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 After the surrender of Charlestown, Mr. Crawford, who still continued to act as Lieutenant, accompanied Captain Henry into the Providence, a prize frigate of 32 guns, which ship was shortly after ordered home with despatches, and on her arrival put out of commission. He subsequently served about two months as a Midshipman on board the Britannia, of 100 guns, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Darby; from whom he received another acting order, appointing him to the command of the Repulse, a vessel mounting five Spanish 26-pounders, stationed at Gibraltar, in April 1781.

It was about this period that the memorable siege of Gibraltar began to wear a most serious aspect, the enemy having brought no less than fifty 13-inch mortars and sixty-four heavy guns to bear upon the garrison from the land side, whilst their vast superiority by sea enabled them to annoy the southern part of the rock with impunity, and rendered it extremely difficult for any supplies to reach that fortress, unless thrown in under cover of a powerful fleet. The zeal, gallantry, and indefatigable exertions of the few British officers on the spot, however, were such, as induced the Governor to repose the utmost confidence in their abilities a confidence which, as the result proved, was not misplaced.

About five A.M. on the 7th Aug. 1781, a signal for an enemy was made by the Spaniards at Cabritta Point; and the British garrison soon after discovered a brig becalmed at the entrance of the bay, and fourteen of the Algeziras flotilla, each carrying a 26-pounder, with several armed launches, proceeding to intercept her. Captain Roger Curtis, of the Brilliant frigate, the senior officer present, immediately sent Sir Charles H. Knowles, of the Porcupine, to receive any despatches the vessel might have on board, whilst he himself attended the towing out of the Repulse and Vanguard, the only available force he possessed, to attempt her rescue .