Captain Bowker’s next appointment was, in Aug, 1809, to the AEtna bomb, forming part of the naval force in the Scheldt, under the orders of Sir Richard J. Strachan, whose thanks he had the honor of receiving in public orders (conjointly with other officers serving under the immediate directions of Captain George Cockburn) for silencing the batteries of Doel, and covering the retreat of the advanced squadron of frigates.
The AEtna was subsequently employed in the defence of Cadiz, on which service Captain Bowker remained till about Oct. 1810, when he was removed, by Sir Charles Cotton, into the Wizard, a 16 gun brig, on the Mediterranean station. In the spring of 1811, we find him acting as captain of the San Josef, once more bearing the flag of his staunch patron, with whom he soon afterwards returned to England, as a passenger in the same ship. His post commission bears date Aug. 16, 1811[1].
From this period Captain Bowker did not obtain another appointment till Feb. 12, 1817, when he was nominated by Vice-Admiral Pickmore, governor and commander-in-chief at Newfoundland, to command his flag-ship, the Sir Francis Drake, of 46 guns. On the demise of that officer, Feb. 24, 1818, he hoisted a broad pendant as commodore on that station ; and early in the following month he was, by virtue of the king’s letter-patent, sworn in as governor, pro tempore, of the colony, the duties of which high office he discharged with great credit until the arrival of Sir Charles Hamilton, Bart, at the latter end of July following.
Having then resigned his trust into the hands of Vice-Admiral Pickmore’s successor. Captain Bowker resumed the command of the flagship, and continued at St. John’s till Nov. 1819. when he embarked in the Egeria 24, for a passage to England, the Admiralty having thought proper to reduce the Sir Francis Drake’s establishment, and to place her under the command of a lieutenant. The other officers, and surplus part of the crew, returned home with their Captain, and were paid off at Portsmouth, Jan. 1, 1820.
