Royal Naval Biography/King, Edward Durnford

2159242Royal Naval Biography — King, Edward DurnfordJohn Marshall


EDWARD DURNFORD KING, Esq
[Post-Captain of 1801.]

This officer is a son of the late William King, of Southampton, Esq., and a brother of Captain Andrew King, R.N. He first went to sea in the Director of 64 guns, commanded by Captain Thomas West, in June 1789; and from that period served in various ships till 1794, when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, for his good conduct as a Midshipman on board the Barfleur, a second rate, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Bowyer, in the memorable actions between Earl Howe and M. Villaret de Joyeuse, an account of which will be found in our first volume.

After serving for some time with the present Sir Edward Thornbrough, in the Robust 74, Mr. King joined the Dryad of 44 guns and 251 men: and he was the senior Lieutenant of that ship when she captured, after a spirited action, la Proserpine, a French frigate of 42 guns and 348 men. His behaviour on that occasion procured him the official commendations of his Captain, Lord Amelius Beauclerk, and he was in consequence advanced to the rank of Commander[1], but we



  1. Mr. James, in his Naval History, makes the following observations on the action between the Dryad and Proserpine: “Were it not for the