troy the former, which was accomplished, notwithstanding the resistance made by her crew, supported by some military, and the presence of several French men of war lying in Boston harbour. The Mohawk was afterwards commissioned as a sloop of war. Subsequent to the general pacification, the Enterprize took possession of Montserratt, Nevis, St. Kitt’s, and Dominica; which islands had been restored to Great Britain by the treaty of Versailles. She was paid off at Deptford May 26, 1784; and from that period Mr. Mackellar served in the abovementioned ships[1], until 1790, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Circe frigate, employed cruising in the Channel.
A few months after the commencement of hostilities against the French republic, our officer was appointed to the Assistance of 50 guns; in which ship we find him serving as first Lieutenant, at the capture of l’Elizabeth, mounting 40 guns, with a complement of 300 men, by the squadron under Vice-Admiral Murray, on the Halifax station, Aug. 28, 1796.
In Jan. 1797, Captain Mowatt, of the Assistance, having succeeded to the command of the squadron employed in North America, appointed Lieutenant Mackellar to the command of a sloop of war recently launched at Bermuda; but, on the arrival of Vice-Admiral Vandeput, he was superseded and obliged to return home as a passenger on board the St. Albans 64. On his arrival in England, he was confirmed as a Commander, by commission dated July 5, 1797; and in November following, he was appointed to the Minerva frigate, armed en flute.
The Minerva formed part of the expedition sent against Ostend, in May 1798; and Captain Mackellar, then labouring under a severe attack of dysentery, after distinguishing himself by his activity and zeal, appears to have been included in the capitulation by which the British troops, under Major-General Coote, and a detachment of seamen, landed from Sir Home Popham’s squadron, surrendered themselves as prisoners of war to a very superior French force[2].
- ↑ The Barfleur and Victory bore the flag of the late Viscount Hood; and the Salisbury that of Admiral Milbanke.
- ↑ See Vol. I. note at p. 713, et seq.
