from England on promotion. With that officer he went to Malacca and China, for the purpose of affording protection to the homeward bound trade, the whole of which was escorted clear of the bay of Bengal by the Intrepid, Arrogant, and Virginie, without receiving any molestation from a very superior French and Spanish force which appeared in sight just as the British merchantmen were leaving the Canton river. Whilst on this service la Virginie lost her mizen-mast, in a typhone, off the Pelew islands.
On his return from China, Lieutenant Evans was appointed first of Rear-Admiral Rainier’s flag-ship, the Suffolk 74; and in 1799, he was ordered by the same officer to act as captain of the Orpheus 32, which frigate he took from Madras to Bombay, by the southern passage, under circumstances of the most trying nature, the weather being very tempestuous during the whole voyage, and the ship exceedingly shattered and leaky, consequently requiring the pumps to be kept in continual motion for a period of seven weeks.
On approaching Bombay island the Orpheus was crossed by a water-spout, which burst immediately over the forecastle, split the fore-top-sail, and shook the ship very much, filling the fore part of her with water, whilst all abaft remained perfectly dry. On this occasion, the watch below rushed upon deck in their shirts, and those officers and men already there fell down motionless: amongst the latter number was Captain Evans, who had just before directed the top-gallant sails to be taken in, and a gun to be fired at the approaching black column, the suction of which, however, prevented the gunner’s mate from obeying the latter order.
The wind still continuing to blow with much violence, and it being impossible to procure a pilot under such circumstances. Captain Evans instantly decided upon running into the harbour; trusting entirely to his own slender knowledge thereof, acquired during the short time he served on board the Suffolk. In this he succeeded without the least accident occurring; but to his great mortification, he soon found that it was impossible to allow his almost worn-out crew any rest, as owing to the state of the tides the ship could not be docked
