A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Griffiths, Edward
GRIFFITHS. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 16; h-p., 28.)
Edward Griffiths was born 22 Nov. 1792, at Plymouth, co. Devon.
This officer entered the Navy, 2 April, 1803, as Third-cl. Vol., on board the Gladiator, Lieut. Commander John Bell Connolly, bearing the flag at Portsmouth of Rear-Admiral John Holloway; from which ship he soon afterwards removed to the Magnificent 74, Capt. Wm. Henry Jervis, forming part of the in-shore squadron off Brest, where he was wrecked during a gale of wind on the Black Rocks in March, 1804. Between 21 June, 1804, and 17 Feb. 1814, he was employed in succession with Capt. Chas. Dashwood on board the Bacchante 20, Franchise 36, Pyramus 38, and Cressy 74, chiefly as Midshipman and Master’s Mate. In addition to the services detailed in our memoir of that officer, Mr. Griffiths, in 1806, while serving in the Franchise, fought and was wounded by a musket-ball passing through his right thigh in an action with four Spanish armed brigs off the Havana. Shortly after leaving the Cressy he joined the Tonnant 80, bearing the flag of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, under whom, besides participating in many active operations in the Chesapeake, he attended the expedition against New Orleans, where he was attached to the Rocket Brigade, and assisted in taking the enemy’s fort on the left bank of the Mississippi. Attaining the rank of Lieutenant 2 Feb. 1815, he next, from 18 March to 24 June following, served in that capacity on board the Majestic 58, Capt. John Hayes. From 27 July, 1825, until Sept. 1827, and from 14 July, 1843, until 22 Feb. 1844, wefind him employed both in the Coast Blockade and in the Transport service. Between 18 April, 1845, and May, 1847, Mr. Griffiths was again engaged in the latter department of the Navy. While employed on the Coast Blockade he received two letters of thanks from the Admiralty and the French Consul-General for his exertions in saving the hull and cargo of vessels driven on shore in gales of wind off Winchelsea.