In 1825 Captain Bowker was appointed to command H.M. Ordinary at Plymouth, where he continued during the customary period of three years. He married, in 1801, Mary Beckford, eldest daughter of Thomas L. Yates, Esq. who was purser of the Mars when she captured l’Hercule, and is now the senior officer of that rank in H.M. navy. Captain Bowker has one son and one daughter.
HENRY BOURCHIER, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1811.]
Eldest son of Captain John Bourchier, who died Lieutenant-Governor of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, Dec. 30, 1809[1].
This officer was made a lieutenant May 1, 1804: we first find him serving in the Unicorn frigate, and commanding one of her boats at the capture of le Tape-à-bord French privateer, of four 6-pounders and 46 well-armed men, after a long pursuit and an obstinate resistance, off St. Domingo, May 6, 1805[2]. His promotion to the rank of commander took place April 20, 1808, on which occasion he was appointed to the Demerara sloop, employed at the Leeward Islands.
From that vessel Captain Bourchier removed to the Hawke brig, of 16 guns, about Feb. 1809; and in the latter he captured le Furet privateer, of 14 guns and 86 men, on the Channel station, Feb. 7, 1811. He also witnessed the destruction of a 40-gun frigate, near Cape Barfleur, March 25 following[3]. The very gallant manner in which he obtained a post commission will be seen by the following copy of an official letter addressed by him to Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Aug. 19, in the same year:–
- ↑ See Nav. Chron. vol. 21, p. 87.
- ↑ See p. 422.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. p. 691.
