become very much impaired, was sent home as whipper-in to a fleet of 113 West Indiamen, under the protection of the Regulus 44, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral H. R. Bligh, who very soon parted company in a storm, and was not again seen by the Serpent until the third day after her arrival in the Downs. Eight or ten of the merchant vessels also parted company when outside the windward passages; but all the others were kept together and conducted safely into port by Captain Roberts, who had occasionally to chase away the enemy’s privateers, which hovered about this valuable convoy, together with the usual difficulty of keeping the fast sailing vessels within bounds.
During the remainder of the war, the Serpent was employed on the Irish station; but, with the exception of one cruise. Captain Roberts does not appear to have been favored with the least chance of distinguishing himself, otherwise than by his careful attention to the trade constantly under his protection. Whilst on that cruise, he fell in with, and used every effort to get alongside of, a French frigate-built privateer, pierced for 36 guns, and apparently full of men; but owing to her superior sailing, and the darkness of night, she effected her escape without being brought to action.
On the renewal of hostilities, in 1803, this zealous officer was one of the first appointed to raise sea-fencibles in Ireland; on which service he continued until the dissolution of that corps, in the end of 1810. During this period he repeatedly applied for an active appointment; and we latterly find him volunteering to serve on the Canadian lakes, but without success: having no interest, and never having had an opportunity of achieving any brilliant exploit, his applications were utterly disregarded; although his long and arduous services in the Serpent may surely be said to have entitled him to some little consideration. His more fortunate brother, Samuel, is a captain in the royal navy, and C.B.[1]
