commission as Lieutenant bears date Sept. 11, in the latter year.
The Tiger of 60 guns, into which ship Mr. Fanshawe had been promoted, being found unserviceable, he returned to England in a merchant-vessel; and a few months after his arrival, was made a Commander, by commission dated Aug. 23, 1762. Towards the close of that war he commanded the Carcass bomb; and subsequently, the Speedwell sloop of war, in which he was employed, principally on the American station, for a period of three years. His advancement to the rank of Post-Captain took place May 26, 1768, one day previous to a grand promotion.
Early in 1769, Captain Fanshawe obtained the command of the Lively, a small frigate, in which he continued until the autumn of 1770. From that time he does not appear to have been again afloat till 1775; when, in consequence of the dispute which had then reached a most serious height between Great Britain and her trans-atlantic colonies, he was appointed to the Carysfort of 28 guns, and ordered to America, where he fully established his character as a brave, skilful, and vigilant officer.
The Carysfort formed part of the squadron commanded by Commodore Hotham at the reduction of New York, in Sept. 1776[1]; and was afterwards employed in a variety of active service under Lord Howe. From that frigate Captain Fanshawe was removed into the Monmouth 64, which ship greatly distinguished herself in the action between Byron and d’Estaing, off Grenada, July 6, 1779, and was most dreadfully cut up, in consequence of her bearing away to bring the van of the enemy to close action, and thereby prevent the capture of several British transports. Her loss on this occasion amounted to 25 men killed and 28 wounded[2].
- ↑ See p. 56.
- ↑ On the 13th April, 1778, at which period the junction of France added strength and confidence to our revolted colonies, the Count d’Estaing sailed from Toulon with ten ships of the line, one of 50 guns, five frigates, and a corvette, destined for North America Although the sailing of this armament was made known to the British Government on the 27th of the same month, no measures were taken to intercept it until the 5th June; when Vice-Admiral Byron, with twelve sail of the line and one frigate, was sent in pursuit of the enemy. In consequence of a succession of heavy gales
