born at Totness, co. Devon, Nov. 30, 1766, and entered the naval service in 1779, on board the Squirrel a 20-gun ship, commanded by his father, with whom he appears to have continued but a few months. In the following year he joined the Foudroyant of 80 guns, Captain John Jervis, under whom he served at the relief of Gibraltar by Vice-Admiral Darby and Earl Howe, and at the capture of le Pegase, a French 74, April 21, 1782[1].
Towards the conclusion of the American war, Mr. Epworth removed with Sir John Jervis into the Salisbury of 50 guns. In Dec. 1782, he was made a Lieutenant, and appointed to the Wasp sloop, Captain John Hills. The activity of this vessel in suppressing smuggling was such as to call forth the thanks of the Commissioners of the Customs, who sent a sum of money to be distributed amongst the officers and crew, as a reward for their exertions[2].
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war Lieutenant Epworth proceeded to the West Indies, on which station he was frequently employed in boats, capturing the enemy’s vessels, and cutting them out of their harbours. We next find him serving in the Alexander of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir Richard Rodney Bligh, whose memorable defence of that ship against a French squadron of five sail of the line and three frigates, can never be forgotten[3]. In his official letter respecting the capture of the Alexander, that excellent commander recommended Lieutenant Epworth, and the other officers who were his supporters on the arduous occasion, to the favor and protection of the Admiralty. The following is a translation of the French commander-in-chief’s reply to a memorial presented by them on their arrival at Brest:
“On board the Montagne, in Brest Road, 22d Germinal, In the third year of the Republic, one and indivisible.
- ↑ See Vol. I p. 15.
- ↑ In our memoir of Admiral Sir John Wells we have erroneously described that officer as the commander of the Wasp at the period alluded to above.
- ↑ An account of the action will be given under the head of Commander James Godench.
