A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Collins, Francis
COLLINS. (Lieut., 1828. f-p., 33; h-p., 2.)
Francis Collins was born, 5 Aug. 1795, in co. Dublin.
This officer entered the Navy, 19 Jan. 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Furieuse 36, Capt. Wm. Mounsey, in which ship he shortly afterwards sailed with convoy for the Mediterranean; where, besides assisting at the blockade of Toulon and the conquest of the island of Ponza, he served in the boats at the capture, 4 Oct. 1813, with a loss to the British of 12 men killed and wounded, of a large convoy, protected by the galling fire of two gun-vessels and several batteries in the harbour of Marinelo; and on that occasion was awarded the rating of Midshipman, and placed in charge of one of the prizes. He also, we believe, witnessed the capture of Via Reggio, and the unsuccessful attack on Leghorn; was at the occupation of Santa Maria, and of the enemy’s other forts in the Gulf of Spezia; and assisted at the reduction of Genoa and its dependencies in March and April, 1814. When afterwards in America, Mr. Collins successively cruized in Penobscot Bay with a tender under his orders, but, falling ultimately into the hands of the enemy, was detained, a prisoner en parole until the termination of hostilities. He then rejoined the Furieuse, and, returning home, was paid off in June, 1815. We next find him serving, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, on board the Spencer 74, Cambrian 40, Doterel 16, and Hope 10, and, having passed his examination 4 March, 1818, employed, from 3 Oct. in that year until 7 Nov. 1823, in the Severn 40, and Ramillies 74, on the Home station. Until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 22 Sept. 1828, he appears to have been further employed as Mate, chiefly in the Mediterranean, of the Weasel 18, Britannia 120, Ramillies again, and Rattlesnake and Alacrity sloops. After an additional servitude in the Pelican 18, and Hyperion Coast Blockade ship, Mr. Collins obtained, 4 April, 1831, his present appointment in the Coast Guard.
He married, 17 Nov. 1834, Hannah, second daughter of Henry Wm. Baylee, Esq., of Larne, co. Antrim, and has issue three sons and as many daughters.