hour and a half with the Drift and Alkmaar ships of the line, and compelled them both to surrender. The latter was taken in tow immediately after the action, and notwithstanding the heavy gale that ensued, Captain Walker did not quit her till after an anxious period of five days, when he had the satisfaction of anchoring her safely in Yarmouth Roads.
For his gallant conduct in the battle off Camperdown, our officer was immediately confirmed in the rank of Post-Captain, and the command of the Monmouth, whose loss on that glorious occasion was 5 men, including a Lieutenant, killed, and 22 wounded. He was also honored with the naval gold medal, and the thanks of Parliament.
On the 19th Dec. following, Captain Walker assisted at the ceremony of depositing the colours taken from the enemy by Lords Howe, St. Vincent, Duncan, &c, in the Cathedral of St. Paul’s[1]. He subsequently commanded in succession, the Veteran, 64; Braakel, 56; Prince George, 98; Prince, of the same force, and Isis, of 50 guns.
The Isis formed part of Lord Nelson’s division in the sanguinary battle off Copenhagen, April 2, 1801[2], and was most warmly engaged for four hours and a half with two of the enemy’s heaviest block-ships, moored about two cables’ length from each other, and a battery of 14 guns and 2 howitzers in the interval between them, at the distance of about three cables’ length. The loss she sustained, considering the smallness of her crew, was immense. It amounted to no less than 9 officers and 103 men killed and wounded.
In the ensuing summer, Captain Walker obtained the command of the Tartar frigate, and was ordered to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to the Jamaica station, where he received a commission from the Admiralty, appointing him to the Vanguard, 74. On the renewal of hostilities in 1803, we find him employed in the blockade of St. Domingo. While on that service, in company with a squadron, under the orders of Captain Loring, he captured the Creole frigate, of 44 guns, having on board the French General Morgan and 530 troops, bound to Port-au-Prince; and the Duquesne, 74, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Kerrangel. The latter vessel
