A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Clarke, Hyde John
CLARKE. (Ret. Capt., 1840: f-p., 16; h-p., 40.)
Hyde John Clarke entered the Navy, 29 June, 1791, as Captain’s Seirvant, on bbatd the Bedford 74, Capt. Sir Andw. Snape Hamond, lying at Portsmouth; removed, as Midshipman, with the same officer, in March, 1793, to the Duke 90, bearing the broad pendant, afterwards, of Commodore Murray, in the West Indies; and next served, until the close of 1798, off Newfoundland and in the North Sea, on board the Amphion 32, and Nassau 64, both commanded by Capt. Robt. Plampin, Termagant 18, Capt. David Lloyd, and Inspector 16, Capt. Chas. Lock, of which latter vessel he was created a Lieutenant 27 Sept. 1797. Until he invalided in Aug. 1807, his further appointments were, as First-Lieutenant – 31 Dec. 1798, and 19 July, 1801, to the Lowestoft 82, and Nereide 36, Capts. Robt. Plampin and Robt. Mends, on the Jamaica station – 17 July, 1803, to the Ganges 74, Capt. Thos. Fras. Fremantle, employed off France and Ferrol – and, 12 Dec. 1804, and 17 Aug. 1805, to the Antelope 50, and Powerful 74, both commanded by Capt. R. Plampin in the North Sea and East Indies. On the latter station Mr. Clarke assisted at the capture, 13 June and 9 July, 1806, of the privateers La Henriette, of 20 guns and 124 men, and, after a running fight of nearly two hours, and some loss, La Bellone, of 30 guns and 194 men. He subsequently joined, 23 Aug. 1810, also as Senior, the Téméraire 98, Rear-Admiral T. F. Fremantle, fitting for the Mediterranean, but, prior to sailing, was promoted, 21 Oct. following, to the rank of Commander. Capt. Clarke, who has been ever since on half-pay, accepted a retired Captaincy 10 Sept. 1840. Agents – Pellet and Newton.