A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Egerton, Charles Randle
EGERTON. (Commander, 1846.)
Charles Randle Egerton, born 12 May, 1818, is youngest son of Wilbraham Egerton, Esq., of Tatton Park, co. Chester, by Elizabeth, second daughter of Sir Christopher Sykes, Bart., of Sledmere House, co. York. His eldest brother, Wm. Tatton, M.P. for Cheshire, is brother-in-law of the present Marquess of Ely; and another, Wilbraham, is a Captain in the 43rd Light Infantry.
This officer entered the Navy 19 May, 1831; passed his examination in 1837; and ultimately became Mate of the Calliope 26, Capt. Thos. Herbert. He acquired great credit, during the Chinese war, by his conduct in the boats under Lieut. Rundle Burges Watson, in an impressive attack made upon 13 Chinese war-junks, near Chuenpee, 7 Jan. 1841.[1] He was similarly employed, we find, at the storming and destruction, on 23 Feb., of a fort, mounting 20 guns in battery, at a place called Sanmmonhow, situated at the back of the island of Anunghoy; and he was also engaged in the boats of the Calliope at the capture, on 13 March, of several rafts and of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton.[2] After serving with the western division of the flotilla at the ensuing capture of that city, he took part in the series of operations which were re-enacted against it in the following May; on 26 of which month he landed and assisted at the destruction of the whole line of defences, extending about two miles from the British factory, where 64 pieces of cannon were disabled.[3] Being promoted for these services, by commission dated 8 June, 1841, Mr. Egerton, on 16 of the proximate October, was appointed Lieutenant of the Wellesley 72, Capt. Thos. Maitland, and next, 12 Sept. 1842, of the North Star 26, Capt. Sir Jas. Everard Home, both stationed in the East Indies. While attached to the latter ship, he commanded the rocket party in an attack made upon a rebel New-Zealand chief named Kawiti; whose strongly-fortified pah, situated many miles inland, was at length, on 11 Jan. 1846, after several days of labour and fatigue, stormed and, notwithstanding a desperate fight of four hours, triumphantly carried. The share borne by Mr. Egerton in the achievement procured him the rank he now holds – his promotion being dated back to the day above mentioned.[4] He is at present on half-pay. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.