Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/111

guarda-costas. La Fortunée, the schooner, and a boat commanded by Lieutenant Travers, were immediately sent in pursuit, and succeeded in capturing the gun-vessels and twenty others, deeply laden with sugar, &c.^[1]

On the 3d Dec. following, this active officer was appointed to the Alcmene frigate, at the particular request of her captain, the late Sir James Brisbane; under whom he assisted in capturing le Courier French privateer, and several other vessels, on the Irish station. Subsequently, while serving under Captain W. H. B. Tremlett, we find him commanding the boats of the same ship in numerous successful attacks upon the enemy’s coasting trade between Isle Dieu and Cape Finisterre^[2].

In April 1809, the Alcmene, while chasing an enemy, struck upon a reef of rocks near the river Loire, and filled so fast that nothing could be saved. Immediately after the usual public investigation, Lieutenant Travers was applied for by Lord Cochrane, and accordingly appointed to the Imperieuse frigate, in which he sailed for Walcheren, under acting Captain Thomas Garth. The high opinion entertained of his conduct, whilst commanding a detachment of seamen, with two field-pieces, attached to the first division of Earl Chatham’s army, during the operations against Flushing, will be seen by the following testimonials:

H.M. Sloop Harpy, below Lillo, 22d Aug. 1809.

“Dear Travers, – You quitted East Zouberg in such haste, that I had not the pleasure of shaking you hy the hand: that day an invitation was sent you from Major-General M‘Leod, of the royal artillery, to dine. Whether you know it or not, I am not certain; however, I think it but justice to inform you, that not only the General, but all ranks and degrees of officers who had the opportunity of witnessing your activity, gallantry, and meritorious conduct as an officer, during the time we were before Flushing, expressed themselves in the highest terms of praise and admiration: and, as every officer feels some degree of satisfaction from the approbation of those he is immediately serving under, I beg to add to the general applause above alluded to, the warmest approbation and testimony of the whole of your conduct during the time we had the pleasure of serv-

1. See Vol. II. Part I. p. 331, et seq.
2. See Vol. II. Part II. p. 714, et seq.