Royal Naval Biography/Lloyd, Edward
EDWARD LLOYD, Esq.
Fellow of the Royal Society.
[Post-Captain of 1821.]
This officer entered the navy, 1798, as midshipman on board the Dictator 64, then in attendance upon his late Majesty, at Weymouth; but afterwards employed in conveying troops to and from Ireland, and bringing Russian soldiers from Revel, to co-operate with the British forces in Holland[1]. She was subsequently attached to a secret expedition, under Lieutenant-General Sir James Pulteney and Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, whom she joined just after the termination of the Ferrol affair, in August 1800[2]. On the 30th of that month, Mr. Lloyd assisted in towing out from under the batteries of Redondella, in Vigo Bay, where she had been most gallantly boarded and carried by a division of boats, under Lieutenant Henry Burke, of the Renown, la Guipe French ship privateer, of 18 long 9-pounders and 161 men.
We next find the Dictator forming part of the force under Lord Keith, when that officer, in conjunction with Sir Ralph Abercromby, made arrangements for attacking Cadiz, but yielded to the eloquent and manly pleading of the governor, Don Thomas de Morla, in favor of the unfortunate inhabitants, thousands of whom were afflicted with an epidemic disease, which in the extent of its ravages was as fatal as the plague.
After this demonstration before Cadiz, the Dictator, with part of the Coldstream regiment of foot-guards on board, accompanied the grand expedition to Marmorice, in Asia Minor, where, being employed in various duties on shore, Mr. Lloyd was frequently invited to breakfast with the Turkish Aga, on which occasions he took care to have his boat’s crew constantly near at hand, and armed with stretchers. He was also entrusted with the command of a boat, at the debarkation in Aboukir bay, March 8th, 1801; when many a fine fellow breathed his last while cheering for his country’s glory[3]! Among the slain, on that ever memorable occasion, was his young friend. Ensign Warren, of the above corps, only son of Sir John B. Warren, whose remains he helped to inter, near the beach, under a solitary date tree. Subsequent to the battles of the 13th and 21st March, both of which were witnessed by him[4], he commanded an armed djerm on the river Nile, employed in keeping up a communication between Rosetta and the Anglo-Turkish shipping. While on this service, he appears to have had charge of Madame Menou, who was going to join her husband, the French Commander-in-chief, then at Alexandria. The operations of the combined flotilla, during the advance upon Grand Cairo, have been described in our memoir of Captain Richard Curry.
Having obtained possession of the Egyptian capital, the attention of the British chiefs was next directed to Alexandria, which place then contained within its walls, and in its harbour, all that remained of the mighty force which had arrived from Toulon, under Napoleon Buonaparte, in the year 1798. The measures adopted, their successful result, and the prominent part borne by the flotilla, to which Mr. Lloyd was constantly attached, will be seen by the following extracts of the official reports:–
Admiral Lord Keith, K.B. to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
dated August 27th, 1801.
“My letter, of the 5th instant acquainted you, for the information of their lordships, that the embarkation of General Belliard’s corps was carrying into execution with all possible despatch; but, on account of the difficulty of getting forward the immense quantity of baggage that they brought with them from Cairo, the operation was protracted till the 8th. The ships of war, as well as the transports, however, were directed to proceed in divisions, carrying with them between 13,000 and 14,000 individuals of nil descriptions.
“The army from Cairo moved on forthwith to the camp before Alexandria; and Lieutenant-General Hutchinson resolved on transporting by the lake Mareotis, to the westward of Alexandria, a corps of about 5,000 men, under the orders of Major-General Coote, to divide the enemy’s (one and attention, to invest the town closely on that side, and to cut off all farther hope of reinforcement or supplies by land. On the 12th, I proceeded to examine the enemy’s position on the side of the lake, and the strength of the flotilla that they had assembled there; and having ascertained that their armed force could be easily subdued, and that a debarkation could be effected with little or no difficulty, the General determined to carry the measure into immediate effect. To secure the landing from interruption. Captain Stevenson, who is continued in command of the flotilla, was forthwith directed to take a station in front of the gun-boats which the enemy had assembled on the lake, and drawn up in a line under the protection of batteries erected for their defence, to keep them in check till they could be seized or destroyed. On the evening of the 16th, the boats of the ships of war and transports were assembled in the Mareotis, with as many djerms as could be collected from the Nile, for the purpose of receiving the troops, who were embarked in the night, and landed with little or no opposition the next morning, under the superintendence of Captain Elphinstone: the enemy seeing no prospect left of saving their armed boats, set Are to them, and they all blew up in the course of this and the following day, except two or three which have fallen into our hands. In the night of the 17th, Major-general Coote was enabled to establish batteries against Marabout, a small fortified island that protects the entrance into the great harbour, on the western side, and distant from the town about seven or eight miles, which, for many reasons, it was important to possess. Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, having the command of the squadron blockading the port, directed armed launches from the ships to co-operate with the troops, and the French garrison, consisting of near 200 men, unequal to farther resistance, surrendered as prisoners of war on the evening of the 21st.
