hugh january officer royal_navy saw service american war independence french revolutionary napoleonic wars eventually rising rank admiral spent american war independence spell french captivity ship wrecked coast chasing enemy frigate promoted lieutenant shortly outbreak french revolutionary wars served distinction operations mediterranean served fought battle cape vincent shortly battle rewarded command going capture fighting attack larger vessel promoted post captain given frigate command operated mediterranean performed services nobles monarchs italian states went command ships line flag captain took capture cape colony operations left active employment end wars france briefly returned service promoted flag rank following year continued rise ranks reaching rank admiral death family early life born devon uncle hugh physician poet obtained nephew offer serve aboard gun took offer joining ship command captain october served aboard years leaving ship august joining wrecked march chasing french ship rest crew taken prisoner french exchanged january went serve aboard captain moving gun time flying broad pennant commodore october year fleet sent lord howe relieve gibraltar brief encounter spanish fleet followed october men wounded french revolutionary wars little known activities years peace followed appearance february fleet commodore promoted lieutenant serving march returned england start commencement french revolutionary wars joined gun went mediterranean served commodore squadron present occupation toulon assisted attack tower september helping reduction cut french guns battery later led party seamen marines scaling cliff place gun overlooking enemy defences actions received thanks lieutenant general advanced rear admiral april shifted flag gun hms windsor castle bringing second lieutenant moved gun hms victory flagship admiral lord hood returned hood preparing return mediterranean aboard victory ordered strike flag victory went mediterranean private ship flagship rear admiral sir saw action naval battle islands july battle cape vincent february command months july promoted rank commander appointed command gun brig hms cruises capturing number enemy vessels february encountered large enemy mounting guns carrying men sailing attacked reduced crew owing master men absent command prize taken earlier ships fought days second exhausted supply shot resorted firing nails pieces iron opponent having observed difficulty captain master marshall secured spanish crew prize deck took prize crew small boat come assistance fierce fight driven suffering losses killed wounded recaptured prize master compelled abandon returned lisbon carry repairs time command captured altogether mounting guns carrying men efforts protecting british trade merchants presented letter thanks piece plate valued santa reward good service advanced post captain december appointed command gun hms santa frigate recently captured spanish november year operating company hms captured gun lisbon station captain succeeded given ship instead cut vessels january february taking command small squadron blockading town surrendered days destroyed fortifications went land duke naples evacuated gallery ahead invading french services italy received presents money rings july conveyed troops egypt received order crescent time captured vessels sailing egypt carrying general napoleon staff took command gun flagship sir lisbon station flag captain paid portsmouth july requested serve flag captain aboard gun station spent months november took command gun flying broad pennant commodore sir supported operations lieutenant general sir capture cape colony landed head party marines sent home despatches announcing capture colony sent rio resumed command old ship supported british assaults present capture returned home carrying general paid september went ashore prison ships princess charlotte appointment prison ships moored portsmouth task carried january given command gun hms princess attached fleet north_sea took destruction gun french frigate conveyed fleet east carried cruises north_sea november landed marines support went visit princess paid spent years active service later years family legacy briefly returned active service taking command gun hms windsor castle commanded promoted flag rank advanced vice admiral admiral received service pension year january died seat hampshire married youngest daughter portsmouth june couple son reverend daughters caroline caroline married sons joined navy joined army distinguished baltic campaign war twice mentioned despatches vice admiral lieutenant general superintendent cousin admiral politically ardent supporter whig opposed henry son robert number years powerful admiralty attributed political interest cause period unemployment having reached flag rank described strict accomplished gentleman read temperate whilst serving mediterranean apparently especially disliked obituary noting fact slight judgement character formed
Hugh Downman