in his thirteenth year; but his predilection for the sea was so great, that his parents consented to his embarking on board the Elizabeth, of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir R. Kingsmill, Bart.
From this period, (1784) we find him continually serving as a Midshipman on the Mediterranean station, in the West Indies, and on the coast of Guinea, until 1793, when he was promoted through the interest of Admiral Affleck[1] (with whom he had served for three years at Jamaica) to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Falcon brig. His next appointment appears to have been to the Impregnable, of 98 guns, which ship bore the flag of Rear-Admiral Caldwell, was much crippled, and sustained a loss of 7 men killed and 24 wounded, in the glorious battle of June 1, 1794.
On this memorable occasion Mr. Otway, though a junior Lieutenant, distinguished himself by going aloft, accompanied by the present Captain Charles Dashwood, and lashing the fore-top-sail yard, which had been shot in the slings, to the cap; whereby the ship was enabled to wear in pursuit of the enemy. The Rear-Admiral was so well pleased with him for performing this essential service, without which the top-sail could not have been again set, that he returned him his thanks publicly on the quarter-deck; and on the first Lieutenant being promoted, offered to appoint him his successor. This proposal, however, Mr. Otway with singular modesty declined, saying, in the presence of the Secretary, “that he was on the happiest terms possible with his mess-mates, and that being placed so suddenly over the heads of several old officers might probably create jealousies, and prove detrimental to the service.” The Rear-Admiral immediately acknowledged the justness of Mr. Otway’s observation, but declared that in the event of his flag being shifted into another ship, he should be his first Lieutenant. This actually happened a few weeks after, when, being ordered to the West Indies with four sail of the line in pursuit of a French squadron, Rear-Admiral Caldwell removed into the Majestic, 74, accompanied only by his Captain, Secretary, and Lieutenant Otway.
Soon after their arrival at Martinique, the subject of this
