of Russia[1], by his second wife, Maria-Magdalena-Theresa Bouquet, a lady of an old Lorraine family.
Our officer succeeded his father in the Baronetcy, Dec. 9, 1777; and attained the rank of Post-Captain, Feb. 2, 1780. In the same year, we find him commanding the Porcupine, a small frigate, on the Mediterranean station, where he was not long without an opportunity of distinguishing himself.
On the 22d July, in the same year, Sir Charles H. Knowles, being on a cruize on the coast of Valencia, at 4 A.M., saw two sail a-head, standing for the Porcupine. As the day advanced, he perceived they were Spanish ships, polacre rigged. About six o’clock, being within gun-shot, they hoisted their colours, and fired a gun to leeward; about eight minutes after Sir Charles gave the headmost vessel a broadside. A spirited action commenced, and was kept up until 7h 20’, at which time the enemy sheered off. The largest ship carried 26 or 28 nine-pounders, and the smallest 22 or 24 guns of the same calibre; they were both full of men. A third vessel approaching, and the Porcupine being within half a mile of the Colebres Rocks, she made sail to the eastward; the enemy shortly after wore in pursuit. At 10h 10’, another action began between the Porcupine and her former antagonists, which lasted until 11h 3’, at which time they again hauled off, and did not afterwards attempt to renew the fight. In this unequal conflict the British ship had only four men wounded, and received but little damage.
Towards the conclusion of the American war, we find Sir Charles commanding the San Miguel, of 72 guns[2], and em-
- ↑ Sir Charles Knowles returned from Russia overwhelmed with ingratitude. He was particularly skilful in the science of building ships; and as an officer, repeatedly distinguished himself, especially on the expedition against La Guira, in 1743. Dr. Smollet, the English historian, was originally a loblolly boy on board Sir Charles’s ship, and received his first appointment, as surgeon’s mate, from that officer, who in many instances behaved towards him with paternal kindness, for which he made the most ungrateful return. Admiral Knowles was the first person who ever attempted to carry a ship of the line into English Harbour, Antigua.
- ↑ The San Miguel originally formed part of the vast armament employed in the blockade of Gibraltar; but being driven from her anchor during a violent gale of wind, on the night of Oct. 10, 1782, and finding it impossible to weather the rock, she surrendered to the garrison on a few guns being fired from one of the batteries.
