Nov. 1813, that vessel was driven high and dry on shore, in Halifax harbour, during a heavy gale from the S.S.W., and in such a situation, that it required the labour of three weeks to get her off again.
A reinforcement of seamen for the squadron on the Canadian lakes being at that time most earnestly requested by Sir James Lucas Yeo, the commander, officers, and crew of the Manly immediately offered their services, which were readily accepted by Rear-Admiral Griffith, then commanding at Halifax, who despatched them, with other volunteers, to St. John’s, New Brunswick, where no time was lost in preparing for their march to Kingston, an account of which is contained in a letter from Lieutenant (now Commander) Henry Kent, published in the Naval Chronicle for 1815.
After enduring many hardships. Captain Collier and his gallant followers, about 220 in number, reached the place of their destination in time to assist at the capture of Oswego, the official details of which service have been given at p. 215 of Suppl. Part II. Previous to the attack, Captain Collier, with some gun-boats under his command, was “sent close in, for the purpose of inducing the enemy to shew his fire, and particularly the number and position of his guns. This service,” says the military commander[1], “was performed in the most gallant manner, the boats taking a position within point-blank shot of the fort, which returned the fire from four guns, one of them heavy.” During the attack. Captain Collier commanded an hermaphrodite rigged vessel, stationed off the town, and “behaved much to the satisfaction” of his commodore.
After the storming of Fort Oswego, the subject of this memoir succeeded Captain Mulcaster in the command of the Princess Charlotte 42, which appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty, Nov. 18, 1814. During the remainder of the war with America, we find him employed in a variety of arduous services on the different lakes. He returned to England in Dec. 1815, bringing with him a detachment of seamen lately employed in Canada.
- ↑ Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond.