On the morning of the 22nd, Major-General Coote’s detachment moved forward four or five miles on the narrow isthmus leading to the town, formed by the Mareotis or inundation on the south side, and the harbour on the north; Captain Stevenson, with the gun-vessels on the lake, covering the right flank; and Captain Cochrane, with the sloops of war and armed boats, protecting the left.[5] The position which the Major-General took up, and that occupied by our little squadron, completed the blockade of the town[6] * * * * * * * General Menou, finding himself closely pressed on the eastern side of the town by the commander-in-chief, who had carried some important redoubts, and established strong batteries against the enemy’s entrenched lines; and on the western side by General Coote, who had, during the preceding night, driven in several of their out-posts, and advanced close up to an important position which they seemed conscious of being unable to defend; sent out, on the evening of the 26th, proposals for an armistice of three days, to arrange terms of capitulation, which I have no doubt will soon terminate in the surrender of the town.”
Lieutenant-General Hutchinson to Lord Hobart, one of the Principal Secretaries of State, dated Sept. 5th, 1801.
“The forts and town of Alexandria have surrendered to his Majesty’s troops, who, on the 2nd instant, took possession of the entrenched camp, the heights above Pompey’s Pillar, &c. &c. By the capitulation, the garrison are to be embarked for France, in the course of ten days, provided the shipping is in a state of preparation to receive them. * * * * * The exertions of individuals have been splendid and meritorious. I regret that the bounds of a despatch will not allow me to specify the whole, or to mention the name of every person who has distinguished himself in this arduous and important service. * * * * Great perseverance and exertions were required to get up heavy guns through a difficult and almost impracticable country. The labour and fatigue of the navy have been continued and excessive. I have every reason to be satisfied with the zeal and conduct of Captain Stevenson; the crews of the gun-boats displayed great gallantry, under his guidance, in the new inundation; and much approbation is also due to the naval officers who acted under his orders.”
Mr. Lloyd received a severe contusion whilst he was reconnoitring the enemy’s positions from the mast-head of his djerm, at the commencement of those operations; hut his anxious zeal for the service would not allow him to attend to it until all the guns were conveyed up Lake Mareotis, transported across the isthmus, and placed in battery against Fort Marabout. The pain he then suffered was so great as to oblige him to return on board the Dictator, which ship soon afterwards proceeded to Cyprus, with convalescents, for supplies and refreshments. She was put out of commission in March 1802; and a few weeks afterwards, Mr. Lloyd was again paid off, from the Hermes sloop of war.
Addendum from Supplement Part 4 p. 457: On rejoining the fleet under Lord Keith, Mr. Lloyd, though still unwell, and much troubled with ophthalmia, requested and obtained permission to share in the active detached services incidental to officers of his class, until the surrender of Alexandria, when the guards re-embarked, and the Dictator returned with them to England.
This officer next served on board the Leda frigate, commanded for a short time by his first naval friend, Captain Hardy, and subsequently by Captain Robert Honyman, who not only continued him in his rating as master’s-mate, but gave him charge of a watch as lieutenant, which he retained until his removal to the Diadem, 64, on promotion.
After the renewal of hostilities in 1803, the Leda bore the flag of Rear-Admiral (now Sir Edward) Thornbrough, and was employed for some time in the North Sea, chiefly cruising off Goree, on which station she detained several homeward bound Dutch West Indiamen, and cut out and destroyed numerous vessels and boats, many of them intended to join the invasion flotilla at Boulogne. She was afterwards employed in watching the movements of the enemy at the latter place, and Mr. Lloyd appears to have been a constant volunteer in frequent nightly excursions along the coast, for the purpose of intercepting their armed craft proceeding to the same general rendezvous from the eastward. He also bore a part in several warm skirmishes with the land batteries, and particularly distinguished himself under Lieutenant Neil M‘Lean, in a most gallant but unsuccessful attempt to cut out a mortar-vessel, in the night of July 29th, 1804. This enterprise is thus described by one of the Leda’s officers;–
“Lieutenant M‘Lean, during the short time he belonged to the Leda, had, from his great anxiety to perform some exploit worthy of notice, been inshore with two boats every night that the weather permitted ; but the vigilance of the enemy had hitherto rendered his efforts fruitless. On the 29th July, he received a letter informing him that he was made a commander; but the whole of the Boulogne flotilla being then outside that harbour, he again requested Captain Honyman to let him have the same boats, and, together with his usual night companions, Mr. Lloyd (commanding one of the boats) Messrs. Lamont, Stewart, and Crawford, midshipmen, made for the weathermost vessel of the enemy’s outer line, moored near a battery to windward of the pier, full of troops (apparently dragoons), and in every way prepared for defence. The Frenchmen gave their qui vive before the boats could reach the vessel’s bows, and made considerable resistance after her boarding nettings were cut through, and the assailants had got on her deck, but were overpowered, notwithstanding their superiority in number, and the great advantage of their long and heavy sabres over the very short and light cutlasses then used in the British navy. Her deck being cleared, and cables cut, the prize was immediately taken in tow; but to the extreme mortification of the gallant captors, she was quickly hauled back between two larger vessels, by means of a chain or hawser fastened to her keel. Repeated vollies of musketry were now poured into her, and she was soon boarded on both quarters, by an overwhelming force. Lieutenant M‘Lean made a most heroic resistance, received several severe wounds, and at length fell, sword in hand, cheering on his gallant associates to the very last moment. Mr. John Lamont and several men were likewise killed; and only 14 out of 38 persons succeeded in effecting their escape: even some of these, including Mr. Lloyd, were wounded.”
