A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hughes, Thomas
HUGHES. (Retired Commander, 1839.)
Thomas Hughes died 29 Jan. 1845, at Brompton, co. Middlesex.
This officer entered the Navy, 24 Dec. 1796, as Midshipman, on board the Madras 54, Capt. John Dilkes, in which ship he continued to serve as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, on the West India, Mediterranean, and Home stations, until Feb. 1804. He then removed to the Agincourt 64, Capt. Thos. Briggs; and on 22 Jan. 1806, after a servitude of some months, as Sub-Lieutenant, in the Mercator, Capt. Jas. Welch, and Snipe, Lieut.-Commander Champion, he was presented with a commission conferring on him the rank of full Lieutenant. He joined, about the same period, the Spitfire sloop, Capt. Henry Sam. Butt, employed in the North Sea and Channel, but in Oct. following was obliged to go on shore in consequence of a wound in the side. In the course of 1807 he obtained appointments to the Bellerophon and Elizabeth 74’s, Capts. Edw. Rotheram and Hon. Henry Curzon, under the latter of whom he served for a short time at the blockade of Lisbon. He again went on half-pay in Dec. 1807, and owing to the effects of his wound, was unable, we believe, to accept further employment afloat. During a few months in 1815-16, and for some time subsequent to Oct. 1822, he appears to have had charge of the Telegraph at Chelsea Hospital. He became a Retired Commander 5 Jan. 1839.