by John Marshall

“ Captain Macnamara was subsequently employed under Commodore Nelson, in taking possession of Porto Ferrajo, evacuating Capreja and Corsica, in the expedition against Piombino, and siege of Castiglione.
Towards the latter end of 1796, the Southampton captured the Spanish brig of war El Corso, of 18 guns, in a hard gale, by boarding, under the batteries of Monaca. The first attempt failed, only one man (the coxswain, Harper,) getting on board ”

“ It is impossible to define, in terms, the proper feelings of a gentleman; but their existence has supported this happy country for many ages, and she might perish if they were lost. Gentlemen, I will detain you no longer ”

“ The Southampton was instantly under weigh, and passed the batteries on the N.E. end of Porquerol island, in view of the British fleet, which, with agonizing suspense witnessed the boldness of an attempt, that scarcely any thing but complete success could have justified. Sir John Jervis, on this occasion, even refused to give a written order for the undertaking; he only said to Captain Macnamara, “bring out the enemy’s ship if you can ”

“ The Southampton formed part of the light squadron under the orders of Commodore Nelson, sent to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian armies in their attempt to drive the republicans from the Genoese territories; and on the departure of that officer, after the termination of the Vado campaign, was left off Genoa to blockade la Vestale, a French frigate, of 36 guns; la Brune, of 32 guns; two brigs, mounting 16 guns each ”

“ Captain Macnamara afterwards called on the following respectable naval officers, to give evidence as to his character: viz. the Viscounts Hood and Nelson, Lord Hotham, Sir Hyde Parker and Sir Thomas Troubridge; Captains Martin, Towry, Lydiard, Moore, and Waller; also General Churchill and Lord Minto; who all concurred in bearing testimony of his conduct as an officer and a gentleman; and of his being an honorable, good-humoured, pleasant, lively companion, exactly the reverse of a quarrelsome man. The jury withdrew for about ten minutes, and then returned a verdict of, Not Guilty. ”

“ They proved to be the Fama, of 18, and Salorman, of 12 guns. The enemy on this occasion had 7 men killed, and 13 wounded. The British, one officer, Lieutenant Harvey of the Superb, slain, and 2 seamen wounded.
On his return to England, Captain Macnamara was appointed to the Berwick, a new 74, in which he was employed on various services in the North Sea, and occasionally had the command of a squadron blockading Cherbourgh. ”

“ It is impossible to do justice to the merit of those employed in this achievement. A better idea of its formidable nature cannot be given, than by Captain Macnamara’s public letter to Sir J. Jervis.
“Southampton, off Toulon, l0th June, 1796 “Sir. ”