made an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession of Martinique, in 1793[1].
On his return to England, Lieutenant Scott removed into the Bellerophon 74, bearing the broad pendant, and afterwards the flag, of the late Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart. He consequently bore a part in Earl Howe’s actions of May 28 and 29, and June 1, 1794; for a general outline of which, we must refer the reader to our first volume, p. 75, et seq. An account of the Bellerophon’s conspicuous behaviour on those memorable days will be found at pp. 509 and 510 of the same.
Lieutenant Scott’s next appointment was, Aug. 1, 1794, to the Niger of 32 guns; in which frigate he assisted at the capture of a French convoy, May 9, 1795[2]. At the commencement of the ensuing year he was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Albatross sloop of war. Captain Scott’s good qualities as an officer are thus alluded to in the records of the Committee of Merchants, appointed for the purpose of counteracting the mutiny at the Nore:
“Marine Society’s Office, London, July 31, 1797.
“At a meeting of the Committee of Merchants, &c. &c., held here this day–
“Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be transmitted to Captain Scott, and the officers of H.M.S. Albatross, for their spirited conduct in suppressing a mutiny on board the said ship, and detaching her from the ships in a mutinous state, in order to prevent the contagion becoming more general on board the Albatross.
(Signed)“Hugh Inglis, Chairman.”
This testimony of the approbation of so respectable and patriotic a body as the merchants of London, was no doubt highly gratifying to Captain Scott, whom we shortly after find cruising in the North Sea, where he captured two of the enemy’s privateers; de Braave of 12 guns, and l’Emouchet of 8 guns and 55 men. His post commission bears date June 15, 1798.
From this period, Captain Scott remained on half-pay till July 10, 1799, when he obtained the command of the Stately, a 64 gun ship, armed en flute. In April 1800, he sailed with troops for the Mediterranean; and after his arrival on that