Later Career
Mudge's career advancement had suffered from being away. However, through the intercession of Lady Camelford (Pitt's mother), he was promoted to Commander on 24 November 1797. In 1798 he commanded the sloop HMS Fly, off North America. Promoted to captain on 15 November 1800, he performed convoy duty on HMS Constance.
In September 1800, he moved to the frigate HMS Blanche on the West Indies station. Starting in 1803 she made many captures, but on 15 July 1805 Blanche encountered a French squadron. She resisted bravely, but she was reduced to a wreck. Mudge ordered her colours struck and she sank soon after. Mudge was court-martialled on the question whether he had made his best defence; he was not only acquitted, but complimented for "very able and gallant" conduct.
Mudge commanded HMS Phoenix from 18 November 1803, and other ships until 1815. He became a rear-admiral on 22 July 1830; eventually the advancing years brought him promotion to full Admiral in 1849.
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