Early on the morning of May 4 following, the boats of the Armide, assisted by those of the Cadmus sloop, and Monkey and Daring gun-brigs, the whole under the directions of Lieutenant Roberts, made (in attack upon a convoy at the Isle of Rhé, defended by batteries on shore, two armed luggers, and several pinnaces. Although the enemy were well prepared to receive them, our brave fellows boarded and took possession of 17 sail; but the wind unfortunately veered round from the northward to E.S.E. and blowing fresh into the anchorage, with a flood-tide, rendered abortive every attempt to bring them out; 13 were consequently burnt, and the others left on shore. In the performance of this dashing service, the British had 3 killed and 3 severely wounded; all belonging to the Armide. One of the slain was Lieutenant P. S. Townley, a gallant and very promising young officer.
Early in 1812, Mr. Roberts was applied for by the late Admiral Sir William Young, under whom he served as first lieutenant of the Impregnable 98, on the North Sea station, until his promotion to the rank of commander, Dec. 6, 1813; at which period he had not seen a relation for 17 years.
On the 19th Feb, 1814, Captain Roberts was appointed to the Meteor bomb; and in that vessel he accompanied a detachment of British troops, under Major-General Ross, from the Garonne to North America, where he again distinguished himself on many occasions, particularly during the expeditions against Alexandria[1], Baltimore, and New Orleans[2]. He was nominated a C.B. June 4, 1815; advanced to post rank on the 13th of the same month; appointed to the Tay 26, in Jan. 1816; wrecked the gulf of Mexico, Nov. 11 following; and fully acquitted of all blame for the loss of that ship, by a court-martial held at Jamaica, in March, 1817.
Some time after his return to England, Captain Roberts was entertained at the Commercial Hotel, Waterford, by a numerous and most respectable assemblage of his fellow citizens, who were desirous to manifest their sense of his
