Royal Naval Biography/Inglis, Charles
CHARLES INGLIS, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1802.]
This officer was first Lieutenant of the Jason frigate, commanded by the present Vice-Admiral Stirling, and greatly distinguished himself in the action with la Seine, of 42 guns and 610 men, as will be seen by the following extract from his Captain’s official letter to Admiral Lord Bridport, dated July 2, 1798:
“In the early part of the battle I had the mortification to be wounded, and was obliged to leave the deck; but my misfortune is palliated by the reflection that the service did not suffer by my absence, for no man could have filled my place with more credit to himself, and benefit to the state, than my first Lieutenant, Mr. Charles Inglis, whom I beg leave to recommend in the strongest manner for his bravery, skill, and great exertions[1].”
We next find Lieutenant Inglis serving in the Penelope frigate, under the command of Captain (now Sir Henry) Blackwood, at the capture of le Guillaume Tell, a French 80-gun ship, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Decrès[2], on which occasion he received the following letter from his friend Lord Nelson:
“My dear Sir, How fortunate I did not permit you to quit the Penelope, to be a junior Lieutenant in the Foudroyant. You will now get your promotion, in the pleasantest of all ways, by the gallant exertions of yourself and those brave friends who surrounded you on that glorious night. What a triumph for you what a pleasure to me! What happiness to have the Nile fleet all taken under my orders and regulations! Blackwood’s coming to me at Malta, and my keeping him there, was something more than chance. Ever, my dear Sir, believe me your truly sincere friend,
(Signed)“Nelson and Bronte.”
“To Lieut. Inglis, Gme. Tell, Syracuse.”
The subject of this memoir was subsequently made a Commander, and appointed to the Peterel sloop of war, which vessel he joined at Rhodes, in Oct. 1800. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802. His services during the greater part of the late war are identified with those of Admiral Sir George Martin, whose flag ship he at present commands[3].
Agents.– Messrs Goode and Clarke.
- ↑ For an account of the action see Vol. I, p. 403..
- ↑ See id. p. 643.
- ↑ Sir George Martin succeeded Sir James Hawkins Whitshed as Commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, in Feb. 1824. His flag is on board the Victory of 104 guns.