A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Atkins, James
ATKINS. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 17; h-p., 33.)
James Atkins (a) was born 2 May, 1777.
This officer (who had previously, while in the Transport service, co-operated with the forces under Sir Ralph Abercromby and Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian in the reduction of the islands of Ste. Lucie, St. Vincent, and Grenada) entered the Navy, in Nov. 1797, as A.B., on board the Hornet 18, Capts. John Nash and Peter Hunt, in which vessel he continued until May, 1804. During that period he took part in an attack made in 1797 on the African island of Goree, where the Hornet sank a 20 gun ship which had been opposed to her – served on shore during the expedition to Holland in 1799 – was at the capture, in 1801, of St. Bartholomew and St. Martin – and, in 1803, assisted in reducing Ste. Lucie, Tohagp, Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. Until Dec. 1808, Mr. Atkins was next employed as Acting-Master of the Grenada brig, Lieut.-Commanders John Barker and Geo. Grey Burton, under whom he contributed to the capture of nine privateers, but particularly of the Princess Murat, of 3 guns and 52 men, on which occasion, 15 Feb. 1806, an eighteen-ounce shot entered his chest immediately under the right collar-bone, and caused a wound so severe that he was presented, six years afterwards, with a gratuity of 136l. 17s. For his bravery on this and on other occasions, he appears to have been also voted the sum of lOOl. by the Patriotic Society. Being invested by Sir Alex. Cochrane with the rank of Lieutenant, 20 Dec. 1808, and appointed to the command of the Mozambique schooner, Mr. Atkins rendered good service during the operations which led to the surrender of Martinique, an event that was followed by his removal to the Grouper, another schooner, in the command of which the Admiralty confirmed him, 12 Aug. 1809. After assisting at the capture, in Feb. 1810, of the island of Guadeloupe and its dependencies, and being usefully employed in the protection of trade, the latter vessel was unfortunately cast away, 21 Oct. 1811 [errata 1], and, although her commander was ultimately rescued by some fishermen, it was not until he had been beaten about for five hours upon a piece of the wreck, and had been reduced to a state of insensibility from the effects of several desperate lacerations, which he yet feels. An uninterrupted servitude of twelve years in the West Indies, added to his severe misfortunes, having at length shattered his constitution, he returned to England, in June, 1812, a passenger in the Gloire frigate, Capt. Jas. Carthew; and, on 14 Nov. following, was appointed to the Clarence 74, Capts. Henry Vansittart and Fred. Warren. After an intermediate employment in the North Sea and Channel, latterly under the flag of Lord Keith, he was paid off, 20 Aug. 1814, and has not since been afloat.
Lieut. Atkins married, 22 Oct. 1819, Belle Sophia, eldest daughter of Jos. Gray, Esq., of Jamestown, co. Wexford, a Magistrate for that county, and Captain of the Wexford Militia, and niece of Lieut.-Colonel Loftus Gray, of the Rifle Brigade. He has issue two sons and three daughters.