began the engagement; by
five I drove admiral Reggio out of the line, and made him put away
before the wind; the Conqueftadore, his fecond, ftruck to me, having
been fet on fire three times by cohorn fhells. All the fquadron foon
followed their admiral; but unluckily at that very inftant my main-
top-maft was fhot off by the board, and my fore-top fail-yard fhot
down, fo that I could not make fail after them; upon this I hawled
down the fignal for the line, and made that for the whole fquadron
to chace.
We continued in action till near eleven o'clock at night,
when the Spaniards ran fo near the breakers of the fhore, that our
fhips pilots being unacquainted with the coaft- could follow them no
longer. The Canterbury and Strafford fuck clofe to admiral Reggio;
and juft as they were obliged to leave him, they faw his main and mi-
zen-mafts fall over his fide.
Upon the beginning of the action I faw the Spaniards fcheme was
to cannonade, and not to come to a clofe engagement, which I was
refolved to bring them to, and therefore bore down within half mufket-
fhot of the admiral, having received feveral broadfides from the four
fernmoft fhips before I returned one gun.
"The action was within about four leagues of the fhore between
the Havannah and the Matanças.
I have not been able to collect yet the number of flain and
wounded in the action, but believe it not to be very great, the Spa-
niards chief aim being at our maſts.
"The Spaniards had more than their complement of men, having
the regiment of Almanza on board and all the men out of the privateers
in the place, with a deſign to give me battle, being informed I had but
five fail with me."
forced
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
361
forced their particular opinions. The conduct of the
admiral himſelf became the ſubject of legal and honour-
able inveſtigation, and the opinion of the court-martial
may in great meaſure paſs for that entertained by the
world in general: not criminal, yet not entirely blame-
lefs; erroneous, though perhaps accidentally fo; and not
charged, even by his enemies, with what conftitutes the
effence of all offences, a wilful neglect, or misbehaviour.
*
"Rear-admiral Knowles being, in the month of De-
cember 1749, tried at Deptford, before a court-martial,
for his behaviour in and relating to an action which hap-
pened on the Ift of October, in the preceding year, be-
tween a British fquadron under his command, and a
ſquadron of Spain, the court was unanimouſly of opinion,
that the faid Knowles, while he was ftanding for
the enemy, might, by a different difpofition of his fqua-
dron, have begun the attack with fix thips as early in the
day as four of them were engaged; and that, therefore, by
his neglecting fo to do, he gave the enemy a manifeſt ad-
vantage that the faid Knowles remained on board the
ſhip Cornwall with his flag, after ſhe was difabled from
continuing the action, though he might, upon her being
diſabled, have ſhifted his flag on board another fhip, and
the court were unanimouſly of opinion he ought to have
done fo, in order to have conducted and directed, during
the whole action, the motions of the fquadron entruſted to
his care and conduct. Upon confideration of the whole
conduct of the ſaid Knowles, relating to that action, the
court did unanimouſly agree that he fell under part of the
14th article of the articles of war; namely, the word
negligence, and no other; and alfo under the 23d article:
the court, therefore, unanimouſly adjudged that he ſhould
be reprimanded for not bringing up the ſquadron in cloſer
order than he did, and not beginning the attack with as
great force as he might have done; as alfo for not ſhift-
ing his flag upon the Cornwall's being difabled.”
This error does not appear to have injured Mr.
Knowles in the opinion of adminiſtration, who ſeem to
have beheld his conduct on all occafions with a favourable
and friendly eye, confcious perhaps in their own perſons,
that the greatest merit was, on fome occafions, molt unwar-
rantably traduced; and that to expect a man should live
without
362
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
without enemies, was an ábfurdity too great to be infifted
on by the warmeft advocates for the general rectitude of
public opinion. Under the influence of this reflection,
he was, as we may fuppofe, in the year 1752 inveſted with
the very confequential and valuable truft of governor of Ja-
maica*, a ftation he held till the eve of the commencement
of
* He does not, however, appear to have paffed his time very com-
fortably during his continuance in this high and lucrative office: his
conduct, when commander in-chief at Jamaica, had given very great of-
fence to the inhabitants of feveral of the iſlands; he was charged with
having behaved rather arbitrary in impreffing men belonging to fome
of their veffels: this was an offence not quickly to be forgotten. He
alfo had, tho' we ftrictly believe, from the most honourable and beft in-
tentions, directed to the good of the community over which he pre-
fided, thought proper to make fome innovations which were highly
refented, and afterwards became the fubject of a parliamentary en
quiry, the refult of this, as well as of all the proceedings had upon
it, we have inferted a brief account of, as a neceffary act of juftice to
the character of Mr. Knowles, who does not feem to have been, at
leaft intentionally, culpable.
•
In 1756 an addrefs was prefented to the king by the houfe
of commons, defiring his majeſty would give orders for laying before
them feveral papers relating to difputes which had lately happened
between his excellency Charles Knowles, efq. and ſome of the prin-
cipal inhabitants of the ifland of Jamaica. This governor was accufed
of many illegal, cruel, and arbitrary acts, during the courfe of his
arbitration; but thefe imputations he incurred by an exertion of power
which was in itfelf laudable and well intended for the commercial
interest of the iſland. He had changed the feat of government, and
procured an act of affembly for removing the feveral laws, records,
books, papers, and writings belonging to the different offices in that ifland,
from Spanish Town to Kingston; as well as for obliging the feveral
officers to keep their offices, and hold a fupreme court of judicature at
this laf place, to which he had moved the feat of government. Spánifh
Town, otherwife called St. Jago de la Vega, the old capital, was an
inconfiderable inland place, of no fecurity, trade, or importance;
whereas Kingflon was the centre of commerce, fituated on the fide of
a fine harbour filled with fhips, well fecured from the infults of an
enemy, farge, wealthy, and flourishing. Here the merchants dwell,
and fhip the greateft part of the fugars that are made upon the iſland.
They found it extremely inconvenient and expenfive to take out their
elearances at Spanish Town, which ftands at a confiderable diftance:
and the fame inconvenience and expence being felt by the rest of the
inhabitants, who had occafion to profecute fuits at law, or attend the
affembly of the island, they joined in reprefentations to the governor,
requefling, that, in confideration of theſe inconveniences, added to that
of the weakneſs of Spanish Town, and the importance of Kingfton,
the feat of government might be removed. He complied with their
requeft; and in doing fo entailed upon himſelf the hatred and refent-
ment
}
363
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAINBRIT
.
&
1
1.
of hoftilities with France; and during his abfence was,
in the month of February 1755, advanced to be vice-
}
ment of certain powerful planters who poffeffed eftates in and about
the old town of St. Jago de la Vega, thus deferred. This feems to
have been the real fource of the animofity and clamour incurred by
Mr. Knowles, against whom a petition, figned by nineteen members
of the affembly, had been fent to England, and prefented to his ma-
jefly. In the two feffions preceding this year the affair had been
brought into the houſe of commons, where the governor's character
was painted in frightful colours, and divers papers relating to the dif
pute were examined. Mr. Knowles having by this time returned to
England, the ſubject of his adminiſtration was revived, and referred to
a committee of the whole houſe.
In the mean time petitions were prefented by feveral merchants
of London and Liverpool, concerned in the trade to Jamaica, alledg
ing, that the removal of the public courts, offices, and records of the
ifland of Jamaica to Kingflon, and fixing the feat of government there,
had been productive of many important advantages, by rendering the
ftrength of the island more formidable, the property of the traders and
inhabitants more fecure, and the profecution of all commercial bufinefs
more expeditious and lefs expenfive than formerly, therefore praying
that the purpoſes of the act paffed in Jamaica for that end, might be
carried into effectual execution, in fuch a manner as the houfe fhould
think proper. The committee having examined a great number of
papers, agreed to fome refolutions importing, that a certain proceeding
of the affembly of Jamaica, dated on the 29th day of October, in the
year 1753, implying a claim of right in that affembly to raife and ap-
ply public money, without the confent of the governor and council,
was illegal, repugnant to the terms of his majeſty's commiffion to his
governor of the faid ifland, and derogatory of the rights of the crown
and people of Great Britain. That the fix laft refolutions taken in
the affembly of Jamaica, on the 29th of October, in the year 1753,
proceeded on a manifeft miſapprehenfion of the king's inftruction to
his governor, requiring him not to give his affent to any bill of an
unufual or extraordinary nature and importance, wherein his majeſty's
prerogative, or the property of his fubjects might be prejudiced, or the
trade or fhipping of the kingdom any ways affected, unless there fhould
be a claufe inferted, fufpending the execution of fuch bill until his
majefty's pleaſure ſhould be known; that fuch inflruction was juſt and
neceffary, and no alteration of the conflitution of the ifland, nor any
way derogatory to the rights of the ſubjects in Jamaica. From thefe
refolutions the reader may perceive the nature of the difpute which
had arifen between the people of Jamaica and their governor, vice-
admiral Knowles, whofe conduct on this occafion feems to have been
juftified by the legislature. The parliament, however, forbore to deter
mine the queftion, whether the removal of the courts of judicature
from Spanish Town to Kingfton, was a meafure calculated for the
intereft of the ifland in general.
<
* He returned to England and refigned his government in the month
of January 1756.
admiral
?
364
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
admiral of the blue, as he was progreffively to be vice-
admiral of the white, and of the red not long after he
reached England. In 1757, having hoifted his flag on board
the Neptune, a ſecond rate, he was appointed fecond in
command of the armament fent out, under the chief com-
mand of fir Edward Hawke, to attempt the deftruction of
Rochfort. The ill fuccefs which attended this very ex-
penſive expedition irritated the minds of the people more,
perhaps, than that of any one which had preceded it, and
had not been marked with a pofitive and extenſive
difafter.
Though the characters of the naval officers fuffered but
little in proportion to that of the general, yet they were
not completely exempt from the cenfure even of the moſt
illiterate, who are in conftant habits of attributing all
misfortune, from what caufe foever it may arife, to the
conduct of the admiral-in-chief, or general, who is unhappy
enough to be preſent where it takes place. Mr. Knowles
was indeed leſs fortunate than that brave and revered
commander fir Edw. Hawke; the people were ungenerous
enough to remember, on this occafion, every failure that
had unhappily attended him in the courfe of a long and
active fervice. This conduct is by no means uncommon,
the ſtrange and unjuſt collateral evidence of former mif-
fortunes is generally fwelled by repetition into a pofitive
proof of abfolute delinquency, fo that the unfortunate
victim of the tremendous vox populi, though hunted, exe-
crated, and punished as guilty, has at leaſt an equal
chance of being perfectly innocent.
We have faid thus much to obtain a fair hearing for Mr.
Knowles as to the plain matters of fact, in which he himfelf
was in any degree concerned during the courfe of the
expedition. The fleet failed from St. Helen's on the 8th
of September, and proceeded down Channel with a fair
wind, all, but the general and flag officers, being, as it is
faid, ignorant of the place of their immediate deftination
till the 15th. On the 20th the fleet had fight of the iſland of
Oleron, and a fignal was immediately made, by the com-
mander-in-chief, for Mr. Knowles to proceed with his
divifion to Baſque road, and attack the fort on the iſle of
Aix; but the execution of this order was fufpended, as is
humouroully related by Campbell, by a very extraordinary
accident.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
365
--
accident or event.
"Admiral Knowles (fays he) as foon
as he received theſe orders, inade fail with his divifion, and
prepared his fhips for action; but he had ſcarce taken
leave of fir Edward Hawke before a French man of war
was obferved ſtanding in towards the centre of the Engliſh
fleet. When this fingular phænomenon appeared, admiral
Knowles was fo deeply engaged in the important occupa-
tion of exhibiting the entertaining ſpectacle of a clear fhip,
between decks, to general Conway, that he could not
poffibly attend to the firft information brought by his
lieutenant; however, in confequence of a fecond meſſage,
the admiral came upon deck, and, through his perſpective
glaſs, difcovered this ftrange fail to be a two-decked fhip.
Admiral Knowles recollecting that he was ſent on a dif-
ferent fervice, but not reflecting on the comparative im-
portance of that fervice, was in doubt whether he ſhould
make a fignal for any of his divifion to chace. During
this heſitation the French fhip diſcovered her miſtake,
tacked and bore away with all the fail fhe could crowd.
The admiral continued ftill to doubt, and doubted fo long
that all poffibility of coming up with her before night
vanished; at laft, however, admiral Knowles ordered the
Magnanime and the Torbay to give chace: they chaced
as long as they could fee their object, and next morning
rejoined the fleet."
On the following day Mr. Knowles with his divifion.
again made fail towards the land, but a thick haze fuddenly
coming on, the pilots refuſed to carry the fhips in. About
feven o'clock, after having lain to during the day in ex-
pectation of the weather clearing up, the fquadron came
to an anchor near the Iſle of Rhè, and were on the follow-
ing morning joined by the remainder of the fleet. On the
22d, about eight o'clock in the morning, admiral
Knowles in the Neptune, with the Barfleur, Magnanime,
America, Alcide, Burford, and Royal William, made
fail towards the Ifle of Aix, which lay at the mouth of
the river leading up to Rochfort. The fmall fort which
defended it being attacked by lord Howe, in the Magna-
nime, fell an eafy conqueſt to him after a flight reſiſtance,
which ſcarcely continued an hour. This fuccefs, trivial
as it might be deemed, when compared with the real
object of the expedition, was nevertheleſs deemed highly
ominous
6
366
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
ominous of the greateſt future advantages, and raiſed the
fpirits, both of feamen and foldiers, to the higheſt pitch.
The three fubfequent days were confumed in councils of
war and reconnoitring; and at laſt it was agreed, on the
25th, that the attempt on Rochfort was neither advifeable nor
practicable. This refolution was, in all likelihood, framed
in confequence of the information derived from the pri-
foners taken on the Iſle of Aix. What the particulars of
that intelligence were, as well as the reft of the evidence and
opinions given in the deliberative council alluded to hav-
ing never been made public, it is improper, and indeed im-
poffible, to form any certain decifion as to the propriety of
the reafons which induced the abandonment of the defign:
it is one of thoſe dark points of hiſtory which have never
hitherto been cleared up, and probably never will, fo that
nothing pending fuch uncertainty can be more ungenerous
than to pretend to affix blame on an individual; when,
perhaps, were the whole affair properly canvaffed, it would
appear none was fairly attachable to any one.
On
On the 26th, in the morning, notwithſtanding the re-
folution paffed on the preceding day, Mr. Knowles was
detached with two bomb-ketches, and ſeveral ſmall armed
veffels and frigates, to bombard and attack fort Fouras, as
well as to found the entrance of the river Charente.
his return he reported that one of the bomb-ketches, the
Infernal, had ran aground in going in, and that the Co-
ventry frigate, in endeavouring to protect her from two
French row gallies, had nearly ſhared the fame fate, hav-
ing touched five times; neverthelefs, thefe unfavourable
circumſtances had not fufficient weight to prevent orders,
which were iffued the fame night for the troops to hold
themſelves in readineſs to land the next morning. Thefe
were, for what reafon ftill remains a fecret, never even
attempted to be carried into execution; and after two or
three more orders and counter-orders, the defign was at
laft totally given up on the 29th of September.
The difquietude, and, indeed, rage of the people, con-
fequent to the want of fuccefs in the expedition, where the
molt fanguine hopes of brilliant advantage had been
formed, require not much energy or enforcement to com-
pel the moſt perfect belief of. But it is fomewhat diffi-
cult to conceive how the whole of the difappointment
fuſtained
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
367
fuftained on the foregoing occafion can fairly be charged
to the account of Mr. Knowles. To fpeak candidly and
difpaffionately, the firft and principal caufe of the failure
appears to have been the delay in embarking the troops,
a circumftance of misconduct not imputable to Mr.
Knowles: a fecond, and ſcarcely leſs confequential bar to
fucceſs, ſeems to have been a total want of that degree
of information indifpenfibly neceflary to the fupport of
fuch an undertaking: and laftly, a want of decifion in the
inftructors; every thing appearing to have been optional,
and that no regular and pofitive orders were iffued, or even
the outline of a plan traced out to be hereafter purſued by
either fleet or army.
Mr. Knowles has been cenfured, why? becauſe, for-
footh, fort Fouras was not attacked, when it is confeffed
by the loudest enemies of the vice-admiral, and the ableft
friends to the expedition, that the complete reduction of
that fortreſs would but have contributed in a very ſmall
degree the farther fuccefs of it. To fum up the whole in
very few words, the effence of the charge appears to con-
fift in Mr. Knowles having been unfortunate enough to.
have one of the bomb veffels under his command run
aground for want of a proper pilot, a circumſtance irre-
mediable, as neither the fhoals could be removed, nor
proper conductors procured to steer the veffels clear of them.
As to the land-impediments, whether they are real or ima-
ginary, is nothing at all to the prefent queſtion; and as
to the failure of profecuting the expedition on the part of
the fleet, it appears to have arifen from a difcovery that
the knowledge of Thierry, the French pilot, was rather
too fuperficial, and that the admiral did not think it per-
fectly fafe to place an implicit confidence in his judge-
ment and experience. At laft the fury of the people was
obliged to be content with venting itſelf in a virulent paper*
abufe,
* The account published by the admiral himſelf of this tranfaction was
treated with much afperity and hai fhnels in the Critical Review, of which
publication the celebrated Dr. Smollet was at that time one of the prin-
cipal conductors. Mr. Knowles fhewing a proper attention to the
dignity of his own character, either threatened, or actually commenced
a profecution against the doctor. That gentleman trembling at that
punishment which his unprovoked attack would, he thought, in all
probability
1
368
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
abufe, which is, in general, the dernier refort of an en-
raged and diſappointed party.
Mr. Knowles ftruck his flag foon after the return of
the fleet into port, but re-hoiſted it on the 5th of No-
vember following, on board the Royal Anne, at Spithead.
He never, however, proceeded to fea, and on the 12th
of December following finally ftruck his flag, which we
do not believe him to have ever afterwards re-hoifted, as
being appointed to a command: he continued reſpected
nevertheleſs, and favoured both by the fovereign and his
minifters. On the 31st of January 1758, he was advanced
to be admiral of the blue. This promotion is not, how-
ever, to be confidered as any particular mark of diſtinc-
tion and favour, it being his right according to the regular
rule of fucceffion eftabliſhed in the fervice; all flag
officers participating equally of it, except in cafes of re-
moval or actual refignation. Some of his fubfequent
honours ſtand not however in the fame predicament.
After the acceffion of king George the Third he was, on
on the 19th of October 1765, created a baronet; and on
the 5th of the enfuing month made rear-admiral of Great
Britain as fucceffor to the late lord Hawke, who was ad-
vanced to be vice-admiral. He held this honourable
appointment till the month of October 1770, when he
very fairly and properly gave in his refignation, having
accepted of an high command under the empress of
Ruffia, who was at that time involved in a war with the
Porte. He was about the fame time advanced, in the
regular courſe of promotion, to be admiral of the white.
In the year 1774 he returned to England, peace being
agreed on and concluded between the courts of Ruffia and
Turkey. He continued ever afterwards to live in retire-
ment, an habitude his advanced age, and ſervice in diffe-
rent climates, may be very naturally ſuppoſed to have
probability draw on him, wrote to Mr. Wilkes (whom it muſt be
remembered he afterwards moft grofsly abufed) requefting him to uſe
the intereft of his friends, with the admiral, fo that he might be per-
fuaded to drop the profecution. Smollet, though in much agitation
and fear for the event, concluded his letter in the following violent and
unwarrantable terms" If that fooliſh admiral has any regard to his
own character, he will be quiet rather than provoke farther the refent-
ment of T. Smollet!!!"
rendered
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
369
rendered extremely neceffary to his comfort. He died in
England on the 9th of December 1777.
The character of this gentleman has, on a variety of
occafions, been much canvaffed, and on fome of them cer-
tainly illtreated. With a better intention of benefiting his
native country and thofe he governed, than poffeffion of a
manner of manifefting it to them, or perfuading the world
of the purity of his intentions, with a confiderable greater
fhare of ability than thoſe who were not really his friends
were ready to allow him, with many other good points in
his character, which the caprice and injuftice of his anta-
goniſts were ever anxious to difcourage the difbelief as to
the exiſtence of, he paffed, with the generality of mankind,
for a tyrant, for one poffeffed of a ſpiritlefs and inactive
inind, for a man who at beft, if cautious of incurring
cenfure, was, on the other hand, incapable of acquir-
ing fame, or true renown. We hope it will be candidly
admitted that the extreme fallacy on which fome of theſe
opinions are founded, has been fully eſtabliſhed; and if the
fame degree of folid proof be wanting in regard to the
remainder, we may probably rather attribute it to an un-
fortunate want of that particular kind of information
which would enable us to controvert them, than to the
abfolute nonexiſtence of ſuch adducible evidence. We
ſtrictly and truly believe him to have been a man of fpirit,
ability, and integrity; but on the other hand we think him
to have thought too highly of his own merit in regard to
the two firſt, and to have wanted thofe conciliating, and
complacent manners which are abfolutely neceflary to
render even the laft, perfe&tly agreeable and acceptable
to the generality of mankind.
