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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Caswell, George

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1652171A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Caswell, GeorgeWilliam Richard O'Byrne

CASWELL. (Commander, 1846. f-p., 26; h-p., 13.)

George Caswell entered the Navy, 24 May, 1808, as Sec.-cl. Vol., on board the Parthian 10, Capts. John Balderson, Rich. Harward, and Hon. Henry Dawson, in which vessel we find him, in the course of the same year, sharing in an action with three men-of-war – assisting next at the capture, 5 May, 1809, of La Nouvelle Gironde, a noted privateer, of 14 guns and 58 men – and employed, subsequently, at the bombardment of Flushing. Having attained the rating of Midshipman, 4 April, 1810, he removed, in Nov. following, to the Christian VII. 80, bearing the flag of Sir Edw. Pellew, with whom he continued to serve, in the same ship and the, Caledonia 120, on the North Sea and Mediterranean stations, until Sept. 1814. During that period he partook of the two slight encounters, of 5 Nov. 1813 and 13 Feb. 1814, with the French fleet near Toulon – and served on shore at the reduction of Genoa. After a further attachment to the Prince Frederick, Capt. Rich. Pridham, receiving-sloop at Plymouth, and to the Malta 80, Capt. Wm. Chas. Fahie, and Boyne 98, flag-ship of Lord Exmouth, both on the Mediterranean station, Mr. Caswell was promoted, 24 Sept. 1815, to a Lieutenancy in the Minstrel 20, Capt. Fras. Erskine Loch, in which he returned home and was paid off in the ensuing December. His subsequent appointments were – 28 Dec. 1824, to the Champion 18, Capt. John Fitz-Gerald Studdert, with whom he served, as First Lieutenant, during the Burmese war – 17 Nov. 1829, and 1 May, 1830, to the Victory 104, Capt. Hon. Geo. Elliot, and St. Vincent 120, Capt. Hyde Parker, at Portsmouth – 23 March and 16 Dec. 1831, as Senior, to the Pallas 42, Capt. Manley Hall Dixon, in the West Indies, and Madagascar 46, Capt. Edmund Lyons, in the Mediterranean – 25 Nov. 1834, to the Coast Guard – 13 Nov. 1841, again as Senior, to the Gorgon steamer, Capt. Wm. Honyman Henderson, on the Mediterranean station – and, 23 April, 1842, in a similar capacity, to the Cleopatra 26, Capt. Christ. Wyvill, at the Cape of Good Hope. He continued in the latter vessel until promoted to his present rank 9 Nov. 1846.

Commander Caswell married Louisa, daughter of Commander Benj. Leigh, R.N., by whom he has issue. Agents – Coplands and Burnett.