Endeavouring to get into the Frith of Forth, a sudden change of wind drove the Cygnet close to St. Abb’s head; and as the gale, which encreased to a hurricane, blew directly on the shore, from which she was only a quarter of a mile distant, the destruction of all on board appeared inevitable. From the 14th to the 16th Oct., 1808, the Cygnet remained in this hopeless situation: her guns had been thrown overboard, and her masts cut away to ease her; the whole of her officers and crew resigned themselves to their fate, and awaited in silence the moment when the only cable by which she rode, should part, and their bodies be cast upon, and lacerated by, the numerous rocks around them. But when every hope had long been relinquished, and no human aid could avail, God mercifully interposed his power to save them, the wind again suddenly shifted, and a vessel sent by Vice-Admiral Vashon to their assistance was consequently enabled to tow them into a place of safety. No sooner was this done than Captain Dix, his officers and men, walked in procession to the Episcopal Church at Leith, where they returned public thanks to the Almighty for their miraculous escape.
After being refitted, the Cygnet was ordered to the West Indies; and on the 18th Dec. 1809, we find her assisting at the destruction of two French 40-gun frigates, laden with warlike stores and provisions, moored in Ance la Barque, Guadaloupe, and defended by several batteries. The particulars of this service will be found detailed in the Addenda to our memoir of Vice-Admiral Ballard, at p. 878 et seq. of Vol. I, Part II. The following is an extract of that officer’s public letter to Sir Alexander Cochrane:–
“From Captain Dix I received every assistance the nature of the service required; who, I trust, stands high in your estimation.”
For his conduct on this occasion. Captain Dix was immediately advanced to post rank, and his commission dated back to the day of the action.
During the operations against Guadaloupe in Jan. and Feb. 1810, the subject of this memoir acted as captain of the Sceptre 74, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Ballard, then serving on shore with the army.
