This critical victory filled the nation with joy, and appears to have saved Ireland from the miseries of a new civil war. Parliament, fully sensible of its importance, honoured the squadron with a vote of thanks on the occasion, which was communicated by the Commodore to the Captains, officers, and men under his command.
In the month of Feb., 1799? Captain Thornbrough was appointed to the Formidable, of 98 guns; and about the same time obtained a Colonelcy of Marines. In May following, he proceeded to the Mediterranean, to reinforce the fleet under Earl St. Vincent, but does not appear to have remained long on that station, as in the ensuing autumn we again find him serving in the Channel.
Captain Thornbrough was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Jan. 1, 1801; and, with his flag in the Mars, of 74 guns, commanded the in-shore squadron off Brest, alternately with Sir James Saumarez, during the remainder of the war. On the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, he was appointed to the command of a division of the North Sea fleet, under the orders of Lord Keith. In the Spring of 1806, his flag was on board the Prince of Wales, off Rochefort; and in 1808, we find him employed in guarding Sicily from the designs of the French, who at that time had complete possession of the Calabrias.
Our officer remained in the Mediterranean until about the spring of 1810, when he returned to England; and, in the ensuing summer, succeeded the present Sir James H. Whitshed, as Commander-in-Chief on the Irish station, where he continued during the usual period of three years. He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral, June 9, 1805; Admiral, Dec. 4, 1813; and nominated a K.C.B. Jan. 2, 1815. In the course of the same year, Sir Edward was appointed to the office of Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, which he held until May 21, 1818.
Sir Edward Thornbrough has been twice married. By his first wife, who died at Exeter in 1801, he had several children, one of whom is a Commander in the Navy; another died after attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He married, 2dly, Dec. 4, 1802, to the daughter of Sir Edwin Jeynes, of Gloucester. That lady died at Bishop’s Taunton[errata 1], near Teignmouth, in December, 1813.
Errata:
- ↑ Correction: Bishop’s Taunton should be amended to Bishop’s Teignton
