A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Henri, Alphonso
HENRI. (Lieutenant, 1812. f-p., 41; h-p., 1.)
Alphonso Henri entered the Navy, 28 Nov. 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Astrea 32, Capt. Jas. Carthew; in which frigate, and in the Crescent 36, commanded by the same officer, he was for many months employed with the in-shore squadron off Brest, and off the Texel. In Aug. 1807 he was sent, as Midshipman, with only 1 man, to navigate into Yarmouth Roads a prize under Kniphausen colours, on board of which were 15 prisoners, who, on the wind suddenly shifting, and blowing hard on the Dutch coast, rose and retook their vessel. The latter being soon, however, chased by a British cruizer, ran on shore and was wrecked, owing to which catastrophe several of the crew were drowned. Mr. Henri, we may add, was himself saved by the intrepidity of a gendarme, who, witnessing his peril, swam off on hoiseback to his rescue. After nine months of imprisonment he joined, 27 May, 1808, the Roebuck 44, flag-ship at Yarmouth of Vice-Admiral Billy Douglas, but removing in a few days to the Gloire 38, commanded by his old Captain, Jas. Carthew, he was for some time employed in that frigate at the blockade of Cherbourg, and then at the reduction of Martinique. Immediately after the latter event Mr. Henri was appointed Master’s Mate of the Frolic 18, Capt. Thos. Whinyates, part of the force engaged in the ensuing capture of the Saintes. Rejoining the Gloire, a few months subsequently, he assisted at the taking of Guadeloupe in Feb. 1810, and continued to be borne on her books until June, 1811. During that period, while Mr. Henri had charge of an American prize, the watch below, it appears, subjected themselves to the stupification of opium, and thereby afforded the enemy an opportunity of making an attack upon the watch on deck, and, after a fierce struggle, of regaining their ascendancy. Being allowed the option of either going to America or of taking his chance in the long-boat, Mr. Henri accepted the latter, and, accompanied by some others, had the good fortune, with no other shelter than that yielded by a blanket, to make the island of Barbuda, and in the end reach Antigua, where lay the Gloire. He was ultimately, while in the Dragon 74, flag-ship of Sir Fras. Laforey, promoted, 20 Dec. 1811, three days after he had passed his examination, to an Acting-Lieutenancy in the Amaranthe 18, Capt. Geo. Pringle. He was superseded at Antigua 30 June, 1812, but on his ensuing return to England found that, by a strange coincidence, he had been that very day promoted iiy the Admiralty. His appointments have since been – 13 Dec. 1812, to the Cumberland 74, Capt. Thos. Baker, with whom he again sailed for the West Indies – 27 Jan. 1813, to the Grampus 50, bearing the flag on that station of Sir F. Laforey – 14 Feb. 1813, to the Tribune 36, Capt. Geo. Reynolds – 18 Sept. 1813, to the Raven 16, Capts. Geo. Gustavus Lennock and Edw. Lloyd, during his continuance in which vessel he was employed on a branch of the Scheldt in the campaign of 1813-14, and commanded a division of boats on special service up the Gulf of Paria – 27 Oct. 1815, to the Hope 10, Capt. Hen. Fyge Jauncey, employed in the Channel, where he served until snperseded at his own request in March, 1817 – 17 Feb. 1818, to the Ramillies 74, flag-ship at Leith of Sir Wm. Johnstone Hope – 11 Sept. 1818, to the command of the Viper cutter, in which he cruized very successfully against the Channel smugglers, and was on one occasion so nearly murdered that the Treasury offered a reward of 200l. for the apprehension of the offenders- and, 17 Dec. 1821, to the Coast Guard, in which service he still continues.
While on the books of the Hope, but detached in some other vessel, Lieut. Henri was wrecked on the coast of Devon, on which occasion, out of eight persons, himself and another, whom he had the good fortune to rescue, were the only persons saved. He has been in the commission of the peace for co. Mayo since Dec. 1834. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.