A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Baker, John Popham
BAKER. (Commander, 1821. f-p., 22; h-p., 29.)
John Popham Baker entered the Navy, 13 March, 1796, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Venus 32, Capt. Thos. Graves, off Newfoundland; and from July, 1799, until July, 1802, during which period he assisted in subduing an alarming insurrection of the 8th West India regiment in the island of Dominica, served as Midshipman and Master’s Mate on board the Magnificent 74, Capts. Edw. Bowater, Peter Turner Bover, and John Giffard. Being confirmed to a Lieutenancy, 18 Oct. following, in the Venus, he continued attached to that frigate, commanded on the West India and Irish stations by Capts. T. Graves and Henry Matson, until July, 1805; after which, until Feb. 1816, he served, on the Mediterranean and Home stations, chiefly as First Lieutenant, in the Dragon 74, Capts. Edw. Griffith and Matthew Henry Scott, Sultan 74, Capts. E. Griffith and John West, Ville de Paris 110, flag-ship of Lord Collingwood, Success 32, Capt. John Ayscough, Queen 74, Capt. Lord Colville, Barham 74, Capt. John Wm. Spranger, Rippon 74, Capt. Sir Christ. Cole, Prince, Royal Sovereign, and Tonnant, flag-ships of Sir R. Bickerton and Sir Benj. Hallowell, Spencer 74, Capt. Wm. Robt. Broughton, and Leander 60, Capt. Wm. Skipsey. In 1809, while in the Sultan, Mr. Baker suffered a rupture from over-fatigue in the execution of his duty; and, when next in the Rippon, he assisted at the capture, 21 Oct. 1813, of the French 44-gun frigate Le Weser. After an employment of nearly two years in the Newcastle 60, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral E. Griffith, on the Halifax station, he was made Acting-Commander, 16 Oct. 1820, of the Bellette 16. He was superseded on being officially promoted, 29 Jan. 1821; and on 7 July, 1829, was admitted to the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.