A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Mann, Robert
MANN. (Commander, 1845. f-p., 33; h-p., 4.)
Robert Mann[1] is first-cousin of Commander H. W. Scott, R.N., Lieut. R. Y. M. Darracott, R.N., and R. M. Read, Esq., Purser and Paymaster, R.N. (1812.) His 11 paternal uncles (sons of Robert Mann, Esq., of Barton, near Plympton, Devon, a gentleman of property) were all swept away in the Naval and Military service of their country.
This officer entered the Navy, 16 May, 1810, as a Supernumerary (under the auspices of Vice-Admiral Robt. Man, a distant relative), on board the Salvador del Mundo, bearing the flag at Plymouth of Admiral Wm. Young, for the purpose of awaiting an opportunity to join the Royal George 100, commanded by Capt. Geo. Burgoyne Salt, with whom, in April, 1811, he removed as Midshipman to the Unicorn 32. Continuing in that frigate under the orders of Capts. Wm. Hext and Sam. Geo. Pechell until Oct. 1814, he served at the blockade of Basque Roads, L’Orient, and Brest, co-operated much with the patriots on the north coast of Spain, was stationed off the coast of Holland during the severe winter of 1813-14, escorted the Duke of Cambridge from Hanover to England, and cruized for some time off the coast of Norway. While on the latter service he was sent in charge of a prize from Christiansand to Leith, but was compelled, in consequence of the springing of a timber-head during a gale of wind off Rattray Head, to run the vessel ashore. On leaving the Unicorn we find him successively joining – 11 Nov. 1814, the Goldfinch 10, Capt. John Foote, whom he accompanied to the West Indies – 13 Feb. 1816, the Malta 84, from which ship, commanded at Plymouth by Capt. Thos. Gordon Caulfeild, he was lent, from April to Aug. 1816, to the Traave 38, armée en flûte, Capt. John Codd – 23 Feb. 1818 (after he had been for 12 months on shore), the Harlequin 18, Capts. Bennett, Parker, and Weeks, employed on the coast of Ireland, where he served upwards of six years – and, 16 June, 1824, the Ocean 80, bearing the flag in the Tagus of Lord Amelius Beauclerk, who, in Oct. 1824, and again in June, 1825, nominated him (solely for conduct) Lieutenant of the Superb 74, Capt. Sir Thos. Staines. His promotion being confirmed by commission dated 6 July, 1825, he was next, 28 Dec. 1829, appointed to the Coast Guard, in which service he remained (stationed for two years in Ireland, and for 14 at Hastings) until advanced, as a reward for meritorious behaviour, to his present rank 16 Jan. 1845. Since 3 July following he has been employed as Inspecting Commander of the Coast Guard at Kilrush – an appointment he received at the special recommendation of the Board of Customs.
Commander Mann married, 21 Dec. 1826, Julia, second daughter of Joseph Motton, Esq., of Teignmouth, by whom he has issue one son.
- ↑ The Commander’s name, although spelt as above in his baptismal certificate, is correctly ‘Man.’