the memorable conflicts between Rodney and de Grasse, April 9 and 12, 1782[1].
Mr. Rathborne having become first Lieutenant of the Bedford, in consequence of the promotions that followed Rodney’s victory, continued to serve as such till that ship was paid off at Portsmouth in the summer of 1783. During the Dutch and Spanish armaments in 1787 and 1790, he was appointed to the Atlas of 98 guns, and Colossus 74, the former fitting for the flag of Sir Edmund Affleck, the latter commanded successively by Captains Hugh C. Christian and Henry Harvey. In 1792 he obtained an appointment, as first Lieutenant, to the Captain, a third rate, then under the orders of Earl Howe, but subsequently attached to the Mediterranean fleet.
After the occupation of Toulon, in Aug. 1793, the Captain was sent by Lord Hood to dismantle the forts and batteries on the Hieres islands and opposite shore; the latter and most difficult part of which duty was executed in a very judicious manner by Lieutenant Rathborne, in the presence of a vastly superior republican force. He afterwards distinguished himself by his exertions in weighing the Imperieuse, a large frigate that had been scuttled by the French in Port Especia; and on her being commissioned by Captain Charles Cunningham, he was appointed to act as Commander in the Speedy of 14 guns, from which vessel he returned to the Captain, in consequence of his being superseded a few days after by one of the Admiral’s own Lieutenants, the present Sir George Cockburn.
During the ensuing siege of St. Fiorenzo, in Corsica, Lieutenant Rathborne served on shore under the orders of Captain Samuel Hood; and in Vice-Admiral Hotham’s action, Mar. 14, 1795 [2], he had the misfortune to lose the sight of his right eye, and receive so much injury in his right arm, as to render it nearly useless. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place Nov. 9th in the same year.
- ↑ Commodore Affleck was created a Baronet for his gallant conduct, May 28, 1782; elected M.P.for Colchester in the course of the same year; and promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, Feb. 10, 1784. He died Dec. 15, 1787.
- ↑ See Vol I, note at p. 340.
