A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Baker, Horace Mann

1631010A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Baker, Horace MannWilliam Richard O'Byrne

BAKER. (Lieutenant, 1841.)

Horace Mann Baker is second son of the late Vice-Admiral Sir Thos. Baker, K.C.B.

This officer entered the Navy 29 March, 1829; passed his examination 31 Jan. 1840; and was then appointed Mate of the Alligator 26, Capt. Alex. Leopold Kuper. During the operations on the coast of China, he landed at the storming, 27 Feb. 1841, of the enemy’s works close to Whampoa Reach, where 54 pieces of cannon were taken; assisted at the first capture of Canton; was officially mentioned for the activity with which, when in partial command of the Alligator boats, he aided in towing clear of that vessel a body of fire-rafts sent by the Chinese to effect her destruction; and, on 26 May, was again employed in the boats at the demolition of the line of defences extending about two miles from the British factory at Canton.[1] He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (while serving in the Tweed 20, Capt. Hugh Donald Cameron Douglas) by commission dated 8 Oct. 1841; and since 17 June, 1842, has been employed, in North America and the West Indies, on board the Pique 36, Capt. Hon. Montagu Stopford.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1841, pp. 1501,.1505, 2504, 2505.