by John Marshall

“ Probably we may be permitted to recommend young officers to make themselves familiar with the detail of discipline and internal economy, as well as gunnery, of these two well-organized ships, which we can safely say, from every thing that has come to our knowledge, have never been exceeded in the best periods of our naval annals; and this too has been attained by a system of leniency and indulgence to the men, which is usually considered incompatible with the high condition in which those best acquainted with their order allow them to excel. ”

“ In 1800, Lieutenant Pechell left the Active to join his uncle’s flag-ship, the Foudroyant 80, in which he was present at the capture of Rear-Admiral Linois, an event noticed at p. 130 of our first volume. His advancement to the rank of Commander took place about Mar. 1807, and on that occasion he was appointed to the Ferret sloop of war, on the Jamaica station. From thence he proceeded to Halifax, where he was promoted by Sir J. B. Warren into the Cleopatra frigate, mounting 26 long 12-pounders, 2 nines, and 10 twenty-four-pounder carronades, with a complement of 202 men. ”

“ The action commenced within half-musket shot, and continued for 40 minutes before the Cleopatra’s consorts (the Jason frigate, and Hazard sloop) could arrive to her assistance, when the enemy immediately surrendered, and proved to be the Topaze of 48 guns (long 18-pounders on the main-deck) and 330 men; having on board 1100 barrels of flour, and 100 troops originally intended as a reinforcement for the garrison of Cayenne.
The loss sustained by the Cleopatra was only 2 killed and 1 wounded, whereas the Topaze had 12 slain and 14 wounded. ”

“ Captain Pechell has also great merit in having accomplished the depressing the guns and carronades, as much as the ports will admit, by means of chocks, described in this book. And also by ascertaining, with the greatest precision, the elevation and depression necessary; having the segment of a circle in front of the wheel with a plumb-line, each gun being previously laid by a spirit level, and having its scale of degrees. ”

“ The sights fitted on the guns are as accurate as simple, and most convenient from being constructed so as to lay flat, and out of the way of the ropes when not actually in use. The disparting the carronades, as described in Captain Pechell’s plan (which is entirely his own) appears to be the only accurate method. Our zeal for the public service will, we are confident, sufficiently apologize for addressing you on this subject, and we have the honor to be, &c. ”

“ The following are copies of his official letters to Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Neale, Bart., G.C.B., reporting the capture and destruction of several daring marauders:
“H.M.S. Sybille, Gulf of Napoli de Romania, 5 Oct. 1824. “Sir,– I have the honor to inform you, that I received directions from their lordships to seize and detain all armed vessels sailing under the Greek flag, and to conform myself in all particulars relative to the naval service contained in the enclosed despatch from Earl Bathurst to the Lord High Commissioner. ”

“ Barlow, whom he afterwards accompanied into the Triumph 74, and continued with until appointed a Lieutenant of the Active frigate, Feb. 28, 1803. This appointment was confirmed by the Admiralty, on the first of April following.
Whilst in la Pomone, Mr. Pechell saw much active service on the enemy’s coast; and in the Phoebe he assisted at the capture of two French frigates (la Nereide and l’Africaine) , one large corvette, three privateers, and a letter of marque; carrying altogether 170 guns and 1780 men [5] . ”

“ The schooners were full of armed men; but I am happy to say, that owing to the judicious arrangements made by Lieutenant Gordon, no accident occurred on our side, though many lives were lost on the other; the schooners are now on their way to Zante, for the disposal of his Excellency the Lord High Commissioner, and I shall return to Corfu to land the prisoners.”
“H.M.S. Sybille, Catacolo, west const of Morea, 9 Oct. ”