Captain Sayer subsequently commanded the Albicore sloop on the Jamaica station, where he remained but a short time, the Admiralty having confirmed his commission for rank only. In 1797, he was attached to the flotilla equipped for the purpose of acting against the mutinous ships at the Nore.
During the ensuing two years, and part of 1800, we find him commanding the Xenophon sloop of war, stationed in the North Sea. In 1799 he brought the notorious Irish rebel, Napper Tandy, and his principal associates, as state prisoners from Hamburgh to England. His next appointment was to the Inspector, of 16 guns, in which vessel he conveyed the present King of the Netherlands and suite from England to the continent. Captain Sayer’s zeal and activity in affording protection to the trade of his country was at length represented in the strongest manner by the members of the mercantile community to Earl Spencer, then presiding at the Admiralty, by whom he was advanced to post-rank on the 14th Feb. 1801.
The peace of Amiens took place soon after this promotion; and Captain Sayer, notwithstanding his applications for employment, was not again called into service till the latter end of 1804, when he obtained an appointment to the Proselyte of 28 guns. Early in the following year he sailed for the West Indies, with 150 merchant vessels and three regiments of infantry under his protection; and being fortunate enough to elude the vigilance of the celebrated Rochefort squadron, conducted the whole in safety to Barbadoes[1]; where he was presented with a complimentary address on the part of the different masters.
In July 1805, Captain Sayer was removed by an Admiralty order to the Galatea of 32 guns, in which frigate he assisted at the capture of the Danish islands[2], by Sir Alexander Cochrane and General Bowyer, in Dec. 1807. From this period till his departure for England, we find him entrusted with
- ↑ The Rochefort squadron consisted of five sail of the line, three frigates, and two brigs, commanded by Rear-Admiral Allemand, who having got scent of Captain Sayer’s departure from England, used every endeavour to intercept his valuable charge. We need not remind our naval readers of the great depredations committed by M. Allemand upon British commerce.
- ↑ See Vol. I, p. 263.
