Mr. Byron subsequently served for several years in the Druid frigate; and early in 1789, we find him accompanying his cousin to the East Indies, in the Phoenix of 36 guns, forming part of the squadron sent thither under the orders of Commodore Cornwallis. Ever active, Captain Byron sought the first occasion of assisting in the war against Tippoo Saib; and, at the very outset, performed a signal service, by intercepting the Sultan’s transports, loaded with military stores. After this he distinguished himself by landing some of his guns, and leading a party of his men to assist the Bombay army in reducing the fortress of Cannanore, and other strong holds on the Malabar coast, and in re-establishing the Rajah of Travancore, whose dominions had been over-run and occupied by Tippoo. For these services he was publicly praised in the official accounts that were sent home; but, unfortunately, he fell a victim to his alacrity and zeal; for, on crossing the bar of Billiapatnam river, near Cannanore, in order to communicate with Major-General Abercromby, who was then marching towards Seringapatam, his boat was overset by a heavy sea; and when endeavouring to extricate himself, her gunwale struck him twice upon the breast with so much violence, that on being taken up it. was not supposed he could survive the shock his frame had sustained. He however lingered about a year after his return to England, and survived his wife several months. He died at Dawleish, in Devonshire, June 11, 1793.
The subject of this memoir was made a Lieutenant into the Perseverance frigate at Trincomalee, about Oct. 1792; and served as such on board the Impregnable, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Caldwell, in the battle of June 1, 1794. From her he removed into the Queen Charlotte of 100 guns, which ship formed part of Lord Bridport’s fleet in the action off l’Orient, June 23, 1795[1]. We subsequently find him
- ↑ See Vol. I, note at p. 75 et seq. and Vol. II, Part I, note at p. 54. Lieutenant Byron on the latter occasion was placed in a very honorable post, his Captain, Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, having directed that his division of guns, the seven foremost on the lower deck, should alone commence the action; the remainder to consider his firing as a signal for them to begin with effect. He accordingly waked until his guns pointed directly
