A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Murray, James Arthur
MURRAY. (Captain, 1816. f-p., 16; h-p., 28.)
James Arthur Murray, born 10 March, 1790, is only son of the late Lord Wm. Murray, by Mary Ann, daughter of Jas. Hodges, Esq.; grandson of John, third Duke of Atholl, who, in 1763, disposed of the sovereignty of the Isle of Man to the British Government for 70,000l.; and nephew of George, late Bishop of Rochester. He is cousin of Lieut. Colonel Rich. Murray, who died in Oct. 1843; and of the present Lieuts. A. G. E. Murray and C. M. Aynsley, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 27 June, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board La Chiffonne 36, Capt. Chas. Adam, in which frigate, after having been for some time employed in blockading a French corvette and brig on the coast of Norway, he assisted (in company with the Falcon sloop. Clinker gun-brig, and Frances armed cutter) in driving on shore under the batteries of Fécamp, 10 June, 1805, a division of the French flotilla, consisting of 2 corvettes and 15 gun-vessels, carrying in all 51 guns, 4 8-inch mortars, and 3 field-pieces, accompanied by 14 transports. In the following Sept., six months after he had obtained the rating of Midshipman, he removed with Capt. Adam to the Resistance 38, and was in consequence afforded an opportunity of witnessing the surrender, 13 March, 1806, of the Marengo 80, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Linois, and 40-gun frigate Belle Poule. In the course of 1808 we find him engaged in escorting a large body of general officers to the coast of Portugal, in embarking the wounded at the battle of Vimiera, and in conveying the French troops to Rochefort after the Convention of Cintra. On his arrival in the West Indies in the Fylla 20, Capt. Hon. Edw. Rodney, in March, 1809, he joined the Neptune 98, bearing the flag of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, under whom, in the ensuing April, he served at the capture of the Saintes Islands and the 74-gun ship L’Haupoult. Being made Lieutenant, 25 Sept. in the same year, into the St. Christopher 12, Capt. Fras. Smith, he was subsequently appointed, in that capacity – 16 May, 1810, to the Unicorn 32, Capts. Alex. Robt. Kerr and Geo. Burgoyne Salt, stationed off the north coast of Spain, where he contributed to the capture of many vessels – 17 Aug. 1812 (after three months of half-pay), to the America 74, Capt. Josias Rowley, in which ship he aided at the blockade of Toulon, also in bringing off the troops from Tarragona, and in the unsuccessful attack upon Leghorn – and, 28 Dec. 1813, to the Swallow 18, Capt. Edw. Reynolds Sibly. On the receipt, in Feb. 1814, of his second promotal commision, bearing date 6 Dec. 1813, Capt. Murray assumed command of the Scout 18, likewise in the Mediterranean, on which station and in the Channel he continued until paid off 22 Sept. 1815. His next appointment was, 14 May, 1816, to the Griffon 16, at St. Helena. He was there nominated, 20 Sept. 1816, Acting-Captain of the Spey 20, and in that vessel, to which he was confirmed 15 Nov. following, he continued until put out of commission 21 Nov. 1817. Being invested, 14 Aug. 1824, with the command of the Atholl 28, he effected the capture, on the western coast of Africa, of six slavers, carrying in the whole about 1000 negroes; and, besides serving at Rangoon during the close of the Burmese war, was employed in the suppression of piracy on the east coast of Africa. He paid the Atholl off 19 Oct. 1827, and accepted the Retirement 1 Oct. 1846.
Capt. Murray married, first, 13 Dec. 1821, Harriet, youngest daughter of Wm. Coupland, Esq., of St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury, by whom (who died in 1829) he had issue three sons and two daughters; and secondly, 3 May, 1838, Julia, daughter of the late John Delme, Esq., of Cain’s Hall, Fareham, Hants. By the latter lady he has had five other children. Agent – John P. Muspratt.