and Pearse,” the latter belonging to the Halcyon sloop of war. “One private marine, of the Seahorse, only was killed, and another wounded[errata 1][1].” On the 21st June his lordship wrote to Captain Stewart as follows:–
“Dear Sir,– I am quite aware of the meritorious conduct of your first lieutenant upon all occasions, as well from my own observation as by your frequent communications to me of services performed by him, and I sincerely hope that the Admiralty will promote him as a reward for his late gallant conduct at Pianoza; but should that not be the case, I will, as I promised, take him into this ship the first vacancy which may occur, for the purpose of making him a commander, whenever an opportunity may be afforded me for doing so. This will secure to him a ship, as well as promotion. Believe me, with great truth, dear Sir, Yours very sincerely,
“To Captain Stewart, H.M.S. Seahorse.”
On the 6th Nov. 1809, Lord Collingwood informed Captain Stewart that the Board of Admiralty had been pleased to express their high approbation of the conduct of his then first Lieutenant, and of all who were employed in the boats under that officer’s command.
From this period we find no particular mention of the Seahorse until the summer of 1811, when she conveyed Lord Amherst and his family from Palermo to England, and narrowly escaped another thump on the Varne shoal, which was only avoided by Lieutenant Bennett accidentally going on deck before day-light. She was soon afterwards paid off at Woolwich, on which occasion Captain Stewart addressed the following letter to Lord Mulgrave’s successor:–
“Sir,– I feel it my duty to write to you, to recommend Mr. Thomas Bennett, first lieutenant of H.M. ship Seahorse, who is one of the best officers in His Majesty’s service, and very deserving of promotion, as well for his general merits as for particular services performed by him. He was second lieutenant of the ship in the action with the Turkish squadron. He headed the men who stormed and look the island of Gianuti, destroying the forts and taking the garrison prisoners. He commanded the party which took the island of Pianola and its forts, with a garrison of upwards of 100 men, after shewing great judgment in conducting his people, and
- ↑ London Gazette, Sept 1809.
Errata:
- ↑ Correction: wounded should be amended to wounded. About 100 of the enemy were made prisoners
