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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Lanphier, Vernon

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1789668A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Lanphier, VernonWilliam Richard O'Byrne

LANPHIER. (Retired Commander, 1846. f-p., 13; h-p., 35.)

Vernon Lanphier entered the Navy, In the spring of 1799, as Midshipman, on board the Terrible 74, Capt. Wm. Wolseley, in which ship he went to the Mediterranean and back in pursuit of a French fleet. He was next, between Feb. 1800, and Nov. 1801, employed off the coasts of France and Spain in the Triton 32, Capts. Sir John Gore and Robt. Lewis Fitzgerald, and San Josef 110, Capts. W. Wolseley and Jas. Carpenter; after which we find him, from June, 1803, until Aug. 1808, serving on board the Spartiate 74, Capts. John Manley and Sir Fras. Laforey. . During that period he assisted in chasing a French squadron to the West Indies, returned with Lord Nelson to Europe in quest of the combined fleets of France and Spain, aided in blockading the enemy in Cadiz harbour, and shared in the glories of Trafalgar. On leaving the Spartiate, as above, Mr. Lanphier was nominated Acting-Lieutenant of the Leonidas 38, Capts. Jas. Dunbar and Anselm John Griffiths; in which frigate (being confirmed to her by commission dated 26 Nov. 1808) he continued to serve, off Toulon, in the Adriatic, and on the Irish station, until May, 1812. While in the Adriatic he saw a good deal of boat-service, contributed to the capture of a variety of vessels, and co-operated in the reduction. In Oct. 1809 and April, 1810, of Cephar Ionia and Santa Maura, on which latter occasion he was slightly wounded.[1] His last appointment was, 1 Dec. 1813, to the Vengeur 74, Capt. Tristram Robt. Ricketts, with whom he served on the coasts of France and America until Oct. 1814, when his health obliged him to invalid. He accepted his present rank 13 April, 1846. Agents- Messrs. Ommanney.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1810, p. 1137.