The subject of this memoir served under Captain (now Sir David) Milne, in la Pique 36, at the capture of the French frigate la Seine, June 29, 1798[1]. On that occasion, he received some severe bruises; and, his ship being destroyed, lost every thing belonging to him. During the remainder of the revolutionary war, we find him serving under Captains Sir Richard J. Strachan and Edward Griffith (now Vice-Admiral Colpoys), in the Diamond 38; and accompanying her boats, as a volunteer, whenever they were sent against the enemy, with whom he was consequently engaged more than thirty times, previous to the treaty of Amiens.
After passing the usual examination for lieutenant, in 1802, Mr. Branch joined the Resistance 36, Captain the Hon. Philip Wodehouse, who strongly recommended him to the patronage of the immortal Nelson, for his general good conduct, but more particularly for his great exertions when that frigate was wrecked, near Cape St. Vincent, May 31, 1803, where he again lost all his property. In consequence of this recommendation, he was received on board the Victory; and in less than four months afterwards, appointed acting lieutenant of the Weazle sloop, Captain William Layman, under whom he continued to serve till that vessel likewise was wrecked, in a heavy easterly gale, near Cabritta Point, coast of Andalusia, Mar. 1, 1804; when, for the third time, he was deprived of every necessary, and only saved his life by swimming through an awful surf, sadly bruised in many parts of his body. Previous to this disaster, the Weazle had been most actively employed in protecting the trade of Gibraltar, and often engaged with the enemy’s gun-boats, land-batteries, and privateers.
Mr. Branch returned home in the Argo 44, Captain Hallowell (now Sir Benjamin H. Carew); and his commission as lieutenant having been confirmed by the Admiralty, May 8, 1804, he was, at the particular request of that distinguished officer, appointed with him to the Tigre 80, in which ship he went back to the Mediterranean station, and from thence
