A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dench, Thomas
DENCH. (Captain, 1828. f-p., 21; h-p., 33.)
Thomas Dench entered the Navy, in April, 1793, as Midshipman, on board the Ardent 64, Capt. Robt. Manners Sutton; while in which ship he served on shore at the occupation of Toulon, and was in warm action with the batteries of St. Fiorenza during the siege of Corsica. In April, 1794, when the Ardent took fire and blew up, with all hands on board, this officer had the good fortune to be absent in charge of a prize. We next find him, in the St. George 98, flag-ship of Sir Hyde Parker, taking part in Hotham’s actions of 14 March and 13 July, 1795; and, on 14 Feb. 1797, serving under the flag of Vice-Admiral Chas. Thompson, in the Britannia 100, at the battle off Cape St. Vincent. Removing then, with Capt. Thos. Foley, to the Goliath 74, he was present, in July following, at the bombardment of Cadiz; and on 1 Aug. 1798, he further officiated at the battle of the Nile. A few days after that tremendous conflict he assisted, as a Volunteer, in cutting out a heavy gun-vessel from under the castle of Aboukir. On his return to England he was appointed, at the recommendation of Capt. Foley, Master’s Mate of the Prince 98, bearing the flag of Sir Chas. Cotton, to whom he became Signal-Lieutenant, in the Prince George, 23 Jan. 1801, and afterwards, for nearly four years, in the San Josef. From May to Dec. 1807, Mr. Dench was next employed in a similar capacity under Rear-Admiral Thos. Wells in the Zealand 64, at the Nore. He then, as before, rejoined Sir C. Cotton in the Hibernia 110, off Lisbon; to which ship he continued attached until promoted, 24 April, 1808, to the command of the Nautilus 18. In May, 1809, Capt. Dench brought home the despatches announcing the evacuation of Oporto by the French army under Marshal Soult; after which he cruized with great Success in the Mediterranean, where, among other vessels, he captured – 21 July, 1812, Le Brave of 5 guns and 112 men – 7 Feb. 1813, La Léonilde of 14 guns and 83 men – and, 24 May following. La Colombe of 4 guns and 40 men. For these and other services he received the public thanks of Sir Edw. Pellew, the Commander-in-Chief. He was compelled to invalid home in Nov. 1814, and has not since been afloat. His Post-commission bears date 4 June, 1828. Agents – Messrs. Chard.