A Naval Biographical Dictionary/O'Hea, Matthew
O’HEA. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 10; h-p., 32.)
Matthew O’Hea is brother of Lieut. Dan. O’Hea, R.N. (1805), who died about the commencement of 1835; and nephew of the late Capt. Henry Power, R.N. This officer entered the Navy, 20 Oct. 1805, as L.M., on board the Sophie 18, Capts. Philip L. J. Rosenhagen and Wm. Mansell; in the boats of which sloop, and of the London 98, he distinguished himself at the cutting-out from Algeciras of two Spanish gun-vessels strongly defended. In March, 1807, at which period he had been serving for two months in the river Thames on board the Hindostan 50, he joined the Bedford 74; and in that ship, commanded by Capt. Jas. Walker, and for a short time by Capt. Adam Mackenzie, he continued employed for upwards of eight years. While stationed at first off Lisbon he assisted in destroying two forts at the entrance of the Tagus. He next escorted the Royal Family of Portugal in its flight to the Brazils; and when afterwards on the coast of North America he served with the boats of a squadron at the capture on Lake Borgne, 14 Dec. 1814, of five American gun-vessels under Commodore Jones, whose resistance was prolonged until the British had sustained a loss of 17 men killed and 77 wounded. He also took an active part in the operations against New Orleans, where he saw much arduous boat-service, and was severely wounded in the thigh and hand. The injuries he sustained not being, from some unaccountable reason, reported, he never received any compensation. In Feb. 1815 we find him present in the attack on Fort Bowyer, Mobile. He took up in the following June a commission bearing date 4 Feb. 1815; and has since been on half-pay.
Lieut. O’Hea married, in July, 1818, Miss Margaret Fitzgerald, and by that lady has issue two sons.