Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/461

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436
addenda to flag-officers.

court martial, described Rear-Admiral Otway (the president) as “an officer honorable in his profession, and beloved in society; of whom it is impossible for any man who knows him to speak but in the highest terms of esteem, affection, and respect.”

In the beginning of 1826, Rear-Admiral Otway was offered the chief command in the East Indies, which he declined, but shortly afterwards accepted the appointment of commander-in-chief on the South American station. On this occasion he received a letter from his present Majesty, dated Bushy Park, Feb. 19th, of which the following is an extract:–

“The appointment to the command in South America is, I trust, acceptable to you. Under the very extraordinary situation of those countries off which you will have to cruise, the command cannot fail being interesting; and I rejoice that so cool and valuable an officer as yourself has been selected for this singular and especial purpose. The Duchess unites with me in every kind wish towards Mrs., but I trust shortly Lady, Otway, to whom I beg to be particularly remembered.

(Signed)William.”

This excellent officer was nominated a Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath in June 1826; advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the 22d July, 1830; appointed one of the Grooms of his Majesty’s Bedchamber in Ordinary, Dec. 23d, 1830; and created a Baronet of the United Kingdom in Sept. 1831.



RIGHT HON. JOHN LORD COLVILLE,
Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
(Vol I. Part II. p. 754.)


This officer was born in the year 1768. He entered the royal navy under the auspices of Sir George B. Rodney, and was present at the defeat and capture of Count De Grasse, April 12th, 1782. As first lieutenant of the Santa Margaritta frigate. Captain (afterwards Sir Eliab) Harvey, we find him assisting at the capture of all the French West India islands, by the naval and military forces under Sir John Jer-