The enemy marked their sense of the extraordinary boldness of this attack, by interring the remains of Messrs. M‘Lean and Lamont with military honors; and the managers of the Patriotic Fund evinced their admiration of the same, by voting Mr. Lloyd a pecuniary reward, to which was added an honorary testimonial, it not being in the power of the committee to grant him a sword instead of the donation, as he had particularly requested. Captain Honyman’s official letter was never made public.
On the 24th April, 1805, Mr. Lloyd assisted at the capture of seven schuyts, from Dunkirk, bound to Ambleteuse, armed with eighteen guns and one howitzer, and having on board 168 men, exclusive of officers. About the same period he volunteered his services in a “catamaran” expedition, and placed one of the explosion machines precisely as directed: the peg is still in his possession. Some other services in which he was a participator, have been noticed at p. 127 et seq. of Vol. II. Part I.
In the ensuing summer, this officer was strongly recommended by Admiral Sir John Colpoys to the commander-in-Chief on the Jamaica station; but, although certain of promotion if he proceeded thither, he declined, in consequence of the Leda being ordered to join a secret expedition, preparing for the reduction of the Cape of Good Hope. By his careful look-out and timely exertions, as officer of the middle watch, that fine frigate was saved from destruction, Nov. 1, 1805, when the King George transport and Britannia East Indiaman were both totally lost, in consequence of striking on the Roccas, near Fernando Norunha, about four degrees south of the equator. The particulars of her escape and their destruction are given in the Naval Chronicle, Vol. 23rd, pp. 483-485.
During the operations against the Dutch force at the Cape of Good Hope, in Jan. 1806, Mr. Lloyd served as a volunteer on shore, and was employed in bringing forward the field-pieces and howitzer belonging to the division of the army that first effected a landing, under Brigadier-General (now Sir Ronald) Ferguson, whose movements are thus detailed by the military commander-in-chief.
“The whole shore of Lospards’ bay had been very closely inspected by the Brigadier, and, by his spirited exertions and example, our efforts to land were at length crowned with success, though a confined and intricate channel, and a tremendous surf, opposed the passage of the troops.
“The enemy had scattered a party of sharp-shooters over the contiguous heights,” (also in the brushwood near the beach) “and commanded the landing; but the casualties of this service arose principally from natural difficulties; and it is with the deepest concern I have the honor to state, that we lost one drummer and thirty-five rank and file of the 93d regiment by the oversetting of an Indiaman’s boat, notwithstanding every possible effort to rescue these unfortunate men.[7]
“The remainder of the troops could only be brought on shore on the succeeding day, when the extraordinary obstacles to all intercourse with the fleet, which nothing but the courage and perseverance of British seamen could surmount, barely enabled us to obtain the indispensible supplies of water and provisions for immediate subsistence.
“On the morning of the 8th the army, consisting of the 24th, 39th, 7lst, 72d, 83d, and 93d regiments, about four thousand strong, was formed into two brigades, with two howitzers and six light field-pieces, and moved off towards the road which leads to Cape-Town; and having ascended the summit of the Blaw-Berg, or Blue Mountains, and dislodged the enemy’s light troops, I discovered their main body, drawn up in two lines, prepared to receive us, and even in motion to anticipate our approach.
“The enemy’s force[8] apparently consisted of about five thousand men, the greater proportion of which was cavalry, and twenty-three pieces of cannon, yoked to horses, the disposition of which, and the nature of the ground occupied by the enemy’s troops, made it evident that they intended to reserve their right wing, and with their left attempt to turn our right flank; but to frustrate their design, I formed the army into two columns, the second under Brigadier General Ferguson keeping the road, whilst the first struck to the right, and took the defile of the mountains Having accomplished my purpose, our line was formed with equal celerity and order; and the left wing, composed of the Highland brigade, was thrown forward, and advanced with the steadiest step, (accompanied by the seamen, field-pieces, and howitzer,) under a heavy fire of round shot, grape and musketry. Nothing could surpass or resist the determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader, Brigadier-General Ferguson, and the number of the enemy, who swarmed the plain, served only to augment their ardour and confirm their discipline. The enemy received our fire, and maintained his position obstinately; but in the moment of charging, the valour of British troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate retreat.
“The first brigade, composed of the 24th, 59th, and 83d regiments, and commanded in the absence of Brigadier-General Beresford, by Lieutenant-Colonel Baird, was unavoidably precluded, by their situation, from any considerable participation in the triumph of the British arms, though the flank companies of the 24th had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in dislodging a number of horse and riflemen from the heights on our right flank. This brilliant achievement however was clouded by the loss of Captain Foster, of the grenadiers, whose gallantry is best recorded in the bosoms of his brother soldiers, and the universal regret of the army.[9]
“It is utterly impossible to convey an adequate idea of the obstacles which opposed the advance, and retarded the success of our army; but it is my duty to state, that the nature of the country – a deep, heavy, and arid land, covered with shrubs, scarcely pervious to light bodies of infantry; and above all, the total privation of water under the effects of a burning sun, had nearly exhausted our gallant fellows in the moment of victory, and with the utmost difficulty were we able to reach the Reit Valley, where we took our position for the night. A considerable portion of the provisions and necessaries with which we started, had been lost during the action, and we occupied our ground under an apprehension that even the great exertions of Sir Home Popham and the navy could not relieve us from starvation.
