In the winter of 1805-6, the Dispatch encountered a long and heavy gale in the Bay of Biscay, and Mr. Barrell was the only officer who would undertake to represent to her commander, now Captain Edward Hawkins, the necessity of throwing some of her guns overboard. On his taking charge of the deck at four p.m., he accordingly went down to the cabin, and suggested the propriety of so lightening the vessel in that manner, as the only means of securing her safety for the night: the reply was, “I will be up directly;” and in a short time, ten guns were engulphed: the brig then became like a perfect life-boat, and continued so during the remainder of the gale. We should observe that, previous to this, every thing had been done to lighten her aloft, even to the lowering of the main-yard to within a few feet of the booms.
The Dispatch formed part of the squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Louis, at the capture of the French frigate le Presidente, Sept. 27th, 1806[1], the only shot which hulled the enemy, during a cannonade of exactly an hour’s duration, was the first fired, and that by Mr. Barreil.
After this cruise the Dispatch was commanded by Captain James Lillicrap, under whom Mr. Barrell continued to serve as acting lieutenant until the termination of the operations against Copenhagen, in 1807[2]; when we find him placed on Lord Gambler’s list for promotion. On his return home, he was placed in charge of the Princess Caroline, a Danish 74, full of stores, at Spithead, where he remained some weeks, with never more than 200 men, including troops, on board; and at times with only half that number. During this period, the weather being very tempestuous, the ship frequently drove, brought both bowers a-head, and compelled him to let go the sheet anchor. He at length conducted her into Portsmouth harbour; and, a few days after she was dismantled, received
