A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Crane, Thomas
CRANE. (Retired Commander, 1840. f-p., 19; h-p., 35.)
Thomas Crane was born, 15 March, 1775, at Peel, Isle of Man.
This officer – who had previously served his time in the merchant-service – entered the Navy, 18 April, 1793, as A.B., on board the Tartar 28, Capt. Thos. Fras. Fremantle; and, proceeding to the Mediterranean, was present at the investment of Toulon in Aug. following, and at the capture, in 1794, of Bastia, and of the French frigate La Sybille. Being subsequently transferred with Capt. Fremantle to the Inconstant 36, he took part in Vice-Admiral Hotham’s first partial rencounter with the French fleet; on which occasion, 13 March, 1795, the Inconstant sustained a loss of 3 men killed and 14 wounded, in a very spirited action with the 80-gun ship Ca Ira. From Sept. 1797, until April, 1802, Mr. Crane next served with the Channel fleet, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, in the Neptune 98, commanded during that period by various officers; after which he joined, in March, 1804, the Glatton 50, flag-ship at Leith of Rear-Admiral Jas. Vashon, and in the following Aug., as Acting-Lieutenant, the Blessing armed ship, Capt. John Baker. He was confirmed, 18 Sept. 1806, to a Lieutenancy in the Revenge 74, Capts. Sir John Gore and Hon. Chas. Paget; and in the course of 1809 was present, as Second Lieutenant, at the destruction of the French shipping in Basque Roads, and in the operations against Walcheren. His last appointments were, 12 Jan. 1811, and 5 Sept. 1812, to the Crescent 38, Capt. John Quilliam, and Superb 74, Capt. Hon. C. Paget; in the former of which ships he suffered a very severe accident in the loss of the first joint of his great toe. The effects ultimately obliged him, on his return from the Brazils, as First of the last-mentioned ship, to seek half-pay in Jan, 1814. Commander Crane accepted the rank he now holds 13 Oct. 1840.
He married, 16 Oct. 1817, Miss Margaret Kirk, and has issue a son and daughter.