BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. I 361
afterwards, on the 16th of January 1779, a Spanish squadron of eleven ships
of the line hove in sight off Cape St. Vincent. The British fleet directly bore
down upon them, when Captain Duncan was the first to come up with the
enemy. His daring conduct having been observed by his no less resolute Commander,
he was warned of the danger of rushing into a position where he would
be exposed to a very unequal contest. ‘‘ Just what I want,” he coolly replied ;
The Monarch dashed pn, and was instantly alongside
a ship of larger size, while two of no less magnitude lay within musket-shot.
A desperate engagement ensued, but the Captain soon succeeded in disabling
the latter, when, directing all his fire against the at. Augwtin, that vessel struck
in less than half-an-hour j then pushing into the heat of the engagement, the
Monarch contributed materially towards the victory which was that day obtained
over the Spanish flag.
In 1788 Captain Duncan was appointed to the command of the Blenheirn
of ninety guns, and was present at the engagement with the united fleet of
France and Spain in October, off the mouth of the Straits of Gibraltar. For
several years after this, during the peace, he remained in command of the Edgar
guardship at Portsmouth ; and, on the 14th September 1789, was made Rear-
Admiral of the Blue. When the late Earl Spencer came to the Admiralty, he
inquired for “Keppel’s Captain,” and, in February 1795, appointed him Commander-
in-Chief of the North Sea Fleet.
It is needless to follow him through his arduous services while holding this
important command. When the fate of Ireland hung upon the balance ; when
a powerful fleet was concentrated at the Texel, for the invasion of that ill-fated
country-torn to pieces by internal faction-Admiral Duncan suddenly found
himself deserted by his fleet, and left, in the face of the enemy, with only one
line-of-battle ship besides his own. The veteran Admiral, in spite of these disheartening
circumstances, maintained his post undaunted. He continued to
menace the Texel, by keeping up signals, as if his whgle fleet were in the distance
; and thus prevented the Dutch from attempting to leave their anchorage.
To give a detailed account of Admiral Duncan’s memorable conduct during
the mutiny at the Nore would lead us beyond our limits. Suffice it to say, that
by a judicious blending of firmness and conciliation, he entirely quelled the first
symptoms of insubordination in his own ship, the Penerable, and also in the
Adamant, Captain (now Sir William) Hotham-the only ship which remained
tvith him to the last. His speech to the crew of the Yenerable is to be found
in the naval history of the country. We may, however, mention the following
anecdote, for the authenticity of which Sir William Hotham has vouched.
When told on one occasion that the Dutch fleet was getting under weigh,
he directed Sir William to anchor the Adamunt alongside the Yenerable in the
narrow part of the channel, and to fight her till she sank, adding--“I have
taken the depth of water ; and, when the Venerable goes down, my flag will still
On the termination of the mutiny at the Nore, Admiral Duncan was immedi-
.
I wish to be among them.”
fly.”
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