opposition offered by a formidable chain of batteries, recently erected along the coast under the direction of French engineers, and a tremendous fire from the castles on each side, every ship was in safety outside the Dardanelles, by noon on the 3d. The Standard, in passing Sestos, received a stone shot six feet two inches in circumference, and weighing 800 pounds. It entered her lower-deck, and having set fire to the salt-boxes containing the powder for immediate use, caused an explosion which wounded many of her crew; several others jumped overboard on hearing the alarm of “Fire!” and were never more heard of. Fortunately, by great exertions, the flames were subdued. The total loss sustained by her from the 19th Feb., was 4 men killed, 4 missing, and 55 wounded[1].
Subsequent to this event Captain Harvey accompanied Sir John T. Duckworth to the coast of Egypt, and arrived there two or three days after the surrender of Alexandria to the British arms[2]. Early in 1808, we find him stationed in the Adriatic, where he took several prizes, and assisted at the capture of the Friedland, an Italian brig of war, mounting 16 long 12-pounders, and several other armed vessels. Towards the latter end of the same year, he escorted a fleet of merchantmen to England.
Captain Harvey’s next appointment was, in 1809, to the Majestic, 74; and during the ensuing summer, he was stationed in the Belt, to protect the valuable convoys going to and returning from the Baltic. At the end of the season, the approbation of the Board of Admiralty was conveyed to him, through Sir Manley Dixon, accompanied by the thanks of that officer and the Commander-in-Chief, for his activity and zeal while on that important and harassing service.
The Majestic being found defective, was paid off in 1810. Captain Harvey afterwards commanded the Sceptre and
- ↑ At p. 319 will be found a copy of the letter of thanks addressed by Sir J. T. Duckworth to the officers and men of the squadron under his command. In his official letter to Lord Collingwood, we find the name of each of the Captains[errata 1] mentioned in terms of high approbation.
- ↑ See p. 482.
- ↑ Correction: the name of each of the Captains should be amended to the names of several Captains
