On the 3d Aug. 1301, Captain Gore was directed by our great hero to place three bomb-vessels in a situation to throw shells amongst the enemy’s flotilla; and on the following day three or four large gun-vessels were destroyed. On the 15th, he was ordered to arrange an attack upon thirty-six sail lying in the mouth of the harbour. The result of this enterprise has been stated in the note † at p. 611 et seq, of Vol. I. Part II.
We subsequently find the flag of Lord Nelson flying on board the Amazon frigate, and Captain Gore commanding a squadron stationed under Dungeness, to protect that part of the coast, and occasionally to menace Boulogne. From Oct. 1801 until Feb. 12, 1802, the Medusa was employed in cruising against the smugglers, between the Start and the Isle of Wight. At the latter period she was sent with despatches to the Mediterranean.
On his arrival there, Captain Gore was ordered to visit all the French and Spanish ports within the limits of that station; and he subsequently commanded a squadron sent to escort King Ferdinand IV. from Palermo to his continental capital. Early in 1803, he conveyed H.M. ambassador, the Right Hon. William Drummond, from Naples to Constantinople.
While lying at the entrance of the Black Sea, Captain Gore received intelligence that led him to believe it would not be long before another war took place between Great Britain and France. Aware that his Admiral would, in such a case, require the services of the Medusa, he immediately resolved to overlook his instructions, and hasten to rejoin the flag of Sir Richard Bickerton, by whom his conduct on this occasion was very highly approved.
Captain Gore was senior officer of the inshore squadron when Nelson arrived off Toulon, and assumed the chief command. From thence he was sent, with three frigates and four sloops under his orders, to cruise in the vicinity of Gibraltar, as his lordship’s “advanced guard off the Straits;” and, whilst there, he had the happiness to obtain his immortal chieftain’s most flattering approbation.
