the commander of the troops, finding that he was deserted by his naval colleague, and that it was impossible to hold out any longer, offered terms of capitulation; which being accepted, he and his followers became prisoners of war. Captain Jervis returned to England with the trade from Virginia, and continued to command the Gosport, principally on the home station, during the remainder of the war. He held no subsequent command till the year 1769, when being appointed to the Alarm, of 32 guns, he was ordered to the Mediterranean.
In the month of August, 1770, being at Villa-Franca, he had the honour of entertaining on board his ship the Duc de Chablais, brother to the King of Sardinia, who expressed him- self most highly gratified at his reception, and presented Captain Jervis with a diamond ring, enclosed in a large gold snuff-box. He also distributed several watches and boxes among the officers, and left a large sum of money for the ship’s company.
In 1772, the Alarm being at anchor in the bay of Marseilles, parted her cables and drove on some rocks; but was saved from destruction by the skill and exertions of Captain Jervis, assisted by M. Pleville de Pelly[1], a Lieutenant in the French navy, and Intendant of Marseilles, to whom the British Admiralty afterwards forwarded a case, containing several pieces of plate richly chased, as a return for the services he had rendered the frigate.
Captain Jervis remained on the Mediterranean station till 1774, in which year he was appointed to the Foudroyant, of 84 guns; a ship originally belonging to the French, and captured from them Feb. 1st, 1758, by the Monmouth, of 64 guns[2]. This ship was justly considered as a pattern to the rest of the fleet, in point of discipline and good order; and so much was she extolled, that when persons of distinction honoured the Western squadron with their presence, the Foudroyant was always the ship they first visited[3].
- ↑ M. Pelly was afterwards Minister of Marine to the French republic.
- ↑ The Monmouth was commanded by Captain Arthur Gardiner, who died of his wounds the day after the action.
- ↑ The late amiable Duchess of Devonshire had nearly lost her life on an occasion of this kind; for when the fleet lay in Torbay, at the time her consort was attending his duty in the Western Camp, as Colonel of the Derbyshire Militia, she determined to take a view of the Foudroyant; but
