Royal Naval Biography/King, Andrew
ANDREW KING, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1807.]
IsIs a brother to Captain Edward Durnford King, R.N., whose services we have already recorded.
This officer served as a midshipman on board the Bellerophon 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Pasley, in the actions of May 28 and 29, and the glorious battle of June 1, 1794[1]; as senior Lieutenant of the Andromeda frigate, commanded by Captain Henry Inman, when that officer attempted to destroy a French squadron in Dunkirk harbour, July 7, 1799[2]; as first of la Desirée, under the same commander, at the defeat of the Danish line of defence before Copenhagen, April 2, 1801[3] (on which occasion he was wounded); and as fourth Lieutenant of Nelson’s flag-ship, in the ever-memorable conflict with the combined fleets near Cape Trafalgar, Oct. 21, 1805[4]. His promotion to the rank of Commander took place Jan. 22, 1806.
By reference to p. 239 of this volume, it will be seen that Captain King commanded the Hebe hired armed ship, and was several times warmly engaged with the enemy’s batteries and flotilla, during the siege of Copenhagen, in 1807. From thence he returned home in the Waldemaar, a Danish 80, the equipment of which ship was greatly expedited by his zealous exertions. His post commission bears date Oct. 13, 1807.
In the summer of 1808, Captain King was appointed, pro tempore, to the Venerable 74; and in her he assisted at the reduction of Flushing, Aug. 15, 1809[5]. We subsequently find him commanding the Hannibal 74, bearing the flag of Sir Thomas Williams; Royal George a first rate. Rainbow of 26 guns, and Iphigenia frigate; the three latter on the Mediterranean station.
The Iphigenia formed part of Sir Josias Rowley’s squadron, at the capture of Genoa, in April, 1814[6]; and was afterwards ordered to conduct a fleet of transports from Gibraltar to Bermuda. In Oct. 1815, we find her proceeding to the East Indies, from whence Captain King returned home in command of the Cornwallis 74. His last appointment was, Dec. 28, 1821, to the Active 46, in which frigate he continued until about Sept. 1824.
The subject of this sketch married. Mar. 5, 1821, Mary, eldest daughter of Charles Lewin, of St. Albans, co. Herts, Esq.