A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Mayne, Dawson
MAYNE. (Commander, 1829. f-p., 20; h-p., 15.)
Dawson Mayne, born 24 Dec. 1799, in Dublin, is seventh son of the Hon. Mr. Justice Mayne, of the Court of Queen’s Bench in that city; and cousin of the late Retired Commander Robert Mayne, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 18 Nov. 1812 (under the auspices of Admiral Sir John Colpoys), as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Ville de Paris 110, Capt. Geo. Burlton, lying at Portsmouth; and in the following March sailed with a large convoy for the East Indies and China, in the Doris 36, Capt. Robt. O’Brien. While in that frigate he was employed blockading several American merchantmen in the harbour of Whampoa; during his stay off which place, having landed on an island with a party of four boys, he was attacked by a body of Chinese, who dragged him up a hill with a rope round his neck, and were only prevented from carrying him off through a feeling of alarm, induced by the appearance of the Doris and another frigate in the offing. Removing, in Jan. 1815, as Midshipman (a rating he had attained more than twelve months previously), to the Malacca 36, Capts. Donald Hugh Mackay and Geo. Henderson, he returned soon to England; and in the course of the same year was successively received on board the Trent, flag-ship at Cork of Sir Herbert Sawyer, and Leander 60, Capts. Wm. Skipsey and Edw. Chetham. After assisting, 27 Aug. 1816, in the bombardment of Algiers, where a slight wound in the foot and a severe one in the thigh procured him a grant from the Patriotic Fund, and a pension which lasted until his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, Mr. Mayne proceeded with the flag of Sir David Milne to North America, where, in July, 1817, he joined the Harrier 18, Capt. Sir Chas. Thos. Jones, and, in Jan. 1819, the Newcastle 60, flag-ship of Rear-Adrairal Edw. Griffith, under whom he continued employed as an Acting and confirmed Lieutenant (order and commission respectively dated 16 Oct. 1820 and 5 Feb. 1821) until Jan. 1822. His next appointments were, 26 July, 1825, and 18 May, 1828, to the Druid 46, Capt. Sam. Chambers, and Barham 50, bearing the flag of Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming; in the former of which ships (they were both stationed in the West Indies) we find him escorting General Bolivar and suite from La Guiara to Carthagena. On 14 Aug. 1829 he was promoted to the command of the Icarus 10, also in the West Indies; where, on 22 July, 1830, he was transferred to that of the Sparrowhawk 18. He was nominated, 28 Oct. 1831, Acting-Captain of the Magnificent receiving-ship at Port Royal, Jamaica, in which he continued until Feb. 1832, when she was reduced to a Lieutenant’s command. He was afterwards employed as an Inspecting Commander in the Coast Guard at Sheerness, Hastings, and Brighton, from 25 Sept. 1834 until Oct. 1837; and on the north coast of Ireland and again at Hastings from 2 May, 1839, until Feb. 1840.
Commander Mayne has filled the post, since 6 Feb. 1840, of Chief Constable of the Rural Police for co. Salop. He married, 14 May, 1840, Elizabeth Mary, youngest daughter of the late Wm. Hewitt, Esq., of the island of Jamaica, and cousin of Viscount Hill. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.