by John Marshall

“ On perceiving the Medusa they both hauled off from their intended prey and stood away on different tacks; but Captain Gore soon ran along side one of them [15] , put his first lieutenant on board her, and continued in chase of the other. This latter vessel [16] succeeded in regaining the Spanish shore, but in so shattered a state, from the Medusa’s shot, that she never again floated. The cutter thus rescued was the British Fair, charged with despatches of the utmost importance: 2 of her crew were killed, and 6 wounded. Each of the feluccas had 2 long 12-pounders, 2 sixes, and 70 men. ”

“ Captain Edward Cooke and Lieutenant Gore cheerfully undertook to perform; each having 300 seamen under his command, and all the aid that the squadron could afford. “By the most surprising exertions of science and labour, from the 12th to the 16th, they placed four 18-pounders, a large howitzer, and a 10-inch mortar in battery, on ground elevated at least 700 feet above the sea, and where every difficulty of ascent and surface had opposed the undertaking.” The first shot fired by the enemy at Lieutenant Gore’s battery dismounted one of his guns ”

“ This very formidable force sailed from Cadiz, July 21, 1799, and Captain Gore closely watched them until they all bore up round Cape St. Vincent, and made sail to the northward: he then pushed past them for England, and arrived at Plymouth, with the intelligence of their junction and movements, five days before they reached Brest. ”

“ Lieutenant Gore was removed to Lord Hood’s flagship, the Victory of 100 guns, and ordered to land at the head of a body of sailors, selected to serve as artillerymen in fort Mulgrave, an important post, against which the enemy were then bringing forward heavy guns and mortars, their repeated attempts to take it by storm having proved unsuccessful. ”

“ He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant about the year 1789, and served in that capacity on board the Victory, the flag-ship of Lord Hood, at the occupation of Toulon, in 1793 [2] . In the warm service of Fort Mulgrave, Mr. Gore conducted himself with great bravery and activity; and when the destruction of the French ships and arsenal was ordered, we find him engaged in that arduous service, on which occasion he was much burnt by the premature explosion of the Vulcan fire-vessel. ”

“ Captain Gore does not appear to have been engaged in any service requiring particular mention, until the 5th Oct. 1804, on which day he had the good fortune to share in the capture of three Spanish frigates laden with specie, and valuable merchandize to a great amount. The Mercedes, another frigate blew up during the action, with 811,000 dollars on board [8] . In the following month Captain Gore intercepted the Matilda, of 38 guns, from Cadiz, bound to the Rio de la Plata, with a cargo of quicksilver. ”

“ Early in 1807, Sir John Gore was sent to join Lord Collingwood, who gave him the command of the inshore squadron off Cadiz, where he continued until June, 1808, at which period the inhabitants of that city sent two officers on board the Revenge, with offers of amity, and to solicit assistance against the French. This being made known to the senior officer. Sir John Gore and Colonel Sir George Smith were immediately ordered to land and negociate with the Spanish authorities ”

“ The perseverance, spirit, and gallantry, of the officers and men of every denomination, merit the highest praise. Unprovided, as we are, with many necessary articles of preparation, the service, at this season of the year, has been severe, but undergone with the greatest cheerfulness and good-will. * * * * Success has crowned the joint endeavours of the British arms. ”

“ Soon after his return, Jan. 1806, Sir John Gore removed into the Revenge, of 74 guns. In June, 1808, he received at Cadiz the Spanish commissioners appointed by the Supreme Council of Seville to treat with the British Cabinet on matters important to the interests of both countries. He subsequently commanded the Tonnant, of 80 guns, stationed in the Tagus, co-operating with the army.
On the 4th Dec. 1813, our officer was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and shortly after proceeded to the Mediterranean, with his flag in the Revenge. He was nominated a K.C.B. Jan. ”

“ Captain Nelson, of H.M.S. Agamemnon, who had the command and direction of the seamen, in landing the guns, mortars, and stores; and Captain Hunt, who commanded at the batteries, very ably assisted by Captains Buller and Serecold, and the Lieutenants Gore, Hotham, Stiles, Andrews, and Brisbane, have an equal claim to my gratitude, as the seamen under their management worked the guns with great judgment and alacrity. Never was a higher spirit, or greater perseverance, exhibited ”

“ The others went to work in the most gallant manner; but the enemy were fully prepared; every vessel was defended by long poles, headed with iron spikes, projecting from their sides; strong nettings were triced up to their lower yards; they were moored by the bottom to the shore, and chained one to another; they were strongly manned with soldiers, and protected by land batteries, and the shore was lined with troops. ”

“ During the siege of Bastia, our officer assisted in various services and operations on shore; and soon after its surrender, May 22, 1794 [3] , was made a Commander into la Fleche, of 14 guns, In the course of the same year, he succeeded Captain Shield in the Windsor Castle, of 98 guns, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Linzee, in which ship he was present in the skirmishes with the French fleet, March 14, and July 13, 1795 [4] . On the former occasion the Windsor Castle had 6 men killed and 31 wounded.
After these trivial affairs Captain Gore, who had been confirmed in his post rank, Nov. ”

“ The boats shoved off from the Medusa about 11h 30’ P.M.; but owing to the darkness, and tide and half-tide, which must always make night attacks so uncertain on the coasts of the Channel, the divisions separated. One could not arrive at all ”

“ Of these, 7 guns, 10 gun-carriages, 1 howitzer and its carriage, and 2 mortars with their beds, were rendered unserviceable by shot and shells from the British batteries. ↑ Lord Hood was forced from the Gulph of St. Fiorenzo by a strong westerly gale, on the 11th Feb., and a calm prevented his return from under Cape Corse until the 17th. ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. note at p. 340. ↑ Naiad 38, Triton 32, and Alcmene 32. ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p. 684. ↑ Triton, one man wounded; Alcmene, one killed; a petty officer and eight men wounded. The Santa Brigida had two slain and eight wounded. ”