A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Calder, Francis Anderson
CALDER. (Lieut., 1811. f-p., 12; h-p., 32.)
Francis Anderson Calder entered the Navy, 1 Sept. 1803, as Midshipman, on borad the Pluto 18, Capts. Robt. Forbes, W. Hugh Kittoe, and Rich. Gaire Janvrin, under the latter of whom he assisted, as Master’s Mate, at the bombardment of Havre de Grace, 17 and 23 July, 1804. In Jan. 1805, he rejoined Capt. Forbes in the Merlin 18, and, after accompanying a convoy to the Mediterranean, took part in a warm conflict of four hours with three Spanish gun-boats in the Gut of Gibraltar. From March, 1806, to March, 1809, he again served with Capt. Janvrin in the Pluto, and was employed during that period in actively cruizing off Weymouth, where he aided in detaining no fewer than 36 neutral vessels, and also in conveying money for the assistance of the patriots on the north coast of Spain. He then, as Second Master, joined the Hardy gun-brig, Lieut.-Commander Thos. Button, engaged on various detached services in the Channel. He passed his examination 6 Sept. 1809; and, after a further employment in the Desirée 36, Capt. Arthur Farquhar, part of the blockading force off the Texel, and Victory 100, bearing the flag of Sir Jas. Saumarez in the Baltic, was promoted, 28 Nov. 1811, to a Lieutenancy in the Dreadnought 98, Capt. Sam. Hood Linzee, one of the ships which so narrowly escaped being involved in the doom of the St. George, Hero, and Defence. Mr. Calder, who was paid off from the Dreadnought 8 Feb. 1812, was next appointed, 6 June following, to the Prometheus 18, Capts. Hercules Robinson and Wm. Bateman Dashwood, and, 28 March, 1815, after visiting the West Indies, North America, and Lisbon, and effecting the capture of several vessels, to the Tremendous 74, Capt. Robt. Campbell. In May of the same year he escorted to Trieste the ex-Queen of Naples, by whom he was presented, in common with the other Lieutenants of the ship, with a small box covered with diamonds, with the royal miniature on the lid. He was paid off 2 Oct. 1815, and has not since been able to procure employment.