Royal Naval Biography/Kneeshaw, Joshua
JOSHUA KNEESHAW, Esq.
[Commander.]
Obtained the rank of lieutenant in Sept. 1800; and lost the hired armed cutter Georgiana, on the banks near Honfleur, whilst employed in reconnoitring the enemy’s force up the river Seine, Sept. 25th, 1804, We next find him commanding the Martial gun-brig, attached to the Walcheren expedition; and subsequently the Piercer, a similar vessel, forming part of the Heligoland squadron, under the orders of Captain Arthur Farquhar, by whom the following mention Is made of him in an official despatch announcing the fall of Gluckstadt, Jan. 5th; 1814:
“To Lieutenants Kneeshaw and Sir George Keith every praise is due» for their able support during the bombardment. Lieutenant Kneeshaw, who will have the honor of carrying home this despatch, is an officer of great merit – his attention to his duty since he has been under my command, claims my warmest approbation. He is an old officer, and has lost his right arm in the service of his country[1]”.
On the 12th Jan. 1814, the day of his arrival at the Admiralty, Mr, Kneeshaw was promoted to the rank of commander, and re-appointed to the Piercer, then rated a sloop of war. In the following year he commanded the Censor 14. The present amount of his pension (originally granted in Oct. 1802) is 200l. per annum.