by John Marshall

“ Commander Scriven was next employed on the Halifax station, where he destroyed the famous American privateer Syren, much superior in force to the Telegraph. This marauder was fallen in with under Cape May, on her return from a six months cruise, with a valuable collection of plunder from many prizes taken and burnt in the British and St. George’s Channels. An action of forty minutes, in which the Telegraph sustained no loss, was terminated by the sinking of the enemy. ”

“ Mar. 24th, 1804, to the Thunder bomb, Captain George Cocks, under whom he saw much active service on the Mediterranean station.
In July, 1805, the Thunder captured a small vessel called the Sparrownaro, armed with one two-pounder; and Lieutenant Scriven immediately volunteered to command her as a tender, with a crew consisting of only seven men and a boy. On rounding a point of land, near the straits of Bonifacio, he found himself within half-musket-shot of a French privateer, mounting one eighteen-pounder and four four-pounders, with no less than sixty-nine men. ”

“ Scriven was one amongst the very few of the petty-officers who conducted themselves to my satisfaction. He is a very correct, attentive, sober young man; therefore I beg leave to recommend him to your lordship’s attention. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“Robert Cuthbert, Captain.” Mr, Scriven subsequently served as supernumerary on board the Sans Pareil 80, commanded by Captain Essington; and as admiralty midshipman, under Commodore Samuel Hood, with whom he proceeded to the Leeward Islands, in the Ulysses 44, of which ship he was appointed an acting lieutenant, Dec. ”