A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Martin, Alexander
MARTIN. (Lieut., 1811. f-p., 19; h-p., 33.)
Alexander Martin entered the Navy, in June, 1795, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Triumph 74, Capts. Sir Erasmus Gower and Wm. Essington, under the latter of whom he fought in the action off Camperdown 11 Oct. 1797. In Jan. 1799 he removed to the Formidable 98, Capts. Jas. Hawkins Whitshed, Edw. Thornbrough, and Rich. Grindall; and in that ship he served in the Channel, Mediterranean, and West Indies until Sept 1802 – towards the close of the period in the capacity of Midshipman. Rejoining Capt. Grindall, in 1803, on board the Prince 98, he was for upwards of three years employed with him in the Channel and off the Port of Cadiz, and was afforded an opportunity of sharing in the battle of Trafalgar 21 Oct. 1805. After an attachment of some months to the Glory 98, Capt. Wm. Albany Otway, and Prince 98, flagship of Rear-Admiral John Child Purvis, both stationed off Cadiz, he was nominated, about Dec. 1807, Acting-Lieutenant of the Terrible 74, Capt. Lord Henry Paulet, part of the force employed in the Mediterranean, where, in Feb. 1810, he joined, in a similar capacity, the Alacrity 18, Capt. Nesbit Palmer. In May, 1811, that vessel was unfortunately captured by the enemy, a catastrophe, however, Mr. Martin escaped, from the circumstance of his being at the time absent in charge of a Greek prize. He was confirmed a Lieutenant 29 Oct. in the same year; and was lastly, from 2 of the ensuing month until 18 Jan. 1815, employed on the Leith station in the Nightingale 16, Capt. Christopher Nixon.