A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hopkinson, Simon
HOPKINSON. (Commander, 1821. f-p., 22; h-p., 34.)
Simon Hopkinson entered the Navy, in June, 1795, as A.B., on board the Magnificent 74, Capt. Rich. Onslow, lying at Spithead, from which ship he was discharged in the following Sept. In June, 1795, he re-embarked on board the Lynx 20, Capt. Chas. Rowley, with whom, after serving, as Master’s Mate, in the Raison and Hussar, he sailed for the West Indies in the Unité 38. From that frigate, on the books of which his name was borne for four years, he removed, in Sept. 1800, with Capt. John Poo Beresford, who had latterly commanded her, to the Diana 38, also on the West India station, where, subsequently to the reduction of St. Bartholomew, St. Martin, &c., he joined the Leviathan 74, bearing the flag of Sir John Thos. Duckworth. He was made Lieutenant, 18 July, 1801, into the Hawk sloop, Capt. Benj. Walker, and, leaving her in Sept. 1802, was afterwards appointed – 16 Aug. 1803, to the St. Albans 64, Capt. John Temple – 14 Sept. 1804, to the Ruby 64, Capts. Chas. Rowley, John Temple, Thos. Masterman Hardy, John Draper, and Robt. Hall, in which ship he served off the ports of Cadiz and Lisbon, attended the expedition to Copenhagen, and, until he invalided in April, 1810, was further employed in the Baltic, under the flag of Rear-Admiral Manley Dixon – 27 Aug. 1810, to the Vengeur 74, Capt. Thos. Brown, attached to the force in the Channel – 28 Dec. 1810, to the command of the Tickler cutter, off Flushing, where he continued until Aug. 1815 – and 13 Aug. 1818, to the Pike. He retained the command of the latter vessel, on the Home station, until advanced to his present rank, 19 July, 1821; and has since been on half-pay.
Commander Hopkinson has a daughter, Caroline, who married, 29 Aug. 1836, Lieut.-Colonel Bowyer, C.B. Agent – J. Hinxman.