Mr. Dashwood’s conduct as a Midshipman of the Impregnable 98, on the glorious 1st June, 1794, we have already noticed in our first volume[1]. For his spirited exertions on that day he was immediately after promoted to the rank of Lieutenant; and at the particular request of Rear-Admiral Caldwell, appointed to a vacancy in the same ship, occasioned by the death of an officer[2] who had been mortally wounded in the action.
The Impregnable was paid off, and Mr. Dashwood appointed to the Defiance 74, in 1796. From her he removed into the Magnanime of 48 guns, as first Lieutenant, during the alarming mutiny in 1797; on which occasion the crew of the Defiance, offended at the resolute manner in which he opposed their rebellious and blood-thirsty designs, insisted on his leaving the ship; which was perseveringly resisted by their captain and officers, until he was directed to do so by Lord Bridport, commander-in-chief of the Channel fleet[3].
On the 24th Aug. 1798, the Magnanime, commanded by the Hon. Michael de Courcy, assisted at the capture of la Decade French frigate, off Cape Finisterre; and in October following she bore a distinguished part in the action between Sir John B. Warren and M. Bompart, the result of which we have already stated[4]. On the latter occasion Lieutenant Dashwood took possession of the Hoche, and had the honor of receiving the French Commodore’s sword; but was shortly after superseded by an officer of the Canada, bearing Sir John B. Warren’s broad pendant, and then placed in charge of la Coquille frigate. After encountering various difficulties, occasioned by the damaged state of the prize, and a continuance of tempestuous weather, he put into Belfast to refit, and from thence proceeded to Plymouth, where la Coquille was burnt by accident on the 14th Dec., and several of her crew, with three women, unfortunately perished.
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 692.
- ↑ Lieutenant Buller; see Vol. I. note at p. 655.
- ↑ Under the head of Admiral Theophilus Jones, at that time Captain of the Defiance, Vol. I. p. 242, will be found a copy of the horrible oath by which the Roman Catholics on board that ship bound themselves to murder every Protestant among her crew, and then proceed into an enemy’s port.
- ↑ See Vol. I. pp. 171, 452, 492, and 534; also Vol. II. p. 254 et seq.
