A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Widdrington, Samuel Edward
WIDDRINGTON, formerly Cook, K.T.S. (Commander, 1824.)
Samuel Edward Widdrington is only surviving son of the late Rev. John Cook, M.A., of Newton, co. Northumberland. He assumed the name of Widdrington in 1840.
This officer obtained his first commission 10 June, 1809. While serving as First-Lieutenant with Capt. Edw. Reynolds Sibly in the Swallow sloop, he attacked with three boats belonging to that vessel, near Port d’Anzo, 16 Sept. 1813, after a row of two hours, the Guerrière French brig, carrying 4 guns and 60 stand of arms, whose crew escaped over the bow as the British boarded on the quarter. The Guerrière had been taken in tow by numerous boats and two gun-vessels sent from d’Anzo to her assistance. These, however, left her on the arrival of the Swallow’s boats; and a 4-gun xebec, which had been in company, also effected her escape. The loss sustained on this occasion in Mr. Cook’s own boat alone amounted to 2 seamen killed and 4 severely wounded. After again serving with Capt. Reynolds as Senior-Lieutenant in the Niemen 28, on the peace establishment, he was appointed in that capacity to the Windsor Castle 74, Capt. Chas. Dashwood. At the earnest request of Don John of Portugal, who had taken refuge on board the Windsor Castle during a popular commotion at Lisbon, and who had in consequence presented him with the Order of the Tower and Sword, with the insignia set in diamonds, he was promoted to his present rank 3 June, 1824.
Commander Widdrington is the author of a work entitled ‘Sketches in Spain, during the years 1829- 32.’ He married, in 1832, Dorothy, second daughter of the late Alex. Davison, Esq., of Swarland Park, co. Northumberland. Agents – Goode and Lawrence.
WIDDRINGTON. (Commander, 1824.)
Samuel Edward Widdrington entered the Navy 31 Dec. 1802, and served – until made Lieutenant into the Fame 74 – in the Ambuscade and Seine frigates, and Glory 98, Ocean 98, and Ville de Paris 110. At first he was in constant action with the enemy’s batteries and flotilla in the neighbourhood of Boulogne. He was also most actively employed in the West Indies; where, in June, 1805, while cruizing in the Seine’s barge under Lieut. (of Marines) Thos. Bland, he obtained mention for his conduct at the capture of a large felucca, the Concepcion, from Puerto Rico bound to Cadiz, laden with a cargo of cocoa and cochineal, and armed with 2 long 4-pounders and 14 men, 5 of whom were severely wounded, without, however, any loss to the British. He aided in making prize of many other vessels, and saw much boat-service on the coasts of Cayenne and Surinam. On leaving the Fame, in which ship he had been also actively employed, he joined, in 1810, the Resistance frigate. In her he assisted at the capture and destruction, on the coast of Tuscany, of a depôt of timber for the arsenal at Toulon. When First of the Swallow he united, 5 Oct. 1813, in an attack made by that vessel and the Edinburgh 74, Impérieuse 38, and Éclair and Pylades sloops, on the defences of Port d’Anzo, where a convoy of 29 sail fell into the hands of the British. On that occasion, after the fire of a tower, opposed to the Swallow, had been silenced, he landed and blew it up. In 1824 he was in attendance, with a division of boats under his orders, upon Don John of Portugal when that monarch sought refuge on board the Windsor Castle.
Commander Widdrington is the author of two works on Spain and of several minor contributions on scientific subjects. He is a Fellow of the Royal and Geographical Societies.