Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/281

 From Bermuda, he went in the Chub schooner, to Halifax, and there joined the AEolus frigate. Captain Lord James Townshend, April 27th, 1811.

the Æolus, after visiting Quebec, and Prince Edward’s Isle, was sent to cruise off New York, in company with a squadron under Captain Bastard. On the 30th of Sept. 1811, in lat. 40&deg; 50' N., long. 65&deg; W., a gale of wind commenced at S.E., and soon blew with tremendous fury; the Æolus was laid on her beam-ends, her top-masts and mizen-mast were literally blown away, and she continued in this extremely perilous situation for at least half an hour. Directions were given to cut away the main-yard, in order to save the mainmast and right the ship; but so great was the danger attending such an operation considered, that not a man could be induced to attempt it, until Mr. Marryat led the way. His courageous conduct in this emergency excited general admiration, and was highly approved by Lord James Townshend, one of whose ship’s company he also saved by jumping overboard at sea.

On the 17th of Nov. 1811, Mr. Marryat was removed to the Spartan frigate. Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, under whom he continued to serve on the coast of North America, until Aug. 22d, 1812. A few days previous to his leaving this ship, for a passage home in the Indian sloop of war, he was engaged in two boats attacks, in Haycos harbour and Little River, the result of which was the capture of the six American armed vessels mentioned.

Mr. Marryat was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, Dec. 20th, 1812; and received his commission without going abroad for it, – a favor only granted where the particular services of the candidate appear to deserve such a mark of approbation. On the 8th of Jan. 1813, he was appointed to l’Espiegle sloop, Captain John Taylor; and on the 8th of the following month, when running down the trades, before a heavy sea, he leaped overboard after Jacob Small, a sailor who had fallen from the main rigging, but was unsuccessful on account of the time that it required to bring the vessel to, and lower a boat to assist him. On this occasion, Mr. 