A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Pritchard, Samuel Perkins
PRITCHARD. (Captain, 1841. f-p., 22; h-p., 33.)
Samuel Perkins Pritchard is eldest son of the late Sam. Perkins Pritchard, Master R.N., who, after having served his country for a period of nearly fifty years, died in 1813 in command of the Dromedary store-ship; and brother of Commander John White, and Rich. Davison Pritchard, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 12 April, 1792, as Master’s Servant, on board the Assistance, Capt. Smith, bearing the flag at Newfoundland of Sir Rich. King, whom he followed into the Stately 64. From July, 1794, until April, 1810, he was employed, almost uninterruptedly, on the Home station, in the Excellent 74, and Royal Sovereign 100, flag-ships of Hon. Wm. Cornwallis (in the latter of which he was present in the celebrated retreat of 16 and 17 June, 1795), Theseus 74, Capts. Montgomery and Aylmer, Neptune 98, Commodore Sir Erasmus Gower, Prince and Prince George 98’s, flag-ships of Sir Roger Curtis and Sir Chas. Cotton, Boadicea 38, Capt. Chas. Rowley, Amelia frigate, Capt. Lord Proby, Dreadnought 98, Capt. Edw. Brace, Endymion 40, Capt. Hon. Chas. Paget, Ville de Paris 110, bearing the flag of Hon. Wm. Cornwallis (under whom he assisted in pursuing the French fleet into Brest 22 Aug. 1805), Diana 38, Capt. Thos. Jas. Maling, Aigle 36, Capt. Geo. Wolfe, Royal William flag-ship of Admiral Geo. Montagu, and Virginie 38, Capt. Edw. Brace. While serving in the Ville de Paris (he had attained the rating of Midshipman in the Neptune in 1797) he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by a commission bearing date 4 March, 1805. In 1810-11 he made two voyages with Capt. Brian Hodgson in the Barbadoes and Owen Glendower frigates, to the East Indies, whence, in June, 1813, he invalided. During a few months in 1814, and again in 1815, he was employed on the Halifax and Home stations in the Akbar 50, Capts. Sir Arch. Collingwood Dickson and Chas. Bullen, and Albion 74, Capts. Philip Somerville and Jas. Walker. After officiating for about seven years as an Agent for Transports he was appointed, 6 April, 1831, Senior of the Donegal 78, Capts. John Dick and Arthur Fanshawe, with whom he served on the Mediterranean and Lisbon stations until paid off in the early part of 1834. Attaining the rank of Commander 27 Aug. in the latter year, he was appointed, 6 Jan. 1840, Second Captain of the Blenheim 72, Capt. Sir Humphrey Le Fleming Senhouse. In Jan. 1841 he was praised in the highest manner for his zealous exertions at the capture of Tycocktow and Chuenpee; in the following month he attracted official notice by the able support he afforded in the action with the forts at the Boca Tigris; and in May, 1841, he underwent more than ordinary fatigue from the circumstance of his being left on board the Blenheim, while most of the officers and men were engaged on detached service against Canton.[1] He was advanced to Post rank, as a reward for his services, 8 June, 1841; and has since been on half-pay.
Capt. Pritchard is married, and has, with other issue, a son, the present Lieut. Sam. Pritchard, R.N. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1841, pp. 1162, 1498, 2503.