A Naval Biographical Dictionary/FitzGerald, Michael
FITZGERALD. (Retired Commander, 1830. f-p., 10; h-p., 42.)
Michael FitzGerald was born 17 Sept. 1778, and died 4 Dec. 1845.
This officer entered the Navy, 6 Dec. 1793, as Ordinary, on board the Impérieuse 36, Capts. Wm. Cunningham and Wm. Wolseley; and on next joining the Cumberland 74, Capt. Bartholomew Sam. Rowley, took part in Hotham’s partial action with the French fleet, 13 July, 1795. After serving for a few months with Capt. Chas. Rowley in the Unité 36, he became Midshipman, 4 Aug. 1797, of the Ramillies 74, Capts. B. S. Rowley, Henry Inman, and Rich. Grindall, on the Channel station, where, in 1800, he joined the Ville de Paris 110, bearing the flag of Earl St. Vincent, and Atlas 98,. Capt. Theophilus Jones. In the Russel 74, Capt. Wm. Cuming, of which ship he was created a Lieutenant 27 Feb. 1801, Mr. FitzGerald, on 2 April following, witnessed the battle off Copenhagen. In Feb. 1804, having been on half-pay since Nov. 1801, he obtained an appointment in the Sea Fencibles at Youghal, whence he removed, 10 Nov. following, to the Trowbridge, Capt. Wm. Bevians. He rejoined the Sea Fencibles 12 Dec. 1805, and retained his appointment until that corps was disbanded in the early part of 1810. He continued thenceforward unemployed, and accepted the rank of Retired Commander 29 Dec. 1830.
Commander FitzGerald married, 15 June, 1803, Mary, youngest daughter of John M‘Grath, of Grange, co. Waterford, and has left issue ten children.