In 1804 and the following year, Captain Nesham commanded the Foudroyant of 80 guns, bearing the flag of Sir Thomas Graves, in the grand fleet. His next appointment was to the Ulysses 44; and in the autumn of 1807 we find him convoying a fleet of merchantmen from England to the West Indies, where he was most actively employed in that ship, the Intrepid 64, and Captain 74, for a period of three years, during which he assisted at the capture of Mariegalante, and served on shore at the reduction of Martinique[1]. The following are extracts from Sir Alexander Cochrane’s official account of the latter event, dated Feb. 25, 1809:
“While the batteries were kept constantly firing on the enemy from the western side, Captains Barton and Nesham, of the York and Intrepid, with about 400 seamen and marines, continued to be employed in getting the heavy cannon, mortars, and howitzers up to Mount Sourier, from the eastern side of the fort (Edward), which was a service of the utmost labour and difficulty, owing to the rains and deepness of the roads; but notwithstanding which, a battery of four 24-pounders, and four mortars, was finished by the 22d, and the guns mounted ready for service.
“On the following day some more guns were got up, and ready to be placed in an advanced battery, intended to consist of eight 24-pounders; * * * * The fire kept up by the batteries was irresistible; the enemy was driven from his defences, his cannon dismounted, and the whole of the interior of the work ploughed up by the shot and shells, within five days after the batteries opened. * * * *
“I have already informed their lordships, that I entrusted the whole of the naval arrangements on shore to Commodore Cockburn * * *. He speaks in terms of high approbation of the able support and assistance he received from Captains Barton, Nesham, and Brenton, whom I had selected to act with him. To all these officers, and the Lieutenants and other officers, seamen and marines, immediately under their commands, I feel truly obliged, for performing the arduous duties imposed upon them. The 7-gun battery at Folville was entirely fought by seamen, from which the enemy suffered severely.”
The Captain 74, being found unfit for service, was paid off in 1810; and the subject of this memoir has not since been employed. He married, in 1802, Margaret, youngest daughter of the late Admiral Lord Graves, by whom he has one son and a daughter. Mrs. Nesham died in 1808.
