A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Miles, Lawford
MILES. (Lieutenant, 1825.)
Lawford Miles entered the Navy 4 Aug. 1806; and while serving as Midshipman of the Amethyst, of 42 guns and 261 men, assisted at the capture, 11 Nov. 1808, off L’Orient, of the French frigate La Thétis, of 44 guns and 436 men, including troops, which was boarded and carried at the close of a furious conflict of more than three hours, in which the British had 19 men killed and 51 (including himself severely) wounded, and the enemy 135 killed and 102 wounded.[1] The injury he sustained on the occasion was at first rewarded by a gratuity from the Patriotic Fund, and subsequently by a pension of 6l. On 6 April, 1809, he was further present in a severe intermittent action of about four hours, which terminated in the capture, with a loss to the Amethyst of 8 men killed and 37 wounded, of another of the enemy’s frigates, Le Niemen, of 46 guns and 339 men, of whom 47 were slain and 73 wounded. During his stay in the Amethyst Mr. Miles also served in the boats at the capture and destruction of a convoy off Chasseron Tower; and was a participator in the operations connected with the expedition to the Walcheren. In Aug. 1816 (he had passed his examination in the course of the preceding year) we find him on board the Queen Charlotte 100, flag-ship of Lord Exmouth, at the battle of Algiers. He was made Lieutenant, 4 April, 1825, into the Menai 26, Capt. Houston Stewart, on the Halifax station, whence he invalided in the following April; and, since 19 Oct. 1846, has been serving as Agent on board a contract mail steam-vessel.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1808, p. 1555.