vessel of 110 tons, fitting out as a tender to “Bounty Bligh,” who was then about to return to Otaheite, for the purpose of conveying bread-fruit from thence to the West Indies[1]. On this occasion, 12,000 of those trees were taken on board at Otaheite, and 3000 landed in good condition at St. Vincent’s and Jamaica.
Shortly after his return home, Mr. Gilmour was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, by commission dated Feb. 29th, 1794; between which period and Sept. 1799, he successively served in the Pomona frigate (latterly called Amphitrite), Cumberland 74, and Arrow sloop, on the Mediterranean, Channel, and North Sea stations: the officers he served under in those ships were Captains Henry D’Esterre Darby, Lord Augustus Fitzroy, the Hon. Charles Herbert, Bartholomew S. Rowley, Robert Montagu, and Nathaniel Portlock. His promotion to the rank of commander was the result of an action thus officially described:–
“Sir,– I have the honor to state to you, that in obedience to your orders of the 9th instant, I immediately got under weigh, accompanied by the Wolverene, and proceeded on the service you did me the particular honor to entrust to my care.
“On the evening of that day, the tide of flood being done, we anchored abreast of the Texel; and on the afternoon of the following day we anchored on the edge of the Flack or Flat, abreast of Wieringen. At this anchorage I found it necessary to lighten the ship, which was very speedily done, bringing her from twelve feet eight inches to twelve feet; and on the day following we turned over the Flack, carrying shoal water from one side to the other. On the morning of the 12th instant we weighed again, and proceeded on for the Vlie Island, on approaching which, we saw a ship and brig at anchor in the narrow passage leading from it towards Harlingen: it was soon perceived that they were vessels of force, and bearing the Batavian republican colours. We approached,, the British and ancient Dutch colours flying together, until within half gun-shot of the brig, she being the nearest to us, without either of them changing, their colours: the Dutch ensigns were then hauled down, and I made the signal to engage the enemy as coming up with them, meaning the Wolverene to engage the brig and to pass on to the ship myself.
- ↑ Suppl. Part II. p. 38.
