A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Baker, Henry
BAKER. (Commander, 1814. f-p., 11; h-p., 33.)
Henry Baker entered the Navy, 31 July, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Virginie 38, Capt. John Poo Beresford, stationed in the North Sea, where he removed, 11 Aug. 1804, as Midshipman, to the Cleopatra, of 38 guns and 200 men, Capt. Sir Robt. Laurie. On 17 Feb. 1805, the latter ship was captured, after a brilliant and self-sought action of nearly three hours, and a loss of 20 killed and 38 wounded, by La Ville de Milan, of 46 guns and 350 men, 10 of whom appear to have been slain. The French ship, however, was herself taken with her prize on the 23rd of the same month, by the Leander 50, Capt. John Talbot; and being added to the British Navy as the 38-gun frigate Milan, was commissioned by Sir Robt. Laurie, under whose orders Mr. Baker continued to serve, as Master’s Mate and Lieutenant – his commission bearing date 31 Oct. 1809 – until Aug. 1810. From 2 Nov. following until advanced to his present rank, 15 June, 1814, he was next employed, latterly as Senior Lieutenant, in the Ethalion 42, Capts. Edm. Heywood and Wm. Hugh Dobbie, on the Baltic and Cork stations. Since the latter date he has not been afloat.
Commander Baker married, 4 June, 1830, Henrietta Margaret, relict of the late Lieut.-Col. Digby, of Bath.