A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Goldfinch, George
GOLDFINCH. (Commander, 1846.)
George Goldfinch entered the Navy 26 June, 1807; and passed his examination in 1815. He afterwards, as Acting-Lieutenant of the Sophie 18, Capt. Geo. Fred. Ryves, contributed by his zealous exertions and cool intrepidity to the successful result of various operations undertaken by the British during the Burmese war. On 7 Oct. 1824 he appears to have been highly spoken of by Capt. Chads for his conduct in a brilliant and decisive attack on the village of Than-ta-bain. He also, on 4 Dec. following, proved himself a valuable officer, and worthy of the highest praise, for the gallant part he took in an attack made by the boats under Lieut. Augustus Henry Kellett upon an enemy’s flotilla; on which occasion he succeeded in personally capturing the vessel which carried the flag of the Burman chief.[1] His conduct, in the course of the same month, was again most conspicuous during the investment by the enemy of the strong fortress of Kemmerdine; and on the 15th he was once more recommended in consequence of the spirit he displayed in an action fought between a small British force and 200 of the enemy’s boats on the Lyne river, which terminated in the latter being defeated with great loss. On 6 Feb. 1825 we find his name mentioned in connection with the capture of a large 36-gun stockade at Than-ta-bain;[2] and at all times do we observe him spoken of in the strongest terms.[3] As a reward for these services, he was confirmed to a Lieutenancy, 25 July, 1825, in the Larne 20, Capt. Wm. Burdett Dobson; but, his health soon obliging him to invalid, he returned home and remained unemployed until 17 April, 1831, when he joined for a few months the Pearl 20, Capt. Robt. Gordon, then engaged on Particular Service. His succeeding appointments were – 18 Dec. 1838, to the Ganges 84, Capt. Barrington Reynolds, in the Mediterranean – 10 Dec. 1842, as First, to the Warspite 50, Capt. Provo Wm. Parry Wallis, off Lisbon – 25 Feb. 1845, as Senior, to the Superb 80, Capt. Armar Lowry Corry, part of the Channel squadron – and, 6 July, 1846, in the capacity of Additional-Lieutenant, to the Caledonia 120, Capt. Manley Hall Dixon, lying at Devonport. He attained his present rank 9 Nov. 1846; and is now on half-pay.