St. Fiorenzo, and Bastia[1]. He likewise participated in the partial actions of March 14[2], and July 13, 1795[3]; and was subsequently employed in the blockade of a French squadron, consisting of seven ships of the line and fire frigates, in Gourjan Bay.
The Princess Royal having returned to England, was paid off in the month of Nov. 1796, and Captain Purvis soon after obtained the command of the London, another second rate, attached to the Channel Fleet. In this ship he remained near four years, under the orders of Admirals Lords Bridport, St. Vincent, and Gardner, Sir Henry Harvey, and Lord Keith.
Early in 1801, the London, in consequence of her easy draught of water, was selected to form part of the expedition destined for the Baltic, and Captain Purvis was appointed to the Royal George, of 100 guns, into which ship he removed off Ushant, and continued to command her until April 1802, on the 24th of which month she was put out of commission.
The rupture with France in 1803, again called our officer into service; and from that period until his promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral, April 23, 1804, he commanded the Dreadnought, of 98 guns, and served under the orders of the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis, in the Channel. On the 1st June 1806, he hoisted his flag on board the Chiffone, and proceeded off Cadiz, the blockade of which port lasted two years and seven months, after his arrival on that station, one year of which it was conducted by himself during the absence of Lord Collingwood in the Mediterranean; and what is here worthy of remark, the Rear-Admiral continued at sea at one time, without ever being driven through the Gut or even letting go an anchor, for the space of nineteen months, during which period not a square rigged vessel entered or quitted the harbour, except on one occasion, when several were allowed to proceed, having regular passes from England.
- ↑ See Admiral W. Wolseley.
- ↑ In this action the Princess Royal had 3 men killed, and 8 wounded. The Ca Ira, of 80 guns, one of the French ships captured on this occasion, surrendered to her, after being warmly engaged with several others of the British line. An account of the skirmish will be found under the head of Vice-Admiral Sir Davidge Gould.
- ↑ See Admiral Sir John Sutton, and p. 159.
