A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hownam, Joseph Robert
HOWNAM. (Lieut., 1809. f-p., 11; h-p., 33.)
Joseph Robert Hownam entered the Navy, 13 March, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Africaine 38, Capt. Thos. Manby, stationed in the North Sea; and in the early part of 1804 became Midshipman of the Lively 38, Capt. Graham Eden Hamond. On 5 of the following Oct. the latter frigate had 2 of her men killed and 5 wounded, at the capture, off Cape St. Mary, of three Spanish frigates, laden with treasure, and the destruction of a fourth; and in the course of 1805 we find her sustaining a self-sought and very spirited skirmish with the Spanish 74-gun ship Glorioso. On next joining the Centaur 74, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Sam. Hood, Mr. Hownam was present, 25 Sept. 1806, at the capture, by that ship and the Mars and Monarch 74’s, of four heavy French frigates from Rochefort, on which occasion the British Commodore lost his arm. He also attended the expedition of 1807 to Copenhagen, and in Dec. of the same year was at the surrender of Madeira. After an attachment of more than 12 months to the Barfleur 98, flag-ship off Lisbon of Rear-Admirals Wm. Albany Otway and Chas. Tyler, and Lavinia 40, Capt. Lord Wm. Stuart, he was made Lieutenant, 4 May, 1809, into the Resistance 38, Capts. Chas. Adam, Philip L. J. Rosenhagen, and Fleetwood Broughton Reynolds Pellew, stationed in the Mediterranean; where, from 22 July, 1813, until he invalided in Jan. 1814, he Was further employed, as Senior, in the Undaunted 38, Capt. Thos. Ussher. On 9 Nov. 1813 Mr. Hownam commanded a detachment of seamen and marines, and distinguished himself by the gallant manner in which he effected the capture of a vigorously defended tower, 30 feet high, together with several batteries in the harbour of Port Nouvelle, where lay seven French vessels, whose destruction was at the same time accomplished.[1] Since he left the Undaunted he has been on half-pay.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1814, p. 124.