A Naval Biographical Dictionary/O'Connell, Maurice FitzGerald

1857643A Naval Biographical Dictionary — O'Connell, Maurice FitzGeraldWilliam Richard O'Byrne

O’CONNELL. (Lieut., 1815. f-p. 21; h-p., 20.)

Maurice FitzGerald O’Connell entered the Navy, 1 Jan. 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Amethyst 36, Capts. John Wm. Spranger and Mich. Seymour, on the Cork station; where, in the following Aug., he removed to the Druid 32, Capts, Bennett, Hon. Donald Hugh Mackay, and Sir Wm. Bolton. In Nov. 1809, being at the time in the Bay of Biscay, he participated in an unsuccessful attack made by the boats of the latter frigate on two French national vessels; the result of which was the slaughter of two Lieutenants and several men, and the capture of himself and 20 others. Being retaken in a few days by the Druid, he continued in that ship until Sept. 1810, when he followed Sir Wm. Bolton into the Endymion 40, a very active cruizer. Joining next, in May, 1812, the Iris 36, Capt. Hood Hanway Christian, he served for some time in co-operation with the patriots on the north coast of Spain, where, among other places, he beheld the capture of Castro. On one occasion he was sent to assist in cutting out an American brig which had been chased into Vivero harbour. On the return of the party with their prize, a gale arose which caused two boats with 3 men to become detached, and drift towards an inaccessible rock. In this emergency Mr. O’Connell volunteered to go with another boat to their rescue, and in his humane efforts he happily succeeded. The gale, however, continuing, he was obliged to put into Vivero, and thence to travel with his men, 13 in number, overland to Corunna – 10 weeks elapsing before he was enabled to rejoin his ship. During that period we find him serving (as Supernumerary of the Lyra 10, Capt. Robt. Bloye) in a battery at the defence of Castro, when attacked and stormed by a very superior French force. On leaving the Iris in July, 1813, he rejoined Sir Wm. Bolton, as Master’s Mate, on board the Forth 40. In March, 1814, he was present in that ship when sent, with the Antelope 50, Capt. Sam, Butcher, and a Russian frigate, to reinforce a squadron stationed in the West Scheldt, While in the act, for this purpose, of forcing the Hondt passage, the Antelope unfortuately grounded within shell-range of Flushing; and in consequence he was at night ordered to assist in bringing several schuyts down the river to lighten her. When afterwards on the coast of North America he served at the blockade of New York, and was engaged at the attack and capture of an American brig chased into Egg harbour, an exploit in the achievement of which the First-Lieutenant of the Forth was severely wounded. In Aug. 1815, having passed his examination at the commencement of 1812, Mr. O’Connell took up a commission bearing date 14 of the preceding Feb. He has been employed in the Coast Guard since 12 Jan. 1836.

He married Agnes, daughter of the late Geo. Gorham, Esq., of Obrennan, co. Kerry, by whom he has issue four sons and one daughter. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.