A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Cumby, Charles
CUMBY. (Commander, 1813. f-p., 20; h-p., 37.)
Charles Cumby, born 28 Nov. 1779, at Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk, is son of the late Capt. David Pryce Cumby, R.N., by his second wife, Susanna, daughter of Robt. Marsh, Esq., of the above place; half-brother of the late Capt. Wm. Pryce Cumby, R.N., C.B. (1806); and uncle of the present Lieut. D. C. Cumby, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy 22 May, 1790, on board the Sheerness tender, commanded by his father, then a Lieutenant, in which he served, on the Home station, until March, 1791. From 30 Jan. 1793, until Nov. 1797, he appears to have been next employed, latterly in the Mediterranean, as A.B. and Midshipman, in the Brilliant frigate, Capts. Mark Robinson and Wm. Pierrepont, Regulus armée en flûte, Capt. Wm. Carthew, Alexander and Swiftsure 74’s, both commanded by Capt. A. Philip, and Ville de Paris 110, flag-ship of Earl St. Vincent. He was appointed, on 29 of the month last mentioned, Acting-Lieutenant of La Minerve 38, Capt. Geo. Cockburn; and being confirmed, 4 Jan. 1799, into the Transfer brig, commanded successively by various Captains, was ultimately presented with the order of the Crescent and a gold medal for his services in that vessel under Sir Wm. Sidney Smith on the coast of Syria, and during the subsequent campaign in Egypt. We afterwards find Mr. Cumby appointed – 4 Jan. 1802, to La Carrièrie frigate, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, in which he returned to England – 30 July, 1803, to a command in the Weymouth district of Sea Fencibles – 11 May, 1805, to the Caesar 80, bearing the flag of Sir Rich. John Strachan, under whom he fought at the capture, 4 Nov. following, of four French line-of-battle ships, just escaped from the battle of Trafalgar – 30 Jan. 1808, to the Donegal 74, Capt. Pulteney Malcolm, attached to the Channel fleet – 26 Oct. 1809, to the Adrian cutter, which he commanded for 10 months in Basque Roads – and, 3 Feb. and 21 April, 1813, to the Bellerophon and Medway 74’s, commanded at Portsmouth by Capt. Augustus Brine. He attained his present rank 4 Dec. following; and afterwards commanded the Ordinary at Portsmouth from 18 March, 1833, until 1836. He has since been unemployed.
He married Sarah, youngest daughter of Wm. Gillard, Esq., of Black House, Brixham, co. Devon.