Whatever might be his failings he certainly moft amply
expiated them by that turbid ſtate in which he ever lived
while in a public fituation; and the whole of them may,
to conclude his character, certainly be imputed to paffions.
too violent, and a want of thofe countervailing qualities
which thofe who experience the effects of them always
expect, to render them properly endurable *.
SCOTT, Honourable Henry,-afterwards third earl of
Delorain, was the 2d fon of the lord Henry Scott, third fon
*He married Mifs Allen, a lady of confiderable fortune, in the
ifland of Barbadoes, on the 23d of December 1740.
VOL. IV.
A a
of
370
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of the unfortunate James duke of Monmouth, and Anne
dutchess of Buccleugh. His mother was Anne, daughter
and heirefs of William Duncombe, of Battlefden, in the
county of Bedford, efq. one of the lords juftices of Ireland
in 1693, and comptroller of the army accounts to queen
Anne. Having betaken himſelf to a naval life, he was,
after paffing through the ſeveral ſubordinate ſtations, ap-
pointed, on the 31st of April 1737, to be captain of the
Seaford. He quitted the fervice at Liſbon in the month
of April 1739, on receiving intelligence of the death of
his brother, and his confequent acceffion to the title.
This he did not long live to enjoy, dying fome time in
the month of January 1740. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of John Fenwick, efq. by whom he left two
fons, Henry, afterwards earl of Deloraine, and the hon.
John Scott.
WATSON, Thomas,-was, on the 7th of October
1737, appointed captain of the Antelope. We believe
this gentleman either to have been bred up under the
aufpices of Mr. Vernon, or to have acquired his efteem
at an early period after he became a captain in the navy.
In the year 1739, he was appointed to command the
Burford, of feventy guns, under that admiral, when he
failed on the memorable expedition againſt Porto Bello,
the particulars of which have been already related at length
in his life. When the reinforcement arrived from Eng-
land, and Mr. Vernon removed into the Princefs Caroline
previous to his proceeding againſt Carthagena, captain
Watſon accompanied him into that fhip, ftill ferving
under him as his captain. The particulars of this expe-
dition have been already related at fome length in the
lives of the admirals Bofcawen, Knowles, and other
gallant men, to whom, as older officers, a better chance
of diftinguishing themfelves, was, on various occafions,
allotted. It might therefore be no matter of wonder if
we had little to record, of fo young a captain, acting
under the immediate eye of the commander-in-chief, to
whom, whatever is praifeworthy or memorable, generally
is attributed by the hiftorian. It is a fufficient proof of
worth, generally fpeaking, for a man to be felected,
fo particularly, and pointedly as captain Watſon was by
Mr. Vernon, but we are happy to add he had various.
opportunities of diftinguiſhing himſelf beyond the ordinary
3
Foutine
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
371
routine of duty, and we fhould not think ourſelves
juftified were we not briefly to enumerate them.
At the first attack of the Barradera battery he com-
manded the boats which landed captain Bofcawen and the
brave affailants. On a repetition of the affault when the
Spaniards had in part repaired the damage done on the firſt
occafion, he himself commanded the ſtorming party, having
under him the captains Cotes and Dennis, and effectually
deſtroyed what the Spaniards had, by exertions almoft in-
credible, in part repaired. He next accompanied cap-
tain Knowles, who commanded the affault of fort St. Jo-
feph, and moſt gallantly fupported him, not only on that
occafion, but alfo on the fubfequent one of boarding and
taking poffeffion of the Spaniſh admiral's fhip, the
Gallicia.
After the return of the fleet to Port Royal, the Princefs
Caroline being one of the fhips under orders to return to
Europe, captain Watfon experienced a fecond removal,
with Mr. Vernon, into the Boyne: he of courſe attended
his admiral in the unfuccefsful expedition which foon
afterwards took place againſt Cuba, and continued to
retain the ſame honourable ſtation as long as Mr. Vernon
himſelf remained in the Weſt Indies. When the admiral
returned to Europe, captain Watſon was, foon after his
arrival in England, appointed to the Northumberland, of
feventy guns. This fhip was one of the fleet ordered out
for Lifbon under the command of fir Charles Hardy.
This expedition was particularly unfortunate both to the
Northumberland and captain Watfon, the fhip being
captured by the enemy, and he himfelf falling an unhappy
victim to an excefs of gallantry, which, if the following
account be thought deferving credit, bordered fomewhat
on raſhneſs.
This relation is taken from a fhort narrative of the
action, written by an intelligent perfon who was himſelf
on board, and published it immediately after his return
from captivity.
"May the 8th, being in latitude 39 and 40, at five
A. M. the admiral made a fignal for the Northumber-
land to chafe a fail to the northward. We crowded all
the fail we could fet, but could gain nothing on the chace,
having little wind and hazy weather. At twelve the gale
freshened,
A a 2
372
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
་
freshened, but we could not get within gun-hot. At two
the admiral made a fignal for us to leave off chacing and
come into the fleet. The captain was acquainted with it
but would not obey. I know not his reafon for it. About
three we had a hard fhower of rain, with a briſk gale and
very thick weather. At four, the weather clearing
away, we loſt fight of the chace, and difcovered three
fhips fteering to the weftward, two of them appearing to be
large fhips of equal force with us, the other a fhip of
about twenty guns, at about a league diſtance. On view-
ing them the mafter faid they were ftrangers; that two of
them were warm-fided fhips, and that the other had a
whole tier of guns. He perfuaded the captain to tack and
ftand for the fleet, which he refuſed, ſaying, he was re-
folved to fee what thofe fellows were made of. He
ordered the men to unlaſh the guns, and clear fhip, which
we had not time to do. On our bearing down to them
they immediately brought to under their top-fails, and
hoifted Engliſh colours, but on our nearer approach thefe
were changed to French; the headmoft fhip. hoifted a
broad white pendant, and run her guns out.
down upon her fo precipitately that our ſmall fails were
not ſtowed, nor our top gallant fails furled, before the
enemy began to fire on us. At the fame time we had
the cabbins cleared away; nor were the hammocks
ftowed as they ought to have been. In fhort, we had
nothing in order.
We bore
"At five o'clock we came up with the Content, the
commodore's fhip, of fixty-two guns. She threw he
whole fire fmall and great into us, without doing us any
damage. Our captain would not ſtop here, nor take any
notice of it; but ordered us to bear for the Mars, of
fixty-four guns, which fhip was fomewhat to leeward of
us. This was a great mifcarriage in the action, for had
we kept cloſe to the firft fhip, in all probability we fhould
have difabled her before her confort could have got to
her relief; and at the fame time been as prepared for the
other. Thus leaving her and bearing for the other gave
them the opportunity of fupporting each other in the
attack they made on us, and alfo enabled the finall ſhip
to lie under our ftern.
"On receiving the fire, from the Content, our
people gave three cheers, and we ourſelves began the
action
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
373
}
་
The fire was conti-
!
action by firing on the Mars.
nued by our people on the different fhips, as we could
bring our guns to bear on them. After the action had
continued fome time, the men were fhot at the helm:
the proper officer that should have been on the quarter-
deck to affift the captain not appearing, the helm was
neglected, and the hip for a time thrown into the wind,
fo that the lay expofed to the enemy to act by her as they
pleaſed, we not being able to bring a gun to bear on
them. They ranged up to pour their whole fire into us,
towards night and the Mars bearing for us, it was thought
the intended to board us, we therefore endeavoured to
fet our main-fail, but were prevented, our lee-fheet being
cut by a fhot. Being prepared by having a whole broad-
fide ready, it was difcharged at once into her. She being
much wounded, bore away and troubled us no more; we
then prepared to receive the other fhip, who now began
to attack us on the ftar-board quarter: this being the firſt
time they had attacked us on that fide, their fire feemed
only intended to favour the retreat of their confort. The
night came on. We returned their fire; which had now
continued upwards of three hours, and all judged we had
the beft of it; when there was a fudden call from the quarter
deck, "leave firing, we have ſtruck." This occafioned a
great confternation: no one would believe but that the
French had ftruck, as we faw no apparent reafon on our
fide for doing ſo. The French ftill firing, the fame was
returned, and a whole broadfide was preparing, when there
was a fecond exclamation of “damn the rafcals, leave
firing, and houſe your guns, we have ftruck;" I believe
by the maſter.
"The captain was brought juſt at that time mortally
wounded from the quarter-deck: and, leaning againſt the
mizen-mait, the mafter faid, "Sir, what will you do; for
God's fake confider your men, they are all killed or
wounded; we have not a man left to do any thing; we
have none but dead and wounded men; we can do no-
thing; we lie here to be ſhot at,"-with many fuch like
words. The gunner begged in the like manner, adding,
"We fhall all be killed, they are going to rake us fore and
aft. Dear captain Watfon ftrike; let us cut away the maft,
we ſhall be re-taken to-morrow; let us disable the fhip:"
which would have been put in execution, had they not
}
A a 3
been
}
}
374
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
been prevented by the people. The carpenter at this
came and reported, that the fhip was as found as ever in her
hull; and that the had not made one inch of water. The
captain would not hearken to any thing; bidding the crew
put the ſhip before the wind, and to keep to their defence.
He was carried down to the purfer's cabbin to have his
wounds dreffed; and knew not that the fhip was given
up till he faw the Frenchmen on board."
:
Having thus related the plain and melancholy fact, our
author proceeds in the fame fair and artleſs inanner to
account for the misfortune that befel his too brave, and
defperate commander.
"It muſt appear very plain to any one that hears the
true ſtatement of the action, that the captain never once
thought of a furrender of the fhip; for had he known
when the colours had been ftruck, and agreed thereto,
there would have been no occafion for the mafter or gunner
to beg of him to do that he had confented to before. The
captain was not in his proper fenfes when the action be-
gan, in confequence of a fall, in which he had fractured
his fkull fome time before. His mouth was drawn afide
in a ſtrange manner; and a ſmall quantity of liquor ren-
dered him quite incapable of duty, as was his unhappy fate
that day. Expofing himself too publicly on the arms cheft,
he became an eafy mark to be fhot at, and afterwards
growing faint from his wounds, he could not exert him-
felf as he would have done, having no affiftance from thofe
whoſe duty required it, he too late faw his error."
He afterwards candidly ftates the little neceffity there
was for the furrender at the time it actually took place.
"Thus was given up to the enemy one of the beſt
fhips in the navy of England, when there was no real
neceflity for doing fo. It is true the mate was wounded,
the fails and rigging torn to pieces, and about feventy men
killed and wounded; that was the worst ftate. On the
other hand we had a ſtrong brave fhip, no leaks to ſtop;
no damage done to our hull; we had men left that were
able and willing to fight our guns; and would have held it
out to the laft, if there had been one officer in the poft that
would have taken the command. Added to this, it was
night, and ſo dark that the enemy knew not that the colours
were ftruck: the people did, and would have continued the
action longer, had they not been forced to leave off, the
enemy
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
375
enemy being called to for quarter, and defired to come
on board with their boats, I believe by the mafter."
The foregoing account is too explicit relative to this
unhappy tranfaction, to render much explanation, or
addition to it, on our part, neceffary. Captain Watſon
appears to have facrificed every confideration in the hope
of fignalifing himſelf, by at leaft the difcomfiture-of two
fhips, each of which were in force nearly equal to his
own. He was unhappily deceived in his attempt, which
certainly would have been confidered as an act of confum-
mate bravery, had it been fuppofed, within the bounds of
poffibility, for fortune to have favoured his attempt. That
not being the cafe, thofe who would have rejoiced in the
former inftance when beftowing on him that tribute of
applauſe juſtly due to a gallant act, were compelled to be
content with the filent tear of compaffion for the unhappy
fate of a raſh and defperate man. Though grievously
wounded, his fall was rendered ftill more melancholy by
his having lingered in extreme mifery for fome days after
the action, and even lived to be carried into an enemy's
port. He died in France on the 4th of June 1744. The
maſter of the ſhip, who is fo much, and, apparently, fo juftly
reflected on in the foregoing account, was tried for having
furrendered the fhip unneceffarily, and was fentenced to
be impriſoned for life in the marfhalfea.
1738.
COOPER, Thomas,-was, on the 14th of November
1738, promoted to be captain of the Solebay frigate. He
remained in the fame veffel only till the month of June
following; and we have not been able to diſcover what
command he again held till after the return of the Channel
fleet, commanded by fir John Norris, into port, at the
conclufion of the year 1740. Captain Cooper was then
appointed to the Dunkirk, of fixty guns, on that ſhip
being ordered, with twenty others, to the Weft Ind.es, as
A a 4
a rein.
376
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
a reinforcement to Mr. Vernon previous to the attack of
Carthagena, which, as is well known, took place at the
beginning of the year 1741. We find him employed under
captain, afterwards fir Charles Knowles, in reconnoiter-
ing and founding the entrance of the harbour, which is the
only particular mention made of him while abfent on the
above fervice.
When Mr. Vernon, after the return of the fleet into
Port Royal, had made the neceffary arrangements and
difpofitions of his ſhips on different fervices, and formed
a ſquadron, out of thofe, which remained under his com-
mand, for the attack of the ifland of Cuba, the Dunkirk
was one of the fhips left behind for the protection of Ja-
maica, under the command of commodore Davers. Capt.
Cooper returned to England not long afterwards, and was
immediately appointed to the Chefter, which as well as the
Dunkirk, was a fourth rate, but of inferior force. He was,
as we believe, ordered for the Streights, as we find him
concerned, with feveral other commanders, whom we know
to have been on that ſtation, in the capture of a very large
Spaniſh fhip, called the St. Jofeph, on the 2d of Sept. 1742.
He was not long after this time, ordered to the Mediter-
ranean, and there promoted to the Stirling Caſtle, a third
rate of 70 guns, in which fhip he ferved, under Mr. Ma-
thews, being ftationed, in the encounter with the French
and Spaniſh thips off Toulon, to lead Mr. Rowley's diviſion,
which, in confequence of the fleet having engaged on the
larboard tack, led the van. His behaviour on that occa-
fion was ſo much complained of that he was brought to a
court-martial on the 12th of May following, at Mahon,
and ſentenced to be difmiffed the fervice. This appears
to have been one of thoſe too ſtrict and ſevere inflictions
of punishment which the jealous rules and honour of the
fervice rendered perhaps neceffary, fo that, though we do
not by any means wish to reflect on the integrity, judge-
ment, and candour of thoſe by whom he was tried and
fentenced yet it is a neceffary piece of juftice to the
character of captain Cooper, to obferve, that although he
might be very legally found to have tranfgreffed thofe rules
and orders, the obfervance of which are fo ftrictly impofed
by the duties of his ſtation, yet, viewed in a general light,
and abſtracted from fuch general cuſtoms, his conduct
:
muft
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
377
muſt appear to have been in the higheſt degree merito-
rious.
An anonymous but very fenfible author relates this very
tranfaction at ſome length, and in the following terms.
"Monfieur de Court perceiving that, if vice-admiral
Leftock fhould take his flation, the Spanish divifion muſt
be entirely defeated, was intent on their prefervation, and
at three of the clock made the fignal for the van to tack
and go to the affiftance of the rear, imagining he had then
a fair opportunity of inclofing admiral Mathews between
two fires; but this fignal was not put in execution till
very late, becauſe commodore Gabaret was prevented
from tacking by the vigilance of the Stirling Caſtle,
Warwick, Naſſau, and Chatham, who, while commodore
Gabaret was endeavouring to gain the weather gage, kept
ſo well to windward as to prevent the French from tack-
ing fo foon as they would have done. At length, in ſpite
of the endeavours of captain Cooper, who commanded the
Stirling Castle to the contrary, the van of the French
fquadron tacked about five, which obliged rear-admiral
Rowley to tack alfo, with a view of joining the center,
which otherwife muft have been overpowered by the fu-
periority of the French."
The commiffioners of the admiralty, as well as the
commanding officer of the fleet, appear to have confi-
dered the fentence already related, as an act of neceffity,
merely paffed pro forma, and not as a punishment intend-
edly inflicted on a well-founded charge of mifconduct.
Captain Cooper was immediately rettored to the ſervice.
by order of the board, and continued in the Stirling
Caftle. He was afterwards detached on many honourable
and confequential fervices by Mr. Rowley, who, after the
recall of Mr. Mathews, fucceeded him in command. He
was in particular fent to bombard and deftroy the different
towns, on the coaft of Italy and the iſland of Corfica,
belonging to the Genoefe*, who had drawn on themſelves
the
* He was alfo particularly active and fortunate in diftreffing the
commerce of that republic, as appears by the following extract of a
etter, dated Florence, August 31, 1745-
"Laft
378
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the juſt reſentment of the British court, by wantonly de-
claring against the queen of Hungary. Commodore
Cooper executed this ſervice with much preciſion and ſpirit,
fo that, though it is hardly poffible to fuppofe his charac-
ter had fuffered in the fmallest degree with men of can-
dour; yet, notwithstanding the improbability of it, ad-
mitting that to have been really the cafe, his fubfequent
conduct muſt have totally effaced the idea.
We do not find any mention made of him in the line
of active ſervice after his return from the Mediterranean.
On the 25th of January 1752, he was appointed com-
miffioner of the victualling-office: this he refigned early
in the year 1755, and was appointed extra-commiffioner
of the navy; and was, in the courfe of the fame year, ad-
vanced to be commiffioner refident at Chatham. He held
this ftation till the year 1763, and then retired on the ufual
penfion granted to officers of that rank. He died in the
courfe of the year 1770.
DEERING, Griffin.-The life of this gentleman, as
a naval commander, was extremely fhort, being only
known as having been, on the 28th of November 1738,
appointed captain of the Tyger. He died in England
fome time in the month of January 1740.
N. B. We do not find the name of this gentleman in-
ferted in any lift as a captain in the navy, except that
publifhed by rear-admiral Hardy.
DENT, Digby (2d),-the fon of captain Digby Dent,
of whom we have before given fome account in this vo-
fume, page 57. He was appointed captain of the Kinfale
frigate on the 9th of June 1738. In the following year
he commanded the Hampton Court, of feventy guns, as
captain under commodore Brown, in the West Indies, at
the fucceſsful and memorable attack made on Porto Bello.
He remained in the fame fhip after Mr. Brown quitted it,
"Laft week his Britannic majefty's fhip, the Stirling Cafle, com-
manded by captain Cooper, was obliged to put into Leghorn by bad
weather; fome days before, they fent into that port two Dutch fhips,
bound to Genoa: one from Lisbon, with effects belonging to Genoa;
the other from Rochelle, with corn for that port; likewife a Genoefe
fettee, under the Pope's colours. He afterwards bombarded the city
and caftle of Baflia, and compelled the marquis de Mari, who com-
manded there with a garriſon of fix hundred men, to abandon it, and
retire to Calvi."
and
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
379
and returned to England. On the expedition undertaken
by Mr. Vernon againſt Carthagena, in 1741, he ftill con-
tinued in the Hampton Court, and was ftationed in the
line as one of the feconds to commodore Leftock. He is
not otherwife particularly noticed. After the failure of that
expedition, the Hampton Court being one of the fhips
under orders to return to Europe with Mr. Leftock, he
removed into the Tilbury, of fixty guns, and failed
in the month of July, with Mr. Vernon, when he made
his fruitless attempt on the island of Cuba. Captain
Dent probably remained, principally, if not entirely, on
the ſame ſtation till nearly the conclufion of the war:
but we find no mention whatever made of him till the end
of the year 1747, when he was commodore of the ſmall
fquadron then on the Jamaica ſtation, and was fortunate
enough to make prizes of feveral ſhips belonging to the
French convoy, from the ifle of Aix, which was fo fuc-
ceſsfully attacked by rear admiral Hawke in the month of
October. The Wealle floop being diſpatched to the Weſt
Indies with information of that event, commodore Dent
put to fea on a cruife off St. Domingo, and, as already
related, fuccefsfully. The arrival of rear-admiral
Knowles not long afterwards, put a period to his com-
mand-in-chief; but he remained on the fame ftation, and
in the beginning of the year 1748 was captain of the Ply-
mouth, of fixty guns, the thip he had before his temporary
broad pendant on board of, one of the fquadron under
that admiral, which attacked and took poffeffion of port
Louis, in the island of Hifpaniola, and afterwards failed
in the affault of St. Jago de Cuba. A charge of miſcon-
duct, on the part of captain Dent, was urged by the rear-
admiral, as the principal if not entire caufe of his ill-
fuccefs, with what truth the world will be able to decide.
after reading the fhort and well authenticated account,
given by Campbell, of the foregoing tranſaction.
