Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Off Mardoe 6 July 1812
John Powell, Master
Approx. 47 clasps awarded
Wounded in the action and in receipt of a pension of 6 pounds
(ADM22/402/00013/705 of. 1833 refers) John Powell, Midn. Of Flamer.
John Powell, b. Hampshire, to Flamer as Landsman April 1809, to Midshipman Jan. 1810, reverted to AB June 1810, to Capt F.Top Nov. same year and to Midshipman, March 1811. 1 Jun 1812 captured the French privateer Pauline in the North Sea. Wounded Off Mardoe and removed from Flamer on it’s return to Yarmouth fro Heligoland 3 Nov. 1812. To Bermuda 14 Nov. still in the rank of Midshipman and Master’s Mate from Jan . 1813 until July 1814 where his service ended.
Recorded as Greenwich 1840 and died 1 July, 1863
Flamer, gun brig of 10 (+2 bow chasers), complement intended 50 but muster records 1 Midshipman, 34 crew ( + officer commanding).
The Flamer received an honourable mention in the despatch of Captain J. P. Stewart (London Gazette 14 July 1812): ‘The Podargus and Flamer in the meantime were warmly engaged with numerous batteries and gun-boats, both brigs being aground; but by the uncommon exertion and extreme gallantry of Captain Robilliard [Podargus], and the officers and crews of the brigs, they at last got afloat very much cut up; on this occasion Lieutenant England particularly distinguished himself.’
On the 6th of July, in the evening, as the British 64-gun ship Dictator, Captain James Patteson Stewart, accompanied by the brig-sloops Calypso, 18, Captain Henry Weir, and Podargus, 14, Captain William Robilliard, and gun-brig Flamer, Lieutenant Thomas England, was off Mardoe on the Norway coast, the mast-heads of several vessels were seen over the rocks, known to be a Danish squadron, consisting of the new 40-gun frigate Nayaden, carrying 24-pounders on the main deck, and 48 guns in all, and the 18-gun brigs Laaland, Samsoe, and Kiel. Having a man on board the Podargus acquainted with the place, Captain Robilliard volunteered to lead in after the enemy ; but the Podargus unfortunately took the ground, just as she had entered the passage. Leaving the Flamer to attend her, Captain Stewart stood on with the 64 and the remaining brig. By 7 h. 30 m. p.m. the two vessels, the Calypso leading, had arrived within a mile of the Danish frigate and her consorts, then running, under a press of sail, inside the rocks. Shortly afterwards the engagement began between the Danish squadron and several gun-boats on one side, and the Dictator and Calypso, which latter, having grounded for a short time, was now astern of her consort, on the other. At 9 h. 30 m. P. M� after having run 12 miles through a passage, in some places scarcely wide enough to admit the Dictator’s studding sail booms to be out, Captain Stewart had the satisfaction to run his ship with her bow upon the shore, and her broadside bearing, within hailing distance, upon the Danish frigate and three brigs, all of whom had anchored close together, with springs on their cables, in the small creek of Lyngoe.
The Calypso closely followed the Dictator; and such was the well-directed fire opened from the two British vessels, especially from the 64, that the Nayaden, according to the British official account, was ” literally battered to atoms,” the three brigs compelled to haul down their colours, and such of the gun-boats, as were not sunk, to seek their safety in flight. Scarcely had the action ended, and the Dictator got afloat, than the gun-boats rallied ; but the latter were so warmly attacked by the Calypso, that they soon ceased their annoyance. Meanwhile the Podargus and Flamer, which latter had also grounded, were warmly engaged with the shore-batteries and another division of gun boats. At length, by the indefatigable exertions of their respective officers and crews, both the Podargus and Flamer got afloat, very much cut up. At 3 a.m. on the 7th the Dictator, Calypso, and the two prize-brigs, the Laaland, commanded by Lieutenant James Wilkie of the Dictator, and the Kiel, by Lieutenant Benjamin Hooper of the Calypso, in attempting to get through the passages, were assailed by a division of gunboats from behind the rocks, so situated that not a gun could be brought to bear upon them from either vessel. In this attack, both prize-brigs, already complete wrecks, grounded ; and, notwithstanding every exertion on the part of the lieutenants and men placed in them, they were obliged to be abandoned : that, too, without being set on fire, owing to the wounded men of their crews remaining on board.
Copies of record of service, ship’s allotment book, pension record for wound received.
Glendining December 1915 and June 1919 Baldwin 1966, Turl Collection 2010
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