A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Goldsmith, George
GOLDSMITH. (Captain, 1842. f-p., 18; h-p., 8)
George Goldsmith is son of John Goldsmith, Esq., Purser and Paymaster, R.N. (1795), who served in that capacity, on board the Amazon, at Copenhagen in 1801, in the same vessel at the capture in 1806 of the 80-gun ship Marengo and 40-gun frigate Belle Poule, and in the Superb 74 at Algiers, and who is now attached to the William and Mary yacht.
This officer entered the Navy, 20 June, 1821, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Martin 18, Capts. Christ. Craockenthorp Askew and Henry Eden, stationed in the Mediterranean, where he became Midshipman, 16 May, 1824, of the Phaeton 46, Capt. Henry Evelyn Pitfield Sturt. While next borne on the books, from 18 Oct. 1825 until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 8 Aug. 1828, of the Hyperion 42, Coast Blockade ship, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye, he was lent to the Royal George yacht, and served in her tenders, the Calliope and Onyx, as he did in the Royal Sovereign, when that yacht bore the flag of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence as Lord High Admiral. Mr. Goldsmith’s ensuing appointments were – 29 Sept. 1828, and 1 March and 26 Aug. 1829, to the Madagascar 46, Capt. Hon. Sir Robt. Cavendish Spencer, Samarang 28, Capt. Wm. Fanshawe Martin, and Madagascar again, Capts. Hon. Sir R. C. Spencer and Edm. Lyons, all on the Mediterranean station – 16 May, 1834, as Senior, to the Childers 16, Capt. Hon. Henry Keppel, successively employed on the south-east coast of Spain and on the African station – and in April, 1839, in a similar capacity, to the Druid 44, Capts. Henry John Spencer Churchill and Henry Smith. While in the latter ship, during the China war, we find him commanding her boats at the capture of Tycocktow, 7 Jan. 1841; also present, on 26 Feb., at the taking of the forts in the Boca Tigris; and next displaying the character, when in charge of her launch, of a judicious and gallant officer in the operations which led to the second fall of Canton.[1] Being awarded a second promotal commission 6 May, 1841, and invested with the command, on 14 Aug. in the same year, of the Hyacinth 18, Capt. Goldsmith obtained the recommendation of Sir Wm. Parker for his further conduct at the capture of Chinghae 10 Oct. following.[2] He was promoted for his services to the rank he now holds 16 Sept. 1842; paid the Hyacinth off on 24 of the next month; and has since been unemployed. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.