His post commission bears date April 29, 1802. During the late war he held an appointment in the Sea Fencible service; and commanded the Medway, a third rate. In July, 1814, he captured the United States’ brig of war Syren, pierced for 18 guns, with a complement of 137 men.
Agent.– John Hinxman, Esq.
JAMES COUTTS CRAWFORD, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1802.]
This officer is a son of the late James Crawford, Esq. by Helen Coutts, first cousin of the late wealthy London banker of that name.
He was born at his father’s residence in Dundee, July 20, 1760; and after making several voyages in the Carolina and Virginia trade, entered the naval service, in April, 1777, as a Midshipman, under the protection of the present venerable Admiral John Henry, who at that period commanded the Vigilant, a ship on the establishment of a sloop of war, but armed with heavy cannon for the purpose pf battering forts, and covering the operations of the King’s troops serving against the rebels in North America.
Towards the latter end of the same year Mr. Crawford removed with his friend, Captain Henry, into the Fowey, of 20 guns; and on the 24th Oct. 1778, he was appointed to act as a Lieutenant on board the same ship, an officer of that rank being obliged to invalid in consequence of his having been severely wounded during a recent expedition against the enemy near Boston.
Among the many services in which Mr. Crawford participated whilst on the American station, the defence of Savannah and reduction of Charlestown [1] appear the most conspicuous.
On the former occasion he was entrusted with the command of the Fowey’s guns, mounted in a battery on shore; and we find his meritorious conduct particularly mentioned in the public letters of General Prevost and Captain Henry, the latter of whom commanded the small squadron which so materially contributed to the preservation of that important post.