“On every occasion where it has been found necessary to call for the co-operation of British seamen in land enterprises, their valour has been so conspicuous, and their spirit of labour and perseverance so unconquerable, that no tribute of my applause can add a lustre to their character; but I discharge a most agreeable portion of my duty in reporting that on the recent employment of their services, they have maintained their reputation: and in this place it behoves me to declare, that the uniform good conduct of those gallant fellows, and the zeal of Captain George Byng[10], who commanded them, together with that of every subordinate officer, have merited my fullest approbation.
“The loss of the enemy in this engagement is reputed to exceed 700 men in killed and wounded; and it is with the most sensible gratification that I contrast it with the return of our casualties[11].
“On the morning of the 9th, recruited by such supplies as the unwearied diligence and efforts of the navy could throw on shore, we prosecuted our march towards Cape Town, and took up a position south of Salt River, which we trusted might preserve a free communication with the squadron. In this situation, a flag of truce was sent to me by the commandant of the garrison, requesting a suspension of hostilities for 48 hours, in order to negociate a capitulation. In answer to this overture, I despatched Brigadier-General Ferguson, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Brownrigg, to stipulate, as the condition of my acquiescence, the surrender of the outworks of the town within six hours. My proposition being assented to, the 59th regiment marched into Fort Knokke; and the next day, his Majesty’s forces were put in possession of the several defences of the town.
(Signed)“D. Baird, Major-General.”
On the completion of this service[12], Mr. Lloyd was removed to the Diadem, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Home Popham, who, in a few days afterwards, appointed him lieutenant of the prize frigate la Volontaire[13]; but on her being ordered to England he exchanged into the Raisonable 64, preferring to remain abroad, as more active service. His commission, however, was not confirmed at home till Jan. 14, 1808; the former Board of Admiralty having refused to sanction Sir Home’s appointments. The manner in which he was afterwards employed will be seen by the following testimonial:–
“Mr. Edward Lloyd served as lieutenant in H.M. ships Raisonable and Boadicea, under my command, in the years 1806, 7, 8, 9, and 10. He commanded the seamen landed from the former ship at the capture of Monte Video, and afterwards at the attack on Buenos Ayres. He particularly distinguished himself in boarding and bringing out from under the batteries of St. Rose (Isle Bourbon) a large armed ship called the Tadg Bax, which service received the approbation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. He was landed with the small-arm men from the Raisonable, at the attack on St. Paul’s, and at the final capture of Isle Bourbon was entrusted with the difficult charge of placing a transport as a breakwater, to facilitate the landing of the troops. All these services he performed with considerable zeal, courage, and ability. It would be doing him injustice not to add, that he was foremost to volunteer his services on every occasion of difficulty or danger.
(Signed)“Josias Rowley.”
During the passage of the expedition under Sir Home Popham and Brigadier-General Beresford, from the Cape to Rio de la Plata, Captain Rowley added a number of volunteer seamen to the detachment of marines serving on board the Raisonable, and dressed and accoutred them similarly to the men of that corps. He also allowed Mr. Lloyd to select a company of “grenadiers” from among the ship’s company, who were equipped as artillery-men, styled “Royal Blues,” and, together with 150 other sailors, intended to serve as light infantry, &c. &c. constantly drilled by Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis Pack, and the officers and men of H.M. 71st regiment.
The first landing in South America was effected at Point Quelmey à Pouchin, about 12 miles from Buenos Ayres, June the 25th, 1806[14]; from which period, Mr. Lloyd commanded the Raisonable’s “royal blues,” and shared in every military operation that took place[15], until the final evacuation of that country, after Lieutenant-General Whitelocke’s capitulation in July, 1807. At this latter period, he was likewise acting as aide-de-camp to Captain Rowley, who had the chief command of all the seamen on shore, employed in dragging the heavy artillery through swamps several miles in extent, as is officially acknowledged[16].
During the blockade of the Isles of France and Bourbon, Lieutenant Lloyd frequently accompanied Captain (now Sir Nisbet) Willoughby, in boat expeditions alongshore; and was often employed in sounding near to, and reconnoitring the strength of, the enemy’s military positions. It was on one of those occasions, that, in a ten-oared cutter, and by day-light, he boarded and carried the ship Tadg Bax, secured about 32 prisoners, and brought her out under a heavy cross fire of two batteries, close to which she was lying when attacked, moored with springs, and fully prepared for defence.
On the 21st Sept. 1809, Lieutenant Lloyd again served on shore as a volunteer, and commanded the Raisonable’s well trained small-arm men at the capture of St. Paul’s, in Isle Bourbon; by which event, two British East Indiamen, and their crews and passengers, with property to an immense amount, were rescued from the enemy; all the defences of the anchorage, and several vessels, destroyed; and la Caroline French frigate, an armed brig, and three merchantmen captured[17]. Captain Rowley, the senior naval officer present, when making his report to Vice-Admiral Bertie, commander-in-chief on the Cape station, expressed himself as follows:–
“The loss sustained by the naval detachment, considering the nature of the service, and the advantages of position on the part of the enemy, was not so great as might have been expected[18]. Among the wounded, I have particularly to regret Lieutenant Lloyd, and Lieutenant (Matthew) Howden, R.M., both of the Raisonable, who have been always zealously forward on occasions for service.”
