HMS Centaur and Hood’s Boys
18 June 2022The Queen Charlotte Incident
19 June 2022
We know little about Robert Reynolds but one suspects that he was not only popular but trusted officer. He is mentioned as being the son of another Captain Reynolds (not of the Dreadnought) and the suggestion is that he came from the same family originating in Pennaire near Truro.
Having helped establish the battery on Diamond Rock, he was trusted to lead the expedition to cut the Curieux out of Fort Royal Harbour. Unfortunately he was very badly wounded in this fight – the French believing that he had been killed – and, although appointed to take up command of the ship, appears never realistically to have done so, being reported as ‘Sick on Board’ in successive Muster Rolls.1 eventually he was moved to Diamond Rock itself where he died.
Believe me with sorrow I have to inform you of the melancholy intelligence of the death of brave Capt. Reynolds, (son of Capt. Carthew Reynolds) of his Majesty’s sloop Curieux, who obtained the command of her for his gallant conduct in cutting her out from under Fort Edward, Martinique.2 His remains are deposited on the Diamond Rock, Martinique, and where a stone will perpetuate his memory. His funeral was conducted with as much ceremony as time would allow, and with the solemnity which real worth ever inspires. The whole of the Officers of the Centaur, and every man and boy of the ship, who had been witness to his gallant exploits, attended; the band playing the dead march, which drew tears from every eye in the ship. The Pall was born by three Officers of the Centaur, and three of the Fort Diamond. Captain Maurice, Governor of the Garrison of Fort Diamond, and Lieut. Sibley, his cousin, were chief mourners.
Hampshire Telegraph, Monday, November 5th, 1804
Sadly, the syntax does not make clear whether Lt. Sibley (which of the two?) was cousin to Robert Reynolds or Captain Maurice.
This account was followed later that week by a brief notice of his passing in the Truro paper:
DIED.
In the West Indies, the brave Captain Reynolds, (son of Captain Carthew Reynolds, of Pennaire, near Truro) of His Majesty’s sloop Curieux, who obtained the command of her for his gallant conduct in cutting her out from under Fort Edward, Martinique. His remains are deposited on the Diamond Rock, Martinique, and where a stone will perpetuate his memory.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, Saturday, November 10th, 1804