176] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



In 1717, a British fleet was sent to cruize in the Baltic, under 

 the command of the unfortunate Admiral Sir George Byng, and in 

 this fleet our hero served in the Hampshire. 



On the 15th of March 1718, Lieutenant Anson was appointed 

 Second Lieutenant of the Montague ; that ship was one of the 

 squadron which sailed under Admiral Byng to protect the island 

 of Sicily from the intended invasion of the Spaniards ; and in the 

 course of the summer, the British brought the Spanish fleet to 

 action, which terminated in the total destruction of the enemy, and 

 the consequent relinquishment of the King of Spain's ambitions 

 projects against the independence of the Sicilians. Lieutenant 

 Anson was highly distinguished for his skill and bravery on this 

 occasion. On the 19th of June 1722, he was appointed comman- 

 der of the Weazle sloop of war ; and on the 1st of February 1724, 

 he was raised to the rank of Post Captain in the Royal Navy, and 

 to the command of the Scarborough man of war. 



Captain Anson was immediately ordered in the Scarborough to 

 the South Carolina station, where he continued about three years 

 and a half. During his residence on the shores of that colony, 

 Captain Anson was from time to time actively employed in the 

 improvemgnt of a tract of land which he had purchased, in which 

 he built a small town which he called Anson-Brough, and gave 

 name to a division of the province, still called Anson county. 



In consequence of orders from the Admiralty, Captain Anson 

 returned to England in October 1727, and the Scarborough was 

 paid off in May 1728. On the llth of October 1728, our hero was 

 appointed Captain of the Garland man of war, and sent again to 

 the coast of South Carolina, to watch the motions of the French 

 cruisers. He was ordered home in December 1729, and the ship 

 was paid off at Sheerness. In May 1731, he was appointed com- 

 mander of the Diamond, but that ship was paid off in August, and 

 in January 1732, he was again sent to South Carolina, as com- 

 mander of the Squirrel man of war. Captain Anson continued on 

 this station three years, and had an opportunity of pursuing his 

 favourite plan for the improvement of Anson-Brough, doubtless 

 with the honourable ambition to perpetuate a name which will 

 ever adorn the annals of his country. It does not appear, how- 

 ever, that his wishes and expectations respecting this town were 

 ever realized ; perhaps his pecuniary resources were insufficient to 

 procure the requisite supplies of furniture, utensils, &c. from the 

 mother country for the accommodation o.f settlers ; and from the 



