HENRY OMMANNEY LOVE, Esq.
[Commander.]
Eldest son of Commander William Love, R.N. by Harriet, youngest daughter of the late Gabriel Acworth, Esq. purveyor of the navy[1].
This officer was educated at the royal naval college, from whence he embarked as midshipman, on board the Dannemark 74, Captain James Bissett, in which ship we find him present at the attack and capture of Flushing in 1809. He subsequently served under Captains J. Coutts Crawford and Charles Jones, in the Venus frigate and Boyne 98, the latter ship bearing the flag of Sir Harry Neale, off Ushant. In July 1812, his father had the gratification to receive the following communication from Captain Jones:
“My dear Love, * * * * * The son you have entrusted to my care, and who is now appointed acting lieutenant of the Tigre, a short time since did a most gallant act. One of the young midshipmen, not exceeding thirteen years of age, whilst playing about the entering port, in a strong tides way, off the enemy’s coast, fell overboard:– your son being near the spot, the instant he heard the cause of alarm, jumped overboard, and saved the boy’s life. I am also happy in saying his conduct has been such as to give satisfaction to both Sir Harry Neale and myself, and from the thorough knowledge he seems to have of his profession, both practical and theoretical, I do not doubt but he will make a most excellent officer. * * * * * * I remain, dear Love, yours very truly,
Sir Harry Neale, “as an encouragement to enterprise and humanity,” successively appointed Mr. Love to act as lieutenant of the Tigre, Sparrow, and Ville de Paris, but he was not confirmed until the allied sovereigns visited the fleet at Spithead, when, being the senior passed midshipman present, he received a commission dated June 27th, 1814. He was next appointed, April 11th, 1821, to the Hyperion frigate. Captain James Lillicrap, fitting out for the Cape of Good Hope, where he assisted in rescuing the Hon.E.I.Com-
