distinguished himself at the memorable attack upon Algiers, in the autumn of 1816[1]. The Superb on that glorious occasion had 92 men killed and wounded; among the latter was her commander, who for his gallantry has since been rewarded with the insignia of a C.B. and K.W.N. of the third class. The latter entitles its possessor to the appellation of Chevalier in the kingdom of the Netherlands. His advancement to the rank of Rear-Admiral took place Aug. 12, 1819. Previous to that event he had occasionally hoisted a broad pendant as senior officer at Plymouth during the absence of Viscount Exmouth, the naval Commander-in-Chief on that station[2].
We understand that Rear-Admiral Ekins has been for a very considerable time employed upon a Tactical Consideration of our principal Sea-fights between 1744 and 1807, to which it is his intention to add, Remarks upon the celebrated Essay of Clerk of Eldin. Such a work, coming from an officer whose abilities are so well known and highly appreciated, will no doubt meet with a favorable reception from the public in general, and the naval profession in particular.
Residence.– Stonehouse, near Plymouth, Devon.
BENJAMIN WILLIAM PAGE, Esq
Rear-Admiral of the Blue.
This officer was born at Ipswich, co. Suffolk, in 1765; entered the naval service under the protection of Sir Edward Hughes (an intimate friend of his father), as a Midshipman,
- ↑ See p. 225, et seq.
- ↑ Soon after the Superb’s return to England from the Algerine expedition, the junior officers of that ship presented Captain Ekins with a handsome gold snuff-box, suitably inscribed, as a mark of their esteem and respect for his conduct on the day of the battle. In return for the compliment, Captain Ekins addressed to them a very handsome letter, in which he states, that if his conduct on the 27th Aug. 1816, met with their approval, he could ascribe it only to a firm reliance on the Almighty will, and perfect confidence in the steadiness, bravery, and perseverance of those he commanded, of whom the junior officers of the Superb, as they bore a large and very conspicuous part in all the dangers and fatigues of that day, may ever claim his sincere and grateful acknowledgments.
