A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Lawrence, Daniel
LAWRENCE. (Captain, 1816. f-p., 17; h-p., 32.)
Daniel Lawrence has two brothers, we believe, in the Royal Marines, both of whom served with great credit during the late war with America.
This officer entered the Navy in March, 1798, as a Volunteer, on board the Grand Falconer hired cutter, Lieut.-Commander John Chilcott, stationed off the coast of France; and on removing to the Cynthia sloop, Capt. Micajah Malbon, was employed as Midshipman and Master’s Mate in the expeditions to Holland, Quiberon, Ferrol, and Egypt. He continued to serve with Capt. Malbon in the Aurora 28, and Hebe 32, on the Newfoundland, Home, and African stations, until April, 1806, and, while in the latter ship, was often engaged with the enemy’s flotilla and batteries near Boulogne. Proceeding next to the West Indies, Mr. Lawrence, after he had been there borne for short periods as a Supernumerary on the books of the Dolphin, Canada, and Northumberland, flag-ships of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, was successively nominated, in June, 1806, and Jan. 1807, Sub and Acting Lieutenant of the Orinoco, Lieut.-Commander Geo. Alex. Briarly, and Heureux 16, Capts. Wm. Coombe and John Watt. Being confirmed to the latter vessel by commission dated 19 May, 1808, we find him, on 28 of the following Nov., accompanying three boats under the personal command of Capt. Coombe in an attempt to cut out seven vessels lying under the protection of two batteries in the harbour of Mahaut, Guadeloupe. Having arrived at their destination after a row of about six hours, Lieut. Lawrence – while Capt. Coombe, in the barge with 19 men, was boarding a schooner of 2 guns and 39 men – landed with the remainder of the party, amounting to about 44 officers and men, and spiked the two 24-pounders upon the nearest battery. He then succeeded in boarding a brig; but, before either the schooner or the brig could be got off, the shore was lined with musketry, and 3 field-pieces were brought to bear upon the two captured vessels. These, having the misfortune to ground on their way out, became fixed objects for the enemy’s fire, and were ultimately abandoned, but not until Capt. Coombe had been killed and Lieut. Lawrence wounded by a musket-ball just above the wrist. Having distinguished himself in various other boat attacks, our officer (to whom the Patriotic Society awarded a gratuity for the injury we have alluded to) was permitted, as soon as he had served the necessary time, to ascend the next step in his profession, and his commission as Commander accordingly bears date 19 May, 1810. Previously, however, to his promotion, Capt. Lawrence appears to have been in acting-command of the Wanderer sloop at the reduction of Guadeloupe. His next and last appointments were, 28 May, 1814, and 21 Oct. 1815, to the Alceste and Weser troop-ships, in the former of which he attended the expedition to New Orleans. He acquired his present rank 2 Sept. 1816, and accepted the Retirement 1 Oct. 1846.