A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Sulivan, Thomas Ross
SULIVAN. (Captain, 1847.)
Thomas Ross Sulivan is first-cousin of Capt. Thos. Ball Sulivan, R.N., C.B.
This officer entered the Navy 25 Jan. 1811; passed his examination in 1820; and was made Lieutenant, 25 April, 1825, into the Bellette 18, Capt. John Leith, on the West India station. He had, while serving as Midshipman and Mate in the Iphigenia, Owen Glendower, and Hussar frigates, been very actively and usefully employed against the pirates on the coast of Cuba and in the Isle of Pines. His appointments after he left the Bellette were – 18 May, 1826, to the Hussar 46, Capt. Geo. Harris, again in the West Indies, where, while filling the post of Senior Lieutenant, he was wounded in the boats at the capture of a slave-brig of 10 guns and 57 men – 13 May, 1829, to the Favorite 18, Capt. Joseph Harrison, fitting for the coast of Africa – l8 March, 1833, to the command of the Pluto steamer, on the same station, whence he returned to England and was paid off at the close of 1834 – and, 19 Jan. 1836, as Second-Lieutenant, to the Melville 74, bearing the flag of Sir Peter Halkett, Commander-in-Chief in North America and the West Indies. On the latter ship being paid off she was immediately recommissioned by Capt. Hon. Rich. Saunders Dundas for the flag of Rear-Admiral Hon. Geo. Elliot at the Cape of Good Hope, and Mr. Sulivan was at the same time, 1 Sept. 1837, again appointed to her as First-Lieutenant. He proceeded ultimately to the coast of China, and while there he was promoted, 25 June, 1840, to the command of the Favorite 18. Before he joined that vessel, however, he appears to have been for a time a Supernumerary-Commander in the Melville. He continued in the Favorite on the East India station until 1843, when he returned to England and was paid off. He was advanced to his present rank 29 April, 1847. Agent – Fred. Dufaur.