VI. THE HERO
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In the Hero Barrington accompanied Hawke on his last cruise of
the war, seeing in safety the Troops going down to the Tagus.
Upon the return of the Channel Fleet to Torbay, Hawke applied
for relief. The Hero was sent to Plymouth to embark Sir Charles
Hardy, who hoisted his flag in her on September 7th. Hardy
transferred his flag to the Union on October 1st, 1762, and detached
Barrington for a cruise from which he returned to Torbay on
November 4th. In Torbay the Hero assisted to get off the Diligence,
which was driven ashore on November nth, and afterwards proceeded to Plymouth, where she was reprovisioning when the war
came to an end.
On November 26th, 1762, a Royal Proclamation was issued,
declaring a cessation of arms. Durell, Commander in Chief at
Plymouth, ordered Barrington on November 30th to prepare the
Hero's pay books in readiness for paying her off. On December
7th the Admiralty issued orders for the Hero to be paid off and
laid up at Plymouth.
On December 23rd, 1762, Captain Barrington read to his ship's
company the Thanks of Parliament, and the Commissioner began
paying the men. On Christmas Day, payment being completed,
the men were discharged and the Pendant struck.