A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Edwards, David (b)
EDWARDS. (Lieut., 1837. f-p., 15; h-p., 12.)
David Edwards, born 6 Jan. 1803, is only son of the late David Edwards, Esq., of Monmouth House, Chelsea, by Sarah, third daughter of Robt. Mourton Wood, Esq., of Newton Hall, Cheshire.
This officer entered the Navy, 25 July, 1820, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Camelion 10, Capt.Wm. Jas. Mingaye, on the Home station, and, after serving for some time also in the Phaeton 46, Capt. Wm. Augustus Montagu, became successively Midshipman, in 1823, of the Ramillies 74, and Ganges 84, guard-ships at Portsmouth, commanded by Capt. Edw. Brace, by whom he was for some time detached into the Viper tender, for the purpose of cruizing in the Channel. From 1823 until Feb. 1827, when he passed his examination, Mr. Edwards was next employed in South America on board the Mersey 26, Capt. John Macpherson Ferguson. He soon afterwards joined the Coast Blockade, as Mate of the Hyperion 42, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye, and, from June, 1828, until Oct. 1833, served in the Victory 104, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Sir Robt. Stopford, the Spartiate 76, and Ocean 80, commanded on the Mediterranean station by Capts. Frederic Warren and Patk. Campbell, and the Stag 46, Capt. Nich. Lockyer, employed in the North Sea and off Lisbon. Obtaining his commission 10 Jan. 1837, he joined, in the course, we believe, of the following month, the Samarang 28, Capt. Wm. Broughton, on the South American station, whence, however, his health obliged him to return in Feb. 1838. On 30 March, 1839, the subject of this sketch was next appointed to the Powerful 84, Capt. Chas. Napier, under whom he served throughout the various operations on the coast of Syria in 1840, including the bombardment of St. Jean d’Acre. He invalided from cataract in Nov. of the latter year; and has not since been afloat.
Lieut. Edwards married, in 1842, Fanny, grand-daughter of the late Rev. John Simons, LL.B., rector of Paul’s Cray, co. Kent.