THE WESTERN SQUADRONS.

Presented to the King and knighted—­His liberality to the widow of Captain Mullon—­Use of carronades—­He suggests the employment of independent squadrons in the western part of the Channel, to check the enemy’s cruising frigates—­Value of these squadrons—­Appointed to the Arethusa, and joins Sir J.B.  Warren’s squadron—­Action of April 23rd, 1794—­Engages and captures La Pomone—­Action of August 23rd, 1794 A second squadron fitted out, and placed under his orders—­Artois and Revolutionaire; chivalrous conduct of Sir Sidney Smith—­Conveys important intelligence to the Admiralty—­Appointed to the Indefatigable, 44—­His dispute with the Navy board—­Allowed to fit her according to his own plans—­Success of them—­Accuracy of his judgment on a ship’s qualities—­Indefatigable strikes on a rock—­Sir Edward nearly lost in attempting to save two of his people—­His success on different occasions in saving lives—­Wreck of the Dutton at Plymouth—­He boards her, and saves all the people—­His report of the service—­Honours and rewards; created a Baronet—­Captain Cole, and L’Unite French frigate—­Sir Edward’s letters on the occasion to Earls Chatham and Spencer—­Notice of Captain Cole—­His death, and Sir Edward’s feeling—­Action of Indefatigable and La Virginie—­Conduct and gallantry of her Captain, Bergeret. page 61

CHAPTER V.

EXPEDITION AGAINST IRELAND.

State of parties—­Enemy’s preparations for invasion—­Reflections on Ireland—­Lord Exmouth’s opinion on the Roman Catholic question—­Sir E. Pellew watches Brest with his frigates—­His perseverance and hardihood—­Sailing of the expedition—­He embarrasses its movements—­Arrives in England—­Misfortunes of the British fleet—­Enemy arrive at Bantry Bay—­Prevented from landing, and driven off the coast by gales—­Reflections on the failure of the expedition—­Sir Edward puts to sea with the Indefatigable and Amazon—­Meets and engages the Droits de l’Homme, 74—­Finds himself on a lee-shore, hauls off, and saves the Indefatigable with difficulty—­Amazon wrecked—­Admirable conduct of her officers and crew—­Droits de l’Homme wrecked—­Horrible circumstance of her fate—­Anecdote of the French Commodore—­Eventual fate of the Captain of the Amazon. page 86

CHAPTER VI.

THE MUTINY.

Remarks on Sir Edward’s character as a seaman and an officer—­His conduct when his ship was on fire—­His consideration for his officers and men—­The Duke of Northumberland—­Mutiny at Spithead—­Preparations for a second invasion of Ireland—­General Daendels—­Proposed expedition baffled—­Sir Edward off Brest—­Proposes to burn the French fleet—­Success in capturing the enemy’s cruisers—­La Vaillante—­Royalist