At a distant period. Captain Willoughby returned the following answer to a letter from the subject of this memoir:–
“My dear Sir,– In compliance with your wish for me to state my opinion of your services, while under my command, at the attack of St. Paul’s, Isle Bourbon, it highly gratifies me that I have an opportunity of assuring yon, that, from the commencement of the attack to the capture of the place, your zeal, gallantry, and activity were so conspicuous, as to be noticed by every one, and would give me confidence in having you with me in any arduous service. I am, my dear Sir, yours faithfully,
(Signed)“N. J. Willoughby.”
In the middle of Oct. 1810, Vice-Admiral Bertie arrived at St. Paul’s, and shifted his flag from the Nisus frigate to the then totally dismasted Africaine; directing Mr. Lloyd to join the latter ship, as first lieutenant, and to use every exertion in getting her ready for sea. This could only be accomplished by taking in a re-captured Indiaman’s lower masts, yards, sails, &c. On the 14th of the following month, she weighed, and proceeded off Port Louis, manned with 30 sailors, a company of the 87th regiment, and about 120 raw negroes lent from different plantations. Thus tolerably equipped, but most miserably manned, she cruised off the enemy’s principal harbour, in company with the Boadicea, Nisus, Ceylon, Nereide (late la Venus), and Staunch gun-brig, until the arrival of some other ships from India, to assist in a grand attack upon the Mauritius. The commander-in-chief then sailed for Roderiquez, to meet the several divisions of an expedition coming from Bengal, Bombay, and Madras, leaving Commodore Rowley in command of the squadron, and Captain Philip Beaver (just removed from the Nisus to the Africaine) to arrange the plan of debarkation.
The greatest obstacles opposed to an attack on this valuable colony with a large force, had hitherto “been considered to depend on the difficulty of effecting a landing, from the reefs which surround every part of the coast, and the supposed impossibility of being able to find anchorage for a fleet of transports. “These difficulties,” says Major-General Abercromby, “were fortunately removed by the indefatigable exertions of Commodore Rowley, assisted by Lieutenant Street, of the Staunch, Lieutenant Blackiston, of the Madras engineers, and the masters of the Africaine and Boadicea. Every part of the leeward side of the island was minutely examined and sounded, and it was discovered that a fleet might anchor in the narrow passage formed by the small island of the Gunners’ Quoin and the main land; and that at this spot there were openings through the reef, which would admit several boats to enter abreast. These obvious advantages fixed my determination, although I regretted that circumstances would not aUow of the disembarkation being effected at a shorter distance from Port Louis. Owing to light and baffling winds, the fleet did not arrive in sight of the island until the 28th November; and it was the morning of the following day before any of the ships came to an anchor.”
At 11 a.m. the whole of the transports and covering vessels, consisting of from 50 to 60 sail, brought up in ten fathoms water, on a bottom of coral, the heads of which were clearly seen through the translucent stream. At 2 p.m., the boats, with the first division of the army, under Major-General Henry Warde, pulled towards the shore, and effected a landing in the bay of Mapou, under an extensive line of sea-wall, without the smallest opposition. In order to ascertain whether any of the enemy’s troops were concealed behind this natural defence. Lieutenant Lloyd had obtained permission to land by himself; and on his ascending the bank, and finding only a few unarmed negroes there, he waved his hat to the anxious spectators afloat, cheering at the same time as a signal for the boats to advance. The disembarkation continued till 8 o’clock, by which time most of the troops, with all the requisite ammunition, provisions, &c. were safely put on shore.
Lieutenant Lloyd, again a volunteer for land service, was now attached to the naval brigade under Captain William Augustus Montagu, and directed, in addition to his other duties, to communicate the movements of the troops, by telegraph, to the Admiral. During the advance upon Port Louis, he had charge of the guns with the leading column, and the first flag of truce sent out, by Governor-General De Caen, was received by him. The operations on shore are thus detailed by the military commander-in-chief:–
“As soon as a sufficient part of the European force had been formed, it became necessary to move forward, as the first five mites of the road lay through a very thick wood, which made it an object of the utmost importance, not to give the enemy time to occupy it. The columns marched about 4 o’clock, and succeeded in gaining the more open country, without any efforts having been made by the enemy to retard our progress, a few shot, only, having been fired by a small picquet, by which Lieutenant-Colonel Keating, Lieutenant Ash, of H.M. 12th regiment, and a few men of the advanced guard, were wounded. Having halted for a short time during the night, the army again moved forward before day-light, with the intention of not halting till arrived before Port Louis; but the troops having become extremely exhausted, not only from the exertion which they had already made, but from having been almost totally deprived of water, I was compelled to take up a position at Moulin à Poudre, about five miles short of the town.
