to come home, in la Melpomene prize-frigate, for the recovery of his health. We next find him serving on board the Minotaur 74, bearing the flag of his early patron, Vice-Admiral Macbride, and attached to the Channel fleet. He subsequently returned to the Mediterranean, in the Blonde 32, Captain William Pierrepont; taking with him a strong recommendation to Vice-Admiral Hotham, by whom he was received on board the Britannia 110, early in 1795.
On the arrival of Sir John Jervis, to assume the chief command in that important quarter, Mr. Compton was removed by him into his flag-ship, the Victory, where he continued until appointed a lieutenant of the Agamemnon 64, commanded by the heroic Nelson, in Jan. 1796. On the 25th April following, he displayed great gallantry in a successful attack upon four French vessels, lying under the batteries of Loäno, near Voltri, on the coast of Italy; and on the 31st May, he again distinguished himself at the capture of two national vessels and five transports, the latter laden with battering cannon, &c. for the siege of Mantua[1].
Shortly after the performance of this important service, Commodore Nelson, then in the Captain 74, to which ship Lieutenant Compton and many other of the Agamemnon’s officers had also removed, was about to enter the harbour of Genoa, from whence he had sailed in pursuit of the enemy’s convoy; but to his great surprise, when near the mole-head, he was fired upon by all the sea-batteries. The Captain and the other ships of Nelson’s little squadron, were instantly cleared for action, and the unexpected warlike salute returned with considerable effect. In the midst of the firing. Lieutenant Compton received a message to attend the Commodore, whom he found in his cabin, deliberately writing a letter of remonstrance to the Doge, against what he considered such an unjust attack. “Be seated until my letter is ready,” said the hero, “and in the mean time a boat shall be hoisted out.” The despatch was soon sealed and handed to Lieutenant
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 566, and Vol. I. Part II. p. 519.
