A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Nazer, Kelly
NAZER. (Retired Commander, 1847. f-p., 15; h-p., 33.)
Kelly Nazer was born 17 Jan. 1787.
This officer entered the Navy, 9 April, 1799, as A.B., on board the Eagle receiving-vessel at Poole, co. Dorset, Lieut.-Commander Wm. Nazer; and in the course of the same month attained the rating of Midshipman. With the exception of a brief attachment, in the summer of 1802, to the Alarm 32, Capt. Wm. Parker, and again, towards the close of the same year, to the Magicienne 36, Capt. Henry Vansittart, he served, from Sept. 1801, until June, 1809, in the York 74, Fortunée 36, and Albion 74, all commanded by his uncle Capt. John Ferrier, on the Home and East India stations. In the latter ship, of which he became an acting and a confirmed Lieutenant 11 Nov. 1807 and 30 Dec. 1808, he assisted at the capture of several privateers, and, in May, 1803, of La Franchise French frigate of 36 guns. He was also on board the Albion in a terrific hurricane, which, during her passage home, sank three of her convoy. East Indiamen, nearly dismasted herself, and occasioned the pumps to be kept constantly going for six months. Being again, towards the close of 1809, ordered to India in the Leda 36, Capt. Geo. Sayer, he there, in the summer of 1811, cooperated in the reduction of Java. His health obliging him soon afterwards to invalid, he was next, 8 May, 1812, appointed to the Maidstone 36, Capt. Geo. Burdett. On 8 Feb. 1813, being at the time in the Chesapeake, he took command of the boats of a squadron, nine in number, and, rushing through an animated fire of round and grape, boarded and, after a most obstinate resistance on the part of the enemy, succeeded in carrying the American letter-of-marque Lottery of 6 12-pounder carronades and 29 men, of whom 19, including the Captain mortally, were wounded. The British had 1 man killed and 5 wounded.[1] Although the gallantry of the exploit was such as to obtain the especial thanks of Rear-Admiral Cockburn, an expression of approbation on the part of the Admiralty, and a certain prospect of promotion from Capt. Burdett, yet was its brave conductor suffered to pass wholly unrewarded. He subsequently, 6 May, 1814, led the second division of boats under the immediate orders of Rear-Admiral Cockburn up the Sassafras River, and, having assisted in routing a body of about 400 men, who had opened on them a fire from an entrenched position on the two opposite banks of the stream, contributed to the demolition of the settlements of Georgetown and Frederickstown. On 27 of the ensuing June he was present at the destruction of an American torpedo-boat on Long Island, sent from New York for the purpose of destroying H.M. shipping. Independently of the above, Lieut. Nazer was on many occasions in action with the enemy. He returned to England in Oct. 1814 on board La Hogue 74, Capt. Hon. Thos. Bladen Capel; and on 3 Feb. 1847 he accepted the rank he now holds.
At the commencement of the peace Commander Nazer took charge of a merchant-ship, and made eight voyages to Jamaica. He married, 11 July, 1821, Miss Cecilia Burlingson. Agents – Collier and Snee.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1813, p. 550.