successful attack was made upon the enemy’s shipping in the Morbihan river, he assisted in boarding and blowing up l’Insolente, an 18-gun corvette[1]; on every other occasion of boat service he was always a volunteer. We must here insert an anecdote of Sir Edward Pellew and his enterprising protegé.
After the destruction of the enemy’s forts on the S.W. end of Quiberon, preparations were made for an attack upon Belleisle, and Mr. M‘Kerlie, not having heard how he was to be employed, went up to Sir Edward, interrupted him in a conversation with Major-General Maitland, and asked what part he was to act in the event of a debarkation taking place ? the answer was, “M‘Kerlie, you have lost one hand already, and if you lose the other you will not have any thing to wipe your b****** with; you will remain on board with the first lieutenant, and fight the ship, as she is to engage an 8-gun battery.” However, in the course of the same day he was appointed to command a large prize-boat, intended to receive part of the artillery, and to land with the first division of the army.
After the intention of attacking Belleisle was abandoned, Mr. M‘Kerlie received an order from Sir Edward Pellew to act as lieutenant of the Thames frigate. Captain William Lukin. He passed his examination Aug. 6, 1800; and was promoted by the Admiralty, into the Megaera fire-vessel, on the 12th of the sane month. Previous to the peace of Amiens, he volunteered to assist in burning the enemy’s fleet at Brest, a measure proposed by Captain (now Sir Charles) Brisbane, as already mentioned in our memoir of that gallant officer[2].
During the suspension of hostilities. Lieutenant M‘Kerlie served in the Camilla 24, Captain Henry Hill, on the Newfoundland station; and shortly after the renewal of the war, he was appointed, through the influence of Sir Edward Pellew, first of the Spartiate 74, Captain Sir Francis Laforey, which ship accompanied Nelson to the West Indies in pursuit of the combined fleets of France and Spain; and also
