Lieutenant of the Invincible, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Evans, in which ship he returned to England; and on his arrival was appointed to the Britannia, a first rate, carrying the flag of Vice-Admiral Darby, with whom he remained until his promotion to the rank of Commander.
On the 19th Aug. 1782, Captain Purvis, being on a cruise off Cape Henry, in the Duc de Chartres, of 16 guns and 125 men, fell in with, and after a smart action captured, the French corvette l’Aigle, of 22 guns and 136 men, of whom 13, including their Commander, were slain, and 12 wounded. The British sloop had not a man hurt. For his gallant conduct on this occasion, Captain Purvis was posted Sept. 1, following; but peace taking place soon after, we find no further mention of him until the commencement of hostilities against the French Republic, in Feb. 1793, when he was appointed to the Amphitrite frigate, and subsequently to the Princess Royal, a second rate, in which latter ship he was ordered to Gibraltar, to receive the flag of Rear-Admiral Goodall, and from thence proceeded with the fleet under Lord Hood, to the southern coast of France.
On the 29th Aug. the fleet entered the port of Toulon, and Rear-Admiral Goodall having been appointed Governor of that town, Captain Purvis received directions to take the Princess Royal as high up the N.W. arm of the harbour, and as near the enemy’s batteries, as possible. This being done, and the ship properly placed, not a day passed in the course of the six weeks she was so stationed, without an engagement with the Republicans; and notwithstanding their works (being constructed with casks, sand-bags, fascines, &c.) were soon disabled, they invariably repaired the damages during the night, and again presented complete batteries on the ensuing morning. The Princess Royal was consequently much cut up, and had many men killed and wounded. The loss sustained by the enemy was also very considerable.
We next find Captain Purvis assisting at the reduction of
subjects, and to maintain the dignity of his Flag, had taken measures for that purpose, in concert with the United States. A copy of this declaration was laid before Parliament on the l7th March, and on the 27th hostilities with France commenced in the usual mode, of seizing all vessels belonging to that nation found in British ports.
