Royal Naval Biography/Pickford, Charles
CHARLES PICKFORD, Esq.
[Commander.]
Obtained his first commission in 1794; served as lieutenant of la Suffisante sloop, Captain Nicholas Tomlinson, at the capture of la Revanche French national brig, between Ushant and the Main, May 27th, 1796; and subsequently assisted in capturing, destroying, and re-capturing, two privateers, eleven French, two Dutch, four Spanish, one American, one Danish, and six British merchantmen, the latter having on board 1433 pipes and 34 hogsheads of wine, 83 bales and 186 bags of cotton, 250 chests of tea, 250 barrels of porter, and a quantity of lemons, vinegar, cork, steel, and other dry goods.
We next find Mr. Pickford first of the Inconstant frigate, on the African station, from whence he brought home his captain’s official account of the recapture of Goree, Mar. 9th, 1804: – the following is an extract:
“Conceiving it of importance that H.M. Ministers should be made acquainted as soon as possible with the recapture of this island, I have purchased a small brig, and sent my first lieutenant, Mr. Charles Pickford, an intelligent and deserving officer, to England, who will have the honor, to present my despatches; and I beg leave to recommend him in the strongest manner to their lordships’ favor.”
Mr. Pickford landed at Portsmouth on the 26th April, 1804, and was, next day, promoted to the command of the Discovery bomb. In 1809, he commanded the Glommen sloop, on the West India station.