He entered the naval service at an early age; and at the commencement of the war with the French republic, in 1793, served as a Midshipman on board the Boyne, of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis, (now Earl of St. Vincent) from which ship he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Vengeance, a third rate, carrying the broad pendant of the late Sir Charles Thompson, and forming part of the armament sent from England for the purpose of subjugating the enemy’s colonies in the West Indies[1].
In Jan. 1794, soon after the arrival of the fleet at Barbadoes, Lieutenant Ogle again joined the Boyne; and on the 6th of the following month, we find him commanding one of her boats in an attack made upon some vessels lying at anchor near Maran, in the island of Martinique. The assailants were much exposed both to the great guns and musketry of the enemy; but they succeeded so far as to bring off two schooners, and compel several others to seek refuge under the guns of Fort St. Etienne.
A few days after this event our officer, then serving on shore, assisted at the capture of Pigeon Island, (Islet aux Ramieres) the possession of which enabled Sir John Jervis to anchor the fleet in Fort Royal Bay, and supply the army with ammunition, stores, and provisions, at pleasure.
Pigeon Island is situated on the south side of the bay of Fort Royal, about 200 yards from the shore, and is a steep rock, inaccessible, except on one side by a ladder fixed against a perpendicular wall. The summit is about 30 yards above the level of the sea, and is 300 paces round. It contained eleven 42-pounders, six 32’s, four 13-inch mortars, and one howitzer, with an immense quantity of stores and ammunition. Its garrison consisted of 203 men, 15 of whom were killed and 25 wounded, by the fire from the batteries erected by the British on Mount Matharine, which commanded Pigeon Island, at the distance of not more than 400 yards. The be siegers, though greatly annoyed by the enemy’s shells, appear to have lost only 2 men. This island is famous for having prevented Sir George B. Rodney, with twelve sail of the line, from entering Fort Royal bay in 1782.
Lieutenant Ogle was subsequently entrusted with the com-
