by John Marshall

“ These poor creatures, 9 in number, were rescued from their perilous situation, through the intrepidity and great personal exertions of Lieutenant Elliot, who volunteered to attempt their deliverance, notwithstanding it then blew a perfect hurricane, and success appeared impossible. The Rattler first lowered her jolly-boat, but she was instantly swamped: the yawl was then launched overboard, and although only 6 volunteers could be procured out of the whole ship’s company, Lieutenant Elliot proceeded to make his daring attempt. At 10 P.M., he succeeded in getting under the lee of the brig ”

“ Some time after his recovery, he was removed from the guard-ship at Plymouth to the Carnatic 74, Captain Richard Grindall, whom he successively followed into the Colossus and Russel third rates, in which latter ship he continued as a midshipman, under the respective commands of Captains Grindall [3] , Archibald Dickson, Henry Trollope, Herbert Sawyer, and William Cuming, until she was put out of commission, at Plymouth, in the spring of 1802 ”

“ The prizes consisted of 5 brigs, 3 galliots, 1 schooner, and 1 sloop; the whole of which, except one galliot, were deeply laden with grain and provisions, as the captain of the Daphne had anticipated.
As a reward for his distinguished conduct. Lieutenant Elliot was once more sent to the West Indies on promotion, and directed to proceed thither as a passenger on board the Brazen sloop of war. – From that vessel he removed into the Castor frigate, for the purpose of joining Sir Alexander Cochrane, commander-in-chief on the Leeward Islands station. ”

“ Messrs. Beazeley, Durell, Elliot, Moore, and Ayton, midshipmen; and Lieutenants Gittins and Patterson; and Messrs. Septford, Lussman, and Andrews, midshipmen of the Tartarus. They were towed near the shore by the Forward gun-brig. They found the vessels moored close under the foot of the castle, which mounts 10 guns, with hawsers fast to the shore; and immediately on getting to them, the alarm was given by some Danish boats: the enemy instantly forsook the vessels, and the castle and three other guns began, and kept up a heavy fire of round, grape, and musketry ”

“ The difficulties Captain Elliot and his brave followers surmounted in finding their way through an almost impenetrable wood, over a high hill, without any path or guide, afford another instance of the perseverance and intrepidity of British seamen and marines. While on their march, most of the officers and men lost their shoes, canteens, &c. ”