BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF SIR ROBERT HOLMES, REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE RED

Summary

I look'd but now, and saw a storm of blood,

A raging ocean scattered o'er with wrecks.

Cumberland.

OF the birth, family, and early part of this gentleman's naval life we have sought, but sought in vain for any particulars. It appears that at the period of the Restoration of Charles II. 1660, he had attained the rank of captain, and commanded the Bramble, and in the course of the same year moved successively into the Truelove and Henrietta.

In the year 1661, the Dutch, in violation of an existing treaty, possessed themselves of Cape Corse Castle (since called Cape Coast Castle), in Africa; and Major Holmes, as, according to the custom of those times he was called, was promoted to the Charles, and ordered to proceed with a squadron of four frigates to the coast of Africa, to make reprisals on the Dutch, though it does not appear that he was at that time possessed of force, or instructions, to retake the settlement. On this occasion, he had the singular honour conferred on him of carrying the Union flag at his main-top-mast head, as soon as he had cleared the Channel—an honour which now distinguishes the commander-in-chief of the fleet.

The appointment of Sir Robert to the command of this expedition, was by the Duke of York, at that time Governor of the African Company, and the conduct of Sir Robert proved the propriety of the selection.