him to the rank of Lieutenant in the Bull Dog sloop of war, on the 11th Aug. in the same year.
As a Lieutenant, Mr. Becher employed his spare time in studying naval tactics, composing signals, and forming plans, many of which he has since had the pleasure of seeing adopted by the Admiralty.
At the commencement of the French revolutionary war we find him serving on board the Proserpine frigate, and commanding one of her boats at the capture of a ship laden with colonial produce, lying close to the jetty at Gonaives in St. Domingo. This vessel he conducted to Jamaica, and she proved to be the first prize captured on that station. He subsequently joined the Defence of 74 guns, commanded by Captain (now Lord) Gambier, under whom he served as fourth Lieutenant in the battle of June 1, 1794. The following anecdote, with which we have been furnished since the publication of his Lordship’s memoir, will serve as an instance of the zeal displayed by that gallant officer on the memorable occasion alluded to:
“The Defence, by bearing up at the instant the signal was made to that effect, became so far advanced that an officer suggested to Captain Gambier the propriety of bringing to a little to wait for the other ships. He smilingly replied, ‘No, no, Sir, the signal is made and I shall obey it; every man must answer for his own conduct this day.’ The Defence continued her course, was the first ship that broke through the enemy’s line, and presently in the thickest of their fire.” The loss and damage sustained by her has been correctly described at pp. 78 and 79 of Vol. I.
In the following month Lieutenant Becher was removed into the Royal George, a first rate, bearing the flag of his god-father the late Lord Bridport, under whom he served in the action off l’Orient, June 23, 1795.
The Captain of the Marlborough having been deprived of his command, and treated with great indignity by her crew, during the general mutiny at Spithead in May 1797, Captain Eaton, of the Medusa troop-ship, was appointed by Lord Bridport to succeed him; and Mr. Becher, at that period first
