A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Drake, James Roper
DRAKE. (Lieut., 1821. f-p., 15; h-p., 25.)
James Roper Drake entered the Navy, 23 April, 1807, as Ordinary, on board the St. Albans 64, Capt. Fras. Wm. Austen, lying at Spithead; but removing as Midshipman, in the following June, to the Theseus 74, continued to serve in that ship, under the successive command, on the Home station, of Capts. John Poo Beresford and Wm. Prowse, a great part of the time as Master’s Mate, until 1814. When with Capt. Beresford, he witnessed Lord Gambler’s destruction of the French shipping in Aix Roads, in April, 1809. On afterwards joining the Pomone 38, Capts. Philip Carteret and John Rich. Lumley, we find him in company with the Endymion at the capture of the American ship President, 15 Jan. 1815. Between Sept. in the latter year, and Oct. 1818, Mr. Drake was employed at Portsmouth, chiefly as Admiralty Midshipman, on board the Leander 50, Capts. Wm. Skipsey and Edw. Chetham, Rivoli 74, Capts. Chas. Ogle and Aiskew Paffard Hollis, Salisbury 50, Capt. John Wilson, and Raleigh 18, Capt. Wm. Augustus Baumgardt. He then joined the Coast Blockade service, as Admiralty Midshipman of the Severn 40, Capt. Wm. M‘Culloch; and since his promotion, which took place 19 July, 1821, has been on half-pay.