Royal Naval Biography/Sykes, John (a)
JOHN SYKES, Esq.
[Commander.]
Obtained the rank of lieutenant in July, 1796; and served as first of the Belvidera frigate. Captain Richard Byron, from Feb. 27th, 1810, until promoted to the command of the Variable sloop, Nov. 2d, 1814. The very active and successful manner in which the above ship was employed during the war with North America, has been stated in the memoir of her gallant captain[1]. We should therein have mentioned, however, that the Mars privateer, of 15 guns and 70 men, was destroyed, near Sandy Hook, by the boats of the Belvidera, Endymion, and Rattler, under the command of Lieutenant Sykes.