Royal Naval Biography/a'Court, Edward Henry
EDWARD HENRY A’COURT, Esq.
M.P. for Heytesbury, Wilts.
[Post-Captain of 1811.]
The A’Court family, long settled at Rodden, a hamlet situate in Frome hundred, co, Somerset, has recently been ennobled by the elevation of this officer’s brother to the peerage[1].
We first find the subject of this sketch serving as a midshipman on board the Blanche frigate, off St. Domingo, in Nov. 1803:– a gallant exploit which he performed at that period is thus described by Mr. James:
“Midshipman Edward Henry A’Court, with a marine and seven seamen, was despatched from the Blanche in the red cutter, to collect sand for the use of the ship. Although it had been ordered that youngsters, sent upon services of this kind, lest their pugnacious spirit should lead them into danger, were not to be allowed arms, the men in the boat, before they pushed off from the frigate, contrived to smuggle five or six muskets through the ports. It so happened that, in the dusk of the evening, the boat fell in with a schooner nearly becalmed. The midshipman and his little party of sanders unhesitatingly pulled towards her, and as she had the appearance of a privateer, and might open a cannonade upon them, Mr. A’Court judiciously kept in her wake. Just as the boat had approached the stern of the schooner, a fire of musketry from the latter mortally wounded one man, and badly wounded another, of the boat-party. Mr. A’Court, nevertheless, pulled straight up alongside, and, with the assistance of his five remaining hands, boarded and carried a French schooner, bound to Cape François, having among her passengers a detachment of between 30 and 40 soldiers, commanded by a Colonel, who had fought, bled, and distinguished himself, at the battle of Arcole[2].”
Mr. A’Court was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Feb. 13, 1804; and made a Commander June 10, 1808. His post commission bears date Mar. 29, 1811.
Agents.– Messrs. Maude.