Royal Naval Biography/Edwards, John (c)
JOHN EDWARDS (c), Esq.
[Commander.]
Is a native of London, and was born in 1776. He served nearly thirteen years as midshipman and lieutenant of the Gibraltar 80, and was on board that ship, under the command of Captain Thomas Mackenzie, at the memorable battle of June 1st, 1794. His first commission bears date Nov. 6th, 1798.
We next find Mr. Edwards serving as third lieutenant of the Prince 98, Captain Richard Grindall, at the defeat of the combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 21st, 1805; and subsequently as first of the Vanguard 74, Captain Alexander Eraser, at the siege of Copenhagen. He afterwards commanded a prison-ship at Portsmouth, and from her was appointed first of the Royal William 84, bearing the flag of Sir Richard Bickerton, at Spithead, early in 1813. His last appointment was to the Barham 74, Captain John W. Spranger, in which ship he was serving, we believe, on the Jamaica station when promoted to the rank of commander, Dec. 4th, 1813.
This officer married, Oct 2d, 1811, the eldest daughter of Mr. William Nicholson, of Bloomsbury Square, London, chief engineer of the Portsea Island Water-works.