off Cape Henry, in company with the Bellona and Melampus, discovered a line-of-battle ship to leeward, under jury-masts, standing in for the Chesapeake, to which he immediately gave chase. On perceiving the British squadron, she bore up and ran on shore. Captain Hargood immediately sent boats, and took possession of her. She proved to be l’Impetueux, of 74 guns and 670 men, one of the squadron that had been cruizing under Rear-Admiral Villaumez, from whom she had separated during a heavy gale of wind, wherein she had lost all her masts, bowsprit, and rudder. The same day two suspicious vessels appearing in the offing, Captain Hargood gave directions for the prize to be set on fire, which was carried into effect, after removing her crew, by Captain Poyntz, of the Melampus.
At the general promotion, April 28, 1808, Captain Hargood was nominated to one of the vacant Colonelcies of Royal Marines; and about the same period he obtained the command of the Northumberland, of 74 guns. From that time until his advancement to the rank of Rear-Admiral, which took place July 31, 1810, our officer commanded a squadron stationed in the Adriatic.
Towards the latter end of 1810, Rear-Admiral Hargood hoisted his flag on board the Gladiator, at Portsmouth, and superintended the harbour duty at that place till the year 1813, when he was appointed to the command at Guernsey, Jersey, &c. He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral, June 4, 1814; and, on the 2d Jan. following, created a K.C.B.
Sir William Hargood married, in May 1811, Maria, daughter of the late Thomas Somers Cocks, Esq., banker at Charing-cross, (and brother of the late Lord Somers,) by Anne, daughter of Alexander Thistlethwayte, of Southwick-place, Hants, Esq.