"Admiral Knowles having entirely deftroved the fort,
refumed his former defign againft St. Jago de Cuba, where
he arrived on the 5th of April. The Plymouth and the
Cornwall were ordered to enter the harbour, but finding
a boom acroſs, and four veffels filled with combuftibles,
after firing a few broadfides at the caftle they judged it
prudent to defift, and the fquadron returned to Jamaica.
Captain
380
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Captain Dent, of the Plymouth, was afterwards, at the
request of the admiral, tried by a court-martial for not
forcing the boom, and was honourably acquitted."
The name of captain Dent does not again occur in
active fervice, nor could it be expected, wher we recollect
that an interval of nearly feven years peace fucceeded the
event juft related. In 1756 he was appointed extra-
commiffioner of the navy, and retained that ftation till his
death, which happened, as we believe, in the month of
June 1762; but Mr. Hardy, by mistake, places it one
year earlier.
LEGGE, Honourable Edward,-was the fifth fon of
William, firft earl of Dartmouth, and the lady Anne
Finch, third daughter to Heneage, earl of Aylesford. He
was born in the year 1710, and having made choice of a
naval life, was, on the 31st of May 1726, entered as a
volunteer on board the Royal Oak, of ſeventy guns, one
of the thips ordered, at the conclufion of the year, for Gibral-
tar, which fortrefs was then threatened, by the Spaniards,
with a fiege. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant,
on board the Deptford, on the 5th of March, 1733-4.
Having ferved in the ftations already mentioned, and ac-
quired all the addition of character confequent to an
honourable and ftrict difcharge of his duty, he was, on the
26th of July 1738, appointed captain of the Lively fri-
gate. At the end of the following year he was promoted
to the Pearl, and quickly afterwards to the Severn, of
fifty guns, being ordered out, in 1740, under Mr. An-
fon, who commanded the expedition deftined for the
South Seas. Nothing very material 'happened, except
what has been already related at length in the life of the
commodore, till the fquadron arrived off Terra D'El-
Fuego, the fouthern extremity of South America..
A moſt violent and continued tempeft reduced the
fquadron, after it had proceeded thus far towards the place
of its deftination, to the greatest extremity of diftrefs; and
after having, by the most laborious exertions, kept com-
pany for ſeveral weeks with the reft of the fhips, captain
Legge was at laft compelled, when off Cape Noir, together
with the hon. captain Murray, in the Pearl, to put back
to the Brafils. The fituation of the Severn was particu-
tarly defperate, the crew being fo much reduced by fick-
nefs,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
38t
nefs*, that we know not how fufficiently to admire thofe
indefatigable labours, and efforts of the furvivors, as well
officers, as feamen, which enabled them to refift, for fo long
a time, the fury of raging, and contrary winds, agitating
and raifing á fea tremendous enough to have ftruck the
ftoutest, and moft hardy crew with terror and difmay.
Captain Legge returned to Europe after his weakened
and difpirited people had, in fome meaſure, recruited and
recovered a fufficient degree of ftrength and vigour to enable
them to navigate their ſhip with fafety. At the end of
the year 1744, he commanded the Strafford, of fifty guns,
one of the fhips ordered for the Weft Indies under vice-
admiral Davers. How he was employed in the interme-
diate time we have not been able diftin&tly to make out,
but believe him, during a part of it, to have cominanded
the Medway, of fixty guns, till that fhip was ordered
to the Eaſt Indies with commodore Barnet. This, how-
ever, is not very material, as the fervices, whatever they
might be in which he was employed, have not been con-
* Captain Legge gave the following account of his melancholy
ſituation, and the diſtreſs his people had undergone, in a letter, dated
Rio Janeiro, July the 4th, 1741.
"The ſquadron left St Julian's the 27th of February, and on the
7th of March paffed the Streights of La Maire with great fuccefs and
fair weather; but the next day met with fresh gales, which from that
time increaſed to fuch very hard gales from N.N.W. to W.N.W.
with fuch prodigious feas as exceeded any they had ever ſeen before,
it tore their fhrowds and fails, and fprung their yards and mafts.
On the 10th of April they were in the latitude of 55 deg. 55 m. and
longitude 91 deg. 54 m. That night they loft fight of the commo-
dore and all the fquadron, except the Pearl. On the 1gth, in the
morning, they faw the land at day break from the W.N.W. to the
S.E. very high, and not above five leagues diftant; upon fight of which
they endeavoured to wear, which they were more than an hour before
they could perform, and then flood to weftward as much as the winds
would permit them: but the wind coming to N.W. and by W. and
W.N.W, and blowing almoſt a continual ftorm for forty days toge-
ther, with exceeding great feas, they beat mol of the time under reef-
ed courſes. On the 1ft of June they fpoke with a Portugueſe veſſel
bound to Bahia, who told them Cape Frio bore W.S.W. 30 leagues;
and on the 30th of June, by the great mercy of God, they arrived fafe
in this port, where they were received with exceeding great friendship
and humanity, after having loft a great number of men by fatigue and
fickness, amongst which laft were the captain, lieutenant, and enfign of
the invalids.
fequential
382
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
fequential enough to cauſe any detail commemorating
them, even from thofe who had been beft acquainted with
the circumſtances of his life. The fame fpecies of mif-
fortune which attended him when under the command of
Mr. Anfon, appears, in fome meaſure, though it muſt be
confeffed, in a lefs violent degree, to have purſued him
when on his voyage to the Weſt Indies. He failed with
Mr. Davers, from Portfmouth; on the 18th of November,
and parted from him, and the fquadron, in a violent gale of
wind, during the following night. The weather conti-
nued fo violent, and the wind fo adverfe, that he was
thirty-three days with the Enterprize, Merlin, and about
twenty merchant fhips, on his paffage to Madeira, where
he found his admiral, who had got in only three days be-
fore him.
Matters now affumed a more pleaſant profpect. No
unfortunate occurrence appears to have retarded his far-
ther voyage; and after his arrival in the Weft Indies he
met with no ſmall fuccefs in his different cruifes, having
taken feveral prizes, two or more of which were of no
inconfiderable value. He returned to England in ſome
other ſhip whofe name we know not, but moſt probably
with a convoy, in the month of November or December;
and in January 1746, was appointed captain of the
Windfor, of fixty guns, a new fhip juft off the ftocks.
He continued in Europe during the whole of the enfuing
year; but we find no other mention made of him, except
that he was one of the members of the court-martial
convened for the trial of the admirals Leftock and Ma-.
thews. In 1747, having again removed into fome other
fhip, he was fent out to the Leeward Iflands commodore
of a ſmall fquadron; but did not long furvive this appoint-
ment, or at leaſt his arrival on his ſtation, dying at Bar-
badoes on the 19th of September 1747, having, though
abfent, been just before elected reprefentative in parlia-
ment for the town of Portſmouth.
MASTERS, Harcourt, was the fon of fir Harcourt
Mafters, knight, who ferved the office of theriff of Lon-
don in the year 1718, and was afterwards chofen alder-
man of Coleman-ftreet ward. This gentleman was, on
the 3d of January 1738, appointed captain of the Kinfale
frigate, in which he remained only till the month of June
following,
NAVAL OFFÍCERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
383
following. In 1741 he was captain of the Fox frigate*.
This is the only mention we find made of him, and be
lieve him to have retired foon after the time juft men-
tioned from the fervice: he nevertheleſs continued on the
lift of captains till the time of his death, an event which
did not happen till the 4th of September 1762.
OLIPHANT, John, was, on the 28th of July,
appointed captain of the Falkland, of fifty guns, a ſhip in
which we find him to have continued till after the year
1741: how much longer, we know not, as we have been
unable to collect any other information concerning him,
except that he died in England on March 29, 1743.
POCOCK, Sir George, was the fon of the reverend
Thomas Pocock, A.M. chaplain to Greenwich-hofpital,
and fellow of the royal fociety, by
his wife,
daughter of James Mafter, efq. and Joice his wife, only
daughter of fir Chriſtopher Turner, knight, one of the
barons of the exchequer, temp. Charles the Second. He
was born on the 6th of March 1706; and having betaken
himſelf to a naval life when only twelve years of age,
ferved under fir George Byng, who was his uncle, during
his very memorable expedition to the Mediterranean in
1718. He afterwards paffed through the different ſub-
ordinate ranks of his profeffion t with a character well
deſerved for diſtinguiſhed affiduity. On the 1st of Auguſt
1738, he was appointed captain of the Aldborough fri-
gate, in which veffel he was, we believe, immediately
afterwards ordered to the Mediterranean, where he conti-
nued, till the year 1741, ferving under Mr. Haddock: in
the month of Auguft 1742, he was appointed to the Wool-
wich, and we fuppofe him to have continued in that ſhip till
the year 1744; he was then captain of the Sutherland, of
go guns, and early in the enſuing fpring was ordered to the
Eaft Indies. He failed from Plymouth in the month of
April, accompanied by Lord Thomas Bertie, a fhip of
the fame force with his own, having under their pro-
tection four of the company's fhips.
Some accounts make him to have been appointed in the first in-
ftance to this fhip.
+ In the month of Auguſt 1732, he was appointed firſt Lieutenant
of the Namur.
The Gofport, of forty-four guns, with a number of fhips bound
to the coaft of Guinea, failed at the fame time, and continued with
them till after they quitted the island of Madeira.
We
384
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
We have no account of him during the time he was
abſent on the ſtation juſt mentioned; indeed the general
events of war in that quarter of the world were fo ex-
tremely unintereſting, that it would have been fingular if
we had. After his return, he was ordered to the Weft
Indies, where, on the death of commodore Legge, he be-
came commanding officer, and diftinguished himſelf ex-
ceedingly at the latter end of the year 1748, by his activity
and judicious conduct in ſtationing his fquadron, for the
purpoſe of intercepting the French convoy from Europe*,
which had been fo fuccefsfully attacked, immediately on
its quitting France, by rear-admiral Hawke. Nearly
forty of the enemy's fhips fell into the hands of himſelf
and his different cruifers, exclufive of thofe captured, in
confequence of their complete difperfion, by different
privateers. The war ending foon after this ftroke, Mr.
Pocock was not called again into fervice till the end of
the year 1754, when he was ordered to the Eaſt Indies,
with rear-admiral Watfon, being then captain of the
Cumberland. The firft enterprize undertaken after their
arrival was the reduction of Geriah; but in this Mr.
Pocock does not appear to have been concerned. On the
4th of February 1755 t, he was advanced to be rear-ad-
miral of the white; and on the 4th of June in the enfuing.
year, was promoted to be rear of the red. The first
enterprize in which he appears to have been perfonally
concerned, was the reduction of Chandernagore, the par-
ticulars of which will be found in the life of Mr. Watfon,
who was the first in command. On the death of vice-ad-
miral Watſon, an event which took place Aug. 16, 1757,
not long after the foregoing fuccefs, the chief command
devolved on Mr. Pocock. He exerted himſelf with his
ufual ability to counteract the attempts of the enemy, who
* See
See page 268.
+ Some have afferted he was advanced to be a flag officer before the
fquadron failed from England. This perhaps may be true, as it did
not reach Bombay till the month of November, which allows more
than fufficient time for it to have remained at home till after his pro-
motion at any rate he hoifted his flag on board his old fhip the
Cumberland, of fixty-fix guns.
were
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.. 385
we're in fuperior force to him. Nothing material, how-
ever, took place during the remainder of the current
year.
On the 31st of January 1758, he was farther advanced
to be vice-admiral. of the red, and the change of the
monfoons having rendered the appearance of the French
fquadron in the Indian.feas highly probable, he prepared
in the beſt imanner his circumftances would admit of,
againſt fuch an event. He was joined in Madras road
by commodore Stevens, with a reinforcement from En-
gland on the 24th of March, and the fhips which then
arrived, as well as thoſe before under his command being
re-equipped, he put to fea on the 17th of April, with
the following force, having previously removed his flag
into the Yarmouth.
Guns. Men.
Commanders.
S vice-admiral Pocock
captain Harrifon
commodore Stevens
captain Kempenfelt
captain Brereton
Ships.
The Yarmouth 64
540
Elizabeth
64
495
Cumberland 66
520
Weymouth 60 420
Nich. Vincent
Tyger
60 400
Newcaſtle 50
350
Saliſbury
50
300
Thos. Latham
George Legge
John Somerfet
With the Queenborough frigate and Protector florefhip.
As it was the admiral's intention to get to windward of
fort St. David's in hopes of intercepting the French fqua-
dron, which from the most recent intelligence, he had
every reafon to expect daily, would arrive on the coaft, he
fleered for Negapatam, which port he made on the 28th,
and running along fhore on the following morning for
fort St. David's, difcovered about half paft nine o'clock,
7 fhips getting under fail from the road, and two which
were cruifing in the offing. This was the fquadron he was
in fearch of, commanded by the count d'Achè, and in con-
fequence of his not anſwering Mr. Pocock's private fig-
nals a general chace immediately commenced. The enemy
having collected their force, about twelve o'clock formed
the line of battle ahead on the ſtarboard tack, ftanding to
VOL. IV.
Bb
the
386
OF
LIVES AND CHARACTERS
the eastward under their topfails, with the wind nearly
fouth; Mr. Pocock immediately made the fignal for his
ſhips to form, and tood towards his antagoniſts. As foon
as this manoeuvre was executed, and his fhips had got to-
lerably well into their ſeveral ſtations, about three o'clock
the van of his fquadron being then nearly within
random fhot of the enemy, he bore down
Zodiaque of 74 guns, on board which fhip M. d'Achè
himſelf, hoiſted a cornette or diftinguiſhing pendant, at
the mizen topmaſt head.
on the
Some of the ſhips compofing the rear of the Britiſh
fquadron, appeared at this time remarkably dilatory in
getting up, the Cumberland, Newcaſtle, and Weymouth,
were four or five miles aftern t, but the admiral, together
with the ſhips ahead refolutely perſevered, notwithſtanding
this difcouraging circumftance, in attempting to clofe
with their adverſaries, and although Mr. Pocock was in
particular, obliged to receive the fire of the different
French ſhips aftern of their commander in chief, as well
as of the count d'Achè himſelf, he did not return the hof-
tile falute, or make the fignal for engaging till he had got
within half muſket ſhot. In a few minutes after the
engagement commenced, he made the fignal for cloſe
action, this was immediately, and moft fpiritedly obeyed
by all the fhips in the van, but thofe in the rear already
pointed out, ftill kept aloof. About half paſt four, the
admiral finding the rear of the French line had drawn
almoſt cloſe up with the Zodiaque, repeated the ſignal
* In the admiral's journal it is ſpecified, that a thort time before
this, he called the Queenborough frigate within hail, and ordered
that all her marines fhould be fent on board the Cumberland, and
20 of her ſeamen on board the Tyger, thoſe being the two ſhips in
his line worſt manned. So that every poffible precaution which pru-
dence or activity could fuggeft, were taken by him, to put his whole
force in the best condition for annoying or oppofing the enemy.
+ It is alſo ſtated in the fame journal, that at ſeven minutes past.
three, obſerving fome fhips too wide of the enemy, the fignal was
made for a clofe engagement, which was complied with by the fhips.
ahead of the Cumberland. He faw with concern, that the Newcaſtle
and Weymouth did not come properly into action with the fhips oppo-
fite to them the whole time, which gave the French fhips aftern of their
commander-in-chief, an opportunity of lying on the Admiral's quar
ter, who fometimes had three fhips on him at once, and never lefs
than two.
for
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
387
for the Cumberland, Newcaſtle, and Weymouth, to make
fail and cloſe the enemy, who now appeared threatning
to furround him, the English captains appeared in fome
degree, willing to atone for their former delay, but before
they were able to execute the orders laſt given, the French
chef d'Eſcadre unwilling to continue a conteft the event
of which he feared, in cafe the ſhips which were coming
up, did their duty, broke the line and put before the wind,
running to leward of thoſe fhips of his own ſquadron
which were ahead of him. His fecond aftern, who had
rendered him effential fervice during the action, by lying
the whole time on the Yarmouth's quarter, immediately
fhot up along fide of Mr. Pocock, but after difcharging
his broadfide, followed the example of his principal in
command, and bore away alfo, the two remaining fhips
in the rear acted precifely in the fame manner, and the
van itſelf of the enemy's fquadron, bearing away in a
few minutes afterwards, the admiral hauled down the
fignal for the line, and hoiſted that for a general chace.
The Engliſh fhips* which had been engaged, were by
this time extremely difabled in their mafts and rigging,
the Yarmouth in particular, could not with every poffible
exertion keep up with her companions. The admiral,
therefore immediately fent one of his officers to the Cum-
berland, and the reft of the fhips aftern, which were in
perfect good order, not having been at all in action, or-
dering them to purfue with all poffible expediton, and
engage any of the enemy's fhips they could get up with.
The French fquadron was between the hours of five and
fix, reinforced by the Compte de Provence of 74 guns,
and the Diligent frigate of 24, which had not been hi-
therto in action, having juft returned from Pondicherry,
whether they had convoyed the well known count Lally.
This circumſtance, the injury fuftained by the greater part
of the fquadron, and above all, the approach of evening,
induced the admiral to leave off chaſe, and haul cloſe upon
a wind, in the hope of weathering the enemy during the
night, and by that means compelling them to renew the
engagement in the morning. The Queenborough frigate
was accordingly ordered ahead to attend them, and make
* The Elizabeth, Tyger, Saliſbury, and Yarmouth.
B b 2
the
388
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the neceffary fignals to the fquadron, but the enemy nei-
ther fhewing any lights, nor making any fignals them-
felves, far as could be obferved, during the night, effected
their efcape for that time, and in the morning were totally
out of fight.
Mr. Pocock imagined the enemy had on the their part
fucceeded in weathering the Britith fquadron, in conſe-
quence of their being lefs diſabled, and in a condition to
carry a greater prefs of fail, but continued neverthelefs,
to purfue them in the courſe he deemed most likely to
overtake them. Finding, however, all his endeavours
ineffectual, he came to an anchor about three leagues to
the northward of Sadras on the morning of the 1ſt of
May, and immediately fent an officer on fhore to the
chief of that fettlement for intelligence. He had the ſa-
tisfaction of learning on his return, that the Bien Aime
of feventy-four guns, one of the fineſt fhips belonging to
the enemy, had received fo much damage in the preced-
ing encounter, that the crew were obliged for the prefer-
vation of their own lives, to run her on thore a little to
the fouthward of Alemparve, where the remainder of their
fquadron were faid to be then at anchor. They were re-
ported to have had nearly 600 men killed, and a greater
number wounded, while the lofs on board Mr. Pocock's
fquadron amounted only to about thirty killed, and ninety
wounded.
The French retreated to Pondicherry, and the English
thips put into Madras to refit, the re-equipment of the
different thips was attended to with the greateſt alacrity,
fo that by the roth of May, the moſt material damages
being repaired, and the crews reinforced by an hundred
and twenty recovered men from the hofpital, together
with eighty lafcars furnished by the governor of Ma-
dras, the fquadron was enabled to put to fea. Mr.
Pocock refolved to attempt working up to fort St. Davids,
which was known to be at that time befieged, and inuch
preffed by the French, but was not able to effect this
purpofe, being prevented by various accidents, and impe-
diments, encreafed as well by ftrong wefterly winds, as
by a current running to the northward, thefe obliged him
to come to an anchor off Alemparve on the 26th of July,
but weighing again, on the 30th he was off Pondicherry,
and on the enfuing morning, the French fquadron which
had
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
389
had lain there ever fince the 5th of that month, ſtood out
of the road and made their efcape, notwithſtanding every
effort of the admiral to clofe with, and bring them to
action.
On the 6th of June, Mr. Pocock received the difagre-
able intelligence of the furrender of fort St. David, in
· confequence of which he deemed it prudent to return to
Madras, in order to water and procure other neceffaries
of which the fquadron ftood in need.. On their arrival at
this place, the vice-admiral caufed the con uct of thoſe
captains whofe behaviour he deemed reprehenfible, to be
enquired into by a court martial, which fentenced captain
Nicholas Vincent, to be difmiffed from the command of
the Weymouth, captain George Legge to be cathered,
and captain William Brereton to lofe a years rank as
poft captain. This difagreeable, though indifpenfible
duty being completed, the admiral once more quitted
Madras in fearch of the enemy on the twenty-fifth of
July; on the twenty-fixth being off Alemparve he came
to an anchor there, and ordered in all the boats of
the fquadron, to attempt either the capture or deftruc-
tion of a fnow and feven chilingoes, the fnow was
laden with firewood for the uſe of the garrifon of Pondi-
cherry, and the chelengoes had been fent from thence with
ordnance ftores and cannon, but had landed their cargoes
before the arrival of the Engliſh fquadron. This little
enterprife was, however, very fuccefsful in all other re-
fpects, the chelingoes being fet on fire, and the fnow
brought off.
