riod was almost constantly employed in different ships till Nov. 1790, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in the Magnificent 74. His next appointment was to the Marlborough, another third rate, in which ship he lost an arm on the memorable 1st June, 1794[1].
As a Commander, the subject of this memoir served about five years in the Spitfire sloop of war, on the Channel station; and, among other prices, captured l’Allégrée, a French vessel laden with ammunition and other warlike stores; six privateers, carrying in the whole, 7 guns and 301 men; and a transport armed with 14 guns. His post commission bears date Aug. 11, 1800.
At length, after acting as Captain of several line-of-battle ships and frigates, our officer obtained the permanent command of the Amethyst, rated at 36, but mounting 42 guns, with a complement of 261 men and boys; in which ship, whilst cruising) near l’Orient, he fell in with, and after a long, sharply contested, and bloody action at close quarters, captured la Thetis, a French frigate of 44 guns and 436 men (including soldiers); of whom, according to Captain Seymour’s account, 136. were killed and 102 wounded. The Amethyst had 19 slain and 51 wounded. This brilliant exploit was performed in the night of Nov. 10, 1808.
His late Majesty was graciously pleased to signify his most gracious approbation of Captain Seymour’s distinguished conduct in the action with la Thetis, by presenting him with the naval gold medal: the Corporation of Cork and Limerick voted him the freedom of those cities; that of the former, to be delivered in a silver box; the latter, in a box made of oak, and ornamented with gold. He also received a piece of plate, value 100 guineas, from the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd’s[2].
On the 6th April, 1809, Captain Seymour captured le Niemen of 46 guns and 319 men. The enemy had 47 killed and 73 wounded: the Amethyst, of whose crew a Lieutenant
- ↑ See note †, at p. 15.
- ↑ La Thetis was bound to Martinique, and had on board 1000 barrels of flour, together with a quantity of other stores. A painting by Dodd, representing the action between her and the Amethyst, was exhibited at the Royal Academy, in 1809.
