Royal Naval Biography/Popham, Stephen
STEPHEN POPHAM, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1815.]
Brother of Brigadier-General George Munro Popham, C.B. formerly in command of the eastern district of Dacca, who died, Oct. 22, 1825.
This officer was born May 8, 1780; and he appears to have entered the navy as midshipman on board the Formidable 98, Mar. 12, 1796. He subsequently served in the Trusty 50, Oiseau frigate, Victorious 74, and Sceptre 64; from which latter ship he was providentially absent, either on duty or leave, when she was wrecked, in Table Bay, Nov. 5, 1799.[1]
On the 5th April, 1801, Mr. Popham, then belonging to the Zealous 74, was upset in a boat, off North Yarmouth, and not picked up until he had been nearly two hours in the water. Being then placed too near a large fire, his right leg was so dreadfully burnt that he could not leave his bed for upwards of six months. He obtained the rank of lieutenant, Oct. 7, 1801.
We next find Mr. Popham in the Glory 98, successively bearing the flags of Sir John Orde and Rear-Admiral Charles Stirling; from which ship he was removed to the Orion 74, subsequent to Sir Robert Calder’s action, which ended in the capture of two Spanish line-of-battle ships, July 22, 1805.[2]
The Orion, commanded by Captain Archibald Collingwood Dickson, formed part of the fleet under Admiral Gambier, in the expedition against Copenhagen, from whence Lieutenant Popham brought home the Rota, a Danish frigate of the largest class. During the summer of 1808, he was frequently employed in the Orion’s boats, protecting convoys through the Sound, and engaged with the enemy’s flotilla. In 1809, he accompanied Sir Richard J. Strachan to Walcheren, and there acted as aid-de-camp to the naval commander-in-chief.[3] A very gallant exploit afterwards performed by the boats of the Quebec frigate, under his directions, is thus officially described:–
“Sir,– I have the honor to report to you the capture of la Jeune Louise, a very fine French privateer schooner, of 14 guns and 35 men, which was most gallantly attacked and carried last night, in the Vlia Stroom, by a party of volunteers, in three boats from the Quebec, under the command of the first lieutenant, Stephen Popham, seconded by Lieutenant Richard Augustus Yates.
“And to do justice to the distinguished gallantry of Lieutenant Popham, and the officers and men employed upon this service, I must state to you. Sir, that in running past the Vlie and Schelllng yesterday evening, to resume our station before the Texel, the schooner was discovered at an anchor within, and Lieutenant Popham immediately offered his services to make an attempt upon her; accordingly, the frigate was brought to without the sands, in sight of the enemy, and the boats immediately despatched; and although we saw the engagement at half-past nine o’clock, it was not till after a long and anxious night that we had the extreme joy of seeing the schooner beating out of the enemy’s harbour, through the very intricate navigation of the passage, with the British colours flying over the French.
“I understand that the boats had to pull against a very strong tide, and found the enemy fully prepared for the attack, and closely surrounded by sands, on which they grounded; in this situation, they received three distinct broadsides from cannon and musketry, within pistol-shot; but, notwithstanding, they extricated themselves and boarded. The enemy contended the point on deck, and the French captain, Galien Lafont, a member of the legion of honor, was killed in personal contest by Lieutenant Yates.
“I am sorry now. Sir, to state the loss sustained on our side.[4]
“Lieutenant Popham speaks in the highest terms of the spirit and good order maintained by Lieutenant Yates, Mr. M‘Donald, master’s-mate, in command of the third boat, Mr. Duncan, clerk, Mr. Charles Ward, gentleman volunteer, and the whole of his party; la Jeune Louise carries six 12 and eight 9-pounder carronades; the remainder of her crew, consisting of 60 men, were some of them landed that morning, sick, and others in a prize at sea. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To Vice-Admiral Sir Edw. Pellew, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
The subject of this memoir was made commander, Aug. 1, 1811; from which period we lose sight of him until May 6, 1814, when, in the Montreal of 21 guns, formerly the Royal George 23[5], he assisted at the capture of Oswego, situated on the river of that name, near its confluence with Lake Ontario. On that occasion, “he anchored his ship in the most gallant style, sustaining the whole fire of the American fort, until the storming party gained the shore[6].” In this battle, the Montreal was set on fire three times by red-hot shot; nor could it be wholly extinguished for near three hours after the cannonading had ceased: her masts, sails, and rigging were much cut; Captain Popham was severely wounded in his right hand, by a piece of one of the above shot; and Mr. James Richardson, master, from a severe wound in the left arm, was obliged to undergo amputation at the shoulder joint; one of her crew was killed, and four others wounded.