On the 27th in the evening, the admiral had worked up
within three leagues of Pondicherry, where the enemy
fquadron, confifting of eight fhips of the line and a fri-
gate was difcovered at anchor. The count d'Achè did
not appear to have the fmalleft inclination of coming to
an action that evening, and about ten the next morning,
he got under fail flanding to the fouthward in hopes of
being able to avoid the British fquadron from the advan-
tage he poffeffed in having the land breeze. Mr. Pocock
well aware that the only means of bringing fo thy and
cautious an enemy to action, was by poffeffing himself
of the weather gage, immediately made the fignal for a
general chace, but the enemy's hips having a manifeſt
fuperiori, as better failers, he was not able to clofe
Bb3
with
390
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
with them, although he chaced as far as Porto Novo, where
he loft fight of them. On the 30th, he diſcovered and drove
on fhore, about two leagues to the northward of the port
juſt mentioned, a fhip bound to Pondicherry laden with
ftores, ammunition, and cannon, the veffel was after-
wards fet on fire by the boats of the fquadron, and proved
a very ſerious lofs to the enemy, who were much in want
of the articles fhe was freighted with, and were totally
deftitute of ſpecie to purchaſe a fecond fupply from the
Dutch, who had before ſerved them with the articles above
ftated, as in a matter of trade.
Mr. Pocock keeping clofe along the coaft, had once
more fight of the enemy on the firſt of Auguft. He was
then off Tranquebar, and by carrying a prefs of fail, at
one o'clock on the next day had confiderably neared
them. It appeared to all next to an impoffibility that the
enemy could any longer avoid an action. The French
chef d'efcadre himſelf appeared to have taken a refolu-
tion of bringing on a ferious conteft; but this was
merely a feint in order to trifle away the time, and
enable him to get off. He formed his line of battle at
a confiderable diftance, by occafionally edging down, and
afterwards hawling upon a wind, with an apparent inten-
tion of keeping his line in regular order, in fhort, by
prac ifing every manoeuvre that could imprefs the Britiſh
admiral with an opinion that he ſeriouſly meant to come to
action he delayed the time till half an hour paft fix in the
evening, when crouding all the fail he could carry, and
hauling cloſe to the wind, ftanding to the ſouth eaſt,
he completely baffled every attempt and hope on the part
of the Britiſh to bring on an engagement: all the hips
under his command being totally out of fight. of their
purfuers, and on the next morning were not vifible even
from the maſt head.
:
}
Mr. Pocock though difappointed, did not yet abandon his
point, the event in a great meaſure proved the prudence
and propriety of his perfeverance; for on the following
day he again difcovered their fquadron, and immediately
prepared for action. On the third of Aug. at five in the
morning he was ſtill in fight of the enemy, who were about
a league to windward of Negapatam. The action itſelf
which then took place, as well as the events immediately
preceding
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
391
preceding it, will probably be beſt explained by the fol-
lowing extract from an authentic journal kept on board
the admirals fhip.
Auguſt the 2d 1758, moderate breezes and fair wea-
ther, the wind from S. to S. W. at one the enemy was
edging down upon us in a line of battle abreaft, the com-
manding fhip under her three top-fails on the cap, ap-
peared to be cloſe reefed, and ſteering for our center. At
half paft one the Cumberland being pretty well up, we
made the fignal for the line of battle ahead, at two it fell
little wind, and came round to the fouthward. About three
our line was well formed, and we ftood to the eastward under
our top-fails, the fore top-fail full, the main top-fail fquare,
the mizen top-fail fometimes full and fometimes aback,
as the different fhips ftations in the line required. At three
we made the fignal to fpeak with the fire-fhip, and foon
after with the Queenborough; all this time the enemy con-
tinued bearing down on us with the fame fail, and our
fquadron.continued in a very regular clofe line. At five
the enemy's van was on our beam, at about two miles dif-
tance, and about an hour after, they made fome fignals,
hauling their wind almoft immediately; the van thip
hoifted her top-fails, and fet her courfes; the com-
manding fhip hoifted her top-fails, hauled her fore tack on
board, and ſtood cloſe upon a wind to the S. E. in about
ten minutes. When that fhip had got before our beam,
we made the fignal for our van to fill, and ftand on, which
we did with the whole fquadron under our top-fails and
fore-fail, making the proper fignals for keeping the line
during the night. The enemy from dark, to II o'clock,
made ſeveral ſignals by guns, and judging by the found, they
were firing on our quarter, concluded they had tacked,
upon which, a little before twelve, we made the fignal to
wear, and wore with the whole fquadron, making fail
to the weftward.
• Aug. 3, 1758, moderate and fair weather. At four
A. M. the Saliſbury made the fignal for feeing four fail to
the north weſt. At five A. M. we faw the French ſqua-
dron about three miles to the weftward of us, in a line
of battle ahead, ftanding to the fouthward, we then
made the fignal for the line of battle ahead, which was
very foon formed. At fix Negapatam bore W. S. W.
Bb 4
half
3920
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
:
half W. diſtance about three leagues. At eight minutes
paſt ſeven we made the fignal for the Tyger and Cum-
berland to make more fail. At twenty minutes paſt ſeven
we ſtood to the S. E. in a well formed line, the enemy's
van at the ſame time bearing W. half N. diftant about
four miles. At half paſt eight the enemy's van began to
edge down upon us. At 40 minutes paft eight made the
fignal for the Tyger and Elizabeth to change places in
the line and at forty five minutes paft nine the Tyger
made the Saliſbury's fignal to clofe the line. At ten
the enemy bore away, as if they intended to run under the
ſtern of the rear of ourline. At ten minutes after, we made
the ſignal for the leading fhips to fteer two points away
from the former courſe. We e edged away and ſteered
fouth. At twenty-five minutes paſt ten made the Wey-
mouth's, and the Weymouth made the Newcastle's fignal
to cloſe the line. From this time till twenty minutes
paſt eleven, we were employed in towing particular fhips
into their tations; for there was little or no wind, and
the fquadron in fome diforder. At twenty minutes paft
eleven the fea breeze fet in from the S. E. which brought
the enemy on our larboard and lee-quarter. At half paſt
eleven the enemy's van was on our lee-beam, diſtant
about one mile and a half. At noon our fquadron was
in a very good line, and preparing to bear down on the
enemy. The Elizabeth and Queenborough repeated all
the fignals we made during the action.
f
Auguft the 4th, 1758, moderate and fair weather.
At 20 minutes past twelve P. M. we made the lead-
ing fhips fignal to fteer fix points from the former courſe,
our fquadron being then in a well formed clofe line.
At 55 minutes past twelve made the rear fhips fignal to
clofe the line. At one, took in our top gallant fails. At
this time the enemy feemed to be drawn up in an half
moon, their van and rear being to windward of their
center. At twenty minutes after one obferving the
French admiral made the fignal to engage, and their van
fhips beginning to fire upon the Elizabeth, we immedi-
ately made the fignal for engaging alfo, which was
repeated by the Elizabeth and Queenborough, and obey-
ed by the whole fquadron. In ten minutes after, the
French admiral fet his fore-fail, and kept more away.
The
:
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
393
The reft of the fquadron did the fame, and their line was
foon broke. The remainder of the action was a running
fight. At thirty-five minutes paft one the fignal for the
line was ſhot away, and another inftantly hoisted. Two
minutes after that, our main top-fail yard was fhot down
on the cap, and the main top maſt much damaged at the
fame time. At forty minutes paft one the fignal for battle
was thot away, again, and another hoifted directly. At
two the enemy's leading fhip in the van put before the
wind, having cut away her mizen maft, on account of the
fail being on fire. The French admiral put before the
wind eight minutes after, and was followed by all the
fhips of the enemy, from the van to the center. At 25
minutes paſt two the enemy's réar put before the wind,
at the fame time we made the ſignal for a cloſe engage-
ment, that our ſhips might bear down as faft as pof-
fible after them. At fifty five minutes past two the
enemy wore, and hauled up a little to the ſouthward
as we did at the fame time. At three made the general
fignal to chafe, at the fame time hauled down that
for the line of battle and cloſe engagement, making
all the fail we could after them. The enemy being at
too great a diſtance for us to fire at them, they crouded
with ſtudding fails and every thing elfe from us; their
boats were all cut adrift, they ſtanding about N. N. W.
We were employed in knotting and fplicing the old, and
reeving new rigging, to enable us to make more fail;
the lefs difabled fhips about three miles ahead, and the
enemy's rear about five. At fix obferving the enc-
my increaſed their diftance; we made the fignal to leave.
off chafe, hauling down that for battle at the fame
time. After joining our fhips to leeward, we hauled
clofe to the wind, with the larboard tacks on board; at
eight we made the fignal, and anchored in nine fathom.
Carical W. half N. diftant about three or four
water.
miles,'
In this action the French had upwards of five hundred
and fifty men killed and wounded, among the latter of
whom, were Mr. D'Aché and his captain, while on the
part of the English there were only thirty-one killed, and
one hundred and fixteen wounded, among whom were
Commodore Stevens by a mufquet-ball in his fhoulder,
5
and
394
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and captain Martin by a fplinter in his leg. Two days
after the action, the Ruby, a French veffel of 120 tons
burthen, laden with ſhot and medicines, bound from the
Mauritius to Pondicherry, was taken by the Queenboro'
frigate. The conduct of Mr. Pocock on the foregoing
occafions appears more deferving that public tribute of
applauſe, which a grateful country is bound to beftow, in-
afmuch as Mr. D'Achè was univerfally allowed, thro' the
whole French nation, to be the braveſt and moſt intelligent
officer in their fervice, As to the enemy, they fled into
Pondicherry road, where they continued repairing their da-
mages, as well as circumftances would permit them, till the
3d of Sept. and then returned difcomfited to the Mauri-
tius to refit, and wait for the reinforcements which they
expected from Old France. Mr. Pocock on his part
having put his fquadron in the beſt condition for fervice
he could, failed for Bombay alfo to refit, and continued
during the monfoons, according to the general cuſtom
on that ſtation, it being extremely dangerous to remain
on the coaſt of Coromandel during the period alluded to.
The natural feafon of danger being over, and the fqua-
dron refitted, Mr. Pocock quitted Bombay on the 17th of
April 1759, intending once more to feek and expel, if
poffible, the enemies of his country from the coaft of Coro-
mandel. Behaving as it is elfewhere very defervedly re-
marked of him, with a diligence and dexterity that appeared
in every undertaking where he had the chief direction, he
got round the ifland of Ceylon before the French had even
taken their departure from the iſlands, whither they had
retired. He took up his ftation where he ſuppoſed himſelf
to have the beſt opportunity of intercepting the enemy
and protecting the trade of Britain; and, as it was deemed
next to an impoffibility for the French fquadron to pafs him
undiſcovered while he continued in that latitude, fo did his
patience enable him to continue there till the abfolute
neceflity compelled him to quit it, and proceed for Trin-
comale, on the ift of September.
He had previouſly taken the prudent precaution of dif
patching the Revenge, one of the Eaft India company's
frigates, to cruiſe off the island of Ceylon in the enemy's
track, in order that he might have the earlieſt notice of
their approach. Mr. Smollet afferts, and, as it appears,
very
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
395
very erroneouſly, that Mr. Pocock and the fquadron
quitted Madrafs road on the 1ft of September, for the pur..
pofe of cruifing in fearch of the French fquadron. The
immediate object at that time in view, feems, as we have
juſt ſtated, to have been a very different one; but this cir-
cumſtance, whether authentic or otherwife, is immaterial
to the future detail. At ten in the morning on the 2d of
September the French fleet was difcovered from the maft-
head of the Britiſh fquadron: one of their frigates being at
that time in purfuit of the Revenge, Mr. Pocock imme-
diately made a ſignal for a general chace, and flood towards
the enemy with all the fail he could carry. In force he
was fo much inferior that nothing but the moſt ex-
emplary gallantry, aided by confummate ability in
every individual under his command, could have preferved
them even from defeat, had the enemy difplayed any thing
like either bravery or good conduct. The British force
conſiſted of no more than nine fhips, two of them mount
ing only fifty guns; while the French line amounted to
eleven, nearly all of them larger and more powerful fhips.
The frigate which had chaced the Revenge, immediately
on difcovering the Britiſh fquadron, tacked and rejoined'
her own companions, who, inftead of eagerly feizing the
fair opportunity which, in confequence of their fuperior
force, prefented itſelf to them of wiping off their former
difgrace, endeavoured to avoid an action by edging away
and delaying time, according to their former practice, till
night ſhould favour their eſcape.
The wind flattening nearly to a calm, Mr. Pocock was
unable during the day, to get up, and cloſe with them; but
on the approach of night the Revenge was ordered to make
fail to the fouthward, and, if poffible, not to loſe ſight of
the enemy. The policy of this meaſure foon became appa-
rent, for about eleven at night the frigate making fignals of
having diſcovered the enemy's fleet, the whole fqua-
dron bore down under a prefs of fail, and got very near.
A fquall of wind unluckily coming on, and continuing
from one o'clock in the morning till three, once more
fruftrated the hopes of forcing the enemy to action, by
obliging the Britiſh ſquadron to bring to under cloſe-reefed
top-fails. The enemy, notwithſtanding this untoward
accident, were not able to effect their efcape, being dif
covered
390
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
covered at break of day, bearing N.E. by N. at a diflance
of five or fix leagues. Mr. Pocock immediately gave
chace, and with fome fuccefs, continuing till nine o'clock
to gain faft upon the enemy, who then finding it dangerous
to truft merely to the fuperior failing of their fhips,
formed their line on the ftarboard tack, ftanding to the
north east with the wind at north weft. The British
fquadron immediately began to form in a line of battle
abreaſt, and ſtood for the center of the enemy's fleet. The
wind failing as the day advanced, and fome of the fhips,
particularly the Newcastle and Tyger, being very heavy
failers, it was near fun-fet before all the hips could get
properly into their ſtations.
Joy at the idea of an approaching action, which it was
hoped would terminate their fatigue and trouble, was now
apparent in the face of every one; but the French chef
d'efcadre had far different intentions; he dreaded the
danger of a direct chace, knowing that, if overtaken in
confequence of the purfuers being partially aided by a
fudden favourable fpurt or breeze of wind, a circumſtance
by no means uncommon in that part of the world, that the
whole or greater part of his formidable fquadron might
fall more cafily under the inevitable confufion, and dif-
advantage of flight than they would even in action itſelf.
He endeavoured therefore, by forming his line, and once
more holding out an apparent refolution of engaging, to
cauſe the purfuers, by adopting the fame meaſure from
prudence, to lofe that time which they would otherwife
have employed in chacing; fo that he might ftill avoid an
action till a favourable change of wind, or the approach of
night might once more deliver him from foes he dreaded.
About a quarter before five the Britiſh fquadron being
nearly abreaft of the enemy, they' wore round, and brought
to on the oppofite tack; Mr. Pocock in confequence,
made the fignal for his fquadron to tack, the rear first,
and of courfe ftood away in a parallel line with the
enemy's fquâdron, at the diftance of about four miles from
it. There was at this time very little wind, fcarcely fuf-
ficient to afford what is called fteerage way. The calm
continued till near ten o'clock, at night, when a freſh
breeze fprung up from the north-weft. Mr. Pocock
immediately ordered his fhips to haul clofe upon a wind
under
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
397
under their top-fails, and to form the line of battle ahead-
The fudden fhift of wind carried the British fquadron
ahead of the enemy, and brought the latter on the weather
quarter. They foon dropped aftern, and the weather
proving hazy, diſappeared, notwithſtanding the Revenge
ufed every poffible effort to keep them in fight. Running
ahead the next morning on the look-out, about eigh
o'clock four fail were diſcovered in the north-eaſt. A
chace was, as ufual, commenced with the utmoſt eager-
nefs, though ineffectually, for fix hours. It was with
truth concluded, that the chace, two of whom only were
then in fight, did not belong to Mr. D'Achè, and Mr.
Pocock in confequence called in his frigate and food to
the northward, rightly conjecturing that the French fqua-
dron was bound to Pondicherry. He crouded all the fail
he could carry to reach that port, and was fortunate enough
to arrive eight hours before Mr. D'Achè.
We have been thus particular in relating the different
tranfactions which took place from the firft difcovery of
the enemy to the day when the action itſelf commenced,
not only becauſe we believe hiftorians in general have not
thought proper to recount them, but becauſe courage,
patience, perfeverance, and profeffional ability was, per-
haps, never more ftrongly diſplayed than in Mr. Pocock's
conduct on the above occafion. The account of the
action itſelf we ſhall now give in his own words.
"I arrived off Pondicherry on the 8th, early in the
morning, and faw no fhip in the road; but at one o'clock
in the afternoon we difcovered the enemy to the fouth-east,
and by three counted thirteen fail. We were then ſtand-
ing to the fouthward with the fea breeze, and, to prevent
their paffing us, kept a good look-out the following night.
At two in the afternoon of the 9th, the wind fpringing up
I made the fignal for a general chace, and at four their
fquadron appeared to be formed in a line of battle abreaſt,
fteering right down upon us. In the evening I ordered
the Revenge to keep, during the night, between our fqua-
dron and the enemy's to obferve their motions. On the
roth, at fix in the morning, the body of the French fqua-
dron bore fouth-eaſt by fouth, diftant eight or nine miles,
and was formed in a line of battle ahead, on the ftarboard
tack.
We continued bearing down on them in a line of
battle
398
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
battle abreaft, with the wind about north-west by weft.
At five minutes paſt ten the enemy wore, and formed the
line ahead upon the larboard tack. At five minutes after
eleven we did the fame, and kept edging down upon them.
At ten minutes past two in the afternoon the Yarmouth,
being nearly abreaſt of the French admiral's fecond in the
rear, and within muſket-ſhot, M. D'Achè made the fignal
for battle. I immediately did the fame; on which both
fquadrons began to cannonade each other with great fury,
and continued hotly engaged until ten minutes after four;
when the enemy's rear began to give way the Sunderland
having got up fome time before, and engaged their ftern-
moft fhip: their center very foon after did the fame.
Their van made fail, ſtood on, and with their whole
fquadron bore away, and fteered to the S. S. E. with all
the fail they could make. We were in no condition to
purſue them, the Tyger having her mizen-maft and
main-top-maſt ſhot away, and appearing to be greatly dif-
abled. The Newcastle was much damaged in her mafts,
yards, and rigging; and the Cumberland and Saliſbury,
in our rear, were not in a condition to make fail.
Yarmouth had her fore-top-fail yard fhot away in the
flings; and the Grafton and Elizabeth, though none of
their mafts and yards fell, were greatly difabled in them
and their rigging; fo that the Weymouth and Sunderland
were the only ſhips that had not fuffered, becauſe they
could not get properly into action, occafioned by M.
D'Achè's beginning to engage before they could clofe,
fo that by thofe means they were thrown out of the en-
gagement, ſeven of our fhips only fuftaining the whole
fire of the enemy's fleet till near the conclufion, and then
no more than eight.
The
"The enemy continued their retreat to the ſouthward
until dark, at which time I ordered the Revenge to keep
between us and the enemy, to obſerve their motions, and
brought to with the fquadron on the larboard tack, in order
that the diſabled fhips might repair their damages. At
day-light in the morning we faw the enemy to the S. S. E.
lying-to on the larboard tack, as we were, about four
leagues diftant, the wind being about weft. The enemy,
upon feeing our ſquadron, immediately wore, and brought-
to on the other tack, continuing fo until the evening,
6
when
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
399
when their diſtance was fo much increaſed we could
fcarcely diſcover them from the main-top. At this time,
the wind coming to the eastward, I made the fignal, wore,
and ſtood under an eafy fail to the north-weft, the Sun-
derland having the Newcaſtle in tow, the Weymouth the
Tyger, and Elizabeth the Cumberland. On the 12th,
at day-light, we ſaw the fhips in Negapatam road, and,
feeing nothing of the enemy, at ten o'clock in the fore-
noon I anchored with the fquadron about three leagues to
the fouthward of that road, and in the evening diſpatched
the Revenge to Madrafs, with letters to the governor and
council. On the 25th, in the evening, we weighed and ſtood
into the road, and having anchored, continued repair-
ing our damages and refitting the fquadron until the 26th,
by which time, having put the ſhips in as good condition
for ſervice as the time permitted, I weighed at five o'clock
that morning, ſtood to the northward, and at fix was
joined by the Revenge from Madraſs, who brought fixty-
three men belonging to the Bridgwater, and Triton, which
had been exchanged at Pondicherry, and ten men impref-
fed from the Calcutta Indiaman, which I ordered on board
the Tyger and Newcaſtle, thoſe ſhips having fuffered moſt
in their men.
