A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Rawlinson, Charles James
RAWLINSON. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 11; h-p., 32.)
Charles James Rawlinson, born 9 March, 1788, is second son of Wm. Rawlinson, Esq., of Ancoats Hall, Manchester.
This officer entered the Navy, in March, 1804, as a Volunteer, on board the Trent 36, flag-ship of Sir Alan Gardner at Cork; and removed a short time afterwards to the Topaze 38, Capts. Willoughby Thos. Lake and Anselm John Griffiths, with whom he continued employed as Midshipman, on the coast of Ireland, among the Western Islands, and on the North American station, until transferred, about April, 1807, to the Resolution 74, Capt. Geo. Burlton, attached to the force in the North Sea. Becoming Master’s Mate, in the early part of 1809, of the Impérieuse 38, Capts. Lord Cochrane and Thos. Garth, he was intrusted by the former with the command of an explosion-vessel in his celebrated attack upon the French shipping in Aix Roads; and so much to the satisfaction of his Lordship and of the Commander-in-Chief did he conduct it that he received from the Admiralty the sum of 10l., accompanied by a promise of promotion. On the same occasion we find him setting fire to the Calcutta 56, and otherwise contributing to the destruction of the French fleet. Continuing in the Impérieuse until Jan. 1810, he assisted, during the expedition to the Walcheren, in silencing and destroying a 30-gun battery opposite to Flushing. He also aided in cutting out four gun-boats, together with a convoy under their protection, and took part in a variety of detached operations along the enemy’s coast. He afterwards, from Jan. 1810 until the close of 1813, served with Capt. Burlton on the Home and Mediterranean stations in the Resolution and Rodney 74’s, Ville de Paris 110, and Boyne 98. Of the Rodney he was created a Lieutenant 15 March, 1810. In 1814-15 he served in the Mediterranean and at Newfoundland in the Repulse 74 and Derwent 18, Capts. Moubray and Williams. He has since been on half-pay.
Subsequently to the peace Lieut. Rawlinson was employed under Lord Cochrane in South America. He married 8 Aug. 1818, and has issue five sons and four daughters. Agents – Goode and Lawrence.