A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Shipton, James Maurice
SHIPTON. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 12; h-p., 32.)
James Maurice Shipton is son of the late Rev. Dr. Shipton, Rector of Porkshead, Vicar of Staunton Bury, and one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for co. Somerset.
This officer entered the Navy, 2 May, 1803, as Midshipman, on board the Thunderer 74, Capt. Wm. Bedford, attached to the force on the Home station, where he served from Feb. 1805 until June, 1807, in the Hibernia 110, and Prince of Wales 98, flag-ships of Lord Gardner and Sir Jas. Saumarez. He then joined the Penelope 36, Capt. John Dick, employed at first off Ferrol and next on the coast of North America and in the West Indies. After co-operating in the reduction of Martinique, he removed, 2 Nov. 1809, to the Swiftsure 74, bearing the flag at Halifax of Vice-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, by whom he was nominated, 11 of the same month, Acting-Lieutenant of the Gorée 18, Capt. Hon. Henry Dilkes Byng. In that Tessel, to which he was confirmed 25 June, 1810, he continued until Jan. 1812, when he invalided. His last appointment was, 27 June in the latter year, to the Curlew brig, Capts. Michael Head and Hugh Pearson, with whom he continued employed, again on the Halifax station, until 21 July, 1815. He was in consequence present, 26 March, 1813, at the capture of the American ship letter-of-marque Volante, pierced for 22 guns, mounting 10 24-pounder carronades and 4 long 9’s, with a complement of 85 men.
Lieut. Shipton has been for many years Russian Vice-Consul at Gloucester. He married, 19 Jan. 1820, Eliza, daughter of Robt. Atkins, Esq., of Leamington Priors, co. Warwick, by whom he has issue.