ALMS, JAMES (1728–1791)
Naval officer : born July 15, 1728, of humble origin, entered the Navy early : served in the East Indies : narrowly escaped when his ship sank in a storm in April, 1749, near Fort St. David : commanded an East Indiaman in the Bombay-China trade : was present at the capture of Gheria, the stronghold of the pirate Angria in 1756. After service in other stations, he, in 1780, commanded the Monmouth, 60 guns, joining Sir Edward Hughes in the Indian seas : was present in the engagements of 1782 off Sadras, Providien, Negapatam, Trincomalee, in which his ship suffered severely and his losses were heavy : his health gave way : retired in 1784, and died June 8, 1791.