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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bamber, Charles Ross

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1631426A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Bamber, Charles RossWilliam Richard O'Byrne

BAMBER. (Lieut., 1837. f-p., 14; h-p., 7.)

Charles Ross Bamber, born 10 June, 1812, is son of the late Commander Wm. Rich. Bamber, R.N., an officer of very distinguished merit, who died in Nov. 1843, after having faithfully served his country for 55 years, 28 of which had been passed in active employment, chiefly during the hottest part of the late wars.[1]

This officer entered the Navy, in Jan. 1826, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Ganges 84, Capt. Patrick Campbell, with whom, after serving for nearly four years as Midshipman, off Lisbon and in the Mediterranean, of the Spartiate and Windsor Castle 76’s, Capts. Fred. Warren and Hon. Duncombe Pleydell Bouverie, he returned to England in 1830 on board the Ocean 80. He then served for three years, on the Home station, in the Wellesley 72, Capt. Sam. Campbell Rowley, and Excellent gunnery-ship, Capt. Thos. Hastings; and in Nov. 1833, shortly after passing his examination, was appointed Mate of the Edinburgh 74, Capt. Jas. Rich. Dacres, in the Mediterranean. In March, 1837, Mr. Bamber had the misfortune to have his right ankle so crushed between two lower-deck guns, while superintending the removal of one of them, as to render amputation of the leg unavoidable. He obtained his commission 1 Sept. following, and was afterwards appointed, 11 May, 1839, again to the Excellent, and, 11 May, 1841, to the Indus 78, Capt. Sir Jas. Stirling, also stationed in the Mediterranean, whence, owing to a fall from a ladder, he was obliged to invalid, on 3 of the ensuing Nov. He has since been on half-pay.

Lieut. Bamber is in receipt of a pension of 45l. 12s. He married, 27 May, 1839, a daughter of U. Godfrey, Esq., of Woodlands, co. Surrey, by whom he has issue three children.


  1. Commander Bamber served on shore at the siege of Leogane, St. Domingo, and at the reduction of Trinidad; received the public thanks of Sir Andrew Mitchell for his exertions during the expedition to Holland in 1799; fought under Lord Nelson at Copenhagen; and for the ability, zeal, and energy he subsequently displayed as Principal Transport Officer on the occasion of the return of Lord Cathcart’s army from Hanover to England, was again publicly thanked both by that nobleman and the Transport Board.