Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp1.djvu/239

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

224

POST-CAPTAINS OF 1807.

catamaran expedition, of which we have made mention at p, 45, et seq. of this volume. On the 24th April, 1805, he assisted at the capture of seven schuyts, carrying, altogether, 8 twenty-four-pounders, 1 twelve, 9 sixes, 1 brass howitzer, and 168 men^[1].

Captain Collard conducted the naval operations in the river Weser during the occupation of Hanover by an Anglo-Russian army, under Lord Cathcart and General Bensingen, in 1805-6; he also superintended the re-embarkation of the British troops, and convoyed the last division of transports to the Downs, where they arrived in the month of February. His zealous exertions whilst holding that arduous command, obtained him the public thanks of Lord Cathcart, and led to his subsequent promotion^[2].

From May 1806, until the close of the same year. Captain Collard commanded a small squadron of sloops and gun-brigs, employed affording protection to the trade passing up and down the Baltic. Early in 1807, he returned to the same station, and continued there as senior officer until the arrival of Admiral Gambier; to whose fleet he was attached during the operations against Copenhagen. His post commission bears date Oct. 13, 1807.

Captain Collard’s subsequent appointments were, Nov. 19, 1807, to the Majestic 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral T.

↑ See Vol. II. Part I., p. 180.
↑ A treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Russia was signed at St. Petersburgh, April 11, 1805. In the following autumn, Lord Cathcart was ordered to that capital as Ambassador; but after much intercourse with Mr. Pitt, he was finally sent to take the command of the British army in Hanover. His lordship accordingly proceeded to the Weser, acquired an entire ascendancy over the senate of Bremen, and obtained all that was necessary to the establishment of his head-quarters in that city. The battle of Austerlitz, however, changed the aspect of affairs, and that event was soon followed by the death of Mr. Pitt; the new administration determined to recal the army, and so great were Captain Collard’s exertions in providing the means of embarkation, that the whole of the troops, artillery, stores, &c., were shipped on the thirteenth day, although fifteen days was stated to be the shortest space of time in which that service could possibly be performed.

[1] See Vol. II. Part I., p. 180.

[2] A treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Russia was signed at St. Petersburgh, April 11, 1805. In the following autumn, Lord Cathcart was ordered to that capital as Ambassador; but after much intercourse with Mr. Pitt, he was finally sent to take the command of the British army in Hanover. His lordship accordingly proceeded to the Weser, acquired an entire ascendancy over the senate of Bremen, and obtained all that was necessary to the establishment of his head-quarters in that city. The battle of Austerlitz, however, changed the aspect of affairs, and that event was soon followed by the death of Mr. Pitt; the new administration determined to recal the army, and so great were Captain Collard’s exertions in providing the means of embarkation, that the whole of the troops, artillery, stores, &c., were shipped on the thirteenth day, although fifteen days was stated to be the shortest space of time in which that service could possibly be performed.

[1]

[2]