A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Dobson, Man
DOBSON. (Admiral of the White, 1841. f-p., 22; h-p., 47.)
Man Dobson was born 17 Nov. 1755, and died in April, 1847.
This officer entered the Navy, 19 Jan. 1778, as A.B., on board the Hyaena, Capt. Edw. Thompson; in which vessel, and, as Midshipman, in the Conqueror 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker, Suffolk 74, Capt. Fras. John Hartwell, Cerberus frigate, Capt. Robt. Man, and Portland 50, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral John Campbell, we find him serving during the first American war. When in the Conqueror, he appears to have been knocked down and slightly wounded by the same shot that killed his Captain, Waller Griffiths. Mr. Dobson, who was promoted, 23 Sept. 1782, to a Lieutenancy in the Leocadia, Capt. Chas. Hope, afterwards joined – 17 May, 1786, the Fairy, Capt. T. G. Manby – 1 June, 1793, the Bedford 74, Capt. Robt. Man, while in which ship he served on shore at the ensuing occupation of Toulon – and, 15 Oct. 1794, the St. George 98, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker. For his services as First-Lieutenant of that ship, in Hotham’s actions of 14 March and 13 July, 1795, he was promoted, on 9 Nov. in the latter year, to the rank of Commander. On 28 June, 1796, Capt. Dobson was posted into the Queen 98, flag-ship in the West Indies of Sir H. Parker, with whom he continued until 28 Oct. 1800. He was afterwards employed, from March, 1804, to Feb. 1810, in command of a district of Sea Fencibles in Ireland; and, from 24 March, 1813, to Nov. 1815, he officiated as Regulating Captain at Bristol. His last promotions were to the rank – 5 July, 1827, of Rear-Admiral – 22 July, 1830, of Vice-Admiral – and 23 Nov. 1841, of full Admiral.
Admiral Dobson was father of the present Capt. Wm. Burdett Dobson, R.N., and of the late Lieut. Hyde Parker Dobson, who died 31 March, 1836. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.