in l’Argus sloop, on the West India station, Sept. 17th 1806.
We next find Mr. Phillips commanding the Affiance schooner, on the coast of Demerara, from which vessel he was removed to the Phoebe 36, Captain James Oswald. After serving for sometime in that frigate, on the Plymouth and Mediterranean stations, he joined the Barfleur 98, hearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Charles Tyler, and employed in the blockade of Lisbon, from whence she escorted home the first division of the Russian squadron, surrendered by Vice-Admiral Siniavin, in the autumn of 1808.
Mr. Phillips next served under Vice-Admiral George Campbell, in the Downs; and, during the Walcheren expedition, as flag-lieutenant to Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, with whom he afterwards proceeded to the defence of Cadiz, in the Implacable 74. While employed in that arduous service, lie was successively appointed to the command of the Wizard and Tuscan, 10-gun brigs, Onyx 10, and Hound bomb; which latter appointment appears to have been confirmed by the Admiralty, but not until nearly two years after the date of his first acting order. In the course of this period, he was frequently engaged with the enemy’s batteries, particularly during the last heavy bombardment of Cadiz from the forts near Matagorda; and on one occasion he had the satisfaction of personally rescuing a Spanish vessel, which had drifted on the beach, under the fire of fort Napoleon. If we mistake not, he was also employed in co-operation with Lieutenant-General Graham (now Lord Lynedoch), when that officer marched from Tariffa, and obtained a brilliant victory over Marshal Victor, at Barrosa[1]. In the early part of 1812, he reported his having captured a row-boat privateer, and the destruction, by the boats of the Onyx and Desperate, of a merchant brig lying on the beach near Conil, where she was protected both by great guns and musketry. His promotion to the rank of commander took place Oct. 6th, 1812.
