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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Fraser, Charles

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1719189A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Fraser, CharlesWilliam Richard O'Byrne

FRASER. (Commander, 1823. f-p., 23; h-p., 23.)

Charles Fraser entered the Navy, 2 May, 1801, as Midshipman, on board the Prince George 98, Capt. John Tremayne Rodd, bearing the flag in the Channel of Sir Chas. Cotton; removed successively, in 1802-3, to the Aurora 38, Capt. Micajah Malbon, and Russel 74, Capt. Robt. Williams; then rejoined Sir C. Cotton in the San Josef 110; and on 11 July, 1808, was confirmed to a Lieutenancy in the Argo 44, Capt. Stephen Thos. Digby. In command of the boats of the latter ship we find him, on 10 March, 1809, cutting out, in the most cool and gallant manner, and with a loss of 7 men wounded, the Josef French felucca, of 3 guns and 53 men, under a heavy fire of grape and musketry from the vessel herself, as well as from a whole range of batteries on the island of St. Domingo.[1] In the course of the same year he became attached to the Shark sloop, and Polyphemus 64, bearing each the flag of Vice-Admiral Bartholomew Sam. Rowley; after which he served, from 7 Aug. 1812 until 5 July, 1816, in the Stag and Spartan frigates, both commanded by Capt. Phipps Hornby, with whom he visited the Cape of Good Hope and Mediterranean. His last appointments, as Lieutenant, were – 7 April, 1818, to the Bulwark 76, flag-ship at Chatham of Sir John Gore – and, 24 May, 1819, to the command of the Mermaid Revenue-cruizer. He assumed his present rank 29 Sept. 1823; and, since 10 Sept. 1844, has been conducting the Packet service at Holyhead, as Additional-Commander of the Royal Sovereign yacht.

He married, 25 July, 1832, Miss Mary Elizabeth Fraser, of Chichester, by whom he has issue. Agents – Pettet and Newton.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1809, p. 787.