A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Knapman, John
KNAPMAN. (Lieutenant, 1809.)
John Knapman is brother of Lieut. Edw. Knapman, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 Jan. 1801, as Midshipman, on board the Prince of Wales 98, Capt. Wm. Prowse, bearing the flag of Sir Robt. Calder in the Channel, where, in 1802, he joined the Sirius 36, also commanded by Capt. Prowse. In 1803 he removed to the Téméraire 98, Capt. Elias Harvey, and from that ship, after he had fought at Trafalgar, he was draughted, in March, 1806, into the Achille 74, Capt. Rich. King. On 25 of the following Sept. we find him present at the capture, off Rochefort, of four heavy French frigates by a squadron under the orders of Sir Sam. Hood. He was next, between 1807 and his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant 14 Sept. 1809, employed, off Cape Finisterre, Cadiz, and Toulon, in the Tonnant 80, and Ocean 98, flag-ships of Admirals E. Harvey and Lord Collingwood. During the remainder of the war he served on the Mediterranean and Home stations in the Nettuno (afterwards Cretan), Favourite, Electra, and Albacore sloops, and Cressy 74, Capts. Chas. Fred. Payne, Benj. Clement, H. Gregory, Henry Thos. Davies, and Chas. Dashwood. Under Capt. Davies of the Albacore, Lieut. Knapman took part, 18 Dec. 1812, in a gallant action, in which that vessel, when in company with the 14-gun schooner Pickle, 12-gun sloop Borer, and 4-gun cutter Landrail, beat off the French 40-gun frigate La Gloire, with a loss to herself of 1 Lieutenant killed and 6 or 7 men wounded. Through the influence of his late Majesty he obtained, 20 Nov. 1827, an appointment in the Coast Guard, which he retained until 18 Dec. 1832. He has since been on half-pay.
He is married and has issue.