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The Durham Papers Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 May 2024
As previously noted, Philip Durham forged his naval reputation as a vigorous, adroit commander (and subsequently consolidated that reputation, as a young post-captain) in the Channel Fleet. This Part covers his command in the Channel of the converted fireship Spitfire, in which he achieved notable success as a taker of enemy craft. Her previous commander was another of the Royal Navy’s brightest prospects, John Woodley, who had been made a master and commander ahead of Durham on the same day and now became a post-captain; he lost his life when the frigate Leda was wrecked off Madeira in 1796.
War with France broke out on 1 February 1793, and on 12 February Durham took command of the Spitfire at Spithead. Fast-sailing, but woefully underarmed, carrying only eight four-pounders [51], she was far short of her complement of about 100 men, and it would be several weeks before this notice appeared in the Caledonian Mercury (21 May 1793):
Sat 18 May 1793
Fifeshire Bounty to Seamen
That, at a General Meeting of the Noblemen, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and Heiritors [sic] of the County of Fife, held at Cupar on the 4th of February last, it was resolved, in order to promote the speedy manning of His Majesty’s Navy, to offer a BOUNTY to such seamen as should enter with the regulating captain at Leith, on or before the 20th of March 1793, and appointed a committee of their number to carry their resolutions into effect.
The said committee, considering that, from the number of seamen yet entered, it appears the time allowed for entering should be prerogated, they therefore hereby continue to offer a bounty (over and above all others) of TWO GUINEAS to every able-bodied seaman, and ONE GUINEA to every ordinary seaman and able-bodied landman belonging to the county of Fife, who shall voluntarily enter to serve on board of His Majesty’s Navy, or before the 1st of June next. The said Bounty to be paid by William Cuming, vintner on the shore of Leith, upon their producing to him proper certificates of their belonging to the said county, and of their entry aforesaid.
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