A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Barker, John
BARKER. (Lieut., 1802. f-p., 21; h-p., 31.)
John Barker is brother of Lieut. Wm. C. Barker, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, in March, 1795, as Fst-cl Vol., on board the Alcmene 32, Capt. Wm. Brown, stationed in the North Sea; and on removing, as Midshipman, to the Salisbury 50, Capt. Wm. Mitchell, was wrecked, on Isle la Vache, St. Domingo, 13 May, 1796. From Nov. in the latter year, until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 29 April, 1802, he next served, on the West India and Home stations, in the Queen 98, flag-ship of Sir Hyde Parker, Renommée 44, Capts. Robt. Rolles and Wm. Sanderson, and Excellent 74, Capt. Hon. Robt. Stopford; and during that period, independently of other captures, assisted in making prize, 10 Oct. 1799, of L’Aréthuse, national corvette, of 18 guns. His subsequent appointments afloat appear to have been – 7 July, 1802, to the Hornet sloop, Capts. Robt. Tucker, Peter Hunt, and John Lawrence – and, 23 April, 1804, to the command of the Grenada brig, both on the Leeward Islands station. While in the latter vessel, which he left in April, 1808, Mr. Barker effected the capture, at various periods, of L’Intrépide, 'La Petite Aricère', La Princesse Murat, La Désirée, and Le Tigre privateers, carrying altogether 14 guns and 199 men.[1] From Oct. 1808, until Dec. 1815, he was next employed, also in the West Indies, as Resident-Agent for transports and prisoners of war. He has since been on half-pay.
- ↑ La Princesse Murat was superior in force to the Grenada, and did not surrender until after a long and obstinate engagement, in which both combatants were much crippled. The enemy lost three men killed, and seven wounded. The British had their Master severely, and a boy mortally, wounded. Vide Gaz. 1806, p. 610.