Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/304

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commanders.

fitting at Gibraltar. This appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty, Jan. 19th, 1811.

Having joined the Leviathan before his health was re-established, Lieutenant Woollnough soon had a relapse, and was ultimately obliged to invalid. He returned home in the Hotspur frigate, Captain the Hon. Josceline Percy; and on presenting himself at Haslar hospital, appeared so ill that the medical officers insisted on his remaining there as a patient. On his recovery, he again applied for employment, and was immediately appointed to the Providence armed brig. Captain Peter Rye, on the North Sea station. We next find him in the Arab sloop. Captain John Wilson, employed in taking out a Spanish ambassador for the court of St. Petersburgh; and bringing home from Gottenburg the despatches containing an account of the burning of Moscow, and commencement of Napoleon’s retreat from Russia. This momentous intelligence Lieutenant Woollnough had the honor to convey to London; and although he could not expect promotion before he had served the allotted period, he reasonably hoped that at a future period it would be remembered in his favor.

The Arab was afterwards employed in escorting a fleet of merchantmen to Barbadoes, where shortly after his arrival. Captain Wilson, whose health had been extremely bad, found himself under the necessity of going to sick-quarters; and was succeeded in the command of his sloop by Lieutenant Robert Standly, the officer next on the Admiralty list for promotion[1].

In April 1813, the Arab detained four vessels under Swedish colours, two of which were condemned; but the prize agent, a Mr. Burridge, having failed, no money was ever received for them. In the summer of the same year. Lieutenant Woollnough returned home in the Tartarus 20, Captain John Pasco; from which ship he appears to have been appointed to the Blazer sloop. Captain Francis Banks, Oct. 8th following.

  1. Mr. Standly was confirmed into the Crane sloop, which vessel foundered with all on board, Sept. 30th, 1814.