Captain Curry was subsequently employed in affording protection to the trade passing down Channel, and on secret service, under the orders of Captain d’Auvergne, Prince of Bouillion, the senior officer on the Guernsey and Jersey stations[1]. In the autumn of 1800, he accompanied a detachment of troop-ships to Quiberon Bay and Vigo; from whence he proceeded to Gibraltar, and joined the grand expedition assembled there under Lord Keith and Sir Ralph Abercromby, an account of whose movements will be found under the head of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane[2].
The debarkation of the British army on the coast of Egypt, having been effected under cover of the Fury, Tartarus, &c. &c. Captain Curry took a position for bombarding the castle of Aboukir, which at length surrendered on the 18th March 1801. In it were found 12 guns, abundance of ammunition, and a garrison of 190 men.
Anxious to maintain the character which the army had acquired in the battles of March 8, 13, and 21[3], Major-General Hutchinson, who had succeeded to the chief command on the death of Sir Ralph Abercromby, resolved on some offensive operations, which should harrass the enemy, and ameliorate the condition of his troops. A detachment under Colonel Spencer, with eight pieces of cannon and 4000 Turks, were accordingly sent to attack Rosetta; and after a distressing march across the desert, succeeded in obtaining possession of that place without much opposition. About the same period, Captain Curry received orders to join the combined flotilla on the Nile, where he was engaged in most active service till the surrender of Grand Cairo.
The castle of St. Julian, to which the French had retired from Rosetta, was defended by fifteen pieces of cannon, and four armed djerms were anchored under the walls. On the 16th April, it was attacked by a division of British and Turkish gun-boats, under the directions of Captain Curry in the Fury’s cutter. The firing commenced at 11h 30' A.M., and was immediately returned by the enemy on shore and afloat. At
- ↑ The celebrated General Georges, and a number of emigrants, were landed on the French coast from the Fury.
- ↑ See Vol. I, note † at 259, et seq. and note *, at p. 313..
- ↑ See p. 384, et seq.
