A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Whipple, John

2004810A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Whipple, JohnWilliam Richard O'Byrne

WHIPPLE. (Commander, 1798. f-p., 24; h-p., 41.)

John Whipple entered the Navy, in 1782, on board the Europa 50, Capts. John Thos. Duckworth and Arthur Philip, stationed in the East Indies, whence he returned in May, 1784, having previously attained the rating of Midshipman. He served next, from March, 1786, until Dec. 1788, and again from March, 1789, until Dec. 1791, in the Rose, Capts. Henry Harvey and Jacob Waller, at Newfoundland; and from Dec. 1792 until Sept. 1793 in the Fortune, Capt. Fras. Wooldridge, in the North Sea and on the coast of Holland. He then joined the Gibraltar 80, Capts. Thos. Mackenzie and Hon. Thos. Pakenham; under the former of whom he fought in Lord Howe’s action 1 June, 1794. He was made Lieutenant, 28 Aug. following, into the Firm sloop, Capts. Robt. Plampin and Micajah Malbon, attached to the force on the coast of Holland; was placed in command, 25 June and 28 Aug. 1795, of the Wolf and Leopard gun-vessels, on the Sheerness and Portsmouth stations; and in March, 1796, was appointed to the Alexander 74, Capts, A. Philip, Joseph Bullen, and Alex. Ball. For his conduct as First-Lieutenant of the ship last mentioned at the battle of the Nile he was promoted to the rank of Commander 8 Oct. 1798. He was employed in the Sea Feneibles in Ireland from 1 March, 1806, until 28 Feb. 1810; and in raising seamen for the service in Dublin from 23 Feb. 1811 until 31 Aug. 1816. He was admitted to the Out-Pension of Greenwich Hospital 8 June, 1824; and is now the senior officer of his rank in the Navy.

One of Commander Whipple’s daughters, Matilda Elizabeth, married, 23 Nov. 1841, G. K. Bell, Esq., of the Bombay Artillery; and another, Mary, 7 Jan. 1845, Lieut. Sam. Brooking Dolling, R.N.