A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hammond, Charles
HAMMOND. (Lieut., 1805. f-p., 18; h-p. 32.)
Charles Hammond entered the Navy, 10 May, 1797, as Midshipman, on board the Havock, Capt. Philip Bartholomew, lying in Hamoaze; and, from the close of the same year until the summer of 1802, was employed, on the African, Home, and West India stations, in the Hornet 18, Capt. Jas. Nash. In 1803, on his return from the West Indies, where he had continued to serve, as Master’s Mate, in the Excellent 74, Commodore Hon. Robt. Stopford, he joined the Topaze 36, Capts. Willoughby Thos. Lake, Anselm John Griffiths, Henry Hope, and Edw. Harvey, to which frigate he continued attached, on the Cork and Mediterranean stations, the greater part of the time as Lieutenant (commission dated 23 March, 1805), until Jan. 1812. During that period, among other dashing services, Mr. Hammond, on 12 March, 1809, took part, near Corfu, in a very spirited action which terminated in the beating off by the Topaze of the two French 40-gun frigates Danaé and Flore; and about the same period he received a severe wound, which nearly deprived him of the use of his right hand, at the cutting out of two vessels on the coast of Italy. Notwithstanding this misfortune, he again, on 31 of the following May, took command of the boats, and, by dint of sterling gallantry, succeeded, with a loss of only 1 man killed and another wounded, although encountered by a galling fire from the enemy and many severe obstacles, in capturing nine vessels lying at anchor in the road of Demata, behind a reef of rocks under the fortress of Santa Maura. The prizes on the occasion were loaded with timber and brandy on Government account, and were bound to Corfu, where their cargoes were much needed. They consisted, besides four trabacolos, of a xebec of 8 carriage-guns, 6 swivels, and a crew of 55 men; of one cutter of 4, and one felucca of 3 guns; and of two gun-boats of 1 gun each. So great was the admiration entertained of this exploit by Capt. Griffiths, that we find him recommending Mr. Hammond, who was at the time his First Lieutenant in the very strongest manner to notice.[1] The next occasion on which we perceive mention of our valiant but ill-rewarded officer was on 31 Oct. 1809, when he took charge of the boats of the Topaze, and, in unison with those of a squadron under Lieut. John Tailour, contributed to the capture and destruction, in the Bay of Rosas – despite a fierce opposition from the crews, and a fire from the batteries inflictive of a loss on the British of 15 men killed and 55 wounded – of the French armed store-ship Lamproie, of 16 guns and 116 men, bombards Victoire and Grandeur, armed xebec Normande, and a convoy of seven merchantmen.[2]’ His last appointment was, 11 Aug. 1812, to the Nimrod sloop, Capts. Nathaniel Mitchell, Vincent Newton, and Geo. Hilton, stationed off the coast of North America, whence he returned in May, 1815. On 21 of the ensuing June he again presents himself to our notice as commanding the boats of the Topaze, and effecting the capture, in conjunction with those of the Alceste under Lieut. Andw. Wilson, of two vessels in the Bay of Martino, in the island of Corsica, where a 3-gun battery which protected the entrance of the bay was carried by a detachment of seamen and marines, and the guns rendered unserviceable; the enemy in the affair being occasioned a loss of several men killed and wounded, and the British 1 man killed and 2 wounded.[3] Agents – Messrs. Ommanney.