The York assisted at the occupation of Madeira, by the forces under Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood and Major-General Beresford, in Dec. 1807; and at the reduction of Martinique, by an expedition under Lieutenant-General Beck with and Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, in Feb. 1809[1]. On the latter occasion, Mr. Gosling, from his knowledge of the French language, was employed as aide-de-camp to Captain Barton, who commanded a detachment of 400 men, employed in dragging guns, mortars, and howitzers up to Mount Sourier, from the eastern side of Fort Edward, – “a service of the utmost labour and difficulty, owing to the heavy rains and deepness of the roads[2].” Mr. Gosling also commanded the York’s launch, employed under Commodore, (now Sir George) Cockburn, in landing and mounting heavy ordnance at the back of Pigeon Island, previous to the surrender of Fort Royal. For these services, he was rewarded with an appointment to act as lieutenant of the York, March 14th, 1809. In the following month, he assisted at the reduction of the Saintes, near Guadaloupe; and witnessed the capture of d’Hautpoult, a new French 74[3].
Mr. Gosling subsequently exchanged into the Jewel frigate. Captain the Hon. James W. King; and from her into the Ethalion, Captain (now Sir Thomas J.) Cochrane, which ship was paid off about Aug. 1810. His first commission bears date, Sept. 27th, 1809.
We next find the subject of this memoir serving as flag-lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Fremantle, on the Mediterranean station, where he arrived with that officer in the Fortunée frigate, and successively removed with him to the Ville de Paris, Rodney, and Milford, which latter ship be left in order to join the Havannah frigate. Captain the Hon. George Cadogan, June 26th, 1813.
Among other services performed by Rear-Admiral Fremantle, was that of obtaining the liberation of 400 Christian
