A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Von Donop, Edward Pelham Brenton
VON DONOP. (Commander, 1849.)
Edward Pelham Brenton Von Donop, born in Nov. 1811, is second son of Geo. Baron Von Donop, of Wöbbell, Westphalia, a Member of the Legion of Honor, who died 19 May, 1844.
This officer entered the Navy 3 June, 1827; passed his examination in 1833; and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 28 June, 1838. His succeeding appointments were – 17 July, 1838, as Additional, to the Wellesley 72, flag-ship of Sir Fred. Lewis Maitland in the East Indies – 5 Sept. 1839, to the Favorite 18, Capts. Walter Croker and Thos. Ross Sulivan, on the same station, whence he returned in 1842 – 19 May, 1843, as First, to the Conway 26, Capt. Robt. Fair, fitting at Portsmouth – 11 July, 1843, and 23 Feb. 1844, to the Eurydice 26, Capt. Geo. Elliot, and Illustrious 72, flag-ship of Sir Chas. Adam, both on the North America and West India station – and 29 Aug. 1845 (soon after his return to England) to the President 52, in which ship, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Jas. Rich. Dacres at the Cape of Good Hope, he acted as Commander from 31 Sept. 1848, until officially promoted, 10 Jan. 1849. On 24 June, 1840, having landed with his Captain, Croker, and a party of 90 officers, seamen, and marines at Tongataboo, one of the Friendly Islands, for the purpose of assisting the native Christians in a war then raging between them and the heathen part of the population, he proceeded, in company with about 1500 native troops to the attack of a fortress of extraordinary strength situated five miles in the interior. Being deserted by their allies while in the act of storming, the British, after losing their Captain and many others, were forced to retire. On seeing his Captain fall, Mr. Von Donop (who, on the First-Lieutenant, Dunlop, being severely wounded, succeeded to the command) endeavoured, but to no purpose, to rally his men. In this emergency, with singular valour, he rushed alone over a narrow bridge which crossed the fosse, and, under a shower of musket-balls, bore away the body! Scarcely had he rejoined his party, who were in full retreat, when, finding the colours had been left behind, he returned, followed by but 1 man, and succeeded in rescuing them. On rejoining the Favorite he took command of that vessel, and continued so to act until she reached Sydney.
He married, 3 Jan. 1843, Louisa Mary Diana, second daughter of the late John Brenton, Esq., of Felcham, Surrey, and has issue.