A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dennys, Lardner
DENNYS. (Lieut., 1812. f-p., 11; h-p., 31.)
Lardner Dennys, whose family is of high and ancient extraction, is youngest son of the late Nicholas Dennys, Esq., formerly of Ashley Park, near Tiverton, co. Devon; and grandson of Nicholas Dennys, Esq., for many years M.P. for Barnstaple.
This officer entered the Navy, about April, 1805, as Midshipman, on board the Achille 74, commanded by the late Sir Rich. King. While in that ship, independently of many cutting-out affairs, he was present at the battle of Trafalgar, 21 Oct. 1805; witnessed Sir Sam. Hood’s capture of four French frigates off Rochefort, 25 Sept. 1806; served on shore during the operations connected with the expedition to Walcheren in 1809; and was employed, in 1810, at the siege of Cadiz. In the early part of 1811 he accompanied the same Captain into the San Josef 110, flag-ship in the Mediterranean of Sir Chas. Cotton; and after a subsequent attachment of four months, as Signal Mate, to the Caledonia 120, flag-ship of Sir Edw. Pellew, to whom his knowledge of French signals enabled him on one occasion to intimate the approach of a French squadron, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 6 Feb. 1812. From 25 Nov. foUowmg until June, 1816, Mr. Dennys next served in various parts of the globe on board the Horatio 38, Capts. Lord Geo. Stuart and Wm. Henry Dillon; under the former of whom he assisted at the capture, in Dec. 1813, of the Dutch islands of Schouwen and Tholen. He returned home from the East Indies, in Dec. 1816, as Acting-Captain of the Elk 18; and, being then paid off, has not since been employed.
In 1815 Lieut. Dennys received a reward from Lloyd’s, for services rendered to a ship in danger on the coast of Ireland. He married a great-grand-daughter of Admiral Sir Rich. Haddock; and, on 1 May, 1845, was left a widower with 11 children. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.