A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Woodcock, Francis Henry

2012426A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Woodcock, Francis HenryWilliam Richard O'Byrne

WOODCOCK. (Lieutenant, 1811. f-p., 13; h-p., 29.)

Francis Henry Woodcock died 11 Nov. 1845. This officer entered the Navy, 19 May, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Galykheid, Capt. David Colby, bearing the flag of the late Sir Edw. Thornbrough, with whom he continued employed as Midshipman and Master’s Hate in the Ruby 64, Eagle and Kent 74’s, and Royal Sovereign 100, on the North Sea, West India, Channel, and Mediterranean stations, until transferred, in Nov. 1809, to the Ville de Paris 110, flag-ship of Admirals Lord Collingwood and Thos. Fras. Fremantle in the Mediterranean also; where he was made Lieutenant, 25 May, 1811, into the Sultan 74, Capt. John West. In command, with Lieut. Anderson, of the boats of the latter ship, he attacked, boarded, and carried, off Bastia, 4 Dec. following, with a loss to the British of only 4 men wounded, and to the enemy of 1 man killed and several wounded, two French national armed vessels, one a settee of 8 guns and 31 men, and the other a brig of 6 guns and 53 men.[1] In May, 1813, he removed to the Ethalion 36, Capts. Edm. Heywood and Wm. Hugh Dobbie; in which frigate he served on the coast of Ireland until paid off in Sept. 1815. This was his last appointment.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1812, p. 638.