A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hoffman, Frederick
HOFFMAN. (Retired Captain, 1840. f-p., 14; h-p., 40.)
Frederick Hoffman entered the Navy, 18 Oct. 1793, as Midshipman, on board the Blonde 32, Capt. John Markham, with whom, after co-operating in the reduction of the French West India islands, he removed, in 1794, to the Hannibal 74, commanded subsequently by Capts. Joseph Bingham, Lewis, and Edw. Tyrrell Smith. In that ship he was present with Capt. Markham at the capture, 11 April, 1795, of the French frigate La Gentille of 42 guns, and also of several privateers. In 1798 he joined the Queen 98, bearing the flag of Sir Hyde Parker, by whom, on 17 Oct. in the following year, .he was appointed to a Lieutenancy in the Volage frigate, Capt. Fras. Vesey. At the peace of Amiens Mr. Hoffman, after many years of servitude in the West Indies, returned to England. His next appointments were – 14 March, 1803, to the Minotaur 74, Capt. Chas. John Moore Mansfield, from which ship, employed off the coast of France and in the Channel, he soon invalided – 28 Feb. 1805, to the Tonnant 80, Capt. Chas. Tyler, under whom he fought and was wounded at Trafalgar – and, 8 March, 1806, to the Diamond 38, Capt. Geo. Argles, employed off Havre de Grace and the coast of France. He was promoted, 22 Feb. 1808, to the command of the Favourite sloop, in which vessel, and in the Goelan, he again served on the West India station until the ensuing Oct. Capt. Hoffman’s last appointment was, 19 Dec. 1810, to the Apelles, another sloop. In that vessel, at the commencement of May, 1812, he was unfortunately run on shore to the westward of Boulogne, where himself and 19 of his people were obliged to surrender as prisoners of war. The remainder of his officers and crew contrived to effect their escape. He accepted his present rank 12 Sept. 1840. In consideration of the wound he received at Trafalgar, Capt. Hoffman was at the time presented with a gratuity by the Patriotic Society.