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83

No. V.

SIR EDWARD THORNBOROUGH, G.C.B.

ADMIRAL OF THE RED, AND VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE UNITED

KINGDOм.

THERE is a story in the naval service that this officer " betook himself to sea," when a boy, on his own leave; but there are no records, available to us, of his early life. It appears that he was born about 1754, and in 1775 was serving as First Lieutenant of the Falcon sloop, of 14 guns and 100 men, Captain John Linzee, which ship was one of those that covered the attack on Bunker's Hill; and had a most fatiguing duty to perform in guarding the mouth of Charles River, and watching an enemy elated with success.

On the morning of the 8th of August, the Falcon discovered two fine schooners standing in for Cape Anne. Chase was immediately given, and the sternmost of the strangers was soon overhauled and taken. Her companion rounded the Cape and brought up in Gloucester Harbour, closely followed by the Falcon; which ship anchored outside the schooner, and sent Lieutenant Thornborough, with the pinnace, launch, and jolly-boat, to cut her out. At this moment the master of the Falcon arrived from the offing, in a small tender, and was despatched to the Lieutenant's assistance. When the boats had passed a rocky point which lay between the ship and the schooner, they received a very heavy fire from the Americans, concealed behind the houses and hills; notwithstanding which, Lieutenant Thornborough undauntedly proceeded, boarded, and took possession of the vessel, although he and three men were wounded in the enterprise. Captain Linzee, when he saw the enemy attack his boats, fired at the town in order to divert their attention; but finding that this expedient had not the desired effect, he next attempted, by landing a party, to burn it. Among the sailors sent upon this service was an American, who had hitherto remained loyal, but now espoused the American cause, set fire to the powder, before it was so placed as to produce the intended conflagration, and thereby frustrated the design. He then deserted. The loss sustained in this exploit was one man blown up. A second attempt was made to burn the town, but also without effect.

Captain Linzee, being at last convinced that he could not materially injure the town, had Lieutenant Thornborough and his party brought on board about four P. M., under cover of the fire from the schooner, in which the Master now commanded, and in which he was obliged to remain, on account of the damage which the boats had sustained from the enemy's shot. When the Captain was informed of the Master's situation, he sent the prize-schooner to anchor ahead of the other, and to veer alongside, to take him and the people away; but having no officer left to conduct this enterprise, it was inproperly executed, and therefore unsuccessful. Meanwhile the Master, harassed by a heavy fire from increasing numbers, and seeing no prospect of relief, delivered himself up to the enemy about seven in the evening, together with a gunner, fifteen seamen, seven marines, one boy, and ten pressed Americans. On his going on shore, the schooner sent to his assistance was taken possession of by a part of her crew which had been concealed in her hold when she was taken, and was restored to the enemy; who likewise took the pinnace and jolly-boat, with their officers, crews, swivels, and small arms: but the loss chiefly regretted was the number of British sailors, because, in America, it was then difficult to replace them. Among those who were thus captured were Lieut. Knight (the late Admiral Sir John Knight) and Mr. (the late Captain) W. R. Broughton, afterwards so well known by his voyage of discovery.

This was an affair of much moment at the time, and Lieutenant Thornborough was thenceforward considered a deserving officer. He did not, however, receive his commander's commission till the first of August, 1780, when it rewarded his gallantry as First Lieutenant of the Flora, on her capturing the Nymphe, a fine French frigate, after a desperate action, in which the latter had 63 killed and 73 wounded; including her First and Second Captains, First Lieutenant, and three other officers among the former. Though Captain Peere Williams, the commander of the Flora, did not, in his official letter, report that Mr. Thornborough boarded the enemy sword in hand, that circumstance was so well known, that the Commander was promoted to post-rank in the following year, and appointed to the Blonde frigate of 32 guns. In this ship he served under Admiral Digby, in North America, and cruised in company with Nelson, who then commanded the Albemarle, of 28 guns. The frigate was tolerably successful; and Captain Thornborough became popular along the coast for the generous and humane treatment which he displayed towards such Americans as fell into his hands.

