A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Stopford, James John
STOPFORD. (Captain, 1841.)
James John Stopford was born 17 April, 1817. He is next brother of Capt. Robt. Fanshawe Stopford, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 14 Feb. 1829; obtained his first commission 5 Oct. 1837; and was appointed, 17 of the same month, to the Princess Charlotte 104, flag-ship in the Mediterranean of his father. Sir Robt. Stopford, to whom he was nominated, 21 Feb. 1838, Flag-Lieutenant. He was advanced to the rank of Commander 18 Feb. 1840; appointed, five days afterwards, to the Zebra 16, also in the Mediterranean; and posted 14 May, 1841. In the Zebra he obtained the grateful thanks of Capt. Houston Stewart, the senior officer present, for the cordial support and assistance he afforded in the attack upon Tortosa 25 Sept. 1840; on which occasion, we learn, the precision of the Zebra’s fire was quite astonishing.[1] On 4 Dec. following Capt. Stopford was wrecked during a gale of wind off Caiffa; but he was honourably acquitted by court-martial of all blame on the occasion. From 13 Nov. 1844, until paid off in 1848, he commanded the Amazon 26, off Lisbon and again in the Mediterranean. Agent – J. Chippendale.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1840, p. 2607.