for bringing all the boats on board in safety after the service was performed the lugger went on shore about half a mile to the westward of Gravelines; Lieutenant de Starck anchored the Milbrook within musket-shot of her, and in the evening a heavy fire was opened upon him from the shore with some field-pieces, which, however, did no sort of damage, and I am happy to say, that on our side not a man was hurt.”
The subject of this memoir obtained the rank of Commander May 1, 1804 ; and his commission was one of the last signed by Earl St. Vincent, as First Lord of the Admiralty.
On this occasion, Captain de Starck was appointed to the Hound sloop of war, then at Jamaica; but the late Viscount Melville permitted him to exchange into the Tartarus bomb, on the Downs station, which vessel he continued to command until she was ordered to undergo repair, and a change of equipment, when he was superseded at his own request.
During Lord Howick’s naval administration. Captain de Starck obtained the command of a very fine brig ; the Avon, mounting sixteen 32-pounder carronades and two long sixes. In that vessel he was employed on Channel service until ordered to accompany the Neva, a Russian man of war, from Spithead to the Baltic.
The Neva had recently returned from a voyage of discovery, and hostilities had then commenced between Alexander and Napoleon; consequently it was not considered prudent for her to proceed to Russia without the escort of a British vessel. For the performance of this friendly office, the Czar presented Captain de Starck with a breakfast service of plate, and a purse of 100 guineas.
On her return from the Baltic, the Avon was selected to carry out Mr. (now Lord) Erskine, H.M. Minister to the United States of America, on which service she proceeded in the autumn of 1806, contending with contrary winds nearly the whole of her voyage to Chesapeake bay.
When in lat. 39° 20' N. and long. 35° 49' W., Captain de Starck fell in with the Regulus French 74, by which ship he was chased for eight hours, right before the wind; his pursuer within gun-shot, and repeatedly firing upon him. Fortunately, a violent squall suddenly came on, of which he
