WALTER FORMAN, Esq.
[Commander.]
Commenced his gallant career in the royal navy on the 4th Feb. 1795; and served the whole of his time as midshipman, under the command of the present Admiral Sir Edward Thornbrough, G.C.B., in the Robust 74, Formidable 98, and Mars 74[1]. On the 10th Oct. 1801, he was promoted into the Ville de Paris, first-rate, bearing the flag of Admiral the Hon. William Cornwallis; and in the beginning of 1802, he appears to have been removed into the Magnificent 74, Captain (now Vice-Admiral) John Giffard, under whom he assisted in quelling the mutiny of the 8th West India regiment, at Prince Rupert’s, in the island of Dominica[2]. He subsequently joined the Rambler brig, of 14 guns; and was the only lieutenant on board that vessel for a period of three years, during nearly the whole of which time she was most actively employed, either in watching the Brest fleet, or in keeping up a communication between the commander-in-chief off Ushant and the blockading squadrons off Rochefort and Ferrol. In the course of the latter service, she was twice on the point of foundering, and obliged to throw overboard all her guns. The following are copies of letters written by the officer who commanded her at the commencement of the late war:
“H.M. sloop Rambler, Aug. 16th, 1804.
“Sir,– I have the honor to acquaint you, that, being between l’Isle Dieu and the Main, on the morning of the 7th instant, I observed nine sail close inshore, steering to the south-eastward. About 9, it fell calm. I then sent the boats, under the command of Lieutenant Forman and Mr. Cox, master’s-mate, to take possession of them; but, favored by a light air, they came to an anchor under the battery of St. Gillies, within musket-shot of the shore; notwithstanding which, two sloops were brought off, with great gallantry, under a smart fire from field-pieces and musketry. The others cut their cables, and ran aground, so near the pier-head that it was impossible to get them off. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Thomas Innis.”
“To Sir Charles Cotton, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.”
