and the Hon. Commissioner Boyle, with the officers and men under their respective commands; but it was not until the 22d, with all the skill and exertions employed, that the ship was safely secured in dock. On examination, it was ascertained she had carried away the whole of her fore-foot, about ten feet of the garboard strake on the larboard side, and a great part of her false and main keels. While these serious and alarming defects evidently shew what must have been the exertions at the pumps, for upwards of 20 hours, before any personal assistance was afforded, they also most satisfactorily prove what gracious goodness and mercy must have been vouchsafed to them by that Almighty Being, whose arm alone can save the wanderers of the trackless deep. * * * * The officers of the Meander speak of Captain Gordon in terms of the highest respect and most affectionate regard; his firmness and zeal gave animation to all around him in the midst of this awful time, in which not a murmur was heard, nor the slightest disposition shewn towards intoxication. It appears that the pilot of the ship is a clever, steady, deserving man, and not the slightest blame whatsoever is to be attached to him. The Meander is ordered by the Admiralty to be fitted with all possible dispatch.”
Sir James A. Gordon was presented with the freedom of Aberdeen in 1817. He married Aug. 27, 1812, the youngest daughter of John Ward, of Marlborough, Wilts, Esq.
Agent.– J. Copland, Esq.
HON. FREDERICK WILLIAM AYLMER.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; and a Knight Commander of the Neapolitan Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit.
[Post-Captain of 1805.]
This officer is the third son of Henry, fourth Lord Aylmer, by Catharine, second sister of Charles, Earl Whitworth, G.C.B.
He was born Oct. 12, 1777; and first went to sea in the Syren of 32 guns, commanded by the late Vice-Admiral John Manley, in which frigate H.R.H. the Duke of York embarked for Holland, at the commencement of the French revolutionary war.
Mr. Aylmer served as a Lieutenant on board the Swiftsure 74, in the memorable battle of Aug. 1, 1798; and was frequently employed on boat service during the subsequent operations in the neighbourhood of Aboukir, and on the coast of Italy[1]. His name is frequently mentioned by the Rev.
- ↑ See vol. I. pp. 469–478.; and vol. II. pp. 820–830.
