Rio Janeiro. I trust you will make every allowance for this hurried statement, the causes being more unaccountable than any thing I have ever met with in the whole course of my naval experience; as, from all the precautionary measures taken, nothing but the strongest current, and the thick hazy weather, with hard rain, can possibly be offered in extenuation. I am, &c.
On his return home, in Mar. 1831, Captain Burgess was tried by a court-martial; when it appeared from the evidence adduced, that the loss of the Thetis was owing to too much confidence having been placed in the dead reckoning, in consequence of which she had unnecessarily deviated from the usual track of ships bound homeward, without due allowance having been made for the frequent influence of the winds upon the set of the currents on the Brazilian coast; and it was also proved, that under such circumstances the precaution of sounding, so strictly pointed out by the general printed instructions, was entirely neglected. The Court was therefore of opinion, that blame was imputable to Captain Burgess and to Mr. William Gowdy, the master, for their conduct upon the occasion; but in consideration of their former long services, and good conduct subsequent to the loss of the ship, did adjudge Captain Burgess to lose only one year’s rank in H.M. naval service, and Mr. Gowdy two years’ seniority as master; the remaining officers and ship’s company were acquitted of all blame.
Agents.– Messrs. Booth & Pettet.
HENRY EDWARD NAPIER, Esq.
Fellow of the Royal Society.
[Captain of 1830.]
This officer was made a lieutenant in May 1810; appointed to the Minerva frigate. Captain Richard Hawkins, Oct. 14th, 1812; promoted to the command of the Rifleman bloop, June 7th, 1814; and kept in employment until Aug. 1815. In 1821, and the two following years, he commanded the Jaseur of 18 guns, on the Halifax station. His commission as captain bears date Dec. 31st, 1830.
Agents.– Messrs. Maude & Co.
