A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Fernandes, Donald
FERNANDES. (Retired Commander, 1838. f-p., 13; h-p., 44.)
Donald Fernandes entered the Navy, 17 July, 1790, as Midshipman, on board the Assistance, Capt. Lord Cranstoun, and, after visiting Gibraltar, successively joined the Alfred, guard-ship in the River Medway, Capts. Thos. West and John Bazely, and Edgar and Thunderer 74’s, both commanded by Capt. Albemarle Bertie, under whom, in the latter ship, he served as Master’s Mate in the actions of Howe and Bridport, 1 June, 1794, and 23 June, 1795. Towards the close of 1795 he accompanied Sir John Jervis to the Mediterranean as Acting-Lieutenant of the Lively frigate; and on arriving on that station he became similarly attached, 4 April and 11 Aug. 1796, to the St. George 98, Capt. Shuldham Peard, and Blenheim 74, Capt. Thos. Lenox Frederick, to which ship he was confirmed 9 Feb. 1797. On 14 of the latter month Mr. Fernandes bore a part in the action off Cape St. Vincent. From March, 1797, in the course of which year he was also much engaged with the Spanish gun-boats and batteries near Cadiz, until the peace of 1802, he served in the Victory 100, Capts. Thos. Sotheby and Wm. Cuming, London and Princess Royal 98’s, both flag-ships of Rear-Admiral Frederick, Centaur 74, Capt. John Markham, and Malta 80, Capt. A. Bertie. For a few months in 1803 he commanded the Speedwell brig on the Home station, and on 5 Aug. 1806, he obtained a short-lived, we believe, employment in the Sea Fencibles. Since he left the latter service. Commander Fernandes, who accepted his present rank 21 Dec. 1838, has been on half-pay. He obtained the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital 3 Aug. 1837.