Royal Naval Biography/Carew, Henry

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2340991Royal Naval Biography — Carew, HenryJohn Marshall


HENRY CAREW, Esq.
[Commander.]

Was first lieutenant of the Repulse 64, Captain James Alms, previous to the mutiny in the North Sea fleet; and obtained the rank of commander for his meritorious conduct on that trying occasion. The following is the substance of an official letter which he addressed to the above officer on surrendering to him the command of the Repulse, after having succeeded in escaping with her from the rebellious fleet at the Nore, to Sheerness harbour; dated June 9th, 1797:–

“Sir, – It is with much satisfaction I inform you, that a plan I this day laid, in conjunction with the other lieutenants, the master, purser, marine officer, boatswain, all the gentlemen of the quarter-deck, and the loyal part of the ship’s company, for the purpose of regaining the command of the Repulse, has fully succeeded.

“I did not intend to carry this plan into effect until 11 p.m.; but the Leopard was no sooner perceived under weigh, than our party took fire thereat, caught the moment, and carried our point: unfortunately, however, it happened to be low water; and the ship, soon after getting under sail, took the ground, remaining immovable for nearly two hours, under a heavy fire from the Monmouth, Director, Grampus, and Ranger. I am sorry to state, that the second lieutenant, George Augustus Delanoe, lost his leg in this business, but from the nature of such a service it will strike you with astonishment, that this was the only casualty, although the hull, sails, and rigging was very much damaged. I am, &c.

(Signed)Henry Carew.”

We have already intimated, that the Admiralty, from a high sense of Lieutenant Carew’s officer-like conduct and spirited exertions, were pleased to grant him promotion. His advancement to the rank of commander took place June 27th, 1797, at which period he had been eighteen years a commissioned officer. He was then appointed to the Swan sloop, on the North Sea station; where, in August following, he captured the Dutch privateer Goede Verwatging, of 8 guns and 28 men.

Commander Carew’s next appointment was, in 1800, to the Pheasant sloop, on the Halifax station; from whence he returned home with despatches, Aug. 22d, 1803. In the summer of the ensuing year, ill health obliged him to retire from active service; and the out-pension of Greenwich Hospital was granted to him, k» Dec. 1819.

This officer married Elizabeth Maria, eldest daughter of the Rev. Thomas Fownes, of Kittery Court, co. Devon; which lady died on the 4th Aug. 1831, in her 65th year.