Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/246

  officer was present, when a Midshipman, in most of the actions fought between the British and French fleets, from 1778 till the peace of 1783; particularly in those of Keppel, Byron, and Rodney. He was at the relief of Gibraltar by Earl Howe; obtained his first commission in 1790; and served as senior Lieutenant of the Southampton frigate, on the glorious 1st June, 1794. In 1797, we find him commanding the Pylades sloop of war, and employed by the Port-Admiral at Sheerness, to negociate with the mutineers at the Nore, and to assist in securing the dock-yard from any attempt they might make to obtain possession thereof.

From this period, the Pylades was stationed principally on the coast of Holland, where Captain Mackenzie greatly distinguished himself by his zeal and activity. On the 10th July, 1799, he directed a boat attack on some of the enemy’s vessels near the island of Ameiand, brought out three valuable merchantmen, and burnt a galliot, laden with ordnance stores. On the 11th of the following month, he was despatched by Captain Frank Sotheron (now a Vice-Admiral), under whose orders he had recently been placed, with the Espiègle of 14 guns, Captain James Boorder, and Courier hired cutter, Lieutenant Thomas Searle, to attack the Crash, formerly a British gun-brig, which lay moored between Schiermonikoog and the main land of Groningen. The Courier, working faster to windward than her consorts, was sent a-head to engage the Crash until their arrival; which Lieutenant Searle did in the most gallant manner, although the enemy’s force, when compared with that of his little vessel, was as five to one. The wind blowing right down the channel, which was so narrow that the Pylades and Espiègle could not stand on each tack more than twice their length; and the soundings in many places not exceeding two and a quarter fathoms, delayed their approach considerably; they however persevered, and at length got within pistol-shot of the enemy, who was consequently compelled to surrender, but not until he had made a most gallant and determined resistance. The