ment to get under sail, and engage the French ships, should they attempt to molest him, when, on the morning of the 17th May, he was joined by the Terpsichore, of 32 guns, commanded by the late gallant Captain R. Bowen, who afterwards fell at Teneriffe[1]. Notwithstanding this accession offeree, the French Commander shewed a disposition to follow the frigates, and bring them to action. Sir Charles Knowles stood off from Cape Henry four or five miles, and then hove to; upon which the Concorde tacked, and returned to her anchorage.
The Daedalus returned to England in the following summer, and Sir Charles was shortly after appointed to the Edgar, of 74 guns, stationed in the North Sea. From that ship he removed into the Goliath, of the same force, and was present in her at the memorable battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797[2]; on which occasion the Goliath had 8 men wounded, and her Commander, in common with the other Captains, was afterwards honoured with a gold medal. In the same year he assisted at the solemn procession to St. Paul’s, when the colours taken from the enemy in the different naval actions were deposited in that cathedral[3].
Our officer was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, Feb. 14, 1799; Vice-Admiral, April 23, 1804; and Admiral, July 31, 1810. On May 20, 1820, he was created an extra G.C.B.[4]. He married Sept. 10, 1800, Charlotte, daughter of Charles Johnstone, of Ludlow, Esq.
Residence.– Lovell-Hill, near Windsor, co. Berks.
- ↑ Brother of the present Commissioner Bowen. See Retired Captains.
- ↑ See p. 21, et seq.
- ↑ See p. 62.
- ↑ At that date four extra G.C.B.’s, and six K.C.B.’s, were added to the Order of the Bath, in contemplation of his present Majesty’s coronation, which, however, did not take place until the 19th July in the following year.
