Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/392

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1814.
371

night determined her commander to risk the attempt, although closely watched by the Challenger. She was discovered under sail at day-light on the morning of the 13th Oct. 1813; and instantly pursued by Captain Vernon, in company with the Constant gun-brig and Telegraph schooner, commanded by Lieutenants John Stokes and Timothy Scriven. It being impossible for her to escape, she anchored under the protection of some batteries close to the mouth of the Adour, and after sustaining a cannonade of some duration was set on fire by her crew, who suddenly quitted her, and speedily gained the shore. This little affair was witnessed by some thousands of the French and British armies.

Captain Vernon was with Rear-Admiral (now Sir Charles V.) Penrose, when that officer forced the passage of the Gironde, Mar. 27, 1814[1]. He obtained post rank June 7 following; and has since commanded the Blossom 24, and Doris frigate, on the South American station.

Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.



EDWARD BRAZIER, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]

Was made lieutenant, July 29, 1807; commander, Aug. 2, 1811; and post-captain, June 7, 1814.




CHARLES HEWIT, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]

Is descended from a family of antiquity in Essex, the head of which is possessed of one of the oldest English baronetcies.

Mr. Charles Hewit was born at Ilford, in the above county. He entered the navy, Feb. 3, 1781, as midshipman on board the Union 90, Captain John Dalrymple, which ship accompanied Lord Howe to the relief of Gibraltar, and sustained a loss of 5 men killed and 15 wounded, in the partial action off Cape Spartel, Oct. 20, 1782[2].

  1. See Suppl. Part II. p. 287, et seq.
  2. See Vol. I. Part I. pp. 17, 106, &c.