Royal Naval Biography/d'Auvergne, Corbet James
CORBET JAMES D’AUVERGNE, Esq.
Ranger of the Island of Jersey and its Dependencies.
[Post-Captain of 1811.]
Son of the late Charles d’Auvergne, Esq. (a descendant of the celebrated Godfrey, first Duke of Bouillon, in France)[1] by his second wife Bandinel, daughter of the Seigneur de Melesches, the head of one of the most ancient families in Jersey.
We first find this officer commanding the Aristocrat hired armed brig, and capturing a French gun-vessel, off Cape Frehel, Feb. 19, 1800, at which period he was employed under the orders of his half-brother, Philip d’Auvergne, whom the reigning prince of Bouillon had some years before formally adopted as his son and successor, conformably to precedents established in that duchy so far back as the time of the crusades.
Lieutenant d’Auvergne’s next appointment appears to have been to the Severn 44, bearing the broad pendant of the same officer on the Jersey station; and if we mistake not he was the senior officer on board that ship when she was driven ashore and wrecked, in Grouville Bay, Dec. 21, 1804. He subsequently served as first-lieutenant of the Majestic 74, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Thomas Macnamara Russell, who makes the following handsome mention of him in his official letter reporting the capture of Heligoland, Sept. 5, 1807:–
“I have appointed Lieutenant d’Auvergne as acting governor until their lordships’ pleasure is known; and I beg leave to add, that from his perfect knowledge of both services, his zeal and loyalty, and a high sense of honor, I know no seaman more competent to the trust.”
The subject of this sketch was made a commander Oct. 13, 1807, and continued at Heligoland for some time after his promotion. On leaving that island he received a very flattering address from the magistrates, aldermen, and other principal inhabitants. He subsequently commanded the Autumn sloop of war.
Captain d’Auvergne obtained post rank, Aug. 1, 1811; and died at Havre, Feb. 2, 1825. A memoir of his brother’s services will be found in the Nav. Chron. vol. 13, pp. 169-191, and vol. 36, p. 264.