by John Marshall

“ During the interval of peace that followed the conclusion of the war with the Colonies, Captain Cochrane spent much of his time in retirement; but in 1790? on the appearance of a rupture with Spain, he was appointed to the Hind, a small frigate, and continued to command that ship until some time after the commencement of hostilities against the French republic [2] ; he was then removed into the Thetis, of 42 guns and 261 men, employed on the Halifax station. ”

“ In Feb. 1805, the Rear-Admiral received orders to proceed with six sail of the line in pursuit of a French squadron that had escaped from Rochefort, and consisted of five line-of-battle ships, three frigates, two brigs, and a schooner, having on board about 4,000 troops. After running down the coasts of Portugal and Spain, and looking into Madeira, Teneriffe, and Porto Praya, he sailed to Barbadoes, and there first learnt the destination of the enemy, and their trifling exploits. The British squadron sailed again from Barbadoes, April 5, and then renewed the pursuit ”

“ The Thetis had 8 men killed and 9 wounded. The Hussar only 2 wounded.
Captain Cochrane, after serving for several years on the coast of America, where he captured several of the enemy’s privateers, was appointed in Feb. 1799, to the Ajax of 80 guns, which ship formed part of the expeditions sent against Quiberon, Belleisle, and Ferrol, in the summer of 1800 [3] , and afterwards joined the fleet on the Mediterranean station, under the orders of Lord Keith, with whom he proceeded to the coast of Egypt ”

“ Field pieces were placed on the most commanding heights, and in the intervals of the numerous sand hills which cover the shore, all of which were lined with musketry; the beach on either wing being flanked with cannon, and parties of cavalry held in readiness to advance. The fire of the enemy was successively opened from their mortars and field-pieces, as the boats got withia their reach ”

“ Not, long after the Diomede, of 84 guns, pushed in shore near the Imperial, and it was afterwards found necessary to burn them. The remainder of the enemy’s line, consisting of l’Alexandre, of 84 guns; le Jupiter, 74; and le Brave, 74, were taken possession of by the British, and sent to Jamaica. The frigates and corvette effected their escape.
During this conflict, Rear-Admiral Cochrane’s flag-ship lost her mainmast, and was so shattered, that the Agamemnon was ordered to stay by, and accompany her to her station. The French had 760 killed and wounded on board the three captured ships ”