close of 1794, when he left the Terrible, of which ship he had become first Lieutenant, to join the Victory on promotion:– this first prospect was frustrated by Lord Hood’s sudden secession from active service, in May, 1795[1]. Mr. Vincent’s removal from the Triumph was productive of a still greater mortification, as in addition to the loss of promotion, it prevented him from sharing in the glorious victory achieved by those very men whom he had been instrumental in restoring to a proper state of discipline. His hopes were again excited on hearing that the late King had embarked at Greenwich for the purpose of honoring Lord Duncan’s fleet with a visit; in which case, being senior Lieutenant of the Port-Admiral’s flag ship, he flattered himself with the expectation of preferment, according to the usual custom on such occasions: unfortunately a gale of wind, and state business of importance, compelled his Majesty to return without carrying into effect the gracious object for which he had left his capital. The fourth and last instance occurred in Aug. 1799, when a Dutch squadron in the Texel surrendered to the late Sir Andrew Mitchell, at the very moment an action was confidently expected to take place by every officer and man under his orders[2]. – Lieutenant Vincent was then on board the Overyssel 64, from which ship Admiral Lutwidge’s flag had been removed pro tempore, his presence being required to conduct the port duties at Deal.
On the 17th May, 1802, Captain Vincent was appointed to the Arrow, a curiously constructed sloop of war, mounting 28 32-pounders, with a complement of 121 men. In this vessel he cruised for some time against the smugglers on the coast of Devonshire, and to the eastward thereof; but owing to her peculiar appearance, she soon became well-known to those illicit traders, who easily recognized her at a distance, and were thereby enabled to elude the vigilance of her commander. She was paid off at Portsmouth, in Feb. 1803.
A contemporary writer, speaking of the Arrow and another
- ↑ The cause of Lord Hood’s resignation is stated to have been a dispute with the Admiralty, as to the force necessary to be employed at that juncture in the Mediterranean. – See Brenton’s Naval History, vol. ii. p. 177.
- ↑ See Vol. I. p. 152, and note at p. 414 et seq.
