A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Atkins, James (b)
ATKINS. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 26; h-p., 30.)
James Atkins (b) entered the Navy, 31 March, 1791, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Echo 16, Capts. Chas. Jones and Peter Halkett, employed on the Newfoundland and Channel stations. Removing, in June, 1794, to La Nymphe 36, Capts. Geo. Murray and Geo. Losack, he bore a part in Lord Bridport’s action, 23 June, 1795; subsequently to which he joined the Standard 64, and served in that ship under Capts. Joseph Ellison, Geo. Burlton, and others, until 10 Feb. 1798. On 25 May, 1803, he re-embarked on board the Monarch 74, bearing the flag of Lord Keith; but being transferred, in May, 1804, to the Glory 98, successive flagship of Admirals Hon. Wm. Cornwallis, Sir John Orde, and Chas. Stirling, was a participator, under the latter officer, in Sir Robt. Calder’s action, 22 July, 1805. In June, 1809, we find Mr. Atkins, who had been transferred, in Jan. 1808, to the Northumberland 74, Capt. Wm. Hargood, serving in a boat action with six of the enemy’s gun-vessels off Trieste, and a few days after that event promoted to the rank of Acting-Lieutenant. In Oct. following he became attached, in the latter capacity, to the Imogene 16, Capt. Wm. Stephens, to which sloop, after having been employed on shore at the reduction of the island of Santa Maura, he was confirmed by commission dated 4 May, 1810. He subsequently served, from 10 Aug. 1811, until he invalided, 31 Jan. 1814, in the Snake 18, Capts. Wm. Hellard and Geo. Robbin, on the Leith and West India stations; and, on 15 June, 1816, was next appointed to the command of the signal station at Rowe Hill, in Kent, which he retained until 1821. He has been employed, since 1 May, 1843, on the quarantine establishment at Standgate Creek.