chased after her usual daily reconnoitre; and although thus lightened, it is more than probable that Captain Staines would have been obliged to abandon her (as the enemy was bringing a breeze up with him), had not four sail hove in sight to the S.W., towards which vessels both British brigs immediately stood, making various signals, and thereby alarming the enemy, who worked back to his anchorage, followed by the Beagle and Camelion, the former having closed with her consort for the purpose of taking her in tow, and removing her crew if it should be found necessary to do so.
The Camelion was paid off at Portsmouth in Sept. 1805; and Captain Staines had the honor of dining with Nelson, on board his flag-ship, the very day previous to that great hero’s last departure from England, on which occasion the present Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the late Treasurer of the Navy, were also entertained by his lordship.
Captain Staines attained post rank Jan. 22, 1806; but was not again employed until Mar. 28, 1807, when he received a commission appointing him to the Cyane of 32 guns and 155 men[1], in which ship he was present during the whole of the operations that led to the capitulation of Copenhagen, and the consequent surrender of the Danish navy[2].
After the departure of the British fleet and army with their prizes, Captain Staines was employed blockading Zealand, and affording protection to the trade still remaining in the Baltic, on which station he continued under the orders of Captain (now Vice-Admiral) Alexander Fraser, until Nov. 30, 1807, when he sailed from Helsinburgh, on his return to England, in company with the Vanguard 74, several sloops of war, and as many merchantmen as could possibly be collected.
In Feb. 1808, Captain Staines once more proceeded to the Mediterranean; and on the 22d May following, whilst cruis-
- ↑ The Cyane was only rated a 22-gun ship, but she mounted exactly that number of long 9-pounders on her main-deck, and the quarter-deck and forecastle were armed with 8 18-pounders and two long-sixes: to these Captain Staines afterwards added 2 brass howitzers, and at his request her long nines were exchanged for 32-pounder carronades, and her complement was increased to 175 officers, men, and boys.
- ↑ See Memoir of Admiral Lord Gambier.
