A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Gordon, James Edward
GORDON. (Lieut., 1811. f-p., 11; h-p., 32.)
James Edward Gordon entered the Navy, 16 April, 1804, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Ville de Paris 110, Capt. Thos. Le Marchant Gosselin, flagship in the Channel of Hon. Wm. Cornwallis, by whom he was soon awarded the rating of Midshipman. Between 25 Nov. 1806 and 5 May, 1811, he served, on the Mediterranean and Lisbon stations, in the Royal Sovereign 100, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Edw. Thornbrough, Malta 84, Capt. Robt. Waller Otway, Ville de Paris again, flag-ship at the time of Lord Collingwood, and Barfleur 98, bearing the flag of Hon. Geo. Cranfield Berkeley. He then became Acting-Lieutenant of the Vestal, Capt. Maurice Fred. Fitzhardinge Berkeley, and on 17 of the same month had the fortune to be confirmed by the Admiralty. His succeeding appointments were – on the North Sea and American stations – 16 Nov. 1811, to the Valiant 74, Capt. Robt. Dudley Oliver – 21 Dec. 1812, to the Lacedaemonian 38, Capt. Sam. Jackson – and 16 Nov. 1814, to the command of the St. Lawrence schooner, of 12 12-pounder carronades, 1 long 9-pounder, and 51 men. In the latter vessel Mr. Gordon had the ill luck, while proceeding with despatches from Rear-Admiral Cockburn relative to the peace between Great Britain and the United States, to be captured, after a desperate and sanguinary action, by the American privateer brig Chasseur, of 6 long 9-pounders, 8 18-pounder carronades, and 115 men, 26 Feb. 1815.[1] Being shortly afterwards, however, retaken, the St. Lawrence, in compliance with the orders of Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon, was commissioned afresh at the Havana by her late Commander, who nevertheless went on half-pay on 23 of the following April, and has not since been employed.
Lieut. Gordon sat for some time as M.P. for Dundalk. He married, 25 Oct. 1836, Barbara, daughter of the late Sam. Smith, Esq., of Berkeley Square, London, and of Woodnall Park, Herts. Agents – Coplands and Burnett.
- ↑ Mr. James, in his Naval History, has erroneously attributed the command of the St. Lawrence to Lieut. Henry Cranmer Gordon, an account of whose services we have given above.