such ships and transports as were ready; but scarcely had he cleared Scilly, when the wind flew round from E. to N.W, and S.W., and blew with almost unremitted violence for several weeks; during which storm many vessels foundered, and the Glory narrowly escaped a similar fate, a heavy sea having struck her, and filled the lower deck with water. Of two hundred and forty sail, only thirteen remained in company with her when she was also obliged to bear up for Portsmouth[1].
Notwithstanding these disasters, the object of the expedition was persevered in; and so satisfied were H.M. ministers that Rear-Admiral Christian had done every thing in his power to forward their design, that, in Feb. 1796, he was created a Knight of the Bath.
A third attempt to clear the Channel was more successful. On the 20th Mar. 1796, Sir Hugh Christian and his military colleague put to sea in the Thunderer; and when past Madeira, the Rear-Admiral removed into the Astrea frigate, being anxious to arrive as quick as possible at Barbadoes, in order to make immediate preparations for an attack upon St. Lucia.
The skill, alacrity, and unremitted exertions of himself and his subordinates, during the siege of that island, were duly acknowledged by Sir Ralph Abercromby, a copy of whose “general order” will be found at p. 134 of our first volume. After the surrender of Morne Fortunée, Mr, Dillon was sent with a detachment of boats to take possession of Pigeon Island, and we believe that he himself hoisted the British colours in the battery, May 27, 1796.
A short time subsequent to the reduction of St. Lucia, Mr. Dillon was appointed to act as Lieutenant of the Ariadne 20;
- ↑ At the critical period alluded to above, when many of the Glory’s crew were ascending the fore-rigging under the impression that the ship was foundering, Sir Ralph Abercromby came to the cabin door and asked a midshipman whom he saw standing near the wheel, if much danger existed. Being told that the sea was coming in through the lower-deck ports, the heroic General very coolly remarked, “I shall only be in the way – I’ll go back to my cot!”
