It is but justice to him, however, to say, that in the midst of his avocations he still found time and opportunity to alleviate the sufferings of his officers and men. Every comfort which the nature of such a situation could admit of, was afforded; every refreshment which his slender purse could procure, was obtained; and he now has the pleasure of reflecting, that to his humane care and attention, under Divine Providence, the preservation of many valuable lives was owing.
On the 26th Sept. 1807, Lieutenant Dix was promoted by Sir Alexander Cochrane to the command of the Cygnet sloop of war, at Tortola; from whence he sailed for England with nine merchant ships under his convoy, five of which unhappily foundered with all their crews during the passage home.
After undergoing a thorough repair, the Cygnet was employed in the North Sea, where she captured the Danish privateers Christiana and Giengielderen; the former a brig of 14 guns and 60 men, the latter a sloop mounting 4 guns with a complement of 25 men. During the same cruise, she was warmly engaged with some batteries on the coast of Norway; on which occasion her commander’s hat was struck by a 9-pound shot, himself sustaining no further injury than a good deal of inflammation on the top of his head, and some defect in his sight, both of which, however, were removed in a few days.
About this period. Captain Dix fortunately succeeded in saving the lives of 5 men, who were discovered clinging to the miserable wreck of a vessel; in which perilous situation they had been several days exposed to the most dreadful weather, without a particle of food, their fingers and toes frostbitten, and bereft of every hope, having seen 9 of their shipmates perish before their eyes. At a great risk, one of the Cygnet’s boats was sent to their rescue, and they were brought on board that sloop, where warm blankets and friction restored the use of their benumbed limbs, whilst soup was administered to them in small quantities, until their exhausted and enfeebled stomachs could bear more solid food. Little did Captain Dix think that he would need himself, in a few days, the relief he thus afforded to others.
