by John Marshall

“ Towards the close of 1808, Captain Schomberg escorted a fleet consisting of 168 transports, having on board a fine and gallant army, 14,000 strong, under Sir David Baird, from Falmouth to Corunna, where every ship was safely anchored, without casualty or loss of any description, on the fourth day from England. The only men-of-war in company with the Loire when this important service was so ably, expeditiously, and successfully conducted, were the Amelia of 46 guns, and Champion 24, Captains the Hon. ”

“ This highly meritorious officer married, 1st, Catherine Anna, daughter of the late Stepney Rawson Stepney, of Castle Durrow, King’s County, Ireland, Esq.; and, 2dly, in 1804, Anne, youngest daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Richard Smith (an old officer, much beloved and respected) , whose mother had the honor of being entrusted with the care of her future revered monarch, King George III., in early life, and was applauded and caressed for the judicious manner in which she acquitted herself of so important a charge. ”

“ After the abdication of Napoleon Buonaparte, in 1814, Captain Schomberg, with the Vengeur 74, Captain Tristram Robert Ricketts, and Erne 20, Captain the Hon. W. J. (now Lord) Napier, under his orders, conducted a body of troops from Bourdeaux to Quebec, each line-of-battle ship carrying out no less than 1000 men, in addition to her proper complement. On his return home, he submitted to Lord Melville and the Board of Admiralty a plan for the future victualling of the seamen and marines of H.M. fleet, wherein he was the first to propose the substitution of tea, sugar, etc. ”

“ He subsequently visited Cadiz, proceeded from thence to the Tagus, and there received on board 100 Russian prisoners of war, for a passage to England. On his return homeward, Feb. 5th, 1809, he captured, after an anxious chase of eight hours, and a short night action, the French national ship Hebe, pierced for 34 guns, but mounting only twenty-two 24-pounder carronades and two long 12-pounders, with a complement of 168 men. This little frigate was quite new, and full of stores under hatches, then cruising, but ultimately bound to St. Domingo. ”