A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Despourrins, Peter
DESPOURRINS. (Retired Commander, 1841. f-p., 18; h-p., 42.)
Peter Despourrins entered the Navy, 30 Sept. 1787, as a Servant, on board the Hyaena 20, Capts. Hon, Mich. De Courcy. and John, Aylmer; under the former of whom, we believe, he soon afterwards, as Midshipman, escorted clear of the Channel the first party of convicts ever sent to New South Wales. In July, 1793, he rejoined Capt. De Courcy, as Master’s Mate, in the Pearl 32; on removing from. which ship to the Alfred 74, Capt. Thos. Drury, he assisted at the capture, in the course of 1796, of the island of Ste. Lucie, and of the French frigates La Favorite of 22, and La Renommée of 44 guns. After a continued servitude of 14 months in the West Indies on board the Dictator 64, Capts. Wm. Geo. Rutherford and Thos. Western, and Prince of Wales 98, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Henry Harvey, he was promoted, 27 Dec. 1797, to a Lieutenancy in the Madras 54. In that ship (with the exception of a few months. In 1801, when he was lent to the Kent 74, Capt. Lord Edw. O’Bryen, off Alexandria) he continued to serve, under Capts. John Dilkes, Chas. Hare, Thos. Briggs, and Chas. Marsh Schomberg, on the Home, East India, and Mediterranean stations, until July, 1807. We subsequently find him employed, from 14 Dec. 1807 to 15 June, 1808, and from 16 April, 1810, to 26 Jan. 1812 as First-Lieutenant of the Bellerophon 74, and of the Amsterdam – the former ship commanded by Capt. Edw. Rotheram in the Channel fleet. Coimnander Despourrins, who has not since been afloat, was placed on the Junior List of Retired Commanders 1 Dec. 1830, and was promoted to the Senior List 1 June, 1841.