a well, and forwarding any intelligence that might arrive, to his Lordship.
In June 1793, the Speedy conveyed M. Calonne, ex-Minister of France, from Gibraltar to Naples, on a political visit; and after performing that service joined Lord Hood at Toulon. She was subsequently employed in keeping up a communication between the Admiral and our Envoy at Genoa, the tenders hitherto sent on that service having been forcibly detained in that port, notwithstanding its neutrality, by the French vessels lying there.
On the 5th Oct. in the same year, the Speedy accompanied the Bedford and Captain, 74’s, into the harbour of Genoa, and assisted in seizing the Modeste frigate, and two armed tartans. From thence she proceeded in company with the Captain to Port Especia, in quest of another French frigate, the Imperieuse of 40 guns, which on the approach of the British was scuttled and abandoned by her crew. To this fine ship, the name of which on being weighed and taken into our service, was changed to the Unite, Captain Cunningham was appointed by a post commission, dated on the day of her capture[1], and afterwards confirmed by the Admiralty.
In April 1794, Captain Cunningham exchanged ships with Captain Wolseley of the Lowestoffe, in which frigate he assisted at the reduction of Calvi[2], from whence he was sent home overland with Lord Hood’s despatches announcing the total subjugation of Corsica, from which we make the following extract:
“Captain Cunningham, who has cruised with infinite diligence, zeal, and perseverance, under many difficulties, for three months past, off Calvi, is charged with my despatches, and is competent to give any information their lordships may wish to have. I beg to recommend him as an officer of great merit, and highly deserving any favor that can be shewn him.”
Captain Cunningham’s journey across the continent appears to have been a very rapid one, he having left Calvi on the 11th Aug., and notwithstanding his being obliged to make a circuitous route to avoid the French army, and a detention of three or four days at Helvoetsluys, occasioned by a heavy gale of wind, arrived in London on the 1st of the ensuing month.
His next appointment was in April, 1796, to the Clyde of 46 guns (rated at 38) and 261 men. During the remainder of that year we find him actively employed in the North Sea,
- ↑ Oct. 12, 1793.
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 252.
