Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/69

  born at Hereford, Feb. 22d, 1785; and appears to have been borne on the books of the Iphigenia and Hermione frigates, for two years previous to his first embarkation as midshipman, which took place in March, 1797. He was then placed under the care of his uncle, Mr. Francis Bennett, purser of the Monarch 74, at that time commanded by Captain John Elphinstone, and attached to the Channel fleet; but subsequently by Captain Edward O’Bryen, and bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral (afterwards Sir Richard) Onslow, on the North Sea station.

We have stated in our first volume, that the memorable battle of Camperdown, which may be considered as having annihilated the remnant of Dutch naval glory and power, was commenced by the Monarch breaking through the enemy’s line, and engaging the flagship of Vice-Admiral Reintjies, whom she at length compelled to surrender. Her loss on this glorious occasion was, with one exception, greater than that of any other British ship, no less than 36 of her officers and crew being slain, and 100 wounded, besides others who received slight hurts, but were not included in the report of casualties: – amongst the latter we find Mr. Thomas Bennett, whose hand was lacerated by a splinter.

This young officer soon afterwards joined the Nassau 64, Captain George Tripp, stationed off the Nore light as an extra guard-ship. In the beginning of 1798, he was removed to the Amphion 32, a new frigate just commissioned by his friend Captain Richard H. A. Bennet, and of which his uncle, the late Commander William Bennett, was appointed first lieutenant. In that ship he served, on the North Sea, African, and Jamaica stations, until Aug. 1801; and then joined the Sans Pareil 80, bearing the flag of Lord Hugh Seymour, to whom his captain had strongly recommended him for promotion, but of which he lost his chance by the