A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Rolleston, James
ROLLESTON. (Lieutenant, 1811. f-p, 11; h-p., 32.)
James Rolleston, born 1 May, 1791, at Southampton, is son of Sam. Rolleston, Esq., a Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant for co. Hants.
This officer entered the Navy, 1 Jan. 1804, as Midshipman, on board the Dictator 64, Capts. Chas. Tinling and Rich. Hawkins; joined, in the following Sept., the Impétueux 74, Capt. Thos. Byam Martin; and in Nov. 1805 was received on board the Pompée 74. While in that ship, which bore the flags successively of Admirals Sir Wm. Sidney Smith and Henry Edwin Stanhope, he was present, in 1806, at the defence of Gaeta, the capture of Capri, and the battle of Maida; and, in 1807, at the passage of the Dardanells, the destruction of the Turkish squadron at Point Pesquies, and the taking of Copenhagen. On the surrender of the Danish fleet he assisted in fitting out the Christian VII. of 60 guns. After serving for two years and eight months in the Mediterranean on board the Hyperion 36, Capt. Thos. Chas. Brodie, and Centaur 74, bearing the flag of Sir Sam. Hood, he was there nominated, 29 Nov. 1810, Acting-Lieutenant lof the Hibernia 120, also the flag-ship of Sir S. Hood. His appointment to the Hibernia being -confirmed by a commission dated 8 June, 1811, he continued attached to that ship under the flag of Sir Rich. Goodwin Keats until June, 1815. He then invalided. His next appointment was to the Perseus 22, Capt. Edw. Henry A’Court, in which vessel he served on the Mediterranean, Newfoundland, Halifax, and Home stations, from March, 1813, until Feb. 1816, the last five months of the time as Acting-Commander. He has since been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.