about 200 seamen and marines belonging to a small squadron stationed off Point-à-Petre, under the orders of Captain William Selby; and this detachment was commanded by Captain Hugh Pigot, of the Circe frigate, which latter officer speaks in high terms of the support he received from Captain Bowen, who assisted him in obtaining possession of a stockaded fort, and afterwards marched with him to the attack of Grand Bourg, the principal town. The enemy’s militia amounted to 400 men; but they were so completely surprised that very little opposition was offered to the British, who soon found themselves in quiet possession of a well cultivated island, containing a large quantity of colonial produce, and defended by 5 long twenty-four-pounders, 4 eighteens, 2 twelves, and 2 sixes, “The manner in which this service was planned,” says Sir Alexander Cochrane, “and the promptitude with which it was effected, reflects the highest credit on Captain Selby[1], the other captains, officers, and men employed thereon.”
In July, 1808, Captain Bowen sailed from Tortola with one hundred and sixty-eight homeward bound vessels under his protection, the whole of which arrived safe at their different destinations. He subsequently escorted a fleet to Heligoland, and another to Malta, from whence he also brought home a convoy. In the summer of 1809, he conducted a division of Earl Chatham’s army from Harwich to Walcheren; and then accompanied the flotilla of gun-vessels to the highest point of the Scheldt that was ever attained by any part of the British forces during that unfortunate expedition.
The Camilla, being found rotten, was paid off in Dec. 1909; and Captain Bowen did not obtain another appointment until the close of 1812, when he joined the Salsette 42, in which frigate we shortly afterwards find him affording protection as far as Madras, to a large fleet of Indiamen.
The previous reduction of the Isles of France and Java, with their dependencies, having put an end to all warlike operations
- ↑ Captain Selby, then of the Cerberus, but afterwards removed to the Owen Glendower frigate, died at the Cape of Good Hope, Mar. 28, 1811.
