Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p1.djvu/260

230 that period commanding the Gaspée brig, on the American station.

“Of all the young men” says Lieutenant Hunter, “I ever had the care of, none answered my expectations equal to Isaac Coffin. He pleased me so much, that I took all the pains in my power to make him a good seaman; and I succeeded to the height of my wishes; for never did I know a young man acquire so much nautical knowledge in so short a time. But when he became of use to me, the Admiral thought proper to move him. We parted with considerable regret.”

Mr. Coffin, after quitting the Gaspée, served as Midshipman successively on board the Captain, Kingfisher, Fowey, and Diligent, on the Halifax station; from the latter vessel he was removed into the Romney, of 50 guns, bearing the flag of his patron at Newfoundland; and in the summer of 1778, he obtained a Lieutenancy, and the command of the Placentia cutter. In the ensuing spring he served as a volunteer on board the Sybil frigate, Captain Pasley; and was soon after appointed to the command of le Pinson armed ship. In this vessel, owing to the negligence of the Master who had charge of her, he had the misfortune to be wrecked on the coast of Labrador; upon which he returned to St. John’s, where he was tried by a Court-Martial, and fully acquitted, his conduct being considered that of an able officer and seaman, wholly free from blame.

Lieutenant Coffin now came to England, and in November 1779, was appointed to the Adamant, about to be launched at Liverpool. In June 1780, that ship sailed for Plymouth under jury masts; and in the month of August following, she was ordered to escort the trade bound to New York. His next appointment was to the London, of 98 guns, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Graves, then second in command on the coast of America; and from her he removed into the Royal Oak, a third rate, under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, Commander-in-Chief, to whom he acted as signal Lieutenant in the action off Cape Henry, March 16. 1781.

The Royal Oak, on her return to New York, ran aground, and received so much damage that she was obliged to go to Halifax to be hove down. In July following, Lieutenant