"On the 27th, at day-light in the morning, I was cloſe
in with Pondicherry road, where the French fquadron was
lying at anchor in a line of battle. As attacking both
the ſhips and fort at the fame time did not fuit our con-
dition, I made the fignal for the fquadron to draw into a
line of battle ahead, upon the ſtarboard tack, the wind
being off ſhore, and about W.S. W. We lay with our
main-top-fails to the maft, juſt keeping a proper fteerage
way for the line to continue well formed. Being in this
fituation the French admiral made the fignal, at fix o'clock,
to heave a peake, in an hour after, to weigh; and by the
time all their ſquadron (which confifted of eleven fail of
the line and two frigates) was under fail, it was near ten
o'clock, at which time we were to leeward of them,
as before-mentioned, expecting they would bear down
directly and engage. But, inftead of taking that ftep,
M. D'Achè made the fignal for his fquadron to keep clofe
to the wind, and alfo to make fail, ftretching away to
the fouthward in a line of battle ahead; by which method
of
400
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of acting they increaſed their diſtance from about a random
fhot at day-light, to near four leagues to windward at fun-
fet. Had they cut, or flipped their cables on firft difco-
vering us, we muſt have come to an action by feven o'clock;
and, after they had got under fail, had they bore directly
down might have been clofe along-fide by eleven. Find-
ing, by their manner of working, a great difinclination to
come to a fecond action, I defired the opinion of the
rear-admiral and captains, who all agreed, that, as the
prefent condition of the fquadron would not permit us to
follow them to the fouthward, it would be moſt adviſable
to proceed to Madrafs; accordingly we anchored here the
28th in the evening.
}
"I have not been able to obtain a certain account of
the enemy's lofs, but it is reported, by a deferter, that they
had 1500 men killed and wounded, and fome of their ſhips
very much ſhattered. They left Pondicherry road the 1ft
inftant, in the evening, having on board M. Soupiere,
brigadier Lally, col. Kennedy, who has almoſt loft his fight,
and a lady, named madam de Veaux; from whence it
may be concluded, that either their whole fquadron, or a
part, is gone to the islands. It is faid they brought no
troops, but landed, before their departure, four hundred
European feamen and volunteers, with two hundred
coffrees. They brought very little money: but the dia-
monds which were taken in the Grantham, were left at
Pondicherry.
"Our lofs is very confiderable, though greatly inferior
to the enemy's. We had one hundred and eighteen men
flain in action, fixty-fix have died fince of their wounds,
one hundred and twenty-two remain dangerously, and
two hundred and fixty-three flightly wounded, fo that our
whole number, killed and wounded, amounts to five hun-
dred and fixty-nine men. Amongst the flain are captain
Michie, who commanded the Newcaſtle; captain Gore
of the marines, and lieutenant Redfhaw, both of the
Newcaſtle; lieutenant Elliot, of the Tyger; the mafter of
the Yarmouth, and boatfwain of the Elizabeth: the
gunner of the Tyger is fince dead of his wounds. Cap-
tain Somerſet, who commanded the Cumberland, is
wounded in one of his ancles, but is in a fair way of
recovery. Captain Brereton received a contufion on his
head,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN'
401
head, which is now well. All the officers and feamen in
general behaved with the greateſt bravery and ſpirit during
the action; and, by the vigour and conftancy of their fire
obliged the enemy to retreat, notwithſtanding their great
fuperiority.
I have enclofed our line of battle, together with
that of the enemy.
Britiſh line.
The Elizabeth led with the larboard tacks on board.
Ships.
Commanders.
Guns.
Men.
Elizabeth-captain Tiddiman
64
480
Newcaſtle-Michie
50
350
Tyger-Brereton
60
420
Grafton-rear-ad". Stevens-Kempenfelt 68
535
Yarmouth-vice-adm. Pocock-Harrifon 68
540
Cumberland-Somerſet
58
520
Salisbury-Dent
50
320
Sunderland-hon. capt. Colville
·60
4.20
Weymouth-fir William Baird, bart.
60
420
536
4035
French line.
The Actif led with the larboard tacks on board.
Ships.
Commanders.
•
Guns: Men,
Actif M. Beauchaine
64
600
Le Minotaure-{M. L'Aguille,
chef d'efcadre S 74
650
Le Duc d'Orleans-M. Surville, le cadet 60
500
Le St. Louis-M. Johannes
60
500
Le Vengeur-M. Palliere
64
500
Le Zodiaque-M. d'Achè, lieut.-gen. 74
650
Le Compte de Provence-M. La Chaife 74
650
Le Duc de Bourgogne-M. Bouvet
L'Illuftre-M. de Rais
60
500
64
600
La Fortune-M. Lohry
64
600
Le Centaur-M. Surville
D
70
650
728 - 6400
VOL. IV.
C¢
An
402
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
An account of the number of men killed and wounded
on board each of his majeſty's fhips.
Elizabeth
Newcaſtle
Tyger
Grafton
77
Yarmouth
39
112
Cumberland
5:2
168
Saliſbury
36
83
Sunderland
2
Total
་
569
Thus, as Campbell very juſtly obferves, had admirał
Pocock, during the whole time he held the chief com-
mand in the Indian feas, feconded, with the greateſt ſkill
and activity, every effort made by the army. He had
more than once compelled Mr. D'Achè, the greateſt ad-
miral France could boaft of, and who alone fupported the
declining reputation of her marine, to take fhelter under
the walls of Pondicherry. "Pocock (fays he) had re-
duced the French ſhips to a very ſhattered condition, and
killed a great number of men," he might have added too,
with a force infinitely inferior; "but what is the
moſt extraordinary, and fhews the fingular talents of both
admirals, they had fought three pitched battles in the courſe
of eighteen months, without the loſs of a ſhip on either
fide."
Mr. Pocock had no farther action with the enemy,
returning to Europe in the following year*, after leaving
the command with Mr. Stevens. He now enjoyed a tem-
porary relaxation from thofe long fatigues of fervice which
he had endured for fo many years in a climate highly inju-
rious to European conftitutions, not being re-appointed to
any fubfequent command till the year 1762.
In 1761 he was, as a justly earned reward for his fer-
vices in India, honoured with the order of the Bath, and
in the courſe of the fame year was promoted to be admiral
of the blue. The rupture which had taken place with
Spain having engaged miniftry to turn their thoughts to
the reduction of the diftant, which were, on many ac-
counts, at the ſame time the moſt valuable poffeffions be-
longing to that nation, among other expeditions which it
was refolved fhould be immediately fet on foot, was that
againſt the Havannah. The confequence of this import-
ant place appeared to hold it out as a fufficient counterpoize
*He arrived in the Downs on the 22d of September.
on.
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
403
on the moſt public and national ground, to the probable
riſk of again hazarding an enterpriſe of fo much confe-
quence, in a part of the world, where, principally owing
to the extreme unwholeſomeneſs of the climate, the Britiſh
arms had, in a former war, been foiled. In order to
prevent alarming the Spaniards by the equipment of a
formidable fleet from England, it was refolved that fir
George, with only four fhips of the line, one frigate, and
fome tranſports, on board which were embarked four regi-
ments of infantry, with their camp equipage, cannon and
a proportionate quantity of ammunition, ſhould proceed
to the Weft Indies *, where he was to take under his com-
mand the ſquadron that had been previouſly employed in the
reduction of Martinico, under fir James Douglas. With
the above force he failed on the 5th of March The fqua-
dron arrived ſafe at Martinico on the 22d of April, and
almoft miraculously fo, for the count de Blenac, with a
force of 7 fhips of the line, 4 frigates, and a number of
tranfports, had got out of Breſt about the fame time fir
George failed from Portſmouth. This French chef
d'efcadre was fent to the relief of Martinique, but not
arriving there till after the furrender of Port Royal, had
proceeded to Cape François and left the feas open to this
little Britiſh fquadron, which it might at leaſt have diſ-
abled, if not cruſhed, had a meeting taken place during
the paffage.
Sir George immediately on his arrival, ufed the greateſt
activity in forwarding every fervice relative to the expe-
dition. So multifarious, however, and tedious were the
different exigencies of it, that it was the 27th of May
before the fleet was in a condition to proceed. The force
of the armament, collected as it now was, made a moſt
formidable appearance: it confifted of nineteen fhips of
the line, eighteen frigates, and a fleet of tranfports con-
taining 10,000 foldiers, (which were to be joined, when
landed on Cuba, by 4c00 more expected from New
York) with all the implements neceffary to offenfive
operations. The admiral reflecting that the feaſon was
far advanced, and that in a fhort time the commencement
of the rainy ſeaſon would totally put a stop to all offenfive
* In the year 1762, he was elected reprefentative in Parliament for
the town of Plymouth.
Cc 2
opera-
404
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
operations, reſolved to attempt paffing through the old
ftreights of Bahama. This meafure confiderably ſhort-
ened the voyage, but was confidered extremely hazardous,
that fea being unfrequented, efpecially by the Britiſh, and
almoſt unknown to them. There are nevertheleſs cafes,
when ſteps, which on ordinary occafions would be deemed
hazardous and even defperate, become perfectly juftifiable
and proper. So were they in the prefent inftance;
and nothing could more ftrongly evince the zeal, the deci-
five, active ſpirit of the admiral, than his conduct on this
occaſion, and the contempt of danger he diſplayed in it.
Mingling the moſt careful prudence and precaution
with the greateft fpirit, he took every means human
forefight could fuggeft, to fecure the paffage of ſo
numerous a fleet in ſafety. Success in the most extenſive
fenſe crowned his exertions, ſo that by the 5th of June the
whole armament had made its paffage through the ftreights
without encountering the fmalleft finifter accident. On
the 6th, in the morning, the fleet being then within four
leagues of the entrance of the port of the Havannah, fir
George made the fignal for the whole fleet to bring to, and
diftributed his orders to the different fhips, leaving a
divifion of the fleet, confifting of fix fhips of the line and
fome frigates, under commodore Keppel, to cover the
landing of the troops. He proceeded with the remainder,
confifting of thirteen fhips of the line, two frigates, as
many bomb-veffels, and thirty-fix fail of victuallers and
florefhips, to block up the harbour, in which the Spaniards
themfelves had a confiderable naval force, confifting of
twelve fail of the line. The fubfequent operations of the
fiege were principally confined to the land depart-
ment; fo that it is fufficient to fay briefly, the admiral
moſt warmly co-operated in every attack where the aſſiſt-
ance of the fleet was deemed, in any degree neceffary,
*
and
*The operations, in which the admiral was more particularly con-
cerned, were, a feint made of landing the marines belonging to the!
fquadron four miles to the weftward of the Havannah, in order to di-
vide and diſtract the enemy's attention, while the earl of Albemarle
Fanded with the army near the river Coxemar, about fix miles to the
eaflward of the Moro. After the Spaniards had on the 12th of June
blocked up the harbour, by finking three of their line of battle-fhips
at the entrance of it, fir George, leaving four of his fhips to cruife in
the offing, anchored with the remainder off Chorera river, the place
where
1
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
405
and certainly contributed very eminently both to the fuc-
cefsful and fpeedy termination of the fiege.
The city, as it is well known, furrendered on the 14th
of Auguft, and with it nine fhips of the line, the remain-
der having been funk to block up the entrance of the
harbour. Sir George, after the capitulation was exe-
cuted, was as induftrious in the civil duties attendant on
his high ſtation, as he had before been in thoſe of an hof-
tile nature. He became the friend and protector of the
vanquished, fhielding them by every means in his power
from thofe acts of intemperance which, notwithſtanding the
beſt regulations, fometimes take place on fuch occafions.
On his return from this glorioufly fuccefsful expedition
he had to combat a fevere and tremendous tempeft, in
which many of his ſhips were reduced to the greateſt dif-
trefs. Sir George never had any command after his ar-
rival in England; and, in 1766, retired totally from
the fervice, forry are we to add, apparently in much
difguft.
Various reaſons have been affigned for this apparent ill
temper in fo brave and good a man, the greater part of
them too ridiculous for recital. The real caufe, we be-
lieve, to have been a diſappointed expectation he had
entertained of being appointed first commiffioner of the
admiralty, as fucceffor to John, earl of Egmont.
We are confirmed in this belief by an anecdote
communicated to us, and which we undoubtedly believe.
to be genuine. When fir George was firft made ac-
quainted with the appointment of fir Charles Saunders to
that high office, he immediately went to the late lord
Hawke, and complained to him, in rather warm terms,
of the indignity he thought offered on that occafion to the
older flag-officers, who had equally diſtinguiſhed themſelves,
Sir Edward was at that very time on the point of going out
where he had before made a feint of landing, and where he could
cafily obtain wood and water for the fquadron. He afterwards in
reality put on fhore eight hundred of his marines at the requeſt of the
general, in order to fecure a footing on both fides of the town, and
divide the attention of the foe. He moreover detached three of his
fhips to cannonade the north-eaft face of the Moro, on which, though
they were able to make little impreffion, they rendered material fervice
to the operations of the army, by diverting the force of the enemy for
a time, and enabling the troops to complete their batteries.
in
Cc 3
406
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
.
order to wifh fir Charles joy of his promotion; and when
he informed fir George of his intention, the opinion of
that great and good man had fo much weight with him, as
not only to moderate his difpleaſure but even to induce
him to adopt a fimilar conduct himfelf. His difguft,
though temporarily affuaged, was not effaced; and his
former fentiments, as to the public indignity offered to his
cotemporaries, and what he deemed private neglect to
himſelf, induced him to perfevere in his firft refolution of
retiring from the fervice for ever. A perfect evenneſs of
temper is, perhaps, incompatible with the frailties of
human nature; but though a mind too fufceptible of in-
dignity may be pitied, it cannot fairly be condemned.
Sir George immediately afterwards, refigned his rank as
admiral of the blue, and continued during his life in
peaceable and honourable retirement. He died on the 3d
of April 1792, at his houfe in Curzon-ſtreet, May Fair,
being then in the 87th year of his age, and having, during
the latter part of his life, filled no other public character,
or the fmalleft femblance of one, than that of one of the
vice prefidents of the marine fociety. It is elſewhere.
remarked, and with the greateſt apparent truth, that his
hiſtory, both in private and public life, was of fo exem-
plary a nature as to demand a tribute of the higheſt re-
ſpect, a reſpect moft justly due to the memory of fo worthy,
fo excellent a man, He was admired, he was revered, even
by his enemies; he was eſteemed and beloved by all the offi-
cers who had ferved under him, and held almoſt in adora-
tion by every ſeaman who had ever been under his command.
Nor were his private virtues lefs the ſubject of regard and
honour than thofe of greater and more public notoriety.
As a parent he was, with the greateſt truth, unexcelled:
as a brother, moſt truly benevolent: and, as a relative,
affectionate in the highest degree to all his connections.
To a confummate modefty, which rendered him uncon-
ſcious of his own high merits, he added an humanity, im-
proved by an extenfive generofity, which raiſed him up as
a bleffing to all his neighbours, whofe indigence called forth
* For, ſaid he, a worthier man cannot exift; he is in every reſpect
qualified to difcharge the duties of that high office; and why fhould we
be offended that a younger officer than ourſelves is thought deferving
of it ?
his
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
407
his ever attentive bounty. It is faid of him, that, unlike
the generality of naval officers, he was never known to
fwear, even on board his fhip; and that as he certainly
poffeffed the moſt undoubted courage, fo did he unite with
it the greateſt reſolution and moft ferene temper, a cir-
cumftance which rendered his retirement in the manner
it took place, the more extraordinary to all who knew
him. All acquainted with his character must bear teſti-
mony to the truth of thefe affertions, and join in lamenting
the death of ſo great, ſo good a man.
His remains were interred in the family vault at Twick-
enham, near thoſe of his lady, by whom he left one fon,
George Pocock, efq. F.R.S. and one daughter, married to
the prefent earl Powlet when lord Hinton.
WALLIS, Gilbert,-was, on the 30th of June 1738,
appointed captain of the Port Mahon frigate. He never
had any other command, dying captain of the veffel above
mentioned ſome time in the year 1740.
N. B. The name of this gentleman is omitted in the
greater part of the MS. lifts we have ſeen.
WATSON, Charles.-This brave and excellent offi-
cer was, on the 14th of February 1738, appointed captain
of the Garland frigate. He remained in this veffel fome
years, at leaſt till after 1741, latterly employed on the
Mediterranean ftation under Mr. Haddock. In 1742 we
find him, in the ſame fervice captain of the Plymouth, of
fixty guns. He remained in this fhip till the departure of
Mr. Barnet for England, when he fucceeded that gentle-
man as captain of the Dragon, in which fhip he conti-
nued to ferve under Mr. Mathews, and is particularly
marked by the admiral as having diftinguiſhed himſelf
extremely in the encounter with the French and Spaniſh
fleets off Toulon. On his return to England he was re-
moved into the Princefs Louifa, a fhip of the fame rate.
and force with the two he had laft commanded. In the
year 1747 he ferved as captain of that ſhip in the two
fquadrons fucceffively fent out, under the admirals Anfon
and Hawke, and ftrongly diſplayed his uſual gallantry in
the two encounters with the different French fquadrons
under monfieur de Jonquiere and M. De L'Entendiere.
Under Mr. Hawke he was more particularly fortunate
than he had been under Mr. Anfon, having, in conjunc-
Cc 4
tion
408
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
tion with captain Scott, in the Lion, engaged and stopped
the enemy's fquadron till the reft of their companions.
could come up. His fervices and conduct were fo highly
eſteemed by the Britiſh minifters, that, on the 16th of
May, the preliminaries of peace being then actually figned,
he was appointed commander-in-chief of the fquadron
employed on the Newfoundland or North-America
ſtation, and was nominated governor and commander-in-
chief of the iſland of Newfoundland, with the fort and
garrifon of Placentia, &c. having by order, bearing date
the 12th of May, been previouſly advanced to be rear-
admiral of the blue. Some time before the rupture with
France took place*, he was appointed commander-in-chief
of the fleet employed in the Eaft Indies, and failed on that
fervice immediately afterwards t. His firft enterprize
after his arrival at Bombay, in the month of November
1755, appears to have been the reduction of the important
fortrefs of Geriah, the capital of the dominions poffeffed
by the arch-pirate Angria. Mr. James, commander of
one of the company's fhips, who had juft before diftin-
guiſhed himſelf exceedingly in the reduction of Severn-
droog, was diſpatched to reconnoitre the port and found
the entrance of the harbour. This fervice he
very fuc-
cessfully performed; and Mr. Watfon, being joined by
feveral fhips belonging to the Eaſt India company, having
on board a body of troops, commanded by the well-known
colonel, afterwards lord Clive, failed on the expedition
about the 7th of February.
The admiral was met in the neighbourhood of Geriah
by the fleet of the Mahrattas, who were concerned in the
expedition as allies: it confifted of four grabs and forty
fmaller veffels called gallivats. Their land-force amounted
to ſeven or eight thouſand men, under the command of
Rhamagee Punt, who had not only made himſelf maſter
* In the month of February 1754.
+ His force conſiſted of,
The Kent-rear-adıniral Watſon, captain Speke
70 guns.
Cumberland-rear-admiral Pocock, capt. Harrifon 66
Tyger-Latham
Salisbury-Knowles
Bridgewater-Martin
Kingsfifher floop-Smith
60
50
20
14
On the 4th of February 1755, he was advanced to be rear-admiral
of the red.
1
of
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
409
of one fort, but was then actually treating for the furrender
of Geriah itſelf. Angria had quitted the place, but
his wife and family remained behind under the pro-
tection of his brother-in-law, who commanded in the
fort. Mr. Watſon immediately on his arrival ſent him
a proper fummons to furrender, and received a moſt pe-
remptory refufal, to which was added a declaration, which
is to be taken as a mere matter of courſe, that he would
defend the place to the laft extremity.
Preparations, and the neceffary arrangements were in
confequence immediately made for the attack. The
English fleet entered the harbour on the 12th of February
in two diviſions, fuftaining, as they paffed, a very heavy
cannonade from the batteries of the place, and a number of
large grabs moored clofe under them. The fire, however,
of the enemy flackened confiderably very foon after the
ſhips, ordered to attack, had got into their ftations. Be-
tween four and five in the afternoon, a fhell falling into
one of Angria's armed veffels, fet her on fire, and the
flames quickly communicating to the reft, the whole fleet
was completely, as well as expeditlouſly deſtroyed. Be-
tween the hours of fix and feven in the evening, a fhell
thrown into the fort fet that on fire alſo, and the firing
ceafed for a fhort interval, on both fides.
The admiral fufpecting the governor would prefer
furrendering the town up to the Mahrattas rather than
the English, requeſted Mr. Clive to diſembark the troops,
that he might be ready, in cafe of emergency, to take
poffeffion of the place. The bombardment of the citadel
having recommenced, was continued with the greateſt ſpirit,
and the line of battle fhips were warped in clofe enough
to the walls to batter in breach. After this difpofition
was made the admiral humanely ſent an officer with a flag
of truce, inviting the governor to furrender. This pro-
pofal being ſtill rejected, the Engliſh ſhips renewed their
attack, on the following day, with the utmoft vigour.
