The family of Burnett of Leys, with collateral - Electric Scotland

106 THE FAMILY OF BURNETT OF LEYS.
men have been more missed in the Scottish Episcopal Church,
or in Edinburgh Society. Besides the Reminiscences and
Lectures on Handel before referred to, he was author of a
Church Catechism, at one time much used, " The Christian Life "
(1861), "Pulpit Table Talk" (1866), and many published
sermons. It is worthy of note that in 1844 Dean Ramsay was
offered and declined the Bishopric of New Brunswick, in 1847
the Bishopric of Glasgow, and in 1862 the Coadjutor Bishopric
of Edinburgh.
VI. MARMADUKE. Fellow and tutor of Jesus College, Cambridge.
He died s.p.
VII. WILLIAM, Rear Admiral, R. N., and K. C. B., born 27th May,
I793-
" Admiral Sir Wm. Ramsay, K.C.B., received his early education
at Durham School and Gosport Naval Academy. When
only thirteen years of age he entered the Royal Navy, and on
board H.M.S. Albion was present at the battle of Navarino.
Subsequently, as a lieutenant he commanded the brig Black Joke,
and in that vessel, on the 22nd April, 1831, captured off the
coast of Africa a large slaver named the Maranerito, and was
thus enabled to release 496 slaves. The story of this capture is
interesting, and occupies a prominent place in " Giffard's Deeds
of Naval Daring." While the Black Joke was at Fernando Po
Lieutenant Ramsay learned that a large Spanish slave brig,
carrying one large pivot and four broadside guns, and having a
complement of 70 picked men, was in the Old Calabar river.
Notwithstanding that the Black Joke had only one pivot gun and
one canonade, with a complement of 44 officers and men, Mr.
Ramsay made sail for Old Calabar, and commenced a strict
blockade. The blockade lasted for three days, and, on the fourth
day, after a running fight, Mr. Ramsay boarded and captured the
Spanish slaver. Of the men on board the slaver, 15 were killed
or drowned, 4 severely wounded, and several slightly wounded,
while the Black Joke lost only one man, Mr. Ramsay and his
mate being wounded. The captured slaves were in a deplorable
state, no less than 26 of them being found suffocated. In
recognition of this daring act Mr. Ramsay and his mate were
speedily promoted. In 1845 Mr. (then Captain) Ramsay was
appointed to the command of The Terrible, which was at that
time the largest steam vessel in the navy. He retained that