modore that he will be pleased to continue him on the station. They will not cease to pray for the continuation of success to his Majesty’s arms.”
“To J. T. Duckworth, Esq., Commodore, &c. &c. &c.”
Our limits do not admit of the introduction of other documents, relative to the zeal invariably displayed by Captain Cooke in the furtherance of the public service. Such being the case, we must conclude this memoir by observing, that the subject thereof returned to England in Oct. 1797, since which period he has not been employed afloat.
On the renewal of the war, in 1803, Captain Cooke was appointed to the command of the Sea Fencibles between Calshot Castle and St. Alban’s Head. In May, 1804, he assumed the command of all the lighters, launches, &c. armed, in and about the Medway, for the purpose of encountering the formidable flotilla, of which even those who called themselves Britons, at that time stood so much in dread. His last public service was that of superintending the equipment of the gun-boats destined to accompany the Walcheren expedition[1]. The Sea Fencibles being disbanded early in 1810, our officer at that period, like many others, both then and now, wishing for active service, came on half-pay.
Captain Cooke, in consequence of the regulation, proscribing officers who had not commanded ships of the line since the peace of Amiens from becoming Flag-Officers, was superannuated with the rank of Rear-Admiral, June 20, 1814.
Mrs. Cooke died at Portchester, Feb. 26, 1822, aged 69 years.
Residence.– Tiverton, Devon.
JOHN DAWSON, Esq
[Superannuated Rear-Admiral.]
This officer was made a Post-Captain, April 3, 1796; and towards the conclusion of the revolutionary war, commanded the Diadem, troop-ship, from which he removed into the Asia of 64 guns, on the Baltic station. He was superannuated June 28, 1814. It is said of a gentleman of the same name, who commanded the Phäeton frigate, in 1787,
