A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Jackson, George Vernon
JACKSON. (Capt., 1841. f-p., 26; h-p., 20.)
George Vernon Jackson, born 13 July, 1787, at Chalwood, co. Surrey, is eldest son of the late Geo. Jackson, Esq., of the Isle of Wight; and brother of the present Commander Caleb Jackson, R.N. Three of his brothers lost their lives in the service, viz., Thos. Vernon, who died Lieutenant of the Isis in 1809, from over exertion in bringing home despatches from Portugal; – William, who was lost off the Isle of France, when Purser of the Delight, in Feb. 1824; – and Chas. Reynolds, Midshipman of the Redwing, who was murdered on the coast of Africa in Nov. 1825.
This officer (whose name had been borne, since 5 May, 1795, on the books of the Trident, Minerva, Princess Augusta, and Maidstone) first embarked, in 1801, as Midshipman, on board the Trent 36, Capt. Sir Edw. Hamilton. After serving for some time in the Lapwing 28, Capt. Edw. Rotheram, in one of whose boats he narrowly escaped destruction, he joined, in Nov. 1802, the Carysfort 28, Capt. Robt. Fanshawe, who, on their arrival with convoy in the West Indies, caused a Lieutenant’s commission to be made out for Mr. Jackson, but was dissuaded from handing it to him by reason of his extreme youth. In June, 1804, on leaving the hospital at Antigua, our officer – one of the only two survivors out of 14 who had entered it together – was received on board the Ste. Lucie sloop, Capt. Geo. Edm. Byron Bettesworth. When next in the Busy 18, Capt. Wm. Henry Byam, he happened to be on duty at the fore-topmast-head of that brig when both topmasts were carried away, and again at the mast-head when she rolled her mainmast over the side. While attached, between May, 1805, and Nov. 1808, to the Cleopatra 32,