A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Kingdon, John
KINGDON. (Lieut., 1812. f-p., 18; h-p., 33.)
John Kingdon entered the Navy, 9 March, 1796, as L.M., on board the Shannon 32, Capt. Alex. Fraser, stationed in the North Sea; and from Aug. 1798 until Sept. 1801 was employed, chiefly as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, in the Chapman armed ship, Capts. Robert Keen and Thos. Browne, at Newfoundland and in the Downs. During the next three years we find him discharging the duties of Acting-Master in the Rosario sloop, Capts. Rich. Byron and Wm. Mounsey, on the West India, Home, Mediterranean, and Irish stations. After a further servitude of some months, as Master’s Mate, in the Hibernia 110, flag-ship in the Channel of Lord Gardner, he was successively appointed Sub-Lieutenant, 21 Sept. 1805, and 1 April, 1806, of the Pickle and Inveterate gun-brigs, Lieut.-Commanders John Richards Lapenotiere, Daniel Callaway, and Geo. Norton; the former of which vessels had the fortune, while participating in the battle of Trafalgar, to save a great part of the crew of the French 74-gun ship L’Achille when in flames, and was afterwards sent home with the despatches announcing the victory. The Inveterate being wrecked near St. Valery-en-Caux 18 Feb. 1807, Mr. Kingdon had the misfortune to be detained a prisoner in France until the peace of 1814. He has not been since afloat. His commission bears date 20 Nov. 1812.