[1] Having been expelled from the Mediterranean by the combined navies of France and Spain, the British Fleet under John Jervis, was stationed off Portugal,[2] when in May 1797, Retalick was appointed to the 22-gun HMS Bonne Citoyenne.

[3] In the months that followed, Bonne Citoyenne, made several cruises into the western Mediterranean and took many prizes, including two French privateers of 10 and 16 guns, and two Spanish brigs carrying 8,900 silver dollars.

[1] In May 1798, Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson wanted Bonne Citoyenne for his stepson, Josiah Nisbet, and moved Retalick to the armed vessel, Earl St Vincent.

[7] During the truce, called to discuss the Danish surrender, the Defiance and the other leading British ships attempted to move out of range but she, along with HMS Elephant became stuck on a shoal about a mile from the fort.

[9] Retalick was not hugely successful in terms of prize money and following his death, in Padstow, on 28 August 1813, his wife sought financial assistance from The Charity for the Relief of Officers' Widows.