few minutes increased to a gale, which rendered his design abortive. On this occasion, the Vesuvius had one of her crew killed, and several very badly wounded.
Captain Lillicrap’s next appointment was to the Despatch, a fine 18-gun brig; in which, after performing a variety of services on different foreign stations, he sailed from the Downs in command of a light squadron, and with a large fleet of transports under his protection, embarked in which were two divisions of the King’s German Legion. These troops were safely landed in the island of Rugen, at the time when a French army was besieging Stralsund, the capital of Swedish Pomerania: and Captain Lillicrap continued to carry on the duties as senior officer in Pert Bay, until the arrival of l’Africaine frigate, having on board Lord Cathcart, commander-in-chief of the land forces, to be employed against Copenhagen.
After the departure of l’Africaine, Captain Lillicrap resumed the command of the small squadron stationed off Rugen, to protect the British troops, and, if necessary, to cover the retreat of King Gustavus, who ultimately embarked on board a Swedish frigate, and sailed from thence accompanied by the Rosamond sloop of war.
During her continuance on that station, the Despatch stood over to the main land, with the Mutine and Censor in company, reconnoitred the coast, and fired several broadsides at the French out-posts near Griefswald.
At length. Captain Lillicrap received orders to escort the last division of troops under Lord Rosslyn, from Rugen to Zealand; and to superintend their debarkation in Kioge Bay. This latter service was accomplished on the 21st Aug. 1807; five days after the first landing of the army had been effected at Wibeck[1].
On joining Admiral Gambier, off Copenhagen, Captain Lillicrap was directed to receive and mount 4 long 18-pounders, for the purpose of rendering his brig more effective against the Danish flotilla; and from that period we find
