Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p2.djvu/269

Rh  officer is descended from an ancient family in Ireland. He entered the naval service in 1782, on board the Gibraltar, of 80 guns, bearing the broad pendant of the late Sir Richard Bickerton, Bart., whom he accompanied to the East Indies; and immediately on his arrival there, was removed into the Superb, of 74 guns, the flag-ship of Sir Edward Hughes, K.B.

Soon after the action with M. de Suffrein, off Cuddalore, June 20, 1783, in which the Superb had 12 men killed and 41 wounded, Mr. Macnamara was appointed to act as Lieutenant of the Monarca, a third rate, in which ship he returned to England. He subsequently served for several years as a Midshipman on board the Europa, bearing the flag of Admiral Innes, at Jamaica, on which station he was at length promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

During the Russian and Spanish armaments, we find him in the Excellent, of 74 guns, and Victory, a first rate; the former commanded by Captain Gell, the latter carrying the flag of Lord Hood. In 1793, soon after the commencement of the war with France, he again joined that nobleman, and was by him made a Commander, about the period of the evacuation of Toulon.

Our officer was afterwards appointed acting Captain of the Bombay Castle, 74, from which ship he exchanged into the Southampton frigate; but, owing to an official mistake, was not confirmed in his post-rank until Oct. 6, 1795.

The Southampton formed part of the light squadron under the orders of Commodore Nelson, sent to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian armies in their attempt to drive the republicans from the Genoese territories; and on the departure of that officer, after the termination of the Vado 