by John Marshall

“ At the breaking out of the late war, Captain Blackwood was appointed to the command of the Euryalus, of 36 guns, then just launched; and in that frigate, on the coast of Ireland, under the late Lord Gardner, at Boulogne under Lord Keith, and off Cadiz with Viscount Nelson, he again distinguished himself by his activity and ability. ”

“ They both, in my opinion, seemed to vie with each other in holding forth a brilliant example to the rest of the fleet. They were literally in themselves a host. Admiral Villeneuve assured me, that on seeing the novel mode of attack intended to be made on the combined fleets, and which at that moment, he confessed, he could not in any way prevent, he called the officers of his ship around him, and pointing out the manner in which the first and second in command of the British fleet were each leading his column, he exclaimed, Nothing but victory can attend such gallant conduct. ”

“ To alleviate the sufferings of the wounded prisoners, the humane successor of Nelson sent Captain Blackwood with a flag of truce to the Governor of Cadiz, proposing to give them up to the care of their own hospitals, on his sending boats for their conveyance, and giving receipts for their number; with an engagement that they should not serve again by sea or land until regularly exchanged ”

“ Under cover of a dark night, March 30, 1800, the French ship ventured out; but was soon descried by Captain Blackwood, who immediately gave chace, and in less than an hour arrived close up with her. The superior sailing of the Penelope enabled our officer to place her so that she became only casually exposed to the enemy’s stern-guns, whilst she repeatedly raked le Guillaume Tell within musket-shot, and with such effect that, just before the dawn of day on the 31st, the latter was reduced to her head-sails and spanker, and these were greatly damaged by the Penelope’s fire. ”

“ The Lion and Foudroyant, ships of the line, were thus enabled to come up in succession, ana bring the enemy to close action, which continued with great fury on both sides for several hours, when le Guillaume Tell being totally dismasted, and, in consequence of her violent motion, unable to keep the lower-deck ports open, struck her colours, and was taken possession of by the Penelope. ”

“ Towards the latter end of 1807, Captain Blackwood, who had previously undergone the customary ordeal of a court-martial, and been fully acquitted of all blame on account of the loss of the Ajax, was appointed to the Warspite, a new third rate, fitting at Chatham; and in the summer of 1810, we find him commanding the in-shore squadron, off Toulon, consisting of the Warspite, Ajax, and Conqueror, 74’s, Euryalus frigate, and Sheerwater brig. ”