been particularly gratifying to contemplate, in the person of Captain Ussher, the wreath of military fame entwined with science, whilst they reflected to the early instruction of a father, who had long been the ornament of their body, much of the eminent attainments of the son might naturally be traced, and beheld in an alumnus of their own society the probable successor to a Nelson’s glory[1].”
On the above occasion, Captain Ussher was presented with the freedom of the Irish capital; and in Dec. following, Lord Mulgrave, then at the head of naval affairs, offered him a command in the Cattegat, for the protection of our trade against the Danish gun-boats. This proposal he accepted, and in Mar. 1809, he was accordingly appointed to the Leyden, a 64-gun ship, bearing 18 Lieutenants and 800 picked men, with thirteen gun-boats attached to her. The abdication of the King of Sweden, however, caused an alteration in the plans of government with regard to the service on which he was to have been employed, and in consequence thereof the Leyden lay idle until the expedition was undertaken against Antwerp, when we find her selected to convey a regiment of the guards to Walcheren, from whence she brought home a number of sick soldiers.
The Leyden was at this time in so bad a condition that, when ordered back to the Scheldt, Captain Ussher was obliged to navigate her thither himself, his pilots refusing to take charge. For this service the thanks of the Admiralty were conveyed to him by the late Sir George Campbell, Commander-in-chief on the Downs station.
Owing to her defective state, the Leyden was paid off about the close of 1809; and Captain Ussher remained on shore until April, 1811, when he was appointed, pro tempore, to the America 74. Whilst in command of that ship, the crew mutinied, and refused to get her under weigh; upon hearing which, being ill in his cot, he sent for the captain of marines, ordered him to go down to the lower-deck at the head of his men, and to bayonet every sailor he found below. This had the desired effect: the mutineers returned to their duty, and the ship sailed according to her orders.
- ↑ See Nav. Chron. Vol. XXVI. p. 387 et seq.
