A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Cox, Henry
COX. (Lieutenant, 1815. f-p., 26; h-p., 16.)
Henry Cox, born in Oct. 1793, is maternally related to the families of the celebrated Sir Fras. Drake and Sir John Williams, the latter of whom held the Surveyorship of the Navy from 22 June, 1765, until 12 Dec. 1784.
This officer entered the Navy, 28 Jan. 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Circe 32, Capts. Jonas Rose, Joseph Spear, and Hugh Pigot. He next served, from Nov. 1807, until Nov. 1812, nearly the whole time as Midshipman, in the Implacable 74, Capts. Thos. Byam Martin, Geo. Cockburn, and Joshua Rowley Watson, under the first of whom we find him taking part, 26 Aug. 1808, in a gallant action of 20 minutes with the Russian 74-gun ship Sewolod which was completely silenced, and in the end, with the assistance of the Centaur 74, flagship of Sir Sam. Hood, captured and burnt, in sight of the whole Russian fleet, near Rogerswick, after a total loss to the enemy of 303 men, and to the Implacable, individually, of 6 killed and 26 wounded. He also served at the siege of Cadiz; and, on next joining the Pelican, of 18 guns and 101 men, Capt. John Fordyce Maples, was present, 14 Aug. 1813, in a spirited conflict of 45 minutes, which rendered captive to the British, whose loss amounted to 2 men killed and 5 wounded, the American sloop Argus, of 20 guns and 122 men, 6 of whom were killed and 18 wounded. For his conduct on that occasion Mr. Cox, after a servitude of some months in the President 38, Capts. Fras. Mason and Arch. Duff, on the Irish station, was awarded a Lieutenant’s commission 3 Feb. 1815. He obtained an appointment in the Coast Guard 18 June, 1831; and, on 8 Oct. 1844, was transferred to the command of the Lapwing Revenue-vessel, which he still retains. For his great exertions in saving life and property when commanding the Coast Guard station at St. Andrew’s, Lieut. Cox received a gold and silver medal from the Royal National Institution, the thanks of both Universities, the honorary freedom of the City, the thanks in two instances of the Town Council, and more than 30 acknowledgments from various Insurance Companies and other Institutions; and was also presented with a sword by a body of underwriters.
He married, in 1817, Miss Mary Foote, of Kingsbridge, co. Devon, by whom he has issue seven children. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.