276 GRAVES. board the Racehorse, in the expedition towards the North Pole, where, during the whole of that perilous voyage, he displayed uncommon resolution and firmness. It was upon this voyage that Lord Mulgrave interposed, and prevented Mr. Graves and another officer, who was of a similar disposition to himself, from fighting a duel with muskets and fixed bayonets, across the carcass of a white bear, which had just been killed, and which each party disputed as their prize. Shortly after Mr. Graves returned from this voyage, he was appointed to the command of a small schooner o f f Boston, i n New England. This schooner was soon afterwards burnt b y General Putnam, a t Winnisimmet Ferry, after a long and brave resistance. After remaining o n the American station for some time, h e was appointed t o the command o f the Savage sloop, i n the West Indies, where h e was actively employed. After some time spent i n the West Indies, h e was ordered i n the Savage t o New York, with dispatches for Admiral Arbuthnot, a t the time that the French fleet under M. Ternay arrived o n that coast. The French admiral, notwithstanding the superiority o f his force, was appre hensive o f meeting with the British squadron, and took refuge i n Rhode Island. Of this place Mr. Graves had gained a perfect knowledge from his former services i n America, and therefore h e offered his assistance t o the admiral t o pilot i n the leading ship o f his squadron t o the attack o f the French fleet, assuring him that h e would engage t o run the French admiral o n board. On the 5th o f March, 1781, Mr. Graves was appointed post-captain t o the Bedford, i n which ship h e served i n the action with Count d e Grasse, off the Chesapeak. The Bedford also bore a distinguished part i n the encounter with Count d e Grasse, o n January 25th, 1782, i n Basse Terre Road, St. Christopher's. I n the autumn o f 1782, Captain Graves took the command o f the Magicienne frigate, and was employed i n attending convoys, and o n the 2nd o f January, 1788, while o n his passage with a convoy t o the West Indies, h e fell i n with the Sybille
