Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp1.djvu/20

  Finding that the enemy were about to cannonade the prize, Lieutenant Hancock immediately directed the whole of his prisoners to be ranged three deep along the gangways and quarter-deck, that being the only method by which he could hope to save the lives of his own people; and fortunately it proved successful, as the Danes on shore, seeing their countrymen so exposed, were thereby deterred from firing more than a single shot or two, which passed over her and consequently did no damage.

At the conclusion of the battle Lieutenant Hancock received directions to burn the Holstein; but observing that she was a new ship, and that most of her sails, rigging, and stores were on board, he ventured to disobey those orders by taking upon himself the responsibility of towing her out to the commander-in-chief, near whom he anchored by daylight the following morning.

This valuable piece of service does not appear to have been properly appreciated, as no official report of it was made, either by Sir Hyde Parker or Lord Nelson: the former does not even mention the boats in his public letter, and the latter only speaks of them in terms of general approbation. Lieutenant Hancock, however, was perfectly well satisfied when he found himself promoted to the rank of Commander, and appointed to succeed Captain (now Sir James) Brisbane, in the Cruiser, a fine brig mounting 16 thirty-two pounder carronades, and 2 long sixes, with a complement of 120 men.

