| At Teignmouth, Devonshire, universally respected, Samuel Cranston Goodall, Esq. Admiral of the White. He entered into the Navy at an early age, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on the ist of September 1756. He was from thence advanced to the station of Commander on the ad of June 1760, and to that of Post Captain on the 3d of January 1762, he being then appointed to the Mercury of twenty guns. The early part of this gentleman's employment as a Captain appears totally unmarked with any memorable occurrence, for no subsequent mention is made, in any degree material, concerning him, till the commencement of hostilities with France in 1778, when he was appointed to the Defiance, of 64, and from thence, after a service of a few months, was promoted to the Valiant, of 74 guns, in which ship he continued to be employed in the Home or Channel service, till the end of the year 1781, when he was ordered to the West Indies with Lord Rodney. He there distinguished himself as well in the memorable action with the French fleet under the Comte De Grasse as subsequent to it. The Valiant was one of the squadron detached after the encounter under the orders of Sir Samuel Hood, now Lord Viscount Hood, for the purpose of picking up any straggling ships that might be endeavouring to make their escape after the late discomfiture. On the I9th of April, five sail were discovered, which afterwards proved to be the Caton and Jason, of 64 guns and 600 men each, fresh ships, which are said not to have been in the preceding actions, with two frigates and a corvette. A general chase of course immediately commenced; the Valiant being the headmost ship, and Captain Goodall impelled, as well by the eager desire of distinguishing himself, us of destroying the enemies of his country, crossed the shoals of Cape Roxo. at a very great risk of grounding: nay, it is even asserted that the ship's keel actually ploughed the soft sand, but was, by a great press of sail, forced over the shoals in safety. Captain Goodall came up with the enemy about three o'clock in the afternoon. 'l"he rest of the squadron, the Magnificent, and one or two other ships excepted, being either becalmed, or occupied in chasing the other vessels, the Valiant closed, first with the Caton *, which ship: after a short action, having fallen off with her bows towards the Valiant, was raked with good success, and immediately struck. The Jason endeavoured to escape, but being pursued by Captain Goodall, was, after a warm contest, which continued three quarters of an hour, compelled to surrender, as well as her companion. The Valiant had, on this occasion, only twelve men killed and wounded, the Gazette states only two killed and six wounded; but what considerably enhances the merit of this action is, that, in consequence of her losses in the course of the preceding engagements, the Valiant had no more than five hundred and sixty-five men on board fit for duty, while the crew of the Jason alone amounted to upwards of six hundred men, and that of the Caton to nearly as many. After this encounter, Captain Goodall served during the remainder of the war on the same station, under Mr. Pigot. He was appointed to the Princess Royal in the month of June 1790; but soon resigned that command, being, on the 29th of September following, advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral of the Blue. He was raised to the same station in the Red Squadron on the 3d of February 1793; and having hoisted his flag on board the Princess Royal, repaired to the Mediterranean, as Commander of a division of the fleet sent thither under the orders of Lord Hood. On the surrender of Toulon, his Lordship appointed Mr. Goodall temporary Governor of the town till the arrival of Sir G. Elliot. This trust he executed with the greatest integrity and ability. He afterwards continued to serve on the same station, and was concerned in all the different encounters which took place till the end of the year 1795, when he struck his flag on account of the ill state of his health; a circumstance which, in all probability, prevented his accepting of any subsequent command. On the 17th of April 1794, he was raised to the rank of Vice- Admiral of the Blue. On the 4th of July following to be Vice of the White. Admiral of the Blue on the 14th of February 1799; and, lastly, Admiral of the White on the 1st of January 1801. |