A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Mainwaring, Benjamin

1819826A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Mainwaring, BenjaminWilliam Richard O'Byrne

MAINWARING. (Lieutenant, 1814. f-p., 17; h-p., 26.)

Benjamin Mainwaring, born 5 April, 1794, is brother of Capt. Edw. R. P. Mainwaring, R.N.

This officer entered the Navy, 21 Sept. 1804, as A.B., on board the Téméraire 98, Capt. Elias Harvey, and on 21 Oct. 1805 was present in the action off Cape Trafalgar, where that ship occupied a position next astern of the Victory, and enacted a most distinguished part. In March, 1806, he became Midshipman of the Tonnant 80, bearing the flag of the last-named officer, and afterwards of Hon. Michael de Courcy, off Cadiz; and he next, between July 1808 and May 1814, served in the St. George 98, successive flag-ship in the Baltic and Channel of Rear-Admirals E. Harvey, Fras. Pickmore, and Robt. Carthew Reynolds, Cordelia 10, commanded by Capt. Thos. Fortescue Kennedy on the Downs station, and Revenge 74, bearing the flag in the Mediterranean of Sir John Gore. During the period he continued in the latter ship he served in her boats and assisted in cutting out two privateers from under the enemy’s batteries on the coast of Catalonia.[1] He was confirmed a Lieutenant (after having acted for a few weeks as such) in the Trident receiving-ship at Malta, Capts. Rich. Budd Vincent and Chas. Hope Reid, 19 July, 1814. He came home in the early part of 1816, and was lastly, from 26 July, 1831, until 1836, employed in the Coast Guard.

Lieut. Mainwaring married, 6 Jan. 1819, Miss Mary Milbon.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1814, p. 124.