by John Marshall

“ Tancock was strongly recommended by Sir James Saumarez to the commander-in-chief, who immediately ordered him to act as junior lieutenant of the Orion, in which capacity he commanded her launch, and gallantly supported Sir Horatio Nelson in his attack upon the Cadiz flotilla, July 3, 1797 [4] . He likewise fought under that immortal hero, at the mouth of the Nile, on the ever memorable first of August, 1798 [5] . ”

“ Christopher sloop, stationed at the Leeward Islands. In her, he captured several small Spanish vessels; detained a Danish ship, which was condemned as a droit of admiralty; and re-captured a British merchantman, laden with bale goods, from Glasgow bound to St. Thomas’s. He was also present at the surrender of the Danish island of St. Croix, to the military and naval forces under General Bowyer and Sir Alexander Cochrane, Dec. 25, 1807 [8] . ”

“ JOHN TANCOCK, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1812.]
We first find this officer serving as a midshipman on board the Crescent frigate. Captain (now Sir James) Saumarez, at the capture of le Reunion of 36 guns, after a close action of 2 hours and 20 minutes, near Cherbourgh, Oct. 20, 1793 [1] . In 1795, he followed his able and gallant commander into the Orion 74; and assisted at the capture of three French line-of-battle ships, by the fleet under Lord Bridport, off l’Orient [2] . He also participated in the glorious victory off Cape St. ”