Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/114

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
102
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.

tion). He left the Stork in Sept. 1812, and has never since been able to obtain any naval appointment.

This officer married, in 1812, Rose Marie, daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Heath. His brother, Philip C. Le Geyt, Esq. has been secretary to several flag-officers, and is at present clerk of the check at the Royal Hospital, Greenwich.

Agents.– Messrs. Stilwell.



BUCKLAND STIRLING BLUETT, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]

Son of the late Lieutenant John Bluett, R.N. and descended from a very ancient family seated at Halcombe Court, in the north of Devonshire.

Mr. B. S. Bluett entered the navy at an early age; obtained the rank of Lieutenant, Nov. 24, 1800; and was made a Commander, for his gallant conduct at the cutting out of the Dutch national brig Atalante, Captain Carp, by the boats of the Scorpion and Beaver, Mar. 31, 1804. The following account of that brilliant enterprise is contained in a private letter written by the heroic officer under whom he was then serving:–

H.M. sloop Scorpion, April, 1804.

“I was ordered on the 28th ultimo to reconnoitre the Vlie passage, and perceived a couple of the enemy’s brigs at anchor in the roads: despairing to reach them with my sloop, on account of the shoals that surrounded the entrance, I determined upon a dash at the outermost one in the boats, if a good opportunity could be found or made. It came, unsolicited, March 31. Preparing to set out, we accidentally were joined by the Beaver sloop. Captain Charles Polly, who offered us her boats, to act in concert with ours: we accepted the reinforcement, under an impression that it would spare lives on both sides, and shorten the contest. At 9-30 P.M. we began the enterprise. Captain Pelly, an intelligent and spirited officer, did me the honor to serve under my command, as a volunteer, in one of the boats. We had near 60 men, including officers, headed by myself, in the foremost boat. As we rowed with the flood tide, we arrived alongside the enemy at half-past eleven. I had the good fortune, or (as by some it has been considered) the honor, to be the first man who boarded her. She was prepared for us, with boarding-nettings up, and with all the other customary means of defence; but the noise and alarm, &c. &c. so intimidated her crew, that many of them run below in a panic, leaving to us the painful task of combating those whom we respected the most.