A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Driffield, Joseph Bligh
DRIFFIELD. (Lieut., 1824. f-p., 17; h-p., 17.)
Joseph Bligh Driffield, born 6 May, 1800, at Lichfield, co. Stafford, is son of the late Lieut.-Colonel Driffield, R.M.; and grandson of the late Admiral Sir Rich. Rodney Bligh, G.C.B.
This officer entered the Navy, 30 July, 1813, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Medway 74, Capt. Aug. Brine; under whom, on proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, he assisted at the capture, in July, 1814, of the United States’ brig-of-war Syren, of 18 guns and 137 men. From 1816, in which year he left the Medway, until Sept. 1821, his name was borne on the books of the Queen Charlotte 100, successive flag-ship at Portsmouth of Admirals Sir Edw. Thornbrough, Sir Geo. Campbell, and Sir Jas. Hawkins Whitshed; during which period he appears to have been occasionally lent, among other ships, to the Prince Regent yacht, Capt. Sir Michael Seymour, and to the Vengeur 74, Capt. Thos. Alexander. He then, having passed his examination 1 Sept. 1819, joined the Rosario 10, Capt. Fred. Marryat; and, proceeding soon afterwards to North America, in the Salisbury 50, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Wm. Chas. Fahie, was there confirmed to a Lieutenancy, 10 May, 1824, in the Doterel 18, Capt. Rich. Hoare. After effecting the capture, in the boats of that sloop, of four smuggler-boats and of two schooners, in the Bay of Fundy, Mr. Driffield returned to England, and was paid off, in Aug. 1825. We afterwards find him appointed – 17 March, 1826, to the Parthian 10, Capt. Henry Byam Martin, in the Mediterranean – 5 Nov. 1827, to the Primrose 18, Capt. Thos. Saville Griffinhoofe, off the coast of Africa, where he was sent in charge of a prize to Siena Leone – 3 Nov. 1830, and 27 Dec. 1831, to the Undaunted 46, and Jaseur 18, commanded on the Cape station by Capts. Edw. Harvey and Arch. Sinclair – 9 Nov. 1833, for a short period, to the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Thos. Hastings – and, 25 Oct. 1841, as Senior Lieutenant, to the North Star 26, Capt. Sir Jas. Everard Home, fitting at Portsmouth. He was discharged from the latter ship in consequence of ill health in the following December; and since that period has been on half-pay.
Lieut. Driffield married, 31 March, 1835, Emily, daughter of Rear-Admiral Chas. Carter, R.N.