New South Wales regiment, a surgeon, a storekeeper, and about 100 settlers and convicts. In less than six months the whole of those were tolerably well housed, and land enough was cultivated to ensure a sufficient supply of corn and garden-plants for the ensuing year.
Whilst thus zealously employed, Mr. Bowen received intelligence of the renewal of hostilities in Europe, and he immediately solicited permission to return to his proper line of service. The means of relieving him was fortunately soon furnished by the arrival from England of a small party under Colonel Collins, intended to be established at Port Philip, in Bass’s Straits, but removed to the Derwent river in consequence of the former spot being found ineligible for the purpose to which it had been appropriated. By this arrangement he was enabled to return with his staff to Port Jackson, leaving the rest of his people to amalgamate with the new comers.
During his absence from England, Lieutenant Bowen was made a Commander, by commission dated May 2, 1804; and he had not been long at home before his name appeared in the list of officers promoted to post rank in honor of Nelson’s last glorious triumph.
In July, 1806, we find Captain Bowen appointed to the Camilla of 20 guns; and shortly afterwards proceeding to Newfoundland, with a fleet of merchantmen under his protection. From thence he escorted the trade to Lisbon, and there took charge of the homeward-bound convoy.
In the spring of 1807, the Camilla saw another fleet in safety to the Leeward Islands, where she continued about a year, during which period Captain Bowen was occasionally employed by Sir Alexander Cochrane in the blockade of Martinique and Guadaloupe.
Whilst cruising off the latter island, the Camilla chased a French privateer under the guns at Basseterre, in Marie Galante, which circumstance led to the capture of that small colony, as it proved that such marauders and their prizes could always take shelter there until a favorable opportunity offered for them to run over to Point-à-Petre.
The force employed against Marie Galante consisted of
