A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wardle, John
WARDLE. (Lieut., 1810. f-p., 10; h-p., 34.)
John Wardle entered the Navy, 12 April, 1803, as A.B., on board the Galykheid 64, Capts. David Colby, Hon. Fras. Farington Gardner, and Isaac Wolley, employed at first off the Texel under the flag of Rear-Admiral Edw. Thornhrough, and next as a guard-ship in the river Humber. In March, 1805, he removed to the Agincourt 64, Capts. Thos. Briggs and Henry Hill; and in March, 1808, after having served in the Channel and North Sea, and brought convoy home from St. Helena, he joined, as Master’s Mate (a rating he had attained in Dec. 1806), the Pompée 74, Capts. Geo. Hope, Geo. Cockburn, Wm. Chas. Fahie, and Chas. Dilkes. In her he served off Rochefort, and then sailed for the West Indies, where he assisted at the reduction of Martinique and at the capture, 17 April, 1809, after an arduous chase of two days and a close action of an hour and a quarter (wherein the Pompée, who was supported by the Castor 32, had 9 killed and 30 wounded), of the D’Haupoult of 74 guns and 680 men, of whom between 80 and 90 were killed and wounded. On 7 Dec. 1809 Mr. Wardle was nominated by Sir Alex. Cochrane, who had hoisted his flag on board the Pompée, Acting-Lieutenant of the Pultusk sloop, Capts. Wm. Elliott, Geo. M‘George, and Edw. Flin. In April, 1810, he was superseded. He was officially promoted, however, 10 Sept. following; and was subsequently, 18 Dec. 1810, 7 May, 1811, and 4 May, 1812, appointed to the Royalist 18, Capt. Geo. Downie, and Dreadnought and Union 98’s, Capts. Sam. Hood Linzee, Wm. Kent, and Robt. Rolles, on the Home and Mediterranean stations. In the Union he took part in Sir Edw. Pellew’s partial engagements with the French Toulon fleet 5 Nov. 1813 and 13 Feb. 1814. He was placed on half-pay in July of the latter year, and has not been since afloat. Agent – Joseph Woodhead.