ran ships, that were attempting to double upon the Victory, at that time much disabled, and warmly engaged with two of the enemy. During the whole continuance of this long and bloody conflict, Lord Northesk zealously emulated the conduct of his illustrious leader; nor was his conduct after the action less meritorious, while his skill and promptitude were equally conspicuous in the arduous task of securing the captured ships. And, when the order was given for destroying the prizes, after removing from them the British Seamen, his zeal in that truly dangerous service, in a tempestuous sea, and heavy gale of wind, was exceeded only by his exemplary humanity. Though urgent signals were made, and repeated, “to expedite their destruction;” his Lordship would on no account suffer l’Intrepide, the nearest of the captured ships to the Britannia, to be scuttled or burned, till his boats had rescued from the devoted prize all her wounded men, and the whole of her surviving crew.
For his eminent services as third in command of the victorious fleet, Lord Northesk was honoured with the insignia of the Order of the Bath; and both Houses of Parliament, the Corporation of London, and of several other cities and public companies, concurred in voting him their thanks. In addition to which the citizens of the metropolis presented him with a handsome sword, and the Goldsmith’s Company their freedom.
His Lordship was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral, April 28, 1808; became an Admiral, June 4, 1814; and has since been constituted Rear-Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the Admiralty thereof, and also of the navies and seas of the United Kingdom.
The Earl of Northesk married, in 1789, to Mary, only daughter of the late William Henry Ricketts, of Longwood, co. Hants, Esq., and niece of the Earl of St. Vincent. His eldest son, Lord Rosehill, a Midshipman on board the Blenheim, was lost with Sir Thomas Troubridge in that ship, in 1807[1].
A portrait of the noble Earl, by T. Phillips, was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1807.
Residence.– Rosehill House, near Winchester, Hants, and Ethie House, Forfarshire.
