A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Perceval, Michael Henry
PERCEVAL. (Lieut., 1845. f-p., 12; h-p., 1.)
Michael Henry Perceval is third son of the late Michael Henry Perceval, Esq., of Spencer Wood, Lower Canada, Collector of H.M. Customs at the port of Quebec, and Member of the Executive and Legislative Assemblies of that city, by Anne Mary, eldest daughter of Sir Chas. Flower, Bart., of Mill Hill, co. Middlesex, and Lobb Farm, co. Oxford. He is first-cousin of Alex. Perceval, Esq., of Temple House, co. Sligo, Lieut.-Colonel of the Sligo militia, many years M.P. for that co., and now Serjeant-at-Arms to the House of Lords.
This officer entered the Navy, 2 Jan. 1834, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Orestes 18, Capt. Sir Wm. Dickson, employed off Lisbon; and on becoming attached, in the following June, to the Dee steamer, Capt. Wm. Ramsay, sailed for the North America and West India station, where he became Midshipman, in Sept. 1836 and Dec. 1837, of the Skipjack schooner, Lieut.-Commander John Jas. Robinson, and Vestal 26, Capt. Thos. Wren Carter. In the summer of 1841, having passed his examination 21 May, 1840, he was appointed Mate of the Indus 78, Capt. Sir Jas. Stirling, in which ship he remained for a period of three years in the Mediterranean. Previously to joining her he served a few months, we believe, in the Queen 110. Obtaining, in May, 1845, an appointment to the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capts. Sir Thos. Hastings and Henry Ducie Chads, he continued there employed, as Mate and Gunnery-Lieutenant (his commission bears date 8 Aug. 1845), until May, 1847. He has been serving since in the Howe 120, again with Sir Jas. Stirling.