Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/130

 to superintend the execution of his scheme, supported by Lieutenants Steuart, Payne (of the Immortalité), and Cameron (of the Utrecht 64), each provided with a fast rowing galley; but, after many delays, the enterprise was altogether abandoned.

In the course of the same year, Lieutenant Steuart was sent on various other detached services, among which was an attempt made to destroy fort Rouge, a battery erected on piles, at the entrance of Calais harbour. This was partly accomplished by means of the explosion vessel under his command; but from the circumstance of two others not being able to fetch the point of attack, the injury done was far less extensive than might have been otherwise expected. Lord Keith, in an official letter to the Admiralty, says “the conduct of Lieutenant Hew Steuart, of the Monarch, on this recent occasion, will not fail, I am sure, to excite their lordships’ admiration and praise. I have great pleasure in conveying to them Captain Sir Home Popham’s testimony to his distinguished merit.”

The subject of this memoir was at length promoted, Jan. 22, 1806; and in the following year he commanded the Mutine brig, of 18 guns, employed in escorting the King’s German Legion to and from the island of Rugen. He was also attached to the inshore squadron off Copenhagen, and frequently engaged with the Danish batteries and gun-boats during the bombardment of that city. A few days previous to the capitulation, he volunteered his services, in conjunction with Captain (now Sir John) Phillimore, to attempt the capture or destruction of an advanced two-decker; a measure, however, which the commander-in-chief did not think it proper to sanction.

Captain Steuart left the Mutine in 1806; and was appointed to the Reynard, a new 10-gun brig, at the commencement of 1809. In that vessel he accompanied the expedition to Walcheren ; and on the day after the disembarkation of the army, we find him pushing on after the bombs and 