1831523A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Mawbey, JohnWilliam Richard O'Byrne

MAWBEY. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 16; h-p., 33.)

John Mawbey was born 6 May, 1781. This officer entered the Navy, 9 April, 1798, as Midshipman, on board the Romney 50, Capt. John Lawford. In the following summer he witnessed the capture of a Swedish convoy laden with naval and military stores for the use of the French; and, on 30 Aug. 1799, having accompanied the expedition to Holland, he was present at the surrender of the Dutch squadron under Admiral Storey. He afterwards served with Capt. Lawford, in the Polyphemus 64, at the battle of Copenhagen, 2 April, 1801; and between Dec. 1802 and the date of his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, 8 Feb. 1815, was employed on the Home, West India, and Mediterranean stations, chiefly in the capacity of Midshipman, in the Calcutta 50, Capt. Daniel Woodriff, Puissant 74, Capt. Jas. Bowen, Windsor Castle 98, flag-ship of Admiral Montagu, Spartiate 74, Capt. Sir Fras. Laforey, Neptune 98, bearing the flag of Hon. Sir Alex. Cochrane, Abercromby 74, Capt. Wm. Chas. Fahie, Leyden 64, Capts. Edw. Chetham and John Davie, Barfleur 98 Capt. Sir Thos. Masterman Hardy, Blake 74, Capt. Edw. Codrington, Blenheim 74, Capt. Sam. Warren, and Caledonia 120, Prince Frederick 74 and Impregnable 98, flag-ships of Sir Edw. Pellew, Sir Thos. Byam Martin, and Sir John Thos. Duckworth. Besides participating in much arduous blockade-servioe, Mr. Mawbey, when in the Spartiate, went to the West Indies in pursuit of the celebrated Rochefort squadron, and on his return thence with Lord Nelson was afforded an opportunity of sharing in the action off Cape Trafalgar, 21 Oct. 1805. He was in the same ship at the reduction of the islands of Ischia and Procida in 1809; and, during the term of his attachment to the Leyden and Barfleur, was employed (part of the time as commanding officer) in a flat boat in co-operation with the British army in the Tagus, where the excessive fatigue he underwent produced an attack of fever, which rendered necessary his return for four months to England. In the Caledonia he beheld the fall of Genoa. Since his promotion, which did not take place until more than six years after he had passed his examination, he has not been afloat.

Lieut. Mawbey married, 20 Feb. 1819, Miss Mary Ann Lancaster, and by that lady has issue two sons and two daughters. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.