Drowned in the Lutine, 36; a lieutenant.
Francis Geary Gardner Lee, Midshipman.
Sir F. G. G. Lee; a major in the royal marines and lieutenant-colonel in the Spanish army.
Chubb, Clerk.
Drowned in the cutter with poor Allen.
[Jonas] Toby, Clerk.
Dead. A purser. [Purser of the Euryalus at Trafalgar; author of the plan of the battle which was sent home to Lord Barham, and published as a separate sheet and in the Naval Chronicle, vol. xiv.]
BLONDE, 32
I was appointed first lieutenant of the Blonde, 32, Captain Daniel Dobree, and commissioned her at Chatham early in March 1798, and soon after got a draft of twenty-seven hands and a midshipman from the Standard, 64, which was all I had to fit her out with, and of that number, only five knew how to turn a dead-eye in. However, we contrived to get her hold stowed, sails bent, and topgallant yards across, before we had any addition of men or officers. At last our complement was completed by a draft from the Dordrecht,[[130]] 64, and went to Black Stakes, where we took in our powder and proceeded to the Downs. We had a crack ship’s company with our last draft, and in getting topgallant yards up the morning after we arrived, we crossed ours, sent them down again, and then swayed away and had them ready for crossing before the flagship and the rest of the men of war at anchor. Vice-Admiral Peyton[[131]] was the port admiral, and had his flag on board the Overyssel,[[132]] 64, commanded by my late worthy friend Captain John Bazely. I expected we should have got a reprimand for being too hasty in our movements, especially when I saw a boat coming from the flagship; however, instead of a rub down, it proved to be a visit from Captain Bazely, who paid us many compliments on the good order the ship appeared to be in. He told me there was a vacancy on board the flagship for a lieutenant and that he would apply for me if I wished it, at the same time stating that he was on bad terms with the admiral, who was at all times a harsh and disagreeable officer, and in the event of his getting a frigate (which he was in expectation of) he had no doubt would prevent me (to annoy him) leaving the flagship, and advised me to remain in the Blonde until he had an opportunity of serving me.
Having received orders, we proceeded to Spithead and took command of a small squadron of gun-boats and cutters to guard the Needles passage, and anchored off Jack in the Basket, near Lymington, which service we performed very agreeably for several weeks. The rebellion in Ireland taking place, we were ordered with several men of war and transports to proceed to Weymouth and embark troops for that country. The king, being at Weymouth at the time, with the royal family, it was expected he would review the squadron; but the news from Ireland being very serious, the troops were embarked in a hurry, and we got under way in company with the men of war and transports for our destination.