Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/137

 the ships under his orders with a handsome sword, as a token of their gratitude and esteem. His post commission bears date April 29, 1802. He has been for many years resident agent of transports at Deptford.

Agent.– J. Hinxman, Esq. 

 officer is the second son of the late James Tobin, Esq., a proprietor in Nevis, by Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late George Webbe, Esq., of the same island. His youngest brother is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the royal artillery.

He was born at Salisbury, Dec. 13, 1768; and entered the naval service under the patronage of the late Admiral Herbert Sawyer, as a Midshipman on board the Namur, a second rate, forming part of the Channel fleet, in June 1780.

At the commencement of 1782, the Namur, then commanded by the late Commissioner Fanshawe, accompanied Sir George B. Rodney to the West Indies, where she bore a conspicuous part in the memorable actions of April 9th and 12th, in the same year. She returned to England, and was put out of commission in consequence of a general peace taking place in 1783.

Mr. Tobin then joined the Bombay Castle 74, stationed as a guard-ship at Plymouth; where he continued till the spring of 1785, when he proceeded with his friend Commodore Sawyer, in the Thisbe frigate, to Nova Scotia, on which station he completed his time as a Midshipman on board the Leander of 50 guns. He subsequently served in the Assistance, a ship of similar force. Between the autumn of 1788 and the summer of 1790, we find him making a voyage to Madras and China in -an East Indiaman; and soon after his return to England he appears to have joined the Tremendous 74, fitting at Chatham as part of the armament destined to