Frank Austen's Family
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Francis William Austen [1] continued.
In June 1806 Capt. Austen went on half-pay; but obtaining an appointment on March 23rd 1807 to the 'St. Albans' of 64 guns, he continued to serve in that ship until September 22nd 1810. During that period he escorted a division of transports with a reinforcement of 2,000 troops to the coast of Portugal, where they arrived on the eve of the battle of Vimiera [Vimeiro] – afterwards superintended the debarkation at Portsmouth of the remains of Sir John Moore's army – and afterwards afforded protection to and from the East to several large convoys of merchant men. For his gallant exertions in the Autumn of 1809, in bringing to a successful issue a dispute with the Chinese, he was honoured with the approval of the Admiralty, and was presented by the East India Company with the sum of 1,000 guineas.
On December 3rd 1810 he became, for the second time, Flag-Captain to Lord Gambier, in the 'Caledonia' of 120 guns – and was stationed off the coast of France during the continuance of that officer's command. From July 9th 1811 to May 7th 1814 he commanded the 'Elephant' of 74 guns, and was employed with Admiral Young's fleet in the North Sea; also in cruising off the Western Islands with the 'Phoebe' and 'Hermes' under his orders; and finally, on ...
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