from which ship he removed at the commencement of the French revolutionary war, into the Courageux, 74, commanded hy the present Lord Radstock, with whom he proceeded to the Mediterranean, where he was employed in a variety of service, particularly at the attack made hy Commodore Linzee upon St. Fiorenzo[1], and in the batteries at Toulon.
We next find Mr. Bligh serving as first Lieutenant of the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Waldegrave, in which ship he continued for a period of two years, and bore a part in the memorable battle off Cape St. Vincent[2]; soon after which glorious event he was advanced to the rank of Commander, in the Kingfisher sloop of war, stationed off the coast of Portugal, where he captured le General, a French privateer, of 14 guns, pierced for 18, and 101 men. His post commission bears date April 25, 1797.
From this period, till May 1800, Captain Bligh commanded in succession, the Latona frigate; Romney, of 50 guns; and Agincourt, 64, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Waldegrave, on the Newfoundland station. In May, 1801, he was appointed to the Theseus, 74, forming part of the fleet off Ushant, under Admiral Cornwallis, with whom he served till Feb. 1802, when he sailed for Jamaica with a squadron of observation, commanded by the late Sir George Campbell.
On the 8th Sept. 1803, our officer, who ever since the renewal of hostilities had been actively employed in the blockade of Cape Francois, finding it impossible to prevent small vessels from supplying that place with provisions from the north side of St. Domingo, as long as the enemy remained in possession of Port Dauphin, resolved to make some efforts for the reduction of the latter, and the capture of a ship of war lying there. For this purpose he proceeded to Manchemel Bay, placed the Theseus within musket-shot of Fort Labouque, at the entrance of the harbour, and after cannonading it for
- ↑ See p. 250.
- ↑ In our memoir of Lord Radstock, at p. 62, we have given the copy of a letter which that officer received from Sir John Jervis, thanking him for his conduct in the battle with the Spanish fleet; we should have added, that he also received a note from the heroic Nelson, accompanied by the sword of the second Captain of the St. Nicholas, as a proof of his esteem for the noble manner in which he conducted himself.
