into the Hibernia, July 31st, 1811. On the following day, Mr. Smyth joined the Rodney 74, Captain John Carter Allen, under whom, and Captain Edward Durnford King, he served as master’s-mate until about the close of 1812, when that ship was paid off, in consequence of her having been almost torn to pieces, by a violent gale in the stormy gulf of Lyons. In the mean time she had been actively employed on the coasts of Spain and France, and was with Sir Edward Pellew, in Hieres bay, when those fine three-deckers – the Caledonia, Hibernia, and Temeraire – drifted under Porquerolles, and received a heavy fire from the enemy’s batteries, which were soon silenced and laid in ruins by the British fleet. We afterwards find her watching the port of Toulon, with only two frigates in company; and in Mr. Smyth’s journal there is mention made of one of those occurrences which, though not then uncommon, marks the coolness with which affairs were managed:–
“Jan. 15th. 1812. Strong gales and clear weather. At day-break perceived a strange ship standing in towards Cape Sicie, and made all sail in chase. We were coming up with her, hand-over-hand, but still she had a chance of escape, only that the Apollo and Alcmene being close in shore, and under French colours, the stranger bore to them for protection, and was immediately boarded. In the interim, all the telegraphs along the coast were briskly worked, and twelve line-of-battle ships came out of the outer roads, under a heavy press of canvass, to rescue their vessel. Made the signal to the frigates to secure the prize, and stood on to observe the enemy. At noon, squally weather. Hove-to, and remained with the main-top-sail to the mast till, after a near approach, the French ships, three of which were first-rates, suddenly reefed their topsails, wore, and stood in for Toulon again. We then filled, joined the two frigates, and sent an officer with a party of men to carry the prize to Minorca.”
A survey of La-Isla-de-Leon and the neighbouring coast with an accurate detail of the strength of the various French and Spanish batteries, executed by Mr. Smyth while in command of the Mors-aut-Gloria, being at length submitted to Viscount Melville, by Captain Hurd, the hydrographer, and seconded by handsome testimonials from Captains Hall and Fellowes, of the ability and intrepidity which he had displayed during that period, his lordship was pleased to present him
