Royal Naval Biography/de Courcy, Nevinson
NEVINSON DE COURCY, Esq.
Knight Commander of the Royal Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]
This officer is a son of the late Admiral the Hon. Michael De Courcy, who died at Stoketon House, near Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1824.
He was made lieutenant Jan. 29, 1806; promoted to the command of the Fawn sloop, in the West Indies, April 15, 1808; and appointed to the Mutine brig, of 16 guns, Oct. 31, 1810.
On the 18th April, 1813, Captain De Courcy addressed an official letter to Lord Amelius Beauclerk, of which the following is the substance:–
“Yesterday morning, while in execution of your lordship’s orders, at day-light, a strange ship was discovered on our lee bow, to which chase was immediately given; at 2 p.m. the stranger hoisted French colours, and commenced a fire from her stern-guns, which, disabling us in our sails and rigging, occasioned us to drop astern; at 8-40, being again within gun-shot, he hoisted a light, and opened a fire from his broadside, which was continued until 10-45, when his main-top-gallant-mast and jibs being shot away, we were enabled to cUtse him; still it was not until after a spirited resistance of 50 minutes that he hauled down his colours. The prize is l’Invincible privateer corvette, pierced for 20 guns, mounting twelve 18-pounder carronades (French calibre) and 4 long sixes, with 80 men on board (partly Americans), the remainder of her crew absent in prizes. It gives me pleasure to state to your lordship, that no loss has been sustained on our side, save 2 men slightly wounded; our rigging and sails are much cut, and masts wounded.”
Captain De Courcy’s post commission bears date June 7, 1814. He obtained permission to accept and wear the above Portuguese order in April 1825.
Agent.– Sir F. M. Ommanney.