by John Marshall

“ Shortly after the performance of this important service, Commodore Nelson, then in the Captain 74, to which ship Lieutenant Compton and many other of the Agamemnon’s officers had also removed, was about to enter the harbour of Genoa, from whence he had sailed in pursuit of the enemy’s convoy; but to his great surprise, when near the mole-head, he was fired upon by all the sea-batteries. The Captain and the other ships of Nelson’s little squadron, were instantly cleared for action, and the unexpected warlike salute returned with considerable effect. In the midst of the firing. ”

“ He then returned home with the consul, who immediately decided upon endeavouring to get him off in a fishing-boat, could any native be found who would undertake so dangerous a service: his first efforts proved ineffectual, but at length he succeeded in finding a man who was in the habit of going out every night the weather permitted, and who, for a large sum of money, agreed to meet his wishes ”

“ Commander Compton was subsequently sent by Nelson to Alexandria, in Egypt; and on his return from thence he appears to have been employed in the blockade of Malta, a service for which the Perseus was but badly calculated, she being an old ship, and in a very crazy condition. On her passage from off Malta to Naples, with despatches, she encountered a severe gale of wind, and sustained so much damage, that Commander Compton, instead of returning to his former station, was under the necessity of proceeding to Gibraltar ”