Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/27

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1812.

induce their lordships to consider him in a favorable point of view when an opportunity offers.

(Signed)R. H. Crew.”

To the Hon. W. W. Pole, Admiralty.

Captain Anderson’s next appointment was to the Rinaldo brig, mounting 8 eighteen-pounder carronades and 2 long sixes, with a complement of 65 officers, men, and boys. On the 7th Dec. 1809, he captured, after some little resistance, le Maraudeur French privateer, of 14 guns and 66 men, 6 of whom were wounded. In Dec. 1810, he fought a very gallant action with four other vessels of the same description, near the Owers light-vessel; and succeeded in sinking la Vieux Josephine of 16 guns and 80 men, only 3 of whom were saved: on this occasion, the top-sails and boom main-sail of the Rinaldo were completely riddled; but, although numerous musket-balls lodged among the hammocks, not a man was hurt.

In the ensuing spring. Captain Anderson was employed as senior officer between Calais and Boulogne, where he had several skirmishes with the enemy’s flotilla, several of which were driven on shore by the Rinaldo and her consorts. The share borne by him in a gallant affair off the latter place, Sep. 21, 1811, has been officially described at p. 74, et seq. of Supplement, Part I. He subsequently destroyed a privateer, near Etaples, under a heavy fire from the batteries, which did considerable damage to his sails and rigging. On the 1st Feb. 1812, the day on which he was advanced to post rank, his boats, commanded by Lieutenant Miller, effected the destruction of a gun-brig, lying aground near Calais. A few days previous thereto, he received a letter from his admiral, of which the following is a copy:

“Sir,– I have perused with much pleasure the contents of the several letters you gave me yesterday, and I congratulate you on having obtained the approbation of such distinguished officers for your conduct on so many important services: I am happy to add mine in testimony of your merits since you have been under my command.

(Signed)Thomas Foley.

On the 10th Aug., 1814, Captain Anderson was appointed to the Zealous, 74; and early in the following month he sailed from Spithead, with orders to lay his ship up for the