BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF SIR GEORGE COLLIER, KNT. VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE

Summary

Full many were the triumphs he attain'd

Upon Columbia's wide-extended coasts:

But chief Penobscot spread his well-earn'd fame.

Far stronger was the foe: his vaunted fleet

Contain'd an host! our hero's name alone

Struck terror: coward-like, with trembling hands

Their untouch'd fleet they fir'd: the desert shore

They sought; where want and strife the wretched phalanx thinn'd.

Then wrapt in flame sunk sixteen ships of war.

And to this hour Columbia mourns the blow.

——Editor.

THE Editor feels highly gratified that his recent invitation to the heirs, relatives, or friends of deceased naval officers, who may have in their possession any private documents explanatory of their professional services – to send them for insertion in this work–has obtained the important, and highly interesting MS. journal given in the ensuing pages, descriptive of the brilliant and extensive services performed during the first American war by the late Vice-admiral Sir George Collier, Knt. The Editor flatters himself that this example will be succeeded by numerous contributions of the same nature, and thus rescue from oblivion many a brilliant trait of naval heroism, which might otherwise be known only to a few, and ultimately become totally lost.