On the 28th and 29th Aug. 1805, Captain Simpson was chased by the celebrated Rochefort squadron, consisting of five two-deckers, two frigates, and two brigs. On the first day, an 80 gun-ship got near enough to fire a broadside at him; and on the second, a large frigate and a brig, one on each quarter, engaged the Wasp for 40 minutes, within range of grape; but her constant and well directed fire from the only 6 guns which had not been thrown overboard to improve her sailing, so annoyed the enemy that they at length gave up the attack, and allowed her to escape. For their very great gallantry and persevering exertions on this occasion. Captain Simpson, his officers, and men, received the public thanks of their commander-in-chief, and the high approbation of the Admiralty was also conveyed to them.
About Oct. 1805, Captain Simpson removed into the Star sloop, in which vessel he was very actively employed on the Downs, Newfoundland, and West India stations, until after the conquest of Martinique, in 1809, when he returned home with a strong letter of recommendation from Sir Alexander Cochrane to Lord Mulgrave, who immediately ordered him to Halifax, on promotion. In Sept. 1809, he was appointed to la Furieuse frigate, but his post commission was not confirmed until the 12th Dec. following. He subsequently commanded the Coquette of 20 guns, at the Leeward Islands.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
EDWARD DIX, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1809.]
Received the first rudiments of a classical education at the King’s school, Canterbury, in which city his father, a very respectable clergyman, was then resident; and entered the navy in 1790, as a midshipman on board the Monarch 74, under the patronage of Captain (afterwards Admiral) Peter Rainier. He subsequently joined the Hermione frigate, and served in her, on the West India station, for a period of three years, during which he witnessed many of the horrible atro-
