Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/335

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POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.
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and House of Assembly, together with the most marked attention, and expressions of gratitude from all classes of the inhabitants. Soon after his arrival in England, he received the following letter from Drewry Ottley, Esq., second in Council of the above island:

“Dear Sir. It is with great; pleasure that I hear of your safe arrival at the Isle of Wight, where I make no doubt but that by the attention of your friends, the skill of your surgeons, and your own good constitution and high spirits, you will be soon restored to health, and enabled once more to engage in the service of your country. I made a point as soon as I arrived in London, to write to Lord Spencer about you, and to explain to him the obligations which our colony felt for your gallant and spirited behaviour. I shewed him also a copy of our vote of thanks. He expressed himself much pleased with what you had done, and promised to take an early opportunity of rewarding your services. I am, dear Sir,

“Your faithful and obedient Servant,
(Signed)“Drewry Ottley.”

Lieutenant Hill was advanced to the rank of Commander, July 24, 1795; and in Feb. 1797, had the honor of being coupled with Captain Skynner, in a letter of thanks from the Agents for the colony of St. Vincent. His sufferings in consequence of his wound were long and severe; nor do we find him again in employ till the spring of 1798, when he was appointed to the Sea Fencibles in the Isle of Wight. He afterwards commanded the Gorgon, a 44-gun ship, armed en flute, on the Mediterranean station; and Megaera fire-vessel, attached to the Channel fleet. His post commission bears date Jan. 1, 1801.

Captain Hill’s subsequent appointments were, in succession, to the Princess Royal of 98 guns; Ruby 64; Camilla 24; Orpheus 32; Agincourt 64; and Naiad, a 38-gun frigate.

In April 1805, Captain Hill worked the Orpheus out of the Tagus during a gale of wind, to the astonishment of the most experienced pilots, and succeeded in conveying and forwarding intelligence of the French and Spanish fleets having formed a junction at Cadiz, to our squadrons off Ferrol, Brest, and Ireland. Previous to, and after that event, he was principally employed affording protection to the trade.

In March, 1810, eight petty officers and seamen belonging to the Naiad, were tried by a court-martial at Plymouth, on charges of which the following is the substance, viz: