Durnford King, then about to convey Rear-Admiral William O’Brien Drury to India; in which ship he was present at the capture of the Danish settlement of Tranquebar. On her being put out of commission, Sept. 24, 1808, his captain recommended him as an officer “well qualified to command any small vessel the Lords of the Admiralty might think fit to appoint him to.”
We next find Lieutenant Smith serving as first of the Doterel brig, Captain Anthony Abdy, and assisting at the destruction of three large French frigates, near the powerful batteries of Sable d’Olonne, Feb. 24, 1809[1]. In Oct. following, he was appointed senior lieutenant of the Rifleman brig. Captain Alexander Innes, which vessel was twice saved from destruction through his watchfulness and presence of mind. Under that officer’s successor, Captain Joseph Pearce, he assisted at the capture of the Danish cutter Alban (formerly British) of 12 guns and 65 men, May 11, 1811[2]. His promotion to the rank of commander took place, at the intercession of the Marine Society, July 3, 1812; on which occasion he was appointed to the Buzzard brig, of 18 guns, fitting for the Mediterranean station.
In the summer of 1813, while employed in the blockade of Valencia, then occupied by the French army under Marshal Suchet, Captain Smith was informed by a Spaniard, that several privateers, and other vessels lying within the mole-heads of the Grao, were loaded with property to the amount of 500,000 dollars, partly captured at sea, and partly plundered from the inhabitants of the city, with which they were preparing to sail for France the first favorable opportunity; that there were then not more than 1000 troops at Valencia;
- ↑ See Vol. II. Part I., note at p. 490, and make the following correction in the seventh line of that note – for “another British frigate soon after heaving in sight,” read “the Indefatigable, another British frigate, having previously joined in the pursuit”.
- ↑ The Alban, Lieutenant W. S. Key, was totally wrecked near Aldborough, Dec. 18, 1812; and the whole of her crew, &c. except one man and one woman, perished.
