Artois, off the Irish coast. He afterwards proceeded to Newfoundland, where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, by Admiral Campbell, in 1783, and served in that capacity on board the Danac and Mollis frigates, during the ensuing three years. We subsequently find him in the Kingfisher sloop, from which vessel he removed into the Trusty, 50, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Cosby, on the Mediterranean station[1].
Mr. Sotheron’s next appointment was about 1792, to be first Lieutenant of the Romney, another 50-gun ship, carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Goodall,in the Mediterranean; and in the course of the same year, he obtained the command of the Fury, of 14 guns, employed in affording protection to the trade between England and Portugal. He subsequently accompanied the expedition under his old patron Rear-Admiral M‘Bride[2] and the Earl of Moira, sent to assist the French royalists in Normandy and Brittany, but which returned to port in consequence of no favourable opportunity presenting itself for commencing operations with any prospect of success. The Fury was afterwards attached to Commodore Sir J. B. Warren’s squadron, stationed off the French coast, and assisted at the capture of la Vipere, a national corvette, mounting 18 guns.
Captain Sotheron was advanced to post rank Dec. 11, 1J93; and in the following year we find him commanding the Monarch, a 74-gun ship, bearing the broad pendant of Sir James
- ↑ Commodore Cosby hoisted his broad pendant on board the Trusty in 1786, and held the chief command in the Mediterranean till the month of Sept. 1790; but, with the exception of his embassy to the Emperor of Morocco, no event occurred during that period that is worthy of record. It was in 1788 that this mission was undertaken. At that period, some apprehensions were entertained, that the commerce of Britain might sustain a predatory interruption from the Barbary corsairs; Commodore Cosby was therefore directed to visit the different states, and to arrange such terms with the Emperor of Morocco, as might ensure the safety of the English traders. He accomplished the negociation and treaty with the greatest exactness and precision, and to the entire satisfaction of Government. He was afterwards advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Red; and died at Bath, Jan. 10, 1808, in his 78th year.
- ↑ Admiral M‘Bride, whose professional gallantry has often been the theme of praise, died in the course of the year 1800.
