as long: he was of course under medical care the whole time, and consequently at a heavy expence. The committee at Lloyd’s presented him with 50l. in consideration of his sufferings; but Captain O’Bryen advised him not to accept a smart-ticket, as it might weaken his claim to promotion.
Immediately after his recovery, Mr. Clement re-joined the Monarch, then commanded by Captain Archibald Collingwood Dickson, with whom he afterwards removed to the Veteran 64, in which ship we find him at the capture of the Texel squadron, Aug. 30, 1799; and the passage of the Sound, by the armaments under Vice-Admiral Dickson and Sir Hyde Parker, in 1800 and 1801[1].
Previous to the battle off Copenhagen, April 2, in the latter year, Mr. Clement was sent in a flat-bottomed-boat to the division under Lord Nelson, and he had the honor of being on board the Elephant in the latter part of that sanguinary combat. He afterwards assisted in removing the riotous crew of the Provesteen, a block-ship which had been boarded, under very peculiar circumstances, by Lieutenant, now Sir Nisbet J., Willoughby[2].
Some time after this event, Mr. Clement’s father was gratified with the receipt of Captain O’Bryen’s letter, of which we have already given an extract: the following is a copy of the remainder of its contents:
“It is very pleasing to me to learn from Captain Dickson, that your son continues to do his duty in every particular to his satisfaction.
“I am happy to say, that I feel very little the effects of the blow which obliged me to leave a set of very gallant fellows in the Monarch; but I am advised by the faculty to keep quiet some time longer, to get perfectly sound, after which, should I enter on active service, it will give me pleasure to take your young man again under my protection. I am, with much regard, yours,
(Signed)“Edw. O’Bryen[3].”
Mr. Clement continued in the Veteran till July 1801, when he passed his examination for a lieutenant, and was immediately promoted to that rank, “as a reward,” said Earl St.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p. 759.
- ↑ See p. 117, et seq.
- ↑ Captain O’Bryen obtained the rank of Rear-Admiral, Nov. 9, 1805; and died at Fareham, Hants, Dec. 18, 1808.
