In the course of the same year, Lieutenant Dundas was promoted to the rank of Commander; and at the commencement of 1801, we find him in the Calpe, a polacre-rigged vessel, employed with some gun-boats under his orders on the Gibraltar station, protecting convoys passing through the Gut.
The Calpe was with Sir James Saumarez in the actions of July 6 and 13, 1801; and her commander’s behaviour on those occasions is thus noticed by that most excellent officer, in his official letters:
“The Hon. Captain Dundas, of his Majesty’s polacre the Calpe, made his vessel as useful as possible, and kept up a spirited fire on one of the enemy’s batteries.”
“My thanks are also due to Captain Hollis, of the Thames, and to the lion. Captain Dundas, of the Calpe, whose assistance was particularly useful to Captain Keats in securing the enemy’s ship, and enabling the Superb to stand after the squadron, in case of our having been enabled to renew the action.”
The prize alluded to in the last extract was the San Antonio of 74 guns, in which ship Captain Dundas soon after returned to England. His post commission bears date Aug. 3, 1801. He subsequently commanded the Quebec and Euryalus frigates.
Early in 1806, the Euryalus sailed from England in company with the Ocean of 98 guns, and several other ships of war, having under their protection a large fleet of merchantmen bound to Oporto, Lisbon, the Mediterranean, &c. On
Master, Purser, Surgeon, four Master’s Mates, eighteen Midshipmen, the Boatswain, Captain’s and Secretary’s Clerks, Schoolmaster, and three Surgeon’s Mates. The total loss of lives on this disastrous occasion, according to Schomlerg, was 673, out of a complement (including the Admiral and his retinue, part of whom, together with the Chaplain and three other gentlemen, were on shore at the time), amounting to 840 officers, men, and boys. The Queen Charlotte was one of the finest ships in the British navy. She was launched in 1790, and her first cruise was with the fleet fitted out against Spain in consequence of the dispute respecting Nootka Sound. Earl Howe, who was commander-in-chief of that fleet, was then on board of her; and she also bore his Lordship’s flag on the glorious 1st June, 1794. She was rated at 100 guns, but mounted more than that number.
