Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/282

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
commanders.
265

fleet; and he appears to have continued as first of that fine ship until his advancement to the rank of commander, May 22d, 1797. During the remainder of the French revolutionary war, the whole of the gun-vessels employed in protecting the Irish coast were under his command.

Captain M‘Gwire’s next appointment was, on the renewal of hostilities in 1803, to the Sea-Fencible service in Ireland, between Cork Head and Youghall; and after the breaking up of that establishment, in 1810, he superintended the impress service at Waterford, for a period of four years.

This much-neglected officer’s eldest son, a fine youth, died of the yellow fever at Jamaica, whilst serving as midshipman of the Ferret sloop, commanded by his maternal uncle, the present Captain William Hobson. He has still four children surviving; and we are informed that two of his brothers are in the church.



HENRY CAREW, Esq.
[Commander.]

Was first lieutenant of the Repulse 64, Captain James Alms, previous to the mutiny in the North Sea fleet; and obtained the rank of commander for his meritorious conduct on that trying occasion. The following is the substance of an official letter which he addressed to the above officer on surrendering to him the command of the Repulse, after having succeeded in escaping with her from the rebellious fleet at the Nore, to Sheerness harbour; dated June 9th, 1797:–

“Sir, – It is with much satisfaction I inform you, that a plan I this day laid, in conjunction with the other lieutenants, the master, purser, marine officer, boatswain, all the gentlemen of the quarter-deck, and the loyal part of the ship’s company, for the purpose of regaining the command of the Repulse, has fully succeeded.

“I did not intend to carry this plan into effect until 11 p.m.; but the Leopard was no sooner perceived under weigh, than our party took fire thereat, caught the moment, and carried our point: unfortunately, however, it happened to be low water; and the ship, soon after getting under sail, took the ground, remaining immovable for nearly two hours, under a heavy fire from the Monmouth, Director, Grampus, and Ranger. I am sorry to state, that the second lieutenant, George Augustus Delanoe, lost