during a period of two years, actively employed as the head of the naval establishment at that place.
Towards the latter end of the year 1798, when the island of Minorca fell into the possession of the British, Commissioner Coffin was appointed to the superintendance of the arsenal at Port Mahon; and after the lapse of a few months, returned to England on his way to Nova Scotia, whither he proceeded in the Venus frigate.
Our officer continued to perform the arduous duties of a Resident Commissioner of the Navy, first at Halifax, and subsequently at Sheerness, until April 1804, on the 23d of which month he was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and soon after hoisted his flag on board the Gladiator, being appointed to superintend the harbour duty at Portsmouth. On the 19th May in the same year, he was raised to the dignity of a Baronet of Great Britain, as a reward for his unremitting zeal and persevering efforts for the good of the public service.
Sir Isaac Coffin hauled down his flag on being promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral, April 28, 1808, since which date he has not been employed. He became a full Admiral June 4, 1814; and at the general election in 1818, was chosen representative in Parliament for the borough of Ilchester. He married, April 3, 1811, Elizabeth Browne, only child of William Greenly, of Titley-court, co. Hereford, Esq. Previous to his marriage he obtained the royal permission to take the name and arms of Greenly, in addition to his own, but which he relinquished in March 1813.
Sir Isaac is proprietor of the Magdalen Islands, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. He has crossed the Atlantic, on service and pleasure, no less than thirty times.
