General Coote, who had, during the preceding night, driven in several of their out-posts, and advanced close up to an important position which they seemed conscious of being unable to defend; sent out, on the evening of the 26th, proposals for an armistice of three days, to arrange terms of capitulation, which I have no doubt will soon terminate in the surrender of the town.”
Lieutenant-General Hutchinson to Lord Hobart, one of the Principal Secretaries of State, dated Sept. 5th, 1801.
“The forts and town of Alexandria have surrendered to his Majesty’s troops, who, on the 2nd instant, took possession of the entrenched camp, the heights above Pompey’s Pillar, &c. &c. By the capitulation, the garrison are to be embarked for France, in the course of ten days, provided the shipping is in a state of preparation to receive them. * * * * * The exertions of individuals have been splendid and meritorious. I regret that the bounds of a despatch will not allow me to specify the whole, or to mention the name of every person who has distinguished himself in this arduous and important service. * * * * Great perseverance and exertions were required to get up heavy guns through a difficult and almost impracticable country. The labour and fatigue of the navy have been continued and excessive. I have every reason to be satisfied with the zeal and conduct of Captain Stevenson; the crews of the gun-boats displayed great gallantry, under his guidance, in the new inundation; and much approbation is also due to the naval officers who acted under his orders.”
Mr. Lloyd received a severe contusion whilst he was reconnoitring the enemy’s positions from the mast-head of his djerm, at the commencement of those operations; hut his anxious zeal for the service would not allow him to attend to it until all the guns were conveyed up Lake Mareotis, transported across the isthmus, and placed in battery against Fort Marabout. The pain he then suffered was so great as to oblige him to return on board the Dictator, which ship soon afterwards proceeded to Cyprus, with convalescents, for supplies and refreshments. She was put out of commission in March 1802; and a few weeks afterwards, Mr. Lloyd was again paid off, from the Hermes sloop of war.
Addendum from Supplement Part 4 p. 457: On rejoining the fleet under Lord Keith, Mr. Lloyd, though still unwell, and much troubled with ophthalmia, requested and obtained permission to share in the active detached services incidental to officers of his class, until the surrender of Alexandria, when the guards re-embarked, and the Dictator returned with them to England.
This officer next served on board the Leda frigate, commanded for a short time by his first naval friend, Captain Hardy, and subsequently by Captain Robert Honyman, who not only continued him in his rating as master’s-mate, but gave him charge of a watch as lieutenant, which he retained until his removal to the Diadem, 64, on promotion.
