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ADMIRALS OF THE BLUE.

was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, April 23, in the same year; and on the change of ministry occasioned by the death of that great statesman the Right Hon. William Pitt, in 1806, he became a Commissioner of the new Board of Admiralty, under Mr. T. Grenville, but again retreated from office with his friends in 1807.

With the exception of the short interval that ensued between the general election in 1818, and the dissolution of Parliament occasioned by the demise of his late Majesty, in 1820, Admiral Markham has ever since continued to represent the borough of Portsmouth. His promotion to the rank he now holds took place Aug. 12, 1819.

He married, Nov. 17, 1796, Maria, youngest daughter of the late Baroness Dynevor, and sister of the present peer, by whom he had several children. Mrs. Markham died in childbed, Dec. 22, 1810.

A picture by Captain Richbell, R.N. representing the Centaur passing Gravesend at ten o’clock at night, by moonlight, in Sept. 1797, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1809.

Residence.– Walston, Sussex.




SIR HENRY D’ESTERRE DARBY.
Admiral of the Blue; Knight Commander of the most honourable Military Order of the Bath.


This officer is a native of Ireland, and nephew of the late George Darby, Esq. Vice-Admiral of the Red, and Rear-Admiral of Great Britain. During the period his uncle commanded the Channel fleet, Mr. Darby served as Lieutenant in his flag-ship, the Britannia, of 100 guns, and thence was promoted to the command of the Infernal, fire-vessel, in which he accompanied Commodore Johnstone, on an expedition destined against the Cape of Good Hope; but the British squadron being surprised by a superior French force, whilst lying at anchor in Porto Praya, the Infernal unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy[1].

  1. Commodore Johnstone with a squadron, consisting of a 74, a 64, and three 50-gun ships, with three frigates and eight smaller vessels, having under his protection ten outward bound Indiamen, on board of which were em-