A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Baker, James Vashon
BAKER. (Captain, 1843. f-p., 26; h-p., 10.)
James Vashon Baker entered the Royal Naval College 2 Aug. 1811, and embarked, 16 Dec. 1812, as a Volunteer, on board the Norge 74, Capt. John Spratt Rainier, stationed in the North Sea, where he attained the rating of Midshipman, 17 Dec. 1813. He next, between June, 1814, and June, 1819, joined, in succession, the Liverpool 40, Capt. Arthur Farquhar, employed chiefly at the Cape of Good Hope, Forth 40, Capt Sir John Louis, in North America, and Newcastle 60, bearing the flag at Halifax of Rear-Admiral Edw. Griffith, of which ship he became Acting-Lieutenant, 9 March, 1820. He received his first Admiralty commission 19 July following, and was afterwards appointed – 2 Oct. 1820, to the Mersey 26, Capt. Edw. Collier, in North America – 26 Nov. 1822, and 31 May, 1823, to the Ramillies 74 and Ganges 84, Capts. Edw. Bruce and Patrick Campbell, on the Home and Jamaica stations – 31 Aug. 1826, to the Ringdove 18, Capts. Edw. Le Cras Thornbrough and Chas. English, employed at Chatham and Halifax – 19 March; 1830, as Senior, to the Pylades 18, Capts. Patrick Duff, Henry Hay, and Edw. Blanckley, on the Cork and South America stations – 28 Sept. 1832, to the Druid 46, Capt. Sam. Roberts, off Lisbon – 20 May, 1833, as First Lieutenant, to the Forte 44, Capt. Watkin Owen Pell, in North America and the West Indies – and, 19 June, 1837, in the same capacity, to the Donegal 78, Capts. Fras. Brace and John Drake, flag-ship for some time of Sir John Acworth Ommanney, on the Lisbon station. Capt. Baker, who received his second promotal commission 22 Feb. 1838, was subsequently appointed, 1 Oct. 1840, Commander of the Howe 120, Capts. Sir W. O. Pell and Robt. Smart, flag-ship latterly of Sir Fras. Mason, in the Mediterranean; on his return whence he was advanced to Post-rank, 10 July, 1843. He has since been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.