A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dalton, James Robert
DALTON. (Ret. Capt., 1840. f-p., 11; h-p., 36.)
James Robert Dalton is second son of the late John Dalton, Esq., of Sleningford, co. York, and of Fillingham Castle, co. Lincoln, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the army, by Susanna, eldest daughter of General Robt. Prescott, of Rose Green, co. Sussex. Capt. Dalton, who has three brothers in the army, is brother-in-law of Lieut.-General Sir Jas. Chas. Dalbiac, K.C.B., and uncle of the present Duchess of Roxburghe.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 June, 1800, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Stag 32, Capt. Robt. Winthrop, and after attending the expedition against Ferrol, was wrecked in Vigo Bay, 6 Sept. following. From that period until Nov. 1804 he next served with Capt. John Chambers White in the Mediterranean, as Midshipman of the Renown 74, flag-ship at first of Sir John Borlase Warren, and Kent 74. He then cruized for 18 months in the Ramillies 74, Capt. Fras. Pickmore; and, on 25 Aug. 1806, was promoted from the Foudroyant 80, flag-ship at Newfoundland of Sir J. B. Warren, to an Acting-Lieutenancy in the Namur 74, Capt. Lawrence Wm. Halsted. Being confirmed by the Admiralty 26 Nov. following, he subsequently joined – 1 Dec. in the same year, the Confiance 18, Capt. Jas. Lucas Yeo, off Cape Finisterre – 29 Sept. 1807, the Leonidas 38, Capts. Jas. Dunbar, Henry Hope, and Anselm John Griffiths, in which frigate he beheld the capture of Cephalonia, 4 Oct. 1809 – and, in Nov. of the latter year, the Delight sloop, Capts. John Brett Purvis and Lord Balgonie. He obtained a second promotal commission 30 April, 1810, and was afterwards in command, from 28 July, 1814, to 28 May, 1815, of the Spitfire 16, on the coasts of Spain, France, and Ireland. He retired with Post-rank 10 Sept. 1840. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.