A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wilkinson, James
WILKINSON, K.C.T.S. (Captain, 1840. f-p., 21; h-p., 23.)
James Wilkinson entered the Navy, 20 Aug. 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Gorgon, in which vessel and the Nightingale, both commanded by Capt. Wm. Wilkinson, he continued employed on the North Sea and Irish stations, the greater part of the time as Midshipman, until transferred, in Nov. 1808, to the Thames 32, Capts. Hon. Granville Geo. Waldegrave and Chas. Napier. In the boats of that frigate, assisted by those of the Pilot and Weazle sloops, he contributed, 25 July, 1810, to the very gallant capture and destruction, under the batteries of Amantea, on the coast of Naples, and in face of a most spirited opposition, of a convoy of 31 vessels, laden with provisions and stores for the enemy’s army at Scylla, together with seven large gun-boats and five armed scampavias.[1] Besides participating in many other dashing services he was present, as Master’s Mate, in company with the Furieuse 36, at the capture, 26 Feb. 1813, of the island of Ponza, defended by the fire of four batteries and a tower, mounting 10 24 and 18 pounders, 2 12-pounders, and 2 9-inch mortars,[2] Removing with Capt. Napier in April, 1813, as Master’s Mate (a rating he had attained in May, 1811), to the Euryalus 36, he assisted in that ship, in the ensuing winter, in driving on shore, in Calvi Bay, the Balleine French store-ship, of 22 guns and 120 men, and in compelling a gaberre of 30 guns and 150 men, laden with stores, and a national schooner of the largest class, to seek refuge under the land batteries. He afterwards, on the arrival of the Euryalus in the Chesapeake, accompanied the brilliant expedition conducted by the present Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon against the city of Alexandria, up the river Potomac. On the return of the Euryalus to Europe (he had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 26 Oct. 1814) he was employed, until the surrender of Buonaparte, in cruizing, under the command of Capt. Thos. Huskisson, off Havre and the mouth of the Seine. Quitting the Euryalus 30 Sept. 1815, he was appointed next, 29 July, 1821, and 31 March, 1823, to the Tees 26 and Liffey 50, commanded each, on the East India station, by Capt. Thos. Coe. While in the ship last mentioned, of which he was First-Lieutenant, Mr. Wilkinson distinguished himself in the operations against the Burmese. On 16 May, 1824, he embarked, in the boats of the Liffey, the Grenadier Company of the 38th Regiment under Capt. Rich. Birch, and proceeded with it to the attack of Kemmendine, a village which, although strongly stockaded and defended by 400 men, was stormed and carried in style. “I hope I may be allowed,” says Capt. Birch in his official report of the proceedings addressed to Sir Arch. Campbell, the Military Commander-in-Chief, “to express the highest admiration of the cool and intrepid conduct of Lieut. Wilkinson, R.N., who, although severely wounded, continued to render me the greatest assistance in giving directions from his boat.” Mr. Wilkinson was wounded, we may add, by a musket-ball through the thigh. After the occupation of Prome, 25 April, 1825, and while commanding the light division of the flotilla in the Irawady under Capt. Thos. Alexander, he was despatched up the river, as far as Napadee, for the purpose of reconnoitring. On 1 May he returned, having captured eight warboats, pulling from 60 to 60 oars each, and another laden with guns and small arms. This service was performed without any loss in presence of 500 musketeers and 50 horsemen, part of the force commanded by the Prince of Sarrawaddy. The result was the liberation of 3000 canoes with families in them, whom the latter had been driving before him. Writing to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Capt. Coe, in a letter dated 17 June, 1825, thus expresses himself: “Mr. Jas. Wilkinson, Senior Lieutenant of H.M.’s ship under my command, latterly in command of the light division of boats, has been spoken of in the highest terms by Capt. Alexander as well as those serving under him. I have known this officer since 1821, and while serving with me in H.M.’s ship Tees, and since in the Liffey, I have had frequent opportunities of observing his zeal and abilities.” Mr. Wilkinson, who left the Liffey about 1826, was advanced to the rank of Commander 31 Jan. 1828. His next and last appointment was, 12 May, 1837, to the Hazard 18, in which vessel he was employed, chiefly in the Mediterranean, until advanced to the rank he now holds, 3 July, 1840.
For conduct displayed in the service of Her Most Faithful Majesty the Queen of Portugal, Capt. Wilkinson was created a Knight Commander of the Order of the Tower and Sword 30 Oct. 1837. He has been seven times wounded, on four occasions severely.