The expences incurred by the maintenance of the maritime troops were classed with the estimates of the navy, and money was issued from time to time, by warrant from the Lord High Treasurer to the Treasurer of the Navy, who placed it in the hands of a person especially appointed to receive and pay it. Under this system, the Admiralty and Navy Boards were subjected to much trouble, in forming and directing its different arrangements.
From the nature of the marine service, at this period, few or no achievements occur which can be peculiarly attached to it as a corps. We find them honourably mentioned in the operations against St. Christopher's, and the successful attack upon Cork, under the æra of 1690. The detail of loss upon the former occasion is thus described, and evinces that their energies also, as soldiers, were called forth when occasion might require them. "In this action we had killed and wounded upwards of 130 men, and Captain Keigwin, _a sea commander_, who was appointed _Colonel of the Marine Regiment_, (which consisted of about 230 _seamen_) was shot through the thigh, of which wound he died, before he could be carried on board, and Captain Brisbane, who _acted as First Captain to the Marines_, receiving a shot through the body, expired that night on board the Bristol."
Embodied under similar circumstances, they of course partook in the various services of debarkation, which the emergency of those times might have demanded, until the peace of Ryswick, which, for a while, closed the existence of marine forces.
The expences of King William's war, upwards of eight years' duration, are so moderate when contrasted with these of later days, that they merit a place in any retrospect which treats of that period; and it is to be remarked that 40,000 seamen were maintained during the last years of it.
Total navy estimates allowed £16,303,713 15 0 Total army do. do. £18,487,671 17 10 ----------------- £34,764,385 12 10 =================
In all, thirty-four millions seven hundred sixty-four thousand three hundred eighty-five pounds, twelve shillings and ten pence!
I cannot bid adieu to the transactions of this auspicious reign, which has established the happiness and the liberties of my country, without commenting upon two events of it, that must be materially interesting to every military man--I mean the code of laws for the good order and discipline of our armies, and the grant of half-pay bestowed upon disbanded officers.