Ushant, July 27th, 1778[1]. She afterwards proceeded to the West Indies, under the command of the late Sir Digby Dent, and bore a share in the conflict between Byron and d’Estaing, off Grenada, July 6, 1779[2]; as also in the whole of Rodney’s actions with the Count de Guichen, in April and May, 1780[3]. From the Vigilant, Mr. Hancock removed with Captain Dent into the Royal Oak 74; and we subsequently find him serving as a Master’s-Mate, on board the Europe 64, commanded by Captain Smith Child, in the actions off the Chesapeake, Mar. 16, and Sept. 5, 1781[4]. On the former occasion he had his left leg broke at the ancle joint, and his right leg dreadfully contused by a splinter: the Europe’s total loss is stated by Schomberg to have been 17 killed and 28 wounded[5].
Mr. Hancock next joined the Goliath 74, which ship had the honor of leading the van division of Lord Howe’s fleet at the relief of Gibraltar, and sustained a loss of 4 men killed and 16 wounded in the skirmish off Cape Spartel, October 20, 1782[6].
The Goliath being paid off at the conclusion of the war, Mr. Hancock was again received by his first Captain as a Midshipman on board the Elizabeth 74, from which ship he removed into the Phaeton frigate, commanded by the late Sir John Colpoys, with whom, and his successor. Captain George Dawson, he served on the Mediterranean station, until the autumn of 1787.
Having then no prospect of promotion, although he had passed his examination cwo years before, Mr. Hancock resolved to quit the service; and he accordingly remained on
- ↑ See Vol. I. note † at 195, et seq.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part I. note † at p. 50, et seq.
- ↑ See Vol. I. note † at p. 103, et seq.
- ↑ See ib. p. 40, and note at p. 133.
- ↑ Captain Child fought the Europe with such credit as enabled him to obtain promotion for many of his officers. He afterwards attained the rank of Admiral, and died at Newfield, near Newcastle-under-Lyne, Jan. 21, 1813, aged 83 years
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 17, and Vol. II. Part I, note † at p. 42.
