A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Wakefield, John Watson
WAKEFIELD. (Lieutenant, 1827.)
John Watson Wakefield entered the Navy, in 1816, as a Volunteer, on board the Hebrus 36, Capt. Edm. Palmer; and on 16 Aug. in the same year was present at the battle of Algiers. He served afterwards as Midshipman in North America and the East Indies in the Forth 40 and Leander 60 (the latter bearing the flag of Hon. Sir Henry Blackwood); and as Mate (he passed his examination in 1822) on the Home, South American, and West India stations, in the Apollo yacht, Capt. Hon. Sir Chas. Paget, Éclair sloop and Doris 42, both commanded by Capt. Wm. Jas. Hope Johnstone, and Barham 50, flag-ship of Hon. Chas. Elphinstone Fleeming. He returned home from the West Indies in the Rattlesnake 28, Capt. John Leith, shortly after his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, which took place 20 Aug. 1827; and has since been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.