JAMES COLLINS, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1810.]
Was made a Lieutenant early in 1781; and promoted to the rank of Commander, at the latter end of 1796. He commanded the Meteor bomb, in the expedition against Constantinople, and at the defence of Rosas; in 1807 and 1808: on the former service, his vessel had both her mortars burst, and sustained a loss of 8 killed and wounded: on the latter occasion, he “conducted the bombardment with great ability, and was indefatigable in the annoyance he gave the enemy by it.” So says Lord Collingwood, in an official letter to the Admiralty, dated Dec. 1, 1808: the following mention is made of his meritorious conduct by Captain John West, under whose orders he was first employed in Rosas bay:–
“I beg leave to conclude this despatch to your Lordship, by expressing how highly satisfied I have been with the conduct of the officers and company of the ship I have the honor to command, as likewise of those of the Meteor and Lucifer bombs, commanded by Captains Collins and Hall, whose great exertions, during the arduous and most fatiguing service they have imperiously been called upon to perform, reflect the greatest credit upon them[1].”
Lord Cochrane, when reporting the capitulation of Rosas, informed the commander-in-chief, that he “also felt indebted to Captain Collins for his aid[2].” Whilst engaging the enemy between the 7th and 20th Nov. 1808, the Meteor appears to have had 6 men wounded.
Captain Collins subsequently commanded the Columbine of 18 guns, in which brig we find him serving at the period of his advancement to post rank, Oct. 21, 1810. He obtained the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital, Aug. 24, 1812.
JOHN CRISPO, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1810.]
Received his first commission at the close of the Spanish armament, 1790; and subsequently commanded the Alert schooner, employed conveying the mails to and from New York and Halifax, which vessel he lost on St. John’s, now
- ↑ Nav. Chron. v. 21, p. 167.
- ↑ See Memoir of Captain Frederick Marryatt, C.B.
