On her arrival in England, Lieutenant Stow obtained leave of absence, and the charge of the vessel devolved upon Mr. Woollnough, for a period of two months. His active and officer-like conduct during the time that she was refitting did not escape the notice of Sir Roger Curtis, then commander-in-chief at that port, who kindly asked him what his prospects were, and what he intended to do? Mr. Woollnough frankly replied, that he had no one to whom he had any reason to look for patronage, and that he must rely on his own exertions. “Why then,” said the gallant veteran, “do you not go and wait on Mr. Yorke (First Lord of the Admiralty), and lay your services before him?” Mr. Woollnough thanked him for the friendly hint, and requested his permission to visit London for that purpose. “No,” said Sir Roger, “I cannot give you leave to go to London, but I will allow you to be absent from your duty for twenty-four hours, and you may go where you like.”
Mr. Woollnough was received by Mr. Yorke in the most gentlemanly manner; his services were considered by him as a sufficient claim to promotion; but he was told, that he must go abroad, as no officer, “except for immediate and particular service,” would be promoted at home. Accordingly, a few days after he had re-joined the Steady, an order was received for him to proceed to Halifax, on promotion; but as the Steady was about to sail for the Mediterranean, he requested permission to remain in her, and that his name might be transferred to the list of recommended candidates on that station: this was unhesitatingly acceded to.
On the 26th Sept. 1810, the Steady arrived at Gibraltar, in company with the Undaunted frigate and Mediterranean trade. On the 28th, Mr. Woollnough received an order from Commodore Penrose to act as lieutenant of that fine ship, then about to sail for Malta, where he was unfortunately obliged to leave her in consequence of severe illness. From thence he proceeded, in the Bustard sloop, to join the fleet under Sir Charles Cotton; and on his arrival at Port Mahon, found himself promoted into the Leviathan 74, commanded by his friend Captain John Harvey, and then re-
