by John Marshall

“ Early in October, 1797, Captain Trollope, who, in the preceding summer, had removed into the Russell, of 74 guns, was left with a small squadron to watch the Dutch Fleet in the Texel during the absence of Admiral Duncan, who had proceeded to Yarmouth Roads to refit his ships. The enemy availed themselves of this opportunity to put to sea; but, by the vigilance of Captain Trollope, the British Commander-in-Chief was immediately apprised of their sailing, and soon encountered them [3] . This essential service rendered by our officer, was thus acknowledged by Admiral Duncan ”

“ On the 4th Sept. 1782, having sailed from Plymouth two days before, for the purpose of joining Commodore Elliott, in the Channel, he fell in with, and, after a running fight, captured, off the Isle de Bas, la Hebe, a French frigate, of 40 guns and 360 men, five of whom, including her second Captain, were killed, and several wounded; but the Rainbow lost only one man. Captain Trollope continued in that vessel till the peace of 1783, when he purchased the lease of a castle in Wales, where he diffused with liberality the ample fortune which he had acquired by his professional exertions. ”

“ His uncommon exertions in the Channel of England occasioned the unweildy Dutchmen to crowd our ports for many succeeding weeks, and the hovering Kite scarce ever saw one of them upon which she did not fix her fascinating talons. ”

“ Viewed in every light, the action was highly honourable to the officers and crew of the Glatton. The prompt decision of Captain Trollope to become the assailant, when two of the opponent ships were each (one, perhaps, by 300 or 400 tons) larger than his own, contributed, no doubt, to dismay the enemy ”

“ In this manner they remained viewing each other for upwards of an hour; when the enemy made sail away, and Captain Trollope to the northward, he still hoping, by the junction of some friend, to bring the encounter to a favourable issue. The night passed in disappointment; but our officer could not bring himself to quit the coast, without another peep at his shy antagonists. He therefore, in the morning, stood back; and then saw the French squadron, close hauled, standing for Flushing. The Glatton kept the enemy’s ships in sight during the day ”

“ In 1795, owing to the alarming aspect of public affairs, the greatest exertions were made in every department of government, and several additional ships were purchased into the service. To one of those, the Glatton, of 56 guns and 319 men [2] , which had been built for the India service, Captain Trollope was appointed. During the winter of that year, and the spring of 1796> he was employed, under the orders of Admiral Duncan, in the North Sea. ”

“ The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to the fleet. The city of London presented Lord Duncan with its freedom, and a sword of 200 guineas value; and to Sir Richard Onslow the freedom, and a sword valued at 100 guineas. [Admiral de Winter died at Paris, June 2, 1812; the Dutch Vice-Admiral died in London, of a chronic disease.] ”

“ While the Glatton’s people were hastening to repair her damages, in order that the ship might wear clear of the Helvoet shoals, on a part of which she then lay, the French frigate and brig, already mentioned as approaching from toleeward, fired several shot at her ”