About one o'clock the principal magazine of the fort blew
up, an accident which had ſuch an effect on the ſpirits of its
defenders, that about four they difplayed a white flag,
as a fignal for parley. The terms of furrender could not
even now be agreed on, fo that the affault re-commenced,
and was fupported with unremitting ardour till a quarter
paft five. The white flag was then once more hoisted, and
1
9.
the
410
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
the governor thought proper to furrender on fuch terms as
the admiral himſelf had propofed.
The flag of Angria was immediately ftruck, and the
British colours hoifted in its room, on poffeffion being
taken of the fort by a detachment from the army. As a
proof that the admiral's precaution in defiring colonel
Clive to land with the troops was abfolutely neceffary, the
Mahratta chiefs tampered with the British captains who
commanded, offering them a bribe of fifty thousand rupees
if they would permit them to pafs and take poffeffion of
the fort. It is needlefs to fay this propofal was rejected
with the higheft difdain. In the fort, which was thus
reduced with very inconſiderable lofs on the part of the
affailants, were found upwards of two hundred pieces of
cannon, fix brafs mortars, a confiderable quantity of am-
munition, together with valuable effects and fpecie to the
amount of 130,000l. The fleet deftroyed conſiſted of
eight grabs, one fhip, together with two on the ſtocks, and
a number of gallivats, a particular ſpecies of veffel uſed in
thole feas, and peculiarly adapted to that piratical kind of
war in which their owner had been engaged.
Among the prifoners were found Angria's wife, chil-
dren, and mother; and the conduct of the admiral towards
theſe unfortunate perfons forms too amiable a trait in hist
character for us to fuffer it to pafs unnoticed.
On entering their apartment the whole family, fhedding
floods of tears, fell with their faces to the ground; from
which being raiſed, the mother of Angria told Mr. Wat-
fon, in a piteous tone, "The people had no king, the no
fon, her daughter no huſband, their children no father.'
The admiral replying, "they must look upon him as their
father and friend," the youngest boy, about fix years of age,
feized him by the hand, and fobbing exclaimed, "Then
you fhall be my father."
father." Mr. Watfon was fo affected
with this pathetic addrefs, that the tears trickled down
bis cheeks, while he affured them they might depend upon
his protection and friendſhip,
Six hundred European and native foldiers were left to
garriſon the fort; and four armed veffels, belonging to the
Eaft India company, remained in the harbour, which was
extremely well fituated for commerce, as an additional
protection.
Vice-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 411
Vice-admiral Watſon immediately returned in triumph
to Bombay; and having refitted his fhips, failed from
thence on the 30th of April for fort St. David's, where he
arrived on the 29th of May. After a ftay of three weeks.
he proceeded to Madras, which he reached on the 20th of
June*. He there received the melancholy news of the
capture of Calcutta, and the difmal tragedy that had been
acted there under the tyranny of the Sur Rajah Dowlat.
He immediately began to concert meaſures for the recovery
of that important place, as well to revenge the foul murders
that had been committed on that melancholy occaſion.
Theſe arrangements not only neceffarily took up fome.
time, but it was alfo neceffary to wait the change of the
monfoon. At length all things being ready, and Mr.
Clive with his little army embarked, the vice-admiral
failing from Madras on the 6th of October, on the fifth
of December came to an anchor in Balafore road on the
Bengal coaft. Having croffed the Braces he proceeded
up the Ganges as far as Fultah, which he reached on the
15th, and found there governor Drake, with the reſt of the
perfons who escaped on board the fhips at the time Cal-
cutta was inveſted. On the 28th he proceeded up to Cal-
cutta with the Kent, Tyger, Saliſbury, Bridgewater, and
Kingsfifher floop. On the following day colonel Clive,
with a fmall body of troops, was put on ſhore to inveſt the
fort of Buſbudgia, which being at the fame time canno-
naded by the fhips, and ill-provided with cannon, did not
hold out above an hour after the fire commenced.
the other forts and batteries were progreffively abandoned
by the impotent enemy as the fhips advanced up the river;
and on the 1st or 2d day of Jan. 1757, Mr. Watſon, with
the Kent and Tyger, came to an anchor off the town at
Calcutta. After a fmart cannonade of two hours the
enemies batteries were completely filenced, and all the
men driven from the guns, fo that the different defences
and the place itſelf were taken poffeflion of, without far-
ther oppofition, by captain Coote and a detachment from
the army. In the fort were found ninety-one pieces of
All
* In the courfe of this month he was advanced at home to be vice-
admiral of the blue.
cannon,
412
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
cannon, four mortars, abundance of ammunition, ftores
and provifions, together with every requifite neceffary
for fuftaining a long and obftinate fiege.
Thus were
the English re-established in two of the ftrongeft for-
treffes on the Ganges, with the inconfiderable lofs of
nine feamen and three foldiers killed.
The reduction of the city of Hughly, fituate a confi-
derable diftance higher up the river, was immediately
undertaken, and effected with lefs difficulty than the hopes
of the most fanguine had prognofticated. All the prin-
cipal ftorehouſes of falt, together with the granaries, for
the fupport of the Nabob's army, were fituate at this place,
fo that not only the intrinfic lofs to him was immenfe,
but it was rendered ftill more confiderable and grievous
as it was the principal depot from whence he derived the
means of carrying on the war. The viceroy of Bengal
was fo enraged at this unexpected fuccefs, that he madly
rejected all propoſals made by the vice-admiral and colonel
Clive for an accommodation. He accordingly affembled,
with the utmoſt expedition, an army, confifting of fifteen
thouſand foot and twenty thouſand horſe, announcing a
firm reſolution to expel the English out of his dominions,
and take ample vengeance for the difgraces he had lately
fuftained.
1
On the fecond of February he arrived in fight of the
British camp, and eſtabliſhed himſelf within a mile of
Calcutta. Mr. Watfon inftantly formed a detachment.
of fix hundred feamen from the fquadron, which were
put under the command of captain Warwick, and ſent
to fupport the colonel and his little army. He advanced
on receiving this reinforcement, and attacked the vi-
ceroy with fo much vigour that he retreated almoſt at
the firſt onfet with the lofs of a thouſand men killed,
wounded, and taken priſoners, together with an immenſe
number of horſes, bullocks, and fome elephants. A pe-
remptory letter written by the vice-admiral after this fuç-
cefs, firft induced the viceroy to liſten to the terms of
accommodation propofed. A peace was foon afterwards
agreed on and concluded*; but the vice-admiral had too
much
*The terms were honourable in the extreme, it being ftipulated
that all merchandize belonging to the company ſhould paſs and repafs
in
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
413
much diſcernment to rely implicitly on the faith of a man
who had fo frequently broken his word, he accordingly
took all active meaſures to reſtore the affairs of the British
Eaſt India company, and reduce that of France, as no
fafety could be depended on while the finalleft influence of
the latter exifted.
To complete fully the purpoſe by which this end was
to be produced, the vice-admiral as foon as he had fuc-
ceſsfully accompliſhed the recovery of Calcutta, pro-
jected an expedition againſt the important French fettle-
ment of Chandenagore. It was fituated on the Ganges,
ſome diſtance above the town of Calcutta, and was con-
fidered as the chief fettlement, poffeffed by that nation,
in the bay of Bengal. Colonel Clive, who commanded
the land forces, marched by land for that place, at the
head of upwards of two thouſand men, ſeven hundred of
whom were Europeans. On the 18th of March vice-
admiral Watfon, with Mr. Pocock as his fecond in com-
mand, got up within two miles of the French fettlement
with the Kent, Tyger, and Saliſbury fhips of war. They
found their farther paffage obftructed by a ſtrong boom
laid acroſs the river, and by feveral veffels funk in the
channel. But thefe difficulties were foon removed, and
the little fquadron advancing on the 24th, drew up in a.
line before the fort, which was cannonaded with the
greatest fury for upwards of three hours. An attack,
equally fpirited, was commenced at the fame time from
the land-fide by colonel Clive, and their united efforts
foon compelled the enemy to hoift a flag of truce and pro-
poſe to furrender. The town was that very afternoon
delivered up to captain Latham, of the Tyger; its re-
în every part of the province of Bengal free of duty: that all the Eng-
Jiſh factories feized the preceding year, or fince, fhould be reftored,
with the money, goods, and effects appertaining: that all damage fuf-
tained by the English fhould be repaired, and their loffes repaid: that
the Engliſh ſhould have liberty to fortify Calcutta in whatever manner
they thought proper, without interruption: that they ſhould have the
privilege of coining all the gold and bullion they imported, which ſhould
pafs current in the province: that the Nabob fhould remain in ftri&t
friendship and alliance with the English; ufe his utmoſt endeavours
to heal up the late divifions, and restore the former good underſtand-
ing between them: all which feveral articles were folemnly fealed and
figned with the Nabob's own hand,
duction
414
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
i
duction being accompliſhed with the trivial lofs of forty
perfons only, killed and wounded, on the part of the Bri-
tifh, notwithſtanding the garrifon confifted of near ſeven-
teen hundred men, five hundred of whom were Europeans.
The fortifications were in good condition, having one
hundred and twenty-three pieces of cannon mounted on
them beſides mortars; the place was alfo abundantly
fupplied with provifions for the fupport of its defenders,
and ammunition for their defence. This fortrefs being the
laft poffeffed by the French in that part of the world, the
Nabob, reduced to the loweſt ebb, was compelled, very
reluctantly, to comply with the terms of the treaty he had
before entered into with Mr. Watfon and colonel Clive.
He did this, however, in fo very dilatory a manner, and
difcovered fo manifeft a partiality to the French, that it
was very diſcernible he only waited for a junction with a
body of their European troops, under Mr. De Buffy, to
come to a ſecond rupture.
This treacherous conduct on his part led to one of the
most memorable events in the annals of Bengal; we mean
the battle of Plaffey, and the depofition of the Nabob; the
particulars which immediately preceded it, as well as thoſe
fubfequent to it, are thus related in an official letter from
the vice-admiral, dated on board the Kent, off, Calcutta,
July the 16th, 1757.
"By captain Toby, of the Kingsfiſher floop, I informed
you, in a letter dated the 14th of April, of the furrender
of the town and port of Chandernagore; and in the ſame
letter I took notice of the great reluctance which the Nabob
Sur Rajah Dowla fhewed in complying with the articles
of the peace, on which fubject many letters paffed between
us; in moſt of them he never failed to be very liberal in his
promiſes, but that was all that could be obtained from him.
Theſe delays, to the final execution of the peace, were in
effect the fame to the commerce of the kingdom, as much
as if none had been concluded. The leading men at the
Nabob's court, knowing his faithlefs difpofition, and
perceiving no probability of an eſtabliſhed peace in their
country, while he continued in the government, began to
murmur, and entered into a confederacy to diveſt him of
it; among theſe were Jaffier Ally Cawn, who was one of
his principal generals, and held feveral other confiderable
employ-
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
415
employments; but he having been greatly diſguſted at the
Nabob's repeated ill treatment, became very zealous in the
confederacy against him, and communicated the deſign to
Mr. Watts, the fecond in council of this place. By the
letters, of the 26th and 28th of April, the committee was
informed of this affair, which was debated with all the
attention and circumfpection poffible. On maturely ex-
amining into the behaviour of the Nabob, he appeared fo
far from complying with the articles of the peace he
had folemnly fworn to obferve, that he would not permit
us to put a garrifon into Coffinbuzar; and had given
ftrict orders not to fuffer even a pound of powder
or ball to pass up the river. Theſe meaſures, added to the
certain accounts we received of his having invited M.
Buffey, the French commanding-officer in the province of
Golconda, to join him with all the troops he could bring,
gave us very little reaſon to believe he had any intention to
continue even on peaceable terms with us, longer than he
thought himſelf unable to engage in a war againft us: it
was therefore judged moſt adviſeable to join Jaffier Ally
Cawn with our troops, fuch a ſtep appearing the moſt
effectual way of eſtabliſhing a peace in the country, and
fettling the Engliſh on a good and folid foundation. This
being refolved on, and the articles, hereafter recited, agreed
to, our army marched on the 13th of laſt month from Chan-
dernagore towards Coffimbuzar; and, in order that col.
Clive thould have as many Europeans with him as poflible,
I agreed to garrifon Chandernagore, and to fend up with
him on the expedition, a lieutenant, feven midshipmen,
and fifty ſeamen, to ſerve as gunners. I alfo ordered the
twenty-gun fhip to anchor above Hugley, to keep the
communication open with the colonel.
"On the 19th of June, Cutwa fort and town, fituated
on this fide of the river, which forms the iſland of Coflìm-
buzar, were taken by a party detached for that purpoſe.
There the army remained two or three days for intelli-
gence from Jaffer Ally Cawn, who, it was agreed by all
in the confederacy, fhould fucceed to the Nabobfhip, he
being a man of family, and held in great eſteem by all
ranks of people. On the 22d the army croffed the river,
and the next day had a decifive battle with Sur Rajah Dowla,
over whom our troops obtained a complete victory, put his
army
416
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
army to flight, and took poffeffion of his camp, with up-
wards of fifty pieces of cannon and all his baggage. He
was joined by 50 French foldiers, who worked his artillery;
and, by the moſt authentic accounts, his army confifted of
about twenty thoufand fighting men, exclufive of thofe
under the command of Jaffer Ally Cawn, and Roy
Dowlub, who did not act againſt us. The number killed
in the enemy's camp were few, as they only ftood a can-
nonading. We had about nineteen Europeans killed and
wounded, and thirty feapoys.
"Sur Rajah Dowla, after his defeat, withdrew privately;
as did Montoll, his prime minifter; and Monick Chaund,
one of his generals.
1
"On the 26th of June, Jaffier Ally Cawn entered the
city of Muxadavad; and, by a letter from the colonel of
the 30th, we were informed of his having placed Jaffier
Ally Cawn in the ancient feat of the Nabobs of this pro-
vince, and that the ufual homage had been paid him, by all
ranks of people, as fubah of the provinces of Bengal,
Bahar, and Orixa.
"On the 30th, late at night, a letter came from the col.
adviſing that Sur Rajah Dowla was taken prifoner; and,
on the 4th inftant, he acquainted the committee of the
Nabob's having been put privately to death by Jaffier Ally
Cawn's fon, and his party. The fpecie in the treaſury,
upon examination, was found very thort of expectation;
however the colonel has already fent down one-third of
the fum ftipulated in agreement, and it is faid as much
more will foon follow as will make up half; the other
half is to be paid in three years, at three annual and equal
payments.
"Mr. Law, who was the French chief at Coffimbuzar,
and who had collected near two hundred French European
troops, was coming to the affiſtance of the late Nabob, and
was within a few hours march of him when he was taken
prifoner, which Mr. Law hearing of he advanced no far-
ther. Soon after, the colonel detached a party in fearch
of Law, under the command of captain Coote of colonel
Adlercron's regiment, confifting of two hundred Europeans
and five of feapoys, joined by two thouſand of Jaffier Ally
Cawn's horfe. We cannot yet expect to hear any thing
of the event of this detachment's being fent out, as it is
uncertain
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
417.
uncertain how far captain Coote inay be led after the
French party.
"A few days ago the Marlborough Indiaman arrived.
here from Vizagapatam, with an account of the ſurrender
of that fettlement to the French on the 26th of June. The
garrifon confifted of one hundred and thirty Europeans with
two hundred feapoys: and the French fat down before it
with eight hundred and fifty Europeans, fix thouſand
feapoys, and a ſmall body of horſe.
A tranflation of the treaty executed by Jaffier Ally
Cawn Bahadar, in his own hand.
"In the prefence of God and his prophet, I fwear to
abide by the terms of this agreement while I have life,
Meer
Mahmud Jaffier
Cawn Bahadar
the Slave of
Allum Geer
Mogul.
1. The agreement and treaty with Nabob Sur Rajud
Dowla I agree to and admit of.
2. The enemies of the Engliſh are my enemies, whe-
ther Europeans or others.
3. Whatever goods and factories belong to the French
in the provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa, fhall be
delivered the English, and the French never permitted to
have factories or fettlements any more in theſe provinces.
4. To indemnify the company for their loffes, by the
capture of Calcutta, and the charges they have been at to
repoffefs their factories, I will give one crore of rupees.
5. To indemnify the English inhabitants, who fuffered
by the capture of Calcutta, I will give fifty lacks of
rupees,
6. To indemnify the loffes fuffered by Jentoors, Moor-
men, &c. I will give twenty lacks of rupees.
7. To the inhabitants, the Armenian peons of Cal-
cutta, who fuffered by the capture, I will give feven lacks
of rupees.
The divifion of thefe donations to be left to the admiral,
the colonel, and committee.
VOL. IV.
Da
8. The
18
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
8. The lands within the Moratta ditch all round
Calcutta (which are now poffeffed by other Zemindars) and
fix hundred yards all round without the ditch, I will give
up entirely to the company.
9. The Zemindary of the lands to the fouthward of
Calcutta, as low as Culpee, fhall be in the hands of the
English company, and under their government and orders,
the customary rents of every district within that tract to be
paid by the Engliſh into the king's treaſury.
10. Whenever I fend for the affiftance of the English
troops, their pay and charges fhall be difburfed by me.
II. From Hugley downwards I will build no new forts
near the river.
pro-
12. As foon as I am eftabliſhed Subah of the three
vinces I will immediately perform the above-mentioned
articles.
Dated the 15th of the Moon Ramazan, in the
fourth year of the prefent reign.
"The new Nabob gave to the ſquadron and troops fifty
Jacks of rupees, befides the fums ftipulated by the treaty
for other fervices.
“One crore is an hundred lacks, and one lack is about
12,5001"
The vice-admiral did not long furvive the foregoing
very brilliant achievement, dying on the 16th of Septem-
ber, at Calcutta, of a fever, contracted, as is generally
believed, in confequence of the fatigue he had undergone,
rendered ſtill more oppreffive by the unwholeſomeneſs of
the climate. He was buried, as is customary in hot
countries, on the following day, his corps being attended to
the grave by all the principal inhabitants of the place, who
appeared as if attempting to out-vie each other in the live-
lieft demonftrations of forrow, for the lofs of a man whorn
they adored, and revered as a deliverer and a parent. As
the laſt token of gratitude they were capable of paying
him, an handſome monument is faid to have been
erected there to his memory. On the 22d of March
1760, his fon was created a baronet, as a proof of the
high opinion entertained by the fovereign himſelf
of the father's merits: and a very fuperb monument was
erected to his memory in Welminter-abbey, at the fole
expence of the Eat India company.
In
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
419
In the center of a range of palm-trees is placed an
elegant figure of the admiral receiving the addrefs of a
proftrate figure, reprefenting the Genius of Calcutta,
the place he relieved and retook from the Nabob in
January 1757. On one fide is the figure, in chains, of
Chandernagore, the other fortreſs taken by the admiral the
March following.
In front of the monument is the fol-
lowing infcription.
To the memory of CHARLES WATSON,
Vice-admiral of the white, commander-in-chief
Of his majeſty's naval forces in the Eaft Indies,
Who died at Calcutta the 16th of Auguſt 1757.
The Eaft India company,
As a grateful teftimony of the fignal advantages which
they obtained by his valour and conduct,
Caufed this monument to be erected.
WEST, Temple, was, on the 13th of June 1738,
promoted to be captain of the Deal Caftle frigate. He
was at that time not more than twenty-four years old;
and his having attained that rank at fo early an age
certainly no flender proof both of his diligent attention to
the duties of his ſtation and his general ability in having
fo foon acquired a competent and perfect knowledge of
them. He continued captain of the Deal Caflle till the
beginning of the year* 1741. He was then appointed
to the Sapphire, and in May was promoted to the
Dartmouth, of fifty guns, one of the ſhips afterwards
employed, on the Mediterranean ftation, under Mr.
Haddock. He was fome time afterwards advanced to the
Warwick, of fixty guns, which fhip he continued to
command, on the fame ftation, till after the encounter
with the French and Spanish fleets off Toulon. The
Warwick was the fecond thip in the diviſion of rear-admiral
Rowley, who commanded the van of the British line. That
of the enemy, commanded by commodore Gabaret,
attempted to weather the headmoſt of the Britiſh line, and
by tacking upon them inclofe them between two fires: but
the captains Cooper, Welt, and Lloyd penetrated into this
defign, and very properly counteracted the attempt,
for a confiderable time, with fuccefs.
* We find no other mention made of him during the time he com-
manded this fhip, except that, in the month of February, he convoyed
the Liſbon trade from thence to England.
Dd 2
The
420
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
The prudence of this conduct was very apparent, Mr.
