A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Heaslop, John Colpoys
HEASLOP. (Commander, 1817. f-p., 1 1; h-p., 31.)
John Colpoys Heaslop entered the Navy, in April, 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Dragon 74, Capt. Edw. Griffith, one of Sir Robt. Calder’s fleet in the ensuing action of 22 July. In 1807 he successively became Midshipman of the Topaze 38, Capt. Anselm John Griffiths, and Sultan 74, commanded by his former Captain, Griffith, under whom, on 26 Oct. 1809, he assisted in causing the self-destruction, between Frontignan and Cette, of the French ships of the line Robuste and Lion. While afterwards serving with Capt. Chas. Bullen in the Volontaire and Cambrian frigates, Mr. Heaslop was much employed in co-operation with the patriots on the coast of Catalonia, particularly at the capture of Palamos and the siege of Tarragona. On 6 Nov. 1813, having been further attached for short periods to the Bulwark, Queen, and Bellona 74’s, Capts. Thos. Brown, Lord Colville, and Geo. M‘Kinley (in the latter of which ships he had made a voyage to St. Helena), he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant; a capacity in which he subsequently joined – 4 May, 1814, the Diadem 64, Capt. John Martin Hanchett, on the American station, where, previously to invaliding in the following Sept., he accompanied the boats of a squadron up St. Mary’s river, and was present in the attacks on Washington and New Orleans – 28 Oct. 1815, the Akbar 50, bearing the flag at Halifax of his patron,. Rear-Admiral Griffith – 21 June, 1816, the Niger 38, Capt. Sam. Jackson – and, in Nov. of the same year, the Forth frigate, as Flag-Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Griffith. He attained his present rank 24 June, 1817; but has not been since afloat. Agents – Messrs. Chard.