A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Irvine, Thomas Johnson
IRVINE. (Lieut., 1813. f-p., 10; h-p., 32.)
Thomas Johnson Irvine entered the Navy, 30 Sept. 1805 (under the auspices of H.R.H. the Duke of Clarence), as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Superb 74, commanded by the late Sir Rich. Goodwin Keats, in which ship he fought under the flag of Sir John Duckworth in the action off St. Domingo, 6 Feb. 1805, and attended, in the capacity of Midshipman, the expeditions to Copenhagen and Flushing. He was also present, in Aug. 1808, at the embarkation from Nyeborg of the Spanish army under the Marquis de la Bomana, to whom he acted on the occasion as Aide-de-Camp. In July, 1810, after he had cruized for a short time off Brest in the Poictiers 74, Capt. John Poo Beresford, he rejoined Sir R. G. Keats on board the Milford 74, employed at the defence of Cadiz, where he assumed a command in the flotilla, and assisted in storming several of the enemy’s batteries. He continued, until Nov. 1813, to serve with the last-mentioned officer on the Mediterranean, Home, and Newfoundland stations, in the Hibernia 120, Centaur 74, and as Lieutenant (commission dated 20 June, 1813) in the Bellerophon 74. While belonging to the Hibernia, Mr. Irvine twice jumped overboard, and had each time the happiness of saving the life of a man. He was lastly, from 8 Feb. 1826 until 31 Dec. 1827, cmployed in the Coast Blockade as Supernumerary-Lieutenant of the Hyperion 42, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye.
Lieut. Irvine has taken out a patent for certain improvements in packing-cases, boxes, trunks, portmanteaus, and other articles for containing goods, which improvements may be made applicable to the preservation of life at sea. He is married, and has issue. Agents – Coplands and Burnett.