A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Chiene, John
CHIENE. (Commander, 1813. f-p., 22; h-p., 39.)
John Chiene, born at Crail, co. Fife, is son of a shipmaster and owner, and nephew of Robt. Chiene, Esq., who died Master-Attendant of the Dockyard at Minorca, in 1802.
This officer entered the Navy, 15 Sept. 1786, as Master’s Servant, on board the Powerful 74, Capt. Andw. Sutherland, with whom he served, in the same ship and the Orion 74, on the Home station, until Oct. 1789. Re-embarking, 18 Aug. 1793, as A.B., on board the Diadem 64, also commanded by Capt. Sutherland, he took part in the siege of Toulon, as likewise in the reduction of the towns of St. Fiorenza, Bastia, and Calvi; and on his subsequent transference, as Midshipman, to the Berwick 74, Capt. Adam Littlejohn, he was with that ship taken by the French Mediterranean fleet, after a long running fight, 7 March, 1795. On regaining his liberty Mr. Chiene joined, 9 Oct. 1795, the Princess Royal 98, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Robt. Linzee. He removed, next, to the Victory 100, flag-ship of Sir John Jervis; and, on 11 Jan. 1797, was promoted to a Lieutenancy in La Mahonesa 32, Capt. John Giffard. He continued to serve in the Mediterranean, on board the St. George 98, Capt. Holloway, and Santa Teresa 32, Capt. Robt. Campbell, until his return home at the peace; previously to which period he had, as First-Lieutenant of the latter ship, aided at the blockade of Malta, been present in the operations on the coast of Genoa, and obtained the Egyptian medal. From Feb. 1802, until March, 1807 – with the exception of a twelvemonth in 1803-4, when we find him on board the Britannia 100, Capt. the Earl of Northesk, on the Home station – Mr. Chiene appears to have been on half-pay. He was then, however, appointed First-Lieutenant of La Nymphe 38, which he fitted for sea without a Captain, and, subsequently, of the Muros 20, Capt. Arch. Duff, Princess of Orange 74, Capt. Fras. Beauman (with whom he attended the expedition to Flushing in Aug. 1809), and Monmouth 64, commanded by the same officer. From April, 1811, until Feb. 1813, he further served, as Flag-Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Philip Chas. Durham, on board the Ardent 64, and Hannibal, Christian VII., Venerable, and Bulwark 74’s, chiefly on the Home station. He was promoted, from the First-Lieutenancy of the Princess Caroline 74, Capt. Hugh Downman, to the rank of Commander, 4 Dec. 1813; and has not since been able to procure employment.