in Dec. 1810[1]. His promotion to that rank was confirmed by the Admiralty, April 18, 1811; and his first appointment afterwards, which was to the Podargus of 14 guns, took place Dec. 14, 1812. In that vessel he entered the Gironde with the squadron under Rear-Admiral Penrose, Mar. 27, 1814: the manner in which he was there employed will be seen by reference to Suppl. Part II. pp. 287 – 293.
Captain Rennie’s post commission bears date June 7, 1814. He commanded the Lightning 20, from Aug. 14th following, until Nov. 1815; and received an appointment to the Tees 26, fitting for foreign service, Feb. 3, 1818.
On the 3d July, 1821, a court-martial was assembled, at Portsmouth, to try Captain Rennie on charges of cruel, oppressive, and unofficerlike conduct towards the crew of the Tees, and was continued by adjournment, until the 14th, when sentence was pronounced to the following effect.
That the charge of cruelty had not been proved against Captain Rennie, and he was consequently acquitted thereof; but that the other charges were proved, inasmuch as it appeared, that irregular punishments had been inflicted on several of the ship’s company, contrary to the 33d article of the act made for the regulation and government of his Majesty’s naval forces; for which he was adjudged to be dismissed the service. The court, however, felt themselves bound to express their great regret that they were under the necessity of passing so severe a sentence, especially considering the very high character given Captain Rennie by several distinguished officers; the licentiousness, drunkenness, and great insubordination manifested by the crew; the situation in which the Tees was placed at the time the irregular punishments were inflicted; and also, his having been actuated by a conviction that he was exercising his authority in the most lenient manner; – the Court, therefore, most earnestly recommended him to the favorable consideration nf the Admiralty; and he was consequently restored to his former rank in the summer of 1822.
