HENRY DUCIE CHADS, Esq.
A Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1825.]
Eldest son of Captain Henry Chads, R.N., who died at Chichester, Oct. 10th, 1799.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, in Oct. 1800; and from thence joined the Excellent 74, Captain (now Admiral) Sotheron, under whom he assisted at the defence of Gaeta, was present at the capture of Capri[1], and completed his time as midshipman on the Mediterranean station. His first commission bears date Nov. 5th, 1806, at which period he was appointed, by Captain (afterwards Sir George) Montagu, to the Illustrious 74, Captain (now superannuated Rear-Admiral) William Shield, employed in the blockade of Cadiz. In July, 1808, we find him joining the Iphigenia frigate. Captain Henry Lambert, with whom he visited Quebec, and subsequently proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope.
In Aug. 1809, while cruising off the Mauritius, the Iphigenia accidentally ran on board the Boadicea frigate, and thereby lost her bowsprit and foremast. The next night she got aground under a heavy battery, where she was long exposed to a very severe fire. Not thinking it possible to save her, the senior officer of the squadron sent orders to set her on fire; but, after throwing some guns overboard, she was at length got off, through the persevering gallantry and uncommon exertions of her officers and crew.
In consequence of these unfortunate accidents, the Iphigenia was obliged to be docked at Bombay; from whence she returned to the Cape station, about the end of October, 1809. Owing to the successes of the French cruisers, Vice-Admiral Bertie, commander-in-chief, had now determined to maintain the blockade of the Isles of France and Bourbon
