THIS gentleman, whose professional gallantry has often been

the theme of praise, was the descendant of an ancient Scotch family. He was born in Scotland; but, as his father shortly afterwards settled in Ireland, he was bred and educated in the latter country; whence, at a suitable period, he passed over into England, with the view of entering into the naval service.

With the early services of Mr. Macbride, we are very slightly acquainted; but, in every situation, he is known to have evinced uncommon skill and bravery. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on the 27th of October, 1758; previously to which he is understood to have had some successful cruises, and also to have been captured by a French ship of war, which carried him into Brest, where he remained for some months on parole, till exchanged, by cartel.

The first instance in which he particularly distinguished himself was in the month of August, 1761, whilst commanding the Grace armed cutter. Assisted by the boats of the Maidstone frigate, he then cut a French privateer out of Dunkirk road; the official account of which exploit, is given in the following words: :

"Mr. Macbride being off Dunkirk, and observing a dogger privateer in the road, immediately left his station to join the Maidstone, and proposed cutting out the privateer that night, if Captain Digges would let him have four boats manned and armed, which he very readily complied with, knowing his abilities and resolution. The boats left the ships at ten o'clock at night, and when they came near the road, laid all their oars across, except two in each boat, which they muffled with baize, to prevent their being heard at a distance. They rowed in that manner till they were within musket-shot of the privateer; when, being hailed, they made no answer, but in May. Chron. Wol,XIX,

M M

a few minutes boarded on both sides, and took possession of the vessel without the loss of a man killed, two only being wounded. Mr. Macbride shot the lieutenant of the privateer through the head with a musket, as he was pointing a gun into the boat: besides this person, one common man was killed, and five wounded belonging to the enemy. This was done within half a gun-shot of a fort on the east side of the harbour, but it did not fire at them; and when the prisoners were secured, the captors cut the cables, and sailed out of the road."

On the 7th of April, 1762, Mr. Macbride was made commander, in the Grampus fire-ship, from which he was removed into the Cruiser sloop. On the 20th of June, 1765, he obtained post rank in the Renown, a 30-gun frigate; in 1766, he commanded the Jason, of 32 guns, in which he was ordered to the Falkland Islands, or South Sea; and, after his return from thence, in 1768, he was appointed to the Seaford, a 20-gun ship, employed as a cruiser on the home station. In this ship he continued two years; and, on quitting her, he took the command of the Southampton, of 32 guns.

In May, 1772, Captain Macbride sailed for Elsineur, accom panied by the Seaford, Captain Davies, and the Cruiser sloop of war, Captain Cummings, for the purpose of conveying the Queenof Denmark from thence to Stade.

Captain Macbride removed from the Southampton, either in1773, or 1774; in 1775 he commanded the Orpheus, a frigate of the same force; and, in 1777, shortly after the commencement of the dispute with the North American colonies, he was appointed to the Bienfaisant, of 64 guns; in which he continued till the commencement of the year 1781, employed constantly either on the home station, or on services in which the main flect, or detachments from it, were occasionally engaged. In July, 1778, he was with Admiral Keppel, in his encounter with D'Orvilliers, off Ushant. The Bienfaisant was stationed in the centre division, but does not appear to have been materially concerned in the action.*

Towards the close of the year 1779, at which time the late Sir Thomas Louis was first lieutenant of the Bienfaisant, Captain Macbride was ordered to Gibraltar, with Admiral Rodney, for the purpose of relieving that fortress. As we have repeatedly had

* Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. XVI. page 178; and Vol. VII. page 226. + Vide NAVAL CHRONICLE, Vol. I. page 371.