A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Stokes, Shovel Brenton
STOKES. (Lieut., 1830. f-p., 20; h-p., 15.)
Shovel Brenton Stokes entered the Navy, 24 Feb. 1812, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Bacchante 38, Capts. Wm. Hoste and Fras. Stanfell; in which ship and her boats he saw much service in the Mediterranean, and assisted at the reduction of the towns of Rovigno, Karlebago, Fiumé, Ragusa, and Cattaro. On proceeding subsequently to the coast of North America, we find him, in the capacity of Midshipman, accompanying an expedition to Penobscot Bay, and contributing to the capture of the town of Machias. In July, 1815, he was received, as a Supernumerary, on board the Prince, Capt. Edm. Boger, lying at Spithead; and he was subsequently employed – from 5 Oct. 1815 until Nov. 1818, in the Bann 20 and Cherub 26, Capts. Wm. Fisher and Geo. Wickens Willes, on the coast of Africa – from 10 Nov. 1818 until 1821, as Mate, in the Wye 26, Capts. G. W. Willes and Peter Fisher, in the North Sea – from 1821 until 24 Aug. 1824, as Admiralty-Mate, Acting-Lieutenant, and Admiralty-Mate, in his former ship the Bann, Capts. Chas. Phillips Jones, Geo. Woollcombe, and Geo. Wm. Conway Courtenay, and Driver sloop, Capt. Chas. Bowen, both on the coast of Africa – and, from 14 Sept. 1824, until advanced to his present rank 22 July, 1830, chiefly as Admiralty-Mate, in the Albion 74, Capt. Sir Wm. Hoste, Brazen 26, Capt. G. W. Willes, Prince Regent 120, flag-ship of Sir Robt. Moorsom, Aetna bomb, Capt. Thos. Edw. Hoste, Racer tender, Asia 84, Capts. Wm. Jas. Hope Johnstone and Geo. Burdett, and St. Vincent 120, Capt. Hyde Parker, on the Home, African, and Mediterranean stations. His next and last appointment was, 4 July, 1836, to the Salamander steamer, Capt. Sidney Colpoys Dacres, under whom he was employed on the north coast of Spain until superseded in Feb. 1838. While serving on the coast of Africa he assisted in capturing a great variety of slave-vessels.