Royal Naval Biography/Wells, John
SIR JOHN WELLS
Admiral of the Blue; Knight Commander of the most honourable Military Order of the Bath.
Towards the conclusion of the American war this officer commanded the Raven, of 14 guns, at the Leeward Islands, on which station he had the misfortune to be captured by two French frigates. He was afterwards appointed to the Wasp sloop, and cruised with so much activity against the smugglers as to call forth the thanks of the Commissioners of the Customs, who sent a sum of money to be distributed amongst his officers and crew as a reward for their exertions. His post commission bears date March 1, 1783, from which period we find no mention of him until the month of October, 1794, when he commanded the Defence, of 74 guns.
Early in 1797, Captain Wells was appointed to the Lancaster, 64, stationed in the North Sea, under the orders of the late gallant Lord Duncan; and on the memorable 11th October, in the same year, he most powerfully contributed to the defeat of the Dutch fleet, under Admiral de Winter[1]. The Lancaster, on that occasion, had 3 men killed and 18 wounded; and Captain Wells, for his meritorious conduct, was honoured with a gold medal. He afterwards walked in the procession to St. Paul’s, when their late Majesties, &c. went to the metropolitan church to deposit the various colours taken from the enemy during the war[2]. He continued to command the Lancaster till the month of May 1799, since which time, we believe, he has not been employed.
His promotions as a flag-officer took place in the following order; Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Nov. 9, 1805; Vice-Admiral, July 31, 1810; and Admiral, July 19, 1821. He was nominated an extra K.C.B. May 20, 1820[3].
Sir John Wells married, April 29, 1815, Miss Jane Dealty, of Rottingdean, Sussex.