A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Jennings, Edward
JENNINGS. (Lieut., 1813. f-p., 23; h-p., 19.)
Edward Jennings, born 28 Aug. 1793, at Kelvedon, co. Essex, is eldest son of David Jennings, Esq., of Ballingrove, Ireland, a Captain in the Army, by Mary, eldest daughter of Colin Campbell, Esq., of Jamaica.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College in Aug. 1805; and embarked in Jan. 1809, as Midshipman, on board the Valiant 74, Capts. John Bligh, Thos. Geo. Shortland, John Nash, and Robt. Dudley Oliver. After witnessing Lord Cochrane’s destruction of the shipping in Aix Roads, sharing also in the attack upon Flushing, and serving off Rochefort and L’Orient, he successively joined, in 1811-12, the Christian VII. and Impregnable, both flagships in the North Sea of Admiral Wm. Young, and the Inconstant 36, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Edw. W. C. R. Owen. During a winter-cruize of three months in the latter ship among the Western Isles, in 1812-13, Mr. Jennings, who had passed his examination in Sept. 1812, had charge of a watch, and was employed, with the Dublin 74, in search of an American squadron. On 27 May, 1813, he was appointed Acting-Lieutenant of the Calliope 10, Capt. John M‘Kerlie, under whom we find him stationed in the river Elbe during the occupation of Hamburg and Cuxhaven by the French. In the following Sept. he joined the Richmond 12, Capt. Edw. O’Shaughnessy, into which vessel, it appears, he had been confirmed by commission bearing the same date as his acting order. Mr. Jennings’ next appointment was, 27 March, 1814, to the Niobe 38, commanded at first by Capt. •Wm. Augustus Montagu as an Active frigate on the Lisbon station, and afterwards as an hospital and troop ship by Capt. Henry Colins Deacon; under whom he conveyed the sick of the Russian Imperial Guards to Cronstadt, and, independently of a participation in several particular services, assisted at the reduction of Guadeloupe in 1815. The Niobe being paid off in March, 1816, he was afterwards employed in command – from 24 Nov. 1823 until June, 1828, again from 6 June, 1834, until Feb. 1839, and from the latter date until March, 1842 – of the Plover, Tyrian, and Alert packets, on the Mediterranean, North and South American, West India, and Lisbon stations.
Lieut. Jennings is the author of a nautical work of great practical utility, teeming with instruction to officers of all ages, stamped with the approbation of the Lords of the Admiralty, and adapted as well to the merchant as the naval service.[1] He married, 17 Dec. 1818, Mary Jane, eldest daughter of Lieut.-Col. J. C. Tufnell, of Bath, by whom he has issue three sons and two daughters.
- ↑ ‘Practical Hints addressed to Seamen, for preventing Accidents on board Ship, and especially for guarding against Hurricanes, Collision, Fire, &c.’ Lond. 8vo. R. B. Bate, 1844.