A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Massie, Henry George
MASSIE. (Retired Commander, 1840. f-p., 15; h-p., 35.)
Henry George Massie entered the Navy, 15 Jan. 1797, as A.B., on board the Nassau 64, Capts. Herbert Sawyer and Edw. O’Bryen; on accompanying the latter of whom, as Midshipman, into the Monarch 74, he was afforded an opportunity of sharing, under the flag of Vice-Admiral Rich. Onslow, in the action off Camperdown, 11 Oct. in the same year, 1797. He continued in the Monarch with Vice-Admiral Archibald Dickson, on the North Sea station until March, 1800, and then joined the Hebe frigate, Capts. Wm. Birchall and Geo. Reynolds, attached to the force in the Mediterranean, where, on his removal to the Foudroyant 80, bearing the flag of Lord Keith, he took part in the operations of 1801 on the coast of Egypt. In Dec. 1803, nearly five months after he had left the ship last named, he was received on board the Neptune 98, Capts. Wm. O’Brien Drury and Sir. Thos. Williams; in which ship, and in the Monarch and Edgar 74’s, bearing the flag of Lord Keith, we find him continuously employed, in the Channel, until there nominated, 7 July, 1806, Acting-Lieutenant of the Daphne, Lieut.-Commander Price. He was officially promoted 9 Sept. following; and was subsequently appointed – 13 Nov. 1806, to the Flying Fish, Lieut.-Commander Goodwin, from which vessel, after witnessing the unsuccessful attack upon Buenos Ayres, he invalided in Sept. 1807 – 17 March, 1809, to the Africa 64, Capts. Loftus Otway Bland and Geo. Fred. Ryves, stationed in the Baltic – 14 Jan. 1811, to the Royal William flag-ship at Spithead of Sir Roger Curtis and Sir Rich. Bickerton – and, 6 Feb. 1813, to the Prospero sloop, Capt. John Hardy Godby, in the North Sea. He went on half-pay in the following Sept., and accepted his present rank 5 Oct. 1840. Agent – J. Hinxman.