A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Rooke, Francis
ROOKE. (Lieut., 1846. f-p., 8; h-p., 3.)
Francis Rooke is fourth son of Capt. Fred. Wm. Rooke, R.N.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College in July, 1836; and embarked, in May, 1837, as a Volunteer, on board the Talavera 74, Capt. Wm. Bowen Mends. After visiting the Mediterranean and the coast of North America, he became Midshipman, in the early part of 1839, of the Pylades 18, Capt. Talavera Vernon Anson, and proceeded to China; where, in command of a boat, he assisted at the capture of one of three piratical junks, whose fierce resistance occasioned to themselves a loss, out of 200 men, of 53 killed, and to the British of 3 killed and 5 wounded. During a successive attachment to the Pylades, Wellesley 72, Capt. Thos. Maitland, and Blenheim 72, Capt. Sir Thos. Herbert, Mr. Rooke took part in the chief operations connected with the Chinese campaign. In two severe engagements he was a volunteer, and for his gallantry he obtained two special certificates and was twice mentioned in the Gazette. In March, 1843, seven months after he had passed his examination, he returned to England. He was subsequently, from July, 1844, until Jan. 1845, and from Jan. 1846 until promoted, for his services, to the rank of Lieutenant 10 March, 1846, employed at Portsmouth, in the St. Vincent 120, under the flags of Sir Chas. Rowley and Sir Chas. Ogle. His appointments have since been – 15 May and 7 Aug. 1846, to the Devastation and Gorgon steam-sloops, Capts. Sir Chas. Hotham and Edw. Crouch – 9 April, 1847, to the Avenger steam-frigate of 650 horse-power, Capts. Sidney Colpoys Dacres and Chas. Geo. Elers Napier, employed at first on particular service, and next in the Mediterranean, where he was wrecked, 20 Dec. following, on the Sorelle rocks, and was one of the very few who escaped – and, 7 March, 1848, to the Blenheim of 450 horse-power, Capt. Horatio Thos. Austin, steam guard-ship at Portsmouth.