Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/302

 Captain Philpot was posted into the Prompte, a 20-gun ship, July 1, 1800; and convoyed a fleet of merchantmen from Jamaica to England in the spring of 1801. He subsequently commanded the Brighton district of Sea Fencibles, and regulated the impress service at Deal.

Agent.– Messrs. Atkins and Son. 

 officer commanded the Dart sloop of war, and assisted a the capture of four armed vessels on the North Sea station, Oct. 6, 1799. In July following, we find him serving under the orders of Captain Henry Inman, in an attempt made to destroy a French squadron lying in Dunkirk harbour: the following are the particulars of the affair, as far as respects Captain Campbell.

The Andromeda frigate, with two or three smaller vessels, having spent some time in the irksome service of blockading Dunkirk, and conceiving it practicable to capture or destroy the enemy’s ships as they lay at anchor, Captain Inman of the Andromeda submitted a plan for that purpose to the Admiralty, and requested that a certain number of fire-vessels might be placed under his command, to enable him to carry it into effect. His scheme being approved by Earl Spencer, he was joined by the desired reinforcement on the 27th June, but from contrary winds and other circumstances, the attack could not be made till the night of July 7th; by which time, the enemy appear to have been apprised of the British squadron’s intention, as the assailants were much annoyed by gun-vessels, and others lying in advance, which afforded the French frigates an opportunity to cut their cables, and avoid our fire-ships.

Captain Inman had directed the Dart, if possible, to run alongside of the easternmost frigate; calculating that the first fire-ship would about the same time have hooked the westernmost frigate. Captain Campbell stood in according to his orders, and with determined bravery boarded and carried his opponent. The fire-vessels followed; but the moment they were discovered to be in flames, the remainder 