A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Somerville, Philip
SOMERVILLE. (Commander, 1848.)
Philip Somerville entered the Navy, 11 Sept. 1824; passed his examination in 1830; obtained his first commission 15 March, 1841; and was then nominated Additional-Lieutenant of the Wellesley 72, Capt. Thos. Maitland. His succeeding appointments appear to have been – in the course of the same year, to the Transport service – in 1842, to the Cornwallis 72, flag-ship of Sir Wm. Parker, again to the Transport service, and to the Belleisle 72, Capt. John Kingcome – and, 7 May, 1844, to the Collingwood 80, fitting for the flag of Sir Geo. Fras. Seymour, Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific. On the paying off of the latter ship, of which he had been nominated Acting-Commander 8 Feb. 1847, he was officially promoted, 4 Aug. 1848, to the rank he now holds. In the attack upon Canton in May, 1841, he had charge of the boats of the Minerva, Sulimany, and Marion transports;[1] and in Oct. of the same year he was honourably mentioned in the despatches of Sir Hugh Gough for the able manner in which he assisted in landing the troops at the taking of Chusan.[2] In May, 1842, he was similarly employed at the capture of Chapoo.[3]