A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Elsmere, Charles
ELSMERE. (Retired Commander, 1838. f-p., 13; h-p., 49.)
Charles Elsmere entered the Navy, 23 April, 1785, as A.B., on board the Swallow, Capt. David Mackay, on the Irish station; served afterwards in the Fortune frigate, Capt. Cole, and, as Midshipman, in the Good Intent tender and Union tenders; and on joining, in 1793, the Lowestoffe 32, Capt. Wm. Wolseley, officiated, as Master’s Mate, at the occupation of Toulon, and at the sieges of St. Fiorenza and Calvi. After an additional servitude of some months with Capt. Wolseley in the Impérieuse, he became Acting-Lieutenant of the Cumberland 74, Capt. Bartholomew Sam. Rowley, and was in that ship in Hotham’s action of 13 July, 1795. From the Cumberland he removed to the Victory 100, bearing the flag of Sir John Jervis, with whom he continued until transferred to the Britannia 100; in which ship we find him participating in the battle off Cape St. Vincent, 14 Feb. 1797. Mr. Elsmere, who had been confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant on 23 of the preceding January, was next appointed, in succession, to the Diadem, Colossus, and Alliance, to the command of the Columbine tender, and to the Terrible 74. In the latter ship, under Capt. Wolseley, he attended the expedition to Ferrol, in 1800. Having been on half-pay since 1801, he was placed, 20 Dec. 1830, on the Junior List of Retired Commanders, from which he was promoted to the Senior List 3 Sept. 1838. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.