The Ocean formed part of the Channel fleet under Admiral Geary, at the capture of twelve French West Indiamen, valued at 91,000l., July 3, 1780. She was likewise present at the relief of Gibraltar, by Vice-Admiral Darby; and the capture of fifteen transports, laden with military stores and full of troops, in 1781; as also at the capture of twelve others, April 20, 1782[1].
Mr. Wolfe continued in the Ocean, which ship was successively commanded by Captains Ourry, Edgar, Cleland, and Phipps, till May 1782, when he was removed into the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Kempenfelt, in the Channel fleet. Fortunately for him he escaped sharing the fate of many of his former messmates, who were lost in that noble vessel at Spithead, by following Captain Phipps into the Berwick of 74 guns. This may with propriety be termed the third miraculous escape he had experienced in less than two years and a half, from the commencement of his professional career[2].
The Berwick accompanied Earl Howe to the relief of Gibraltar, in 1782; and bore a part in the subsequent action with the combined fleets off Cape Spartel, on which occasion Mr. Wolfe was wounded in the face and neck. During the remainder of the war, we find her stationed in the West Indies, under the orders of Admiral Pigot. She was put out of commission June 30, 1783.
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 4, note ‡ at p. 33, pp. 58, and 15.
- ↑ During the winter of 1780, while the Ocean was lying with the grand fleet in Torbay, her launch was sent to Torquay for water; and Mr. Wolfe having been engaged to dine with the father of his messmate, Mr. Broderick Hartwell, was descending the side for the purpose of going on shore by her, when the boat-rope broke, and caused him to be left behind. On her return, the launch unfortunately sunk, and a Lieutenant, 2 Midshipmen, one of whom was Mr. Hartwell, and 19 seamen perished.
Soon after this melancholy catastrophe, the Ocean and several other ships struck the ground in Torbay, unshipped their rudders, and were under the necessity of proceeding to Portsmouth to repair their damages. Early in 1781, Mr. Wolfe fell overboard whilst playing about the Ocean’s hulk in a small boat, and was carried by the tide to the mouth of the harbour, before he could be rescued from his perilous situation.
with some friends of the family, by whom he was compelled to return home, after trudging twenty-two miles on foot in pursuit of his favorite object.
