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James Richard Dacres (1749–1810)
Encyclopedia
James Richard Dacres was an officer of the Royal Navy
who saw service during the Seven Years' War
, the American War of Independence
and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
. He eventually rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral
.
in February 1749, the eldest son of the secretary of the garrison Richard Dacres, and his wife Mary Dacres, née Bateman. He had a younger brother, Richard Dacres
, who also embarked on a naval career. James Richard entered the navy in February 1762, joining the 28-gun frigate
, which was then under the command of Captain Herbert Sawyer. Shortly afterwards, on 21 May that year, the Active in company with captured the Spanish register ship Hermione. The Hermione had been bound from Lima
carrying a cargo of gold coin, gold, silver and tin ingots, and cocoa and when captured became the richest prize taken during the war. The Actives share of the prize money came to £251,020 12s, which meant that even an ordinary seaman received the sum of £485 3s 4d. Dacres moved aboard Captain William Hotham's
32-gun , following this with service aboard Captain John Elliot's and Commodore Richard Spry
's 60-gun . Spry appointed Dacres as lieutenant to the 32-gun under Captain Phillips Cosby
on 17 March 1769.
. He sailed with the Blonde to Quebec
as part of the escort for a troop convoy. In June 1776 he was appointed by Commodore Sir Charles Douglas
to lead a naval detachment to Lake Champlain
. There he took command of the 12-gun schooner
Carleton, which formed part of Captain Thomas Pringle's
flotilla. He took part in the battle of Battle of Valcour Island
on 11 October 1776 and after the victory General Guy Carleton
sent Dacres back to Britain with the despatches. He was made master and commander on 25 November 1776 after his return and was appointed to command the 14-gun . He transferred to the 18-gun and commanded her off the Leeward Islands
.
Ceres patrolled the Caribbean and the American coasts, and on 9 March 1778 and in company with she chased two American frigates, and , eventually engaging the Alfred and forcing her to surrender. He went on to capture the French privateer
Tigre on 18 October 1778; but the Ceres was herself engaged and captured by the 36-gun French frigate Iphigénie off St Lucia on 17 December 1778. The Ceres was escorting a troop convoy at the time, and Dacres acted to decoy the French frigate away from the convoy, eventually forcing the French to pursue the Ceres for 48 hours, allowing the convoy to escape. Dacres was subsequently exchanged
and returned to England, whereupon he was made acting-captain of the 74-gun , afterwards being transferred to the 28-gun . He was not confirmed as post-captain
however until 13 September 1780, when he was given command of the 20-gun , stationed in the Downs
. He transferred to the frigates and towards the end of the war.
in 1793 led to Dacres returning to sea aboard the 64-gun and taking part in the bombardment and capture of Fort Bizothen at Port-au-Prince
. His crew however suffered from high levels of sickness and Dacres was despatched back to Britain as a convoy escort. After his arrival he was appointed to command the 90-gun as part of the Channel Fleet
under Lord Bridport
. He was present at the Battle of Groix
on 23 June 1795, but was not actively engaged.
Vice-Admiral William Waldegrave
went on to hoist his flag on the Barfleur, retaining Dacres as his flag captain
. He and the Barfleur sailed to join Sir John Jervis's
fleet in the Mediterranean. Dacres was involved in the recapture of from the French in early 1796, and was still in command when the Battle of Cape St Vincent took place on 14 February 1797. Dacres subsequently returned to Britain aboard the hired cutter Flora and received command of the 80-gun , sailing her to the Mediterranean. Dacres remained aboard the Foudroyant until February 1799.
command. With the Peace of Amiens he became Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
. With the resumption of the war he was appointed second in command on the Jamaica station, serving under Sir John Thomas Duckworth
and flying his flag in the 36-gun . He soon became considerably wealthy from the spoils of prize warfare, being promoted to commander of the station in 1805, Vice-Admiral on 9 November 1805 and remaining in the post until 1809.
