General de Vins; and in checking the trade between Genoa, France, and the places occupied by the republican troops.
The various and important services which that lamented hero performed with his small squadron, during the Vado campaign, formed a striking contrast with the slow and unprofitable movements of the Imperialists; and on one occasion he actually impeded the progress of the Conqueror of Italy. Six vessels, laden with cannon and ordnance-stores for the siege of Mantua, sailed from Toulon for St. Pier d’Arena. Assisted by Captain Cockburn, he drove them under a battery, the fire of which he silenced, and captured the whole. Military books, plans, and maps of Italy, with the different points marked upon them, where former battles had been fought, sent by the Directory for Buonaparte’s use, were found in the convoy. The loss of this artillery was one of the chief causes which compelled the French to raise the siege of Mantua; but there was too much treachery, and too much imbecility, both in the councils and armies of the allied powers, for Austria to improve this momentary success.
We make the following extract from Commodore Nelson’s letter to Sir John Jervis, giving an account of the above capture:
“I directed Captain Cockburn of the Meleager to lead in, which he did in the most officer-like manner; and at 3 o’clock the Meleager and Agamemnon brought up in less than four fathoms water, as did soon afterwards the Peterell and Speedy. After a short resistance from the battery and vessels, we took possession of them. It is impossible I can do justice to the alacrity and gallantry ever conspicuous in my little squadron. Our boats boarded the national ketch la Genie, the Commodore of the convoy, notwithstanding the fire of three 18-pounders, and one of similar calibre, in a gun-boat. The Blanche and Diadem being to leeward, the former could not anchor until the vessels had struck; but the boats of all the ships were active in getting the prizes off the shore, the enemy having cut their cables when they surrendered. A smart fire of musketry was kept up from the shore during the whole of this service.
“Much as I feel indebted to every officer in the squadron, yet I cannot omit to mention the great support and assistance I have ever received from Captain Cockburn, who has been nearly a year under my command on this station; and I should feel myself guilty of neglect of duty, were I not to represent his zeal, ability, and courage, which are conspicuous on every occasion that offers[1].”
- ↑ The above-mentioned affair took place May 31, 1796; the loss sus-
