An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803Gillespie, Alexander, Major
History
An Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps, from its Original Institution down to the Present Era, 1803
Gillespie, Alexander, Major
Great Britain. Royal Marines -- History
"During the services which have been carried on in the island of
St, Lucia, all the courage and every exertion of the Army, would
have proved ineffectual, if Rear Admiral Sir H. C. Christian, and
the Royal Navy, had not stepped forward with the alacrity which
had been so conspicuous in forwarding the most arduous part of
the public service; to their skill and unremitting labour is,
in a great measure, owing the success which has attended his
Majesty's arms. It will afford the Commander in Chief the greatest
satisfaction to be able to lay before his Majesty the eminent
services which have, on this occasion, been performed by the Royal
Navy; and Admiral Sir H. C. Christian will confer a particular
obligation on Lieut. General Sir R. Abercromby and the Army at
large, if he will communicate to the Royal Navy, and particularly
to Captains Lane, Ryves, and Stephenson, and the other Officers who
acted on shore; and to the Corps of Marines, the great obligation
which they consider themselves under to them.
"T. BUSBY, Adjutant General."
St. Vincents and Grenada, disorganized by the bustling Victor
Hughes, were again restored to order; in effecting which objects,
the Marines were also auxiliary, in union with their brethren of
the Navy.
Early in this year the Dutch possessions of Amboyna and Banda were
taken by the exertions of the squadron under Admiral Rainier, and
the reduction of Columbo in the isle of Ceylon, with an immense
booty, also occurred, by the joint forces under Colonel J. Stuart,
and Captain Gardner of the Heroine. Although devoid of much
military interest, still those settlements were of high importance
in a commercial view, and I reflect with a mixture of pleasure
and of pride, upon every instance in which my Corps has been
instrumental in promoting the solid interests of their Country.
An expedition, that was destined for the recovery of the Cape
of Good Hope, under Admiral Lucas, became a prey to the active
vigilance of Sir George Elphinstone, who, with a cool judgment,
and anxious to spare the effusion of blood, proposed terms of
surrendering his squadron. By this exemplary address, eight ships
of war were gained without a shot, or the loss of a man.
The French settlement of Foul Point, on the island of Madagascar,
on the coast of Africa, was destroyed by the Seamen and Marines of
the Crescent, Brave, and Sphynx, in the month of December.
Captain, now Lord Nelson, gave crouded displays of his zeal and
courage upon various services in the Mediterranean during this
year, by the cutting out some vessels from under the batteries
of Loano, the capture of a Spanish frigate in La Minerve, and in
obtaining possession of the Isle of Elba, without any loss. Porto
Ferrajo, afterwards noted for its distinguished defence by a few
Marines and some mixed troops, likewise capitulated to him, on the
Captain, of 74 guns, having been placed against the grand Bastion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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