52 <strong>Chronicles</strong> <strong>of</strong> Blackioall <strong>Yard</strong>. with England. The news <strong>of</strong> this change reached St. Helena while Robert Wigram's vessel, the " Gen. Goddard," was waiting for convoy on her fifth voyage, and her captain, William Taylor Money, determined to join in an attempt to intercept the Dutch Fleet e.xpected from Batavia. Fitting (at the expense, we conclude, <strong>of</strong> his owner and friend) the " Gen. Goddard " with thirty guns, he started on a cruise with H.M.'s ship "Sceptre," 64 guns, and the "Swallow Packet," "Asia," and " Busbridge," East Indiamen. He was the first to sight the Dutch Fleet and to give chase. He came up to them in the night, and at daybreak captured seven <strong>of</strong> them, the other vessels <strong>of</strong> the squadron not being near enough to take any decided part in the action. Extraordinary as this story is. it is, nevertheless, undoubtedly true, and appears to have met with the full approval <strong>of</strong> his owner, who had a picture painted <strong>of</strong> the action, which is now in the possession <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Money Wigram, at Moor Place, Herts. The share <strong>of</strong> prize-money allotted to the five vessels exceeded ;^6 1,000. Captain Money received a vote <strong>of</strong> thanks and a sword from the merchants at St. Helena in testimony <strong>of</strong> their appreciation <strong>of</strong> his conduct. In 1794, Sir John Jervis and Sir Charles Grey, starting from Barbadoes, took Martinique and some forts in St. Lucia and Guadaloupe. The French made various attempts to reco\'er these islands, and a large expedition was sent from Portsmouth, in January, 1796, which resulted in subduing a revolt in Grenada, and the capture <strong>of</strong> St. Lucia and Demerara. During some <strong>of</strong> these operations the Government, having determined to send troops to the West Indies, had pressing need <strong>of</strong> transports, and Robert Wigram, knowing <strong>of</strong> the want <strong>of</strong> ships, immediately bought four the "Pershore," "Valentine," "Gen. Elliot," and "Contractor"—hired them to the Government as transports, fitted them out, and had them ready for sea in a wonderfully short time. His activity in getting these vessels ready was so great that fcr several weeks, says Mrs. Wigram, " we breakfasted at four or five in the morning." A picture <strong>of</strong> these vessels leaving Spithead in 1795 is now at Esher Place, Money Wigram's, Esq. To return to " Hardy," we find at this time belonging to R. Wigram : — Tons. "Woodcot" 802 1796—7 "Walpole" 774 1797—8 " Contractor " 777 '^'Td.l ur"""' '"" ''" '"" " Walthamstow " 820 1799 —
Tons.