Lieutenant Stamp’s next appointment was, in 1800, to the Defence 74, commanded by Lord Henry Paulet, who had applied for him to be first of that ship, but which request the Admiralty refused to comply with, in consequence of his being so young an officer. On the 11th June, in the same year, he assisted at the capture of la Nochette French gunboat, mounting 2 long 24-pounders, a chasse marée of 10 guns, another of 6, and eight sail of transports; the following is a copy of the official letter written on that occasion:–
“Sir,– In pursuance of the directions you gave me yesterday evening, two boats from each ship named in the margin[1], assembled on board the Fisgard, in order to attack the convoy lying at St. Croix; and at 11 o’clock, being as near the shore as the darkness of the night would permit, they proceeded under the command of the following officers: Lieutenant Burke, Renown; Lieutenant Green, and Lieutenant Gerard, R.M. Fisgard; Lieutenant Stamp, Defence; and Lieutenant Price, Unicorn; but the wind being fresh from the S.E. prevented their reaching the above anchorage till after day-light; when, in opposition to a heavy battery, three armed vessels, and a constant fire of musketry from the shore, they took the three armed vessels and eight others, laden with supplies for the fleet at Brest; the rest, amounting to 20 sail, ran upon the rocks, where many of them will certainly be lost.
“I have the pleasure to assure you, that the officers and men employed on this service, shewed a degree of zeal and intrepidity that can only be equalled by the cool, steady conduct which I had the satisfation to observe in them, when passing through a very intricate navigation, under a constant discharge of cannon from the shore.
“Lieutenant Burke speaks highly in favor of Mr. Jane, acting lieutenant of the Renown, Mr. Fleming, mate of the Fisgard, and Lieutenant Killogrivoff, of the Russian service, a volunteer; and I am glad they have had this opportunity of recommending themselves to your notice.
“The enemy have lost several officers and men, and I am sorry to annex the names of several wounded in our boats[2].
“I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“T. B. Martin.”
“To Rear-Admiral Sir John B. Warren, Bart. K.B.
The Defence was one of the three ships sent by Sir Hyde Parker to reinforce Nelson’s division at the battle of Copen-
