was often employed in sounding near to, and reconnoitring the strength of, the enemy’s military positions. It was on one of those occasions, that, in a ten-oared cutter, and by day-light, he boarded and carried the ship Tadg Bax, secured about 32 prisoners, and brought her out under a heavy cross fire of two batteries, close to which she was lying when attacked, moored with springs, and fully prepared for defence.
On the 21st Sept. 1809, Lieutenant Lloyd again served on shore as a volunteer, and commanded the Raisonable’s well trained small-arm men at the capture of St. Paul’s, in Isle Bourbon; by which event, two British East Indiamen, and their crews and passengers, with property to an immense amount, were rescued from the enemy; all the defences of the anchorage, and several vessels, destroyed; and la Caroline French frigate, an armed brig, and three merchantmen captured[1]. Captain Rowley, the senior naval officer present, when making his report to Vice-Admiral Bertie, commander-in-chief on the Cape station, expressed himself as follows:–
“The loss sustained by the naval detachment, considering the nature of the service, and the advantages of position on the part of the enemy, was not so great as might have been expected[2]. Among the wounded, I have particularly to regret Lieutenant Lloyd, and Lieutenant (Matthew) Howden, R.M., both of the Raisonable, who have been always zealously forward on occasions for service.”
At a distant period. Captain Willoughby returned the following answer to a letter from the subject of this memoir:–
“My dear Sir,– In compliance with your wish for me to state my opinion of your services, while under my command, at the attack of St. Paul’s, Isle Bourbon, it highly gratifies me that I have an opportunity of assuring yon, that, from the commencement of the attack to the capture of the place, your zeal, gallantry, and activity were so conspicuous, as to be noticed by every one, and would give me confidence in having you with me in any arduous service. I am, my dear Sir, yours faithfully,
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p 626 et seq.; and Suppl. Part II. pp. 142–145.
- ↑ Two of Lieutenant Lloyd’s party were killed and six wounded: the total loss was seven killed, eighteen wounded, and one missing. Not a man or boy of any description was hurt on board the Sirius or any other ship of the squadron.
