A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Ellerman, Gustavus Adolphus
ELLERMAN. (Lieutenant, 1841.)
Gustavus Adolphus Ellerman was born 1 April, 1813, at Heligoland.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College 7 Sept. 1826; and, on leaving that establishment in June, 1828, for the purpose of embarking, carried off the second mathematical medal and two prizes. Indeed, he so distinguished himself, that his late Majesty, then Duke of Clarence, promised him a commission immediately he should have passed his examination for Lieutenant. The latter event took place in 1833; but, in spite of the promise, Mr. Ellerman did not obtain his promotion until 23 Nov. 1841 – at which period he was acting in the Favorite 18. On 24 June, 1840, he had landed with his Captain, Walt. Croker, and a detachment of seamen and marines, at Tonga-taboo, one of the Friendly Islands, for the purpose of assisting the native Christians in a war that had been raging between them and the heathen part of the population. At the onset of an attack which the British presently made on a fortress situated five miles inshore, and of extraordinary strength, their allies deserted; in consequence of which misfortune, and of the death, with many others, of Capt. Croker, they were compelled to retreat. Mr. Ellerman, who himself was among the wounded, continued to serve in the Favorite, under Capt. Thos. Ross Sulivan, until June, 1843, when he paid her off as First-Lieutenant. Since 20 Nov. 1843, he has been serving in the Larne 18, Capt. John Wm. Douglas Brisbane, on the Coast of Africa. Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.