Captain Popham was subsequently sent with a detachment of boats, containing about 180 men, to endeavour to intercept a number of small craft, laden with ordnance, cordage, &c. for the enemy’s shipping at Sackett’s harbour. Having obtained certain information, that the Americans had taken shelter in Sandy Creek, he proceeded to the entrance of it, landed there shortly after day-light. May 31, and having reconnoitred their position, determined on an immediate attack; the disastrous result of that enterprise will be seen by the following extracts of his official report to Commodore Sir James L. Yeo:–
“The masts of their boats, 18 in number, were plainly seen over the marsh, and, from their situation, did not appear to be very near the woods; their not attempting to interrupt our entry into the creek, led me to hope they were only protected by militia. This circumstance, added to the very great importance of the lading of their boats to the equipment of their squadron, was a strong motive for me to risk the attack, not aware that they brought their rifleman in their boats, and that a body of Indians had accompanied them along the beach.
“The boats advanced cautiously to within about a quarter of a mile of the enemy, when Lieutenant Cox, of the royal marines, was landed, with the principal part of his men, on the left bank; and Captain Spilsbury and Lieutenant Browne, with the cohorn and small-arm party, accompanied by Lieutenant M‘Veagh, with a few marines, were landed on the right bank. Their respective parties advanced on the flanks of the gunboats (which had, from their fire, dispersed a body of Indians) to a turning which opened the enemy’s boats to our view, when, unfortunately, the 68-pounder carronade, on which much depended, was disabled. Seeing us pull the boat round, to bring the 24-pounder to bear, the enemy thought we were commencing a retreat, when they advanced with their whole force, consisting of 150 riflemen, near 200 Indians, and a numerous body of militia and cavalry, which soon overpowered the few men I had. Their resistance was such as I could have expected from a brave and well-disciplined body; but, opposed to such numbers, unavailing: their officers set them an example honorable to themselves, and worthy of a better fate. Captain Spilsbury, for a time, checked the advance of the enemy, by the fire which he kept up with the cohorn and his party; and I feel much indebted to him for his conduct throughout. Lieutenants Cox and M‘Veagh, who nobly supported the honour of their corps, are, I am sorry to say, dangerously wounded. Mr. Hoare, master’s-mate of the Montreal, whose conduct was conspicuous throughout, is the only officer killed. Our loss in killed and wounded (mostly dangerous) is great[7]. I send as correct a return as I can possibly get of them, as well as of the survivors. The winding of the creek, which gave the enemy great advantage in advancing to intercept our retreat, rendered any further perseverance unavailing, and would have subjected the men to certain death.
“Lieutenants Majoribanks and Rowe, in the rear, with the small boats, did every thing in their power; and Lieutenant Loveday’s exertions, in the Lais gun-boat, was such as I was much pleased with.
“The exertions of the American officers of the rifle corps, commanded by Major Appling, in saving the lives of many of the officers and men, whom their own men and the Indians were devoting to death, were conspicuous, and claim our warmest gratitude. I have the honor to be, &c.
This officer’s post commission bears date Sept. 19, 1814.
Agent.– C. Clementson, Esq.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part I. note at p. 222.
- ↑ See Vol. I. Part I. p. 405, et seq.
- ↑ See id. p. 290.
- ↑ One man killed, one drowned, one wounded; on the enemy’s side, two killed and one wounded.
- ↑ See p. 93.
- ↑ See Suppl. Part II. p 2l6.
- ↑ About 18 killed and 50 wounded.