A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dewes, George Bourchier
DEWES. (Lieutenant, 1841.)
George Bourchier Dewes entered the Navy 9 Jan. 1824; and passed his examination in 1831. While afterwards attached, as Acting-Lieutenant, to the Herald 26, Capt. Joseph Nias, he was recommended to particular notice for his conduct in command of a boat at the storming and destruction of a 20-gun battery at the back of the island of Anunghoy, during the Chinese campaign, 23 Feb. 1841.[1] He further landed at the storming, on 27 of the same month, of the enemy’s works close to Whampoa Reach, where 54 pieces of cannon were taken – was present in the boats, on 13 March, at the capture of several rafts, and of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton took a similar part in the ensuing capture of that city – and again commanded a boat at the destruction of a fleet of more than 30 war-junks and fishing-vessels, 22 May.[2] Mr. Dewes, who was rewarded for these services by a commission dated 8 June, 1841, has been employed in the East Indies since 9 Sept. 1844, as Lieutenant of the Espiègle 12, Capt. Thos. Pickering Thompson.