following month, we find him joining the fleet under Earl St. Vincent, off Cadiz. The naval bulletins of that year afford us the following information:
Sir Horatio Nelson to Earl St. Vincent, July 4, 1797.
“In obedience to your orders, the Thunder was placed, by the good management of Lieutenant Gourly, assisted by Mr. Jackson, master of the Ville de Paris, within 2500 yards of the walls of Cadiz, and the shells were thrown from her with much precision, under the direction of Lieutenant Baynes, R.A. Unfortunately, it was soon found that the large mortar was materially injured from its former services; and I therefore judged it proper to order her to return. The Spaniards having sent out a great number of mortar-boats, gun-boats, and armed launches, I directed a vigorous attack to be made on them, which was done with such gallantry that they were drove and pursued close to the walls, and must have suffered considerable loss. I have the pleasure to inform you, that two mortar-boats and an armed launch remained in our possession.[1]”
Earl St. Vincent to Evan Nepean, Esq. July 10, 1797.
“Rear-Admiral Nelson ordered a second bombardment of Cadiz, on the night of the 5th, and appointed Mr. Jackson to place the Thunder, Terror, and Strombolo. It produced considerable effect in the town and among the shipping. Ten sail of the line, among them the ships bearing the flags of Admirals Mazarredo and Gravina, warped out of the reach of shell, with much precipitation, the following morning. This important service was effected with very little loss on our side.[2] The Rear-Admiral meditated another operation on the night of the 8th, but the wind blew so strong down the bay, he could not get his bomb-vessels up to the point of attack in time.”
Lieutenant Gourly returned to England, in very ill health, at the close of 1797; and he does not appear to have been again actively employed during the remainder of that war. After the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, he commanded one of the revenue cruisers, then under the orders of the Admiralty, and was presented by the owners of some Greenland ships, at Leith, with a gold watch, for his attention in convoying them on their outward voyage. In Dec. 1804, he visited the Texel, with a flag of truce, and was very kindly received by the Dutch Admiral, Verdoroon, who complimented him in the most flattering manner, on his seamanship,
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. p. 270.
- ↑ 3 sailors killed; 3 officers, 2 midshipmen, and 11 other persons, wounded.
