Royal Naval Biography/Garland, James
JAMES GARLAND, Esq.
[Captain of 1828.]
Served as midshipman on board the Ganges 74, Captain (afterwards Sir Thomas F.) Fremantle, at the battle of Copenhagen, April 2d, 1801[1]; and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant Jan. 4th, 1808. We next find him in the Revenge 74, Captain Alexander R. Kerr (acting), which ship formed part of a detachment from the fleet under Admiral Gambier, sent to complete the discomfiture of a French squadron in Aix Roads, April 12th, 1809, on which occasion he received two severe contusions. His next appointment was, Sept. 8th, 1812, to the Superb 74, Captain the Hon. (now Sir Charles) Paget, under whom he assisted at the capture of several American vessels, whilst employed on the Channel station. On the 14th June, 1814, Captain Paget, then commanding the squadron stationed off New London, in the state of Connecticut, made the following official report to Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander I. Cochrane:–
“Sir,– Having received intelligence that a fine ship and brig, just built, the former for a letter of marque, the other for a privateer, were, with several other vessels, lying at a place called Wareham, at the head of Buzzard’s Bay, I proceeded hence[2] and detached the Nimrod through Quick’s Hole, with the boats of this ship and two from that sloop to destroy them, under the direction of Lieutenant James Garland, first of the Superb; and I am happy to add, that the service was perfectly performed without any loss on our part, though it was achieved under critical circumstances. The extreme intricacy of the navigation rendered it too hazardous to attempt the enterprize without the assistance of daylight, which, however, necessarily exposed the boats upon their return down the narrow-stream, to a fire of musketry from a numerous militia, which had collected from the vicinity on the first alarm being given. The foresight and prompt resolution of Lieutenant Garland completely succeeded in obviating the danger that was thus to be apprehended; for having first destroyed all the vessels and a valuable cotton manufactory, he then secured the principal people of the place as hostages for a truce tiU the boats were conducted back out of the reach of difficulty. the influence that these persons had over the militia that collected and threatened a cross fire upon the boats from both banks of the river, has been fully proved by their abstaining to molest them, and of course the hostages were afterwards relanded at the first convenient spot. The cotton manufactory had been lately built at great expence, was full of stores, and belonged to a company of sixty merchants at Boston. I cannot in justice omit to report to you the steady and exemplary conduct of the seamen and marines, who, though exposed to incessant temptation of liquor, &c. did not in any single instance fail to spurn the offers made to them, and strictly to hold sacred private property. I have the honor to be, &c.
On this occasion 2522 tons of American shipping were destroyed, including the intended letter of marque, pierced for eighteen long 12-pounders, and a privateer ready for launching, pierced for fourteen guns. The value of the cotton manufactory, with the stores it contained at the time, was estimated by the principal inhabitants at 500,000 dollars.
Lieutenant Garland obtained a commander’s commission in Aug. 1815. On quitting the Superb, he was presented by his late messmates with a very elegant silver ladle, by the midshipmen with a silver cup and snuff-box, and by the ship’s company with a handsome piece of plate, as “a tribute of esteem and gratitude.”
This officer was advanced to the rank of captain on the 15th October, 1828. He married, in 1818, Mary Anne, youngest daughter of Thomas Inman, of Great Hayes, co. Somerset, Esq.; and died on the 18th May, 1830, after a lingering illness, in the 44th year of his age.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. note at p. 365, et seq.
- ↑ Martha’s Vineyard Sound.