Adm. John Townsend Coffin

JOHN TOWNSEND COFFIN Esq Third son of Major General John Coffin who distinguished himself during the war between Great Britain and her colonies in many severe conflicts with the republican troops by Anne daughter of William Matthews of St John's Islands in South Carolina Esq and nephew to Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin Bart We first find this officer a midshipman on board the Blenheim 74 bearing the flag of the gallant but ill fated Sir Thomas Troubridge whose son the present baronet makes especial mention of his good conduct while serving in the Harrier brig at the capture of the Dutch frigate Pallas and two large armed ships near Java July 25 1806 Although Mr Coffin had then served the time necessary to qualify him for a commission as appears by the official despatch just referred to he did not obtain the rank of lieutenant till April 11 1808 On the 21st Feb 1812 being then in the Victorious 74 Captain now Sir John Talbot he assisted at the capture of the Rivoli French two decker in the Gulf of Venice f We subsequently find him in the Ocean 98 Captain now Rear Admiral Plampin and Rainbow 26 Captain Gawen William Hamilton from which latter ship he was promoted to the command of the Shearwater brig on the Mediterranean station July 1 1814 His last appointment was Aug 12 1819 to the Fly of 18 guns in which sloop he cruised with considerable success against the American smugglers on the Irish coast He also picked up a vessel from Miramichi laden with timber totally dismasted without her rudder and deserted by her crew The Fly was paid off at Portsmouth Dec 7 1821 and Captain Coffin advanced to post rank Dec 26 1822

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=5y1EAAAAYAAJ&rdid=bo... rank Dec 26 1822 Agents Messrs Stilwell See Suppl Part I pp 279 281 t See Vol I Part II p 745