to his Majesty’s colours were the Marengo of 80 guns, 740 men; and la Belle Poule of 40 guns, 18-pounders, and 320 men, returning to France from the East Indies; these ships being the remainder of the French squadron which had committed so much depredation upon the British commerce in the Eastern world.
“I have much satisfaction in stating the meritorious and gallant conduct of Captains Sir Harry Neale and William Parker, supported by the zeal and bravery of the officers and crews of their respective ships, who claim my warmest thanks and acknowledgments, and whose exertions, I hope, will recommend them to their Lordships’ particular notice and protection.
“I cannot, however, avoid regretting, that the force of the enemy did not afford to the officers and men of the other ships of the squadron, who shewed the most earnest desire to have closed with the enemy, an opportunity of displaying that valour and attachment to their King and Country, which I am confident they will be happy to evince upon some future and more favorable occasion[1].”
In the summer of 1809, we find Captain Parker actively employed in co-operation with the patriots of Galicia[2]. On the 23d March, 1811, he captured le Cupidon French privateer of 14 guns and 82 men. In the ensuing month of June, the boats of the Amazon, under the directions of Lieutenant Westphal, made a gallant and successful attack on an enemy’s convoy, near the Penmarks. One of the vessels having been cut off by the frigate, the remainder, eight in number, ran on shore, under the protection of a battery, notwithstanding the fire from which, and from a considerable number of troops, three were brought off, and the other five destroyed, without any loss on the part of the British.
Captain Parker was nominated a C.B. in 1815. He married, about June 1810, Frances Anne, youngest daughter of Sir Theophilus Biddulph, Bart.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
- ↑ The Amazon on this occasion had her first Lieutenant (R. Seymour), a marine officer, 1 seaman, and 1 marine killed, and 6 seamen wounded. The loss sustained by the London and the French ships has been stated in our memoir of Sir Harry Neale. See vol. I. p. 436.
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 617, et seq.
