Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v2p2.djvu/470

  of a squadron stationed in the gulf of Lyons; and on the 29th April 1812, we find him directing an attack to be made by the boats of his own ship, the Volontaire frigate, and Blossom sloop, upon a fleet of French merchantmen near the town of St. Mary’s. This service Was ably performed under the orders of Lieutenant John Eager, who succeeded in capturing seven vessels, and destroying thirteen others, laden with provisions and stores, together with a national schooner of 4 guns and 74 men, under whose protection they were proceeding to the relief of Barcelona.

In Aug. following, Captain Thomas was charged with the blockade of Toulon, which port he watched with a squadron consisting of four frigates and two brigs, during the absence of Sir Edward Pellew, who had determined to try the experiment of watering his fleet at the mouth of the Rhone, and afterwards to create a diversion in favor of the army under Sir John Murray, by proceeding to the Spanish coast, and making a shew of attacking the enemy’s posts in the bay of Rosas. This object being effected, Captain Thomas was sent back to resume his command off Marseilles, where he remained till Jan. 1813, when ill-health obliged him to resign his ship and return to England. He has recently been relieved in the superintendence of the Ordinary at Portsmouth, to which service he was appointed in April, 1822.



 officer may be truly styled a favorite of Fortune. He is a native of the Isle of Man, and was impressed into the navy, but at what period we have not been informed. As a commissioned officer we first find him serving as third Lieutenant of the Ethalion frigate, commanded by Captain James Young, who bore official testimony to his good conduct at the capture of a Spanish treasure ship, Oct. 17, 1799. Mr. Quilliam’s share of prize-money on that occasion exceeded 5000l.

The Ethalion was soon after doomed to experience a sad reverse, she being wrecked on the coast of France in little