Royal Naval Biography/Moore, Charles (b)
CHARLES MOORE (b), Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant on the 26th Jan. 1813; and served on shore, under the command of Captain (now Sir Charles) Rowley, at the reduction of Trieste, by the Austrian and British forces under General Count Nugent and Rear-Admiral Fremantle, in the month of October following. He was appointed flag-lieutenant to Sir Charles Rowley, on that officer assuming the chief command in the river Medway, Aug. 1816; and we subsequently find him lent to the Royal Sovereign yacht, Captain Sir Edward W. C. R. Owen, employed in conveying Louis Philippe, Due d’Orleans, now King of the French, from England to Calais. The following is translated from the Moniteur:
“Calais, April 17th, 1817.
“Yesterday, about 9 a.m., the Eleanor, from Nantz to Dunkirk, with corn, burthen 72 tons, with a crew of seven men, was driven on shore eastward of our harbour, during a strong north-west gale. Certain death seemed to await the unfortunate crew, who uttered the most piercing cries. At the instant when ail seemed to be over with them, for one or two had been washed away, a boat sent from the Royal Sovereign yacht was seen darting through the surf, manned by Lieutenant Charles Moore and eight British seamen. Commodore Owen placed himself at the extremity of the jetty, and, although repeatedly almost washed away by the sea, by his voice and gestures animated and directed the boat’s crew. The danger of those remaining on board increased every instant, and in a few minutes four were successively forced into the deep. The three survivors were seen imploring succour in the most agonizing manner: the generous and intrepid Moore neglected no efforts, and finally succeeded in saving, by means of a rope thrown from the boat, two of the crew, with whom he returned to the jetty, not being able to keep his boat longer above water. Captain Wilkinson of the Dart Packet, belonging to Dover, then threw himself into the boat, to lend his assistance, and she put off for the wreck once more, the last of the Eleanor’s crew still remained alive, and had lashed himself to the mast. The boat had again reached the wreck, when Lieutenant Moore, who stood up to give directions to his men, and to encourage the half-drowned Frenchman, was suddenly struck by a tremendous wave, and thrown into the sea. Consternation seized on all his companions, and they were struck motionless, when their brave officer again made his appearance, swimming alongside. He had passed under the bottom of the boat. Notwithstanding his accident, he, with the utmost coolness, ordered her again to be rowed to the wreck. By this manoeuvre, the spirits of the unfortunate Frenchman were revived; and he rather hastily loosened himself from the mast, then precipitated himself into the sea. He was seen on the surface for an instant, and every exertion was made to save him; but he sunk to rise no more. The boat then returned to the jetty, and the gallant officer and crew received the thanks and congratulations of a thousand spectators.”
For his conduct on this occasion, Mr. Moore was promoted to the rank of commander, June 24th, 1817. He married, in 1819, at Grantham, co. Lincoln, Elizabeth Ann, second daughter of the late Rev. Richard Palmer.