and 45 men, from Cayenne to Bourdeaux, laden with cotton, indigo, and camphor; and a Spanish brig from Corunna to Monte Video, with a cargo of iron, and bale goods.
Towards the latter end of Jan. 1801, the Sirius, in company with l’Oiseau, intercepted la Dedaigneuse French frigate of 36 guns, pierced for 40, and 300 men, from Cayenne bound to Rochefort, with despatches. She surrendered after a gallant resistance, with the loss of several men killed and 17 wounded. Captain Linzee, of l’Oiseau, in his official letter, giving an account of this capture, expressed himself much indebted to Captain King, for his steady and well directed fire, from which the enemy received considerable damage. The Amethyst, Captain Cooke, joined in the chace, but was unable to get up until la Dedaigneuse had struck. On this occasion, the British frigates sustained very little damage, and had not a man hurt.
From the peace of Amiens until the month of Aug. 1802, Captain King commanded a light squadron employed against the smugglers. The Sirius was then ordered to be put out of commission; and our officer remained upon half-pay till the spring of 1805, when he was appointed to the Achille, of 74 guns, which ship formed part of Lord Nelson’s fleet in the memorable battle of Trafalgar, and appears to have been very warmly engaged, having had 13 men killed and 59 wounded. Captain King succeeded to the baronetcy on the demise of his father, which took place in Nov. 1806.
Early in 1808, we find Sir Richard King employed in the blockade of Ferrol, and in the following year he commanded a squadron off Cherbourgh. He afterwards served at the defence of Cadiz, from whence he proceeded to the Mediterranean; and in February 1811, was appointed Captain of the Fleet on that station, under the orders of the late Sir Charles Cotton, with whom he served in the same capacity when that Admiral was removed to the Channel fleet.
At the general promotion, Aug. 12, 1812, Sir Richard obtained the rank of Rear-Admiral; and during the remainder of the war had his flag in the San Josef of 110 guns, off Toulon. On the 2d Jan. 1815, he was nominated a K.C.B.; and in the spring of 1816, appointed Commander-in-Chief on the East India station, from whence he returned to England, Oct.
