Marlborough of 74 guns, then fitting at Chatham for Captain Berkeley, and afterwards attached to the grand fleet under Earl Howe. This was our officer’s last appointment as a Lieutenant; for in consequence of that nobleman’s representation of his gallant conduct in the glorious action of June 1, 1794[1], he was immediately afterwards promoted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to act as captain of the Marlborough, during the absence of Captain Berkeley, whose place he had so ably filled during the latter part of that memorable conflict[2].
Owing to the change which about this time took place in the administration of naval affairs, a promise which Captain Monkton had obtained from Lord Chatham, of advancement to post rank, was not realized, although he retained the command of the Marlborough for nearly twelve months; but fortunately for him he was afterwards appointed pro tempore, to the Colossus, another 74; in which ship he distinguished himself off l’Orient, June 23, 1795; and by his exertions greatly contributed to the capture of three French line-of-battle ships; an account of which will be found in our first Vol. p. 246, et seq. The Colossus on that occasion had 35 men killed and wounded, which appears to have been nearly one-fourth of the total loss sustained by the British squadron.
Captain Monkton’s post commission bears date June 29, 1795; from which period, with the exception of about two months in the Formidable of 90 guns, he was not again employed until the latter end of 1797; when he obtained the command of la Lutine frigate, fitting at Woolwich for the
- ↑ See vol. I, p. 663**.
- ↑ The Marlborough had got into action; and whilst engaged with the Impétueux of 78 guns, and Mucius 74, the former of which ships she had completely dismasted, the Montagne of 120 guns came under her stern aud poured in a raking broadside, which killed and wounded many of her men, and caused much other mischief. It was at this moment that Captain Berkeley received a severe wound, which obliged him to resign the command of the ship to Lieutenant Monkton, who continued to fight her with the utmost skill and bravery. The Marlborough on this occasion had all her lower masts shot away, and no less than 137 men killed and wounded. Lieutenant Monkton was nominally promoted into the Calypso sloop of war, which vessel was lost on her return from Jamaica, and all on board perished.
