Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p1.djvu/98

  He obtained the rank of Post-Captain, Aug. 11, 1794; soon after which he had an opportunity of distinguishing himself as a brave officer.

In the month of June, 1795, he commanded the Lowestoffe, a 32-gun frigate, with a complement of 212 men, under the orders of the late Lord Hotham, by whom he was sent, in company with the Dido, of 28 guns and 193 men, to reconnoitre the port of Toulon and the adjacent islands. On the 24th of the same month, these ships fell in with two French frigates, la Minerve of 42 guns and 330 men, and l’Artémise of 38 guns and 275 men. After some manoeuvring, Captain George Henry Towry, of the Dido, leading down, commenced a close action with the headmost and largest of the enemy’s ships, which falling twice on board, was at an early period much disabled from the loss of her bowsprit, fore-mast, and main-top-mast; the Dido’s mizen-mast being shot away, and her fore and main-top-sails rendered useless, she no longer kept to. At this juncture Captain Middleton came up, and opened a well-directed fire. L’Artémise exchanged broadsides with the British frigates as she passed them on the opposite tack, and soon after tacked for the purpose of joining her consort; but upon the approach of the Lowestoffe sheered off, and succeeded in effecting her escape. Captain Middleton, on his return from the pursuit, commenced a raking fire upon la Minerve, and soon compelled her to surrender.

This was justly considered one of the most gallant actions of that period, la Minerve alone being superior in weight of metal to both her opponents. Captain Towry, the senior officer, in his letter to the Commander-in-Chief, acknowledged the very able support he had received from Captain Middleton, and testified, that “by his good conduct, the business of the day was, in a great measure, brought to a fortunate issue .”

