A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Blennerhassett, James Primrose
BLENNERHASSETT. (Retired Commander, 1844. f-p., 13; h-p., 34.)
James Primrose Blennerhassett entered the Navy, in May, 1800, as a Vol., on board the Pomone 40, Capts. Robt. Carthew Reynolds and Edw. Leveson Gower. While under the latter officer in the Mediterranean, we find him assisting at the capture, 3 Aug. 1801, after a stiff action of 10 minutes, in which the above ship endured a loss of 2 men killed and 4 wounded, of the Carrière, of 40 guns; and on 2 Sept. following, of the frigates Succès and Bravoure. From March, 1803, until March, 1807, he served on board the Tonnant 80, Capts. Sir Edw. Pellew, Wm. Henry Jervis, and Chas. Tyler, flag-ship subsequently of Rear-Admirals Elias Harvey and Hon. Michael De Courcy, und during that period bore a part, under Capt. Tyler, in the battle of Trafalgar. He then acted as Lieutenant of the Confiance 20, commanded off the coast of Portugal by Capt. Jas. Lucas Yeo, until the period of his official promotion, which took place 29 July, 1807. He was next, on 20 Oct. following, appointed to the Bedford 74, Capt. Jas. Walker, in which ship, after escorting the Royal Family of Portugal to the Brazils, he was employed, as First-Lieutenant, at the blockade of Flushing, and on the Jamaica station. Having been on half-pay since Oct. 1813, Mr. Blennerhassett on 3 Sept. 1844, accepted the rank he now holds.