She was also in occasional attendance on their late Majesties at Weymouth. On the 9th Sept. 1799, a grand naval fete, consisting of a ball and dinner party, was given on board by Captain Durham and his lady, which the royal family honored with their presence.
We next find Captain Durham commanding the Endymion frigate, and employed in escorting the trade from Portugal and the Mediterranean. In 1802, the Hon. East India Company presented him with a service of plate, value 400 guineas, for his peculiar attention in convoying safe home a large fleet of Indiamen.
On the renewal of the war, in 1803, he was appointed to the Defiance, of 74 guns, the fastest sailing ship of her rate in the British navy. At the latter end of the same year, he recaptured the Flying Fish, from the coast of Africa, laden with ivory, gold-dust, &c.
The Defiance formed part of the force under Sir Robert Calder, in the action with the combined squadrons of France and Spain, July 22, 1805[1]; on which occasion she had 1 man killed and 7 wounded. On the ever memorable 21st Oct. in the same year, she sustained a much heavier loss, having had 17 men slain and 53 wounded. Among the latter number was Captain Durham, whose exertions after the battle, in endeavouring to save l’Aigle, a French 74, from being wrecked, were particularly noticed by Nelson’s gallant successor, Vice-Admiral Collingwood, in his official despatches.
At the public funeral of his heroic chief, our officer bore the banner of the deceased, as a Knight of the Bath. He subsequently commanded the Renown, of 74 guns, and from her removed into the Colossus of the same force, in which ship he terminated his services as a Captain. His promotion to the rank of a Flag-Officer took place July 31, 1810.
In 1811, we find Rear-Admiral Durham commanding a division of the North Sea fleet, employed off the Scheldt. During the two following years his flag was flying on board the Bulwark, in the Channel. Towards the conclusion of the war, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief at the Leeward
