“I trust, Sir, that you will also permit me the gratification of impressing on your attention, the admirable manner in which Mr. Stephens, the officer appointed by you to that dangerous duty, fulfilled your intentions and orders, at the risk of his own life and those of your boats’ crews. His humanity, presence of mind, and cool courage, were the cause of preservation to the many lives that were saved – these (qualities were equally and eminently conspicuous during a scene the most appalling and afflicting that can be imagined.
“The conduct of your gig’s crew on this unhappy occasion has no doubt been reported to you; it is sufficient for me to observe, that they amply and efficiently seconded their commander.
“I cannot close my letter without expressing my regret at the loss of your boatswain, a meritorious seaman, of whom, I am given to understand, you had a high opinion, and whose life appears to have been sacrificed to his too great negligence of personal safety while in the discharge of his duty. I have the honor to subscribe myself, with sentiments of the highest respect, gratitude, and esteem. Sir, your most obedient and devoted servant,
The first lieutenant of the Cygnet was on shore during this terrific gale; and the acting second lieutenant, Mr. Charles Brand, [who has written an article on the subject of her “narrow escape,” for the “United Service Journal,” wherein he somewhat strangely describes himself as “her commanding officer,” at the time, although he admits, that “to Captain Bennett’s judgment as a seamen and an officer is every merit due for saving his brig,”] had only just joined her from a midshipman’s berth. Mr. Robert Lee Stephens, the gentleman whose conduct is so highly eulogized by Mr. Norton, has since obtained the rank of lieutenant.
The Cygnet subsequently accompanied Commodore Nourse to Madagascar, Zanzibar, Delagoe Bay, and along the eastern coast of Africa; after which she made two trips to Ascension, with stores for that island, and touched at St. Helena on her way to England. She was paid off in the spring of 1823.
Commander Bennett’s next appointment was, April 30th, 1827, to the Trinculo of 18 guns, in which sloop he served on the Irish station, under the orders of Rear-Admiral Plampin and his successor, the Hon. Sir Charles Paget, until promoted to the rank of Captain, Sept. 16th, 1825.
