A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Falkiner, Charles Leslie
FALKINER. (Commander, 1813. f-p., 10; h-p., 34.)
Charles Leslie Falkiner is third son of the late Sir Sam. Falkiner, Bart., by Sarah, daughter of Chas. Leslie, M.D., and grand-daughter of the Very Rev. Dean Leslie. He is a younger brother of the present Sir Riggs Falkiner, Bart., of Anne Mount, co. Cork
This officer entered the Navy, 29 Aug. 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Galatea 32, Capt. Henry Heathcote, whom, having attained the rating of Midshipman 12 months previously, he followed, in April, 1805, into the Désirée 36. On 20 Aug. in the same year he joined the Uranie 38, Capt. Christopher Laroche, off the coast of France, where he afterwards became attached, in 1807-8, to the Brilliant 28, Capt. Thos. Smyth, and Donegal 74, Capt. Pulteney Malcolm. While in the latter ship he was often employed in her boats annoying the enemy’s trade; and, on the night of 11 April, 1809, he served in the Hercule fire-ship, commanded by her First-Lieutenant, Christopher Nixon, in Lord Cochrane’s attack on the French shipping in Aix Road. For his conduct on that occasion, Mr. Falkiner was promoted, immediately on passing his examination, to the rank of Lieutenant, 4 Jan. 1810, and appointed to the Castilian brig, Capt. Robt. Brown Tom. Being appointed, on 15 of the ensuing May, to the Shannon, of 50 guns, throwing a broadside weight of 538 lbs., and 306 men, Capt. Philip Bowes Vere Broke, he sailed for the coast of North America, and was there very actively employed for nearly three years. On 1 June, 1813, being off Boston lighthouse, Mr. Falkiner headed the Shannon’s main-deck boarders, and was “most strongly recommended” for the “gallantry, skill, and judgment” of 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 a close and desperate action of 15 minutes, a loss to the British of 24 men killed and 59 wounded, and to the enemy of 47 killed and 115 wounded.[1] The subject of this sketch, who took the Chesapeake as Prize-Master into Halifax Harbour, and then returned home with the despatches, was rewarded for his behaviour with a Commander’s commission, dated 9 July, 1813; since which period, however, he has been on half-pay.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1813, p. 1330.