, on 1 August 1777 during a period in Britain while in command of the Ceres. The marriage took place at Totnes
, Devon
and subsequently produced two sons. Both had substantial naval careers, the elder, Barrington Dacres
became post-captain, the younger, James Richard Dacres rose to be a Vice-Admiral. Dacres retired from active service in 1809 having amassed considerable wealth from his time in Jamaica. He did not live long to enjoy it though, dying on 6 January 1810 at the age of 60 after a fall from his horse.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who saw service during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
, the American War of Independence
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
. He eventually rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral
Admiral (United Kingdom)
Admiral is a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-9, outranked only by the rank Admiral of the Fleet...
.
Family and early life
Dacres was born in GibraltarGibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
in February 1749, the eldest son of the secretary of the garrison Richard Dacres, and his wife Mary Dacres, née Bateman. He had a younger brother, Richard Dacres
Richard Dacres (Royal Navy officer)
Sir Richard Dacres, GCH was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars...
, who also embarked on a naval career. James Richard entered the navy in February 1762, joining the 28-gun frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, which was then under the command of Captain Herbert Sawyer. Shortly afterwards, on 21 May that year, the Active in company with captured the Spanish register ship Hermione. The Hermione had been bound from Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
carrying a cargo of gold coin, gold, silver and tin ingots, and cocoa and when captured became the richest prize taken during the war. The Actives share of the prize money came to £251,020 12s, which meant that even an ordinary seaman received the sum of £485 3s 4d. Dacres moved aboard Captain William Hotham's
William Hotham, 1st Baron Hotham
Admiral William Hotham, 1st Baron Hotham was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was the son of Sir Beaumont Hotham , a lineal descendant of Sir John Hotham....
32-gun , following this with service aboard Captain John Elliot's and Commodore Richard Spry
Richard Spry
Admiral Sir Richard Spry was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.-Naval career:Spry joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1733. Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later...
's 60-gun . Spry appointed Dacres as lieutenant to the 32-gun under Captain Phillips Cosby
Phillips Cosby
Vice Admiral Phillips Cosby was a Royal Navy officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.-Naval career:Cosby joined the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman in 1747. He was given command of a schooner at the Siege of Louisbourg in 1758 and was present at the capture of Quebec in 1759.Promoted...
on 17 March 1769.
American War of Independence
With the outbreak of the war Dacres was appointed as second lieutenant aboard the 32-gun , under Captain Philemon PownollPhilemon Pownoll
Philemon Pownoll was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence, rising to the rank of post-captain....
. He sailed with the Blonde to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
as part of the escort for a troop convoy. In June 1776 he was appointed by Commodore Sir Charles Douglas
Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet
Rear Admiral Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet of Carr was a descendant of the Earls of Morton and a distinguished British naval officer...
to lead a naval detachment to Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
. There he took command of the 12-gun schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
Carleton, which formed part of Captain Thomas Pringle's
Thomas Pringle (Royal Navy officer)
Vice-Admiral Thomas Pringle was an officer of the Royal Navy. He served during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.-Family and early life:...
flotilla. He took part in the battle of Battle of Valcour Island
Battle of Valcour Island
The naval Battle of Valcour Island, also known as the Battle of Valcour Bay, took place on October 11, 1776, on Lake Champlain. The main action took place in Valcour Bay, a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island...
on 11 October 1776 and after the victory General Guy Carleton
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, KB , known between 1776 and 1786 as Sir Guy Carleton, was an Irish-British soldier and administrator...
sent Dacres back to Britain with the despatches. He was made master and commander on 25 November 1776 after his return and was appointed to command the 14-gun . He transferred to the 18-gun and commanded her off the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
.
