At the commencement of the dispute with our transatlantic colonies, he was appointed to the Roebuck, commanded by the present Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, with whom he continued on the coast of America until 1777[1], when he was removed into the Eagle, of 64 guns, Lord Howe’s flag-ship, as first Lieutenant, preparatory to his promotion.
Our officer commanded the Zebra, sloop of war, at the reduction of Philadelphia[2], and, May 19, 1778, was advanced to the rank of Post-Captain, in the Virginia of 32 guns, a frigate recently captured from the Americans. In the autumn of 1779, Captain Orde accompanied Commodore Sir George Collier in an expedition up the Penobscot, which terminated in the capture or destruction of the whole of the rebel fleet in that river, consisting of eighteen ships and vessels of war; and the relief of Fort M‘Lean, which had been closely besieged by the enemy.
In 1780, the Virginia assisted at the taking of Charlestown[2], where, after passing Sullivan’s island, Captain Orde served on shore in the command of a battalion of seamen, and was favourably noticed by Admiral Arbuthnot, in his official despatches relative to that event.
He afterwards commanded the Chatham, of 50 guns, and captured the General Washington, of 22 guns and 118 men. In 1781, Admiral Arbuthnot being recalled, Captain Orde conveyed him to England in the Roebuck, into which ship he had removed for that purpose. During the remainder of the war he was employed in the North Sea, and on the coast of France.
In February, 1783, the preliminaries of peace having been signed, Captain Orde was honoured with the appointment of Governor of Dominica, and Receiver of the Monies arising from the sale of land in the ceded islands; and on the 27th July, 1790, the dignity of a Baronet was conferred upon him.
At the breaking out of the French revolution, Sir John solicited and obtained permission to resign his government,
- ↑ For the services on which the Roebuck was employed between 1775 and 1777, see Retired Captain Sir Andrew S. Hamond.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 See Sir A. S. Hamond.
