A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Imrie, John
IMRIE. (Lieutenant, 1811. f-p., 26; h-p., 28.)
John Imrie was born 23 Nov. 1784, at Rochester, co. Kent.
This officer entered the Navy, in March, 1793, as Boatswain’s Servant, on board the Robust 74, Capts. Hon. Geo. Keith Elphinstone, Edw. Thornbrough, Geo. Countess, Wm. Brown, and Wm. Henry Jervis. Continuing in that ship for upwards of eight years he served in consequence at the occupation of Toulon in Aug. 1793 – escorted to England the ships that were there taken – bore a part in Lord Bridport’s action 23 June, 1795 – attended the ensuing ill-fated expedition to Quiberon in support of the French Royalists – and on 12 Oct. 1798 was present as Midshipman with the force under Sir John Borlase Warren at the defeat of Commodore Bompart’s squadron, when the Hoche 74 struck to the Robust, after a very severe action, in which the latter sustained a loss of 10 men killed and 40 wounded. In Sept. 1801 Mr. Imrie was discharged into the Edgar 74, Capt. Robt. Waller Otway, which ship being paid off on her return from the West Indies in July, 1802, he shortly afterwards, on passing his examination, joined the Port Mahon 18, Capts. Walter Grosett and Martin Neville, and, in May, 1803, as Master’s Mate, the Plover 18, Capt. Rich. Turner Hancock. From April, 1804, until May, 1808, we find him serving, chiefly in the capacity last mentioned, on board the Courageux 74, Capts. Chas. Boyles, Rich. Lee, and Jas. Bissett; and participating during the period in Sir Rich. John Strachan’s action 4 Nov. 1805, as also in the capture, 13 March, 1806, of the Marengo 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Linois, and 40-gun frigate Belle Poule. He then proceeded to the Mediterranean in the Hyperion 36, Capt. Thos. Chas. Brodie, through whose recommendation and that of his former Captain, Bissett, he was ordered, on his arrival home with convoy towardp the close of 1809, to the West Indies for the purpose of joining Sir Alex. Cochrane as Admiralty Mate on promotion. After he had accordingly served with that officer for six months in the Pompée 74, and Neptune 98, he was nominated, 16 July, 1810, Acting-Lieutenant of the Frolic 18, Capt. Thos. Whinyates. It was not, however, until he had again served as Master’s Mate in the Dragon 74, flag-ship of Sir Fras. Laforey, and once more as Acting-Lieutenant in the Surinam sloop, that he succeeded in obtaining official promotion. His commission bears date 10 Sept. 1811. After twelve months of half-pay Mr. Imrie was next, in Sept. 1812, appointed to the Boxer 12, Capt. Sam. Blyth, fitting at Portsmouth, where, in the following month, he removed to the Barham 74, Capt. John Wm. Spranger, with whom he cruized in the Channel until March, 1813. Joining, 1 July following, the Egmont 74, Capt. Joseph Bingham, he was first employed at the blockade of Rochefort, and afterwards, in April, 1814, under the flag of Rear-Admiral Chas. Vinicombe Penrose, during the operations up the Gironde, where he witnessed the destruction of a French line-of-battle ship, three brigs of war, several smaller vessels, and of all the forts and batteries on the north side of the river. He left the Egmont 28 June, 1814; and was lastly, from 13 Nov. 1841, until the early part of 1846, employed as an Agent for Transports Afloat.
Lieut. Imrie married 27 Sept. 1812; and has issue 10 children.