then proceeding against Martinique, during the siege of which island he again distinguished himself by working into Fort Royal bay, previous to the surrender of Pigeon island; thereby cutting off the retreat of the enemy, and compelling them to destroy all the shipping at that anchorage; among which was the Amphitrite, another frigate of the largest class[1].
His next appointment was about Oct. 1810, to the Guerriere of 48 guns, on the Halifax station; from which ship he returned to the Cleopatra, in July 1811 . He was subsequently employed off Cherbourgh, in the North Sea, and at Gibraltar. During his continuance on the latter station, he made an exact survey of the harbour of Ceuta, and drew up a plan of the fortifications, together with remarks on the navigation of the Gut.
In Dec. 1812, Captain Pechell was appointed to the St. Domingo 74, then bearing the flag of his uncle, on the North American station. A brilliant exploit performed by the boats of that ship and her consorts, in the Rappahannock river, April 3, 1813, is thus described by his first Lieutenant, who had followed him from the Cleopatra:
“Sir,– In pursuance of orders to proceed with the boats of the squadron you did me the honor to place under my command, and attack the enemy’s vessels at the mouth of the Rappahannock, I have to inform you, that, after rowing 15 miles, I found they were four armed schooners drawn up in a line a-head, apparently determined to give us a warm reception. Notwithstanding their formidable appearance, and the advantage they would necessarily derive from mutual support, I determined to attack them; the issue of which is such as might have been expected from the brave men you allowed me the honor to command, viz.
“The Arab, of 7 guns and 46 men, run on shore and hoarded by two boats of the Marlborough, under Lieutenants (George C.) Urmston and (James) Scott.
“Lynx, 6 guns and 40 men, hauled her colours down on my going alongside in the St. Domingo’s pinnace.
“Racer, 6 guns and 36 men, boarded and carried, after a sharp resistance, by the St. Domingo’s pinnace.
“Dolphin, 12 guns and 98 men. The guns of the Racer were turned upon her, and she was then gallantly boarded by Lieutenant Bishop, in the Statira’s large cutter, and Lieutenant (Matthew) Liddon, in the Maidstone’s launch.
- ↑ A description of Pigeon island will be found in Vol I. p 710.
