rudder being hung, sails bent, and rigging set up, by the light of the fire that had been made for the destruction of the French arsenal and shipping.
Captain Matthews, who had been appointed to act in the Courageux during the absence of her proper commander, the present Lord Radstock, was employed on shore at the evacuation of Toulon; and finding on his return to the ship that she was not only ready for sea but actually clear of danger, he declared that it was the happiest moment of his life: what then must have been the sensations of Lieutenant Daniel, through whose devoted zeal the Courageux had been thus preserved, first from destruction, and lastly from the ignominy of wearing a tri-coloured flag.
It cannot, however, be supposed, that such exertions could have been made with impunity; the stimulus to energetic efforts having ceased, his strength soon gave way, and on his arrival at Gibraltar, in company with the fleet and the French ships brought from Toulon, he found it absolutely necessary to retire for a time from duty. Whilst there he became seriously ill, and a survey being held on him by the proper officers, they strenuously advised him to seek the benefit of his native air. To this recommendation he reluctantly yielded; and a passage being ordered him in the Colossus, he returned home as an invalid on the 17th Mar. 1794.
A vacancy at this time occurring in the Impress service at Gravesend, Lieutenant Daniel was induced to accept an appointment under his father, who was then employed as Regulating Captain at that place. He shortly after had the gratification of receiving the following letter from his former commander, dated on board the Courageux, off Cape Corse, June 22, 1794:
“Dear Sir,– Among the many unpleasant changes I found in the Courageux, on my return from England, that of your absence was not the least. I should hope that your native air, and the comforts you meet with at home, may soon restore your health; after which, when opportunity offers, I shall be very happy to have again the pleasure of seeing you on board the Courageux, or any other ship I may command. I am, dear Sir, very faithfully your’s,
During the mutiny in the North Sea fleet, a merchant
