A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Servante, Charles
SERVANTE. (Lieut., 1828. f-p., 30; h-p., 4.)
Charles Servante is one of the seven sons – six of them devoted to the naval and military services – of Lieut. John Henry Servante, R.N. (1809), who contracted the fever while in command of a Government packet in the West Indies, and died 22 April, 1837, at Plympton, near Plymouth. Two of his brothers also died from the effects of climate.
This officer entered the Navy, 7 Jan. 1813, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Salsette 36, Capt. John Bowen, attached to the force in the East Indies, where he continued employed in the capacity of Midshipman until July, 1816. He next, in Sept. 1818, joined the Impregnable 104, flag-ship of Lord Exmouth at Plymouth; in Jan. 1820 (on 20 Oct. in which year he passed his examination) he removed to the Egeria 26, Capt. John Toup Nicolas; and at the commencement of 182.3, after having served, the chief part of the time as Mate, on the Newfoundland and Home stations, he returned, in the Jupiper 50, flag-ship of Sir Geo. Augustus Westphal, to the East Indies. He was next, from Feb. 1824 until Dec. 1828, employed on the West India station in the Rattlesnake 28, Capt. Hugh Patton, Speedwell schooner, commanded by Lieut. Jas. Cooper Bennett and for a short time by himself, Barham 50, bearing the flag of Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming, Magnificent receiving-ship at Port Royal, Capt. Geo. Wm. Conway Courteney, and Aurora 46, Capt. Chas. John Austen. He was actively engaged during that period in the suppression of piracy, and was promoted, 8 March, 1828, to the rank of Lieutenant – a few weeks before he joined the Barham. His appointments have since been – in Oct. 1830, to the Hyperion 42, Coast Blockade ship, Capt. Wm. Jas. Mingaye – 5 April, 1831, to the Coast Guard – 24 Sept. 1835, to the command of the Shamkock Revenue vessel on the Irish station – and 10 Oct. 1838, again to the Coast Guard, in which service he continues.