A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Campbell, Colin (a)
CAMPBELL. (Rear-Admiral, 1846. f-p., 13; h-p., 35.)
Colin Campbell (a), born in 1787 at Woodhall, co. Lanark, is fourth son of Walter Campbell, Esq., of Shawfield and Woodhall, both in the same shire, and of the island of May, co. Argyle.
This officer entered the Navy, 18 Aug. 1799, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Anson 44, Capt. Philip Chas. Durham, with whom he served, latterly as Midshipman, in the same ship, and in the Endymion 40, on the Channel and Mediterranean stations, and off St. Helena and Lisbon, until April, 1802, and contributed to the capture of several privateers and other armed vessels. He then joined in succession the Donegal 74, Capt. Rich. John Strachan, in the Channel, Glatton 54, Capt. Jas. Collnett, whom he accompanied to New South Wales, and Defiance 74, Capt. P. C. Durham, in which ship we find him, in 1805, participating, as Master’s Mate, in Sir Robt. Calder’s action and in the battle of Trafalgar. Having obtained his first commission 22 Jan. 1806, Mr. Campbell was next appointed, in the North Sea and West Indies, to the Phoebe 36, Capt. Jas. Oswald, and to the Helder, Achates, and Neptune, the latter the flag-ship of Sir Alex. Cochrane. He was confirmed, 22 Sept. 1809, in the command of the Port d’Espagne sloop; and he subsequently served in the Curieux and Drake sloops, and for upwards of 12 months, as Acting-Captain, on the Mediterranean station, of the Freija 36. He was officially posted 28 Feb. 1812, and advanced to Flag-rank 1 Oct. 1846.
The Rear-Admiral, as we are given to understand, served at the reduction of Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1809-10. He married, in 1827, Harriet, daughter of Jas. Royds, Esq., of Mount Falinge, Lancashire, by whom he has issue four children, of whom the eldest son, Jas. Carter Campbell, is a Midshipman, R.N. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.