A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Edwards, Henry
EDWARDS. (Captain, 1826. f-p., 16; h-p., 35.)
Henry Edwards entered the Navy, 19 Nov. 1796, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Impétueux 78, Capt. John Willet Payne, on the Home station, where, and in the West Indies, he afterwards served, as Midshipman, in the Beaulieu 40 and Terrible 74, both commanded by Capt. Fras. Fayerman, Theseus 74, flag-ship of Lord Badstock, Topaze 38, Capt. Robt. Honyman, and Leviathan 74, bearing the flag of Sir John Thos. Duckworth. Being promoted to a Lieutenancy, 2 Nov. 1802, in the Ganges 74, Capt. Geo. M‘Kinley, Mr. Edwards, after serving for some time at Portsmouth and in the North Sea on board the Courageux 74, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Jas. Rich. Dacres, and Africaine 38, Capt. Thos. Manby, returned to the West Indies; on which station he appears to have been appointed – 21 Aug. 1805, to the Atlas 74, Capt. Sam. Pym, under whom he bore a part in the action off St. Domingo, 6 Feb. 1806 – 12 March and 7 Aug. in the latter year, to the Success 32, and Hebe 38, Capts. John Ayscough, Micajah Malbon, and John Fyffe – and, 30 Sept. 1809, to the command of the Haddock schooner, in which vessel he was unfortunately captured on his passage home with despatches 12 Nov. following. On regaining his liberty, he further served for a few months, in 1810-11, on board the Hibernia 120, and Centaur 74, both commanded by Capt. John Chambers White, and, for a short period in 1813, on board the Benbow 74, Capt. Rich. Harrison Pearson, in the Mediterranean and river Thames. On 29 June in the last-mentioned year he was awarded a Commander’s commission; and, on 25 Aug. 1825, he was appointed to the Doterel 18. Since his advancement to his present rank, which took place while he was on the Halifax station, 2 Aug. 1826, Capt. Edwards has been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.