sails and rigging. We shall only add, that Lord Keith, in a letter to Captain Hancock, dated Oct. 28, 1804, expressed himself pleased with his zealous and active exertions, and regretted that they had not been attended with the success which they deserved.
In 1805, Captain Hancock was constantly emplayed as senior officer off Flushing and Ostend. During that and the preceding year, he was no less than 104 times in action, either with the enemy’s flotilla or land batteries; and so great was his zeal in checking the movements of the former, and in cutting off neutral vessels when attempting to break the strict blockade which he was ordered to maintain, that the approbation of the Admiralty, and of the different flag-officers under whom he served, was frequently expressed to him in very flattering terms: strange, however, as it may appear, although he received the thanks of many corporate and mercantile bodies for “ridding the seas of the most daring and successful plunderer that ever appeared on the British coast during the close of the last, and beginning of the present century[1];” also for his general activity in taking privateers[2], and rescuing British property to an immense amount,
- ↑ Extract from a letter addressed to Captain Hancock, by the merchants, ship-owners, and underwriters of North Shields, thanking him for the important service he had rendered them by capturing le Contre Amiral Magon, French privateer brig, of 17 guns and 84 men, commanded by Mons. Blackeman. a most skilful, active, and enterprising seaman, who had pursued a very successful career, in various other vessels, for many years; and whose local knowledge of our coast, added to the ample means he then possessed, from his brig’s superior sailing and force, must have been highly detrimental to British commerce, had not the Cruiser prevented him from committing any further depredations.
It was always currently reported, on the North Sea station, that the officer who should have the good fortune to capture Mons. Blackeman, would be immediately promoted; and also that he would be handsomely rewarded by the underwriters at Lloyd’s. Le Contre Amiral do Magon was taken Nov. 17, 1804, after a chase of nearly 100 miles; but Captain Hancock did not obtain post rank until more than fourteen months afterwards.
- ↑ Among other privateers captured by the Cruiser, was le Vengeur of 14 guns and 56 men.
