Rogers but returned from thence to the West Indies at the latter end of the same year, and subsequently cruised with considerable success against the enemy’s privateers, several of which she captured and destroyed[1].
In March 1795, the French having disembarked on the island of St. Vincent, excited the Caribs to revolt, and massacre many of the white inhabitants; by which means nearly the whole colony fell into the possession of the insurgents. Upon receiving intelligence to this effect, Captain Skynner lost no time in leaving his cruising ground and proceeding to Kingston Bay, where Lieutenant Hill was landed on the 12th, with a party of seamen and a 6-pounder, to co-operate with the British land forces then on the island. Aft this moment the enemy were in possession of Dorchester hill, a commanding eminence immediately above the town of Kingston, which they were preparing to cannonade. The post taken by Lieutenant Hill becoming untenable, he suggested to the Governor and Captain Skynner the necessity of driving the enemy from their position. His plan being adopted, as many seamen as could be collected from the vessels in the bay were landed on the evening of the 14th; and Captain Skynner having assumed the command of the whole, arrangements were forthwith made for carrying it into effect. At midnight this gallant little band moved on to the attack, preceded by Lieutenant Hill, and with such regularity that their approach was not discovered until they were within a few yards of. the enemy’s post. A brisk fire of musketry now did much execution among them; but the tars, who under Faulknor had stormed Fort Royal, were not to be daunted: rushing forward with impetuosity, they drove the Caribs from all points, and entirely off the hill, with the loss of Chatowee, their chief, who fought with great personal bravery and determination. In this brilliant affair, Lieutenant Hill received a very severe wound in the right shoulder, which obliged him to retire to his ship immediately after the occupation of Dorchester hill, and subsequently to return home. Previous to his departure from St. Vincent’s, he received the thanks of the Governor
- ↑ Captain Faulknor having previously been posted, the Zebra was now commanded by Captain Skynner.
