A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Crooke, James
CROOKE. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 13; h-p., 38.)
James Crooke entered the Navy, 15 Feb. 1796, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Diana 38, Capt. Jonathan Faulknor, employed off the coast of Ireland, where he assisted at the capture of several French privateers. Between March, 1798, and Aug. 1802, he next served, on the Home and Mediterranean stations, as Midshipman of the Royal George 100, bearing the flag of Lord Bridport, and Anson 44, Capt. Philip Chas. Durham. Being appointed, 8 May, 1804, to a Lieutenancy in the Cleopatra of 38 guns and 200 men, Capt. Sir Robt. Laurie, he was present when that vessel was captured, after a brilliant and self-sought action of nearly three hours, and a loss of 20 men killed and 38 wounded, including himself, by the French frigate Ville de Milan of 46 guns and 350 men, 10 of whom appear to have been slain, 17 Feb. 1805.[1] The latter ship, however, was herself taken, with her prize, on 23 of the same month, by the Leander 50, Capt. John Talbot; and, being added to the British Navy as the 38-gun frigate Milan, was commissioned by Sir R. Laurie, under whose orders Mr. Crooke continued until May, 1806. He then joined the Belle-isle 80, Capt. Wm. Hargood, in which he beheld the destruction, off Cape Henry, of the French 74-gun ship Impétueux, 14 Sept. following. From April, 1807, to April, 1809, he was afterwards on board the Niobe 40, Capt. John Wentworth Loring, off Cork; and in Feb. 1813, he joined the Diomede troop ship, Capt. Chas. Montague Fabian, employed on the coast of North America. Lieut. Crooke, the date of whose commission was subsequently altered for some reason to 15 Oct. 1814, has not been afloat since that period. In consideration of the wound above alluded to, he was presented with a sum of money by the Committee of the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd’s. Agent – J. Hinxman.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1805, p. 542.