guns; and towards the close of the same year, we find him serving off Cadiz under Rear-Admiral Purvis, by whom he was deputed, with 200 men, to fit out the Spanish fleet at the Caraccas; which service, notwithstanding the sad disorder in which he found the ships, and the reluctance with which the Spaniards consented to such a measure, he performed by means of very extraordinary exertions, in the short space of eight days; and thus saved them from falling into the hands of the French, who were endeavouring to obtain possession of them[1].
From the Cadiz station Captain Donnelly proceeded to the Mediterranean, and joined Lord Collingwood off Toulon at the commencement of 1810, but was soon after compelled, in consequence of a cataract, to resign the command of the Invincible, a circumstance rendered the more mortifying, as he had with infinite pains succeeded in establishing a perfect system of discipline among his young ship’s company. The disease of his eyes continued for about two years, and prevented him from going afloat during that period. Immediately on his recovery, however, he applied for employment, and had the gratification of receiving an appointment, by return of post, to the Devonshire, a new 74; which ship he fitted out with her marines, but never went to sea in, peace taking place before she could be manned. He was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, June 4, 1814[2].
Our officer has recently lost a son, who, at the time of his demise, commanded the Najib regiment of native cavalry. His eldest daughter is the lady of the Right Hon. Lord Audley, to whom she was married in April, 1816.
Residence.– Sussex House, Hammersmith.
SIR JOHN POO BERESFORD,
Baronet; Rear-Admiral of the Red; Knight Commander of tke most honorable Military Order of the Bath; Commander-in-Chief at Leith; and Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed.
This officer is a son of George, first Marquis of Waterford, K.P., and elder brother of Lieutenant-General Lord Beresford, G.C.B. Early in 1795, we find him commanding the
- ↑ See pp. 239, 240.
- ↑ In Oct. 1805, the freedom of the city of Cork was voted to Captain Donnelly, in consideration of bis cordial reception of, and polite attention to, the Mayor and Corporation, on an occasion which caused them to visit the Narcissus; as well as of his public character.
