This accident took place at two A.M. Aug. 10; and on the 27th Nov. following, Captain M‘Kinley was tried by a court-martial, and fully acquitted of all blame on the occasion. His unremitting endeavours to get the Lively afloat during a period of eight weeks, were also duly noticed by the Court; but one of his Lieutenants, the Hon. A. F. Berkeley, was censured for not acquainting him when the ship was discovered to be in danger; and Mr. Richards, the Master, dismissed from that station, and sentenced to serve for two years in an inferior capacity, for having brought the frigate to, with her head in-shore[1].
Captain M‘Kinley’s next appointment was, in April 1811, to the San Josef, a first rate, bearing the flag of Sir Charles Cotton, with whom he served on the Mediterranean station and in the Channel fleet, till the death of that worthy officer, Feb. 23, 1812[2].
In May 1812, Captain M‘Kinley was appointed to the Bellona 74, forming part of the North Sea fleet, under the orders of Admiral William Young. After cruising for some time off the Scheldt, he was ordered to St. Helena, from whence he returned in May, 1813. During the remainder of the war we find him employed in the blockade of Cherbourg, and on other services pertaining to the Channel fleet. He subsequently commanded the Namur and Bulwark third rates, bearing the flag of Sir Charles Rowley, commander-in-
- ↑ Rear-Admiral Boyles was a passenger on board the Lively at the time of the above disaster.
- ↑ Nothing could well furnish a stronger testimony of the sincere and cordial respect generally entertained for the character of Sir Charles Cotton, than the subjoined affectionate address of condolence presented to his amiable relict, from the officers of the San Josef:
“The officers of H.M.S. San Josef, deeply lamenting the loss of their very highly esteemed commander and patron, beg leave to offer their most sincere sentiments of condolence to Lady Cotton, on an occasion so truly mournful and afflicting. After a long and uniform experience of every indulgent favour, and the most humane and generous attention to their several comforts and washes, they cannot but conceive it a duty peculiarly incumbent on them, at this melancholy crisis, to entreat that Lady Cotton would condescend to accept this tribute of unfeigned respect and affectionate regard for the memory of their late exemplary and honorable Admiral, the faithful friend of his Sovereign, and warm supporter of the first rights and most essential interests of his Country.”
