Royal Naval Biography/Tomkinson, James
JAMES TOMKINSON, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1819.]
Obtained the rank of lieutenant, Sept. 19, 1805; and was first of the Comet sloop, Captain Cuthbert Featherstone Daly, at the capture of la Sylph, French national brig, of 18 guns and 98 men, Aug. 11th, 1808. “His zeal and activity in this contest” were duly reported by Captain Daly, whose official account of the affair will be found at p. 386 et seq. of Suppl. Part I. Lieutenant Tomkinson’s promotion to the rank of commander took place Mar. 12th, 1810.
We next find this officer engaged in a series of arduous and most important services, off Isle Bourbon, under Captain (now Sir Josias) Rowley; who, when reporting the capture of la Venus French frigate, and the re-capture of H.M.S. Ceylon, on the 18th Sept. 1810, “thought it his duty to notice the active zeal shown by Captain Tomkinson of the Otter, and Lieutenant Street, commanding the Staunch gun-brig,” both on that and former occasions.
The Ceylon was taken possession of by Captain Tomkinson, who appears to have commanded her at the subsequent reduction of the Isle of France. His post commission bears date, Aug. 12th, 1819.