shore from that period until May 1790, when the dispute with Spain, relative to Nootka Sounds revived his hopes and induced him to join Captain Colpoys in the Hannibal 74; want of interest, however, prevented him from being included in the very large promotion that took place in Nov. following, and determined him to retire for ever from a profession which he had embraced with ardour, and never ceased to adore.
Notwithstanding this last cruel disappointment, and his resolve never to embark again, it fortunately happened that some of Mr. Hancock’s friends had sufficient influence to prevail upon him to accompany them to Portsmouth for the purpose of seeing the French republican prizes, brought thither by Earl Howe’s fleet; as on the sight of those splendid trophies he could not resist the temptation of making another effort to obtain advancement, by re-entering on board the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of Lord Bridport, from which ship he was at length promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Oct. 24, 1794.
On this occasion, Mr. Hancock had the good fortune to be appointed third Lieutenant of the Aquilon frigate, commanded by that excellent officer Captain (now Sir Robert) Barlow, whose plans and regulations for the internal government of a King’s ship were then universally admired, and to whom many distinguished characters have been indebted for the chief of their professional knowledge[1].
In the Aquilon, Mr. Hancock was present at the capture of three French line-of-battle ships, by the fleet under Lord Bridport, June 23, 1795[2]; and in the ensuing winter he was applied for by Captain Barlow to be his first Lieutenant in the
- ↑ The high estimation in which Captain Barlow’s abilities were held at the commencement of the French revolutionary war, may be inferred from the following passage in a letter written by Captain (now Sir Thomas) Pakenham, to the father of a youngster whom he had placed on board the Aquilon for improvement: “I am certain so fit a man as Bob Barlow is not to be found in our profession: he is the person with whom we all wish to send our young friends, and he is certainly the best officer amongst us. He will not spare his own son, nor yours, if he has any thing for him to do.”
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 246.
