Royal Naval Biography/Cunningham, Alexander
ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]
Was first Lieutenant of the Hero 74, Captain the Hon. Alan Hyde Gardner, at the capture of four French line-of-battle ships, by the squadron under Sir Richard J. Strachan, Nov. 4, 1805[1]. He obtained the rank of commander Dec. 24 following; and was appointed to the Bermuda brig, of 10 guns, in Jan. 1809. The following is a copy of his official letter to Rear-Admiral Foley, reporting the recapture of the Apelles brig, May 4, 1812:–
“By a telegraphic communication from the Castilian, on the afternoon of the 3d, at Dungeness, learned that H.M. sloops Skylark and Apelles” (Captains James Boxer and Frederick Hoffman) “were on shore to the westward of Boulogne; and as the, fate of the Apelles was, in particular, extremely uncertain, I weighed, with the Rinaldo” (Captain Sir William George Parker) “in company, steering towards the French coast, in the hope of rendering her some assistance. At day-break we observed the Rinaldo in chase of the Apelles, which had been got afloat about 6 miles to the eastward of Etaples, and was under jury-sails, the enemy navigating her along shore. About 9 a.m. we both came up, and drove her on shore with a few broadsides, under a battery about 3 miles to the eastward of that place. As the tide was falling, I discontinued the attack in consequence of the advantage the enemy would have in planting his field-pieces and small-arm men close to her at low water mark.
“The Castilian and Phipps” (Captains David Braimer and Thomas Wells) “joined before the tide served to recommence our operations, and, with this addition to our force, at about 2-30 p.m., I renewed the attack, leading in close under the battery, with the wind N.E. by N., the other sloops following; and, as they came up, giving their broadsides, by which the enemy’s troops, embarked in the Apelles, were soon driven out. The boats of the squadron, as had been previously arranged, were then immediately sent in under the command of my first Lieutenant, Saunders, who most gallantly boarded her, and though, for a considerable time, exposed to a galling fire of shot and shells from the battery, and a collection of field-pieces, she was got afloat, and brought out in safety about 4 o’clock, during which time the sloops used their utmost endeavours to cover the boats, and prevent, as much as possible, further annoyance from the enemy.
“I feel greatly indebted to Captains Braimer, Wells, and Sir W. Parker, their officers and men, particularly those employed in the boats. I am happy to add an acknowledgment of the merits of my own officers and crew, particularly of Lieutenant Thomas Saunders and the volunteers acting under him in the boats, who gallantly undertook the service, when the advantageous situation of the enemy led me to expect a much more sanguinary result.
“The loss of the enemy it has been impossible for me to determine; but, I am happy to state, that the service has been performed without even a wound on our part, though at the commencement of the attack, the Apelles was full of troops, and the defence from the shore obstinately maintained. I trust this circumstance will not only bespeak our extremely good fortune, but prove more strongly than I can express, that the plan of attack was well laid, and judiciously executed, by the officers and men under my orders.
“The boats gave the soldiers so little time to escape, that 4 were left on hoard, calling themselves part of the King of Rome’s body-guard, and bearing the insignia of their corps. We found the Apelles much cut up from our fire, and she afterwards sustained great damage from the enemy; she has 7 guns and most of her stores and provisions remaining on board. The Skylark was completely destroyed, lying some distance to the eastward, still smoking. I have great satisfaction in stating, that the crews of both vessels escaped in their boats, with the exception of Captain Hoffman and 19 of his people.”
Rear-Admiral Foley, when transmitting this report to the Admiralty, informed their lordships that Captain Cunningham had “always shewn himself a brave, zealous, and active officer.” His post commission bears date Aug. 12, 1812.
Agents.– Messrs. Goode and Clarke.