Rowley having himſelf been obliged to tack in order to
rejoin the center as foon as Mr. De Gabaret fucceeded
in his manoeuvre. Nevertheleſs, Mr. Weft, and the reft
of his companions having acted entirely from their own
opinion, without orders from Mr. Rowley, or the
commander-in-chief, were all brought to a court-mar-
tial and ſentenced to be difmiffed the fervice. But though
ftrict difcipline compelled this apparent fhare of dif-
grace and puniſhment, their conduct was thought not only
fo little culpable, but even fo praife-worthy, that they
were all very foon afterwards reftored with honour to
the fervice. It is generally believed by moft perfons ac-
quainted with the particular circumftances attending the
foregoing action, that Mr. Weft has been miſtaken, by
fome hiftorians, for captain Hawke, whom they have
erroneouſly reported to have been difmiffed for his conduct
in breaking the line during that memorable encounter, tho'
afterwards reſtored with the highest honour in respect
to his very great gallantry ***
In 1747 Mr. Weft commanded the Devonshire, of 66
guns, under rear-admiral Warren, and behaving with the
greatest gallantry in the action with the French fquadron
under monfieur De Jonquiere, of courfe acquired to him-
felf the greateſt reputationt. In 1753, according to Mr.
Hardy, but from other accounts, which we believe in this
particular more correct, in 1755, he was promoted to be
rear-admiral of the red, and appointed to command
one of the fmall fquadrons ftationed in the Bay of
Bifcay. In the following year, having hoifted his
flag on board the Buckingham, of feventy guns,
he was fent fecond in command of the fquadron
ordered to the Mediterranean under the unfortunate Mr.
Byng. The different operations which took place during
that unhappy expedition have been already related at full
in the account of that gentleman: but Mr. Weft, though
connected in the fervice, was not equally fo in the difgrace
* Mr. Well was tried at Deptford on the 13th of December 1745,
and reflored to his rank by order of council, bearing date the 12th of
May following.
He quitted the Devonshire foun afterwards, on that fap being
appointed for rear-adıni.di Hawke's fog, and no other menon is
made of him the following year, when he commanded as com-
medore at the Nore.
which
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
421
which attended it. His gallantry in the fkirmish, for the
encounter ſcarcely deferved the name of an action, was
applauded both by the friends and enemies of the com-
mander-in-chief; and the higheſt encomiums were be-
ftowed on it by himself. Acting in a fubordinate capacity,
Mr. Weft was not in any degree accountable for thofe acts
of misconduct which, fuppofing them proved in their
fullest extent, belonged only to the principal or chief-in-
command. He however underwent an arieft at the ſame
time with Mr. Byng, and was accordingly fent home pri-
foner with him on board the Antelope; but their recep-
tion both from the fovereign and the people, was very
widely different. That of Mr. Byng has been already no-
ticed, Mr. Weft was on the other hand received by his coun-
trymen as an hero, and by the fovereign as a favourite, in-
fomuch that, on the 20th of November 1756, he was not
only included in the new commiffion published on that day
for executing the office of lord high admiral, but was im-
mediately afterwards appointed to command in-chief a
fquadron deftined for a feciet expedition,
too much
He had, however, too much honour to ferve
under men whom he very justly confidered as enemies
taking an undue advantage of his unfortunate principal or
fuperior in command, and though he was conceived to
have been the moſt material evidence againſt Mr. Byng,
yet, on the very day fentence was paffed on him, notwith-
ſtanding he had actually accepted the command, was at
that time one of the commiffioners of the admiralty, and
had actually hoisted his flag on board the Magnanime, he
declined proceeding on the fervice for the reafons ftated
by him in the following very ferious though difpaffionate
letter.
"Sir,
"Magnanime, 27 Jan. 1757.
"Without entering into the merit of admiral Byng's
behaviour, or deciding at all upon it, one way or other,
the fentence paffed this day upon him (the fubftance of
which I have feen) makes it impoffible for me to help de-
clining the very honourable and diftinguifhed command
their lordships have been pleafed to appoint me to; I
must therefore befeech and intreat them to confer it
on fome perfon more worthy, fince I can only be anfwer-
Dd 3
able
422
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
able for my loyalty and fidelity to my king, and refolution
of doing what appears to me for his fervice, which it ſeems
an officer may not want, and yet be capitally convicted
for his miſconduct or inability of judging right, I
am not ſo preſumptuous as to imagine that my actions
can always be ſo rightly governed, nor am I altogether
certain that the judgment of others is infallible; and, as
in fome cafes, the confequences may be fatal, I muſt
therefore repeat again my moft earneſt requeſt, that their
lordſhips will be pleafed to appoint fome other perfon to
my command, and grant me their lordships' permiffion
to come to town."
By the fame conveyance he fent the following letter
to earl Temple:
"My lord,
"Magnanime, Jan. 27, 1757.
"However honourable, or however advantageous the
fituation I am placed in may be, yet I am determined
and fully refolved to forego any thing rather than ſerve
on terms which fubject an officer to the treatment fhewn
admiral Byng, whom the court-martial have convicted,
not of cowardice, nor of treachery, but of misconduct,
án offence never, till now, thought capital; and now it
feems only made To, becauſe no alternative of punishment.
was found in the article they bring him under. Strange
reafoning-to acquit him of the two points cowardice and
difaffection, to which that article can only have refpect.-
Since, though negligence is mentioned, yet can it be only
intended to refer to one or other of thofe two crimes,
negligence PROCEEDING from difaffection or cowardice.
I well remember this was the opinion of the houſe of
commons when the bill was before them, for which reaſon
no alternative was left in that article, as otherwife
there would have been.-Courts-martial I have always
underſtood to be courts of honour and confcience; and
therefore why gentlemen fhould think themfelves tied by
the letter, to act against their opinion, I know not; but
enough of that at prefent. I fhall only make one obfer-
vation more in regard to that part of their fentence,
wherein he is faid not to have done his utmoſt to relieve St.
Philip's caftle, without pointing out which way it could
have
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN,
423
have been relieved by him, which indeed they would have
found difficult enough to have done.
"As I have taken my firm and final refolution to refign
the command, and have written very frongly on that head,
to the board, I muft intreat your lordſhip to facilitate it,
and I am
“ Yours, &c.”
When it was decidedly refolved to abandon the unfor-
tunate admiral to the fentence which had been paffed on
him, Mr. Weft, at the fame time with admiral Forbes,
refigned his ftation as commiffioner of the admiralty, but
refumed it again on the 2d of July following. He held
it, alas! but for a fhort ſpace of time, dying on the oth
of Auguft following. It is reported by fome, but we
believe not generally known, that the unhappy fate of Mr.
Byng threw him into a fixt and fettled melancholy, the
paroxyfms of which became at laſt fo violent as to caufe
his death. Certainly a more lamentable fate, or one con-
veying an higher proof of the benevolence of his feelings,
cannot be produced in the remoteſt annals of hiftory.
An elegant monument was erected to his memory in
Weftminſter-abbey, by his lady, who furvived him; and
we have the following fhort, and we believe very juſt cha-
racter of him, drawn by fome author whofe name we
regret as having been unable to difcover.
In the earlier part of his life he dedicated his time to
the naval fervice of his country, in which, by his courage
and integrity, he was advanced, at a very early age, to be
vice-admiral of the white. He was fagacious, active, and
induſtrious: as a feaman he was fkilful; as an officer cool,
intrepid, and refolute. His conduct in the encounter with
the French fleet of Mahon, where he commanded in the
fecond poft, was remarkably fpirited. His diftinguiſhed
courage and animating example were admired by the
whole British fquadron, and confeffed by France. He
was very juftly reward d with the warmest applaufes of his
countrymen, and approbation of his fovereign. Soon after
his return he was appointed one of the lords commiffioners
of the admiralty, and adorned his ftation by a modefty
which concealed from him his own merit, and a candour
which difpofed him to reward that of others. To the
Dd 4
frank
424
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
frank and generous fpirit of an officer he added the cafe
and politeneſs of a gentleman: and, with the moral and
focial virtues of a good man, exerciſed the duties of a
Chriſtian. He died in the year 1757, aged 43.
1739.
CLELAND, William,-was, from his earlieſt youth,
brought up to a naval life; and after having attained the
rank of lieutenant in the public fervice, commanded a
ſhip in that of the South Sea company, as he afterwards
did of another employed in the Turkey trade. On the 2d of
October 1739, he was promoted to the command of the
Seahorſe frigate, employed as a cruiſer, an occupation in
which he met with good fucceſs, having captured fome
valuable prizes. Having, for a reafon unknown to us, de-
clined proceeding to the condemnation of two Spaniſh ſhips
which he had made prizes of, and an Engliſh veffel, called
the Richard and Elizabeth, which he had re-captured,
fome of his officers, among whom his carpenter appears to
have been the principal, inftituted a fuit againft him in
the court of admiralty, for not having proceeded; a fuit
which abated not but with the death of the perfon charged.
At the end of the year 1740 he was appointed captain of
the Affiſtance, a fourth rate of fifty guns, ordered to be
equipped for the Weſt Indies as one of the fleet under fir
Chaloner Ogle. The Affiftance being, however, ordered
to remain at home on fome fervice not particularly ftated,
captain Cleland was removed into the Litchfield, a fhip
of the fame force, which proceeded according to the
original deftination of the foriner.
At the fiege of Carthagena he diftinguiſhed himſelf on
all the different fervices he was appointed to execute.
Thoſe which are efpecially mentioned were, the pro-
tection of the fleet of tranfports from Jamaica to Cartha-
gena, which were put particularly under his care, and that of
captain Douglas, in the Falmouth: the attack of the
Chamb
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
425
Chamba fort, from which the enemy were driven almoſt
as foon as the ſhip brought up her broadfide againſt it;
and the ſecond affault of the Barradera battery, on which
occafion, having captain Broderick under him, he com-
manded the boats in chief, which landed the detachment of
troops almoſt under the guns. After the failure of the
expe-
dition he was ordered, with captain Mayne, as command-
ing officer in the Worceſter, with the Stafford and Prin-
cefs Louifa, to cruife off Tiburoon till the 30th, for the
fecurity of the convoy; and after his return to Jamaica
was himſelf promoted to the Worceſter. In this fhip he
attended Mr. Vernon on his expedition againſt Cuba,
which terminated rather lefs fuccefsfully than the
preceding one had done againſt Carthagena. Few other
particulars concerning him have come to our knowledge.
He is faid by Mr. Hardy to have died in the Mediter-
ranean on the 18th of May 1743, being at that time cap-
tain of the Stirling Caftle, to which command he is fup-
poſed to have been appointed a ſhort time before his death.
We know him to have continued in the Worceſter till
after the end of March 1743, but that fhip probably after
having returned to England might from thence have pro-
ceeded to the Mediterranean.
On the 22d of January preceding, a motion was made
in the court of admiralty, to attach him at the fuit of his
officers, in confequence of his having neglected to appear
to the original complaint preferred against him three
years before. Death however put an end to the conten-
tion before any farther proceedings were had upon it.
CUZACK, James,-was, on the 13th of November
1739, appointed captain of the Ludlow Cattle, of forty
guns. This veſſel was, not long afterwards, ordered to
the Weft Indies; and at the fiege of Carthagena, being
fitted as bomb-ketch, effected fpecial fervice against the
caftle of Boca Chica. We know nothing farther of him.
immediately fubfequent to the above expedition, except
that he appears to have remained in the Weft Indies,
where we find him, in 1742, to have commanded the
Litchfield, of fifty guns. It was refolved, in a council
of war held at Jamaica in the month of June, to form a
fettlement on the iſland of Rattan; the troops, engineers,
and other perfons, together with the ftores, ammunition,
and
426
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
and neceffaries, were put on board five tranfports which
were to be convoyed to the place of their deftination by
the Litchfield, attended by the Bonetta floop.
Captain Cuzack was inftructed to remain at the fettle-
ment for its better protection, and difpatch the Bonetta
floop to Jamaica, in thirty days, with an account of his
progrefs, or as foon after as he made the first arrange-
ments. This little fleet did not fail from Jamaica till the
13th of Auguft, and arrived fafe in Port Royal harbour,
on the island of Rattan, on the 23d. Two forts were
immediately constructed, and every thing appeared to
wear the most promifing aſpect but in the month of
December a moft alarming confpiracy was diſcovered
among the American fettlers, which appeared to forebode
nothing less than the deftruction of the whole colony; but
by timely and fpirited exertions made by captain Cuzack,
the ringleaders were feized and properly punished, after
which affairs once more refumed their former profperous
appearance.
He returned fome little time afterwards
to Jamaica, where he was, on the 19th of July
1743, unfortunate enough to fall a victim to difeafe fo
frequently deftructive to European conftitutions, when
tranfplanted into that part of the world.
We have heard of a naval officer of this name whofe
very fpirited behaviour and activity rendered him the
fcourge of the Spanish guarda coftas, the name being re-
membered with terror by that nation alinoft to the prefent
day: whether it was the above gentleman we have not been
able precifely to afcertain, though we think it highly pro-
bable.
CRAWFORD, John,-was, on the 30th of Auguft
1739, appointed captain of the South Sea Caftle, or, as
other accounts fay, of the Deptford. He was foon after-
wards ordered to America, and died at Virginia fome time
in the courſe of the year 1740, being then, to a certainty,
captain of the South Sea Caftle.
KIDD, Dandy.--In the early part of this gentleman's
fervice he was, being at the fame time lieutenant in the
navý, chief mate of the Great and Annual South fhip, a
ftation in which he very eminently acquitted himfelf, both
as a feaman and an officer. He was, in 1739, commander
of the Trial floop; and was, Dec. 26, promoted to be
captain
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
427
captain of the Wager ſtoreſhip, a veffel which was immedi-
ately ordered to be got ready for fea in order to join the
fquadron, to be commanded by Mr. Anſon on his well-
known expedition against the Spanish South American
fettlements. When they arrived at Madeira, captain
Norris, of the Glouceſter, applied, as we have already
related, for leave to return to England, on account of ill
health. Mr. Mitchell, who had previouſly commanded
the Pearl, of forty guns, was advanced to fucceed him;
and captain Kidd was promoted to the Pearl. He did
not long enjoy this cominand, dying at fea on the 31st of
January 1741, the fquadron being at that time on its paf-
fage from the island of St. Catherine's to port St. Julian,
on the coaſt of Patagonia.
LAWRENCE, Peter, was, on the 16th of July
1739, appointed commander of the Augufta, of fixty guns,
one of the fhips then on the Mediterranean ftation under
Mr. Haddock. We find him foon after his appointment
one of the captains prefent at the capture of the valuable
Spaniſh fhip, the St. Jofeph, an event which we have be-
fore erroneouſly ſtated as having taken place in the month
of September 1742. This miſtake was owing to an error
in fome of the official documents relative to the condem-
nation of the prize; and we are happy in this opportu-
nity of rectifying it, by referring that circumftance to its
proper date, an. 1739. In 1740 he ferved in the main
or channel fleet under fir John Norris; and after his return
into port was removed into the Jerſey, a fhip of the ſame
rate and force, which, together with that he before com-
manded, formed a part of the reinforcement fent to Mr.
Vernon, in the Weft Indies, under fir Chaloner Ogle.
He was prefent at the fiege of Carthagena, but is not
particularly mentioned as having been ordered on any
memorable fervice. After the failure of the expedition
he remained in the Weſt Indies, and was taken by fir C.
Ogle to be his captain. He returned to Europe with him,
in the Cumberland, about the month of June 1746; and
we have no reaſon to believe held any command ſub-
fequent to that time. In the year 1755 he retired from
the fervice, having been then put on the fuperannuated
lift with the rank and half pay of a rear-adiniral. On
this honourable kind of penfion he retired to Ireland,
which
428
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
which probably was his native country, and died there on
the 17th of November 1758.
LLOYD, James,-was, on the 30th of Auguſt 1739,
appointed captain of the Winchefter. In this fhip we
believe him to have continued till the year 1742, but do
not find any particular mention made of the fervices or
ftations on which he was employed, except that, in 1741,
he was on the coaft of Virginia. In the beginning of the
year 1742 the Wincheſter was ordered to the Mediterra-
nean with Mr. Leftock, and we believe captain Lloyd to
have gone out in that hip. In the month of Fe-
bruary 1743-4, he commanded the Naffau, of feventy
guns. This fhip was the third of rear-admiral Rowley's
divifion in the encounter with the French and Spaniſh
fleets off Toulon. Captain Lloyd having purſued the ſame
line of conduct with the captains Weft and Cooper, and
fupported them in their fucceſsful attempt to prevent the
French van from tacking and doubling on that of the
British fleet, the fame kind of charge which they had
encountered was of courſe preferred againſt him; it met
with precifely the fame treatment. He continued in the
Mediterranean for a confiderable time after the action,
no accufation being preferred against him till two years or
more after it took place. The court-martial convened for
his trial affembled at Deptford on the 13th of November
1746, the day immediately following that on which captain
Cooper had been fentenced to difmiffion, as an officer
implicated in the fame kind of charge. He was restored,
together with that gentleman, to his rank, without having
undergone the ſmalleſt impeachment of his honour and con-
duct as a naval commander, by an order of council, bear-
ing date November the 4th, 1747.
On the 9th of December following he retired from the
fervice on the appointment of 2nd captain in Greenwich-
hofpital; and became firſt on that establishment at the
promotion of captain Danfays to be lieutenant-governor.
On the deceaſe of that gentleman, in 1754, he alfo fuc-
ceeded him in that ftation, which he retained till his
death, on the 8th of February 1761.
LUSHINGTON, Franklin.-This excellent officer
and truly worthy man was, on the 24th of June 1739,
promoted
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
429
promoted to be captain of the Solebay frigate, a veffel we
find employed immediately afterwards on the Gibraltar or
Mediterranean ſtations. He was one of the officers
concerned in the capture of the well known prize,
the St. Jofeph. In 1740 he was captain of the Rye, a
twenty-gun thip, employed, during the early part of the
enfuing year, on the Liſbon ftation. No other mention
is made of him till 1742, when we find him commander of
the Burford, and prefent at the attack of La Guira, in 1743.
This thip was one of thoſe which principally fuffered on
that occafion; and captain Lufhington himſelf having
loft his thigh, by a chain-fhot, died of that difafter at Cu-
raçoa, in two hours after he was landed, on the 23d of
February 1742-3.
The fate of this unfortunate young gentleman wast
lamented in the fincereft manner by all who had ever the
happineſs of knowing the manifold virtues he poffeffed.
At a court-martial held fubfequent to the above unhappy
event, an officer, who has fince that time attained the
highest rank in the navy, and who has been always re-
marked as a man poffeffing the ftrongeſt nerves, nerves
not in any degree liable to be agitated by thofe paffions
of fear, grief, or anxiety, which not unfrequently diſtract the
minds even of the braveſt men, is reported to have been ſo
much affected as to be unable to deliver his teftimony with-
out frequent interruptions of grief becauſe fome particular
queftions were put to him, in which the untimely fate of this
brave and truly worthy man was unavoidably mentioned.
A pofthumous tear, even when fhed by the warmest friend,
is probably the mott fincere eulogium on departed virtue.
Such a character needs not any energy of language to pro-
claim its worth.
MOSTYN, Savage, was the fifth fon of fir Roger
Moltyn, bart.* paymafter of the marine forces, temp.
Annæ
* This family of Mofion, in Flintshire, which is the true name,
though in compliance with the pronunciation of the country, is ufually
written Molyn is defcended from Tudor Trevor, loid of Bromfield,
Chirk, Maclor, Whittington, and Ofwaldfree. He was alfo carl of
Hereford, in right of his mother, Rheingar, grand-daughter and heir
of Caradoc Vaichfras, earl of Hereford, who was flain by the Saxous
A.D.
430
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
Annæ reg. and one of the tellers of the exchequer in the
reign of king George the First, by Effex, his lady, eldeft
daughter of Daniel, earl of Nottingham. Having made
choice of a naval life, he was, after paffing through the
feveral fubordinate ftations, promoted, on the 17th of
November 1739, to be captain of the Seaford frigate. He
did not long remain in this command, being, at the con-
clufion of the enfuing year, promoted to the Deptford, of
fifty guns, one of the fhips ordered for the Weſt Indies
under fir Chaloner Ogle. No particular mention is made.
of him during the attack of Carthagena, nor indeed have
we any fubfequent intelligence concerning him till the
year 1744, when we find him captain of the Hampton
Court, a third rate of feventy guns. In the month of
January 1745, a very diſagreeable affair occurred which
did confiderable injury to the character of Mr. Moftyn,
particularly in the minds of the populace. This circum-
ftance has been unavoidably related already in the account
of Mr. Griffin*, it being materially connected with the
memoirs of that gentleman. In juftice, however, to
Mr. Moftyn, we muſt beg to ftate, that his conduct, on
being inveftigated before a court-martial, was perfectly
approved of, and he was confequently restored to the fer-
vice with credit.
This decifion, grateful and honourable as it might be
to himself, was not fufficient to calm the prejudices
entertained by the lower clafs of people, or avert thoſe in-
fults to which the braveſt and beſt of men have ſometimes
been moſt unwarrantably expofed. An alarming cir-
cumſtance of this kind, proving how ftrangely, though at
the fame time improperly, this diffatisfaction had taken
root in their minds, occurred at Portſmouth in the month
of November 1745, and is thus related in a little MS.
memorandum made of it by a perfon whom we believe
to have been at that town when the fracas happened.
