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
The able valour of Captain Macnamara, of the Southampton, in
boarding and bringing off, from under a heavy fire of the batteries
on Porquerollos, one of the Hieres islands, the corvette Utile, is
beyond praise. Lieut. Lydiard behaved most spiritedly, and William
Oirton, private Marine, was the only man killed on this brilliant
service.
The conduct of Captain Bowen, his Seamen and Marines, in the
Terpsichore, was twice most gallantly evinced by the capture of El
Mahonesa and La Vertale, in the months of October and December.
Returning homewards, the Naval incidents of the year were repeated
and animated.
On the 17th of March, Sir Sidney Smith, with that intrepidity in
hazard so natural to him, destroyed a small convoy within the port
of Herqui; which was not accomplished however, without landing some
Seamen, under Lieut. Pine, and the Marines of the Diamond, under
Lieut. Carter, who, in spite of a body of troops, pushed ashore,
climbed the precipice in front of their batteries, and re-embarked,
after having spiked the guns. Lieut. Pine was wounded, and Lieut.
Carter mortally, of which he soon died, leaving behind him the
merited character of a most excellent Officer and amiable man.
On the 20th, Sir John Warren, with his little squadron, engaged a
very superior force, taking one frigate and four of a convoy.
Lieut. Williams, of Marines, appears mentioned by Sir Edward Pellew
as having rendered essential service on board the Indefatigable, in
capturing La Virginie upon the 21st of April.
The fortunate contest between the Unicorn, Captain Sir Thomas
Williams, and La Tribune, began under an obvious disadvantage, and
while it has fully established the fame of that Officer, it was
likewise most honourable to Lieut. Hart of my Corps. The Seamen
and Marines of La Margaretta were also much distinguished in
Captain Martin's official dispatch, announcing the capture of La
Tamise.
Captain Trollope, in the Glatton, of 54, armed with heavy
carronades, stands most highly on the records of this year, by
his having encountered and beat a squadron carrying upwards of
200 guns, and in every respect nearly thrice his force. While the
circumstances of the battle reflect a lustre upon all who fought,
the unsubdued spirit of Captain Strangeways, of Marines, was
truly heroic, and demands the grateful sympathy of his Country
and his Corps. After having received a ball in his thigh, he was
necessarily carried below, and on a tourniquet having been applied
by the Surgeon, he insisted upon going again to his quarters,
where he continued to animate his men until he fainted from loss
of blood, when Captain Trollope was obliged to interpose his
authority for his removal from danger. He afterwards fevered and
died, forsaking by destiny a distressed widow and family to deplore
his fall, to the tutelar care of Providence and the British nation.
William Hall, Corporal of Marines, was, besides, the only one
wounded in this memorable action.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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