THOMAS COWAN, Esq.
[Commander.]
Passed his examination in May 1812; obtained his first commission on the 28th Sept. 1814; and was advanced to his present rank May 5th, 1827.
GEORGE PEARD, Esq.
[Commander.]
Eldest son of the late Vice-Admiral Shuldham Peard, by Elizabeth, third daughter of the late Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh[1].
This officer was born at Gosport, Feb. 18th, 1793; and educated at the Royal Naval College, which he entered in 1807, and left in 1809, when we find him embarking as midshipman on board the Lavinia frigate, Captain Lord William Stuart, whom he followed, in 1810, into the Conquestador 74. On the 27th Dec. 1811, he was sent in the barge of the latter ship to attack a number of French coasting vessels, proceeding alongshore between Rochelle and l’Isle d’Aix: the unlucky result of this enterprise was thus officially reported to Captain Thomas Alexander, of the Colossus 74:–
“Sir,– In compliance with your desire to state the particulars, as far as came to my knowledge, respecting the unfortunate loss of the boats of this ship and the Colossus, I shall, in order to make every circumstance that relates to the transaction as clear as possible, begin with the moment of the enemy’s convoy coming out of Rochelle.
“At noon, several chasse-marées, sloops, and other vessels were reported to me by the officer of the watch, steering towards l’Isle d’Aix, in consequence of which, the Conquestador being the inshore ship, I made the telegraphic signal to you, ‘Shall I attack the enemy?’ which being answered with the words, ‘As you please,’ I sent three boats, the barge, pinnace, and launch, with directions to the officers commanding them to run no risk, to keep a good look-out for the boats’ recal, and particularly, if the enemy’s vessels got under protection of their batteries, not on any account to attack them. The wind at their departure was N. by W.; shortly after I made the telegraphic signal, ‘May I weigh and
