A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Etough, Henry Gladwell

1705474A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Etough, Henry GladwellWilliam Richard O'Byrne

ETOUGH. (Lieut., 1813. f-p., 11; h-p., 31.)

Henry Gladwell Etough entered the Navy, 12 May, 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Druid 32, Capt. Philip Bowes Vere Broke, with whom – after contributing to the capture of the Prince Murat privateer of 18 guns, and Le Pandour national brig of similar force – he removed, as Midshipman, in 1806, to the Shannon of 50 guns, throwing a broadside weight of 538 lbs., and 306 men. In Dec. 1807 he witnessed the surrender of the island of Madeira; and he also, at various times, assisted in taking a large number of the enemy’s armed and other vessels. On 1 June, 1813, being then Acting-Master of the Shannon, Mr. Etough distinguished himself, and was particularly recommended for his conduct, at the memorable capture of the American ship Chesapeake of 50 guns, yielding a broadside of 590 lbs., and 376 men; an exploit which was achieved after 15 minutes of intense combat, in which the British sustained a loss of 24 men killed and 59 wounded, and the enemy of 47 killed and 115 wounded.[1] He was therefore promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, by commission dated 9 July; but he did not leave the Shannon until the month of November; subsequently to which we find him appointed, in the course of 1814, to the Chanticleer 10, Capt. Stewart Blacker, and Clarence and Bedford 74’s, Capts. Fred. Warren and Jas. Walker. Previously to participating in the operations against New Orleans, Mr. Etough, on 14 Dec. 1814, served with the boats of the latter ship, and of a squadron, at the capture, on Lake Borgne, of five American gun-boats under Commodore Jones, which did not surrender until the British, after a fierce contest, had been occasioned a loss of 17 men killed and 77 wounded.[2] His next appointments were – 1 Sept. 1815, to the Prometheus 16, Capt. Wm. Bateman Dashwood, from which vessel he was obliged, in the following month, to invalid – and, 8 May, 1819, to the Alert sloop, Capt. Chas. Farwell, employed in the Downs. Since 1820 Lieut. Etough has not, we believe, been afloat. Agents – Case and Loudonsack.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1813, p. 1329.
  2. Vide Gaz. 1815, p. 448.