A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Shairp, Stephen
SHAIRP. (Lieutenant, 1824. f-p., 23; h-p., 12.)
Stephen Shairp was born in Jan. 1799. He is brother of Commander Alex. Shairp, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy 14 June, 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Aquilon 32, Capt. Wm. Bowles; and in the course of the same year was present, in company with the Sheldrake sloop, at the destruction of seven large merchant-ships, in face of 1500 French soldiers, near Stralsund. On his return to England with Capt. Bowles in the Ceres frigate, after having been for some time employed on the South American station, he became, in July, 1814, Midshipman of the Nymphen 36, Capt. Matthew Smith. From Sept. 1815, until May, 1819, he again served in South America in the Amphion 32, Capts. Wm. Bowles and Wm. Bateman Dashwood. He next, in Aug. 1820, joined the Forte 44, Capt. Sir Thos. John Cochrane, employed in the Channel and also in the West Indies; where on 26 April, 1824, he was confirmed a Lieutenant (three months after he had been ordered to act as such) in the Scout 18, Capt. Jas. Wigston. From Aug. to Dec. of the same year he served with Capt. Edw. Brace in the Ganges 84; and since 31 Dec. 1835 (deducting a command held from 15 June, 1838, until June, 1840, of the Camelion Revenue-cruizer) he has been in charge of a station in the Coast Guard.
He is married and has issue.