“Early the next morning, Lieutenant-Colonel M‘Leod, with his brigade, was detached to seize the batteries of Tombeau and Tortue, and open a communication with the fleet, as it had been previously arranged that we were to draw our supplies from these two points[22]. The main body of the army, soon after it had moved off its ground, was attacked by a corps of the enemy, who, with several field-pieces, had taken a strong position, very favorable for attempting to make an impression on the head of the column, as it shewed itself at the end of a narrow road, with a thick wood on each flank. The European flank battalions, which formed the advanced guard, under the direction of Major-General Warde, formed with as much regularity as the bad and broken ground would admit of, charged the enemy with the greatest spirit, and compelled him to retire with the loss of his guns, and many killed and wounded. This advantage was gained by the fall of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 33rd regiment regiment, commanding the advanced guard, a most excellent and valuable officer, as well as Major O’Keefe, of the 12th regiment, whom I have also every reason sincerely to regret.
“In the course of the forenoon, the army occupied a position in front of the enemy’s lines, just beyond the range of cannon-shot; on the following morning, while I was employed in making arrangements for detaching a corps to the southern side of the town, and placing myself in a situation to make a general attack. General De Caen proposed to capitulate. Many pf the articles appeared to Vice-Admiral Bertie and myself to be perfectly inadmissible; but the French governor having, in the course of the same day, acceded to our terms, a capitulation for the surrender of this colony and its dependencies was finally concluded. The most perfect harmony and cordiality have subsisted between the navy and army; and I have received every assistance from Vice-Admiral Bertie, and the squadron under his command. A body of seamen was landed under Captain Montagu; the exertions used to bring forward the guns, through a most difficult country, were such as to attract the admiration of the whole army, and fully entitles Captain Montagu, Lieutenant Lloyd, of the Africaine, and every officer and sailor, to all the encomiums I can pass on their conduct.”
Captain Montagu, in his official report to the naval commander-in-chief, says, “The zeal and ability of Lieutenant Lloyd, senior lieutenant on this service, are too well known to you to render any encomium from me necessary;” and Vice-Admiral Bertie, when transmitting the same to the Admiralty, “begged to recommend to their lordships’ notice. Lieutenant Edward Lloyd, who volunteered his services under the immediate eye of the commander of the land forces, and in this, as well as many former instances, received the most honorable testimonies of his gallantry.” Some extracts of Major-General Abercromby’s public orders, wherein he paid repeated compliments to the naval brigade, have been inserted at p. 220 of Suppl. Part I.
After the conquest of the Mauritius, Lieutenant Lloyd was appointed to the command of the Hesper sloop, and selected by Major-General Abercromby to convey him and his staff to Bombay. On his arrival there, he had the mortification to find an officer waiting to supersede him by order of the then deceased Vice-Admiral Drury, who, in consequence of a disagreement with Vice-Admiral Bertie, had taken this step long before the Hesper arrived within the precincts of the East India station, and whose death deprived him of the power of appealing to his justice for a reconsideration of the injury he had done him ; that too, at the moment when the Hesper was ordered to join the expedition fitting out for the reduction of Java.
In preference to returning home, Lieutenant Lloyd remained passenger on board the Hesper, until her arrival at Malacca, where he found his old Monte Video friend, Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, and immediately volunteered to serve under him in the approaching campaign. His offer being readily accepted, he landed with that officer’s staff at Chillingching, bore a part in the skirmish between the advanced divisions of the British and Dutch armies, which ended in the defeat of the latter, and the capture of the important post of Weltervreeden; also at the battle which took place when the enemy made a sortie from Meester Cornelis; assisted in storming their entrenched camp at the latter place; and shared in every operation on shore previous to that brilliant event[23].
He afterwards embarked with Captain (now Sir Christopher) Cole, in the Caroline frigate, for a passage to England, where he arrived about the middle of Dec. 1811; and had the satisfaction of finding himself confirmed as a commander from the 9th May preceding. We should here remark, that he left England as master’s mate, and that he obtained each step of professional rank by his services alone, without the aid of any interest whatever at the Admiralty.
This officer’s next appointment was, Jan. 21, 1814, to the command of the Raven, 16-gun brig, then stationed in the Woopherkdyk, to blockade the enemy’s flotilla at Ter Veere, during the occupation of the East Scheldt, by the fleet under Admiral William Young, who refused his offer to join in the attack upon Bergen-op-Zoom, but afforded him this opportunity of witnessing the operations against Batz.
After the emancipation of Holland, Captain Lloyd conveyed despatches to Halifax, encountering on his passage thither a violent hurricane, which obliged him to throw overboard one half of the Raven’s guns. When refitted, he was ordered to join the expedition collecting in the West Indies for the purpose of attacking New Orleans; but on his arrival at Barbadoes, he was detained by the commander-in-chief at the Leeward Islands, and sent down to Trinidad, where he received the public thanks of Sir Ralph Woodford, governor of that island, for his successful exertions in favor of British merchants trading to the Spanish Main, who, through him, obtained some exclusive and important privileges.
While in charge of the Gulf of Paria, and holding an intercourse with South America, he also exerted himself most strenuously in the cause of humanity, as well as of his country’s commerce, by constantly endeavouring to save the effusion of blood, and exacting, both from the independents and the royalists, promises, which he forced them strictly to observe, that no executions, on account of political enmities, should take place while a British pendant was flying at any of their anchorages. The scene which he witnessed on his first visit to the Spanish main was of the most terrific description; the beach being literally covered with the bodies of respectable persons of both parties, whose respective slaves had been encouraged to murder them with the knife, in cold blood.
