Monarca must also have suffered severely, but her loss has never been recorded.
On his return to England, Lieutenant Cumby was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, by commission, dated Jan. 1, 1806, as a reward for his gallant conduct; and in the course of the same month he had the melancholy gratification of following the remains of Nelson to the tomb. In July, 1807, he was appointed pro tempore to the Dryad 36, in which frigate he made several valuable captures during a three months’ cruise on the Irish station. His next appointment was, May 1808, to the Polyphemus 64, fitting for the flag of his friend Vice-Admiral B. S. Rowley, commander-in-Chief at Jamaica; to which station he proceeded in July following, convoying thither a large fleet of merchantmen, the whole of whom he conducted safely to their respective destinations.
The Vice-Admiral residing constantly on shore, his flag was frequently shifted to the Shark sloop, for the purpose of affording Captain Cumby opportunities of cruising against the enemy. On one of those occasions the boats of the Polyphemus captured the Colibry, French national schooner, of 3 guns and 63 men, reputed the fastest sailing vessel attached to the colony of St. Domingo.
In June, 1809, Captain Cumby was appointed to command a squadron sent from Port Royal, with a military detachment, under Major-General Hugh L. Carmichael, to co-operate with the Spanish troops investing the city of St. Domingo. The following extracts from Vice-Admiral Rowley’s public letter to the Hon. W. W. Pole, will shew the success which attended his exertions.
- ↑ Polyphemus, Aurora, Tweed, Sparrow, Thrush, Griffin, Lark, Moselle, Fleur-de-la-Mer, and Pike.
