Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp1.djvu/125

  an appointment to the Sheernees 44, fitting for the coast of Africa, where he served as first Lieutenant under Captain Simon Mackenzie, and his successor. Captain James Cornwallis, until obliged to leave that ship through ill health, in 1798. We next find him serving as senior Lieutenant of the Revolutionnaire frigate, commanded by Captain Thomas Twysden, a most active officer and excellent disciplinarian, with whom be continued on the Irish station until Mar. 1801. Whilst in that ship he assisted at the capture of five formidable French privateers, carrying altogether no less than 88 guns and 813 men, viz.: –

During the remainder of the revolutionary war, Mr. Laroche served as first Lieutenant of the Neptune 98, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral (now Lord) Gambier, with whom we also find him serving after the renewal of hostilities, in 1803. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place June 2d, 1804; and his post commission bears date Jan. 22, 1806.

Since writing the above, an officer of high rank has informed us that in April, 1800, the Revolutionnaire encountered a most tremendous hurricane, lost her rudder, sustained much other damage, and narrowly escaped being wrecked on the rocks near Waterford; that her first Lieutenant’s zealous and seamanlike conduct on this occasion was highly extolled by every one on board; that Captain Twysden not only reported his admirable conduct in strong terms to the Admiralty, but also often declared that “a better officer than Henry Laroche never existed;” and that a similar opinion of his merits and ability has always been entertained by the noble Admiral to whom he was indebted for his subsequent advancement.

Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.

