sible frigate, and la Constance of 24 guns. He was appointed Flag-Captain to Sir James Hawkins Whitshed, in Feb. 1821; and died at Portsmouth, May 13, 1823, in his 63d year.
SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY, BART.
[Post-Captain of 1798.]
Knight Commander of the most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; a Colonel of the Royal Marines; Commodore on the coast of South America; and a Chief-of-Division in the Portuguese Navy.
This officer, a native of Somersetshire, early displayed a decided attachment to the naval profession; and, contrary to the wishes of his family, resolutely began his career of glory without any interest to promote his views. He served for some time as Master’s-Mate in the Hebe frigate, commanded by the late gallant Captain Alexander Hood, in which ship Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn, whilst a Midshipman, was his messmate. After being separated by the vicissitudes of service for many years, they again met in la Minerve, of which frigate Mr. Hardy had been appointed a Lieutenant early in the revolutionary war, and in which capacity he served under his friend Captain Cockburn during the various operations already related in our memoir of that officer[1].
Whilst preparations were making in the fleet off Cadiz for an expedition against Teneriffe, the gallantry of our seamen was conspicuously displayed in the road of Santa Cruz. On
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 520 et seq. In addition to what we have already stated respecting the action between la Minerve and the Spanish frigate Sabina, it is necessary to observe, that on the surrender of the latter, Lieutenants Culverhouse and Hardy, with 40 men, were sent on board the prize, which was soon after taken in tow, but cast off again in consequence of another frigate approaching. This vessel engaged la Minerve about half an hour, and then hauled off. A Spanish squadron now hove in sight, and la Minerve had her own safety to look to. The officers on board the prize, purposely to draw the attention of the enemy from what, on more than one account, would have been by far the more valuable acquisition of the two, hoisted English over Spanish colours; and with their few men, not only kept the prisoners in subjection, but manoeuvred with the greatest skill, until the fall of their masts, when they were obliged to surrender. On Commodore Nelson’s return from Porto Ferrajo to Gibraltar, they had the gratification of being allowed to rejoin la Minerve, having been previously exchanged by the Spaniards.
