Royal Naval Biography/Henniker, Major Jacob
MAJOR JACOB HENNIKER, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1806.]
Second son of the late Hon. Major Henniker, by Mary, daughter of John Phoenix, of Rochester, co. Kent, Esq.; and brother to the present Baron Henniker, who took the surname of Major in addition to and after his own patronymic. May 27, 1822.
This officer was made a Lieutenant, July 23, 1799; advanced to the rank of Commander, in 1802; and appointed to the Albacore sloop, on the Guernsey station, about Sept. 1804.
On joining Sir James Saumarez, commander-in-chief at Guernsey, Captain Henniker was placed by him under the orders of Commodore D’Auvergne (then commonly called the Duke de Bouillon), with directions to use his utmost endeavours to intercept any of the enemy’s flotilla passing along the French coast. On the 8th Oct. 1804, he compelled five armed luggers to anchor under the cover of a battery near Grosnez de Flamanville, where he attacked them on the ensuing day, and succeeded in driving the whole on shore in the midst of a very heavy surf, that broke with great violence over them. The following is an extract from the letter which Sir James Saumarez wrote to the Admiralty on this occasion:
“Captain Henniker anchored as near them as was consistent with the safety of the ship, and kept up a heavy fire upon them, with round and grape shot, until they were covered by the surf, and abandoned by their people, who appear to have been very numerous, and among them several were distinguished as soldiers by their clothing[1]. Great praise is due to Captain Henniker for this spirited and gallant attack, within a few hundred yards of the French coast, and under a heavy fire from the enemy’s battery and vessels. Great commendation is also due to the officers’and crew of the Albacore, who appear to have acted in the most determined manner, and to have preserved the most exact discipline, in so intricate a situation, with tiic wind directly on the shore, and close to a heavy surf; the Albacore was hulled in several places, and her main and muin-top-masts were wounded, but I am happy to find she has suffered no loss in men[2].”
Captain Henniker obtained post rank on the 22d Jan. 1806; and subsequently commanded the Mermaid frigate for a short period.
Agents.– Messrs. Stilwell.