A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Jones, Robert Parker
JONES. (Retired Commander, 1840. f-p., 19; h-p., 32.)
Robert Parker Jones was born 30 April, 1786.
This officer entered the Navy, 5 Nov. 1796, as a Volunteer, on board the Agincourt 64, Capt. John Williamson and John Lawford, under the former of whom he bore a part, as Midshipman, in the battle fought off Camperdown 11 Oct. 1797. In Feb. 1798 he removed to the Nautilus sloop, Capt. Henry Gunter, which vessel was wrecked, off Flamborough Head, 2 Feb. 1799. Joining then the Harpy 18, Capts. Henry Bazely, Wm. Birchall, and Chas. Worsley Boys, he was afforded an opportunity of witnessing in that vessel the capture of the French frigate Pallas, and of participating in the action off Copenhagen 2 April, 1801. He was next employed for a period of three years, on the Irish, African, and West India stations, in the Princess Charlotte frigate, Capt. Hon. Fras. Farington Gardner, Penguin 18, Capt. Geo. Morris, and Inconstant 36, Capt. Edw. Stirling Dickson; after which he proceeded in the Weymouth to India, and was there (having passed his examination in July, 1803) appointed, 25 Dec. 1805, Acting-Lieutenant of the Albion 74, Capt. John Ferrier. Being confirmed to that ship 30 Aug. 1806, he continued in her until he returned to England in June, 1809.[1] His succeeding appointments were, in March and Dec. 1810, and in Feb. 1812, to the Edgar, Tremendous, and Cressy 74’s, Capts. Stephen Poyntz, Robt. Campbell, Chas. Dudley Pater, and Chas. Dashwood, employed on the Baltic, Channel, and West India stations. The Cressy, of which he had been for upwards of two years First-Lieutenant, he left in May, 1814. He accepted his present rank 9 July, 1840.
Commander Jones married, 23 July, 1819, Jane, second daughter of the late Lieut-General Lewis, of the Royal Artillery.
- ↑ On her passage home the Albion encountered a dreadful hurricane, which proved fatal to three East Indiamen under her convoy. It was with the greatest difficulty that she herself could be kept afloat during the remainder of the voyage.