Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/461

    officer is the brother of Dr. Charles Thomas, Physician to the Devonport and Stonehouse Public Dispensary. He was born at Saltash in Cornwall, entered the royal navy at an early age, and served as Midshipman from June 1790 till Jan. 1797, on board the Cumberland 74, commanded by Captain John M‘Bride; Blanche frigate, Captain Robert Murray; Nautilus sloop of war, Lord Henry Paulet; and Boyne and Victory three-deckers, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis, whose patronage he obtained by his gallant conduct at the storming of Fort Royal, Martinique, Mar. 20, 1794, an event already described. We next find Mr. Thomas serving as a Lieutenant on board the Excellent 74, commanded by Captain Cuthbert Collingwood, in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, which took place a very few weeks after his promotion. On that glorious occasion the Excellent is acknowledged by Nelson to have taken a very distinguished share, and to have rendered him the most effectual support in the hottest part of the battle, as will be seen by the following laconic note, which he addressed to her commander, and an extract from his own account of the transactions in which he himself was personally engaged :–

“Dear Collingwood! – A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

