A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bowden, John
BOWDEN. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 18; h-p., 26.)
John Bowden entered the Navy, 26 May, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board La Cheffonne 36, Capt. Chas. Adam, under whom, after contributing to the defeat, in June, 1805, of a division of the French flotilla, which was driven under the batteries at Fécamp, he successively removed, as Midshipman, to the Resistance 38, and Invincible 74, employed off the coasts of France, Spain, and Portugal, and in the Mediterranean. Between Oct. 1810, and Oct. 1813, we find him serving, at the siege of Cadiz and on the Home and West India stations, in the Colossus 74, Capt. Thos. Alexander, Royal William, Capt. Robt. Hall, Norge 74, Capt. John Spratt Rainier, Vestal 28, Capt. Sam. Deckar, and, as Master’s Mate, in the Garland 22, and Shark sloop, Capts. Thos. Huskisson, Rich. Plummer Davies, and John Gore. He was confirmed to a Lieutenancy in the latter vessel, bearing the flag at the time of Rear-Admiral Wm. Brown, 16 March, 1814; and, invaliding home in April, 1815, was afterwards appointed – 5 April, 1831, to a three years’ command in the Coast Guard – and, 26 June, 1837, to the Victory 104, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Hon. Buncombe Pleydell Bouverie. He has been on half-pay since Feb. 1840.