A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Brown, John Hoskins
BROWN. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 11; h-p., 31.)
John Hoskins Brown entered the Navy, 25 July, 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Prince 98, Capts. Rich. Grindall, Wm. Lechmere, and Alex. Eraser, under the first of whom he was present, as Midshipman, at the battle of Trafalgar, 21 Oct. following. In April, 1807, he removed with Capt. Fraser to the Vanguard 74, one of Lord Gambler’s fleet in the expedition to Copenhagen; and he was subsequently most actively employed in the same ship, under Capt. Thos. Baker, Rear-Admiral Thos. Bertie, and Capt. Hen. Rich. Glynn, in blockading Zealand, protecting the various British and Swedish convoys passing through the Sound, and skirmishing with the Danish gun-boats. He next, in May, 1809, joined the Tartarus sloop, Capt. Thos. Fras. Chas. Mainwaring, in which vessel we find him, in 1810, contributing to the destruction of two French privateers off Pillau, and then escorting Gustavus, the ex-King of Sweden, from Riga to England. He was afterwards successively transferred, in Nov. 1810, March, 1812, and March, 1813 – to the Seine 38, Capt. John Hatley, with whom he visited Quebec – Pomone 38, Capt. Philip Carteret, lying in the Downs – and Prince Regent 56, Commodore Sir Jas. Lucas Yeo. Under the latter officer Mr. Brown shared in most of the operations on the Lakes of Canada, until at length taken prisoner. He obtained his commission 16 Aug. 1814; but has not, since Sept. 1815, been afloat.
Lieut. Brown at present holds the appointment of Registrar-General of Seamen.