l’Isla de Leon, in, Aug. 1812. His promotion to the rank of commander took place June 15, 1814.
From this period we lose sight of Captain Powell until July 1816, when he embarked as a volunteer on board the Impregnable 104, which ship bore the flag of Rear-Admiral (now Sir David) Milne, and was commanded by Captain Brace, at the memorable battle of Algiers; on which occasion, her loss was infinitely greater than that sustained by any other ship belonging to the combined squadrons[1]. In the midst of the sanguinary conflict. Captain Powell went with a message to Lord Exmouth, informing him how severely she was suffering, and requesting he would, if possible, send a frigate to divert some of the enemy’s fire from her. On his return, he was ordered by the rear-admiral to superintend the placing of an explosion-vessel close under the semicircular battery to the northward of the light-house, where she blew up, and, having been charged with 143 barrels of powder, must have operated very successfully as a diversion in favor of the dreadfully cut-up Impregnable.
Captain Powell was soon afterwards appointed to the Heron sloop, which vessel he commanded, chiefly on the Milford station, till Feb. 1819. His post commission bears date Dec. 26, 1822.
This officer lost a brother in the Hero 74, Captain James N. Newman, under whom he was serving as midshipman, when that ship perished on the Haak Sand, near the Texel, Dec. 25, 1811[2].
Agents.– Messrs. Atkins and Son.
JOHN DONALDSON BOSWALL, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1822.]
We first find this officer serving in the Centaur 74, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Samuel Hood, on the Leeward Islands station, where he subsequently distinguished himself by his “coolness and bravery,” while acting as lieutenant of the
