Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p1.djvu/37

Rh In the memorable expedition sent against Quebec, in 1759, Mr. Jervis accompanied Sir Charles as his first Lieutenant, and was by him made a Commander in the Porcupine sloop. The operations in the river St. Lawrence having terminated successfully, our officer returned to England, and soon after proceeded to the Mediterranean under the orders of his former patron, by whom he was appointed acting Captain of the Experiment, a post ship, mounting 20 guns, during the indisposition of Sir John Strachan.

In this vessel Captain Jervis was attacked by a large xebec, under Moorish colours, mounting 26 guns of very heavy calibre, besides a considerable number of swivels. Her crew, which was nearly three times as numerous as that of the Experiment, was French. The conflict, though furious, was short; and the assailants probably considered themselves extremely fortunate in being able to effect their escape.

On the 13th Oct. 1760, the year in which his late Majesty ascended the throne, Captain Jervis was posted, and appointed to the Gosport of 40 guns. Nothing of importance occurred until May llth, 1762, when the Gosport, in company with the Superb, of 74 guns, Danäe frigate, and a fleet of merchantmen bound to the colonies, fell in with a French squadron of superior force, under M. de Ternay, having on board 1500 troops, destined for the attack of Newfoundland. The English Commodore, Rowley, for the better protection of his charge, dropped into the rear, formed his line of battle, and brought to; but the enemy not choosing to risk an action, hauled his wind, and made off.

The Gosport proceeded to Halifax, and from thence, in company with Lord Colville’s squadron, to block up M. de Ternay, who had taken possession of the harbour of St. John’s, and thrown a boom across its entrance. On the llth Sept. Colonel Amherst joined the Commodore with a body of troops from Louisbourg. A landing was immediately effected in Torbay, about three leagues from St. John’s; the enemy made an attempt to oppose it, but was repulsed with some loss. On the 16th, a strong westerly wind, attended by a thick fog, forced Lord Colville from his station before the harbour; of which M. de Ternay availed himself, slipped his cables, and stood to sea. On the 18th, M. de Haussonville, 