From that ship, Mr. Pechell was removed to the Macedonian 38, then employed on the coast of Portugal, but afterwards in the blockade of Rochefort. On the 7th Aug. 1812, the capture of a French lugger, lying aground within musket shot of the formidable batteries on l’Isle d’Aix, was communicated to the squadron by the following telegraphic message:– “None killed; drove on shore by ship last night, and gallantly brought from under batteries by Lieutenant Pechell.”
The Macedonian was at this time commanded by Captain John Surman Garden, whom Lieutenant Pechell shortly afterwards quitted in order to join the St. Domingo 74, bearing the flag of his uncle. Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart., who soon placed him in the temporary command of the Colibri brig, on the North American station, where he captured and destroyed many of the enemy’s merchantmen. In 1813, he again received an acting order from the same admiral, and cruised in the Recruit brig, with very great success, on the coasts of Carolina, Georgia, &c. The latter sloop had been frozen up, at the island of Cape Breton, the whole of the preceding winter ; her crew had suffered very much from the want of fresh provisions, warm clothing, and other necessaries; and when he sailed on his first cruise in her, she had not more than half of her established complement on board. Among the numerous vessels taken, re-captured, and destroyed, with such feeble means, was the American letter of marque schooner Inca, of 6 guns and 35 men. His promotion to the rank of commander, however, did not take place before May 30, 1814; from which period he remained on half-pay till May 26, 1818.
Captain Pechell was then appointed to the Bellette sloop, fitting out for the Halifax station, where we find him employed in protecting the revenue and fisheries, pursuant to the treaty of Ghent. In 1820, he was directed by Rear-Admiral Griffith (now Colpoys), to take the command of the Tamar 26, which ship had just arrived from Jamaica, with scarcely enough men on board to navigate her, even in the finest weather; her captain (Arthur Stow) and 75 of her