In May, 1782, the Blonde being ordered to cruise off Boston, in hopes of intercepting a frigate of the same name, and the only ship of war then belonging to the Americans, fell in with and took a large ship of theirs mounting 22 guns, laden with choice spars and stores for the French fleet. While she was towing her prize into port, she unfortunately struck on the Nantucket shoals, bilged, and was entirely lost. The prize, to avoid sharing the same fate, pursued her course, and reached Halifax in safety. The crew of the frigate constructed a large raft, by means of which they succeeded in getting ashore, with about seventy prisoners, upon a desert islet, which afforded nothing eatable but vetches. Here they remained two days in the utmost distress, exposed to incessant rain. At the end of that time two American cruisers providentially hove in sight, and observing the signals of distress made to them, bore down, and relieved them from their imminent danger of starvation in its most hideous form. A singular trait of generosity marked the sequel. No sooner did the Americans identify the distressed Captain, than they

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took him and his people off, treated them with the kindest attention, and landed them near New York, then in possession of the English, as a grateful return for Thornborough's behaviour to his prisoners. That unhappy war was not remarkable for many occurrences of such noble character; and we regret that we are not able to record the names of these good Samaritans.

According to established custom, Captain Thornborough was tried by a court-martial for the loss of the Blonde; and after an honourable acquittal from blame, his merits were rewarded by an appointment to the Hebe, of 38 guns, one of the most beautiful frigates in the service.

In June, 1785, his Royal Highness Prince William Henry (his present Majesty), having regularly served the whole time required as a midshipman, and undergone the usual examination before the Comptroller of the Navy and two senior Post Captains, was appointed Third Lieutenant of the Hebe. In the same month, Commodore the Honourable J. L. Gower hoisted his broad-pendant on board the frigate, and she proceeded on a cruise round Great Britain and the Orkney islands. On her return she touched at Belfast, in Ireland, from thence down St. George's Channel, and arrived at Spithead by the end of August. The Commodore then struck his pendant, and the Prince continued to serve with Captain Thornborough till February, 1786, when he was appointed First Lieutenant of the Pegasus, of 28 guns. His Royal Highness always performed the duties of his station with the most becoming alacrity; and it is not a little honourable to the memory of George III., that his son not only served his full time in the cockpit, but also took the chances of service as to climate, - a point which is well known at the Admiralty to be often a subject of debate among minor families.

Captain Thornborough retained the command of his fine frigate upwards of six years, which was considered an extraordinary mark of favour during a peace. In August, 1789, the royal family visited Plymouth, and were received by the fleet in that port with every possible demonstration of joy. Among other ceremonies, a squadron was detached into the Sound, for the purpose of exhibiting some naval evolutions before George III., who had embarked on board the Southampton to inspect them. On this occasion, while the ships were forming into two separate lines of battle, his Majesty expressed much satisfaction with the elegance of the Hebe's movements; and in the engagement which followed was observed to turn frequently from the line-of-battle ships towards the frigate.

In 1790, the Spaniards having sent an armed force to dispossess the British traders and settlers of their possessions at Nootka Sound, our governinent ordered a powerful fleet to be equipped, and to rendezvous under Lord Howe at Spithead, to await the effect of their remonstrance. This period is known to seamen under the name of the " Spanish disturbance;" and there can be little doubt that the celerity with which the fleet was manned and fitted brought the Spaniards to terms. On this occasion Captain Thornborough was appointed to the Scipio, of 64 guns, which ship was paid off, after the amicable adjustment of the dispute, and our officer retired to private life.

In February, 1793, the National Convention of France declared war against Great Britain and Holland, a step which was, of course, reciprocated; and a numerous fleet was consequently fitted out for sea with the utmost expedition. Capt. Thornborough was called into commission, and appointed to the Latona, a choice 38-gun frigate, on the home station. In the course of the summer he captured several French merchant-vessels, besides three mischievous privateers, called L'Amerique, Le Franklin, and L'Ambitieux, of 10 guns each. On the 18th of November, in the same year, being attached to Lord Howe's fleet, he descried a strange squadron to windward, which proved to be French, and consisted of six sail of the line, two frigates, a brig, and a schooner, under the command of Citoyen Vanstabel. This being communicated to the Admiral, the signal for chase was instantly abroad; the enemy in the mean time bearing down in hopes of snatching

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