, master-gunner of England, was born at Harwich, in 1629, and being bred
, master-gunner of England, was born
at Harwich, in 1629, and being bred to the sea-service,
distinguished himself by his skill and bravery in many
actions. At the restoration he was made master-gunner
of the Princess, a frigate of fifty guns; and in the first
Dutch war exhibited his skill and bravery in two very
extraordinary actions, in one against fifteen sail of Dutch
men of war, and another in 1667, against two Danish ships
in the Baltic, in which, the principal officers being killed,
the command devolved on him, though only master-gunner. In 1669 he was promoted to be gunner of the Royal
Prince, a first-rate man of war. In 1673 he was engaged
with his two sons Henry and John, against Van Trump.
His ship was the Royal Prince, a first-rate man of war, all
the masts of which were shot away, four hundred of her
men killed or disabled, and most of her upper tier of guns
dismounted. Whilst she was thus a wreck, a large Dutch
ship of war came down upon her, with two fire-ships, meaning to burn or carry her off. Captain, afterwards sir George
Rooke, thinking her condition hopeless, ordered the men
to save their lives, and strike the colours. Mr. Leake,
hearing this, ordered the lieutenant off the quarter-deck,
and took the command upon himself, saying, “the Royal
Prince shall never be given up while I am alive to defend
her.
” The chief- gunner’s gallantry communicated itself
to all around the crew returned with spirit to their guns,
and, under the direction of Mr. Leake and his two sons,
compelled the Dutchman to sheer off, and sunk both the
fireships. Leake afterwards brought the Royal Prince safe
to Chatham; but the joy of his victory was damped by the
loss of his son Henry, who was killed by his side. He was
afterwards made master-gunner of England, and storekeeper of the ordnance at Woolwich. He had a particular
genius for every thing which related to the management of
artillery, and was the first who contrived to fire otf a mortar
by the blast of a piece, which has been used ever since.
He was also very skilful in the composition of fire-works,
which he often and successfully exhibited for the amusement of the king, and his brother, the duke of York. He
died in 1686, leaving a son, who is the subject of our next
article.