A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Fitzmaurice, James
FITZMAURICE. (Retired Commander, 1844. f-p., 8; h-p., 39.)
James Fitzmaurice is only surviving son of the late Harman Fitzmaurice, Esq., a lineal descendant of the Lords of Kerry, and great-grand-nephew of the first Earl.
This officer entered the Navy, 8 Dec. 1800, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Ardent 64, Capt. Thos. Bertie, under whom he served in the battle of Copenhagen, 2 April, 1801. He subsequently joined, on the Home, East India, and South American stations, the Brilliant 28, Iris 32, Caroline 36, and Lancaster 64, Capts. Hon. Philip Wodehouse, David Atkins, Benj. Wm. Page, and Wm. Fothergill. On 18 Nov. 1807, he obtained a Lieutenancy in the Carnation, of 18 guns and 117 men, Capt. Chas. Mars Gregory; and he soon afterwards had his hat shot off while co-operating in a sanguinary attempt made by the boats of that sloop, in company with those of the Melampus frigate, to cut out a Spanish schooner from under a battery at Porto Rico. After a contest of an hour and a half, in which she lost 10 men killed and 30, including Mr. Fitzmaurice severely, wounded, the Carnation, on 3 Oct. 1808 was unfortunately taken by the French nationai brig Palinure. The subject of this sketch, who had not been since employed, accepted his present rank 24 July, 1844.
Commander Fitzmaurice, in consideration of the wound above alluded to, was granted, 24 Oct. 1809, a pension of 91l. 5s., and he also obtained a gratuity from the Patriotic Fund. He married 28 Nov. 1814, and has a numerous family.