The perseverance of Captain Brisbane, upon this occasion, was entitled to much praise. From leaving Gibraltar, till his arrival at the Cape, five months had elapsed; and during a great part of that time he and his crew were on short allowance of water and provisions; for a considerable period, indeed, they had only a pint of water per day, and must have been reduced to much less, had they not obtained a supply of rainwater on the line.
Our officer was present at the capture of the Dutch ships in Saldanha Bay, Aug. 18, 1796[1]; and, for his extraordinary exertion in conveying the important intelligence of their approach, Sir George K. Elphinstone was pleased to advance him to post rank, in the Dortrecht, of 66 guns, one of the prizes. Sir John Jervis also sent him out a Post-Captain’s commission for the Nemesis, dated July 22, 1796, from which he takes his seniority; and he had likewise the satisfaction of receiving the thanks of the Admiralty, for the part which he had taken in the capture.
Captain Aylmer, of the Tremendous, having been sent to England with the official account of this fortunate event, Rear-Admiral Pringle applied for Captain Brisbane to succeed him; and when that officer assumed the chief command on the Cape station, he removed him into l’Oiseau frigate, and sent him to cruise off the Rio de la Plata.
Whilst thus employed, Captain Brisbane fell in with two large Spanish frigates, one of them bearing a Commodore’s broad pendant. A severe engagement ensued; but, notwithstanding the disparity of force, l’Oiseau had the good fortune to beat off her opponents.
On his return to the Cape> Captain Brisbane was removed into the Dortrecht, and sent to St. Helena as convoy to some homeward bound Indiamen. While there, his fortitude and presence of mind were put to a severe test. Intelligence of the mutiny which had taken place in the Channel and North Sea fleets, having reached that island, his crew, inspired by the same mischievous spirit which had by this time diffused itself throughout the royal navy, rose upon their officers, and menaced them with general destruction. The utmost promptitude and vigour became necessary; and, seizing one
