A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Harper, James
HARPER. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 18; h-p., 24.)
James Harper entered the Navy, 27 Nov. 1805, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Active 38, Capt. Rich. Hussey Moubray; with whom, in the same ship, and, as Midshipman, in the Montagu and Repulse 74’s, he continued to serve, on the Cork, and Mediterranean stations, until June, 1814. He was present during that period, in the Active, at the passage of the Dardanells and the destruction, of the redoubt at Point Pesquies in Feb. 1807; on shore, while belonging to the Montagu, at the reduction of Santa Maura in April, 1810; and, in the Repulse’s boats, in conjunction with those of the Volontaire and Undaunted frigates, at the annihilation of two important batteries and the capture of a convoy near the port of Morjean 2 May, 1S13. He next, on leaving the Repulse, joined the Latona 38, flag-ship of Sir Wm. Johnstone Hope at Leith, where he remained until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 1 Feb. 1815. From the latter date Mr. Harper remained unemployed until 12 Jan. 1839, when he was appointed to the Niagara 20, Capt. Williams Sandom, in which ship, stationed on the lakes of Canada, he continued to serve, the greater part of the time as First-Lieutenant, until the early part of 1843. While so attached he appears to have had charge of a steamer in action with the rebels at Prescott, in Upper Canada. He has been in successive command, since 16 Dec. 1843 and 1 Aug. 1846, of the Experiment and Minos steam-vessels, on Lakes Huron and Erie. Agent – Fred. Dufaur.