Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/29

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18
captains of 1827.

at Chatham, where he was serving when advanced to his present rank, on the 29th of Sept. following.

Agent.– J. Hinxman, Esq.



LEWIS DAVIES, Esq.
[Captain of 1827.]

A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; Knight of the Royal French Order of St. Louis; and Knight (2d class) of the Imperial Russian Order of St. Anne.

This officer is a brother of the late LieutenantColonel Davies, (known throughout all India by the appellation of “Tiger Davies” from his frequent daring encounters with that ferocious animal,) who was assassinated in May 1827) at Mominabad, by a party of the Nizam’s third regiment of native horse, while endeavouring to quell by remonstrance a spirit of insubordination which some of that corps had manifested.

Mr. Lewis Davies passed his examination in May 1808, obtained the rank of lieutenant in Sept. following; and was promoted from the Seringapatam frigate. Captain Charles Sotheby, to the command of the Rose sloop, on the Mediterranean station, Jan. 26th, 1826.

The Rose was attached to the combined force under Sir Edward Codrington, and sustained a loss of three men killed and fifteen officers and men wounded, at the battle of Navarin, Oct. 20th, 1827[1]. On the second day after that memorable event, we find Mons. De Rigny writing to the British Vice-Admiral as follows:–

“Sir,– I hasten to do myself the honor to inform your Excellency, from a detailed report made by Captain Hugon, of the Armide, that the excellent manoeuvre of Captain Davies, when the Rose came and resolutely cast her anchor within pistol-shot of two Turkish corvettes, relieved the Armide in a few minutes from her unfavorable position; and it is my duty, and at the same time a great pleasure to me, to assure your Excellency, that on this occasion Captain Davies did every thing that could be expected from a brave and experienced officer. I am, with the highest consideration, your very faithful servant,

(Signed)H. De Rigny, Rear-Admiral.”
  1. 27 Jun 1803