WILLIAM KELLY (a), Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant in 1799; and promoted to the rank of commander, whilst serving as first of the Illustrious 74, Captain William Robert Broughton, Oct 21st, 1810. He died in 1824.
WILLIAM SLAUGHTER, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant on the 18th Sept. 1806; and distinguished himself whilst serving as third of the Amphion frigate, Captain William Hoste, at the capture and destruction of an enemy’s convoy, moored in a strong position under a battery of four 24 pounders, in sight of the Italian squadron at Venice. The official details of this “very gallant and well-conducted” enterprise will be found under the head of Captain Charles G. R. Phillott, in Suppl. Part IV. The service for which Mr. Slaughter was promoted to his present rank, Nov. 21st, 1810, is thus described in the London Gazette:–
“Amphion, Gulf of Trieste, June 29th, 1810.
“Sir,– A convoy of several vessels from Trieste were chased into the harbour of Grao by the boats of the Amphion yesterday morning, and the officer (Lieutenant Slaughter), on his return, reported that they were laden with naval stores for the arsenal at Venice. As the Italian Government are making great exertions at the present moment to fit out their marine at that port, the capture of this convoy became an object of importance; and I was the more induced to attempt it, as its protection (it was said) consisted only in twenty-five soldiers stationed at Grao, an open town in the Friule; the sequel will shew that we were deceived both as to the number of the garrison and the strength of the place; and if I should enter too much into detail in relating to you the circumstances attending its capture, I trust, Sir, you will consider it on my part as only an anxious desire to do justice to the gallant exertions of those who were employed on the occasion.
“The shoals of Grao prevent the near approach of shipping of burthen; the capture of the convoy therefore was necessarily confined to boat service, and I telegraphed to H.M. ships Cerberus and Active on the evening of the 28th, that their boats and marines should assemble alongside the Amphion by twelve o’clock that night. It fell calm in the early part of the even-