son was then about to take possession of, in return for his late unwelcome reception[1].
The truly glorious part borne by the officers and crew of the Captain at the memorable battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14th, 1797, on which day they boarded and carried one ship of 112 guns and another of 84, has been fully noticed in Vol. I. Part II. p. 774 et seq. and Vol. II. Part II. pp. 567–569.
In the month of May ensuing, Lieutenant Compton followed Sir Horatio Nelson into the Theseus 74; and after the unsuccessful attack on Santa Cruz, we find him returning home with his wounded chief, in the Seahorse frigate, Captain T. F. Fremantle. In Dec. 1797, he joined the Vanguard 74, fitting out for the flag of the great hero, and under which he bore a part at the memorable battle of the Nile. On the first anniversary of that glorious event, Nelson wrote to the Admiralty as follows:–
“Too much praise cannot be given to Captain Troubridge, for his wonderful exertion in bringing about these happy events” (the expulsion of the French from Naples, Capua, and Gaieta[2]). “Captain Hallowell has also the greatest merit. Captain Oswald, whom I sent to England, is an officer most highly deserving promotion. I have put Lieutenant Compton, who has served with him as lieutenant since January 1796, into, the command of the Perseus, and beg leave to recommend him as highly meriting promotion.”
In Sept. following, the Perseus was employed on the Roman coast, under the orders of Commodore Troubridge; and on that officer being recalled by Nelson, after obtaining possession of Civita Vecchia[3], he addressed the following order to her commander:–
