A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Morton, Thomas Constant Paggett
MORTON. (Lieut., 1812. f-p., 12; h-p., 33.)
Thomas Constant Paggett Morton entered the Navy, 2 Sept. 1802, as Sec.-cl. Boy, on board the Argo 44, Capts. Benj. Hallowell and Geo. Parker, employed in succession on the coast of Africa, and in the West Indies, Mediterranean, and North Sea. While in the West Indies, in 1803, he co-operated in the reduction of the islands of Ste. Lucie and Tobago. Becoming Midshipman, in Oct. 1804, of the Proselyte 28, Capts. Geo. Nich. Hardinge, Geo. Sayer, and John Chas. Woolcombe, he again, in the early part of 1805, sailed for the West Indies in escort of a large convoy. From Nov. in the latter year until Oct. 1811 we find him serving in the Illustrious 74, Capts. Wm. Shield, Wm. Robt. Broughton, Robt. Worgan Geo. Festing, and Robt. Maunsell, at first off Cadiz, and then in the East Indies, where, having assisted at the capture of Java, he removed to the Dasher sloop, Capt. Wm. Kelly. On his return to England in March, 1812, he became Master’s Mate of the Thisbe 28, bearing the flag of Sir Chas. Hamilton at Deptford; and in the following June he was received, in a similar capacity, on board the Impétueux 74, flag-ship off Lisbon of the late Sir Geo. Martin. He was confirmed a Lieutenant, 15 Oct. in the same year, in the San Juan 74, successive flag-ship of Rear-Admirals Sam. Hood Linzee and Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming at Gibraltar, whence, in the summer of 1814, he returned home in the Shearwater 10, Capt. John Townsend Coffin. He has since been on half-pay.