Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp4.djvu/416

 this opportunity of bringing under their Lordships’ notice the abilities and unremitted attention of Mr. Thomas Bull, acting master of the Tyne, who a second time has conducted the ship through an intricate and dangerous navigation without the slightest accident. The praise given to this officer by Captain Godfrey is corroborated by his successor, whose favorable opinion is contained in the letter which I herewith transmit.”

Being at this period a very great sufferer from the climate of the West Indies, Captain Walcott was obliged to resign the command of the Tyne, by invaliding; and he returned to England with Sir Charles Rowley, in May, 1823. the receipt of the Rear-Admiral’s late communication was thus officially acknowledged:

“Admiralty Office, May 29, 1823.

Sir,– Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 12th April, transmitting two letters from Captain Walcott, of the Tyne, reporting the proceedings of that ship and the Thracian, in search of piratical vessels, and the capture of a schooner of that description, called the Zaragozana, by the boats of the Tyne and Thracian, in the harbour of Mata, I am commanded by their Lordships to express their approbation of the conduct of Captain Walcott and the other officers and men employed.

“And I am to acquaint you, that, as a mark of their approbation, their Lordships have promoted Mr. Shapland, the senior midshipman mentioned by Captain Walcott, to the rank of Lieutenant; and that they have ordered Mr. Bull, acting master of the Tyne, to be made a Master, and to be placed at the head of the additional number of Masters about to be made. I am, &c.

(Signed)“John Barrow.”

“''To Sir Charles Rowley, K.C.B. &c. &c. &c.''”

Messrs. Henry Shapland and Thomas Bull were accordingly promoted, on the same day that Mr. Barrow’s letter was written. On the 16th of the ensuing month, Captain Roberts, whom Sir Charles Rowley had appointed to succeed Captain Walcott in the command of the Tyne, was advanced to post rank; and Mr. John Delancey Robinson, midshipman, who likewise assisted at the capture of the Zaragozana, to that of lieutenant. In the mean time, Cayatano Aroganez, and 23 of the other miscreants, were tried, sentenced to death, and executed at Jamaica.

Captain Walcott’s eldest sister is married to Captain George Henderson, R.N.

