Royal Naval Biography/Jones, George Matthew
GEORGE MATTHEW JONES, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1818.]
Received his first commission in 1802; and was junior lieutenant of the Amphion 32, when that frigate conveyed Lord Nelson from off Brest to the Mediterranean, on the renewal of hostilities with France, in 1803. He subsequently assisted at the capture of a Spanish squadron, laden with treasure, from South America bound to Cadiz[1]. On the 8th Nov. 1808, he was severely wounded in a gallant but unsuccessful boat attack on the coast of Istria[2]. On the 27th Aug. 1809, he again highly distinguished himself at the capture and destruction of six heavy gun -vessels, seven trabacolos, and a land battery of four long 24-pounders, at the mouth of the Piavie, and in sight of the enemy’s squadron at Venice. A copy of his captain’s official letter on that occasion is given in the preceding memoir.
We next find this officer commanding the Tuscan brig, and employed in co-operation with the defenders of Cadiz during the siege of l’Isla de Leon, in the year 1811. His last appointment was, Jan. 23, 1817, to the Pandora of 18 guns, on the Irish station, where he remained for a period of nearly two years. He obtained post rank, Dec. 7, 1818.
In 1827, Captain Jones published “Travels in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Turkey; also on the Coasts of the Sea of Azof and of the Black Sea: &c. &c.” in 2 vols. 8vo. Previous to these travels, which were undertaken by him with a view to the acquisition of professional knowledge, he had already inspected all the naval arsenals and ports of France and Holland; and in this publication he relates the result of his examination of them, as well as of those of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark; thereby presenting his readers with a great deal of interesting, and, apparently, accurate information, on the amount and condition of the maritime force of most of the European Powers.
Agents.– Messrs. Cooke, Halford, and Son.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part II. pp. 536 and 833.
- ↑ See Captain Donat Henchy O’Brien.