A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Adamson, John
ADAMSON. (Lieut., 1811. f-p., 23; h-p., 21.)
John Adamson entered the Navy, 21 June, 1803, as Midshipman, on board the Britannia 100, Captain, afterwards Rear-Admiral, the Earl of Northesk, under whom he fought as Master’s Mate at Trafalgar, 21 Oct. 1805, and on the completion of the victory was sent to assist in navigating the Berwick, one of the captured 74’s. While next attached, from 1806 until 1809, to the Lavinia 40, Capt. Lord Wm. Stuart, on the Channel and Mediterranean stations, he witnessed the surrender of a frigate and store-ship – assisted on different occasions in cutting seven merchantmen from under the enemy’s batteries – was once sent to Malta in combined charge of two prizes – and for upwards of two years had charge of a watch. Being invested with the command, in July, 1809, of a gun-boat mounting a long 24-pounder forward and a carronade abaft, with a complement of 37 men, Mr. Adamson, who did not pass his examination until some months afterwards, took an active part in all the operations connected with the expedition to the Walcheren, and was particularly praised by the present Sir Geo. Cockburn for the precision of his fire during the bombardment of Flushing. After a further servitude in the Formidable 98, Capt. Jas. Nicoll Morris, and Victory 100, bearing the flag of Sir Jas. Saumarez (to a Lieutenancy in which ship he was confirmed 6 July, 1811), he joined, early in 1812, the Hannibal 74, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Philip Chas. Durham, with whom he continued actively to serve, in the Christian VII. 80, and Bulwark 74, on the Home station, until Nov. 1813. He was then successively appointed Senior of the Elk 20, Capt. John Curran, lying at Portsmouth, and Favorite 18, Capt. Hon. Jas. Ashley Maude, in which latter vessel we find him returning home from America with the ratification of the treaty concluded at Ghent between Great Britain and the United States, and subsequently employed in the East Indies in co-operation with the army against the province of Cutch. The Favorite being paid off in June, 1817, Mr. Adamson remained unemployed until Nov. 1825, when he obtained an appointment as Agent for Transports afloat. He continued in that service, commanding successively the Vibilia, Hope, Cato, and Neva transports, in every quarter of the globe, until again placed on half-pay, 22 May, 1832, on which occasion he received a very flattering, unsolicited letter of approbation from the Commissioner at the head of the Transport department. He has not been since able to procure employment.