A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Forrest, James Rocheid
FORREST. (Lieut., 1814. f-p., 9; h-p., 32.)
James Rocheid Forrest entered the Navy 1 Nov. 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Cruizer 18, Capts. Pringle Stoddart, Geo. Chas. Mackenzie, Thos. Wells, and Thos. Rich. Toker, in which vessel he served, on the Baltic station, latterly as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, until Nov. 1813. He was employed during that period with the in-shore squadron at the siege of Copenhagen in 1807 – assisted in escorting numerous convoys through the Belt – received the thanks of Sir Jas. Saumarez, in common with others, for some offensive operations against the enemy, voluntarily performed in a tender under the command of Lieut. John Pearse – conveyed in a crazy prize of only 10 tons burthen, and at great risk, important despatches relative to the Russian fleet from the Naze of Norway to Rear-Admiral Hope at Gottenborg, during the autumn of 1812, a service which ultimately led to his promotion – was frequently engaged with gun-boats and batteries – contributed to the capture of 69 armed and other vessels – and carried 10 prizes into British ports. After a further attachment of 10 months to the Penguin 18, Capt. T. R. Toker, Granicus 36, Capt. Wm. Furlong Wise, and Elizabeth 74, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Chas. Elphinstone Fleming, on the Home, North American,, and Mediterranean stations, Mr. Forrest was appointed Acting-Lieutenant, 31 Oct. 1814, of the Jasper 10, Capt. Thos. Carew. He was confirmed to the latter vessel 23 Dec. following, but was placed on half-pay 29 May, 1815, and has not since been afloat.
Lieut. Forrest, who, from July, 1834, to May, 1844, had been employed as Government Agent for Emigration at Leith, is now Government Agent for Emigration in Scotland.