A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Clark, John
CLARK. (Retired Commander, 1837. f-p., 17; h-p., 36.)
John Clark was born 6 Aug. 1777.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 Aug. 1794 (from Christ’s Hospital), as Ordinary, on board the Russel 74, Capts. John Willet Payne and Thos. Larcom, in which ship he shared, as Midshipman, in Lord Bridport’s action, 23 June, 1795. Until July, 1801, he next served on board L’Impétueux 78, Capts. J. W. Payne and Sampson Edwards, and Indefatigable 46, Capts. Hon. Henry Curzon and Matthew Henry Scott; and while in the latter ship, besides attending the Ferrol expedition, assisted at the capture, 22 Oct. 1800, of La Venus French frigate, of 52 guns, as also, on other occasions, of two heavy privateers, in both of which he was sent home as Prize-Master. Towards the close of 1801 he joined the Theseus 74, Capt. John Bligh, and, on subset quently proceeding to the West Indies, boarded and carried, with the boats of that ship, a French national-cutter and 13 merchant-vessels, lying in Port Jeremie, St. Domingo. On removing, in Dec. 1803, to the Hercule 74, bearing the flag of Sir John Thos. Duckworth, we. find Mr. Clark, early in 1804, serving throughout the whole of the land operations in the unfortunate attack upon Curaçoa; after which he was in succession appointed Acting-Lieutenant of the Duquesne 74, Capt. Jas. Walker, and Hound 16, Capt. Hon. Wm. Pakenham, and was confirmed, 6 April, 1805, into the Thunderer 74, Capts. Wm. Lechmere and John Talbot. During an attachment of three years and a half to the latter ship, he took part, among other stirring scenes, in Sir Robt. Calder’s action and in the battle of Trafalgar; commanded a party of seamen and marines at the siege of Gaeta; was with Sir John Thos. Duckworth at the passage of the Dardanells; and served most responsibly in the expedition against Egypt. On 26 Aug. 1809, Lieut. Clark assumed command of No. 73 gun-boat, and, simultaneously, of a division of the flotilla stationed near Fort Lillo, for the purpose of co-operating in the attack upon Walcheren, where he appears on many occasions to have been warmly engaged. He afterwards served, from Jan. 1810 to July, 1812, on board the Adamant 50, bearing the flag at Leith of Rear-Admiral Wm. Albany Otway; and, lacking ability to procure further employment, accepted his present rank 23 Oct. 1837.
Commander Clark is married.