has recently distinguished your character, by the hazardous and successful attempt on your part to save the lives of a female passenger and the crew of a vessel that had been wrecked while entering this harbour.
“To the gallant perseverance of yourself, and others of your countrymen, in the cause of humanity, the human beings in question were preserved from apparently inevitable destruction, and conveyed in safety to shore, through a heavy and tremendous surf. The Honorable the Governor has accordingly every satisfaction in thus distinctly recording his public acKnowledgments and approbation on so interesting an occasion. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Lieutenant J. W. Watling, R.N.,
Commanding the H.C. packet Wellesley.”
This officer’s next appointment was, in Dec. 1811, to the Aquilon 32, Captain William Bowles, under whom he served as first lieutenant, on the North Sea station, until June, 1812; when, on a representation of his services being made to Viscount Melville, he was directed to proceed, on half-pay, to the Cape of Good Hope, where he remained a considerable time without the least prospect of promotion. His commission as commander bears date Dec. 1st, 1813; but even then he was not called into service. In June 1815, we find him fitting out the Volcano bomb, which vessel was paid off in the month of Sept. following, lie then received an appointment to command the Julia sloop, destined to form part of the St. Helena squadron; from which station he was soon obliged to return home, for the recovery of his health, passenger on board an East Indiaman. He was afterwards employed as an inspecting commander of the coast guard; and advanced to the rank of captain, July 22d, 1830. His wife, who died in Mar. 1830, was the daughter of Philip Grubb, of Highgate, co. Middlesex, Esq.
Agent.– Messrs. Goode & Clarke.
RICHARD PRIDHAM, Esq.
[Captain of 1830.]
Is a burgess and common councilman of Plymouth. He obtained the rank of lieutenant Jan. 2d, 1798; served such on board the Centaur 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Ad-
