2277196Royal Naval Biography — Wemyss, JamesJohn Marshall


JAMES WEMYSS, Esq.
M.P. for Fifeshire.
[Post-Captain of 1814.]

This officer is the eldest son of the late General Wemyss, of Wemyss, M.P. by a daughter of the first General Sir William Erskine, who served in America, and subsequently on the continent with H.R.H. the Duke of York. His cousin, we believe, is the present Duchess of Gordon.

Mr. Wemyss was born in 1789; and he entered the navy, as a midshipman on board the Unicorn frigate, Captain Charles Wemyss, in 1801. We afterwards find him serving in the Tonnant 80, and Culloden 74; the former ship commanded by Sir Edward Pellew, now Viscount Exmouth, and employed off Ferrol and Corunna; the latter bearing that officer’s flag, as commander-in-chief in India.

In 1807, Mr. Wemyss acted as lieutenant of the Victor sloop, Captain George Bell, and bore a part in one of the most sanguinary fights that ever took place on any vessel’s deck: the official account thereof will be found at p. 33 et seq. of Suppl. Part II. Some time after this severe conflict, he passed his examination, and was immediately appointed flag-lieutenant to Sir Edward Pellew, with whom he also served as such in the Christian VII. 80, and Caledonia 110, off the Scheldt and in the Mediterranean; on which latter station he was promoted to the command of the Pylades sloop, Feb. 1, 1812.

On the 5th Oct. 1813, Captain Wemyss assisted at the capture of 29 French vessels, lying in Port d’Anzo, chiefly laden with timber for the arsenal at Toulon[1]. In April 1814, he received the public thanks of Sir Josias Rowley, for his “ready assistance” during the successful operations against Genoa[2].

Immediately after the reduction of that fortress. Captain Wemyss was appointed to command the Rainbow 26, which ship he paid off in the month of Dec. following. His post commission bears date July 1, 1814.

Captain Wemyss married, Aug. 8, 1826, Lady Emma Hay, sister to the Earl of Errol.

Agent.– T. Collier, Esq.