A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Davis, James
DAVIS. (Lieutenant, 1812. f-p., 13; h-p., 34.)
James Davis entered the Navy, 1 Oct. 1800, as L.M., on board the Donna Theresa gun-brig, Capt. John Gentle, on the Home station. From Nov. 1801, until March, 1805, he was further employed in the Dédaigneuse frigate, Capt. Thos. Geo. Shortland, and Constance 24, Capt. Anselm John Griffiths; and under the latter officer he served at the blockade of the Rivers Elbe and Weser. In March, 1805, Mr. Davis became Midshipman of the Monmouth 64, bearing the flag in the North Sea of Rear-Admiral Thos. Macnamara Russell, from which ship he removed, in May following, to the Stately 64, Capt. Geo. Parker. On 22 March, 1808, being off the coast of Zealand, he assisted, in company with the Nassau 64, and was slightly wounded, as Master’s Mate, at the capture and destruction, after an obstinate running fight, and a loss to the Stately of 4 men killed and 28 wounded, of the Danish 74-gun ship Prindts Christian Frederic.[1] Mr. Davis continued to serve with Capt. Parker, the last six months as Acting-Lieutenant of the Aboukir 74, until April, 1809, when he resumed the rank of Midshipman, and joined Capt. Chas. Rowley, in the Eagle 74. He was next lent to the gun-boat service in the expedition against Walcheren; after which he proceeded to the West Indies, and there joined in succession the Neptune 98, and Statira 38, flag-ships of Sir Alex. Cochrane, who, on 21 July, 1810, promoted him to a Lieutenancy in the Perseverance, Capt. Fras. Douglas. He was at length confirmed by the Admiralty in his present rank 21 March, 1812, and, on 19 Nov. 1813, was appointed to the Tartarus 20, Capts. John Pasco and Thos. Rich. Toker. After serving for two years on the Irish and North Sea stations, Lieut. Davis was paid off 29 Nov. 1815; since which period he has not been employed.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1838, p. 536.