2372939Royal Naval Biography — King, HenryJohn Marshall


HENRY KING, Esq.
[Commander.]

Was made a lieutenant in Oct. 1802; and promoted to his present rank, while serving in the Seahorse frigate. Captain (now Sir James A.) Gordon, who thus speaks of him in his official letter to Sir Alexander Cochrane, reporting the brilliant proceedings of a squadron under his orders, in the Potowmac river, North America, in Aug. and Sept. 1814[1].

“So universally good was the conduct of all the officers, seamen, and marines, that I cannot particularize with justice to the rest; but I owe it to the long-tried experience I have had of Mr. Henry King, first lieutenant of the Seahorse, to point out to you, that such was his eagerness to take the part to which his abilities would have directed him on this occasion, that he even came out of his sick bed, to command at his quarters, whilst the ship was passing the batteries[2]; the two first guns pointed by Lieutenant King, disabled each a gun of the enemy.”



  1. See Vol. II. Part II. pp. 941–945.
  2. On her return from Alexandria.