The Raven returned home without the loss of a single person by yellow fever, and was paid off at Woolwich, in Sept. 1815; from which period, notwithstanding his[errata 1] oft-repeated applications for employment. Captain Lloyd remained on half-pay till Aug. 9th, 1820, when he received an appointment to the Esk of 20 guns. Some time previous to this, he had presented a memorial to the Admiralty, recapitulating his long and arduous services, requesting a share of the favorable consideration so liberally awarded in other cases of just claims, and accompanied by the following documents, to prove that his pretensions to superior rank were not exaggerated.
(I.)
“Admiralty House, Cove of Cork, Oct. 15, 1819.
“My dear Sir,– If any statement of your services while you were under[errata 2] my command, or any expression of my approbation of your conduct, can at all assist in forwarding your views of promotion, I feel that you have a just claim to command them, and most sincerely do I hope that they may conduce to the attainment of that rank in the service, the duties of which, my knowledge of your ability and zeal enables me to say, you are so well qualified to fulfil. The enclosed is a brief enumeration of your services while under my command, tho’ I cannot at present make a reference to the dates of them[24]. I remain, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours,
(Signed)“Josias Rowley, Rear-Admiral.”
“To Captain Edward Lloyd, R.N.”
(II.)
Donnington Priory, Oct. 29, 1819.
“Captain Edward Lloyd having applied to me to certify my opinion of his services during the time I was commander-in-chief on the Cape of Good Hope station, it is in justice to him that I say, he was recommended to me by Sir Josias Rowley for his long and tried services under that officer’s command, and that he shewed very great zeal and ability on every occasion where he was employed by me.
(Signed)“Albermarle Bertie, Admiral.
(III.)
H.M.S. Phaeton, Portsmouth, Nov. 5, 1819.
“My dear Sir,– If any testimony of mine can assist your views, I beg that you will command me. The time you acted under my command, at the capture of the Isle of France, your zeal and your ability, were alike conspicuous. I know how much it was the wish of General Abercromby that you should be recommended for immediate promotion. I spoke to Admiral Bertie on the subject, who admitted your merits and your claims i but as I proceeded to England in the ship that carried the despatches, it was not possible for me to press your promotion. I have, however, no doubt but Sir Albemarle Bertie will be ready to do his utmost in the furtherance of your wishes. Believe me, my dear Sir, moat faithfully yours,
(Signed)“W. A. Montagu.”
(IV.)
The letter from Captain (now Sir Nisbet) Willoughby, of which we have given a copy at p. 302.
The Esk sailed for the Leeward Islands, to join the squadron under Rear-Admiral (now Sir William C.) Fahie, Nov. 8th, 1810 ; and we soon afterwards find Captain Lloyd entering into a correspondence with the governor of Cumana, relative to the murder of Mr. George M‘Arthur, master of the British merchant schooner Eagle, by one Manuel Nieves, a native of Portugal, professing himself authorized to cruise against all vessels trading to ports occupied by the independent forces. The complaint that gave rise to this correspondence was made to Captain Lloyd by a Mr. James Fraser, who stated, that on the 4th October, 1820, whilst on a voyage from the islands of St. Vincent and Trinidad to Angostura, and being then at the entrance of the river Orinoco, the Eagle was fired at by a brig under Spanish colours, and notwithstanding an English ensign was immediately hoisted, and sail shortened, still the firing continued until the schooner was boarded by a flecherra, mounting two guns, and carrying about 20 men, at the head of whom was Manuel Nieves. Immediately upon boarding, the crew of the flecherra spread themselves in all parts of the schooner, taking possession of every thing they could find, including personal property. Mr. M‘Arthur expressed his disapprobation of this conduct, but in the most moderate language. The crew being taken out, and removed to the brig, by a second flecherra, Nieves then searched the trunks of the passengers, and upon Mr. M‘Arthur remarking, that he had been twice taken by the enemies of his country, but never before experienced such treatment, the miscreant, without any further provocation, rushed forward with a drawn sword, and ran it thrice through his body. The unfortunate man was then thrown below, followed by seven blood-thirsty fellows, who tied his arms behind, whilst others held themselves in readiness to haul him up again by the same rope with which be was pinioned. This was no sooner done, than Nieves, grasping his sword in both hands, again stabbed him in three several places, and ended by ordering him, although yet alive and groaning, to be thrown overboard. Mr. Fraser and three other passengers, Messrs. James W. Brown (part owner), James Boddington, and George Davidson, the latter a military officer, were then seized and tied in a similar manner, preparatory to their being shot, which was about to be carried into effect, when a Spaniard, named Jose Freyre, humanely interfered in their behalf, representing to Nieves, that they had done nothing which merited death, imploring him to reflect on the probable consequences of such a massacre of British subjects, and declaring, that he would not conceal so atrocious an act on their arrival at Cumana. In consequence of this remonstrance, the Portuguese countermanded his sanguinary order, but carried the Eagle, with her crew and passengers, first to Carupano and then to Cumana, where the vessel was condemned as lawful prize previous to their being set at liberty.
