A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wallis, James (a)
WALLIS. (Captain, 1817.)
James Wallis entered the Navy, as Captain’s Servant, on board the Star sloop, Capt. Nicholas Ingram, stationed in the West Indies; where, in the Channel and Mediterranean, and off Cadiz, he served as Midshipman in the Juno and Aigle frigates, both commanded by Capt. Sam. Hood, and Britannia 100 and Victory 100, flag-ships of Sir Hyde Parker and Sir John Jervis, until nominated, 15 Feb. 1797, Acting-Lieutenant of the San Josef 110, Capt. Chas. Stewart. He was on board the Juno when that ship, through the admirable skill and presence of mind of her Captain, made her escape from Toulon, which port she had entered in ignorance of its evacuation by the British; and he was present in the Victory in the action off Cape St. Vincent. On the day following that event he was promoted, as above, into the San Josef, one of the ships taken. His confirmation took place 7 June, 1797. He was next, from 26 Jan. 1798 until 17 Feb. 1802, employed on the coast of Africa, and in the West Indies and Mediterranean, in the Pearl 32, Capt. Sam. Jas. Ballard. He saw much boat-service during that period, and was on four separate occasions wounded. He was severely injured in the knee and hand; his collar-bone and four ribs were broken, and a shot entered his side. As we learn from a certificate bearing the signature of Capt. Ballard, Mr. Wallis performed his duty entirely to the latter’s satisfaction, “as an experienced, zealous officer, whose gallant conduct he had frequent opportunities of witnessing and marking in his public letters to Lord Keith, when Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean.” Being appointed, in Jan. 1804, First of the Vincejo brig of 18 18-pounder carronades, Capt. John Wesley Wright, he was in that vessel for three months, with very little interval, on the coast of France, most actively employed, constantly, and without a pilot, in the presence of an extremely superior force; notwithstanding which, the enemy’s convoys were often chased, forced out of their course, and obliged to seek shelter in ports they were not destined for. For a whole day, on one occasion, did the Vincejo lie at the mouth of a French river, bidding defiance to two brigs, each nearly her equal in force, a schooner, and 50 sail of armed gun-boats, brigs, and luggers, all under way, and at times laying their heads off the land, but always keeping close to the batteries. Having at another period got ashore at the mouth of a river, the brig was unrigged, had her guns taken out, and was hauled high and dry into a hostile port, in a small island between Belleisle and the Main, within four miles of the Continent, for the purpose of having her keel examined and her damage repaired; preparations being in the meanwhile made to fight a land battle in the event, which was very probable, of an attack; although protected only by a frigate for a day or two. On 8 May, 1808, with but 51 effective men and 24 boys on board, the Vincejo, becalmed at the time near the entrance of the Morbihan, was approached by a flotilla of 17 armed vessels; consisting of 6 brigs, first-class gun-vessels, of 3 guns (1 24 and 2 18-pounders) and from 60 to 80 men each; 6 luggers, second class gun-vessels, of 2 guns, 18-pounders, and from 40 to 50 men each; and five luggers, third-class gun-vessels, of 1 brass 36-pounder carronade throwing shells, and from 20 to 30 men each: forming a total of 35 guns (30 of them long 18 and 24-pounders) and from 700 to 800 men, exclusive of between 300 and 500 troops. When within extreme range the gun-vessels, at 8h. 30m. a.m., opened their fire; and at 9h. 30m. the Vincejo, so near had they advanced, was obliged to sweep her broadside to and engage, under the additional disadvantage of her few men being fatigued by hard labour at the oar, and divided during the action between the larboard guns and the starboard sweeps. The brig nevertheless maintained, within grape and hailing distance, this unequal contest for nearly two hours. She was then, being totally disabled, and having had 2 of her men killed and 12 wounded, under the necessity of striking her colours. During the conflict Mr. Wallis distinguished himself by his active intrepidity and intelligent bravery. After a captivity of nine years, during which he underwent the severest hardships, he contrived, in 1813, to effect his escape from Verdun;[1] and on 3 Nov. in the same year, as soon as he had been by court-martial most honourably acquitted of all blame on account of the loss of the Vincejo, he was promoted to the rank of Commander. His last appointments were, 6 Dec. 1813, to the Pincher brig, in the North Sea; and, at St. Helena – 13 Aug. 1814, to the Podargus 14 – 2 Aug. 1817, as Acting-Captain, to the Racoon 26, to which ship he was confirmed 26 Nov. following – 25 Jan. 1818, pro tem., to the Conqueror 74 – and again to the Racoon. The latter he paid off in Dec. 1818. He accepted the Retirement 1 Oct. 1846. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.
- ↑ Capt. Wright had been placed in confinement in the tower of the Temple of Paris, where he met his death under circumstances which are to this day vested in mystery.