for a fortnight, but without producing any visible effect, until one of his shells fell into a magazine, and caused a tremendous explosion. Sir James Saumarez, seeing that the strength of the place forbade a nearer approach, or more vigorous attack with his squadron, recalled the Thunder, whose destruction he supposed inevitable, unless speedily removed, the shot and shells of the enemy falling thick about her. Captain Caulfield being regardless of the signal of recall, the commander-in-chief sent an officer to desire he would move out of gun-shot; but he gallantly returned for answer, that “as he conceived his position was a good one, he hoped the Admiral would permit him to remain a little longer!”
On the 20th and 24th April, 1809, the Thunder was employed bombarding the Regulus, a French 74, then lying aground on a shoal at the entrance of the Charente, but which ship afterwards got afloat, and made her escape to Rochefort. Although not present at the previous attack made upon the enemy’s squadron at Aix Roads, Captain Caulfield was included in the promotion that took place after Lord Gambler’s trial, and his post commission dated back to the 11th April. In the following year we find him commanding the Cornwallis frigate, and assisting at the reduction of the Isle of France.
WILLIAM GODFREY, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1809.]
This officer served as a midshipman of the Culloden, on the memorable 1st June, 1794; and was senior Lieutenant of the Prince, a second rate, at the glorious battle of Trafalgar. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place Dec. 24, 1805.
In July 1807, we find Captain Godfrey commanding the Aetna bomb, and accompanying the fleet under Admiral Gambier to Copenhagen. The nature of the operations in which he was there engaged will be seen by reference to our memoir of Captain George Cocks, at p. 238 et seq. of this volume.