Many letters passed between Captain Lloyd and Don Antonio Tobar, governor of Cumana, on the subject of this piracy and murder; the one energetically demanding retributive justice, the other declaring his inability to punish Nieves, as a Spanish tribunal had already investigated the case, and declared him innocent. The infamous wretch, however, was subsequently caught in the act of committing depredations upon the royalists also, and his captor, the Spanish Commodore Laborde, having been informed by Captain Lloyd, of his former conduct, immediately arraigned him before the superior court of admiralty at Puerto Cabello, where he was at length sentenced to expiate his crimes on the scaffold.
In March, 1821, the Esk, when running between the island of Margaritta and the main, with a pilot[25] on board, both leads going, and look-out men aloft, struck on a bank of coral and hard sand, near Point Avara, where she lay, beating heavily for 48 hours, during which time, by the assistance of small vessels from Cumana, all her guns and stores were got out, and she was lightened sufficiently to be hove off, by the chain cable brought to the capstan, after the messenger and all other purchases had given way. From the peculiarity of her construction, she did not make any water for several hours afterwards, and then but very little; however it was thought advisable to heave her down at Antigua, when the main keel was found rubbed off nearly its whole length, and great part of the dead wood entirely crushed[26].
From the reduced state of the naval yard at Antigua, the crew of the Esk were subjected to much additional fatigue in heaving down, and the consequence was, that the fever of the country went through the whole ship’s company, not an officer, man, or boy escaping a severe attack, and many having violent relapses; yet not a single death occurred during the whole time Captain Lloyd commanded her, except in the case of the ship’s cook, previously worn out in the service. This he ascribes, under Divine Providence, to the habitual cleanliness of the crew, and the skill and attention of his surgeon, Mr. Peter Comrie, who was equally successful in the Raven, and also in his[errata 3] subsequent treatment of numerous patients on board the Pyramus frigate.
After completing her re-equipment, the Esk, in consequence of the debilitated state of her commander, officers, and crew, was sent to pass the hurricane months at Bermuda, and on her return from thence to the Leeward Island.. Captain Lloyd, who had previously captured three smuggling vessels, met with Captain Arthur Lee Warner, sent out to supersede him, on account of his advancement to post rank, which had taken place on the coronation of his Majesty, July 19, 1821[27]. Being then in too weakly a state of health, from long continued illness, to proceed on to Jamaica for a passage home in a vessel of war, he had to return to England at his own expence. Since his recovery, he has made many applications, and used every exertion to obtain employment, but hitherto without success.
Captain Lloyd married, in Aug. 1816, Colin Campbell, youngest daughter of the late James Baillie, of Ealing Grove, co. Middlesex, Esq. formerly M.P. for Horsham, in Sussex; and has issue, two sons and one daughter.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. note at p. 415.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. p. 220 et seq.
- ↑ See id. note † at p. 259 et seq. and * at p. 313.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part II. p. 852 et seq. and id. Part I. p. 385 et seq.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I., p. 478.
- ↑ Mareotis was dry, when the British first landed in Egypt, although the bed was nearly ten feet below the level of lake Maadie, &c. When again filled, it answered all the purposes of barrier and navigation.
- ↑ One of the principal impediments to the landing was an immense quantity of long and very thick sea-weed, extending to a considerable distance from the shore, and often rendering the boats’ oars useless.
- ↑ Under the personal command of General Janssens, governor of the colony.
- ↑ The enemy’s riflemen were all Hottentots, but very excellent soldiers. One of these men shot Captain Foster, and was afterwards in the British Hottentot corps. On the surrender of Cape Town, the grenadiers of the 24th regiment marched into the place with their arms reversed, as a mark of respect to the memory of their late gallant leader.
- ↑ Now Viscount Torrington.
- ↑ Killed, 16; wounded, 189; missing, 8.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p. 623.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. p. 186.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. p. 254.
- ↑ Addendum from Supplement Part 4 page 457: Mr. Lloyd had charge of the first field-pieces that were landed with the troops under Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, for the attack of Monte Video, in Jan. 1807; and he assisted at the storming of that fortress on the 3rd of the following month Mr. Lloyd had charge of the first field-pieces that were landed with the troops under Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, for the attack of Monte Video, in Jan. 1807; and he assisted at the storming of that fortress on the 3rd of the following month
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. pp. 623–626; p. 666 *, and note at ditto; and id. Part I. pp. 406–408id. Part I. pp. 406–408}}.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p 626 et seq.; and Suppl. Part II. pp. 142–145.
- ↑ Two of Lieutenant Lloyd’s party were killed and six wounded: the total loss was seven killed, eighteen wounded, and one missing. Not a man or boy of any description was hurt on board the Sirius or any other ship of the squadron.
- ↑ Suppl. Part II. p. 153 et seq.
- ↑ See id. pp. 164–166.
- ↑ See Commander Joseph Crew Tullidge.
- ↑ The enemy’s works in Tortue Bay were taken possession of by a party landed from the Nisus, before Lieutenant-Colonel M‘Leod could reach them.
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part I. pp. 354–357.
- ↑ See the document at p. 300, et seq.
- ↑ Mr. Mathison, port-captain of Trinidad, and many years a trader in those seas.
- ↑ The Esk was built according to, the system of diagonal timbering, for which the British navy is indebted to Sir Robert Seppings. the frame of her hold consisted of a series of triangles, united by trusses, and the openings between the ribs or outer timbers, were filled up with slips of wood, caulked within and without, and covered with a coat of cement, over which was another of coal-tar.
- ↑ See p. 289.