From that period, Mr. Stoddart served under the flag of Sir Richard Bickerton, principally as first Lieutenant, until the autumn of 1805. His commission as a Commander bears date Jan. 22, 1806; on which day he was appointed to succeed Captain John Hancock in the Cruiser sloop of war.
At the commencement of 1807, Captain Stoddart captured two French privateer luggers, each mounting 16 guns; recaptured two merchant brigs, and liberated the crews of three other vessels which had fallen a prey to the enemy.
The Cruiser formed part of Admiral Gambier’s fleet during the siege of Copenhagen; and, being stationed in shore, was several times warmly engaged with the enemy’s flotilla, as will be seen by reference to p. 239 of this volume.
Captain Stoddart obtained post rank Oct. 13, 1807; and subsequently commanded the Pallas frigate for a short period on the coast of Norway, where he captured two Danish privateers, one mounting 6, and the other 5 guns.
ANDREW KING, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1807.]
IsIs a brother to Captain Edward Durnford King, R.N., whose services we have already recorded.
This officer served as a midshipman on board the Bellerophon 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Pasley, in the actions of May 28 and 29, and the glorious battle of June 1, 1794[1]; as senior Lieutenant of the Andromeda frigate, commanded by Captain Henry Inman, when that officer attempted to destroy a French squadron in Dunkirk harbour, July 7, 1799[2]; as first of la Desirée, under the same commander, at the defeat of the Danish line of defence before Copenhagen, April 2, 1801[3] (on which occasion he was wounded); and as fourth Lieutenant of Nelson’s flag-ship, in the ever-memorable conflict with the combined fleets near
