A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hawkins, Charles
HAWKINS. (Lieut., 1807. f-p., 22; h-p., 28.)
Charles Hawkins entered the Navy, 24 Dec. 1797, as A.B., on board the Chapman hired armed ship, Capt. Robt. Keen, with whom he continued to serve, principally as Midshipman, in the same vessel, and in the Spitfire sloop, until April, 1803; being much employed in the former in co-operation with the King’s troops, in the neighbourhood of Wexford, during the rebellion of 1798. On leaving the Spitfire he joined the Pickle schooner, of 10 guns and 35 men, Lieut.-Commanders John Kichards Lapenotiere and Daniel Callaway, in which vessel he had an opportunity of rendering much assistance to the Magnificent 74, when that ship was wrecked, near Brest, 25 March, 1804; of also participating in the battle of Trafalgar 21 Oct. 1805, with the despatches announcing the glorious result of which the Pickle was sent home; and of participating, as Sub-Lieutenant, in the capture, 3 Jan. 1807, of La Favorite privateer, of 14 guns and 70 men. Mr. Hawkins, who on the latter occasion received a slight wound, and distinguished himself by his activity and exertions in boarding and afterwards getting the prize clear, was for his conduct made Lieutenant, by commission dated on 7 of the same month, into the Humber armed ship, Capt. John Hill.[1] He afterwards joined – 26 Nov. 1807, the Hercule 74, Capt. Hon. John Colville, off Lisbon – 8 Nov. 1808, the Norge 74, Capt. John Sprat Rainier, which ship, employed on the same and Cadiz stations, he left in Aug. 1811 – 11 Sept. 1812, the Cordelia 10, Capt. Thos. Fortescue Kennedy, attached to the force in the Downs – and, 21 July, 1813, the Colossus 74, Capt. Thos. Alexander, stationed in the North Sea, whence he invalided in Feb. 1814. He assumed command, 12 Aug. 1839, of the Romney receiving-ship at the Havana; and since 9 Oct. 1841 has been in charge of a Semaphore station.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1807, p. 34.