Ceres patrolled the Caribbean and the American coasts, and on 9 March 1778 and in company with she chased two American frigates, and , eventually engaging the Alfred and forcing her to surrender. He went on to capture the French privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
Tigre on 18 October 1778; but the Ceres was herself engaged and captured by the 36-gun French frigate Iphigénie off St Lucia on 17 December 1778. The Ceres was escorting a troop convoy at the time, and Dacres acted to decoy the French frigate away from the convoy, eventually forcing the French to pursue the Ceres for 48 hours, allowing the convoy to escape. Dacres was subsequently exchanged
Prisoner exchange
A prisoner exchange or prisoner swap is a deal between opposing sides in a conflict to release prisoners. These may be prisoners of war, spies, hostages, etc...
and returned to England, whereupon he was made acting-captain of the 74-gun , afterwards being transferred to the 28-gun . He was not confirmed as post-captain
Post-Captain
Post-captain is an obsolete alternative form of the rank of captain in the Royal Navy.The term served to distinguish those who were captains by rank from:...
however until 13 September 1780, when he was given command of the 20-gun , stationed in the Downs
The Downs
The Downs are a roadstead or area of sea in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast, between the North and the South Foreland in southern England. In 1639 the Battle of the Downs took place here, when the Dutch navy destroyed a Spanish fleet which had sought refuge...
. He transferred to the frigates and towards the end of the war.
French Revolutionary Wars
The outbreak of the French Revolutionary WarsFrench Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
in 1793 led to Dacres returning to sea aboard the 64-gun and taking part in the bombardment and capture of Fort Bizothen at Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
. His crew however suffered from high levels of sickness and Dacres was despatched back to Britain as a convoy escort. After his arrival he was appointed to command the 90-gun as part of the Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
under Lord Bridport
Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport
|-...
. He was present at the Battle of Groix
Battle of Groix
The Second Battle of Groix was a naval engagement that took place on 23 June 1795 during the French Revolutionary War off the west coast of France....
on 23 June 1795, but was not actively engaged.
Vice-Admiral William Waldegrave
William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock
William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock GCB was the Governor of Newfoundland and an Admiral in the Royal Navy.Waldegrave was the second son of John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave and Elizabeth...
went on to hoist his flag on the Barfleur, retaining Dacres as his flag captain
Flag captain
In the Royal Navy, a flag captain was the captain of an admiral's flagship. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this ship might also have a "captain of the fleet", who would be ranked between the admiral and the "flag captain" as the ship's "First Captain", with the "flag captain" as the ship's...
. He and the Barfleur sailed to join Sir John Jervis's
John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent
Admiral of the Fleet John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent GCB, PC was an admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom...
fleet in the Mediterranean. Dacres was involved in the recapture of from the French in early 1796, and was still in command when the Battle of Cape St Vincent took place on 14 February 1797. Dacres subsequently returned to Britain aboard the hired cutter Flora and received command of the 80-gun , sailing her to the Mediterranean. Dacres remained aboard the Foudroyant until February 1799.
Flag rank
Dacres was promoted to Rear-Admiral of the Blue on 14 February 1799, two years to the day after the battle of Cape St Vincent. He was further advanced to Rear-Admiral of the White on 1 January 1801, and was then appointed as second in command of the PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
command. With the Peace of Amiens he became Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. In the nineteenth century the holder of the office was known as Commander-in-Chief,...
. With the resumption of the war he was appointed second in command on the Jamaica station, serving under Sir John Thomas Duckworth
John Thomas Duckworth
Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth, 1st Baronet, GCB was a British naval officer, serving during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, as the Governor of Newfoundland during the War of 1812, and a member of the British House of Commons during his...
and flying his flag in the 36-gun . He soon became considerably wealthy from the spoils of prize warfare, being promoted to commander of the station in 1805, Vice-Admiral on 9 November 1805 and remaining in the post until 1809.
Family and later life
Dacres had married Eleanor Blandford Pearce, of CambridgeCambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, on 1 August 1777 during a period in Britain while in command of the Ceres. The marriage took place at Totnes
Totnes
Totnes is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and subsequently produced two sons. Both had substantial naval careers, the elder, Barrington Dacres
Barrington Dacres
Barrington Dacres was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He eventually rose to the rank of Post-Captain...
became post-captain, the younger, James Richard Dacres rose to be a Vice-Admiral. Dacres retired from active service in 1809 having amassed considerable wealth from his time in Jamaica. He did not live long to enjoy it though, dying on 6 January 1810 at the age of 60 after a fall from his horse.