Description
Original Naval Order Signed, as Rear Admiral of the Blue and Senior Officer commanding His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels at Sicily and in the Adriatick, to Robert Mitford, Commander of HM Sloop Espoir, directing him “to proceed off Zara, and cruize in the Channel and amongst the neighbouring islands, for the annoyance of the Enemy’s Trade”, and then to join the Squadron off Venice. Countersigned by his secretary, Edward Suter. 1 page 12 x 8 inches, in good clean condition. Given on board the Milford, St George’s Harbour, Lissa, 28 July 1812. The Captain of HMS Neptune at Trafalgar. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle (1765-1819) served with Hood and Nelson in the Mediterranean, distinguishing himself at Toulon in 1795, Leghorn and Elba in 1796, and Santa Cruz in 1797, when he was severely wounded. In command of H.M.S. Ganges he took a full part in the Battle of Copenhagen (1804). In May 1805 he was appointed to H.M.S. Neptune, which was the third ship in the weather line at the Battle of Trafalgar, the Temeraire alone coming between her and the Victory. Fremantle later commanded in the Adriatic, capturing Fiume in 1813 and Trieste in 1814.