A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Molesworth, Bourchier
MOLESWORTH. (Commander, 1814. f-p., 16; h-p., 33.)
Bourchier Molesworth is fifth son of the late Robt. Molesworth, Esq., and great-grandson of the first Viscount Molesworth. One of his brothers, Arthur, a Major-General in the E.I.Co.’s service, died 7 Jan. 1843; and another, Bysse Cole, a Major in the Army, died 4 Dec. 1819. He is second-cousin of the present Commander John Molesworth, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 5 July, 1798, as Midshipman, on board the Excellent 74, commanded in the Mediterranean by Capt. Cuthbert Collingwood; and from the early part of the following year until Jan. 1805 was employed, at first under the flag of the same officer, in the Triumph 74, Capts. Thos. Seccombe, Elias Harvey, and Sir Robt. Barlow, on the Channel and Mediterranean stations. He was then nominated Sub-Lieutenant of the Hardy gun-brig, Lieut.-Commander Rodney Augustus Reid, lying at Portsmouth; and on 14 of the following Oct. he was promoted to a full Lieutenancy in La Chiffone 36, Capts. Patrick Campbell and John Wainwright, again in the Mediterranean; where, and on the West India, Home, and Lisbon stations, he further, from April, 1808, until advanced to his present rank, 16 May, 1814, served in the Eagle 74, Capt. Chas. Rowley, Dauntless sloop, Capt. Josias Wittman, Sceptre 74, Capt. Sam. Jas, Ballard (under whom, antecedently to a participation in the operations against Guadeloupe, he witnessed the destruction, 18 Dec. 1809, of the French 40-gun frigates Loire and Seine, lying under the protection of several strong batteries in L’Ance la Barque), Star sloop, Capt. Wm. Paterson, Orpheus 36, Capt. Robt. Preston, Dragon 74, flagship of Sir Fras. Laforey, Thetis and Tribune frigates, Capts. Wm. Henry Byam and Geo. Reynolds, Stirling Castle and Bellerophon 74’s, both commanded by Capt. Brine, Rippon 74, Capt. Sir Christ. Cole, Stately 64, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Geo. Martin, and Royal Charlotte yacht, Capt. Thos. Eyles. He has since been on half-pay.