of two large frigates, a corvette, and several gun-boats, apparently ready for sea. Upon his return to port, Captain Cunningham had the satisfaction of receiving the approbation of the Admiralty for his judicious conduct. Peace soon after taking place, he paid off the Clyde at the Great Nore, June 24, 1802, after commanding her with great credit and good fortune for a period of six years and two months[1].
In May 1803, hostilities having re-commenced, Captain Cunningham commissioned the Prince of Orange, a third rate, and soon after assumed the command of a squadron sent to watch the Dutch fleet in the Texel, on which service he continued until relieved by Sir W. Sidney Smith, in the Antelope. He was subsequently appointed to the Leopard of 50 guns, intended for a particular service; but we believe he did not go to sea in that ship.
The Hon. Captain Rodney having resigned his seat as a Commissioner of the Victualling Board, in Sept. 1803, our officer, without any solicitation on his part, was appointed thereto by the Earl of St. Vincent, at whose recommendation he was removed, in 1806, to be Resident Commissioner of his Majesty’s Dock-yards at Deptford and Woolwich. Previous to this latter appointment, he was sent to Falmouth for the purpose of forming a watering-place for the shipping at that port. He remained on the spot until the present reservoir at Milor was excavated and completed.
The establishments at Deptford and Woolwich having been reduced about April, 1823, Commissioner Cunningham was at that period appointed to the superintendance of Chatham Dock-yard.
He has been twice married; 1st, to the daughter of a clergyman in Norfolk, where he possesses some paternal property; and, 2d, to a daughter of Commissioner Charles Proby[2].
- ↑ Among the numerous privateers captured by Captain Cunningham, was la Dorade of 12 guns, pierced for 18, and 93 men. This vessel, after taking out the prisoners, was entrusted to the care of the Master, who, as is supposed, being emulous to outsail the Clyde, carried too great a press of sail, by which she was upset, and all on board, with the exception of four men, perished. The unhappy sufferers, including the Master, were 24 in number.
- ↑ Commissioner Proby was descended from Sir Peter Proby, Knt., Lord Mayor of London in 1622, ancestor of the present Earl of Carysfort. He
