In Jan. 1797, Mr. Campbell again joined Captain Hardy, then commanding the Ranger sloop of war; from which vessel our young officer was soon afterwards removed into Admiral Duncan’s flag-ship, the Venerable 74. We next find him acting as lieutenant on board the Russell, another third rate, commanded by Captain (now Sir Henry) Trollope, under whom he bore a part in the glorious battle off Camperdown, Oct. 11, 1797. The following anecdote of that distinguished veteran has been communicated to us since we published the memoir of his services:
“The squadron of observation sent by Admiral Duncan to watch the Texel, arrived off that anchorage just as the enemy’s fleet had put to sea. Having reconnoitred and made out their force, a cutter was despatched to Yarmouth roads with the information, and Captain Trollope immediately began his arduous task of keeping close company with the Dutchmen, by placing, and ordering the Russell to be kept 21/2 miles on De Winter’s weather-beam. In the evening of Oct. 9th, Captain Trollope came on the quarter-deck, and asked the officer of the watch (Mr. Campbell) where the Dutch admiral was? He answered, “I saw his light a few minutes ago, but it is now too thick to see it.” “Wear ship. Sir!” was the instant reply. This order being immediately obeyed, and the manoeuvre frequently repeated, the van of the enemy was soon discovered on the Russell’s weather-bow! Upon which. Captain Trollope having been very violent, Mr. Campbell said, “I hope you now see that the ship was in her station. Sir?” He acknowledged that he did; and desired Mr. Campbell to make sail and get to windward again. That being accomplished, all the lieutenants were summoned into the captain’s cabin, and addressed by him as follows – “I can easily believe that you will some night call me out of my bed, by saying, we are in the middle of the Dutch fleet; but the officer that loses sight of the enemy I will certainly bring to a court-martial.” The following morning, at day-light, Mr. Campbell reported that the Adamant was so far to leeward, that if the enemy tacked, she must be cut off. Captain Trollope coolly answered, “prepare for action, I will go down to her assistance if they make such an attempt!”
On the return of the victorious fleet to port, Mr. Campbell passed his examination, and was immediately confirmed to the Russell, in which ship he served with the Channel fleet until his appointment to the Galatea frigate, on the Irish station, in 1799.
During the winter of 1800, Lieutenant Campbell was particularly recommended to the commander-in-chief by Captain
