A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Giffard, Henry Wells
GIFFARD. (Captain, 1841. b-p., 17; h-p., 6.)
Henry Wells Giffard is son of Admiral Giffard.
This officer entered the Navy 1 April, 1824; passed his examination in 1830; obtained his first commission 4 March, 1831; and, on 14 May, 1833, and 26 Sept. 1837, was appointed to the Volage 28, Capts. Geo. Bohun Martin and Peter Richards, and Hyacinth 18, Capt. Wm. Warren. In those ships he was successively employed on the Mediterranean and East India stations, chiefly in the capacity of Senior Lieutenant, until some months after his promotion to the rank of Commander, which took place 22 Feb. 1838. Being appointed, on 10 May, 1839, to the Cruizer 16, Capt. Giffiard, in 1840, accompanied the expedition to China, and in the course of the same year was present, with great zeal and alacrity, at the capture of Chusan,[1] and also at the blockade of Ningpo. On his return with Sir Hugh Gough, after having been sent with despatches to Calcutta, we find him, on 13 March, 1841, ably supporting Capt. Herbert at the capture of the last fort protecting the approaches to Canton; and in the following May, the period of the second capture of that city, again eliciting the best thanks of the same officer for his conduct at the destruction of the whole line of defences extending about two miles from the British factory.[2] On 8 June, 1841, Capt. Giffard was in consequence rewarded with a Post-commission. Continuing, howeyer, to serve in the Cruizer, he was further present in her in the ensuing operations of Aug. and Oct. against Amoy, Chusan, and Chinghae. At each of those places he was entrusted with the debarkation of the troops; and when at Amoy he was attached to the army during the whole period of its stay. In the performance of the duties which were thus imposed upon him Capt. Giffiird was quite indefatigable, and acquitted himself as much to the satisfaction of Sir Wm. Parker, the Naval Commander-in-Chief, as of the General. On every opportunity, indeed, his ardour and activity were eminently displayed.[3] He left the Cruizer in the early part of 1842; and, since 13 Oct. 1846, has been in command of the Penelope steam-frigate, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Chas. Hotham on the coast of Africa.
Capt. Giffard married, 19 March, 1846, Ella Amelia, fourth daughter of the late Major-General Sir Benj. C. Stevenson, G.C.H., and niece of the Rev. Sir Henry Rivers, Bart. Agent – J. Hinxman.