Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/111

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.
99

2 killed; 5 dangerously, 3 severely, and 4, including the commanding officer, slightly wounded.

Captain Clinch’s post commission bears date Aug. 12, 1812.




GEORGE LE GEYT, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]

A son of Robert Le Geyt, of Canterbury, Esq. (first cousin to the late Vice-Admiral d’Auvergne, Prince of Bouillon), by Jane, daughter of the Rev. William Byrch, rector of St. Mary’s Dover, and of Mongham, also in the county of Kent.

This officer’s grandfather and great-grand uncle, both held the office of chief civil magistrate of the royal court, and president of the states of Jersey: the latter gentleman, Philip Le Geyt, Esq. whose daughter was the mother of the Prince of Bouillon, was displaced by Oliver Cromwell, in consequence of his loyal adherence to the royal cause, but reinstated by Charles II. immediately after that monarch’s own restoration.

Mr. George Le Geyt was born at Canterbury, in Mar. 1777; and he first embarked, in 1791, on board the Colossus 74, Captain (afterwards Sir Henry) Harvey. We subsequently find him serving on the Halifax station, in the Hussar 28, Prince Edward cutter, Prevoyante 38, and Resolution 74. His promotion to the rank of Lieutenant took place Oct. 11, 1796; on which occasion he was appointed to the Rover 16, Captain George Irwin.

After suffering shipwreck in that sloop, owing to her running ashore on Cape Breton, in a thick fog. Lieutenant Le Geyt returned home in the Resolution, under the command of Captain William Lechmere; from which ship he removed to the St. George 98, Captain John Holloway. His next appointment was to the Tamar 38, Captain Thomas Western; and in her he assisted at the capture of many of the enemy’s vessels, on the Leeward islands’ station; among which were le Republicain French national corvette, mounting 32 guns, with a complement of 220 men, 45 of whom were absent in prizes; le General Massena, ship privateer, of 16 guns, pierced for 18, and 150 men; and another, name unknown, of 10 guns: le Republicain defended herself in the most gallant