"A few days before the Hampton Court failed on a
cruife, as captain Moltyn her commander was going on
board, he was faluted by fome dock-men with a cant
A. D. 788. (or, according to fome accounts, 796.) to revenge the
death of Offa, their king, killed in the battle of Ruddlan, two years
before.
See page 225, et feq.
phrafe
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
432
phrafe they have had amongst them ever fince his trial,
viz. "All's well, there is no Frenchman in the wa
way.
Upon which he attempted to board one of the dock-boats,
but being furrounded by the reſt he was glad to ſheer off.
He then complained to the commiffioner of the dock yard of
the infult, and infifted on one of the ringleaders being dif
charged, but the commiffioner only reprimanded him,
and defired them never to infult him more. Yet, not-
withſtanding this, as the hip was under fail yefterday,
they lined the jetty head, and, in a body, repeated their
former falutation, which paffed from them to the men of
war's men that lay nearest the thore, and fo from one to
another till the Hampton Court was quite clear of them
all."
Whatever the popular opinion might be refpecting the
propriety of his conduct on the occafion juſt related, that
of adminiftration, appears to have been entirely in his
favour, for in the month of February 1746, he was ap-
pointed commodore of a ſmall ſquadron fent to cruiſe in
ihe Bay of Biscay. But this command does not appear
to have been diftinguifhed by any occurrence worthy
regard or commemoration, nor have we been able to col-
lect other particulars relative to any tranfactions, in
which he was concerned, in the line of a naval commander.
In 1747 he was elected reprefentative in parliament for
Weobly. On March 22, 1748-9, he was advanced to be
comptroller of the navy, an office which, while ſome inſiſt
he was, on account of his particular and ſuperior abilities,
moft peculiarly adapted, there are others, who with
equal ftrenuoufnels affert him to have been totally un-
qualified. Between opinions fo violent and contradictory,
it is difficult to decide with certainty and candour, and it
is in all probability faireft to fuppofe, that both his failings
and his good qualities have been exaggerated by perfons of
different opinions. Many men ere now have been praiſed
into an ill character, who would otherwife have been
thought worthy neither of obloquy nor diſlike.
Notwithſtanding he had, according to the general
idea of the rules and regulations of the fervice, particularly
at the time of which we are now fpeaking, quitted the
line of active fervice; having refigned the office
of comptroller, he was in his regular turn promot-
ed, on the 4th of February 1755, to be rear-admiral
5
of
432
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
of the blue*, as he was, in 1757, to be vice-admiral of the
fame divifion. He did not long furvive his laſt pro-
motion, dying on the 16th of September in the year laſt-
mentioned.
OATES, Chriſtopher, was, on the 10th of Auguſt
1739, promoted to be captain of the Advice, a fourth rate
of fifty guns, which, if we miſtake not, was at that time
employed on the Weſt India ftation. He died at fea,
being then on his paffage to England, on the 15th of Fe-
bruary 1740-1.
RYCAUT, James,-was, on the roth of Aug. 1739,
appointed captain of the Kent. He continued in this
fhip t but a very fhort time, and we are ignorant as to
the command he held till the conclufion of the enfuing
year, when he was appointed to the Grafton, which, as
well as the former, was a third rate of ſeventy guns. It
was one of the ſhips put into commiffion, and intended to
have been of the fquadron fent with fir Chaloner Ogle
to reinforce Mr. Vernon; but, from ſome reaſon or other
to us unknown, did not proceed on that ſervice, as at firſt
intended. However when fir Chaloner himſelf failed, it
quickly followed him, but did not reach the Weſt Indies
time enough to affift at the attack of Carthagena. This
fhip was one of the fquadron taken by Mr. Vernon to
Cuba, after the failure of the former enterprize, and con-
tinued in the fame part of the world for a confiderable
time afterwards, but was not ordered on any ſervice re-
quiring particular mention. We have no account of his
having had any fubfequent appointinent. In 1754 he was
appointed one of the captains of Greenwich-hofpital, a
ftation in which he continued during life. He died on
the 5th of June 1758.
* He was for a ſhort time port admiral at Portſmouth, and in the
fpring accompanied Mr. Bofcawen to America as his ſecond in com-
mand, having his flag on board the Monarch. In the month of Ja-
nuary he failed again with him in the fame ftation, as convoy to the
outward-bound fleet to a fafe latitude; and in the month of Novem-
ber 1756, commanded the ſquadron ſtationed off Breft.
+ We rather apprehend he never did command the Kent, but was
appointed to the Grafton in the firft inftance: but fome accounts
make him to have taken poſt in the Panther.
SMITH,
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
433
SMITH, Edward, was, on the 16th of November
1739, promoted to be captain of the Eltham. He was
ordered, in 1741, to Rio Janeiro, and from thence to the
West Indies. He behaved there with the greateſt gal-
lantry, particularly in company with captain Stewart, we
believe of the Succefs frigate, they having attacked three
Spaniſh ſhips of war, the fmalleft of which was of greater
force than the Eltham, and compelled them, after a long
action which continued till night, to retire into Porto
Rico in a very fhattered condition. The Eltham was
foon afterwards ordered to join the fquadron detached
under Mr. Knowles, to attack La Guira,, and captain
Smith had here a freſh opportunity of acquiring honour,
the Eltham, being one of the fhips particularly diftin-
guifhed on the above unfortunate occafion, was alfo among
thoſe moſt diſabled. Nearly feventy of her people were
either killed or wounded, a number exceeding that of any
fhip in the ſquadron, in proportion to her fize and the
ftrength of her crew. The gallantry of captain Smith
was very deſervedly rewarded by a promotion to the Bur-
ford, as fucceffor to captain Lufhington, who, as we have
already fhewn, fell in the above unhappy encounter. He
did not long furvive this advancement, dying on the 18th
of April, at Antigua. Other accounts ftate him to have.
continued in the Eltham till his death, even the date of
which according to them, we do not believe to be per-
fectly correct, for we find Mr. Knowles, with his refitted.
fquadron, to have failed from Curaçoa on the fifteenth
of March. He reached the keys of Barbarat, near
Porto Cavallo, on the fifteenth of April, and was unre-
mittedly occupied in the attempt againft that place, till
the twenty-eighth. Both the Burford and Eltham are
particularly ſtated to have been prefent, fo that if captain
Smith actually died at the time ftated, he muſt have ob-
tained leave of abfence from his fhip, which it is not im-
probable might be the cafe, on account of ill health.
STRANGE, Edward,-was, on the 24th of February
1739, appointed captain of the Chatham, a fourth rate
of fifty guns. He continued in the fame command for
two or three years, and about 1742 we believe him to
have failed for the Mediterranean, where he ſoon after-
wards removed into the Nonfuch, a fhip of the fame rate
and force. He was prefent at the encounter with the
VOL. IV.
French
E e
434
LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF
1
}
}
French and Spaniſh fleets off Toulon, but, with 5 other 50
gun-fhips, which compofed a part of the British armament,
were ftationed to windward of the line as a reſerve, and
confequently were none of them engaged, the Chathain
excepted. In 1745 he commanded a fmall flying fqua-
dron of light fhips, ordered to cruife off the coaft of Spain,
an employment in which he met with fome fuccefs. We
have no fubfequent information of his fervices, nor indeed
have we been able to collect any other particulars concern-
ing him, except that, in the year 1755, he was put on the
fuperannuated lift with the rank and half-pay of a rear-
admiral. He did not long furvive his retirement, dying on
the 24th of December in the enfuing year.
TOWNSHEND, Honourable George,
was the
The patriarch of this noble family (which is undoubtedly of
great antiquity in the county of Norfolk) was Lodovic, a noble Nor
man, who coming into England in Henry the Firft's reign, affumed
the furname of Townſhend, and took to wife Elizabeth, the daughter
and heir of fir Thomas de Havile, in whofe right he became poffeffed
of the manor of Havile, in Rainham, where his pofterity have ever
fince cóntinued to have their principal refidence. The family of
Havile, or de Hautville, (de Alta Villa, as it is called in old deeds)
was of Norman extraction, as their name fufficiently evidences; and
fettling in Norfolk, became poffeffed of a very confiderable inherit-
ance, which thus came by marriage to the family of Townshend.
This Lodovic de Townshend, lord of Raineham in right of his wife,
had by her Walter de Townshend his fucceffor, who took to wifé
Maud, daughter of fir Walter de Scogan, knight, a family of good
account in Norfolk, and had iffue Roger de Townshend, who, by his
wife Catharine, daughter of John Atherton, of the county of Suffex,
efq. was father to fir Thomas de Townſhend, knight, and to Catharine,
the wife of Charles Backney, of Sperham, in Norfolk, efq. The faid
fir Thomas married Eleanor, daughter of William Paine, of the
county of Norfolk, efq. and departing this life, was interred in the
caft part of the church of the White Friers, or our Lady of Mount
Carmel, near Fleet-ftreet.
His fon and heir, fir Roger Townshend, knight, was wedded to
Eleanor, daughter of fir Thomas Gigges, of Rollefby, in com. Norf.
and had iffue John, his fon and heir, who, by his laft will, dated at
Raynham, St. Mary, A. D. 1465, orders his body to be buried in the
parish church of Raynham, in the middle of the body of the church,
before the image of the Crucifix of our Lord; which was accordingly
done, and the following memorial of him raifed.
Orate
pro Anima Johannis Townshend, filii
Rogeri & Elinore, qui obiit 1111 die Octobris,
Ann. Dom. M.CCCC.LXV.
eldeſt
NAVAL OFFICERS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
435
eldeſt ſon of Charles, 2nd lord vifc. Townſend, by his 2nd
lady Dorothy, daughter of Robert Walpole, of Houghton,
in the county of Norfolk, efq. and fifter to fir Robert
Walpole, knight of the garter, better known by his fub-
fequent title of earl of Orford. Mr. Townshend having
made choice of a naval life, was, on the 30th of Ja-
nuary 1739, appointed captain of the Tartar pink.
He continued in this veffel till the year 1741; foon after
which we believe him to have been promoted to command
the Bedford, of feventy guns, which we find one of the
fquadron fent out, under commodore Leftock, to rein-
force Mr. Haddock in the Mediterranean. He conti-
nued on this ſtation till the year 1746. Though in that
interval nothing very highly memorable is recorded of
him, yet ſeveral ſmall occurrences prefent themſelves to
us in which Mr. Townshend certainly acquired the higheſt
honour. He was prefent at the encounter with the
French and Spaniſh fleets off Toulon, an occafion on
which he behaved with the greateſt ſpirit and gallantry;
his conduct was accordingly particularly noticed by Mr.
Mathews. In the month of October 1745, he was de-
tached by admiral Rowley with a finall divifion, of which
he was fenior or commanding officer, to bombard Baſtia,
in the iſland of Corfica, then under the dominion of the
Genoefe. Captain Townshend conducted this fervice with
fo much adroitnefs, fpirit, and general good conduct, that
the governor was obliged to abandon the garrifon, which
was immediately afterwards furrendered to the natives.
Having returned to England in the courfe of the following
year, he was, as it is faid, appointed, in 1747, to com-
mand a fquadron ordered for the Weft Indies; but of this
event there is little or no hiftorical trace, notwithſtand-
ing Collins, in his account of him, ftates, as a collateral
circumſtance, that, in 1747, he captured a large fleet of
French merchant-fhips.
•
We rather believe the heraldic author, who is, generally
fpeaking, very correct, to have confounded this gentleman
with admiral Ifaac Townfhend, who, about a year or two
preceding this time, met with a ſtroke of good fortune
much refembling what is allotted to this gentleman. We
know nothing farther of him till the year 1755, when he
was advanced, on the 4th of February, to be rear-admiral
E e 2
of
436
LIVES AND CHARACTERS, &c.
of the white, and appointed commander-in-chief on the
Jamaica ftation, but have no fubfequent account of him
except what relates to his feveral promotions, which were
to the rank of vice-admiral of the white in 1758, vice-
admiral of the red in 1759, and admiral of the blue in
1765. Collins has erroneouſly ſtated him to have died in
the year 1762, being then fifty-four years old. This is
certainly a miſtake, but probably merely typographical,
his father not having married the lady Dorothy, his mo-
ther, till the month of July 1713. The ſtatement of his
age is moſt probably exact, but that of his death is more
correctly ſtated by Hardy, to have happened in the month
of Auguſt 1769.
WYNNÉL, or WINNEL, John,-was, on the 14th
of June 1739, appointed captain of the Affiftance. So
immaterial were his appointments, that no other mention
is made of him except that, in 1755, he was put on the
fuperannuated lift with the rank and half-pay of a rear-
admiral. The time of his death is not precifely known,
but is faid to have happened in the month of June 1759.
INDEX
INDEX
TO THE
FOURTH VOLUME,
Page
252
Page
Butler, Sir Roger
261
Byng, Hon. John
145
AMBROSE, John
Annesley, Henry 142
Anfon, George, Lord 99
Barnett, Curtis
212
Barnsley, John
205
Beauclerk, Lord Vere
89
Arnold, Thomas
Arundel, Charles
Atkins, Samuel
Aubin, David
BAKER, Hercules
Baker, Edward
CAMPBELL, James, or
142
38
68
Jofhua
211
Campbell, Mathew
38
Cave, Clemfon
192
Bafille, or Beffille, William 24
39
39
Carlton,or Charlton, St. John 6
233
Cayley, or Caley, Tyrwhit 39
Chadwick, Samuel
Chambers, William
Chamberlain, Charles
Chundwick, or Chadwick,
68
303
139
Beauclerk, Lord Aubrey
221
Robert
24
Bennet, Edward
223
Clark, William
7
Berkley, George
192
Cleland, William
424
Berkley, Hon. William
144
Clinton, Hon. George
59
Beverley, Thomas
3
Cockayne, Samuel
209
Blackett, Sir Edward
38
Codner, John
39
Boscawen, Hon. Edward
310
Cole, Ambroſe
24
Boutflower, William
-
232
Collier, William
24
Boyle, Charles
28
Compton, James
261
Bradley, Thomas
261
Confett, Matthew
93
Braithwaite, Samuel
96 Cooper, Thomas
375
Brand, Ellis
57
Cooper, Francis
28
Brown, Charles
3
Cornwall, James
130
Brett, Timothy
145
Cotterell, Charles
140
Bridge, Timothy
Briscoe, John
Brooke, Edward
Burrish, George
38 Cowley, William
193
Crawford, Hon. Charles 223
236 Craford,orCrawford, John 426
193 Coulfell, William
233
35
Cundett,
INDEX.
Page
Cundett, John
93
Cufack, James
DALZIEL, James.
35
Page
GARLINGTON,Richard 43
425 Gascoigne, John
Gay, or Gray, Charles
Geddes, Alexander
179
8
54
Danfays, Francis
140
Goodere, Samuel
241
Davers, Thomas
39
Gordon, George
8
Davis, Richard
41
Graves, Thomas
43
Davis, William
Davis, Arthur
79
Gray, John
30
206
Græme, or Graham, Wm. 44
Deering, Griffith
378 Gregory, Edward
81
Delaval, Francis Blake
81
Griffin, Thomas
224
Delgarno, Arthur,
53
Dennis, or Dennet, Tho. 41
HADDOCK, William
44
Dennison, Charles
338
Hardy, Sir Charles
9
Dent, Digby
57
Harriſon, Robert
250
Dent, Digby (2d)
378
Harwood, Robert
45
Douglas,orDuglas, Andrew 28
Hawke, Lord
262
Douglas, William
207
Herbert, James
ΙΟ
Drake, Francis
7
Herbert, Richard
250
Drake, Duncombe
193
Herdman, Mungo
45
Drummond, Charles
-
305
Hervey, Hon. William
180
Durell, Thomas
82
HildeЛley, John
62
Durell, John
262
Hook, Edmund
EATON, Nicholas
8
Edwards, John
179
Houlding, William
Howard, Thomas
Hubbard, Nathaniel
36
45
ΙΙ
II
Elford, William
25
Hubbard, John
68
Elford, Mathew
29
Hughes, Thomas
45
Hume, Francis
46
FAIRLEY, George
41
Falkingham, Edward. 41
JACOBS, Thomas
I I
Fanfhaw, Charles
241
Jermy, Seth
23
Faulkner, Samuel
306
Jones, Arthur
46
Field, Arthur
29
Fitzroy, Lord Auguftus
306
306
KENDALL, Charles
57
Flemming, Wm. Henry
194
Kidd, Dandy
426
Fletcher, John
30
Knight, William
293
Forbes, Hon. John
338
Knighton, Francis
69
Forreſter, John
194 Knowles, Sir Charles
-
345
Fowkes, Henry
194
Fox, Thomas
343
LAWES, Jofeph
96
Fuzzer, or Furzer, John 25
Laws, William
230
Fytche, Robert
224
Lawrence, Peter
427
Lee, Hon. Fitzroy Henry 195
2
Legg,
INDEX.
Page
Page
Legge, Hon. Edward
380
Parr, John
50
Ley, Andrew
24
Parry, William
233
Lingen, Joſhua, or Jofeph 196
Pafton, Robert
14
Lifle, Toby
I I
Pearce, Vincent
58
Lloyd, William
46
Pearſon, Robert
26
Lloyd, James
428
Peyton, Sir Yelverton
138
Long, Robert
182
Phillips, Erafmus
58
Luck, or Luch, James
83
Pitman, Samuel
-
183
Lushington, Franklin
428
Pocklington, Chriftopher 183
Pocock, George
MABBOT, Thomas
383
30
Poole, Charles
Maccarthy,Robert,commonly
59
called Lord Muſkerry
Price, John
184
97
Man, Robert
62
Proctor, George
141
Martin, William
69
Protheroe, George
79
Pulley, Jofeph
Marwood, Thomas
46
34
Mailer, Streynſham
Purvis, George
14
24
Maſters, Harcourt
382
Mayne, Covill
REDDISH, Edward
- 84
30
Reddiſh, Henry
Mayne, Perry
137
203
Reynolds, Thomas
16
Mead, Samuel
182
Medley, Henry
Richards, James
37
93
Middleton, Sir Hugh
Robinfon, or Robertfon,
47
Nicholas
Miller, William
183
302
Mitchell, Cornelius
Rofs, Walter
230
34
Morris, Daniel
84
Rofs, John
63
Moftyn, Savage
Roufe, Auguftus
429
34
Rowley, Sir William
63
NORBURY, Conningſby 12
Ruffel, John
309
Norris, Matthew
136
Rycaut, James
432
Norris, Richard
299
Nurfe, Edward
48
SAINT LOO, John
50
Sapsford, John
16
OATES, Chriftopher
432
Saunders, Ambroſe
85
Obrien, Chriftopher
48
Saunderfon, Ralph
16
Ockman, William
13
Ogilvie, Hon. John
36
Sir William
Ogilvie, John
233
Saunderfon, or Sanderfon,
Sclater, Slater, or Slaughter,
50
Oliphant, John
383
George
294
Onley, John
207
Scott, Hon. Henry
369
Orme, Humphry
84 Shorter, John
52
Oſborne, Henry
197
Shorting, Robert
294
Owen, William
49
Smart, Thomas
58
Smith, Nicholas
PACE, John
49
Smith, William
17
66
Parker, Chriftopher
49 Smith, John (zd)
203
Smith,
INDEX.
Page
Smith, William (3d)
203
WADE, Caleb
Page
21
Smith, Thomas
209
Waldron, Beaumont
-
21
Smith, Edward
433
Waldron, or Walrond,
Solguard, Peter
98
John
82
Sparks, Ifrael
207
Wallis, Gilbert
407
Stanley, John
204
Warren, Sir Peter
184
Stapleton, Miles
Stevens, John
Stewart, James
Storey, Edward
204
Waterhouſe, Thomas
89
1
67 Watſon, Thomas
370
18
Watfon, Charles
407
17
Weller, John
95
Strange, Edward
433
Weſt, Temple
Swale, William
232
Whitney, Thomas
419
67
Symonds, Richard
208
Whitworth, Edward
-
59
Whorwood, or Warwood,
TEMPLE, John
37
Thomas
52
Toller, John
205
Williams, Thomas
59
Townfend, Ifaac
85
Williams, Edmund
294
Townſend, Hon. George 434
Willis, Francis
56
Towry, John
233
Windham, James
96
Trefufis, Thomas
309
Windham, Charles
251
Trevor, John
184
Wingate, John
-235
Trevor, Thomas
Trevor, Robert
Vanburgh, Charles
Vanburgh, Philip
Vincent, Philip
234
Wood, John
52
19
Wright, Ezekiel
53
I
Wynnell, or Winnel, John 436
20
26 YOE, John
79
208
END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME.
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