Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/346

 He was born Mar. 3, 1777; and after completing his studies at the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, embarked as a Midshipman on board the Blanche frigate, commanded by the late Vice-Admiral Christopher Parker, whom he accompanied to the West Indies; from whence he was obliged to return home without loss of time, in consequence of a severe illness, occasioned by fatigue and wet during an excursion in the island of Teneriffe. We subsequently find him serving on board the Victory, a first rate, and Juno of 32 guns.

On the llth Jan. 1794, the Juno had a very singular escape from capture at Toulon, the particulars of which will be found in our memoir of Captain W. H. Webley Parry, C.B. She afterwards assisted at the reduction of. St. Fiorenzo in Corsica, and Mr. Mundy appears to have borne a constant share in all the laborious operations carried on during the siege of that place.

After the capture of St. Fiorenzo Mr. Mundy removed with his Captain, the late Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, into l’Aigle frigate, and was present in her at the reduction of Bastia and Calvi. He then proceeded to the Archipelago, and on that station completed his time as a Midshipman. His first commission bears date Jan. 27, 1796.

As a Lieutenant, Mr. Mundy was successively appointed to the St. George and Blenheim second rates; Victory of 100 guns; and Goliah 74, on the Mediterranean station.

The Blenheim formed part of the fleet under Sir John Jervis in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14, 1797; on which memorable occasion she had 12 men killed and 45 wounded. The Goliah had the distinguished honor of leading Sir Horatio Nelson’s squadron into action on the glorious 1st Aug. 1798; and during the conflict sustained a loss of 21 killed and 41 wounded. On the 24th Dec. following Lieutenant Mundy was promoted to the rank of Commander, in the Transfer brig of 14 guns.

Early in March 1799, the Transfer was detached from the fleet off Cadiz, to cruise in company with the Majestic 74, between Malaga and Cape de Gatt. A few days after they fell in with a French privateer of the same force as the Transfer, and chased her into a small bay, where she obtained shelter