A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Gordon, John
GORDON. (Captain, 1818. f-p., 12; h-p., 30.)
The Honourable John Gordon is youngest brother of Rear-Admiral Hon. Wm. Gordon, R.N., M.P. This officer entered the Navy, 15 April, 1805, as L.M., on board the Medusa 38, Capt. Sir John Gore, with whom, after accompanying the late Marquess Cornwallis to India, and returning home with the remains of that distinguished nobleman, he removed, as Midshipman, in Feb. 1806, to the Revenge 74, and furtner served for a period of two years and nine months in the Channel and off Cadiz, lie then successively joined the Ardent 64, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Jas. Vashon, Conqueror 74, Capt. Edw. Fellowes, Peacock 38, Capt. Wm. Peake, Nymphe 36, Capts. Hon. Josceline Percy and Edw. Sneyd Clay, and Aquilon 32, Capt. Wm. Bowles, all employed on the Home station, where, in the Nymphe, he was wrecked, at the entrance of the Frith of Forth, 18 Dec. 1810. Being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 21 March, 1812, Mr. Gordon’s appointments in that capacity, we find, were, to the Révolutionnaire and Seahorse frigates, commanded on the Western Island and North American stations by Capts. John Chos. Woollcombe and Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon; the latter of which ships he left a few days subsequently to his advancement to the rank of Commander 15 June, 1814. After a ten months’ command of the Carnation 18, on the Newfoundland station, Capt. Gordon was there appointed, on 20 Nov. 1818, Acting-Captain of the Tamar 26. He was confirmed in Post-rank 31 Dec. following, but does not appear to have been invested with any further employment until appointed, 22 Feb. 1844, to the America 50. He resigned the command of that ship, after having intermediately served in her on the Pacific and Mediterranean stations, for the purpose of accepting the Retirement, 1 Oct. 1846. Agents – Pettet and Newton.