His career survived largely unscathed however, and he commanded several more ships, reaching the rank of post-captain during a period of service in the East Indies, before his health obliged him to return to Britain.

He undertook a final spell of active service in the closing years of the Napoleonic Wars in command of a frigate, before retiring ashore, and dying in 1831.

Gilbert's elder brother Henry, Sir William's fourth son, was also a naval officer, and would rise to the rank of admiral of the blue.

[5] Heathcote's career does not appear to have been unduly affected by the loss of Suffisante, and by September 1804 he was in command of HMS Cyclops, the guardship at Lymington.

[8][a] Heathcote's health had improved by 1813 to allow him to return to active service with the command of the newly built 36-gun HMS Scamander, which he took over in October that year.

[8] This proved to be a fortunate appointment for Edward, as the Blenheim disappeared in a gale the following year with the loss of Sir Thomas and her entire crew.